Letters to the Editor: Deafening silence

AASU and AJYCP are apolitical student bodies which always champion the causes for the bona fide Axomiyas since their inception. In every crisis, be it natural or manmade, they are always in the forefront protesting vociferously on the streets, burning tyres, showing black flags, calling Assam bandhs. We still remember the violent agitations launched by AASU, AYJCP, KMSS, backed by Congress and the Leftists that crippled the state's academic and economic atmosphere while opposing the CAA. The agitation, later on, engulfed the entire nation. Though on later stages, the involvement of many anti-Indian communal forces was proved beyond doubt.

Right now Assam is again staring at yet another crisis in the form of illegal encroachment by people of doubtful nationality all over the state which has threatened the very existence of the locals. The Dholpur eviction episode has even drawn international attention, but so far has failed to draw the attention of these student bodies. Nowhere in the Brahmaputra valley they are not actively supporting the eviction drive carried out by the government as they did in the case of the CAA. The reason for this may be their 'secular' ideology which is pushing them to back foot. The deafening silence maintained by these two student bodies in this hour of crisis is very mysterious. JAI AI ASOM.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Asom.

Crackdown on drugs

The crackdown on drugs abuse continues unabated in Assam and we are daily witnessing police recovering huge consignments of contraband drugs. Many paddlers have also been arrested and some even killed by police. The increasing frequency with which banned substances are unearthed makes one wonder whether the law enforcement agencies tasked with anti-narcotics operations were performing their duties as expected of them. This now brings into sharp focus the role of the Narcotics Control Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs. NCB is the apex authority for anti-narcotics operations in the country and they have offices in Assam too. It is perplexing how an elaborate drugs network could flourish in Assam despite having such an organization in addition to state police. The North East is still considered a transit point for drugs emanating from Asian countries including Afghanistan. The failure of NCB and also the previous state BJP government are apparent as confirmed by the daily seizure of massive banned substances and also the arrest of peddlers and abusers. It appears that no coordination and intelligence are sharing amongst these bodies or there is collusion.

The present government can claim success against the supposed war on drug abuse if only the masterminds and their protectors are brought to justice. Otherwise, the entire action will rank as political stunts by a new government.

Rajib Sarma

(rajeshakashkaruna@yahoo.com)

Good job

The arrest of controversial and communal Baghbor MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed on 2nd October from his official residence is certainly a good job by the Government of Assam. Insulting swathes of the Assam Agitation cannot be tolerated, that too from an immigrant person. Some of today's political leaders of Assam did dilute the agitation later on for their selfish political gains. Leaders like Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Zoii Nath Sarma, and others made fortunes after getting power, but people like Khargeswar Talukdar, Daya Sharma and 855 indigenous sons and daughters of the state selflessly gave their lives for the soil. No power on earth has the right to insult them. I urge the government to see that Sherman Ali cannot escape through any lapse in the law. His arrest will also give us a clear picture of sleeper cells present within the perimeters of the state.

Meanwhile, we are closely monitoring what action do Congress, AIUDF, AAMSU and Left parties take on this issue.

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha

Eradicating 'dalal raj'

Of late, fairly a lot of reporting appears in the newspapers on the drive by the sleuths of the Chief Minister's Vigilance Cell against the dalal raj in state Government offices. The growing exploitation of people seeking services by the Dallas (touts) has been endemic in the system which calls for pragmatic action. The dalal raj is visible but the corrupt practice has flourished in close liaison with the officials from lower rung Group-D staff to the office master; so the malaise is linked to ingrained poor work culture. The skeleton of dalal raj has given rise to two evils viz., the officials have violated sworn oath to work without illegal gratification and the practice of taking bribes in each case. So, the canker of corruption has to be strongly dealt with both within and without. While the ongoing drive against the dalals must be carried to its logical conclusion; the conspiring officials must be booked and punished for their negligence of duty and the practice of seeking illicit gains which will be realistic for permanent eradication of the vexed problem. Yours etc.,

Pannalal Dey,

Guwahati