SHILLONG, June 17: Firebrand Bodo leader and MP, Sansuma Khungur Bwiswmuthiary today charged the Centre with 'double standard' on the creation of a separate Bodoland state. 'If Uttarakhand, Chatisgarh and Jharkhand states have been created on the basis of backwardness, Bodoland areas are much less developed and suffered neglect from successive governments both at the Centre and state since Independence,' he pointed out justifying the demand for statehood. Bwiswmuthiary, who is the chairman of the Bodo parliamentary party, was on a visit here as member of the parliamentary committee on Welfare of SC and ST. Going even by population, Bodo people comprise more than 50 per cent of the population in the proposed Bodoland area compared to 20-30 per cent tribal population in the three newly-created states. Expressing lack of faith in the 1991 Census figures, he claimed a survey conducted by Bodo organisations put the total population of Bodoland at 65 lakhs, of which the Bodos comprised 35 lakh. Another 20 per cent were other non-Bodo tribals and about 30 per cent non-tribals, he said. Dismissing as untenable Centre's dilly-dallying over the creation of Bodoland state on the plea that the Assam Assembly has not adopted any resolution on the matter, he said, the Centre has the power to create the state if Assam did not agree to adopt the required resolution.' Blowing hot and cold over the statehood issue, the BPP leader appealed to the government of India to table the requisite re-organisation Bill for creation of Bodoland in the ensuing Monsoon session of parliament on the lines of the three states created recently. He was highly critical of the Assam government. 'The state government has no right to continue its misrule and injustice on the Bodo people,' he fumed. Charging the Assam government with violating the spirit of the Bodo Accord, he alleged 'they took advantage of some ambiguities in the Accord to take out more than 200 villages on the southern boundary of Bodoland.' The only major industry in the area, viz., the Bongaigaon Refinery has also been taken out of Bodoland territory, he said. 'Despite all the opposition, none can prevent the Bodos from achieving their statehood demand,' he asserted adding 'the very survival of the Bodo people is linked to this issue.' 'Bodoland is not just a dream, it will become a reality in the not too distant future,' he expressed with confidence. (Bedabrata Lahkar; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 18, 2000)

GUWAHATI, June 18: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief, KS Sudarshan, said here on Saturday that the influx of Muslims from Bangladesh is posing a serious threat to the existence of Hindus in the Northeast. Addressing the RSS activists here, the RSS chief expressed concern over the ongoing conversion drive by Christian organisations in a move that he termed as an "attempt to change loyalty of tribals by converting them to Christianity." Citing historical instances, Sudarshan said: "Increasing Muslim population, because of influx from Bangladesh, may swamp the Hindus soon. The latest report of the home ministry has also given the similar indications." He clarified: "The objective of the RSS is to protect Assam from being reduced to a Hindu minority state." Sudarshan also charged former President, Fakkruddin Ali Ahmed and former premier of Assam Syed Sadulla of encouraging migration of Muslims from Bangladesh. He also criticised former Sahitya Sabha president and renowned Assamese writer for his poems that allegedly reflect the "expansionist ideology" of the followers of Islam. Launching a frontal attack against the Christian organisations, Sudarshan said that Bible itself teaches the cruelty to its followers. He cited several lines from Bible to justify his statement. "What Christian organisations are doing in the Northeast to convert the innocent tribals by encouraging the gun culture in Tripura, Nagaland and Bodo-dominated western Assam is not surprising. We will have to unite to face this challenge," he said. Sudarshan, who addressed several meetings in Assam's Nagaon district, also made a fervent appeal to the intellectuals of the region to raise their voices against the ongoing influx from Bangladesh and conversion drive of the Christian organisations. He also came down heavily on the political parties for ignoring the real interest of the state for their votebank politics. The editor of the Sentinel, DN Bezboruah, who was the chief guest on the occasion, admitted that the political parties have failed to address the problem simply to protect their votebanks. He pointed out that lack of leadership has complicated the problem more. Former vice-chancellor of the Guwahati University, N.K. Choudhury, also participated in the deliberations. (Manoj Anand; The Asian Age; New Delhi; June 19, 2000)

AGARTALA, June 18: The Union government has announced the name of Lt Gen (retd) KM Seth as the new governor of Tripura. Speculations as to who would be appointed in the gubernatorial post were rife in the state as the term of Siddheswar Prasad came to an end on June 16 last. Minister for information, cultural affairs and tourism Jitendra Chaudhury disclosed the name of the new governor at a press conference in the secretariat and said that his warrant of appointment had already arrived. Although many names were making the round, it was almost certain that a retired Army officer would be given the charge of governor of a state ravaged by militancy. Moreover, one retired Army officer would be able to take independent decision on strategic operational matters and also advise the state government rather than a retired bureaucrat or politician, particularly when the security forces are engaged here in counter-insurgency operations. In fact, the Centre is keen to appoint a retired senior military officer or an IPS officer in trouble-torn Northeastern states. The new governor will take oath on June 21 at Raj Bhawan and Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new incumbent. On June 19, a state farewell will be given to the outgoing governor Prasad as he is leaving on June 20. Lt Gen (retd) KM Seth will be the first retired Armyman after Gen KV Krishna Rao to be nominated to the post of governor of Tripura. Gen Rao was in the office from June 14, '84 to June 16, '89. governor Siddheswar Prasad took charge on June 16, '95 and already has completed his full tenure. It was learnt, the Home Secretary on his last visit to Tripura, had consulted with chief minister Manik Sarkar on the issue of the issue of appointment of a new governor. The appointment of Lt Gen (Retd.) KM Seth is supposed to speed up the counter-insurgency operations as he is learnt to be well-versed in the field and has led in many operations. His appointment is also likely to be well-versed in the field and has led in many operations. His appointment is also likely to bring cheers to the Opposition parties as they have been demanding Siddheswar Prasad's ouster for long on the pretext of his inefficiency. Lt Gen (retd) Seth hails from Noida, Uttar Pradesh. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 19, 2000)

SHILLONG, June 19: governor-designate MM Jacob was sworn in for a second five-year-term at a ceremonial function at Raj Bhawan here today. The Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice Brijesh Kumar administered the oath of office to Jacob. His first tenure as the governor of Meghalaya ended yesterday. Meghalaya chief minister, EK Mawlong, felicitating him on the occasion, said Jacob has endeared himself to all Meghalayans during his five years as the governor. "We look forward to working together for building a progressive and dynamic Meghalaya in the new millennium," Mawlong said. In his reply, Jacob declared that he would make earnest endeavours to re-dedicate himself to the development of Meghalaya. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 17, 2000)

SHILLONG, June 19: Bodoland Parliamentary Party chairman, Sansuma Khungur Bwiswmuthiary, has alleged that certain political groups with vested interests are trying to inflate the population of 'Adivasis' in the Bodoland areas by encouraging migration of Santhal tribesmen from West Bengal and Bihar. Speaking to The Assam Tribune here on Saturday last, the BPP leader expressed grave concern over the developments and warned it would lead to serious repercussions. Without identifying the political groups, he said "Some politicians are instigating the migration with a view to create Santhal vote-banks in Bodoland areas. Revealing that there are about 200 tea-estates in Bodoland, where Santhal pockets exist, the Lok Sabha MP claimed that the influx started soon after the Bodo-Santhal clashes broke out in 1996. "There has been a fantastic increase in the Santhal population in Bodoland areas which did not tally with the ground realities", he claimed. Recalling his visit to a relief camp in Gossaigaon area in 1998, along with senior home ministry officials GK Pillai and RD Kapoor, Bwiswmuthiary said the then deputy commissioner had told them there were 1.5 lakh Adivasis in the relief camps while another 50,000 were unaffected in the clashes and were staying in their villages. As against this, the census of 1991 put the Adivasi population in Bodoland area at 50,000 only. The abnormal growth of Adivasi population needed to be looked into, he said demanding that the Assam government not only probe the matter but also adopt measures to stop the migration. The BPP chief also alleged that the 200 villages recently taken out of Bodoland by the Assam government has been witnessing influx of non-tribal non-indigenous people. (Bedabrata Lahkar; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 20, 2000)

GUWAHATI, June 19: KS Sudarshan, head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS), termed the expansionist attitudes of most of the Christian and Islamic fundamentalists as a major menace for the country as well as the Northeast along with the problem of illegal migration from Bangladesh. Speaking at a symposium on 'Current Situation in Assam : A Review of Opinions' organised by the city committee of RSS at District Library auditorium here, on Saturday last, Sudarshan said till date since 1947 not a single Member of Parliament from Assam except late Hem Baruah raised the problem of illegal migrants in Parliament. Besides, he also criticised the AGP-led government for totally forgetting to work towards solving the illegal foreigners' issue even though the party contested the state Assembly polls and romped home to victory and formed the government on the strength of this issue. Sudarshan elaborated that the growing number of frustrated educated unemployed youths numbering millions today are becoming an easy prey for those missionary and fundamentalist organisations luring these youths towards subversive activities. Narcotics smuggling also follows suit. The head of RSS said Hinduism is a way of life not a religion but British rulers prior to their leaving the country created the impression of Hinduism as being a narrow communalistic belief. He said it is unfortunate that the impression is yet to get rid of this label. Other prominent personalities who presented their views on the topic included DN Bezboruah, editor of The Sentinel, NC Choudhury, former vice-chancellor of Gauhati University and BM Das, former professor of Anthropology of Gauhati University. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 20, 2000)

IMPHAL, June 21: Ruling United Front in Manipur faced a fresh crisis following demands by opposition parties for disqualification of nine ruling party legislators, reports UNI. None of the political parties managed to get the magic number of 31 in a House of sixty although the MSCP managed to earn support from some other parties and thus retained majority. Disqualification of nine legislators is likely to cause embarrassment to the government since the Speaker will have to decide by casting his vote to oust the government. Both the BJP and the Congress which have a combined strength of 17 are all out to see W Nipamacha Singh out of power and hence the combined move for disqualification of the MLAs attains a special significance. The legislators whose disqualification was demanded by nine different opposition MLAs in separate applications to Assembly Speaker S Dhananjoy Singh are K Tomba, S Chandra and L Jatra (Manipur People's Party), Onjamang Haokip, Md Allaudin, Thangminglen Kipgen and C Doungel (Nationalist Congress Party), N Zatawn (Janata Dal United) and Hangkhanpao (Rashtriya Janata Dal). (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 22, 2000)

AGARTALA, June 24: Increasing incidents of clashes between the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura and CPM activists in tribal areas have become a major concern for the state government, sources said. During the run-up to the recent Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls the IPFT workers and NLFT militants allegedly killed many CPM workers and supporters. The newly-formed party allegedly wrested the seats reportedly through massive rigging, the sources added. Political observers in the state pointed out that the CPM's tribal wing, the Gana Mukti Parishad, has been mobilised to counter the disappointing ADC poll results of the ruling party. Incidents like 40-year-old IPFT worker Khirod Debbarma, who defected from the CPM, being brutally hacked to death, and the abduction and killing of two young IPFT activists, Nihar Debbarma and Rakesh Debbarma, have triggered fresh tension in the tribal areas. On Thursday night, a gang hacked IPFT worker Surya Debbarma to death at the tribal-dominated Anandapur village under Melaghar police station and severely beat up eight other party workers warning them of dire consequences unless they snapped links with the organisation, the sources said. The TUJS general secretary Rabindra Debbarma observed that the situation in the ADC area was fast deteriorating. Senior IPFT leader and ADC chief executive member Debabrato Koloi alleged that the Gana Mukti Parishad was responsible for the killing of his party workers. Officials fear that the situation may worsen after the nomination of village committee chairpersons. Earlier, the IPFT-dominated district council dissolved all the village committee chiefs comprising CPM men. Since the funds flow at the grassroots level is controlled by village committee chairpersons within the ADC areas, the new nominations will create a problem, the sources said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph; Calcutta; June 25, 2000)

KANGPOKPI, June 25: The controversial Sadar Hills district creation issue has once again come to focus in the state with the Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh-led United Front ministry, adopting a different stretegy. Two cabinet ministers of the Nipamacha Singh-led ministry have clearly announced that the creation of Sadar Hills district will not be an issue anymore. The United Front ministry is all set to inaugurate the district after the Assembly session. The issue of inauguration of the district came to light when the state commerce and industries minister Yumnam Jiten and horticulture minister Thangminlien Kipgen made an open statement on it during a public function held at Kangpokpi, about 55 km north of Imphal in Senapati district on Friday. All preparations are complete to declare Sadar Hills as the 10th district of Manipur after the Assembly session which is scheduled to start from July 4 next, the cabinet ministers said during the inaugural function of a DIC sub-centre at Kangpokpi. The industries and horticulture ministers said; "The cabinet had taken a decision to declare Sadar Hills as a revenue district in its meeting as early as on January 10 this year. But due to restrictions imposed by the Election Commission of India in view of the Assembly elections, the government could not make the announcement. Now we have decided to inaugurate it very soon." On the dispute over the boundary of the proposed district, the ministers and another Kuki leader and Khadi Board vice-chairman Ngamthang Haokip said the cabinet sub-committee headed by the deputy chief minister L Chandramani Singh had accepted the proposal by the then horticulture minister that the new district should cover Kangpokpi, Saikul and Saitu-Gamphazol subdivisions. The cabinet also accepted it on January 10 last, they added. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 26, 2000)

AGARTALA, June 25: Tripura government has filed a defamation case against Congress MLA and former minister Billal Mian for making "unfounded and defamatory" statement in a public rally against chief minister Manik Sarkar. On June 4, Mian alleged that chief minister indulged in financial irregularities and bought flats in Salt Lake City in Calcutta with the misappropriated money. Mian also said that he had all the evidence to substantiate the allegations. Sarkar reacted vehemently and challenged Mian to prove his allegations within 48 hours. Sarkar in a statement said if the allegations were proved, he would not only resign from chief minister's post and all other posts, but also retire from politics forever. Mian did neither reply nor apologise. Special public prosecutor of the case Dilip Sarkar said the Section 199 CrPC/500 IPC envisage two years' imprisonment and fine if the accused is found guilty. Mian's allegations created a ruffle in the state and there were not many takers. Chief minister Manik Sarkar is known for his clean personal life. Simple and highly ethical in personal dealings and daily life, Sarkar is a well respected political leader though there is big question mark about his political acumen as a chief minister in running the state. None could ever point a finger at him in regards to any unethical work. When the Congress MLA made the allegations, it also stunned other Congress leaders like PCC chief Birajit Sinha, CLP leader Jawhar Shaha, former chief minister Samir Ranjan Barman. All the Opposition leaders said Billal Mia made a faux pas and it is his own responsibility to prove the allegation. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 26, 2000)

IMPHAL, June 26: Manipur government has prohibited strike under Essential Service Maintenance Act for a period of six months from Monday, reports PTI. Chief secretary Rakesh said Monday that strikes would be prohibited in the services falling under the ESMA. The services include transport, production, storage, supply or distribution of gas or water, maintenance of public health and sanitation including hospitals, dispensaries, primary health centres and power supply. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 27, 2000)

GUWAHATI, June 30: The Citizens' Rights Protection Committee (CRPC), Assam, has protested against the 'unjust and illegal' manner in which 'Quit India' notices are being served on thousands of people across the state. The committee sees a political motive behind the act and has called for cooperation, rather than confrontation, to remove social and political tension in the region. The CRPC office-bearers, who were addressing newspersons in the city this afternoon, said serving of such notices should be stopped forthwith because of legal questions inherent to the issue. Its president, Nripendra Chandra Saha said 15,700 notices have been served in Nalbari district alone with most of the recipients being Bengali Hindus. He said several families have already been picked up by police in Sonapur area of Kamrup, Nagaon and Darrang and dumped at Golakganj on the Indo-Bangladesh border. Some of these people have been treated inhumanly he said citing the case of one Sudhanmani Dey of Sonapur who was taken away by the police leaving behind her child. Noted sociologist, Amalendu Guha said the issue of deportation has international ramifications. He said Bangladesh does not accept the people who are alleged to be foreigners in India. He said even if people are deported, it should be done under United Nations' conventions. Guha pointed out that a national consensus had emerged that only the post-1971 immigrants be taken as foreigners. He said the CRPC has no objection to people belonging to this category being deported so long as they are treated humanly. Guha said there are 'political instructions' to the police to issue notices. He also said rumours are afloat that thana OCs have been given fixed quotas in this regard. He said most of the victims are too poor to seek legal remedy. AF Golam Osmani, MP, who is also a senior advocate, said the 1946 Foreigners Act, 1964 foreigners order and the IMDT Act are the main provisions dealing with citizenship issues. He said there is no question of anyone being deported under the section cited in the Quit India notices. He said at best a person can be imprisoned. Bijoi Kr Das, advocate speaking on the legal aspects of the issue said the notices are untenable. He said because of these notices people are being "harassed and embarrassed". He said people who have entered Assam between 1966 and 1971 cannot be deported. He said the notices are illegal and people should not remain suspect for ever. Meanwhile, city police stated this evening that there is no mala fide intention in issuing the 'Quit India' notices. A police communiqué said city police have issued 359 notices of which 72 have already been served. Only those declared as foreigners of 1966-71 stream are being notified, it said. The police said it is doing its "legitimate and legal duty" and requested foreigners of 1966-71 stream to register themselves as per provisions of the law. In yet another development, state BJP president, Rajen Gohain, MP, has written to the Union home minister, LK Advani today to bring to his notice the 'harassment to the minority Hindu Bengali community in Assam by the state government". A copy of the letter, faxed to this office, mentions that in the last couple of weeks the AGP-led government has taken up a "diabolical plan" of harassing this section of the people for political "aims". Gohain has asked the home minister to direct the state government to stop the harassment and take "direct steps" for their protection. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; July 1, 2000)

IMPHAL, June 30: The Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Sapam Dhananjoy Singh, has asked the Assembly secretary T Joute to serve showcause notices on all the nine MLAs who had split their respective parties to finally join the ruling Manipur state Congress Party (MSCP). They have been given 14 days' time from Thursday to furnish their explanation. If they fail to do so within the given period, it will be deemed that they have nothing to say in this regard and the office of the Speaker shall proceed with the disqualification procedure without further notice. Nine Opposition MLAs had filed the disqualification petitions against the defectors on June 19 last. These MLA against whom disqualification has been sought are K Tomba, S Chandra, L Jatra, Onzamang Haokip, Allaudin, C Doungel, thangmilien Kipgen, N Zatawn and Hangkhanpao. The petitioners said that these nine MLAs had split their original parties and had claimed to have formed a separate group. In his order earlier ex-speaker Karam Babudhon Singh had recognisedthe splits. These nine MLAs had taken the oath on March 8 as members of their original parties. Later they had joined the ruling Manipur state Congress Party. This was announced in the Assembly bulletin dated 11/4/2000. The petitioners said that Babudhon Singh was the Speaker of the 6th Assembly and as such he has no legislative and parliamentary powers in the 7th Manipur Legislative Assembly. The petitioners further said that the above acts of the members had resulted in voluntary giving up of their parent political parties and joining another political party in terms of para 2(1) and para 2(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India. It is contended that they are bound to be disqualified on the ground of defection under para 2 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. While the serving of this showcause notice of the office of the Speaker has silenced the ruling parties which have been shouting from the roof top that Rishang Keishing was appointed the pro-tem Speaker on March 7 and that he was not appointed in this capacity on March 4 last this year. It is also learnt that the Opposition parties have welcomed the decision of service showcause notices to the nine ruling MLAs. The Opposition members, who do not want to be named, said that the Speaker is determined to find out of facts. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; July 1, 2000)