People of Maibang hails the NF Railway

Anup Biswas

Expressing great satisfaction for the resumption of  ‘Hill Queen Express’ in between Lumding – Lower Haflong, members of Dishru Cultural Club, Youths Council for Development and the people of Maibang offered heartfelt thanks to the authority of  N F Railway for their positive gesture and fulfilling their promises.

The ‘Hill Queen Express’ running in between Lumding – Lower Haflong connecting ‘Jansatabdi Express’ at Lumding is considered to be the prestige of Dima Hasao district as it was  named after the hill district of Assam. The N F Railway had suspended the train for the running of goods train carrying food stuffs to the southern Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram resulting to utter inconvenience to the people of Dima Hasao in particular.

Several organizations of Maibang had earlier on February 7th submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding for the restoration of the ‘Hills Queen Express running in between Lumding – Lower Haflong. As the DRM, NR Railway did not respond to their memorandum, demanding immediate resumption of ‘Hill Queen Express’, several organizations of Maibang like Youth Council for Development, Dishru Cultural Club, J. B. Hagjer Club, Dimasa Women Society, Maibang Sports Association etc. organized 100 hours Rail Blockade from 6 AM of 25th February at Maibang Railway station.

The railway representatives from Lumding held discussion with the representatives of Youth Council for Development, Disru Cultural Club, J. B. Hagjer Club, Dimasa Women Society, Maibang Sports Association etc at Maibang reached an amicable solution of restoration of Hill Queen Express’ within ten days. Following the assurance from the Railway, 100 hours Rail Blockade from 6 AM of 25th February was called off

Meanwhile, members of Dishru Cultural Club, Youths Council for Development extended full support to the railway staffs for smooth running and even to check the ticket less travelers while appealing all the people to travel this train with proper ticket.

Rail Blockade called off

Demanding immediate resumption of ‘Hill Queen Express’, several organizations of Maibang like Youth Council for Development, Dishru Cultural Club, J. B. Hagjer Club, Dimasa Women Society, Maibang Sports Association etc and people from Kalachand organized 100 hours Rail Blockade from 6 AM of February 25 at Maibang Railway station.
They had earlier on February 7 submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Railway Manager, Lumding for the restoration of the ‘Hills Queen Express running in between Lumding – Lower Haflong. As the DRM, NR Railway did not respond to their memorandum, they have decided to go for 100 hours Rail Blockade.
Thousands of people take part in the 100 hours Rail Blockade at Maibang.
The railway representatives from Lumding held discussion with the representatives of Youth Council for Development, Dishru Cultural Club, J. B. Hagjer Club, Dimasa Women Society, Maibang Sports Association etc in presence M. Nath, SDO ( C ), Maibang reached an amicable solution of restoration of Hill Queen Express’ within ten days..
Following the assurance from the Railway, 100 hours Rail Blockade was called off.

Plea to resume Hills Queen Silchar: A

SILCHAR: A delegation of Public Services Forum (PSF) has met Northeast Frontier Railway general manager Keshav Chandra to highlight the problems arising out of suspension of the Hills Queen Special Train which plies between Lumding and Lower Haflong.

The train is not operating for more than a month now. Led by president Kulendra Daulagupu and joint secretary Liton Chakraborty, the members of the organization on Friday told Chandra that the people of Dima Hasao district are been facing a lot of hardships following suspension of the service as the train serves as link to the Jana Satabdi Express, thereby providing better connectivity between Guwahati and Haflong.

Since the introduction of this special train in 2008, it has always benefited students pursuing higher studies, patients undergoing treatment in Guwahati and traders. The prolonged period of suspension of this train has badly affected the socio-economic life of the people of Dima Hasao district, said the members of the delegation.

State lacks teeth to thwart Ulfa attacks

GUWAHATI: Assam lacks security personnel to counter any possible attempt from Ulfa hardliners led by commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah to punish Congressmen with armed attacks for splitting their organisation.

At present, the strength of paramilitary forces deployed in Assam to aid the state force is just 62 companies and police claim the figure is the lowest ever. Sources in the government said the police administration has informed the Election Commission that holding of the coming assembly elections without additional manpower was impossible.

"The police department wants at least 300 companies of additional forces if the polls are to be held in a free and fair way," a source said.

The demand for more additional forces received a shot in the arm when militants allegedly belonging to Ulfa's hardline group shot at a Congress panchayat leader at Makum in Tinsukia district on Monday night. There is a sizeable deployment of army personnel in the state engaged in counter-insurgency operations but they are not used for election duty.

Sources said the total strength of Assam Police is close to 70,000. But less than half this number was actually available for maintaining law and order. There are 14 Assam Police battalions, four from the task force and six from Indian Reserve Battalions. They together account for about 24,000 police personnel, who serve as reserve force.

Again, an astonishing 5,000 personnel are engaged in providing security to ministers, VIPs and high-ranking police officials in addition to about 500 personnel security officers attached to other important people. There will be some on training and deputation outside the state, in CID, BIEO, anti-corruption, fire service and house guards, leaving just about 30,000 for deployment in Ground Zero.

"There will be attempts by Ulfa, NDFB (anti-talks), Karbi and Dimasa factions to create trouble during elections and we need to contain them. This is an added responsibility apart from election duty," said a senior police officer
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DHD(J) calls off rail blockade

SILCHAR: Surrendered rebels belonging to DHD (J) have withdrawn their indefinite railway blockade in Dima Hasao district from February 22. The outfit has also decided to suspend their agitation to halt work on gauge conversion and the East-West Corridor project in the district from the same day.

The railway blockade was called seeking the release of DHD(J) commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai and chairman Jewel Gorlosa. The Dimasa rebel leaders were arrested in connection with the Rs 1000-crore scam in the hills district. They are now in NIA custody.

On Tuesday, DHD (J) publicity secretary Bele Dimasa said they had temporarily suspended the agitation considering the woes of people of the region. "We understand that people of the region will sufferer a lot by the indefinite railway blockade as the Lumding-Silchar section of NF Railway is the lifeline of this region. We also believe that the two mega projects, including gauge conversion and the East-West Corridor plan, should be implemented for the sake of the region. But we will restart our agitation if the our leaders are not released," added Bele.

He said the government was undermining the DHD(J) rebels who surrendered en-masse on Gandhi Jayanti in 2009 for the cause of peace in Dima Hasao and government promised to fulfill their demands, including proper rehabilitation for all militants of the outfit.

"The government is soft to Ulfa. But the demands of DHD(J) militants have no relevance for them. We will not tolerate this and are ready to go back to the jungles," he warned.

Top Dimasa militant shot dead in Dima Hasao

SILCHAR: Security forces gunned down the chairman of the Dima National Democratic Front (DNDF), a Dimasa militant outfit, during an encounter in southern Assam's Dima Hasao district on Tuesday.

" Janata Maramsa, alias Bihari Dimasa (28), was killed during a gunbattle that took place around 4.45 pm at Tera village near Dihangi, about 50 km from Haflong," said a senior police officer.

A joint team of Army and police personnel had launched a combing operation at Tera, considered a stronghold of the Dimasa militants, to flush out the DNDF rebels, he said.

"On seeing the security team, the DNDF militants started firing at them. In retaliation, the securitymen gunned down Bihari. However, his accomplices managed to escape," the officer added.

Superintendent of police (Dima Hasao) V K Ramee Shetty said an AK 47 rifle and a .9 mm pistol were found on the slain militant. His body was brought to Haflong civil hospital for autopsy, he said.

Bihari was earlier a member of the DHD (J). When the outfit laid down arms on October 2, 2009, he, along with some of his comrades, abstained from surrendering and formed DNDF in February last year. According to sources, DNDF has been involved in a number of blasts in the hills district and is extortion people, mostly traders, for the last few years. 

DHD(J) calls indefinite rail blockade

SILCHAR: Rebels belonging to DHD(J) have threatened to start an indefinite railway blockade in Dima Hasao district since 5 am on February 22 in protest against the arrest of a couple of its top leaders. They have also decided to halt work on gauge conversion and the East-West Corridor project in the district from the same day.

The reaction of DHD (J) comes at a time when senior Ulfa leaders have been released from jail to facilitate peace talks.

On Tuesday, DHD (J) vice-president Paiprang Dimasa said they deferred the date for starting the stir by a week from February 15 to pave the way for the release of commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai and chairman Jewel Gorlosa. The outfit has warned of backing out from the proposed peace process "if the the government treats them in a step-motherly manner." 

"We surrendered arms en-masse on October 2, 2009, honouring the positive approach towards a peaceful and meaningful settlement by both the state and the Centre. We have been abiding by the groundrules laid down during the bilateral discussions with the government. In spite of our full cooperation, we have reasons to believe that there are certain vested interests creating hindrances to derail the peace settlement," added the DHD (J) vice-president. He said , "It's beyond our understanding as to why we are being repeatedly harassed by security personnel."

On July 1 last year, a DHD(J) leader was arrested by NIA in spite of surrendering of arms by rebels of the outfit. "We consider this as an act of betrayal towards our organization and the people of Dima Hasao district. We urge upon and request the government to take our demands seriously and treat our organization with respect which represents the aspirations of people of the hills district," said Piaprang.

The vice-president said they condemn the arrest of commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai and chairman Jewel Gorlosa and urged upon the government to release them without any further delay. He added that due consideration of their demands will ensure overall peace and development in the Barail region. 

NDFB-P blockade chokes highways

Kokrajhar, Feb. 15: The 24-hour economic blockade imposed by the pro-talks National Democratic Front of Boroland (Progressive) from 5 this morning choked crucial highways which connect the Northeast with the rest of the country.

Hundreds of trucks were stranded on National Highway 31, 31C, 37 and 52 while supporters of the blockade staged demonstrations in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri, Baksa and Udalguri.

At Rowta, bandh supporters damaged an ASTC bus and a Maruti van.

The NDFB (P), which has been in ceasefire with the Centre, imposed the blockade demanding an early solution to the Bodoland problem.

“Six years have passed since the ceasefire agreement was signed between the NDFB and the government of India but no progress has taken place because of the negative attitude on the part of the government. The political dialogue with the NDFB (P) is stagnant because of the lackadaisical attitude of the Indian government towards finding a solution. The way the government should have proceeded with the peace negotiation, was not done,” said NDFB assistant publicity secretary R. Dauka.

The outfit also expressed unhappiness over the way Ulfa is being treated.

“Though they (Ulfa) came here (overground) much later, they are being given much importance. Treat us like Ulfa by giving us equal importance. We want the government of India to take forward the peace process and solve the Bodo problem through political dialogue. We would be forced to take more steps if the government of India continues this attitude towards solving the problem,” the NDFB leader said.

The blockade comes in the wake of talks between the Centre and Ulfa leaders in Delhi.

The All Bodo Students Union (Absu) has also demanded “Ulfa-like treatment” with other militant outfits like the NDFB, the UPDS and the DHD(J) saying that such discrimination could have adverse impact on the militant groups which have come forward for peace negotiation.

“The government should treat all organisations equally and sit for peace talks without any discrimination. If the government is giving importance to Ulfa, the same treatment should be given to other tribal groups,” Absu president Promode Boro said.

The DHD (Jewel), on the other hand, postponed its indefinite blockade on the metre gauge section in Dima Hasao district and highways to both Guwahati and Cachar to February 21.

The vice-chairman of the outfit, Phaiprang Dimasa, today said they have postponed the blockade to give both the Centre and Assam government more time to consider the release of the DHD (J) chief, Jewel Gorlosa, and its deputy commander, Niranjan Hojai, from jail.

DHD-J bandh from Tuesday

Silchar, Feb. 12: The Jewel Gorlosa group of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) has called an indefinite blockade of trains in the hill section metre gauge line and of vehicles on the road link to lower Assam via Lumding in Dima Hasao district from 5am on February 15.

The bandh has been called to demand the release of the outfit’s chairman Jewel Gorlosa and deputy commander Niranjan Hojai. The cadres of the outfit had laid down arms on October 2, 2009 in the presence of chief minister Tarun Gogoi but its two leaders are lodged in a jail in Guwahati.

The bandh will also effect the construction of the East-West expressway and the gauge conversion project in the district.

DHD (J) vice-chairman Phaiprang Dimasa said over phone from Haflong today that the indefinite bandh would cover the construction of the East-West expressway from Silchar to Porbandar in Gujarat and upgradation of the metre gauge rail line, passing through Dima Hasao areas, into broad gauge.

He warned that if the Union and state governments continued to harbour “a stepmotherly feeling towards the Jewel group, then it would have no alternative other than return to the jungles.”

Tribal rebel outfits pressure Assam for leaders' release

Tribal insurgent outfits have stepped up pressure on the Assam government for their leaders' release from jail, peeved over the perceived priority being accorded to freeing leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) for facilitating peace talks. Pointing out that there is more to militancy in the state than the Ulfa, the rebel outfits are unwilling to wait.

The Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) group (better known as the 'Black Widow') for instance, has threatened a return to the "bad old days" from February 15 if its chairman Jewel Garlossa and commander-in-chief Niranjan Hojai are not freed. The outfit had laid down arms in October 2009.

"We want our leaders released or Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills) will burn from the morning of February 15. For starters, we will not allow trains to run besides disrupting work on the East-West Corridor," DHD-J vice-chairman Peipring Dimasa said on Thursday. "The government should learn not to be partial to any group."

The DHD-J had shot to notoriety by blowing up trains and carrying out an ethnic cleansing in which more than 350 people were killed, prior to Garlossa's arrest from Bangalore in June 2009.

The group's nexus with politicians and bureaucrats leading to diversion of development funds was the first assignment of the National Investigation Agency. The National Democratic Front of Boroland has also demanded the release of its chairman Ranjan Daimary, a prime accused in the October 30, 2008, serial blasts that killed 92 persons. To show intent, the outfit abducted six World Wide Fund for Nature volunteers last Sunday. It freed three of them — all women — on Tuesday.

A senior home department officer denied being partial to the Ulfa. "We are accommodative and looking into everything case by case," he said.

Three Dimasa rebels surrender in Haflong

SILCHAR: Three members of the Dima National Democratic Front ( DNDF ), including its chairman, have surrendered before the administration at a ceremony in Haflong, the district headquarters.

The outfit's self-styled chairman' E M Dimasa alias Bidyalal Sanguing, who was a former Congress functionary, second lieutenant' Friendly Dimasa alias Monet Langthasa and lieutenant' Lampu Dimasa alias Prasenjit Haflongbar surrendered before the deputy commissioner (Dima Hasao) Dilip Borthakur on Wednesday. The militants handed over a few arms and ammunition to authorities.

Gogoi’s multi-crore amnesia ails DSA

Nagaon, Feb. 6: Nearly one-and-a-half years have passed since chief minister Tarun Gogoi promised the people of Dima Hasao that he would upgrade the district’s only playground under a multi-crore rupees infrastructure development project.

Gogoi announced a Rs 50-crore package during a ceremony at the Dima Hasao Sports Association playground on October 2, 2009 that included the infrastructure development of the playground. The lack of drainage system and boundary and players’ accommodation leave the district sports association praying to the weather gods even when a district-level tournament is organised.

“We think the chief minister has forgotten the promise. We are waiting from some support either in cash or kind,” said a sports association officebearer.

The association and its playground in Haflong was established in 1952. The only assets of the organisation include an Assam type office building, an indoor stadium built in 2002 and a gallery along one side of the ground.

“Soon after the chief minister’s Haflong visit, we prepared a masterplan of Rs 5 crore. It included construction of a boundary walls and drainage system, a dormitory where at least six teams can be accommodated and a swimming pool. The proposal was placed before the district autonomous council authorities. We do not know when our dreams will see the light of the day,” the officebearer said.

Recently the association’s playground was named NL Daulogupu Sports Complex.

The general secretary of the sports association, Thai-Tsho Daulogupu, said, “Last time we had to postpone the Nindu Langthasa inter-club football tournament because of bad ground condition. Once this was one of the best grounds for national-level tournaments.”

“We hope the state government might listen to our aspirations for a better sports environmen,” Daulogupu said.

SARAT SARMA

Bisu Dima celebrated in Howraghat

HOWRAGHAT, Feb 3 – The national festival of the Dimasas, Bisu Dima, was celebrated with gaiety in the Howraghat area, especially in the Dimasa-dominated Gajalipar area recently.
The harvest festival is celebrated on January 27 every year and people wish each other. The people of Howraghat area along with other parts of the Dima Hasao district and neighbouring Nagaland celebrated Bisu Dima this time around, too.
The cultural flag at Gujalipar was unfurled by Mothura Phonglosa. He was assisted by Gopan Kemprai. During the daylong programme, Dimasa people celebrated the festival by performing folk dances and singing songs.
Besides, the elderly people were honoured by the young and the young were blessed by elders for happiness, peace and progress.
Everyone jointly partook of the community feast as per tradition later.