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03/18/2006: "Datta floats hope for wary Nagas"

Datta floats hope for wary Nagas Kuknalim.com the Telegraph
KOHIMA, March 16: Naga youths have slowly been weaned away from insurgency and violence and want to be part of the country’s resurgence, Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta declared today. In his address to the Assembly on the inaugural day of the budget session this morning, Datta noted that the Indian economy was accelerating at astonishing speed, with productivity growing and tremendous advancements being registered in science and technology. The youths of Nagaland are tapping into this phenomenal progress, he pointed out.
“Nagaland, which had at one time been regarded as remote, isolated and underdeveloped, is also showing signs of resurgence, with our youth gaining new confidence to join the mainstream of economic activities, besides exploring job markets outside the state and gaining employment in all fields,” Datta said. Unlike in other years, Datta did not harp on the peace process, though he did summarise its positive aspects. Instead, he made lengthy references to the achievements of the Neiphiu Rio-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government. The governor expressed appreciation of the efforts of the NSCN-IM and the Centre for extending the ceasefire and their attempts to find a peaceful solution to the Naga political imbroglio.

Datta claimed that there is relative peace in the state and the administration, police and civil societies have brought the law and order situation under control. He said with its positive and futuristic policies, the government is shifting the focus of the youth “from violence and insurgency to development”.
However, he expressed concern over the growing number of unemployed youths in the state. He said there are 44,960 applicants in the state’s live register of employment exchanges, adding that the actual figure of unemployed persons will be higher.

“The agriculture sector is growing at a rapid rate and production of foodgrain has crossed the four lakh tonne mark during the current year,” he said. Datta said this was possible because of assistance from the Planning Commission and efforts by Kohima for better fiscal management and mobilisation of the state’s resources. But he warned the DAN government against any complacency on its part in maintaining fiscal discipline. THE TELEGRAPH
Nagaland NGOs vow to fight ‘illegal tax collection’ Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, March 17 – NGOs today called upon people in Nagaland to join them in fighting against what they termed “illegal tax collections’’. As part of the World Consumers Rights Day, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organisation (NVCO) and the Angami Public Organisation (APO) recently organised a public meeting here.

NVCO and APO urged the tribal Hohos (councils), church organisations, student bodies and other NGOs and civil rights bodies to join hands in fighting against the menace of illegal tax collection in the state. The meeting expressed serious concern over unauthorised collections from vehicles, particularly on National Highways by various unions, societies, associations, student unions and even by several government departments in the State. The deliberation observed that Nagaland had become a “place mushrooming with illegal collection of taxes” by registered as well as unregistered unions and organisations, which led to higher prices of essential commodities in the State. – PTI

Talking to neighbors key to solution to Naga problem: Therie Oken Jeet SandhamKangla
Kohima, Mar 18(NEPS): Former Finance Minister and NPF MLA K Therie expressed serious concern on the ever complicated Naga political issue and further drew the attention of the House to re-establish the whole approach towards the Naga peace process.

Participating debate on the Governor’s address here today, the former Finance Minister stressed the immediate necessity to hold talks with the neighboring States who were crucial in finding the durable and permanent solution to the decades old Naga political problem. “We (Nagas and people of neighboring States) are living for thousands of years, besides we are historically brothers,” he said, adding, “We can’t conflict with them (people of neighboring States) and expect solution.”

“Why can’t we talk to them (people of neighboring States) and see ways to find solution,” Therie asked, expressing confidence that once they initiated such move, there would be tremendous positive response, which would lead to the solution of the problem.

He said the DAN Government failed to do its part in the last three years as per their Common Minimum Program (CMP). He said the DAN Government committed to secure a “negotiated settlement” to the Indo-Naga political problem. “But till today, it does not happen,” he regretted.

At the same time, the DAN Government should prepare to officially try to mediate with the leaders of various factions to unite and also meet officially the Government of India. “I don’t think that the Government of India can bring any solution to the Naga political problems without such steps being initiated from our side,” Therie pointed out.

Third party mediation to peace talks will prolong solution: Hokishe Oken Jeet Sandham Kangla

Kohima, Mar 18 (NEPS): Former Chief Minister and Chairman of DAN coalition Dr Hokishe Sema was not in favor of the “Third party mediation” in the Center-NSCN (IM) peace talks. He said such development would only prolong the Naga political problem.

Participating debate on Governor’s address in the 3rd day of the ongoing Nagaland Assembly session here today, the DAN Chairman said the DAN Government failed to play their part towards the peace process, as such the leaders of the outfit were compelled to search any “third party mediation” to the fragile peace process. He also appreciated the Congress-led UPA Government for the up-gradation of the peace process by appointing a Ministerial Team to initiate substantial talks with the NSCN (IM). But he regretted that the Government of India was not sincere in their approach to the solution.

The Octogenarian pointed out that the Government of India’s having talks with the NSCN (IM), while maintaining a separate arrangement with NSCN (K) also created confusion in the minds of the Naga people. He said they should collectively appeal to the Government of India to be sincere and more pragmatic to the solution for the interest of the Naga people. At the same time, the State Government should demonstrate their part to help create conducive environment for the process to take shape.
The Extraordinary Revival in Nagaland Religion Today Summaries - March 17, 2006 Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff
Tim Phillips, a tall, wiry, long-distance runner from Iowa, has been visiting Nagaland (in NE India) each year since March of 1999. Now he wants American Christians to know more about the Naga Christians and to even invite them to their church. In an interview with ASSIST News, Phillips said that he wanted to introduce us to a Naga Christian leader that he says, has “a story and a testimony uncommon in our time... The Reverend Phughoto lives in Nagaland... This remote region known as ‘The Seat of Satan’ is surrounded by China, Myanmar and Bhutan. This phrase was coined due to the fact that it is the epicenter of the primary world religions of Hinduism, Communism, Buddhism and Islam. In the heart of this very dark land there is a people-group called the Nagas. Nagaland is politically a part of the country of India, but really is a separate indigenous group both culturally and ethnically. They are a rare jewel in the hand of our Lord. Over a hundred years ago the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached to the Nagas by an American missionary. When the missionary left, the Gospel and its effect on the people remained for over 100 years before missionaries returned. Today, 99% of Nagaland is Christian of a population of 2 million.”
VAT implemented in Nagaland-RIO Deepika global.com
Kohima, Mar 18 (UNI) Nagaland Value Added Tax Rules,2005, have already been implemented in the state with effect from June 28 last year.

Answering a question asked by the opposition Congress member Rokonicha, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphu Rio, who is also holding the finance portfolio, informed the house that the system of the data capture VAT at all entry and exit points through software centrally connected by V-SAT has also commenced.
This will ensure better and more accurate capture of data relating to entry of goods into and transit through the state. This will reduce leakage of revenue.
He also informed the house that over 600 items are already enlisted under VAT in the state. Mr Rio informed that seminars have also been held to educate the public and the trade.

Rio says no to plea for battalion Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, March 16: The resurgence of Naxalite violence in Chhattisgarh notwithstanding, the Nagaland government has refused to send one more battalion of Nagaland police Director-general of police J. Changkija said he and home minister Thenucho have “categorically told” the Chhattisgarh government that no more battalions would be sent from Nagaland.

The 9 Nagaland Armed Police (India Reserve Battalion), located at Barsur in the Maoist-dominated Dantewada district, have already lost 10 men in landmine explosions since last July. The Naga government has since been facing the heat for sending the policemen to Chhattisgarh.

“We have told the Chhattisgarh government that we are understaffed and cannot send one more battalion,” said Changkija. Governor Shyamal Datta told the Assembly today: “Nagaland has experienced very tense situations in Tobu and in other places. Nagaland police has brought the situation under control.” NISHIT DHOLABHAI

ULFA wants 'liberation struggle' reinforced IANS ]

GUWAHATI: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) wants the people of Assam to take part in its "liberation struggle" with greater consciousness.
In a message on the occasion of 'army day' that the outlawed group observed Thursday, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said: "I call upon all to be engaged in revolutionary activities with more enthusiasm with an aim to make this liberation struggle a success.
"The people of Assam should take part in our freedom struggle with more consciousness to make it more powerful."
He said the freedom-loving people of the state had encouraged the ULFA to lead their liberation struggle with "sincerity and uprightness".

The ULFA observes army day to analyse its military culture, slip-up of military activities of the past and present and formulate the future.

Rajkhowa said the ULFA had not become a spent force as many circles claimed.

"Our commitment to the struggle, devotion to duty, stringent discipline, strong determination and sacrifice have compelled the prime minister of India (Manmohan Singh) to say that the demands raised by ULFA are political and must be resolved politically," he said.

He was referring to the series of confidence-building measures, which the central government agreed to put in place during its discussions with representatives nominated by the ULFA in February.

The 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG) nominated by ULFA has held two rounds of discussions with the government.

The government has been insisting that the ULFA, which has been fighting since 1979 for an independent homeland in Assam, should give up violence before joining peace parleys.

In his message, ULFA 'C-in-C' Paresh Baruah said the group has been working against communalism and racism besides its key demands for freedom and sovereignty.

He referred to Pragjyotishpur or Kamrup, the ancient names of Assam, and said: "The names of the soldiers in the battles of Harihar and Saraighat, who fought with valour, are engraved in golden letters for their indomitable determination and sacrifice."
Rape accused paraded Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, March 17 (NPN): As an "exemplary punishment", a man who allegedly attempted to rape a woman was paraded in public shorn off clothes except his underwear here Friday.
The parading of the accused-Bobilal Sundas- was held under the aegis of the Angami Student's Union. The face of the accused was smeared with white paint and the words "RAPIST" splashed on his chest.
Sundas, whose hands and neck were also tied, was paraded from the ASU office, below Old India Radio Office.
Police tried to prevent the parading twice at traffic points near PHQ and NSF Martyrs' Park but did not succeed when the mob threatened to turn violent. The irate mob, which decided to march till Razhü point, then formed a human ring around Bobilal to keep police at bay and continued the march.
On way a woman processionist pulled down the underwear of the accused.
Police finally managed to stop the parade below PWD junction and whisked the "accused" to police station.
Bobilal Sundas, in his twenties and father of one child, is a work-charged driver in the Higher Education Department. He allegedly attempted to rape a Naga woman on March 14 midnight at D' Block locality here.
Perception of boundaries March 18 Today's Editorial The Morung Express
The passionate and innate relationship between human beings and land has and continues to define the dialectical parameters of what constitutes a peoples’ understanding of a dignified existence. A political territorial space represents more than just the boundary of a (un)recognized sovereign State; it embraces the soul and aspiration of a people’s national identity to determine its own future, the richness of a people’s culture, the manifestation of rightful ownership over its resources and more importantly the ritualistic symbols of a peoples perceived chosen traumas and chosen glories.
Boundaries define spaces of authority and therefore reflect an existing set of power relations. A boundary is said to be the outer limit of authority that defines the bounded space within which a political community exercises its sovereignty. Borders and frontiers have a different meaning. While a border is the area or zone of confrontation or transit between two bounded spaces, a frontier is a zone of expansion. The multiple and varying degree of boundaries illustrates its significance in defining relations between political communities. There are therefore either good boundaries or bad boundaries, but there is no such thing as an entity without boundaries because all forms of relationship would be misplaced. Nevertheless, existence of rigid boundaries itself has been associated with many of the world’s conflicts because it has been blind to the realities of the people. Boundaries in reality are not the same as what one see on a map; they shift, change, overlap and make adjustments pushed by human factors. Boundaries are in constant transformation because they manifest the dynamism of ever-changing power relations; and are hence not static entities.
States have time and time again regimented within its fold the power to monopolize the organizing of territorial space. Subsequently, in the presence of contradicting interests where people resist state imposed boundaries, the state with utmost guile manipulates state-people conflict into a matter of people-people conflict. The art of imposing new identities and artificial boundaries has indeed been the focal point of statecraft. As a result, modern States have become extensions of colonialism for unrepresented peoples, who willingly or unwillingly live within the borders of the present States, of which they now form a voluntary or involuntary part.
Modern states through the institution of the United Nations have fiercely tried to maintain the ‘territorial integrity’ of its member states. So much so that the exclusive structure of the United Nations today indicates that the United Nations is not a union of “Nations” but a union of “States.” Therefore as an institution of States, it remains a symbol of political status rather than a search for realization of human dignity for all. Nevertheless, the argument of “state territorial integrity” as an absolute right has proved unrealistic. It is conditioned by the right to self-determination which is accorded priority when a State is not “possessed of a government representing the whole people” and is applicable to political communities within existing sovereign and independent States in situations where the “government does not represent the governed.” Perhaps the freedom of East Timor from Indonesia illustrates where the government did not represent the governed.
In the final analysis the rationale of state territorial integrity is not an end in itself. The ultimate purpose of state territorial integrity is to safeguard the interests of the peoples of a territory and is meaningful only so long as it continues to fulfill that purpose to all sections of the people. No State can therefore claim to safeguard the interest of peoples when they have used force to establish its sovereignty over a territory and when the people have themselves not expressed their consent and will to be part of that union.
The expressed will of a people inevitably prevails over the notion of territorial integrity. However, resolving issues of boundaries means addressing our perception of boundaries and it may very well begin by perceiving them as soft, flexible and mobile rather than immobile and rigid lines. Boundaries can be friendly, supportive and flexible; not just obstacles to a movement. Simply becoming “unstuck” from limited perceptions of what boundaries can open up possibilities for dialogue and understanding.
Judge Hardy Dillard in the International Court of Justice case on Western Sahara said “It is for the people to determine the destiny of the territory and not the territory the destiny of the people.” From this standpoint, the Naga Rally calling for unification of Naga homeland can be perceived firstly, as a symbolic act that challenges the notion of state territorial integrity and secondly as an affirmation of the idea that it is for the people to determine the destiny of the territory. The Naga Rally as a symbolic expression of their ‘birthright’ will remain symbolic unless Naga Hoho with all the Naga tribes transforms it into a basis to initiate the political task of determining the bounded political community that is going to exercise their sovereign rights within its defined boundary. In effect, unification of a homeland is limited to the practical basic necessities of defining and identifying the boundaries of a political community striving to realize its birthright. The more essential task will lie in negotiating the parameters in which a political community exercises its sovereignty?
India: One Country, Two Worlds Column Girish Mishra The Morung Express
Two reports have appeared simultaneously. One report has been carried by the American magazine Forbes and the other by the German journal Der Spiegel’s English version. These two reports underline that India, despite being one country, is getting divided into two worlds, which may have disastrous consequences.
The Forbes has been publishing a list of world’s billionaires for twenty years. In the very first year the list contained the names of just 140 billionaires from the entire world. Three years ago there were 476 billionaires, but last year their number rose to 690 while this year there are 792 billionaires. From this emerges that not only the number of billionaires has been going up rapidly, but also the pace of increase has been gaining momentum. These billionaires are worth $2.6 trillion, which has increased by 18 per cent since March 2005. Booming stock markets around the world have contributed to this rise in the wealth of the billionaires. It is obvious that this is more due to a redistribution of wealth in the favour of the rich at the secondary level.
It emerges from the perusal of the list that as many as 27 billionaires are from India, who include 10 new entrants. No other country barring the US has so many new billionaires. China in spite of a much faster and sustained rate of economic growth has contributed only 8 billionaires. In the case of India too, rise in stock market prices by 54 per cent over the year have thrown up so many new billionaires. It is interesting to note that the list of new entrants include Tulsi Tanti, a former textile merchant whose alternative energy company owns Asia’s largest wind energy farm, Vijay Mallya, a liquor tycoon who also owns Kingfisher airlines, K. P. Singh, the owner of DLF, which deals in real estate, and Anurag Dikshit whose online gaming company has brought him enormous wealth. India’s Lakshmi Mittal is now the fifth richest man in the world. Other notable billionaires from India are Azim Premji, the Ambanis, Sunil Mittal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Shiv Nadar, Pallonji Mistry, Ravi and Shashi Ruia, Godrej family, Indu Jain, N. R. Narayan Murthy, Uday Kotak, Subhash Chandra, and Habib Khorakiwala. In the list of Asia’s richest persons 40 are from India alone.
It needs to be noted that most of these new billionaires and millionaires from India are from the services sector. They have been dealing in information technology and financial services. Only a handful of them have anything to do with the production of goods. The massive inflow of hot money from the FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) over the year has pushed up the share prices and increased these people’s wealth. Obviously, their wealth is not the result of great entrepreneurial struggle over years. If one concludes that the Indians at large have become prosperous, one should take note of the other report that appeared a day before the Forbes published the list of billionaires.
The German newspaper Der Spiegel carried a report from its Bangalore correspondent Thomas Schmitt, entitled ‘Forgotten in Bangalore: Meet the Losers of Globalization’. At the very outset it stressed: “Economists predict a rosy future for the Indian economy, with the stock market rising from one record to the next. In boomtown Bangalore, the nouveau riche proudly flaunt their wealth. Unfortunately, this dazzling display often obscures the losers of the country’s economic miracle.”
The report begins with the concrete case of Ramakrishna Murthy, who after working for 10 years as a food chemist has just been thrown out by his employer, Hindustan Lever, a subsidiary of the Anglo-Dutch multination, Unilever. The company has told him that, at 52 years of age, he is “too old, too inflexible and too expensive” for it to afford him. Finding no alternative but to vacate his apartment he has moved to a long abandoned dilapidated house. To quote the report, “Now he and his family are living without any kind of appreciable social safety net in an abandoned house that is falling apart on the edge of Bangalore. They struggle to make ends meet with his wife’s salary.”
Murthy regards himself “as one the victims of the ‘Indian economic wonder’ and, as such, one of the ‘losers of globalization’ – those who have lost their jobs as a result of India’s economic liberalization.” Murthy is not wrong when he holds the government responsible for going in for globalization without ensuring safeguards for the employees as well as the people at large. Even now a fairly substantial number of people both inside and outside the government regard a rising rate of economic growth, based on foreign direct investment as the panacea for all the ills of the country. Let us give just two examples to illustrate this. First, only the other day, India’s finance minister, P. Chidambaram told the M.P.’s of the Left parties: “I beg you to throw away ideological and political blinkers and support the endeavour that can create employment also.” He thought higher and higher rate of economic growth could solve all the problems from unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, homelessness, illness and so on. In fact, Chidambaram was echoing the views of his leader, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who, in an article in the Global Agenda magazine, said, some time ago, on the eve of the World Economic Forum meet at Davos: “The reforms implemented over the past 15 years have laid the foundation for rapid growth. Industrial policy, which in the past imposed too many restrictions on the private sector, has been completely restructured…. The market-friendly environment created by recent reforms has stimulated vibrant growth.”
Further, “The economy is … open to foreign direct investment (FDI), which is now freely allowed up to 100% of equity in most sectors.”
Second, Ms Mrinal Pande, a noted writer and editor of a Hindi daily with a huge circulation wrote in her weekly column, soon after Bush’s departure from India: “Whatever the comrades may say, after travelling so far, we must bring necessary changes in our economic system so that the rate of growth of the country gets accelerated. It is not important whether indigenous or foreign capital is invested. What is more important is the rate of growth.” It is needless to add that this suffers from her utter ignorance of economics. Had she been aware of ‘multiplier effect’ and read what Lord Keynes had written she would not have flaunted her ‘wisdom’. Besides, this statement suffers from the fallacy of slippery slope argument. She may have to answer the question: what was wrong with foreign capital that Indian national movement and Tata-Birla Plan campaigned for putting constraints on it?
On the surface, Der Spiegel finds the economic reforms in India seem to be a resounding success, the growth rate has crossed 7% per cent and is poised to reach 10%. As per the estimates the Deutsche Bank Research, India’s GDP is to double in the next 12 years, which will make it the third largest economy of the world, trailing only the United States and China and pushing Britain, Germany, France and Japan down. This is reflected in the confidence of foreign investors, which is “so great that the most important Indian stock index, the Sensex, recently passed the 10,000 point mark for the first time.”
But as the newspaper report shows, people like Murthy do not agree. They hold: “India is far, far away from becoming an industrialized nation. Only every second person can read and write and the situation with environment is getting worse and worse.” “Wages are stagnating as the cost of living increases.” Concurring with these views the report sums up the situation as follows: “But the constant news of stock market successes overshadows the social problems in India’s economic wonderland. Salaries for those working in modern service jobs may have risen palpably in recent years, but wages in other sectors have grown at a much slower pace and have, in some areas, even stagnated. That’s an unfortunate reality for the vast majority of workers in India, who are faced with an annual inflation rate of more than 4 per cent and have to contend with a decline in purchasing power each year as a result.
“That’s a situation that won’t change quickly either. Workers in the industrial sector seldom earn more than 7,000 rupees per month, and a daily labourer is lucky to even earn 1,500 rupees in the same period. That’s not enough to put a reasonable roof over one’s head or to even buy decent groceries. As in the past, child labour is still commonplace and the poorest segments of the population don’t have adequate access to healthcare.
“The unpleasant side effects of India’s push for growth are especially apparent in the booming metropolises. According to the World Bank, they are the fastest growing cities in the world. Despite a plentitude of parks and broad boulevards, the cities are increasingly choking on air- and noise pollution.”
Border fencing to be completed by year-end: Patil Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, March 17 – Observing that infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir has come down significantly, largely due to the fence erected on the border, the government today said border-fencing work on both eastern and western sectors will be completed in about a year’s time. Informing the meeting of Consultative Committee on Home regarding the progress in fence construction on borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said it was essential to expeditiously complete the fencing work in other areas also, an official release said.

Nominations or show of strength? 556 candidates file nominations for 126 Assembly seats in State Our Bureau Sentinel
GUWAHATI, March 17: Roads running around the Deputy Commissioner’s office in the city turned into a sea of humanity till 4 p.m. today, the last day of filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Assembly election, leading to traffic jams for hours. The MG Road had to be closed near Kacharighat in the city following heavy crowds of people and cultural troupes accompanying party candidates who came to file their nomination papers. As many as 473 candidates filed their nominations today, and with this the total nominations filed for the phase -1 of the poll is 556. Jamunamukh Congress candidate Rashidul Haque was conspicuous by not filing his nomination papers today.
Prominent among those who filed their nominations in Kamrup district today are — AGP candidate for Polasbari Jatin Mali, Congress candidate for Polasbari Sailen Bora, Congress candidate for Guwahati East Robin Bordoloi, BJP candidate for Boko Indira Medhi Saikia, AGP candidate for Hajo Nurul Hussain, AGP-P candidate for Guwahati East Diganta Goswami, AGP candidate for Boko Jyoti Prasad Das, BJP candidate for Guwahati East Ramen Deka, Congress candidate for Guwahati West Neelakshi Talukdar, Niranjan Das (Independent) for Boko, NCP candidate for Dispur Arun Talukdar, BJP candidate for Dispur Bijoya Chakravarty, Independent candidate for Guwahati East Biraj Kumar Sarma, Independent candidate for West Guwahati Bijay Krishna Nath, Independent candidate for Hajo Dwipen Pathak, CPI-M candidate for Hajo Abdul Hussain, BJP candidate for Hajo Dhruba Prasad Baishya, Congress candidate for Boko Gopinath Das, BJP candidate for Guwahati West Ashoke Singhal, AGP-P candidate for Dispur Balen Boro, AUDF candidate for Guwahati West Rohini Kumar Das, AGP candidate for Guwahati East Birendra Prasad Baishya, Independent candidate for Polasbari Pranab Kalita, AGP-P candidate for Guwahati West Ramkumar Das, AGP-P candidate for Boko Kishore Kumar Das, BJP candidate for Jalukbari Jayanta Das, AGP-P candidate for Hajo Harichandra Das, Independent candidate for Hajo Dwipen Pathak, AGP candidate for Jalukbari Pushpa Deka, Congress candidate for Hajo Haren Das, AUDF candidate for Jalukbari Bapukan Das, AUDF candidate for Boko Tapan Das, Congress candidate for Jalukbari Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress candidate for Chhaygaon Rekibuddin Ahmed.
AGP candidate for Guwahati East Birendra Prasad Baishya, who was accompanied by Queen Ojha, made no comment when asked on his winning prospects after the submission of nomination papers by Biraj Kumar Sarma as an independent candidate. He only said: “I respect Mr Biraj Kumar Sarma.”
Talking to this reporter, Congress contender for Hajo Haren Das said that the voters would not allow a person who had been involved in the ‘secret killing’ to make it to Dispur.
BJP candidate for Boko Indira Medhi said: “It’s corruption that will ensure the defeat of the Congress.”
Our Correspondent from Sivasagar adds: As many as 34 candidates submitted their nominations for the six LACs in Sivasager district. They are —Congress candidate Anjan Dutta, AGP candidate Pradip Hazarika, AGP-P candidate Manik Mahanta and BJP candidate for Bidyananda Phookan (all for Amguri LAC), Congress candidate Hemo Prava Saikia of the Congress and BJP candidate Alik Borgohain submitted nominations for Nazira, Congress candidate Sarat Barkataky, BJP contender B Bhumij and AGP candidate Sushil Kujur submitted their papers for Sonari, Sarat Saikia of the Congress and Hiranya Konwar of the AGP filed papers at Sonari for Mahmora LAC, Congress candidate Pranab Gogoi and Bitupan Raidongia of the BJP filed nominations for Sivasagar LAC.
Our Correspondent from Jorhat adds: As many as 26 candidates, including two independents, have filed their nomination papers for five LACs within Jorhat. In Jorhat LAC, four candidates submitted their papers at the office of the Returning Officer today. Prominent among them are —INC candidate Rana Goswami, BJP candidate Jadab Doloi and AGP-P candidate Dipanjali Bora. Other candidates are Amardeep Singh (JD-U) and AGP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami.
In Mariani LAC, sitting MLA Alok Ghose of the NCP, Rupjyoti Kurmi of the Congress, Purna Kanta Phukan of the CPI and Palit Kumar Bora of the BJP filed their papers today. Independent candidate Rajen Suri also submitted his papers for the constituency.
Member Gogoi of the INC, who represents Teok LAC, filed his papers for the LAC along with Janaki Nath Handique of the BJP, Jiten Tanti of the CPI-ML and Ramen Patnayak of the JD-U. Renupama Rajkhowa of the AGP and Runu Saikia of the NCP filed their papers for the LAC yesterday.
In Dergaon LAC, Congress candidate Arati Hazarika Kachari, BJP candidate Chittaranjan Das, Sushila Hazarika of the AGP and Independent candidate Bhabendranath Bharali filed their papers.
In Titabor LAC, four candidates, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, filed their papers.