GUWAHATI, March 1: Bodo Sahitya Sabha president, Bineswar Brahma has denied any link of the apex literary body with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) which could have influenced the Sabha's recent decision to continue with the Devnagri script for the Bodo language staving off demands from certain quarters to adopt Roman script for the language. "No BSS member is attached with the RSS," Brahma asserted in a news conference in the city Wednesday morning. "Such allegations are imaginary," he said, adding that the Sabha is solely inclined towards language and literature. The Bodo Sahitya Sabha, during its 39th annual conference which concluded at Mainao Nwgar (Kokrajhar) last weekend, resolved to continue with the Devnagri script, drawing to a close a heated debate over the last few years over the script issue. "The decision is final," Brahma said. Brahma informed that the Sabha, in its resolutions passed by the attending delegates in the conference, was concerned over the deteriorating educational environment in the state, especially in the Bodo dominated areas. It called for the creation of a conducive atmosphere in this regard. It has also resolved to take steps to propagate Bodo language. Brahma, referring to reports of some militant outfits trying to influence the Sabha in order to force a decision in favour of Roman script, said that the militants will eventually realise that the Roman script will be harmful for the Bodo society. He denied any knowledge of the Church too, playing a role in this regard. Dwelling on the roots of the controversy, the Sabha president said that the script movement started in 1974 with the demand to adopt the Roman script though Devnagri was eventually adopted in 1975 after an agreement between the Sabha and the Centre. "The movement for the Roman script was a political movement," explained Brahma who said that the Sabha, during that time, was also engulfed by the anti-Assamese feeling. "For 25 years after that, the Bodo language developed on the Devnagri script. If Roman script had been adopted now there would have been a break from the past,' Brahma said referring to the demand for the adoption for the Roman script that was revived in 1993 and snowballed into a major controversy. "Adopting Roman script would have created a communication gap and we would have gone back by 25 years," the Sabha president reasoned. The delegates attending the just concluded conference, meanwhile, have expressed serious concern over the non-fulfilment of the terms and conditions laid in the agreement in 1975 that had led to the adoption of Devnagri. The Sabha has also urged the state government to implement Bodo as an associate official language throughout the state. Brahma told newspersons that the aid from the state government to the Sabha for the development of Bodo was 'zero'. He also informed that the BAC has been withholding funds while insisting on the adoption of the Roman script. The Bodo Sahitya Sabha has also welcomed the decision of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) to exempt educational institutions from the purview of their agitational programmes for Bodoland. Brahma, meanwhile, clarified today that the script issue had no link with the Bodo statehood movement. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 2 March, 2000)

NEW DELHI, March 1: In an interesting development, the Congress acting on a complaint of the Assam state Congress party, expelled former Union minister of state, Matang Singh from the party for indulging in anti-party activities during 1999 elections in the state, for six years. The move, however, is seen in the party as a signal to the dissident leaders from Sonia Gandhi to fall in line in the wake of increasing murmurs against her leadership and emergence of former Prime Minister, P V Narasimha Rao's camp as a new power centre in the party. The decision surprisingly came after about six months of the Assam Congress lodging a complaint with the disciplinary action committee (DAC), recommending his expulsion from the party. The basis of the expulsion request was the former MPs alleged campaigning against self styled lottery king MK Subba and Assam Pradesh Congress chief Tarun Gogoi during the last Lok Sabha polls. The final decision to expel Matang Singh was taken at an emergent meeting convened last evening by the DAC's chairman Vijay Bhaskar Reddy. The Assam Congress disciplinary action committee, chairman, Santosh Mohan Dev was summoned to brief the meeting, after which a formal decision was taken. Two of the members of the DAC, Manmohan Singh and AK Antony were absent in the meeting. The move for Matang's head was mounted, last week, itself by Sonia loyalist who had a DAC meeting convened after about a year. At the meeting held yesterday the loyalist had to bite the bullet as several of the DAC members declined to recommend his expulsion on the ground of lack of evidence. At the meeting Oscar Fernandes, general secretary drew the attention of the DAC members to dissident activities indulged in by Matang Singh. Among the charges levelled against him was his role in convening series of meetings of the dissident leaders attended by several disgruntled CWC members. However, to the embarrassment of the Sonia camp several members of the DAC including its chairman opposed the move but the request was turned down. They held that there was no sufficient ground against Matang Singh to warrant any action. But the turn around came last morning when Sonia Gandhi reportedly summoned Vijay Bhaskar Reddy to express her displeasure at the rejection of the expulsion move. In what is seen as a quid pro quo Vijay Bhaskar Reddy was promised a seat in the Rajya Sabha by Sonia Gandhi, following which in the evening a meeting was convened at a short notice. Meanwhile, Tarun Gogoi when contacted here confirming the suspension order said that the Assam state DAC under the chairmanship of Santosh Mohan Dev had recommended his expulsion for anti-party activities. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 2 March, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 2: The president of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU), UG Brahma has urged the Centre to take a final decision on separate Bodo hadat (state) in the greater interest of the Bodo community. Addressing a mammoth rally, organised jointly by the ABSU and the Bodo Peoples' Action Community (BPAC) at Champawati High School play-ground here today, Brahma said that despite pleas from various quarters, Centre seemed to have remained indifferent on the demand for creation of a separate state causing disappointment among the Bodo community. In this context, the president appealed to the Bodo political and non-political organisations to be united for launching a 'vigorous movement' to achieve the goal (separate state). "Bodo people have been passing through a critical stage in the name of separate state and several have lost their lives," the president said, adding that the ABSU will never compromise on the issue. He, however said that a section of anti-social forces are trying to derail the unity move initiated by the ABSU and urged the people to work unitedly to foil their attempts. Commenting on the militancy problem, Brahma opined that, it can be solved through political dialogues and not by army operations. "Violence never solves any problem hence the insurgent groups should shun the path of armed struggle," he stated. Participating in the rally, the acting president of the People's Democratic Front (PDF), Dhojen Brahma expressed the view that Centre should take immediate decision on separate Bodo state. Brahma further said that the PDF has decided to join hands with the ABSU as the separate state is an unanimous demand of the Bodo community. The chairman of the BPAC, Gobinda Boro alleged that Bodo community has remained a deprived lot in the state while unfortunately, the state government has also remained silent in this regard. The general secretary of the PDF, Gangadhor Ramchiary said that Centre has already taken soft stand regarding creation of Uttarkhand and Jharkand but it is yet to take any action against the separate Bodo hadat (state). SK Bwiswmutiary, MP, Andrias Hozowary, MLA, Pramila Rani Brahma, MLA and the convenor of the BPAC, R Narzary also spoke on the occasion. Earlier the leaders paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Bodo movement. Today's rally can be called a landmark as far as Bodo movement is concerned since PDF had participated for the first time by keeping aside all old enmity. Meanwhile ABSU, PDF and the BPAC are organising a meeting on March 19 next to chalk out future course of action. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 3 March, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 2: The People's Democratic Front, a political party of Bodos, today joined the All Bodo Students' Union and Bodo People's Action Committee in demanding a Bodoland state. This could lead to a merger of pro-Bodoland organisations, the ABSU president hinted to reporters after a joint rally this morning at the Champabati ME School, Dhirenpara. Urkhao Gwra Brahma said a meeting has been called on 16 March to discuss the course of the statehood "struggle". "There may emerge a single platform, after dissolution of the various organisations, to carry forward the movement. Today's rally is the first step toward a united movement." The PDF general secretary, Gangadhar Ramchiary, endorsed this. He said his party had buried its differences with the ABSU and BPAC - at least on matters relating to a Bodoland state. "We now have a common goal and there is nothing which can stop us from achieving that goal. We are ready to make even the ultimate sacrifice." At the rally, PDF leaders cited how Assam had been divided several times to create new states. "And if new states can be carved out of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, there can be no reason why we cannot have a Bodoland state," a leader said. The ABSU chief condemned LK Advani's statement in Parliament ruling out a Bodoland state. The Union home minister had explained that the Bodos are a minority in the area which they want converted to a Bodoland state. "This is absolutely baseless," Brahma said. "Bodoland is meant not only for Bodos. The other communities in these areas support our demands, so it's irrelevant who are a minority and who the majority. "Such statements aimed at isolating the Bodos can only spawn undesirable consequences." Also irrelevant is the Bodoland Autonomous Council, Ramchiary said, because it has become clear that such a body can not help improve the condition of Bodos. "Only a separate state can fulfil the aspirations of the people living in the Bodoland area." Among the other demands of the ABSU, BPAC and PDF are: autonomous councils for tribals living on the Brahmaputra's southern bank, inclusion of the Bodo Kacharis of Karbi Anglong on the Scheduled Tribes list. (Statesman News Service; The Statesman; Calcutta; 2 March, 2000)

ITANAGAR, March 3: The Arunachal Pradesh government has finally approved the creation of a new district to be carved out from the upper belt of the present Lower Subansiri district, state government spokesman and Information and public relations minister Takam Sanjoy said on Friday. Talking to newsmen here, Sanjay said a formal decision to this effect has been taken at the cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of state chief minister Mukut Mithi on Thursday. The name of the new district will be Kurung-Kurmey and the headquarters would be set up at Laaying-Yangtis, he said. However, till the completion of the necessary works, activities will be carried on from Koloriang temporarily, he said. A legislation to this effect will be placed in the state assembly during the budget session which was summoned from March 24 next, he informed. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 4 March, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 5: The unity move initiated by All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) to bring all Bodo political and non-political organisations under one umbrella, has got a boost as People's Democratic Front (PDF) has decided to join hands with the ABSU to launch a 'vigorous movement' for a separate Bodoland. PDF's decision in this regard assumes significance as it earlier remained confined within the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) in terms of conferring autonomy to the Bodo people. But, the leaders of the party recently vowed a united movement for creation of a separate Bodo hadat (state) instead of autonomous council. Although the unity move was initiated during last year yet it failed to make any headway due to differences among the leaders. But the PDF leadership at last accepted the move of the ABSU keeping aside its old enmity. With the support of the PDF to the ABSU, the Bodoland movement which started early 1987 is likely to become more powerful. According to ABSU president UG Brahma, at last the unity move has achieved the desired results as the 'main political party' has decided to join hands with the ABSU to launch a democratic movement for creation of a separate Bodo hadat. Asked as to why the ABSU failed to unite the PDF earlier, the leader expressed the view that there were some differences among the leaders, but now they had given up all these in the greater interest of the Bodo community. "We must achieve the goal as several persons have lost their lives in the name of Bodoland", Brahma confidently said. He, however, said a section of anti-social elements are trying to derail the unity move for their narrow political gains and appealed to the people to be united at this critical juncture. Giving the rationale behind its new strategy to support the Bodoland movement, PDF general secretary Gangadhar Ramchiary said since separate state is a unanimous demand of the Bodo people, hence, PDF has decided to support it instead of remaining within the confines of BAC. Ramchiary described the unity move as a new beginning of the Bodoland struggle. "We will put pressure on the Centre to take a final decision in this regard as early as possible', the general secretary stated. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 6 March, 2000)

AIZAWL, March 9: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes has rapped the Mizoram government for its lackadaisical attitude on utilisation of central assistance for higher and technical education and construction of residential schools in the state. Commission chairman Dileep Singh Bhuria, who was on a two-day visit to the state, said though the literacy rate in Mizoram was the highest in the country, there was a lack of facilities for higher and technical education. During a meeting with chief minister Zoramthanga, Bhuria suggested that the state government should submit necessary schemes with the concerned ministries at the earliest. "I have also asked the chief secretary to formulate suitable need-based proposals in the field of higher education within a fixed time frame." (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 10 March, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 9: Asom Hajong Jatiya Parishad has demanded conferment of political rights on the community and said it is unfortunate that about 1.50 lakh Hajongs in the state are deprived of facilities and privileges. A press release issued by the Asom Hajong Jatiya Parishad publicity and cultural secretary Ratan Kumar Ray Hajong said deprivation of Hajongs 'is a political gameplan' and asserted that government should not differentiate between hills and plains scheduled tribes in the matter of facilities and privileges conferred by the Constitution of India. Instead constitutional rights should be allowed to be enjoyed under a single category of scheduled tribe (plains), he said. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 10 March, 2000)

NEW DELHI, March 9: The Centre has reiterated its willingness to repeal the controversial Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act (IMDT), describing it as a discriminatory piece of legislation. In reply to a question by Jayashree Goswami Mahanta, minister of state for home ID Swami said that the government is of the view that the IMDT Act in its application to the state of Assam alone is discriminatory. A proposal to repeal the Act is under consideration of the government, he added. Meanwhile, the Centre conceded that few states, including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, have set up special cells to check ISI activities. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 10 March, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 13: Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today informed the state assembly that as many as 52 man-days were lost due to the agitation by the state employees in the last three years. Mahanta today hit out at the Sadau Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) secretary-general Charan Deka and said the Deka was using the parishad for his personal gains. He said that Deka, who, along with three others, were arrested under Section 120(B) of the IPC on March 9, was hobnobbing with banned outfits and political parties. He said that Deka had addressed political meetings and demanded that the present government should be thrown out of power. Under the circumstances the government cannot remain a silent spectator. Even the Gauhati High Court today rejected the bail petition of Charan Deka. The government today placed Charan Deka under suspension. Mahanta said that the government is aware of the problems of the employees and has already moved the Centre to provide grants to pay the Central scale of pay to the employees. He said that under the present circumstances, it would not be possible for the state government to pay the Central scale of pay unless the Centre agrees to the state's request for additional grants. 'If any government employee feels that he is not willing to work for the state government, he is welcome to take retirement,' he said. Mahanta further said that at this moment about 60 per cent of the total expenditure of the government is spent on salaries, leaving very little amount for development work. He said that the government cannot allow 2.50 crore people of the state to suffer to please the employees. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 14 March, 2000)

AGARTALA, March 10: Chairman of the National Commission for Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Dilip Singh Bhuria has opposed the demand for a separate tribal state within Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). "The scheduled tribes should decide their living within the parameters of constitutional framework and serve the national interest. The TTAADC should be given more financial autonomy but there is no need of formation of a separate state," Bhuria told a press conference here on Thursday. Major political parties in the state including Tripura Upajati Juba Samity (TUJS), an ally of Trinamool Congress, Tripura National Volunteers (TNV), an insurgent outfit-turned-political party and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) have demanded formation of a tribal state within the TTAADC which constitutes two-thirds areas of the state having one-third population of the state. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 14 March, 2000)

AGARTALA, March 13: Though the Centre and the National Human Rights Commission have urged the Aizawl authorities to arrange for repatriation of Reang evacuees immediately, the Mizoram government is yet to show its readiness to take back the refugees. The Mizoram chief minister, Zoramthanga, had earlier made a statement in Aizawl that the Reangs were not original residents of Mizoram. He claimed they had crossed over to Mizoram areas from Tripura and the Chittagong hills of Bangladesh in search of land for "jhum" cultivation. Zoramthanga also made it clear that his government had no obligation to take back the refugees. A high-level delegation of the NHRC visited Reang refugee camps in north Tripura in November last year. Delegation members talked to refugees' leaders and senior state officials here regarding problems of the Reangs. Later on the basis of delegation's report, the NHRC wrote to the Mizoram chief secretary to make necessary arrangements without any further delay so that the Reang tribals, now huddled in camps in North Tripura, could go back to their Mizoram villages. The Tripura government was given a copy of the NHRC's letter. The NHRC also pointed out that the Reang evacuees were residents of Mizoram and that it was the responsibility of the state government to arrange for their immediate repatriation. The Tripura government has been persuading the Mizoram government regularly to initiate the repatriation process of tribal refugees. There is no favourable response from Aizawl so far. According to official sources here, the Union government has written several letters and sent messages, requesting the Mizoram authorities for doing the needful so that the refugees can return to Mizoram as early as possible. This is particularly in view of the fact that the refugee problem was giving rise to certain complications following escalating insurgency and numerous demands being raised by local ethnic groups. The Tripura chief minister, Manik Sarkar, personally talked to his Mizoram counterpart in several occasions and requested the latter to initiate process of taking back the refugees. The influx of tribals begun in October 1997 following ethnic disturbances in Mizoram villages adjacent to north Tripura areas. Over 40,000 evacuees had taken shelter in six camps of north Tripura. Several hundred refugees, mainly old and children, have so far died of numerous diseases. The Centre has so far given Rs 17,25,00000 for providing relief to the Reang refugees. Meanwhile, the Bru National Union, the Mizoram-based tribal organisation, has wanted the Aizawl authorities to sign an agreement with the state's Reang leaders assuring security for the minority Reang tribesmen in Mizoram before initiating process of repatriation. BNU also wanted the Centre to supervise the process of Reang refugees going back to their villages. (Statesman News Service; The Statesman; Calcutta; 14 March, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 15: The Assam chief minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and his Meghalaya counterpart EK Mawlong today signed an agreement to amicably settle the boundary dispute between the two states and to maintain the age-old friendly ties. The agreement was signed after a meeting between the two chief ministers held at the state guest house here. An official release said that both the chief ministers exchanged copies of the agreement in the residence of Mahanta in presence of their cabinet colleagues and senior government officials. The release said that during the hour-long meeting, it was decided that in the sectors of the border, where there is no difference between the states, steps would be taken to resume field demarcations. In the other sectors, where there are areas of difference, the contentious issues will be discussed at the level of the chief secretaries to sort out the differences between the two states within a period of six months. The recommendations made by the chief secretaries will again be discussed by the two chief ministers to arrive at the final solution. The two chief ministers agreed to undertake a joint visit to the Block-I and Block-II of Karbi Anglong district and discuss the related matters. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; 16 March, 2000)