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               /  \    _____ _____ ____      _    _      
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             /  __  \  \  \  \  \  / __ O N L I N E \
            (__/  \__)/____)/____)(______)(__/    \__) 
                     Vol.I, No.88 [*] February 9, 1997
                     ---------------------------------

o  CENTRE WILL SLASH AID TO NE STATES		[AT:9-FEB-97]
   ----------------------------------
  
   The  seven  North-eastern  States,  including Assam, are likely to be
   badly hit by the Centre's decision to slash Central  fund  assistance
   to  the  defaulting  States. The NE States owe to the various Central
   undertakings over Rs.3.56 billion.
   
   The decision to the effect was taken at a  Cabinet  meeting  presided
   over  by  the  Prime  Minister, H.D.Deve Gowda, on February 7. It was
   decided by the Cabinet that the funds of the defaulting States  would
   be deducted from the Annual Plan outlay in a phase manner spread over
   a  period  of  five  to seven years. The Central Plan outlay would be
   deducted at the rate of 15 per cent annually. 
   
   Assam is the biggest defaulter in the entire region with an arrear of
   Rs.2224.5 million.  The cuts scheduled to be  effect  from  the  next
   Plan period.      The   outstanding   amounts  were  due  to  Central
   undertakings for supply of  power,  coal.    atomic  energy  and  the
   railways.
   

o  ULFA MEN DIES IN CUSTODY			[S:4-FEB-97]
   ------------------------
  
   The self-styled president of the Darrang district unit of ULFA,  Ajit
   Kachari  alias Abhijeet Rabha, who was nabbed by the Army on February
   1, died in the custody of soldiers on February 2.   The  body,  which
   had seven bullet injury marks besides evidence of torture, was handed
   over to  police  on  February  3.    Official  sources said, the ULFA
   militant was killed in an encounter in  Nanoi  forest,  near  Tangla.
   However, some eyewitnesses in Mudoibari area stated that the soldiers
   tortured the militant in full public view in the area.
   
   Meanwhile, the PIB issued a press note in Guwahati stating  that  the
   militant  was  killed  when  the  Army  patrol he was leading towards
   Bhutan was engaged in an encounter by ULFA militants.
   
   In another incident, acting on a specific information,  the  Army  on
   February  7  surrounded  a  safe-house  where  a  group  of ULFA were
   holed-up and  killed  a  self-styled  Major.    Madhurya  Gohain  and
   apprehended  three of his accomplices in the encounter that ensued in
   Duliajan.
   
   According to Army sources, the three accomplices have been identified
   as high-ranking ULFA cadres while Gohain himself is believed to  have
   masterminded  a  number  of  militant operations including the ambush
   that left the Congress candidate, Binu Chetia, dead at Margherita  on
   April 25, 1995.  The murder of Tinsukia SP, Mr Ravi Kant Singh on May
   16, 1995 and most recently the ambush on Army in upper Assam.
   

o  ROBBERS KILL ACS OFFICER IN GUWAHATI		[S:7-FEB-97]
   ------------------------------------
  
   A gang of robbers shot dead  the  Director  of  the  Agro  Industries
   Development  Corporation, Mr Nandeswar Nath, and looted some cash and
   valuables from his house in Sankerdev Nagar  locality  in  Panjabari,
   Guwahati on  February  5.  According to police, the robbers also took
   Mr Nath's revolver which his family  dissuade  from  using  when  the
   criminals  were  breaking  down  the  door  to gain admittance to the
   house.  After the robbers had left with  whatever  cash  and  jewelry
   they  could  lay  hands  on,  Mr  Nath  was  rushed  to the Down Town
   Hospital, where he succumbed.

o  ULFA SHIFTING BASES TO ARUNACHAL 		[S:6-FEB-97]
   --------------------------------
  
   The ULFA  which  began  its  retaliation  against  counter-insurgency
   operations in the State by engaging in three encounters with the Army
   in  as many days, is shifting its operational base to the neighboring
   State  of  Arunachal  Pradesh,  high-ranking  military  sources  told
   newsmen in  Guwahati  on  February  5.    Ascerting that the Army had
   effectively choked off  the  militants'  route  into  Bhutan,  making
   logistical  support  difficult by sealing off their supply lines, the
   source claimed that the ULFA was  swiftly  moving  towards  Arunachal
   Pradesh which is better suited for their purposes.
   

o  GOVT CAUTIONS ARMY AGAINST EXCESSES		[AT:8-FEB-97]
   -----------------------------------
  
   State  Chief  Secretary T.K.Kamilla who also heads the Strategy Group
   of the  Unified  Command  structure  said  that  the  Government  has
   cautioned  the  Army  that  it  should not commit any excess and must
   function within the law.  Briefing newsmen on February  7  at  Janata
   Bhawan,  the  State  headquarters,  the Chief Secretary said the Army
   have been told not to cause any excess,  harassment  or  dishonor  to
   women folk.
   

o  BUDGET SESSION FROM MARCH 7			[S:4-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------
  
   The  State  Governor,  Mr  Loknath  Misra,  has  summoned  the  Assam
   Legislative  Assembly  for  its  budget  session from March 7, it was
   officially announced on February 3.

o  ENGINEER SHOT DEAD				[S:8-FEB-97]
   ------------------
  
   Five  armed  unidentified  miscreants  gunned  down one Tikaram Sarma
   (46), an engineer engaged in the construction  of  a  railway  bridge
   over  Dodhnoi  river,  near  the  construction  suite  on February 7.
   According to reports, the miscreants coming on foot  first  assaulted
   the guard  at  the site and then opened fire in the air.  Hearing the
   commotion the engineer came out but  he  was  also  assaulted  before
   being shot dead.

o  BANDH PARALYSES NORMAN LIFE			[AT:8-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------
  
   The 12-hour central Assam bandh called by the banned ULFA from  5  am
   on  February  7  paralysed  normal  life in five districts of Kamrup,
   Nagaon, Darrang, Sonitpur and Morigaon.    However,  normal  life  in
   Karbi  Anglong  district remained unaffected during the bandh period,
   official sources said.  
   
   The bandh call was given by the banned outfit in protest against  the
   alleged  killing  of  its  central zone president Abhijit Rabha alias
   Ajit Kachari by the Army on February 2 in a fake encounter.
   
   Barring an incident of burning down a truck by some bandh  supporters
   at  Raidangia of Nagaon district, the bandh, by and large, passed off
   peacefully.
   

o  RS.1,200,000 LOOTED AT GOLAGHAT			[S:4-FEB-97]
   -------------------------------
  
   Four  armed  youths  looted  Rs.1,200,000 from a Maruti van which was
   moving towards Numaligarh Refinery.    According  to  sources,  after
   stopping  the  van,  which was also accompanied by an escort jeep, at
   Moinapara bridge near Golaghat at around 1  pm  on  February  3,  the
   armed  youths  commandeered  the van towards Dergaon before decamping
   with the  cash.    The  van  has  since  been  found  abandoned  near
   Sumanigaon.
   

o  GOSALA LAND GRAB BY AGP MEMBER ALLEGED		[AT:9-FEB-97]
   --------------------------------------
  
   Kamrup deputy Commissioner, Sanjeev Kumar has ordered an inquiry into
   the  allegation  of  encroachment  of  the land of Guwahati Gosala at
   Fatasil Ambari by an AGP member.  Talking to  newsmen,  the  DC  said
   that  after  receiving  the  complaint,  he had instructed the Circle
   Officer, Guwahati to inquire into the  matter  and  submit  a  report
   soon.
   

o  BANK LOOTED AT JORHAT				[S:4-FEB-97]
   ---------------------
  
   The unidentified youths coming on a red motor cycle looted  Rs.47,000
   from  the  Seleng  branch  of Lakhimi Gaonlia Bank near Teok in broad
   daylight on February 3.  According to reports, the  youths  compelled
   the  employees and customers in the bank to surrender at gunpoint and
   looted the money. Two policemen posted as guards in  the  bank  armed
   with only lathis remained helpless witness to the whole robbery.
   
   In  another  incident  at  Nazira,  a  gang of six armed robbers with
   bandanas over their faces robbed Rs.887,000 from the United  Bank  of
   India  branch  on  February 6 and fled off in a white Ambassador car.
   It is surprising to note  that  such  a  daring  robbery  took  place
   without  any problem despite the bank being adjacent to the office of
   the SP, Nazira and hardly a hundred  yards  from  the  police  circle
   inspector's office.
   
   Meanwhile,   the   Sibsagar  police  has  arrested  five  persons  in
   connection with the Nazira bank robbery.  According  to  police,  the
   Ambassador car  used in the robbery has also been recovered.  Sources
   said that one of the arrested persons was  a  surrendered  ULFA  man.
   Rs.12,210 were recovered from them.
   

o  'INDIA HAS MISLED UN'				[S:9-FEB-97]
   --------------------
  
   India appears to have misled the United Nations in so far as the laws
   pertaining to  foreigners  was concerned.  This view was preferred by
   the Dean of Law, Gauhati University, Dr N.Sanajaoba, at  the  seminar
   on human rights that drew to a close at Guwahati on February 8.
   
   Referring  to  report submitted by the Indian delegates to the UN, Dr
   Sanajaoba said that in response to an inquiry by the latter  whatever
   the  laws  in the country were equitable in nature, India had replied
   in the affirmative.  The Dean said that this appeared to be  travesty
   of  the  truth  since  there  were  two  sets  of  laws applicable to
   foreigners in the country.  While the Illegal Migrants (Determination
   by Tribunals) Act was enforced in the case of aliens  in  Assam,  the
   Foreigners Act  was  applied  in  other  parts  of  the  country.  Dr
   Sanajaoba pointed to this discrepancy and sought that the  report  be
   suitably amended to rectify it and make it a 'faithful report.'
   

o  CENTRE APPROVES RS.520 MILLION FOR AMC		[AT:6-FEB-97]
   --------------------------------------
  
   Central  Government  has  approved  the  Rs.520 million Assam Medical
   College upgradation scheme submitted by the State Health  department,
   it is reliably learnt.
   
   Moreover, the Centre has granted Rs.100 million for implementation of
   the   first   phase   of   Rs.720  million  Gauhati  Medical  College
   modernization plan.  The amount will be handed over by the end of the
   current financial year.  The State Government  submitted  a  proposal
   for Rs.160  million  for  the first phase of the project.  Meanwhile,
   the State Health department had acquired  12  ambulances  under  IPP,
   Assam Area project and 48 more will be provided soon.
   

o  BOARD TO OVERSEE MBBS ADMISSION			[S:4-FEB-97]
   -------------------------------
  
   The State Government has formed a seven-member board to supervise the
   admission procedure procedure into  the  MBBS  course  in  the  three
   medical colleges  of  the State for 1996-97.  The former principal of
   the Gauhati Medical College, Dr Deba  Prasad  Sarma,  will  head  the
   board  which  will include apart from three principals of the medical
   colleges, the  Director  of  medical  education,  the  controller  of
   medical   examinations   and  a  representative  of  the  Government,
   disclosed the State Health Minister Dr Kamala Kalita at  Guwahati  on
   February 3.
   

o  CRUDE OIL SUPPLY RESTORED			[UNI:7-FEB-97]
   -------------------------
  
   Oil  India  Limited  resumed  pumping  of crude oil to Bongaigaon and
   Barauni refineries on February 7, official sources said.  The pumping
   was suspended on February 5 following partial  damage  to  the  crude
   pipeline at  Kujiapara  near Bongaigaon by ULFA militants.  The crude
   supply to both the refineries  was  suspended  for  about  40  hours.
   However, it had not affected production of both the refineries.
   

o  AIASC HUNGER STRIKE ENDS			[PTI:3-FEB-97] x
   ------------------------\
  
   The 50-hour hunger strike staged by the All India Assamese  Students'
   Council at the Jantar Mantar premises, Delhi from February 1 ended on
   February 3, stated an AIASC press release.  The students' council had
   demanded,  among  others, the repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers)
   Act and withdrawal of Unified Command structure from Assam, immediate
   cessation of violence unleashed  by  the  militants,  and  also  Army
   atrocities on civilians.
   

o  11 TEACHERS SUSPECTED AT MORIGAON		[S:4-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------------
  
   As  many  as  11  teachers  of  Dandua  High  School of Morigaon were
   suspended from service on charge of negligence of duty  by  Inspector
   of Schools, Morigaon on January 29.  According to information, the IS
   on  January  28  paid  a sudden visit to the school and found that no
   teachers was present in the school up to 11 am and  students  of  the
   school remained  in  the  school  without  any  class.   Local people
   expressed satisfaction over the Instector's action.
   

o  WHEAT PACKET THROUGH PDS			[S:7-FEB-97]
   ------------------------
  
   The State Food and Civil Supplies Department has decided to launch on
   an experimental basis a scheme to supply 5  kg  amount  of  wheat  in
   packets instead of flour through the Public Distribution System soon.
   The  State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Digen Bora announced this
   at a press meet on February 6 at Guwahati adding that to start  with,
   this  will  be  implemented only in Barpeta, Barpeta Road, Sarthebari
   Sarbhog and Howli.
   

o  'CELLULAR PHONES IN STATE LIKELY'		[PTI:5-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------------
  
   The people of Assam would very soon have  the  facility  of  cellular
   phones, with the private sector Reliance group of industries evincing
   keen  interest  in investing in the telecom and power sector in a big
   way in the State.  Stating this at a press conference,  the  Industry
   Ministry,  Mr  Gunin  Hazarika,  said  that this would also encourage
   multinational industries to invest in the Northeast as  there  was  a
   huge market.
   

o  ASSAM GOVT URGES CENTRE TO EXTEND IT HOLIDAYS	[AT:6-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------------------------
  
   The Government of Assam has requested the Central Government  to take
   steps to extend income tax holidays for a period of 10 years from the
   commencement of production for the new industries of the State with a
   view to developing industries in this backward State.
   
   In  a  letter  to  the  Prime  Minister, Mr H.D.Deve Gowda, the Chief
   Minister Mr Prafulla Kumar Mahanta expressed the hope  that  the  new
   policy  initiative  for  the  North-eastern  Region  and  emphasis on
   economic development would generate interest among the investors  and
   in the  corporate  world.    He reminded the Prime Minister about the
   'painstaking efforts' undertaken by Assam and its neighboring  States
   to imbibe confidence among the investors both from within and outside
   of  the  country for investment in this relatively backward region of
   the country.
   

o  STATE CIVIL POLLS IN MAY				[S:7-FEB-97]
   ------------------------
  
   The election to the municipal boards and town committees of the State
   would be held in  May,  1997,  the  State  Election  Commissioner  Mr
   T.L.Barua   disclosed  while  addressing  a  meeting  of  magistrates
   appointed for the preparation of the electoral  rolls  for  the  town
   committees and municipal boards, an official press release said.
   

o  300 SOM TREE SEEDLINGS PLANTED			[AT:7-FEB-97]
   ------------------------------
  
   With  a  view  to boosting up sericulture in the Dhubri district, the
   Sericulture Department of Dhubri planted  300  som-tree  seelings  on
   January  29  within  the  compound  of  the Destitute Women's Home at
   Dighalbari village under Agomani revenue Circle.  The prime objection
   of the plantation scheme in the compound of the Women's  Home  is  to
   provide  the  necessary  infrastructure  for  rearing silkworm on the
   those plants by the inmates of the Home which will help improve their
   economic condition and will give them a king  of  self-employment  in
   the long run.
   
   The  District  Social  Welfare  department of Dhubri, under which the
   Women's Home is there, extended full cooperation in implementing  the
   plantation scheme successfully.
   

o  RS.300 MILLION FOR PROTECTION OF PALSABARI	[AT:6-FEB-97]
   ------------------------------------------
  
   The Rs.214 million scheme approved by the Centre  for  protection  of
   Palasbari  from  erosion  is being implemented and the amount will be
   enhanced to Rs.300 million.  This was disclosed by  Mr  Jantin  Mali,
   Education  Minister  at  a press conference held on January 30 at the
   Inspection Bunglow, Mirza.  He said that  another  scheme  of  Rs.180
   million  has  been  prepared  for  protection of Guimara, Dakhala and
   Bholapara area and  submitted  for  approval  to  the  Central  Water
   Commission.   The  Rs.15.2 million Guimara protection project is also
   being implemented at Panikahiti near Gumi.
   

o  CONCERTED BID NEEDED TO SAVE MAJULI: EXPERT		[PTI:5-FEB-97]
   -------------------------------------------
  
   A  renowned  expert  on  flood control has called for a comprehensive
   model of the entire river-island of Majuli to find ways  to  save  it
   from erosion  caused  by  the  Brahmaputra  river.  The South African
   expert, Mr E.F.Muller,  who  had  visited  the  river-island  several
   times,  said  that  the  problem  of  Majuli should be studied in its
   entirety.  Mr Muller submitted a comprehensive project report to  the
   Assam Government to protect Majuli from erosion.
   

o  BICENTENARY CELEBRATION ENDS IN JORHAT		[S:8-FEB-97]
   --------------------------------------
  
   The bicentenary celebration of Jorhat town came to an end on February
   7 with the lowering of bicentenary flag and  the  formal  valedictory
   announcement.
   
   The  Flood Control Minister, Mr Promode Gogoi, and the Titabar MLA Mr
   Hemanta  Kalita,  were  the  chief  guest  and  the  guest  of  honor
   respectively at  the  closing  ceremony.   The Dergaon MLA, Ms Susila
   Hazarika also  graced  the  occasion.      Schoolchildren   performed
   Bharatiyam  before  the  assembled  spectators and a number of groups
   presented folk dances.  Winners  of  various  competitions  connected
   with  the  celebration  was awarded on the occasion, and Assam Police
   personnel performed a horse-riding show.
   
   Earlier, balloons were released, gun-salutes neverberated  throughout
   the Jorhat stadium.  The last show of the day, fireworks display, did
   not  appear  very  impressive as it was still not dark enough for the
   fireworks to be spectacular.
   

o  TIGER CENSUS FROM FEBRUARY END			[AT:7-FEB-97]
   ------------------------------
  
   The Assam Forest Department has proposed to carry  out  an  extensive
   census  of  tiger  population  in Assam including Manas Tiger Project
   during the last week of February and the first  week  of  March  this
   year, according  to  an  authoritative  source.    It  is learnt that
   Government will also invite the NGOs and other  environmentalists  to
   help operate the census.
   

o  FREE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN GUWAHATI		[AT:8-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------------------
  
   The  Institute  of Child Health and Mother Welfare, a pioneer venture
   of an NGO at Narikalbari locality in Guwahati has started functioning
   with the opening of its outdoor services and immunization clinic.
   
   According to a press  release  of  the  Institute,  the  out  patient
   department  (OPD)  is  being  held  two  days  in  a week, Monday and
   Thursday from 9.30am to 1pm. A  special  weekly  clinic  for  newborn
   babies  will  be  held  every  Saturday  from  March. Services in the
   Institute will be free, while free medicines will be provided as  far
   as possible.
   

o  PROFICIENT HANDICAPPED STUDENTS AWARDED		[S:9-FEB-97]
   ---------------------------------------
  
   Three proficient handicapped students  of  Sisu  Sarathi  School  and
   Sahayika  Child Guidance Centre, Guwahati received the 'Maitri Award'
   on February 5 from Maitri  Organization  dedicated  to  education  of
   disabled children, said a press release.
   

o  KIRON GOGOI IN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION			[AT:6-FEB-97]
   -----------------------------------
  
   The American Biographical Institute Research Association appointed Mr
   Kiron Chandra Gogoi, Principal, Bihpuria College, Lakhimpur as a life
   time Deputy Governor to the Association's Board of Governors.
   

o  FORD FOUNDATION TO HELP PRESERVE DYING ARTS IN NE 	[UNI:7-FEB-97]
   -------------------------------------------------
  
   The  Ford  Foundation  has  decided  to  help in preserving the dying
   traditional art forms of the Northeast which have been threatened  by
   the  onslaught  of  modern  technological and commercial innovations.
   Foundation President Ms Susan Nerres Ford has  decided  to  fund  the
   Archive-cum-Museum,  to  be  set up in the Tezpur Central University.
   Mr Nerres Ford, leading a high-level delegation of the Foundation was
   in Tezpur on February 5 and signed an agreement to this effect.

______________________________[Mozz-BG]_________________________________
Compiled from newspaper and agency reports for private circulation only.
      [S=Sentinel, AT=Assam Tribune, Agencies = UNI, PTI, PIB]
              http://www.cyberspace.org/~mozz/aol.html  
  http://piglet.uccs.edu/~kalita/assam/news/news-from-assam-index.html
________________________________________________________________________