Crime on the rise at Nazira 
From a Correspondent
NAZIRA, Dec 30: Crime is on rise at Nazira and Simoluguri with police authorities playing a significant role in helping the criminals to get away with it. It is alleged that various activities of theft, robbery, smuggling and loot are taking place all over the places and yet no steps have been taken by the concerned authorities.
It is to be mentioned that stones and coal worth lakhs from Bihubor and Nagimora are being carried through Simaluguri daily, which also happens to be the only railway junction of Simaluguri. It is being learnt that thieves carry stolen vehicles to Nagaland for sale through this route. The oil fields here are also serving as a good hiding ground for iron for the thieves.
It has also come to light that, Officers that come to Simaluguri police station and forest check gate of Balighat do not want to be transferred amongst which two officials of the check gate were transferred a few months ago but have rejoined the same post due to favour from High Court.
The silence of the local people and various organizations on the matter has raised a question mark on the lethal activities that are on the rise. Among the latest news received, three prostitutes were arrested along with a youngster from a house at Gargam Borkola near Simaluguri town.
Cases of vehicle robbery are also on the rise as on the night of December 19, motorcycle of a reporter, Bhaiti Rahman was robbed from his residence which is just a 150 metre away from Simaluguri police station.
There are also several illegal wine shops near the police stations and near Nazira Girl's Higher Secondary School. In another case a youngster, Manashjyoti Duta was killed by some drunkards among whom three were arrested and others are absconding even though the murder took place quite a few months ago.
There were also many cases of loot in the town but because of the weakness on the part of the SDPO of Nazira and the negligence of Simaluguri and Nazira Police Stations, the criminal activities are increasing day by day.

Journalists’ week held
From our Correspondent
BISWANATH CHARIALI, Dec 30: The 11th biennial conference of the Biswanath District Journalist Association (BDJA) was held for two days at Biswanath Chariali from December 27. On that day the executive meeting was held at the Binapani Natya Mandir where Pradip Sarma and Ajit Das were selected as the new president and general secretary of the BDJA.
On December 28 the BDJA flag was hoisted by the newly elected president of BDJA Pradip sarma followed by Smriti Tarpan and senior journalist Budhindra Nath Hazarika. The SDIPRO, Biswanath Chariali Pranjit Hazarika inaugurated the painting competition organized amongst the students. The open session was held on the same day at 2 pm which was chaired by newly elected president of the BDJA, and inaugurated by Veteran Journalist Suresh Borthakur. The president of Sonitpur Zilla Sahitya Sabha, Indra Prasad Saikia inaugurated the BDJA soveinier Sanbad Aru Sangbadik. Noted Writer and critic Nitya Bora graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Sonitpur Zilla Parishad chairperson Rupa Praja, ZPC member Dipak Das, SDIPRO Pranjit Hazrika were present as distinguished guests.
On this occasion noted Dramatist Tarun Sakia, Veteran journalists Punya Prasad Saikia, Swarna Hazarika and children literateur Dilip Kumar Baruah was felicitated for their noted contribution.
On the other hand, the Behali press club observed its fifth biennial conference for two days from December 24 at the Boralimara Kasturba Gram Sewa Kendra near Bedeti. At the open session was held on December 25 and was inaugurated by the SDIPRO of Biswanath Chariali Pranjit Hazarika. The executive editor of Amar Asom of Lakhimpur edition Sailen Baruah was present as the chief guest while the soveinier was inaugurated by Noted Nepali Literateur Dr Khemraj Nepal. Basanta Timsina and Birendra Nath Goswami were selected as the new president and secretary of the Behali press club.

PD directs immediate solution of IAY anomalies
From a Correspondent
TEOK, Dec 30: The Project Director (PD) of Jorhat and the District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) has directed an immediate solution of Indira Awas Yojana anomalies that has surfaced in the 10 gaon panchyats (GP) under Kaliapani Development Block with the providing of assured quality of materials to the beneficiaries without compromise at any cost provided by the government schemes accordingly.
It may be mentioned here that the 10 GPs under Kaliapani Block are covered under a serious scam of the said scheme since 2003. In our investigations, it was eventually revealed that, in 2003/04 session some of the beneficiaries were completely deprived of the said materials by the officials which is still unabated in the 2007/08 session. It turns to manifold in 2006/07 session when the concerned officials initially prepared a number of beneficiary lists and tried to siphon off the allotted amount for building the houses. However, in the session 2005/06 another such racket was found where another 43 lists of beneficiaries of GPs was found which is a serious cause of concern among the people of the said block.
Meanwhile, although the project director of DRDA of Jorhat directed immediate fulfilment of due works as the Kaliapani Development Block BDO, Junior Engineer and other officials rushed to the IAY scheme centres, but in case of the above cited irregularities, the PD has refused to budge on the matter which created a sensation on the mystery among the people of the 10 GPs under Kaliapani Development Block. Moreover, the ignorance of the BDO about the websites have been sharply criticised by the people living there.
Regarding the ongoing corruptions, the local people as well as different organisations urged the concerned authorities to defunct such volatile anomalies in the near future.

Malugram citizens meet over area problems
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Dec 30: The citizens of greater Malugram of this town expressed their concern at the multiple problems of the area at a meet held in the premises of Utsav Bhawan today. The meeting was convened by Jayanta Sikidar and Sandip Upadhyaya and presided over by Kishore Bhattacharya. A large number of residents participated in the meet and took note of the grievances. The problems under ambit of discussion included civic and civil issues. After threadbare deliberations, the members demanded inclusion of Malugram area under the master drainage system.
As the existing water treatment plant near Silchar Municipal Board was unable to meet the potable water need of the entire area, it was resolved to have a separate water treatment plant for Malugram. It was also decided to press for the construction of a bridge over river Barak in order to connect the Madhuraghat of the area with the cluster of villages of Dudhpatil. In view of the bad shape of main and arterial roads in the area, the members raised demand for improvement of the road from Cachar College to Madhuraghat, touching Itkhola, Ghaniawala and Shivbari with footpath cum drain facilities.
As different areas of Malugram are being gradually and systematically encroached upon by vendors and vegetable sellers, it was felt that the civil and civic authorities should be moved to take immediate steps in order to free the encroachments. Another demand was placed before the banks for opening sufficient ATM counters within the area in question. Other demands included billing counters as well as distribution centres of LPG cylinders for which the ASEB and IOC would be moved.

Man elephant conflict continues
From our Correspondent
NAGAON, Dec 30: People of Kaliabor area particularly of Dalgaon, Garikuri, Bamuni, Bharaligaon, Sakmuthi, Majgaon, Oporchatial, Burapahar, Dhalpukhuri and Jukata under Kaliabor subdivision have been spending sleepless nights as a herd of wild elephants about that of 40 along with their calves coming from the Kaziranga National Park through Burhapahar side, have been creating havoc among the people and have damaged hundreds of houses and crops besides killing several persons by trampling them.
The elephants have also damaged sugar cane plantations including granaries, kitchen shops and other properties. Although the people of the area have been trying to drive away the herd of elephants but to no avail. The people have been spending sleepless nights due to the havoc created by the wild elephants which has also created fear psychosis among the people of the area.
As reported right from dusk to the wee hours, the conflict between man and elephant is always evident. Despite the repeated public demands to look into the situation, neither the Forest Department (wildlife) nor the Civil Administration has taken any step to drive out the herd of elephants from the area so that lives and properties of the people could be saved.
On the contrary, the Forest Department has not yet appointed any forest guards in the Dalgaon Garikuri and in other areas nor have provided any fire crackers, kerosene oil, fire wood and other necessities required to drive out the elephants. The people of the area has urged the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister to look into the matter and provide a subsequent solution to the problem.

 

City News

 

23rd Guwahati Book Fair from today
From our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 30: The 23rd Guwahati Book Fair of the Assam Publication Board is starting from December 31 at the AEI playground, Chandmari in Guwahati. Assam Publication Board secretary Dr Rafizur Zaman in a press conference today speaking on the 23rd Guwahati Book Fair informed that the 12-day-long book fair is scheduled to be inaugrated at 11am by Education Minister Gautam Bora. Noted writer Nirupama Borgohain is among the special guests invited on the occassion.
All total 115 book publishers and sellers from all over India are participating in the Guwahati Book Fair this time. Apart from fifty five publishers and book sellers from Guwahati, twenty four from Kolkata, twenty two from Delhi, two from Jaipur, one each from Ludhiana, Patna, Hyderabad and Shillong are taking part in the book fair. Within the state three publishers and booksellers from Nagaon and one each from Dhemaji, Golaghat, Dibrugarh and Nalbari will be participating in the fair.
Last year the publication board celebrated its golden jubliee and as a continuation of this achievement the board has published sixty six titles, which would be a record in the board’s history, to be released in the Guwahati Book Fair this time.
Apart from these titles the board reprinted fourty six titles. This time a special collection of issues of the Asom Prodipika will be displayed. The issues are from 1920-21, when Rajani Kanta Bordoloi was its editor.
Also a compilatioin of the first Assamese women’s monthly magazine ‘Gharjyoti’ from 1927-31 wil be released in the fair.
Publication Board secretary said that from 1958-208 the board published 1,095 titles so far, of which 459 are newly added titles and 525 rae reprints of earlier titles. The board published 111 titles as an effort to help the needy. He said that the board stresses more on publishing of Assamese titles compared to English titles.
With each year the Guwahati Book Fair kept improving and due to which the publishers and book sellers, from outside the state, are eager to participate after their participation once. Inspite of October 30 serial bomb blasts in the state, almost seventy per cent of the stalls, for the book fair, were booked in the month of November.
The temporary office of the board at the book fair is a replica of the original office building constructed by the board. Except December 31, 2008 and January 1, 2009, all the other days of the book fair will witnessvarious cultural programmes mostly by students of various schools and colleges.
January 4, 2009 will be dedicated to children in the book fair and on that day drawing and recitation competition will be organized. There is free entry for students and the entry fee for others is Rs 3 and the book fair will be open to visitors from 11.30 am- 8.30 pm.

Former actress files complaint against husband
From our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Dec 30: Daljit Kaur Deka, former actress belonging to Asom, filed a complaint with the police alleging her husband of torturing and threatening her. Kaur in her complian said that her husband Ranjit Kumar Deka has been torturing her and her 15 year old son Ankit Kaur Deka of dire consequences if she does not sign in the divorce papers.
This was stated by Daljit Kaur while addressing the press at Zoo Tiniali. She had lodged a complaint against his husband in the All Women Police Station Panbazar on December 27, 2008.
Daljit was married according to Special Marriage Act and subsequently as per Hindu and Sikh customs and rituals to Ranjit Kumar Deka on May 20, 1991. They were blessed with a boy was born who is now 15-years-old. Subsequently, differences arose between them and Ranjit Deka along with the family allegedly started torturing her both mentally and physically by demanding dowry from her parents.
She was literally weeping when she said that even today her husband has been threatening her and my family including her old parents by using abusive language. She allege that her husband had even threatened that he would kill all of them if she does act as demanded by him. Further, she said that recently on many occasions, to harass her along with her parents her husband has come to her parents place at Paltan Bazar and demanded abruptly a huge amount of money as dowry, and told her parents that if they can fulfil his demand then he may give a second thought to keep her and her child with him.
She alleged that the police inspite of having enough evidence against her husband has not taken any step step against her husband, which according to her has aggravated her miseries.

32nd Tolic (PSUs) meeting organized
GUWAHATI, Dec 30:The 32nd Tolic (PSUs) meeting was held at Guwahati Refinery Training Centre yesterday.
Twenty-Seven member organizations participated in the meeting chaired by G Bhanumurthy, Executive Director Guwahati Refinery. Ashok Kr Mishra, Assistant Director, Hindi Teaching Scheme were present as the representatives of the Central Government.
Addressing the members present Chairman, G Bhanumurthy said that all should put in result oriented efforts in taking forward Hindi Implementation in their respective offices. He congratulated all Tolic member of organisations for achieving Silver Trophy to for Annual Magazine Pragjyotika from Association of Business Communicators of India, in India Language Category at function held at Mumbari on January 7, 2008.
Trophies instituted by Guwahati Refinery for the best performance in Hindi Implementation were awarded by Chairman, Tolic (PSUs) G Bhanumurthy to DD Adhikari, Executive Director, Hindustan Paper Corporation, Shri Brajendra Chaouhdury, Scientists ‘C’, Central Silk Board, and Ramen Saikia, Regional Director, Employees State Insurance Corporation.
Heads of the prize winning organisations were awarded “Rajbhasha Shri”, “Rajbhasha Kirti” and “Rajbhasha Shilpi” Samman respectively.
Certificates of Merit were presented to Subhash Ch Sharma, Executive Director, Airport Authority of India. Sushanta Bora, Chief Manager (Admn.), Oil India Limited, AK Barua, Regional, Manager, The Jute Corporation of India and Safikun Nahar Becum, NIPCCD. This was stated in a press release.

One died in landslide in Maligaon
From Our Correspondent
GUWAHATI, Dec 30: An unemployed youth belonging to a poor family of Kalaigaon area in Udalguri district met with the tragic end of his life at Maligaon in Guwahati yesterday as he was trapped inside the landslide while working as a labourer. The deceased has been identified as Jiten Saharia (35) son of Maheswar Saharia of village Ranthali Bagiacha under Kalaigaon police station. 
 As reported, on that fateful afternoon, the deceased along with two other labourers were digging a drain to install pipe line for water supply and at about 2.30 pm they got stuck under a heavy landslide. His two companion however had a miraculous escape but the body of the deceased could be recovered only at about 10.30 pm that night. The identity of the deceased could only be established this afternoon at the initiative of Sub Inspector Dhirendra Narayan Dev second officer of Jalukbari police station who on the basis of a cellular phone number found in the pocket of the deceased, made contact with a villager of village Ranthali Bagicha. Accordingly, the family members today rushed to Jalukbari police station and identified the dead body.
Meanwhile, the villagers and the grief stricken relatives of late Jiten Saharia have highly appreciated the initiative of the Police Sub Inspector Dhirendra Narayan Dev not only to ascertain the identity of the victim but also helping the poor family in taking the dead body to his native village in a faraway place at Kalaigaon for performance of the funeral after the post mortem examination done in Guwahati Medical College Hospital on December 30.

In bird flu-hit Asom, people get cakes from outside
GUWAHATI, Dec 30: Leilah Khan eagerly awaits her son’s arrival from New Delhi but not having seen him for a year is not the only reason for her excitement. This resident of bird flu-hit Asom is also looking forward to rustling up a meal with the chicken and eggs that her son is bringing. “We don’t like red meat and prefer lean meat like chicken and fish. But for over a month chicken has been off our menu because of the bird flu. My daughter, who has to have a boiled or fried egg for breakfast, has been cribbing ever since,” said Khan, a homemaker.
“It was my daughter’s idea to ask her brother to get some dressed chicken and eggs when he comes home for his vacation from Delhi. Now he is getting three kg of chicken and two dozen eggs. I asked him to boil the eggs and, without shelling them, pack them in a container,” she said. Anand Sharma, a corporate executive who had gone to Mumbai for work, brought back a basket full of cakes and cookies for his daughter. “My daughter loves chocolate cakes and cookies but with the bird flu my wife hasn’t been able to bake anything with eggs in it. Since I was going to Mumbai for work, I decided to get cookies and cakes of different varieties like chocolate, vanilla and plum. Needless to say, my daughter was thrilled!” he said.
Culling of poultry has been on in full swing in Asom after the outbreak of bird flu. More than 500,000 poultry have been culled in the past one month and authorities have banned the sale and consumption of poultry and poultry products. With the virus being now detected and confirmed in 15 more villages, another 70,000 birds have been ordered to be culled.
For most of the people, this has affected their regular diet. Mothers like Ameiya Talukdar say that it is now a challenge to make her six-year-old son eat his meal. “My son is very picky about his food. Although he doesn’t like milk and milk products, I was not worried because he loves eggs and has to have one in breakfast. Similarly, chicken made up for his dislike for fish.
“Now every day is a challenge for me since two of his favourite and nutritious food items have gone off the list. I have to keep using my creativity along with the recipe books to rustle up something interesting for him,” said Talukdar, a physician. (IANS)