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| A deserted road in Guwahati during a recent bandh called by PCPIA. Picture by Eastern Projections |
Bandhs: Main hurdle to welfare
The bandh culture in the state is nothing new. Assam is known to go for a bandh on the slightest pretext. Either political organisations or militant groups call these bandhs. Thus once a bandh is announced, people follow it as the law of the land for fear of being harmed.
Moreover, people of Assam are lazy and love to idle away their time. So once they a get a hint of a bandh, they follow it religiously.
The same happened when the People’s Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam (PCPIA) called a bandh recently. Everyone followed it without even raising any questions.
For a long time experts have been speaking about the negative impact of such bandhs on the state’s economy. Every bandh results in crores of loss and affects daily activities.
But who will put an end to the bandh culture when political parties call bandhs themselves as if a bandh can solve all the problems of the state. Until and unless a legislation is introduced, the bandh culture will continue unabashedly. Hopefully the state government will take certain measures to ban bandhs from the state.
Priyanka Sarma,
Jorhat
I visited Shillong after a gap of almost 10 years. I am happy to say that the place where I have completed my schooling is still well maintained. Otherwise most of the places of the Northeast are dirty and disorderly.
Shillong has seen many new changes. But I am happy that the changes have not destroyed the city’s greenery. Shillong is still lush. Although the municipality needs to work on several aspects to make it one of the most modern cities of the country, Shillong scores high on proper maintenance of civic amenities. Other state capitals of the Northeast should emulate Shillong in terms of maintenance and development.
Pinky Tage,
Itanagar
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has said his government was always in favour of direct talks between the Centre and the top brass of the Ulfa for restoration of permanent peace in this troubled state, instead of the peace process initiated earlier by the nine-member People’s Consultative Group (PCG).
Gogoi urgedUlfa leaders to respond positively to the talks offer by suspending all acts of violence, including extortion, intimidation, abductions and other such crimes as the people of the state want permanent peace and a lasting solution to the vexed insurgency problems.
As a matter of fact, long-lasting insurgency has crippled the economy of the state, which is lagging behind in all respects. Seeking cooperation and support from all sections of the people of Assam, Gogoi said, “A dialogue between the Centre and the top brass of the militant group Ulfa would definitely pave the way for peace and prosperity in the state.” He also urged the Ulfa leadership to abjure the path of violence, including extortion, abduction and other such crimes.
Jibon Saikia,
Guwahati
The Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) is giving a tough time to its consumers. We who pay revenue are deprived of power supply. Loadshedding has become the order of the day. At times the period of loadshedding goes up to 10 hours daily.
The worst victims of loadshedding are the students who cannot study properly due to constant powercuts. The situation becomes worse when it time for examinations.
When will the ASEB please set its home in order? Every time the managers of ASEB come up with excuses to save their skin. The government needs to look into the matter carefully to solve the crisis.
Anita Rabha,
Guwahati
Your report, “Ulfa back in Bhutan” published on October 24, 2006, incorrectly implies that the Ulfa has re-established its presence in Bhutan. Similar reports keep coming up every once in a while.
Obviously, all kinds of individuals and groups may be sighted along our border with India, which is open. I would like to state for the record that, since the removal of all 13 camps of the Ulfa from Bhutan during the military operations conducted by the Royal Bhutan Army in 2003, there has been no presence of the Ulfa or any other group inside Bhutan. All concerned are aware of this, including the government of India, with which the Royal Government of Bhutan maintains close conduct in ensuing security along the border.
Jigmi Tenzin
Third Secretary, Press Division, Royal Bhutanese Embassy,
New Delhi
Our staff reporter replies: Like Mr Tenzin himself admits, we have merely said the Ulfa rebels have once again being sighted in Bhutan. We have not said they have re-established any permanent base there. We would also like to mention that we had made several attempts to contact Mr Tenzin before filing the report, but failed to do so.
Gauhati Town Club and the sports loving people of Assam are extremely happy at the final decision taken by the state government and Assam Olympic Association to host a rugby match at the historic Judges Field.
It is indeed a remarkable decision, as the ground constructed by the British shall revive its lost glory.
I request the authorities to immediately undertake the repair and renovation work of Judges Field in order to reschedule the sports activities after a gap of over two decades.
Gauhati Town Club, originally the caretaker of the Judges Field, will also help in upgrading the ground. It could have been better if the venue for women’s football was shifted from Judges Field and rugby to Gauhati University.
J.N. Bhattacharya,
Guwahati
