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Terrorism vs free and fair poll
[Editorial, The Assam Tribune, May 2, 2001]
Rhetoric in poll campaign speeches often takes the upper hand resulting in skirting of the basic
issues. The general tendency is to dismiss such speeches as mere propaganda. But Union Home
Minister and senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani deserves appreciation for throwing the spotlight on
major issues confronting the country in general and Assam in particular. The same attitude can also
discerned in the main campaign speech of Congress (I) president Sonia Gandhi even though her
criticism and promises were of a different kind. [AT]
Save Assam first
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 2, 2001]
Sir,
The AGP-BJP poll pact has raised a plethora of
controversy. The controversy has been initiated by the
reactionary forces known for their affection for the illegal
infiltrators. The people behind these forces are not at all
concerned whether Assam remains intact or not. Their main
concern is how to consolidate their vote banks and how to come
to power with the votes of the infiltrators. More ...
Yours etc., SIBA NATH SARMA, Narikalbari, Guwahati. [AT]
| Muslim scout for new 'Saviour'
BRHAMPUR and NELLIE (Nagaon), May 1:
The cut has healed, but the wound still festers. For two
days, three-month-old Hasina Khatun lay under a pile
of rubble with an arrow embedded in her left arm
before being rescued by the police. That was in 1983
when over 1,500 Muslims were butchered in a
senseless orgy of communal violence in Nellie.
Today, sanity has returned and Hasina is a young
woman who has just cleared her matric exams. But the
scar on her arm is a constant reminder that the attack
on their village also snatched her mother away from
her. [TT]
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ULFA link
Cong ridicules Advani's charge
NEW DELHI, May 1: Congress today blasted Home Minister L K Advani for charging the party with
using ULFA extremists to harass AGP and BJP candidates in Assam and advised him instead to
concentrate on toning up his ministry and intelligence agencies, whose working was a 'flop', reports PTI.
"Advani and Home Ministry are seemingly very competent and good when concerning intelligence of the
Congress, but in the security of the country, the Ministry and intelligence agencies are a flop," party
spokesman Anand Sharma told reports here. [AT]
AGP, Cong supporters clash
GUWAHATI, May 1: Supporters of AGP
candidate Dr Kamala Kalita and Congress
nominee Rana Goswami came to blows while
electioneering in the Chaygaon constituency in
Kamrup district today. Several persons
belonging to both camps, were injured while
properties were also damaged. Police said that
rival supporters clashed at Ukiam Tiniali, under
Chaygaon police station around 12.40 pm with
both sides indulging in stone-throwing. [AT]
Kumar Dipak Das shifted to AIIMS
GUWAHATI, May 1: Kumar Dipak Das, AGP
candidate for Barpeta constituency, who
received serious injuries following an attack of
the banned ULFA near Guagasa LP school in
Barpeta on Sunday, was shifted to the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
today. Das, undergoing treatment at Down
Town hospital here was shifted due to his
severe injuries in the right leg. [AT]
Over 1.44 cr to cast votes in State
GUWAHATI, May 1: A total of 1,44,26,221 electorate is going to elect 126 representatives to the
Assam Assembly in the forthcoming Assembly polls scheduled for May 10 next. There is a 14.62 per
cent increase in the number of voters in comparison to 1,25,85,712 voterrs in 1996 Assembly polls. Out
of the total electorate this time, the number of male voters is 75,27,057 while the number of female
voters is 68,99,164, official sources informed here. The total number of polling stations have also gone
up by 7.6 per cent in the State since the last election. The number of polling stations this year is 17,654
while it was 16,404 in 1996 elections. [AT]
AGP-BJP planning to rig polls : Cong
GUWAHATI, May 1: The Congress party is concerned over an 'AGP-BJP plan' ti use security forces
to disrupt polling in the State. The AICC general secretary in-charge of Eastern and North-east India,
Sri Kamal Nath, today alleged that out of desperation, the AGP-BJP combine was planning to use
security forces to rig the polls. He claimed the overwhelming response of the voters, who thronged
Congress president Sonia Gandhi's meetings in large numbers yesterday, had added to the frustration
of the AGP-BJP alliance. [AT]
Minorities' representation in State Assembly
GUWAHATI, May 1: The representation of religious minority communities in Assam Assembly is
seemed to be proportionate with that of the ethnic Assamese people of the State since 1937, the year
in which the Assam Legislative Assembly came into being, said Sri Jatindra Nath Talukdar, a senior
lecturer in Statistics with the Nagarbera BP Chaliha College. Sri Kalita who has been studying the
election politics of the State, said, citing data from election records, that between 1937 and 1946, the
percentage of Muslim representation in the State Assembly was 30.70, while between 1946 and 1952, it
was 29.62. During these periods, representation of the Christian communities were 11.2 per cent and
13.8 per cent respectively, in the State Assembly. [AT]
Army vigil intensified in Lower Assam to thwart militants
From R Dutta Choudhury
KOKRAJHAR, May 1: The presence of the Army in the lower Assam district has been increased to
restore confidence among the people in view of the attempts by the militant outfits to create disturbance
during the poll process. Brigadier Rana Goswami of the Army Brigade posted in Kokrajhar to look after
the districts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Dhubri, told The Assam Tribune that the Army has been
carrying out counter-insurgency operations to thwart the militants from creating disturbance. He said
that the Army would not be involved on election duty directly, but the Army has been gearing up to
check the movement of the militants. [AT]
17 BJP members expelled
GUWAHATI, May 1: The State president of the Bharatiya
Janata Party, has expelled 17 members of the party with
immediate effect for indulging in anti-party activities, a press
release said. [AT]
AAMSU call
GUWAHATI, May 1: The All Assam Minorities Students Union
(AAMSU) has appealed to the minority people to be united
against those political parties which are trying to divide the
minority. In a statement, AAMSU president Shamsul Hoque
alleged that Congress, AGP and BJP have failed completely to
protect the interest of the minority despite their key role in the
State politics. Hoque also appealed to the people to support the
AAMSU-backed candidates in the ensuing Assembly elections. [AT]
| BJP leader Jayanta Dutta, 4 others killed in ULFA attacks
DIBRUGARH, May 1 : The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) struck in a big way today and shot dead five persons including the general secretary of the Assam Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who is the party's Dibrugarh candidate for the coming Assembly elections, Mr Jayanta Dutta in two separate incidents in Dibrugarh town this evening. In the two incidents nine others were injured, four of them seriously. [S]
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A protest march taken out in the city by the AGP-BJP alliance on May 1 in protest against the attacks on AGP leaders and workers by suspected ULFA militants.
The Sentinel photo. |
We will not spare extremists: Cong
GUWAHATI, May 1: The Congress party today said that if it was voted to power in Assam, it would deal with all forms of violence with a firm hand and try to solve the insurgency problem of the State politically. Addressing a press conference here today, general secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Mr Kamal Nath said that his party condemned all forms of violence and that if it was voted to power, it would not spare anybody who would indulge in violence. [S]
NDFB getting funds from ISI, CIA : ABSU
KOKRAJHAR, May 1 (UNI): Trigger-happy cadres of the National Democratic Front of Boroland and the ULFA are on a killing spree and will step up their activities as the May 10 Assembly elections, which is bound to vitiate the election scenario in Assam, a top Bodo leader alleged today. Speaking to UNI here All Bodo Students' Union president Rabiram Narzary alleged that NDFB ultras have gunned down ten AGP functionaries in Nalbari district and have been intimidating people in their strongholds to vote for their candidates failing which they would face dire consequences. [S]
Cong far ahead of rivals in poll expenses
GUWAHATI, May 1: The political parties of Assam are leaving no stone unturned to help the candidates of their respective parties to get elected in the coming Assam Assembly elections. In order to woo the voters to their fold, they have unleashed a major blitzkrieg by providing different allurements ranging from Tata Sumo vehicles for their campaigning to accessories like bindi and even cash to the candidates. [S]
Operational group reviews law and order
GUWAHATI, May 1: The Operational Group of the Unified Command in Assam met at Narangi yesterday and reviewed the prevailing security environments, stated a PIB (defence wing) release. The meeting was presided over by Lt Gen Mahesh Vij and attended by Mr Hare Krishna Deka, DGP, Mr GM Srivastava, Additional DGP, Mr PN Ramakrishnan IG, CRPF and other members of the Operational Group. Mr MK Borooah, Home Commissioner of Assam attended the meeting on invitation. The meeting discussed measures that the security forces would take to negate chances of any kind of interference by militants and thereby create a safe environment for the public at large to exercise their franchise fearlessly. [S]
Citizens condemn ULFA attacks on democracy
GUWAHATI, May 1: The ULFA's violent campaign against the AGP seems to have recoiled on the outfit as the people of entire Barpeta LAC, irrespective of caste, creed, language, religion, today took out massive processions to protest against the attack on AGP candidate, Kumar Dipak Das on Sunday night, in all major towns of the constituency, amid reports of a strong sympathy wave sweeping across the constituency in favour of the AGP. [S]
AGP unhappy over MLA's security
BILASIPARA, May 1: The Asom Gana parishad (AGP) has strongly resented the failure of the district administration of Dhubri, in spite of repeated requests, to provide adequate security to Mr Prashanta Kumar Baruah, the sitting MLA and other party candidates of Bilasipara East LAC, the president and the secretary of the Bilasipara District Committee of the AGP, Mr Sudhir Kumar Burman and Mr S K Das told The Sentinel. [S]
3 suspended for dereliction of poll duty
BARPETA, May 1: Barpeta District Returning Officer Swapnanil Baruah yesterday suspended three employees -- Mr Mukunda Ram Talukdar, Assistant Engineer Barpeta PWD, Mr Jeherul Haq, Internal Auditor, Barpeta district and Mr Surifuddin Ahmed, a teacher of Barnagar Girls' High School -- for dereliction of election duty. [S]
3,576 Cong(I) workers join BJP
GUWAHATI, May 1: The BJP State office of Assam has informed through a press release that 3,576 Congress(I) workers joined BJP in Laharighat constituency. In a meeting held on this occasion at Laharighat, the BJP candidate of the constituency, Md Oly Ulla formally welcomed them to the fold, said the release. [S]
'North-east lags behind not for men, but for their leadership'
DIBRUGARH, May 1: Mr Purna A Sangma, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and secretary of Nationalist Congress Party, in an exclusive interview with The Sentinel shared his views concerning the North-east.
In his opinion, the North-east lags behind in respect of development to all other Indian States , not because of dearth of human or other resources, but because of lack of leadership. A proper leader, he believes, can give a right direction to the masses. At the same time the dynamic leader with right perspectives can mobilize the masses and achieve the desired result. A good leader is essential to analyse and to present the problems of the region to the national platform. The tragedy of the North-east, since independence, has been an emergence of a handful of such statesman, he said. [S]
De Sirkar sends alarm bells ringing in Cong camp
TINSUKIA, May 1: By joining the fray as an independent candidate from Tinsukia LAC, Mr S C De Sirkar, the dissident sitting Congress MLA has sent an alarm bell ringing in Congress circles here. As the poll date is getting nearer, the election scenario in Tinsukia is fast changing. A large number of Congress activists who had been watching the ticket allotment game did not leave the De Sirkar camp and instead newer groups have started campaigning for De Sirkar to woo the urban voters which constitute about 65 per cent of the total electorates. [S]
Nagaon administration braces up for poll challenges
NAGAON, May 1: In Nagaon district, out of the 11 LAC's only Barhampur LAC and Nagaon Sadar LAC has been cleared as comparatively safe polling centres by the Nagaon district administration. In the district, out of a total of 1,547 polling stations, 202 polling stations have been identified as hyper-sensitive, following 775 centres as sensitive and 563 centres as safe centres, informed by Mr Nava Kumar Chetia, DC, Nagaon, who is also the Returning Officer of the district. He also informed that almost 98 polling centres have been identified as hyper-sensitive in Hojai subdivision which covers three constituencies, viz. Lumding, Hojai and Jamunamukh. [S]
APYC appeals youths to reject 'communal and corrupt parties'
GUWAHATI, May 1 : The Assam Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) has appealed to the people of Assam, especially the youths, to reject the 'corrupt and communal' AGP and BJP combine in the coming Assam Assembly elections.
In a statement the APYC president Rajiv Sarma asked the people of the State to help the Congress party to save Assam from the clutches of the AGP-BJP combine. Mr Sarma said that after the election, the party would form a formidable Government in the state under the leadership of Mr Tarun Gogoi and would be able to provide good governance to the people. [S]
A Referendum against Terrorism
[Editorial, The Sentinel, May 3, 2001]
The sudden spurt in the violent attacks by the ULFA on the AGP and the BJP workers and leaders and the murderous attempt on AGP candidate for Barpeta LAC, Kumar Dipak Das and the killing of BJP leader and candidate for Dibrugarh LAC, Jayanta Dutta must be universally condemned because, apart from the heinous nature of the outfit's campaign, it also seeks to derail the democratic process of the electioneering. That way, it is also a challenge to the voters of Assam who must not be swayed by the outfit's campaign even as the security forces take up measures to contain the violence. [S]
| Jayanta's killing shocks Assam
DIBRUGARH, May 2: The brutal killing of State BJP general secretary, Mr Jayanta Dutta, BJP district secretary, Mr Biren Phukan, BJP worker, Mr Prasanta Gogoi, district secretary of Asom Yuba Parishad, Mr Thaneswar Buragohain and PSO Mr Narayan Dihingia by ULFA extremists yesterday night has sent a shock wave throughout the district as it has befuddled and terrorized all sections of party workers of the AGP-BJP combine. What has baffled most is that the heinous crime was committed in the heart of the town and when security cover has been provided to all the candidates and party workers. [S]
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Bodies of State BJP general secretary Jayanta Dutta and party leader Biren Phukan in front of the Dibrugarh BJP office on May 2. Photo by Rajib Bhattacharya,
The Sentinel. |
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No end to ULFA attacks on AGP, four more killed
BILASIPARA, May 2: The finance secretary of Raniganj regional unit of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Mr Abdus Sattar and AGP worker Mukul Burman were killed and another AGP man, Mr Pankaj Nath was seriously injured when suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants fired upon them in an AGP's election office at Raniganj, 4 km from here at about 8 last night. According to reports, a group of militants appeared at Raniganj at around 8 p.m. yesterday and showered bullets on the people manning the AGP's election office. While Mr Sattar died on the spot, Mr Mukul Burman and Mr Pankaj Nath sustained serious bullet injuries. The two injured were brought to Bilasipara Civil Hospital, from where they were again taken to Dhubri Civil Hospital. But Mr Mukul Burman died on way to Dhubri Civil Hospital. The lone survivor of the injured, Mr Pankaj Nath, was later shifted to Down Town Hospital, Guwahati where his condition is stated to be critical.
The police picked up some persons in this connection. AGP sources, however, said that the picked up persons were passengers of a Guwahati-Bilasipara night bus, and they were in no way connected with the incident. AGP sources here also said that the State police administration was not taking adequate steps against militants in spite of unabated attacks on AGP leaders and workers all over the State. [S]
CLOSE SHAVE FOR SP CANDIDATE
A Correspondent from Rangiya adds that Mr Dipak Kalita, Samata Party candidate for Rangiya LAC had a providential escape while his mike man Imran Ali died on the spot when three suspected youths sprayed bullets on his vehicle near Rangiya IOC at Gopalpur at about 1.20 a.m. today.
CONG OFFICE SET ABLAZE
A Staff Reporter in Guwahati adds that one person was killed when unidentified gunmen fired indiscriminately and set afire a Congress election office at Ghograpara in Nalbari district late last night. The deceased, who has been identified as Satya Kalita, was sleeping in his tea stall located close to the election office when the incident took place. [S]
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The Congress office at Ghagrapara in Nalbari on fire (left), the dead body of Congress worker Satya Kalita (right).
Asomiya Pratidin photo. |
150 candidates 'most vulnerable' to attacks
GUWAHATI, May 2: Security agencies of Assam have identified around 150 candidates for the Assembly elections as "most vulnerable" to ULFA attacks. The security agencies have received information that members of the banned ULFA's "28 Battalion" were involved in the recent series of violence and they had crossed over to Assam by travelling in vehicles of a particular political party engaged in electioneering.
Security sources said that of these 150 vulnerable candidates as many as 138 belong to the AGP-BJP alliance while rest 12 were either independent or from other parties. "The other 12 could be attacked by rival parties by taking advantage of the prevailing situation," a senior official said. [S}
Dismiss Mahanta Govt, impose PR: Gogoi
GUWAHATI, May 2: True to its style which is now quite familiar to the people of Assam, the APCC today attributed the killing of BJP State general secretary and Dibrugarh LAC candidate Jayanta Dutta and four other BJP workers in Dibrugarh yesterday, and all other violent incidents targetted against the AGP leaders and workers, to the "total failure of the Mahanta-led AGP Government" to maintain law and order during the polls, as it also did the thing quite expected of it under the circumstances -- demand resignation of the Mahanta Government and imposition of President's rule in Assam. [S]
Cong pushing Assam to disaster: Mahanta
GUWAHATI, May 2: Chief Minister and AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today again cautioned the people of Assam against the "nefarious designs" of the Congress to push them to disaster by seeking to capture power with the help of the ULFA gun, alleging that the Congress was unable to bear the return of the State to the path of peace and development during the past five years of AGP-led Government. [S]
Dusk-to-dawn curfew clamped
TINSUKIA, May 2: In view of law-and-order situation of the district, Mr S.K. Sinha, District Magistrate, Tinsukia promulgated under section 144 CrPC, a dusk-to-dawn night curfew in the 5 km belt in the Assam side of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Tinsukia Sadar and Sadiya sub-division and in 2 km belt in the Assam side of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Margherita sub-division, thereby prohibiting movement of people/vehicular traffic, either individually or in groups from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day with some exemptions. This order comes into force with immediate effect since yesterday and will remain in force until further orders. [S]
Local-immigrant factor may alter equations in hustings at Dhubri
DHUBRI, May 2: There is an unprecendented highest number of candidates contesting for the prestigious 23 Dhubri LAC, this year. Altogether 110 contestants are there in the hustings. Mr Mazibul Umar the sitting Congress(I) MLA who secured 30,806 votes in 1996 against his nearest BJP rival Dhruba Kumar Sen who secured 23,903 votes (30.36 per cent) will find his going difficult this year. [S]
ULFA using poll vehicles to enter State
GUWAHATI, May 2: Militants belonging to
ULFA had crossed over to the State from their
bases in neighbouring countries at four border
points using election vehicles bearing flags and
banners of certain political party in order to
disrupt polls in the State. This was disclosed by
a very senior State police official during an
informal chat with media persons at the State
police headquarter here this afternoon on
condition of anonymity. He informed that very
small groups of ULFA 'hit squads' armed with
small weapons sneaked into the State to target
candidates and workers of certain political
parties. [AT]
Indo-Bhutan border to be sealed
Centre takes serious view of Assam violence
NEW DELHI, May 2: The Centre has taken a
serious view of the stepped-up pre-poll violence
in Assam by the Banned ULFA, deciding to rush
additional forces to the State to meet the
situation and directing the security forces in the
State to seal the international border with
Bhutan, even as the Election Commission is
understood to have turned down the Assam
Government's plea to hold the election in two
phases. [AT]
Security stepped up to tackle ultras : DGP
GUWAHATI, May 2: Assam police commandos
will be engaged as PSOs of 'vulnerable' poll
candidates while the Centre is rushing in 25
additional companies of para-military forces to
the State where pre-poll strikes by militants
have so far claimed 17 lives of political party
members including a BJP candidate and injured
34 others including an AGP candidate. [AT]
AGP may find it tough to maintain Nalbari bastion
From R Dutta Choudhury
NALBARI, May 2: The ruling Asom Gana
Parishad (AGP) may find it difficult to maintain
its stronghold in Nalbari district, primarily
because of the threat posed by the United
Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), while, issues
like controversy over the appointment of
teachers at the fag end of the term of the
Government also acted as a deterrent for the
party. [AT]
'Sonia Vahini' behind killings : Bijoya
Bullets can't stop people's rights : CM
From Ron Duarah
DIBRUGARH, May 2: The heart-rending cries of the relatives and friends of those shot in cold blood
last night continues to send shock waves throughout the city as well as the district. There have been
widespread condemnation of Tuesday night's twin shoot-outs in the city which resulted in death of five
and serious injuries to six persons. Terming the killings as an act of cowardice, Chief Minister Prafulla
Kumar Mahanta said Congress is responsible for the killings and blamed the party for instigating
outlaws for political gains. He said 'citizens democratic right to vote cannot be stopped by bullets.' [AT]
No possibility of free and fair polls : Cong
GUWAHATI, May 2: Worried over the ongoing killings
perpetrated by the banned ULFA, the chairman of the election
campaign committee of the Assam Pradesh Congress
Committee (APCC), Dr Bhagawan Lahkar hinted that there is no
possibility of free and fair election in the State. 'With the spurt in
activities of the militant groups and the AGP-led government's
failure to contain those, we are apprehensive that there might be
more violence in the coming election,' Dr Lahkar added. He also
severely criticised the AGP for its failure to contain violence and
demanded its resignation. In this context Dr Lahkar informed that
one Congress (I) member -- Satya Kalita -- was killed by
miscreants at Ghagrapar in Nalbari district last night. [AT]
Expulsion of APCC men
GUWAHATI, May 2:The Assam Pradesh Congress
Committee (APCC) today expelled 38 members from the party
who have filed their nomination papers in different constituencies
as independent candidates for the ensuing Assembly election.
Meanwhile, APCC president Tarun Gogoi condemned the brutal
killing of state BJP general secretary Jayanta Datta. In a
statement, Gogoi said violence does not solve any problem. [AT]
Paswan releases LJP's manifesto
GUWAHATI, May 2: Union Telecommunication Minister and
Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) national president Ram Vilas
Paswan today made a plethora of promises while releasing his
party's election manifesto here this evening. The party has
fielded 12 candidates for the May 10 Assembly elections in
Assam. Addressing news persons on the occasion, Paswan
said that the LJP believed that insurgents should be brought
back to the mainstream through unconditional talks. [AT]
Protest march by AGP in Barpeta
BARPETA, May 2: In protest against the ULFA attack on
Kumar Dipak Das, former State Minister and AGP candidate for
the Barpeta constituency, the local units of the AGP organised a
protest march in Barpeta on Monday. Hundreds of men and
women marched through the main thorough fares of Barpeta
town carrying placards and shouting slogans. Several prominent
local leaders of the BJP also joined the march. [AT]
Choosing the best out of the worst
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 3, 2001]
Sir,
'Whom to vote'? It is the million dollar question
overweighing the minds of the voters of Assam. For the
intellectuals and thinkers it is becoming a question like "to be or
not to be" as if they are in between the devil and the deep sea.
Obviously, this is because the political scene in Assam is
bewildering and confusing. Many may not vote leaving
democracy to its fate. More ...
Yours etc., DR ROMESH BURAGOHAIN, Bormotoria, Beltola, Guwahati. [AT]
Dangerous opportunism
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 3, 2001]
Sir,
At a time when the vicious attacks on the livelihood of
the people by the BJP-led government continue unabated, at a
time when the Union Budget constitutes an all round onslaught
on the people, at a time when the BJP-led NDA government is in
the grip of the tehelka.com expose, at a time when all patriotic
Indians are waging a grim democratic battle for ouster of the BJP
government, the AGP's unholy alliance with BJP has completely
exposed its betrayal of the struggle to safeguard the secular
democratic foundation of India. More ...
Yours etc., GURUPRASAD NATH, Barnachal, Guwahati. [AT]
Poll-eve violence
[Editorial, The Assam Tribune, May 3, 2001]
The death of Jayanta Dutta, the young candidate of the AGP-BJP alliance at Dibrugarh on Tuesday
night in a commando style attack at the BJP party office in the main commercial hub of the town
reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in the State on the eve of the May 10 Assembly polls.
Two of his colleagues also died in the attack, even as unidentified assailants gunned down an AGP
worker and a policeman an hour later at the AGP office in the Chowkidinghee area of the town. Both
the attacks clearly point to the fact that the BJP and AGP offices in the town did not have any
security cover worth the name except for the presence of some unarmed constables. [AT]
It's all within the family
GUWAHATI, May 3: Politics in Assam has gradually become synonymous with dynasty. Though, there are many 'political dynasties' in India - big or small, starting from Jammu & Kashmir down to Kerala, and even in two neighbouring States of Assam, it is a new trend for Assam to see close relatives of political leaders being involved in active politics as has been witnessed during the coming Assembly elections. [S]
Bharat Narah escapes unhurt
GUWAHATI, May 3 (UNI): Sitting MLA and Congress candidate Bharat Narah yesterday escaped unhurt an attempt on his life when some gunmen fired at him in his Dhakuakhana constituency in Upper Assam. Police said today that while Mr Narah was proceeding to address an election meeting at Badhakara village the gunmen fired at him but missed the target. The security personnel of the MLA immediately returned fire injuring one of the attackers and caught him. The attacker was identified as a supporter of an independent candidate, sources added. [S]
ANVC helping ULFA to disrupt polls
SHILLONG, May 3: Is the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) have a nexus with the Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) to disrupt the polls in Assam?
According to sources, the ANVC has been approached by the ULFA and the NDFB to help them out in carrying out subversive activities in certain parts of Assam, especially in Dhubri and its adjoining areas. With the Assembly elections in Assam only a few days away, this additional threat from the ANVC is likely to aggravate the already volatile situation. [S]
Survey on election politics in Assam
A survey on the election politics of Assam was recently carried out by Mr Nani
Gopal Mahanta, lecturer in the Political Science Department of Gauhati University. The objective of this survey was to "focus on the contemporary election politics in Assam," rather than to "see the party/parties forming the next government in Assam..." Nevertheless, the survey should be a useful pointer to the factors that will dominate the electoral scene in the next few days. [S]
Campaigners fear to move freely
RANGIYA, May 3: The national leaders, the Union Ministers and the Election Commission urged the people to make the election free and fair. But some of the banned outfits in Assam have threatened the people that they would take drastic measures if people fail to carry out their dictates. After the killing of some of the workers by the militants, the AGP workers here are seen hesitant to move out for election campaigning, preferably after dusk. [S]
Raniganj slowly limping back to normalcy
BILASIPARA, May 3: Situation in Bilasipara and Raniganj areas is tense following the killings of the two AGP office-bearers of the Raniganj Anchalik AGP committee by the ULFA militants on May 1 evening. The dead bodies have been handed over to the families yesterday afternoon at Raniganj by the local MLA, Mr Prashanta Kumar Baruah. [S]
The confused, bewildered voters
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 4, 2001]
Sir,
The wave of Assembly election is again blowing over
Assam. But it is not so tremendous as was in 1985, when the
AGP Government first came to power after a long period of
struggle. At that time almost the whole Assamese community
came under one banner, that is AGP and they became happy
after casting their votes. More ...
Yours etc., NABANITA GOSWAMI, Rajapam, Mangaldai. [AT]
The confused, bewildered voters (ii)
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 4, 2001]
Sir,
The main issue before the electorate this time will
probably be 'corruption.' But the people, by now, have realised
that there is not much to choose, on the plank of corruption,
between the contesting parties whom the people choose to be
their rulers sometime or the other. More ...
Yours etc., D DAS, Kahilipara, Guwahati. [AT]
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Army personnel carrying out intensive search operations on NH-31 in view of the rising violence to the run-up to
Assembly polls on May 10.
The Assam Tribune photo. |
Aattack on AGP-BJP expose ULFA-Cong nexus : Advani
KRISHNA NAGAR, (WB), May 3: Home Minister L K Advani today further fuelled controversy over his
charge of links between the Congress and the ULFA in Assam saying the party's reaction to attacks on
the AGP-BJP workers by the ultras have confirmed the suspicion, reports PTI. 'If earlier it was only a
suspicion that the ULFA was supporting Congress, Congress reaction to these horrendous incidents
have only confirmed it,' Advani told reporters adding that 25 companies of paramilitary forces were being
sent to Assam for peaceful conduct of elections. [AT]
Rumour mills rife on poll eve
GUWAHATI, May 3: With hardly a week left for
the Assembly election, rumour mills were rife on
Thursday as The Assam Tribune desk received
several calls enquiring the killings of senior AGP
leaders. The police personnel deployed to guard
the candidates had to make more security
arrangements. The deputy commissioner (DC) of
the Kamrup district, D N Saikia, and senior police
officers were also flooded with calls enquiring
about any attack on the State Education
Minister Thaneswar Boro. Later they found that
he (Boro) was busy in election campaigning in
Rangia constituency. [AT]
Mukut Sharma, Nagbongshi expelled
GUWAHATI, May 3: Dissension within the
State party unit has forced the Assam Pradesh
Congress Committee (APCC) president, Tarun
Gogoi, to expel as many as 38 partymen from
different parts of the State on charges of
anti-party activities. Among those who have
been expelled from the party on the eve of the
polls for a period of six months, the notable
leaders were : former Ministers Mukut Sharma
and Samsul Haque, party leaders Abdul Hai
Nagri, Tara Prasad Das, Nripen Mohan Das, Uma
Phukon and Joy Chandra Nagbongshi.
Mentionably majority of the expelled Congmen
including Mukut Sharma, Samsul Haque, Tara
Prasad Das, Uma Phukon and Joy Chandra
Nagbongshi are contesting the polls as
Independent candidates defying party
leadership's directive. [AT]
Cong-ULFA nexus
BJP chief to move Centre for probe
GUWAHATI, May 3: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President, Jana Krishnamurthy, today said the
party would exhort the BJP-led Government at the Centre to institute probe into the alleged
Congress-ULFA nexus. Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, the BJP chief admitted that
the party was not in possession of concrete proof to substantiate the allegation of Congress-ULFA link.
He said the allegation had been made on the basis of "circumstantial evidence" including the media
reports stating that senior APCC leader, Dr Hemo Prabha Saikia, wrote a letter to Congress high
command complaining of ULFA connection of certain APCC leaders. He, however, stated that the
Congress should fight the BJP-AGP alliance politically and democratically, without the help of the
banned ULFA. [AT]
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BJP's national president Jana Krishnamurthy addressing the press
at BJP office in the city on May 3.
The Sentinel photo. |
AGP blames Cong for killings
GUWAHATI, May 3: Continuing the pre-poll mudslinging match the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)
today blamed Congress for the recent trail of killings meant for 'intimidating' the workers of the four-party
poll alliance including BJP, ABSU and ASDC. Addressing media persons at its head office here this
afternoon Sri Birendra Prasad Baishya, general secretary of the party alleged that Congress had been
trying to recreate the reign of terror of 1983 elections in the State once again as the party has been
feeling 'pushed against the wall' by the four-party alliance. [AT]
Sinha's call to people
Defy ULFA, exercise franchise
From Ron Duarah
DIBRUGARH, May 3: Assam Governor, Lt Gen (retd) S K Sinha today called upon the people of the
State to 'defy' the banned militant outfit, ULFA, and 'respond by exercising franchise 'in the May 10
Assembly polls. rging the masses not to be overawed by ULFA's hit-and-run tactics, Governor Sinha
assured that surface and air surveillance will be carried out by additional security forces to contain
violence in the State by militants "in the run-up to the election." [AT]
Bora confident of Mahanta's ouster
SONAPUR, May 3: It was a show of strength by Atul Bora at Sonapur playground here today. Bora,
contesting from the prestigious Dispur constituency for the fourth consecutive time held a massive
election rally in which he severely criticised the ruling AGP. Launching a scathing attack on the AGP he
said it is losing ground due to wrong policies of the leadership. "People are disappointed with the
AGP-led Government and we are confident that people would oust the party completely in the
forthcoming election", the former PWD Minister added. [AT]
| 3 AGP men gunned down in Nalbari
GUWAHATI, May 3: In yet another attack on AGP workers, ULFA militants gunned down three AGP
activists and injured four, two of them critically, when the militants started indiscriminate firing at an
AGP poll office at Bagarihati village under Belsor police station in Dharmapur constituency in Nalbari
district at 8.30 p.m. today. [AT]
ULFA attacks continue; 6 AGP men killed, 22 hurt
GUWAHATI, May 3: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) continued with its violent attacks against the AGP-BJP alliance despite the Election Commission's assurance of full security to the campaigners, when the outfit struck in a massive way in Goalpara and Nalbari, killing six AGP workers (at Nalbari) and injuring 16 AGP workers at Goalpara. In the Nalbari incident, the ULFA militants indiscriminately fired upon the AGP workers, while in the Goalpara incidents, they lobbed a powerful grenade at an AGP election office. [S]
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Rebel candidates may rock Cong boat
R Dutta Choudhury
BARPETA, May 3: The rebel party candidates
may cause serious problems for the Congress in
the Assembly constituencies in Barpeta district
during the ensuing State Assembly polls as the
district witnessed controversies over the
selection of Congress candidates and rebel
candidates of the party have filed nominations
as Independents in several constituencies. [AT]
Cong flays Bijoya, Mahanta's remarks
DIBRUGARH, May 3: Senior Congress leaders
have reacted sharply to statements made by
Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Union
Minister of State for Water Resources, Bijoya
Chakraborty that the Congress and its
president, Sonia Gandhi could have engineered
Tuesday's twin carnage in the city, which led to
the death of five persons, including the State
BJP general secretary, Jayanta Dutta. [AT]
AASU bandh total in Dibrugarh
DIBRUGARH, May 3: Normal life was totally
affected in Dibrugarh district today in the
24-hour bandh called by the All Assam Students
Union (AASU) in protest against the killing of BJP
candidate Jayanta Dutta and five others. [AT]
Sonia to campaign in State
GUWAHATI, May 3: The AICC president Smt Sonia Gandhi is
visiting the State on May 7 for addressing party poll rallies at four
places. The first rally is scheduled to begin at 11 am at
Karimganj to be followed by another rally at Nalbari from 1 pm.
The third party rally has been slated to begin from 2 pm at
Barpeta to be followed by the fourth as well as the last rally from
3.30 pm at Dhubri, according to an APCC release here today.
The release added that Smt Gandhi would return to New Delhi
the same day evening. [AT]
CPI condemns poll-linked killings
GUWAHATI, May 3: The Assam State Council of Communist
Party of India has condemned the killing of Jayanta Dutta, the
BJP candidate at Dibrugarh and other political workers and
security personnel in different parts of the State. [AT]
Student's body lashes out at party manifestos
GUWAHATI, May 3: The All Kamrup District Students' Union
today strongly criticised the election manifestos of various
political parties saying that not even a single one of them is
concerned about improving the educational scenario in the
State. A press release of the organisation here informed that not
only educational problems, but the parties have failed to
adequately address the primary problems plaguing the State's
population like repeal of IM(DT) Act, cleaning up of the
educational field from dirty politics among others and demanded
immediate steps by the parties concerned for changing the
situation for the better. [AT]
300 Cong workers join NCP at Hatsingimari
HATSINGIMARI, May 3: Nearly 300 Congress (I) workers and
office-bearers of different frontal organisations of the Congress (I)
party under Mankachar District Congress (I) joined Nationalist
Congress Party (NCP) recently at Hatsingimari formally
alongwith Smt Husneara Islam, their leader at a public meeting. [AT]
Security for Elections
[Editorial, The Sentinel, May 5, 2001]
Since our last appeal to the voters of Assam on Thursday to make the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State a referendum against terrorism, there have been more selective attacks by the ULFA on AGP workers, resulting in the death of six AGP members and injuries to 22 others in two separate incidents in Goalpara and Nalbari districts on Thursday. Considering that the targets of the ULFA attack so far have been only AGP and BJP candidates and workers, it would not do to view these acts of terrorism merely as a means of disrupting the elections. [S]
Cong'll make a Bangladeshi CM: Pramod
NAGAON, May 4: Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pramod Mahajan today warned the people of the State against the ongoing ULFA-Congress nexus and their exercise to come to the power and said that the Congress will elect Bangladeshi nationals for the post of "chief minister of Assam if it comes to power." Addressing a gathering of AGP-BJP workers at Baribazar under 84 Batadrava LAC today, Mahajan urged the people of Assam to elect the alliance candidates to foil the plan of Congress in the coming election. [S]
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