Tag: Assam

Assam Child Marriage Prevention Act

‘Anti-Child Marriage Campaign A Ploy To Target Assam Muslims’

By LokMarg

Dr Dibyajyoti Saikia a human rights and social activist in Guwahati, says Himanta Biswa Sarma is trying to please the RSS leadership by repeatedly launching anti-Muslim drives

On the directions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP-led Assam government has created a stir across the state and in India by arresting 2,000 men within the first 48 hours of the current anti-child marriage operation. About 3,000 people have been arrested so far. The district court has released 24 people on bail within 24 hours after their arrest in Majuli — the world’s largest river island and a precious heritage site.

If you closely examine the current controversy, not only have individuals from one community been arrested, or, people who believe in a certain religion have been targeted, but people from other communities and religions have also been arrested in the name of preventing child marriage. One thing is true — among those arrested, the number of arrests of Muslim people is the highest.

From the day the campaign started, till date, two women have died of heart attack. There has been widespread fear, anxiety and suffering. But the government is oblivious of the misery and distress it has caused to the people it is meant to serve. Clearly, there is an agenda behind the whole campaign.

ALSO READ: ‘NRC – Misinformation Is Rife, Muslims Are Scared’

Currently, it seems that the policy of the BJP is to garner the votes of Hindus by opposing ordinary Muslims, and not only by the use of speech. Interestingly, the BJP leaders have a good relationship with Muslim leaders of the state. It appears to me that both sides have been happily polarizing society and playing politics with the common man.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been playing to the gallery to appease the hardliner in the saffron family. The RSS would love the chief minister if he continued taking anti-Muslim stances. Keeping the RSS pleased is a task now being undertaken by the current chief minister. However, this doesn’t mean that the chief minister loves Hindus a lot. In the current circumstances, the BJP government in the state has no other programme than playing politics of vested interests.

The failure of the NRC (National Register of Citizens) and CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) in Assam and India is a reality. But, though I can’t say it straight away, the current move on Child Marriage Prevention campaign is an alternative plan. I think the present chief minister has a personal agenda to keep the communal pot boiling. He routinely makes provocative (read anti-Muslim) comments to corner publicity and staying in limelight at the national level.

One thing is certain: this anti-child marriage campaign has scared a large number of Muslims in Assam. They are being intimidated and harassed. It will require a social movement by civil society in the state and at national level to uncover the BJP campaign and force them to withdraw such blatantly communal campaigns.

As told to Amit Sengupta

Law For Polygamy

Assam Govt Launches Projects Worth ₹680-Cr In Nalbari

By LokMarg

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday arrived at Nalbari on a day-long visit during which he launched as many as 12 projects aimed at transforming the district into one of the most progressive ones on all fronts in the State.

The total cost of the 12 projects comes to about Rs 680 crore.

Among the projects launched today is the district Sports Stadium Complex at Sariahtoli to be executed at the cost of Rs 51 crore, beautification works of Nalbari town at the cost of Rs 106 crore, the integrated Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex at an approximate cost of Rs 50 crore, upgradation of Government Politechnic Institute and Industrial Training Institute at the cost of Rs 5 crore, a science centre and planetarium with the first-ever 3D projection system in the State, to name a few.

Several road development projects running into an aggregate of nearly Rs 200 crore were also launched.

Addressing a public meeting at the upcoming district Sports Stadium Complex at Sariahtoli, the Chief Minister exuded confidence these initiatives would go a long way in meeting the aspirations of the residents of Nalbari district.

The Chief Minister stated that these initiatives have the potential to radically transform Nalbari district into one of the most progressive districts on multiple fronts in days to come.

He appealed to the people of the district for their cooperation and support in the government’s endeavour for their socio-economic and educational uplift.

He also announced that he would look into the possibility of construction of a state-of-the-art modern sports stadium at Samata.

The Chief Minister stated that in the next couple of months, projects worth a whopping Rs 40,000 crore would be either inaugurated or launched across various districts. The wave of growth and development that has been unleashed by the current regime in the State is a manifestation of the importance welfare of all sections of the society is being accorded, he added.

Referring to the period when one had to resort to strikes and demonstrations to get a genuine popular demand fulfilled, Chief Minister Sarma said genuine aspirations are being taken care of by the current regime on its own, as it understands the pulse of the public.

The Chief Minister also spoke about various initiatives aimed at the welfare of the public, especially those aimed at poverty alleviation, while appealing for mass participation in these programmes.

He appealed to the economically disadvantaged families which were left out of the Orunodoi scheme in its first phase to apply without fail for the upcoming Orunodoi 2.0.

He also sought the public’s cooperation in achieving the intended aims of Mission Basundhara 2.0. Appealing to those involved in paddy cultivation to avail of the paddy procurement scheme, the Chief Minister said this has been launched to ensure there is no distress selling by farmers to middle-men and unscrupulous traders.

He said instructions have been issued to all Deputy Commissioners to take strict actions against any trader found to be purchasing paddy from cultivators at below Rs 2,040 per quintal. (ANI)

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We Are Taught History Written Under Conspiracy During Colonial Era: Modi

By LokMarg

Stressing on the need to rewrite India’s history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that despite country’s rich history of victory and sacrifice, colonial-era history is taught in educational institutes.

While speaking at the 400th birth anniversary celebration of Lachit Barphukan, the Prime Minister said that India’s history was distorted deliberately.
“In every corner of the country, Bravehearts of Maa Bharati faced the oppressors and sacrificed their lives. This history was deliberately hidden. Is the valour of Lachit Barphukan not important? Are the sacrifices of thousands of people in Assam against the Mughals not important?” said PM Modi.

He said that there was a need after independence to fight the agenda of those ruling over us. But that was not done.

Unfortunately, even after independence, we were taught the same history that was created under a conspiracy during the colonial era. After independence, it was needed to change the agenda of those who colonised us but it wasn’t done,” said the Prime Minister.

PM Modi said that India’s history is not just about colonialism but it is a history of warriors.

“For centuries, it was attempted to tell us we are people who always get looted, beaten, and lost. India’s history is not just about colonialism, it’s a history of warriors. India’s history is about displaying valour against oppressors, about victory, sacrifice, and great tradition,” he said.

He further said that today India has broken the shackles of colonialism and is moving forward, celebrating our heritage and remembering our heroes with pride.

“Today, India is not only celebrating its varied heritage but also remembering its braveheart unsung heroes,” he added.

“Assam’s history is a matter of great pride in India’s journey. We believe in uniting the various thoughts, beliefs, and cultures of India. India has always valued its rich and cultural heritage; we have always protected our spiritual and cultural principles. That’s what makes us a marvellous civilization.”

The Prime Minister said India has the ability to give a befitting reply to those who practice atrocities.

“India’s history is the history of warriors, the history of victory, the history of sacrifice, selflessness, and bravery. Each and every youth of India is a warrior when it comes to saving their cultural heritage from any external forces,” he said.

While addressing today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had asked historians to highlight the achievements of leaders like Lachit Barphukan, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, and Durgadas Rathore among others to show history in a new light.

“Humble request to our historians that India isn’t just the story of Aurangzeb, Babar, Jahangir, or Humayun. India is of Lachit Barphukan, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, Durgadas Rathore. We should make an effort to see it in a new light. It will fulfill our dream to be a Vishwa Guru,” Sarma said.

This comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a similar statement, saying no one can stop rewriting history adding that Indian history is twisted and inaccurately written, and appealed to historians and research scholars to rewrite it.

“I have always heard that our history is twisted and inaccurately written. It might be true, but who can now stop us from writing about our glorious history? We have to take the courage, rewrite and present our history before the world,” the Union Home Minister said.

Shah appealed to the historians and research scholars attending the function to get over this narrative that Indian history is twisted and inaccurately written.

He asked them to write about 30 empires that ruled for more than 150 years in any part of the country and 300 such great personalities who fought and sacrificed themselves during the country’s freedom struggle.

Born on 24th November 1622 in Charaideo, Lachit Barphukan was known for his extraordinary military intelligence in defeating the Mughals, thereby halting the expanding ambitions of Aurangzeb in the Battle of Saraighat.

On November 24, each year, Lachit Diwas is celebrated state-wide in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat.

A flagship event was organized by the Centre at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to showcase the life of one of the greatest warriors of eastern India and celebrate his achievements outside his home state to pay nationwide tribute on the leader’s 400 birth anniversary. (ANI)

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Karbi Anglong

Almost 100 Houses Gutted In Massive Blaze In Karbi Anglong

By LokMarg

A large number of houses and shops were gutted in a massive fire in the Lahorijaan area near Bokajan in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district along the Assam-Nagaland border on Wednesday.

According to the police, several cylinders burst in the fire. One four-wheeler and three motorcycles have also been damaged in the fire.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Bokajan, John Das, told ANI that no casualty had been reported in the incident.

“Fire tenders have reached the spot and tried to douse the flames. At least 100 houses, business establishments, and shops have been damaged in the fire incident,” John Das said.

Police suspected that the fire occurred due to a short circuit. (ANI)

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Punjab: Suspension Of Internet, SMS To Continue Till Tuesday

6 Killed In Assam-Meghalaya Border; Internet Suspended In 7 Meghalaya Districts

By LokMarg

Meghalaya has suspended mobile internet services in seven districts of the state for 48 hours after six persons including one Assam forest official were killed in firing in Mukroh in West Jaintia Hills on the border between the two states.

Mobile internet/data services have been suspended in seven districts of Meghalaya beginning from 10:30 am today, a notification issued by the Home (Police) Department of Meghalaya government said.
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma today confirmed that a total of six persons including five from Meghalaya and one Assam Forest Guard were killed in the incident.

“The injured have been rushed to hospital and an inquest is being conducted. An FIR has been registered by Meghalaya police,” the chief minister said.

Meanwhile, the notification issued by the Meghalaya government today read: “Reports have been received from police headquarters, Meghalaya, Shillong that an untoward incident has occurred in Mukroh, West Jaintia Hills, Jowai, having a potential to disturb public peace and tranquility, and cause a threat to public safety in West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, which may likely breakdown law and order,”

In order to prevent the misuse of media (WhatsApp and social media like Facebook Twitter, YouTube, etc ) to disturb peace and tranquility in the state of Meghalaya and for maintaining law and order, CVD Diengdoh, Secretary to the Home (Police) Department, Meghalaya, has promulgated this notification.

The telecom and social media services will be shut across districts of Meghalaya namely West Jaintia Hills, East Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and South West Khasi Hills districts.

The notification read that violaters of the promulgation will be penalised under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and also the related provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Further details about the incident are awaited. (ANI)

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Neel Pawan Baruah Passes

Assam: Eminent Artist Neel Pawan Baruah Passes Away

By LokMarg

Eminent artist from Assam, Neel Pawan Baruah passed away on Friday at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) following a prolonged illness.

Baruah was 86.
“His death is an irreparable loss I pray to God for the eternal peace of the late artist and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on the artist’s death.

Baruah was born in 1936 in the Jorhat district to his father Binanda Chandra Baruah and mother Labanya Prabha Baruah.

He had created a unique style by sketching art on match and cigarette boxes, displayed at various exhibitions.

In 2021, the Assam government conferred him with Assam Saurav Award, the state’s second-highest award. (ANI)

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Cattle Seized In Assam

Over 4 Dozen Cattle Seized In Assam’s Nagaon

By LokMarg

Police in Assam’s Nagaon district seized over four dozen cattle from the clutches of smugglers.

In three separate operations at three locations, Nagaon Police recovered 50 cattle — 4, 23, and 23 — respectively.
On Thursday morning at about 4.45 am, police raided cattle smugglers at Borpeta NLG Brickfield, intercepted one container truck, and recovered 23 cattle.

“Acting on source information on 27.10.2022 at around 2 am, SI Pawan Kalita, O/C, Samaguri PS, and staff detained one 12-wheeler truck bearing Reg. No. AS 01 FC 7912 along with a Tata DI vehicle bearing Reg. No. AS 02 E 7302 at Baziagaon,” Nagaon Police tweeted.

However, the cattle smugglers managed to flee on both occasions.

In the latest incident, the district detained one Saiful Islam for smuggling 4 cattle heads, a separate tweet by Nagaon Police said.

Illegal cattle trade is rampant in the state and Assam Police has been going hard against cattle smugglers and it heightened its vigilance mechanism. (ANI)

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Kerala government amends rules

Balagopal Ceased To Enjoy My Pleasure: Kerala Guv Writes To Vijayan

By LokMarg

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stating that Finance Minister KN Balagopal ”ceased to enjoy pleasure”.

In his letter to the Chief Minister, the Governor asked Vijayan to consider the matter with the seriousness it deserves and take action which is constitutionally appropriate.
Citing media reports of Balagopal’s speech at a University campus here on October 19, “which seeks to the fire of regionalism and provincialism and if allowed to go unchecked they may have an erosive and baneful influence on our national unity and integrity” and the Governor was left with no option but to convey that the Finance Minister has “ceased to enjoy my pleasure”.

“Reported statements of Kerala FM KN Balagopal are a violation of the oath I had administered to him. A minister who deliberately violates the oath and undermines the unity and integrity of India can’t continue to enjoy my pleasure,” said Kerala Governor.

“In these circumstances, I’m left with no option but to convey that KN Balagopal has ceased to enjoy my pleasure. I hope that you consider the matter with the seriousness it deserves and take action which is constitutionally appropriate,” he said in a letter to CM.

The Governor said that the remarks of Finance Minister KN Balagopal seek to create a wedge between Kerala and other States of the Indian Union and project a false impression as if the different States of India have different systems of higher education.

Khan said that although others like Education Minister and Law Minister have indulged in attacks on him, he wishes to ignore them as they hurt him personally.

“But if I do not take cognizance of the seditious remarks of KN Balagopal, it would be a grave omission of duty on my part. The comments of the Finance Minister challenge not only the national unity and integrity but also the Constitutional Convention that makes it necessary that the Governor of each state shall be from outside the State,” said Khan.

He said that it is pathetic to see that Balagopal, is totally ignorant of the great legacy of Kerala, which has played an extremely important role in building Indian Unity.

Earlier attacking the Kerala Finance Minister, the Governor had said, “Finance minister whose main source of revenue is alcohol and lottery, is raising the question whether the governor who is from UP can understand the Kerala education system… But I would advise him that don’t make the same comment about the judges of SC”

“Yesterday they (SC) gave a judgment against your appointment of VC of Kerala Technical University…If you say that these judges are from Maharashtra and Assam and they do not understand the education system in Kerala, then you will land yourself in trouble,” Khan had said. (ANI)

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Bangladeshi Fishermen Of Cyclone Sitrang

ICG Rescues 20 Bangladeshi Fishermen Of Cyclone Sitrang

By LokMarg

In a coordinated search and rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 20 Bangladeshi fishermen from the sea on October 25, upon being sighted by Coast Guard Dornier aircraft which was on surveillance sortie post-landfall of cyclone “Sitrang”.

These rescued fishermen were clinging to floating debris after their fishing boat sank. They are planned to be handed over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard in accordance with MoU existing between the two Coast Guards.
“In a swift co-ordinated Search & Rescue Operation @IndiaCoastGuard rescued 20 Bangladeshi fishermen post-landfall of cyclone #Sitrang. Fishermen will be handed over to #Bangladesh in accordance with the existing MoU,” ICG tweeted.

Since Monday night, over 18 people have died in different parts of Bangladesh as the powerful Cyclone Sitrang completed its landfall.

The Dhak Tribune reported that Bangladesh officials closely tackling the impacts of the cyclone said that having taken up all necessary preparations, like appropriate weather forecasting and timely evacuation of people of the coastal regions.

Meanwhile, the situation in Assam continues to remain grim on Tuesday as nearly 1100 people from 83 villages have been affected by the deluge caused by the cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’.

Several houses were damaged due to Cyclone Sitrang which caused heavy rainfall and a storm in Assam. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, 1146 people have been affected by the storm. (ANI)

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Sanskrit-Speaking Village In Assam

Know About A Sanskrit-Speaking Village In Assam

By LokMarg

A village in Assam is known as ‘Sanskrit Village’ as all the people here have been speaking this ancient and classical language since 2015.

Every single individual, including the children and the grown-ups in the village Patiala of the Ratabari Assembly Constituency of Karimganj district, communicates with each other in this language.

The village comprises as many as 60 families consisting of around 300 people who are ‘happy Sanskrit speakers’.

The villagers are trying to bring a change by encouraging the next generations to speak this language. They believe that it is the language that is not spoken enough by the people.

The villagers also organize regular ‘Yoga Shibirs’.

Deep Nath, a resident of this village, who is also a Yoga teacher said that they started the Yoga Shibir in 2013 and after which, the workers of the Sanskrit Bharati visited the village in 2015.

“It was in 2015 when a Sanskrit Shibir was organized in our village and since then, we learned to speak Sanskrit and now every person here speaks this language. There are 60 families in our village, who along with their children, use this ancient language as a medium of communication,” Yoga teacher and village resident Deep Nath said that they are trying to pass on their culture to the new generations.

He further said that the Yoga Shibirs are organized regularly from 5 am to 7 am and every instruction is delivered in Sanskrit here.

“We also organize Gayatri Yagya every month in which every resident participates,” he said.

Nath also said that most of the villagers here are engaged in farming and 15 people are employed.

Deep Nath also said that there is another villager nearby, named Anipurbasti where the people have adopted similar practices to speak in this ancient language. (ANI)

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