NEW DELHI, November 1: A seven-body delegation led by the All Assam Bodo Students Union (ABSU) today reiterating the demand for convening a political dialogue to resolve the Bodoland tangle, urged the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, to entrust with a Cabinet Minister to handle the issue. The delegation today expressed satisfaction at the outcome of their meeting with the Prime Minister who reportedly assured the leaders that the Centre was keen to start the dialogue process. Vajpayee after giving the delegation a patient hearing, said that he would first like to talk with his Cabinet colleagues and then take an initiative. The 20-minute discussion also saw the ABSU-led delegation urging the Prime Minister to nominate a Cabinet Minister to handle their affair. They informed the Prime Minister that they were quite satisfied with the Defence Minister, indicating that they would like George Fernandes to be again entrusted with the responsibility. The discussion also touched inclusion of Boro-Kacharis of Karbi Anglong and NC Hills into the ST Hill list. The delegation which called on the Prime Minister included, Bodo People's Action Committee (BPAC), All Bodo Women's Welfare Federation (ABWWF), All Bodo Employees' Federation (ABEF), All Assam Bengali Youth Students' Federation (AABYSF), All Assam Nepali Students' Union (AANSU) and Religious Minority Council (RMC). The delegation pointed out to the Prime Minister that the previous Central representative, Defence Minister George Fernandes entrusted with the responsibility of handling the Bodo problem, could hardly begin his work, before the Vajpayee government was defeated. Two meetings on July 14 and May 8 convened at Delhi with the ABSU had to be postponed and since then the process remained suspended. The tripartite talks at the official level has also been derailed with the ABSU insisting that talks to resolve the Bodoland problem should be resolved at the political level. The last round of tripartite talks involving the Union government, Assam government and the ABSU was held on June 26, 1998. The renewed demand for a political dialogue mainly emanates from a reported assurance from the Union government that it will put in fresh initiative to resolve the tangle. Since then the ABSU had also gone ahead and forged an alliance of sorts with the BJP by arriving an electoral understanding with it at local level. The ABSU president U G Brahma later talking to The Assam Tribune said that they have come to the capital to gauge the mind of the new government and to find out whether the Centre is serious about resolving the Bodoland problem. "If we find that the government is not sincere about resolving our problem then we would have no option but to again launch our movement," he said. "Even the very basis of our electoral understanding with the BJP was the assurance to start a political dialogue," he asserted commenting about their tie-up with BJP. Significantly, the ABSU advocates one to one talks with the Centre before the Assam government is involved with the talk process. "First we favour talks between the Centre and the ABSU then at a later stage Assam government can be involved," he added. But the stand may not find favour with the Union government itself as time and again the Centre has been maintaining that creation of a separate State was totally in the hands of the State, as such the State Legislative Assembly has to pass a resolution proposing bifurcation of the State. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 2, 1999)

DIPHU, November 1: A group of ASDC-supported CPI(ML) workers ransacked many houses of Congress-I workers of Langlakso village under Samelangso development block, about 160 km away from Diphu on the night of October 4 at about 10-30 pm. The CPI (ML) workers also ransacked the Congress-I office of Samelangso bazar and Langlakso village under Howraghat PS of Karbi Anglong district for casting their votes to the Congress-I candidate in the last LS election. It is to be mentioned that the news of attack upon the Congress-I workers was received by the DCC-I, Diphu on October 12 due to lack of communication. On receipt of the information, Biren Singh Engti, former Union Minister and the president of the DCC-I, Bidya Sing Engleng, former chief executive member (CEM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Kuntala Ronghangpi, president, Mohila Wing, DCC-I visited the trouble-torn village along with this correspondent for spot study of the incident. The victims of the village apprised the Congress-I leaders that the ASDC-supported CPI(ML) workers have severely beaten Khoy Lekthe, Samelangso Bazar, Harsing Kro, Konglong Terang, Lonki Kro (Gaonbura), Pingkhat Rongpi Gaon, Khorsing Engti, Niharlangso and Surjya Teron, president, Mondal Congress, Samelangso and many others. The leaders of the Congress-I after taking stock of the gruesome and barbarious attack upon the Congress-I workers, strongly condemned and demanded adequate compensations to the victims. It is further to be mentioned that on receipt of the information the Addl. SP, Karbi Anglong, OC, Howraghat and I/C, Dokmoka police out post also visited the village, and after vigorous search the police has arrested Sing Tisso, president, constituency development committee (CDC) and Longki Engti of Dhentaghat Sonsing Kro, Samelangso and Dikrut Hanse, Niharlangso. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 2, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 2: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Holkhomang Haokip and Congressman Abdul Hamid have won the Outer Manipur and Dhubri Lok Sabha seats respectively by comprehensive margins. Haokip, a prominent Kuki leader, defeated his Congress rival RK Thecko by over 28,000 votes, while Hamid cut through the hype over BJP candidate Bimal Oswal to emerge victorious by a margin of 21,340 votes. Both the results were declared this morning. The electorate in Outer Manipur clearly voted along ethnic lines, as is evident from the fact that Haokip drew a blank in at least two Naga-dominated Assembly segments but made up for it in the Kuki-dominated areas. The Kuki leader, who contested the last Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket and lost by a narrow margin, said the victory margin exceeded his expectations. Haokip's decision to quit the BJP for its alleged anti-Christian stand is believed to be one of the reasons behind his electoral success. The BJP candidate could not garner even 10,000 votes in the Christian-dominated constituency. Sixty-year-old Haokip began his political career in 1972 by joining the Kuki National Assembly. He switched allegiance to the Congress two years later and remained with the party till the beginning of an ethnic conflict between the Kukis and the Nagas. After losing the Assembly elections in 1995, Haokip changed parties several times in a bid to survive in politics. A man with vast experience, he has served as Cabinet minister in quite a few state governments. Son of Indian National Army member Chungkholet Haokip, the just-elected MP was also president of the Kuki Inpi, the apex body of Kukis in the state, from 1995 to 1998. Haokip is a staunch critic of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), whose vision of a "greater Nagaland" includes a part of Manipur. The veteran politician has always insisted that there can be no compromise on the state's territorial integrity. Haokip told newspersons here after his victory that rehabilitating Kuki victims of ethnic clashes in the state was one of his priorities. He said improvement of the communication system in the hill areas of Manipur was also on his agenda. Assam Cong tally: The Congress has increased its tally of Lok Sabha seats in Assam to 10 by recording its second consecutive victory in the Dhubri constituency, reports our correspondent from Guwahati. Elections to the seat was countermanded following the abduction and killing of BJP candidate Pannalal Oswal by suspected ULFA rebels. However, there was no decisive "sympathy wave" for the party despite the slain candidate being replaced by his son Bimal. Sitting MP Abdul Hamid garnered 2,79,812 votes, while Oswal finished with 2,58,472 votes. Alauddin Sarkar of the CPI polled 57,735 votes and NCP candidate Ahmed Hussain secured 16,611 votes. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 3, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 3: Kuki leader Holkhomang Haokip's victory in the elections to the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat is likely to have a major impact on both mainstream and "underground" Naga politics. A sizeable section of the Naga community believes that a member of the "rival" Kuki tribe won the seat primarily because the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) boycotted the polls. The Naga Hoho is also in the firing line, though it was not party to the violence unleashed by the rebels. Former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing and Congress candidate RK Thekho have already gone public on the issue, saying that the Naga Hoho should take the blame for the defeat of Naga candidates in elections to both the Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur seats. Naga legislators declared their resolve to defy the Hoho's call for a boycott of the polls, but the NSCN(IM)'s musclepower ensured that many among the electorate steered clear of the hustings in the Naga-dominated areas of the constituency, particularly in Ukhrul. Though a relatively high turnout was recorded in Outer Manipur despite the NSCN(IM)'s diktat, it can be partly attributed to proxy voting and rigging, which are not uncommon in the hill districts of Manipur. It was Ukhrul, the native district of NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, which let down Thekho. The Tangkhul Nagas boycotted the polls in a show of loyalty to Muivah, leaving Thekho stranded in an area that has long been a stronghold of the Congress. Ukhrul district recorded a turnout of four per cent, the majority of those who cast their votes being Kukis. Other Naga tribes are already blaming the Tangkhuls for Thekho's defeat. No one has, however, dared to directly accuse the NSCN(IM) of being responsible for the Congress candidate's failure. Observers here feel that the outcome of the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections is an indication of which way the Assembly polls, likely to be held by March next year, will go. Naga politicians who are planning to contest the Assembly elections are already a disheartened lot. They supported the NSCN(IM)'s call for a boycott of the 1998 polls, but did not expect the militant outfit to launch a more vigorous anti-election campaign this time. If the "moderate section" of Naga politicians finally decide to take the bull by the horns, there is every possibility of an upheaval in Naga politics. This section of politicians believes that politics in Manipur cannot be compared with that in neighbouring Nagaland as the former is inhabited by different ethnic groups. The "hardliners" among the Naga political fraternity in Manipur, however, still support the NSCN(IM)'s stand on elections. They feel that polls should not be held till the Naga issue is resolved. (Oinam Sunil; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 4, 1999)

RANI (KAMRUP DISTRICT), November 3: Prafulla Mahanta's shoddily implemented development schemes were exposed today when the Chief Minister paid a "surprise" visit, the first of its kind since he assumed office in 1996, to Kamrup district's Rani block. Mahanta's visit, being viewed as a pre-Assembly poll exercise after the severe drubbing his Asom Gana Parishad received in the last two successive Lok Sabha elections, was kept a closely-guarded secret till the last moment. Even the state police did not know his destination. Only after he boarded the car were they informed. The Chief Minister took the staff of the Rani BDO's office by complete surprise. Only 19 of the 28 officials had reported for duty when he arrived just after noon. "How many of your officials came to office on October 31?" he asked senior BDO (rural development) Debendranath Das, who, after going through the attendance register, replied: "Fifteen." "It is heartening to know 15 of your men attended office on a Sunday," the Chief Minister said eliciting hoots of laughter. There was little Das could do but apologise. After going through various records, which had not been updated for quite some time, Mahanta said implementation of rural development schemes was "not up to the mark". A lot more remains to be achieved, he added. Almost all the schemes checked at random by the delegation from Dispur were incomplete. "Show us a project which you feel has been completed," Kamrup deputy commissioner DN Saikia told Das. Though Das claimed some projects had been finished, he was not able to provide definite proof. Local MLA and sericulture minister Ramendra Kalita tried to defend the officials, putting forward various excuses for non-completion of the schemes. Parrying questions about the removal of panchayat and rural development minister Sahidul Alam Choudhury, Mahanta said, "Why should the minister accept responsibility for the lack of proper implementation of the schemes? After all, the minister does not work in the field." He, however, said action would be taken against the officials if they are found neglecting their duties. The Chief Minister's decision to go for an on-the-spot inspection put harried officials in a spot. Mahanta had to turn back without inspecting the first site since "the road was muddy". The second scheme, a path leading away from the main road, raised several embarrassing questions. Officials were hard put explaining how much had been spent on its development. "They covered the path with cobble stones a day before the Lok Sabha polls," said Mahendra Boro, a villager. Officials, however, attributed the delay in road repairs to the rains and admitted that the remaining funds would be utilised "soon". The Dharapur community hall has been under construction for more than two years now. Rs 9 lakh of the sanctioned Rs 11 lakh has already been used up, but the hall is nowhere near completion. The Jube Patgaon Primary School was one of the prized projects. However, this school, established in 1959, has been running without a headmaster since the last incumbent retired quite some time back. Moreover, all 60 students from four different standards study in the same room. (Rajib Borah; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 4, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 2: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate and former Manipur Minister Holkhomang Haokip was elected as an MP from the Outer Manipur Parliamentary seat. Holkhomang Haokip defeated his nearest rival RK Thekho of Congress by a margin of 28,809 votes. Holkhomang secured 1,20559 votes while the Congress candidate got 91,750 votes. Altogether 11 candidates were in fray for the seat. Talking to The Assam Tribune this afternoon, Haokip promised to raise various problems faced by the hill people in the Parliament as a member of the Opposition party. Counting of votes for Outer Manipur was delayed because of the October 28 repoll in 176 polling stations in the constituency as the Election Commission had ordered repoll in polling stations because of ballot snatching and orther election materials on October 4 last. The counting, which began yesterday was originally scheduled for October 6. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 3, 1999)

DHUBRI, November 2: Congress candidate Abdul Hamid has been declared elected from the Dhubri parliamentary seat, which went to the polls on October 28. Hamid defeated his nearest BJP rival Bimal Oswal by a margin 21, 441 votes. Hamid secured 2,79,812 votes which Oswal polled 2,58,472 votes. There were six candidates in fray for this constituency. The number of votes polled by them were - Alauddin Sarkar (CPI) - 57735, Ahmed Hussain (NCP) - 16611, Safiur Rahman Talukdar (ABP) - 3883, Afzalur Rahman (Ind) - 1,74,879, Prabin Kr Rabha (Ind) - 5785 and Minhar Ali Mandal (Ind supported by SUCI) - 11892. Except Hamid, Oswal and Afzalur Rahman, all other candidates lost their security deposits. The constituency has 10,49,403 voters out of which 8,25,531 voters exercised their franchise in the election. At the counting desk 16,462 votes were found invalid. Votes found valid were 8,09,069. The election result has clearly brought out the fact that the BJP has made major inroads in the constituency. Meanwhile, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Tarun Gogoi has congratulated the people of Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency for electing the Congress candidate. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 3, 1999)

AIZAWL, November 2: Expelled Mizoram Congress Leader MC Lalrinthanga has claimed that AICC president Sonia Gandhi had asked PCC chief and former Chief Minister Lalthanhawla not to contest the Assembly elections last year. She had asked Lalthanhawla not to contest "as she knew the people of Mizoram were fed up with his leadership," Lalrinthanga told reporters here. Lalthanhawla, however, contested the November 25 election saying "there would be leadership problems if he shy away from contesting." Lalrinthanga said, "Sonia was right. We could neither win the state's lone seat in the 1998 Lok Sabha polls nor the Assembly election." The party had managed to bag only six seats in the 60-member Assembly and again lost this year's Lok Sabha polls under Lalthanhawla's leadership, he said. Lalrinthanga, who had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly election, was expelled from the party on October 24 for six years for saying, "Lalthanhawla is a liability rather than an asset for the party." (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 3, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 2: The Forest Minister, Nagen Sarma, today informed the State Assembly that the neighbouring State Arunachal Pradesh has encroached upon more than 6400 hectares of forest land of Assam in the districts of Tinsukia, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur. Replying to a question by Kalyan Kumar Gogoi (Cong), the Forest Minister said that as many as 36 eviction operations were launched this year against the encroachers. He said that the state government also had held a series of meetings with Arunachal government to solve the problem and the last meeting was held on August 18. Meanwhile, Dilip Kumar Saikia (AGP) said that the government of Arunachal Pradesh had illegally constructed a building in the Jiadhal reserve forest area in Dhemaji district. He told the House that the Border Areas Development Minister Binode Goala visited the area and instructed the Deputy Commissioner to demolish the house. But till today, the Deputy Commissioner has not taken any step in this regard, he added. The Forest Minister assured that he would call the Deputy Commissioner to Guwahati soon to discuss the matter. In a written reply to a question by Silvious Condpan (Cong), the Forest Minister said that approximately two lakh hectares of forest land in the State is under encroachment. He said that eviction operations are undertaken from time to time depending on the availability of fund and police force. Tourism: The Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, today said that the state government had taken steps for development of tourism in Assam. In a written reply to a question by Silvious Condpan (Cong), Mahanta said that the schemes undertaken for the development of tourism in the State under the Plan budget for the year 1999-2000 include development of the Bir Lachit Borphukan park at Jalukbari, beautification of Dighalipukhuri complex, a swimming pool at Kaziranga, a tourist complex at Pabitora wildlife sanctuary, development of Madan Kamdev, grant-in-aid to the autonomous councils for development of tourism, etc. He also said that all the schemes taken up would also become revenue earning sources for the State. The Chief Minister further said that a Centrally sponsored scheme for the construction of a tourism complex at the Orang National Park is in progress. Erosion: The Flood Control Minister Promode Gogoi today informed the House that the Northeastern Council (NEC) has taken up a model study in South Salmara for anti-erosion schemes and the Brahmaputra Board has been entrusted with the job of conducting the study. In reply to a question by Wazed Ali Choudhury (Cong) the Flood Control Minister said that preparations are on for the construction of raised platforms to give shelter to the people. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 4, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 4: Amidst allegations and counter-allegations of misuse of funds disbursed for undertaking developmental works in the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC), the Centre is planning to convene a meeting to sort out the financial problem faced by the BAC Council. When the interim chief of the Bodoland Autonomous Council Kanakeswar Narzary, yesterday, sought an urgent intervention by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in getting the Central assistance, allotted to council, released from the State government, it was not the first time that the Centre heard about the financial state of affairs of the BAC. For it was exactly three days earlier a team of Bodo leadership led by All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) expressed its displeasure about alleged gross misuse of Central funds meant for development of BAC areas. Apprehending that the MHA may not take kindly to these allegations and might decide to withhold funds, the BAC interim chief rushed to the capital to bring it to the notice of the Centre that his council has in fact being starved of funds by a few bureaucrats. To further buttress his claim, he pointed out about a sum of Rs 9.29 crore of Central assistance released by the Centre but kept back by the WPTC & BC department of the State government. Charging that the officials were wilfully disobeying government orders, Narzary asked the Centre to take up the matter with the state government and have the two officials removed. Going a step further he even requested the MHA to try and find out a way to shift the WPT&BC Department to the State Home Department. But the ABSU and other Bodo leadership had a different tale to tell and accused the BAC Council of massive misuse of funds. The ABSU-led delegation of seven different organisations were in the capital to meet the new central leadership. Referring to reported misuse of funds, the ABSU President UG Brahma told The Assam Tribune that they are alarmed at the misuse of government funds and though they had brought it to the notice of the Union government several times, nothing has come of it." "Contrary to our wishes we are forced to support the actions taken by BAC Principal Secretary L Rynjah, he said. Rynjah is one of the officer whose removal BAC Chairman is demanding. The Principal Secretary has incurred the wrath of the Chairman he has stopped release of funds, an action ABSU feels is right to stop misuse of Central assistance. Brahma citing an instance, said that a sum of Rs 1 crore released for relief and rehabilitation construction of roads and bridges, by the Centre was spent for organising Bodo festival at Serphanguri. A sum of Rs 48 lakh was reported to have been spent of the Central assistance, he alleged. He also added that there were similar other instance of such misuse of funds by the BAC Council like payment of hiked up printing bills, purchase of video cameras among others. These allegations and counter charges, meanwhile, has sent the Union government on a fizzy. Sources said that the MHA may shortly convene a meeting with the BAC and the Assam government to sort out the financial problems. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 5, 1999)

ITANAGAR, November 5: The Election Commission of India has ordered summary revision of electoral rolls in Arunachal Pradesh with reference to January 1, 2000 as the qualifying date, reports UNI. November 15 has been fixed as the date for draft publication of rolls. Filing of claims and objections will take place between from November 15 and 30. Disposal of claims and objection will be done by January 5, while the final publication of electoral rolls will be made on January 7. (UNI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 6, 1999)

TAWANG (Arunachal Pradesh), November 7: The Indian Army has been put on maximum alert following increased 'activities' of China along the Indo-China border in the Arunachal Pradesh sector, reports PTI. "We have observed Chinese activities increasing on their side of the border since June last for which the troops have been put on maximum alert," the General Officer Commanding of Army's Four Corps, Lt Gen DB Shekatkar, told newsmen here recently. The Lt General said the Chinese were building a road near the border along with other kinds of movements since June which was closely monitored by the Army. Considering the increase in their (Chinese) activities, the Indian Army did not want to leave anything to chance and therefore was taking precautions, he said. When asked whether a Kargil-type of situation was in the offing along the Chinese border, Shekatkar negated the possibility and said the Army was always on alert to thwart any kind of aggression by the neighbours. The Lt General revealed there were certain cases of violation of the Line of Control from the Chinese side which the Army was trying to stop. "These cases of violation is bound to take place as there was no demarcated actual Line of Control for which both the countries were trying to reach at an understanding," Shekatkar said. However, the frequent Indo-China border meetings, one of which took place last month, help in easing out the tension and discuss mutual problems, the GOC said. Top Army officials from both the countries exchange ideas and sort out problems in these very important meetings, Shekatkar said. He said vigil along the Indo-Bhutan border has been also intensified as there were reports that the ULFA militants holed up in that country could sneak into the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. After the Bhutan government's opposition to the long presence of the ultras in the jungles of Bhutan, the ultras have decided to shift their bases to the neighbouring states and the Army was determined to stop this, Shekatkar said. (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 8, 1999)

TAWANG, November 7: Four Corps general-officer-commanding Lt Gen DB Shekatkar has said armed forces guarding the Sino-Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh are on constant alert against "any kind of infiltration". The GOC, who was on a visit to the 190 Mountain Brigade headquarters here, said the security forces in the forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh were put on maximum alert in the wake of the Kargil conflict. "We do not want to take any chances now," he said. Lt Gen Shekatkar said Army units had noticed "an increase in Chinese activity" across the border here when Pakistan-backed infiltrators were being pushed back in the Kargil sector. "There was intensive patrolling by Chinese soldiers between June and July. They also constructed new roads close to the border," he said. The GOC said Army personnel deployed along the border could not afford to relax even for a moment. "Who knows what will happen when," he said. Lt Gen Shekatkar said the Army was constructing new roads along the border so that reinforcements could be rushed to the remote areas during an emergency. However, there has been no increase in the deployment of soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh, he said. The GOC said there was no "earmarked border" with China, which is why the Indo-China frontier here had always been sensitive. "The idea is to simply maintain our hold on Indian territory. We try to resolve all border disputes with our Chinese counterparts at flag meetings, which are held twice a year. There is also a hotline between the 190 Mountain Brigade and the Chinese brigade headquarters," he said. Senior Army officials here said they had sent their families home during the Kargil crisis to avoid "problems" in case of "an emergency" along the international border in Arunachal Pradesh. Heavy artillery, including some Bofors guns, have since been brought back to the border areas here from the Kargil sector. "I have been asked to escort these three Bofors guns to the division headquarters at Tenga," an Army Major told The Telegraph at Sessa recently. Lt Gen Shekatkar said 1,200 km of the country's border with China, Bhutan and Myanmar was in Arunachal Pradesh. "The Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Myanmar border areas are very sensitive as militants often try to sneak into the region through these sectors," he said. "I have increased the frequency of my visits to the forward areas to boost the spirit of the jawans deployed there," he added. (Anirban Roy; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 8, 1999)

SHILLONG, November 7: The president of the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) in Meghalaya, Sounder Cajee has said that the youth wing of the party would soon take up with the State and Central authorities for the creation of the Khasi-Jaintia regiment in the State. Talking to PTI after the annual body meeting of the Shillong city youth wing here, yesterday Cajee said the creation of the regiment would not only solve the unemployment problem, but also be of service to the nation. He also said that the youth wing would take up with the authorities for getting recognition of the Khasi language as one of the official languages in the country, as the language has attained a high literary standard, surpassing other languages that had got recognition. On the unemployment problem, Cajee said the party would help the youths by providing them with technical expertise for establishing businesses and other forms of self-employment, besides strengthening the party in rural areas. The meeting elected James Ban Basaiawmoit as the new president of the Shillong City Youth Wing and Bantylli Lang Nari as its general secretary and other office bearers. (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 8, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 8: The Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, today relieved the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies and Social Forestry, Digen Bora, of his responsibilities on health ground, official sources said here this evening. Sources said that Transport Minister Pradip Hazarika had been given the additional charge of the Food and Civil Supplies department, while Forest and PWD Minister Nagen Sarma had been given the additional responsibility of the Social Forestry department. It may be mentioned here that in the past few days, the behaviour and actions of Bora in public places, including at a meeting in Nagaon in presence of the Chief Minister, hogged the newspaper headlines in the State and there was pressure on the Chief Minister from party MLAs to take action against Bora. However, when contacted this evening, Digen Bora said that he had not received any intimation from the office of the Chief Minister concerning his removal from the Ministry. Refusing to make any further comment on the issue of the recent outcry over his reported misdemeanour in public places and the related political developments in the State capital, he said that he was observing a 'mouna brata'. But commenting on the reports that he is being removed from the Ministry, Bora said that the removal of any Minister from the Ministry is a prerogative of the Chief Minister and those who are spreading such news should refrain from doing so. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 9, 1999)

SILCHAR, November 8: The joint co-ordination committee of the Barak Upatyaka Sangram Parishad and Barak Valley Students Council would stage a dharna at the Jantar Mantar in front of the Parliament during the forthcoming Winter Session of the Parliament demanding a separate Barakland. Moreover, it would issue an ultimatum, in this regard to the President and the Prime Minister. Informing this Ranjit Dey, chairman of the co-ordination committee said that a 50-member delegation would reach the Capital later this month. The team would discuss their demand for a separate State with the President, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Addressing a press conference here, Dey alleged that the Barak Valley had been deprived of its dues by the 'Assamese jingoism' since the Independence. He, however, blamed the local leaders of the valley in this regard. Expressing wonder at the 'negligent attitude' of the local political leaders, Dey said that the deprivation since the Independent had compelled the younger generation to raise the demand for a separate State for the linguistic minority. Refuting the allegation that their demand was 'communally provocative', Dey claimed that it was a movement for the identity and survival of the people of the Barak Valley. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 9, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 9: The Union government, on Tuesday, reiterated that it has not yet even considered the AASU's demand for 100 per cent reservation for indigenous people of Assam (khilonjia) at all stages - including the legislature and the Parliament - under Clause-VI of the Accord. Putting the blame squarely on the AASU and the Assam government for the mess, the Centre has stated that the state government and the AASU were yet to work out an appropriate definition of 'indigenous' people. Clause-VI of the Assam Accord provides for "constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards" to preserve and promote the "cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people". The Union government's move is seen as an attempt to allay fears among a section that the AASU might demand the implementation of Clause-VI in toto during its tripartite talks with the Union government. It has not only dismissed the "apprehension" as "baseless and incorrect', but also concluded that the draft report - providing for the implementation of Clause-VI - needed to be formally approved by members of the sub-committee even before "it can be considered as final". "This would require the approval of all members of the sub-committee," a government release here said, indicating that the proposal was not even considered so far. "After the report of the sub-committee has been approved, it would be submitted to the tripartite committee on the Assam Accord, which would then consider the same and submit its recommendations to the government for appropriate action," the official release said. It has, therefore, made it clear that the draft proposal was not even at its first stage of being considered by the members of the sub-committee. In July 1996, the tripartite committee of representatives from the government of India, the government of Assam and the AASU decided to constitute a sub-committee to consider the proposals "with respect to fulfilment of this clause". It followed the stand of the government of Assam that Clause-VI of the Assam Accord remained to be fully implemented. The sub-committee has been holding deliberations on various proposals mooted by the government of Assam and the AASU. One of the proposals mooted by the AASU has been regarding "reservation of seats to the Parliament, state legislature and local bodies for indigenous people of Assam," the release added. The release further said that the draft provides for reservation for all Assamese - Assamese Hindus, Assamese Muslims, Assamese tribals among others - and also that it does not exclude or discriminate any community or group. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 10, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 9: The Defence Ministry today denied that there was increased activity on the India-China border and said the situation was normal. It said reports quoting the General Officer Commanding 4 Corps, Lt Gen DB Shekatkar, as saying that the Army had been placed on full alert following increased activity of China along the border in Arunachal Pradesh, were misleading and false. "The situation along the India-China border is normal. Both sides are maintaining normal vigilance and confidence-building measures are in place. The GOC 4 Corps was quoted out of context." PTI reports from Beijing: Earlier in the day, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman described as normal the activity of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) along the border. "The activity carried along the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are normal activities and questions shouldn't be raised against them," the spokeswoman, Ms Zhang Qiyue, said when contacted for the Chinese reaction to the comments by Lt Gen Shekatkar. She claimed, "The Chinese side has strictly abided by the relevant agreements signed by the two countries. We have worked relentlessly for peace and stability along the border area." Recently, the General Officer Commanding of the 4th Corps, Lt Gen DB Shekatkar, had said, "We have observed Chinese activities increasing on their side of the border since June last, after which the troops have been put on maximum alert." The Chinese were building a road near the border, along with other movements since June which were being monitored by the Army. Considering the increase in their activities, the Indian Army was taking precautions, he had said. Official sources told PTI that they were aware of the heightened Chinese patrolling along the border. The government was also aware that China was constructing a road close to the LAC. (UNI; The Hindu, Chennai; November 10, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 9: Senior Asom Gana Parishad leader Digen Bora today said he was yet to receive an official intimation from the Assam government about his being dropped from the Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Cabinet on "health grounds" yesterday. "I have not received any letter removing me from the Cabinet. Nor have I requested the Chief Minister to relieve me of my post on health grounds," Bora said from his bed at a private hospital where he was admitted yesterday. However, Bora said he was not angry with the Chief Minister after reading about his ouster in the newspapers. "It is the Chief Minister's prerogative to decide who should be in and who should be out. That right has been given to him by the Constitution," he said. Though Bora is now out of the Cabinet, senior officials of the food and civil supplies department met him for "official purposes" at the hospital today. Sources said Bora was actually penalised for showing up in an inebriated condition at several public functions and in the Assembly over the past few days. Bora allegedly came drunk to the Assembly on November 3 after causing a ruckus at the Kanaklata Indoor Stadium, where he had gone to inaugurate a table tennis tournament. He stopped his car in front of the Assembly's main gate and allegedly dared the policemen deployed there to stop him. The former minister is believed to have done so in retaliation for the security personnel's refusal to allow his car past the Assembly gates on October 29. Bora also turned up in an inebriated condition at a meeting in Nagaon district on Saturday. He allegedly slapped a Congress legislator when the latter asked him to stop singing while the Chief Minister was delivering a speech. He is also said to have heckled fisheries minister Bubul Das, who he tried to intervene. However, Bora has denied going to any function in an inebriated state. "Whatever has been reported in the Press is untrue," he said, adding that it was "a conspiracy by my enemies". He declined to comment on whether these "enemies" were from the party or outside. Sources in the AGP said a section of leaders wanted the party to be "lenient" towards Bora as he was facing "a lot of personal problems". They also argued that the deposed minister was one of the few AGP leaders with political acumen. The pro-Bora leaders said he had played a crucial role in quelling the intra-party revolt led by former PWD minister Atul Bora and prevented the rebel faction from engineering Thaneswar Boro's elevation to the post of deputy Chief Minister. Sources said this rebel faction was behind Bora's unceremonious exit from the Cabinet. The deposed minister is known to be one of Mahanta's closest confidantes, which is why no disciplinary action was taken against him despite his revolt against the Chief Minister last year. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 10, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 9: A draft resolution proposing cent per cent reservation for Assamese people has led to a massive uproar, with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today clarifying that the draft resolution has not been given a final seal of approval. The MHA has been flooded with petitions from various minority groups, protesting the decision to provide cent per cent reservations to Khilongia people or to the indigenous Assamese people. The confusion arose after the sub-committee on implementation of Clause VI of Assam Accord comprising representatives of MHA, All Assam Students' Union (AASU), and Assam government prepared a draft resolution, which are yet to be circulated among the members. The draft resolution says that "sub-committee recommended that there is need to provide adequate safeguards so that the Assamese people have adequate reservations to the Parliament, State Assembly and local bodies. The state government and the AASU would work out an appropriate definitions which would be considered and recommended to the main committee. In fact it was the AASU which demanded cent per cent reservation of seats for indigenous people to the Parliament, State legislature and local bodies. The AASU meanwhile had been asked to submit its definition of indigenous people, which they are yet to do. Meanwhile, a controversy raged that the Centre has proposed to provide cent per cent reservation of seats for the people of Assamese origin. The apprehension is baseless as it is not correct, an MHA source said. Sources further asserted that the draft resolution itself was not final as it is yet to be approved by members of sub-committee. Therefore, the proposal is only at consideration stage. After the report of the sub-committee has been approved, it would be submitted to the tripartite committee on Assam Accord, which would then consider the resolution and submit its recommendations to the Union government for appropriate actions. However, what the MHA sources did not reveal was that the Centre was under tremendous pressures from various groups and political parties to drop the resolution. So intense was the lobbying that the MHA was forced on the defensive on the issue. The sub-committee itself was formed after the AASU during several of the tripartite meetings complained that the Clause-VI, of the Assam has been neglected by the Centre. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 10, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 10: Defence Minister George Fernandes today said he was closely monitoring the "extraordinary" developments in the Arunachal Pradesh sector of the Sino-Indian border. However, he said that there was nothing to be alarmed about as Army units deployed along the line of control had been put on maximum alert. The defence minister said the Army was exercising utmost restraint and all disputes were being settled through regular flag meetings with the Chinese authorities. Four Corps general-officer-commanding Lt Gen DB Shekatkar told a media contingent in Tawang last week that there had been an "escalation in the movement of troops and other activities by Chinese troops across the line of control". However, Beijing reportedly said in a statement yesterday that these were "normal activities" and there was no cause for alarm in the Arunachal Pradesh sector of the international border. Fernandes said he would have visited Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura had the Prime Minister not summoned him back today. He cut short his five-day tour of the Northeast after being summoned from the Nagaland capital by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. The defence minister told newspersons before returning that he had been summoned for an emergency meeting on relief operations in cyclone-ravaged Orissa. Addressing an impromptu press conference at the Assam Rifles ground here, Fernandes said the Centre had formed a task force for relief work and given him the responsibility of managing it. "The extent of damage caused and the number of lives lost is yet to be ascertained. The task force will prepare an interim report on the cyclone," he said. The defence minister even cancelled his meeting with Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir after receiving the Prime Minister's message. However, he discussed the law and order situation in the state with Governor OP Sharma. Asked whether talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) had made headway, Fernandes said, "Talks are being held with the outfit at certain levels. That is all I can say." Fernandes appealed to the people of Nagaland to take a leaf out of Mizoram's book and unitedly work for restoration of peace. "Today, the situation in Mizoram is different. Economic development is taking place in the state because the situation is peaceful," he said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 11, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 11 : Four ministers of the Assam ministry on Thursday said that they are prepared to resign to enable Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta to reshuffle his ministry, if so desired. The ministers-state municipal administration minister Biraj Sharma, PWD and forest minister Nagen Sharma, cooperation minister Nurul Hussain and minister of state for sports Moidul Islam Bora-however, said that the council of ministers, which met on Wednesday, had not arrived at any decision for en masse resignation by the ministers. Talking to media persons here, the ministers said that the proposal of a mass resignation by the ministers to give a free hand to Mahanta was raised by some members of the council of ministers, but, a final decision was yet to be arrived at. Asked to comment on the dropping of senior party leader Digen Chandra Bora from the ministry, cooperation minister Nurul Hussain said : "Bora has been relieved on health grounds as he has become mentally weak. The AGP legislature party and the central committee had also urged the Chief Minister to relieve him on health grounds for his mental weakness.Even the legislatures of the Opposition parties also refrained from asking supplementary questions etc. in the just-concluded winter session of the Assembly considering his weakness," he added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 12, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 11: The All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) and Bodo People's Action Committee (BPAC) have threaten to launch mass movement if the government fails to solve the vexed Bodoland problem by December 31. In a release, the ABSU general secretary, Nathuram Boro, said that the decision has taken in a joint meeting of the organisation held at Kokrajhar on Wednesday. The release said, "If the Union government does not initiate political dialogue with the ABSU-BPAC and its allied organisations on or before December 31 to solve the Bodo problem, it will launch a vigorous mass movement from January, 2000." The ABSU has also blamed both the state and central government for their failure to come forward with a concrete policy to solve the long-standing problem. Boro said that though more than 1,500 Bodo people have sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Bodoland, but still the people of proposed Bodoland area have been deprived from justice and equal rights. "Except the separate state of Bodoland, no alternative arrangement can redress the hopes and aspirations of the Bodos. The ABSU-BPAC will not sit silent until the separate state of Bodoland is created," the release said. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 12, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 11: Defence Minister George Fernandes, who arrived here Wednesday on a five-day Northeast visit, had to rush back to the capital immediately following a call by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in connection with the situation in cyclone-ravaged Orissa, reports PTI. "Prime Minister has constituted a task force and given me the responsibility to get into the situation arising out of the cyclone which affected 15 million people in Orissa." Fernandes told newsmen at Assam Rifles helipad here before leaving for Delhi. The Minister said the task force, constituted to assess the extent of damage and loss of human lives, has to submit its interim report within 15 days. "The damage was so extensive that it is yet to be assessed completely and actual death toll is yet to be known...There is report of epidemic in some parts of the State," Fernandes said, adding the final report should be submitted within one month. The Defence Minister arrived here Wednesday morning from Calcutta on a five-day visit to Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, but had to rush back to Delhi after meeting the State Governor Om Prakash Sharma. His meetings with the Chief Minister and the army were cancelled. Replying to a query, the minister said he had discussed the situation in Nagaland with the Governor, and called upon the people of the state to work together for peace. Referring to the recent reports of Chinese troops movements along the LoC in Arunachal Pradesh, Fernandes said : "Some extraordinary things are taking place on Indo-Chinese border," but the matters are being taken up at appropriate levels and the regular flag meetings are being held between the two sides to maintain a good atmosphere there. On the Pakistani attack on a post in Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, Fernandes said it was part of routine activities of Pakistan against India across the LoC. "These things are occurring on a regular basis. There is nothing new about it. But when an incident of such type occurs, which is slightly different from the regular shelling or firing from other side of the border, it is reported in the media," he said. Fernandes, however, ruled out any dialogue with Pakistan at this juncture, saying: "There is no question of talks unless Islamabad stops cross-border terrorism." (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 12, 1999)