Dispur, EC firm on panchayat polls - Arson in Rabha council area

Armed members of the Rabha Hasong Joint Movement Forum block a road at Bardamala in Goalpara on

The state election commission and Dispur appear determined to go through the third and final phase of panchayat election tomorrow in the restive Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council area despite reports of arson.

State election commissioner Biren Dutta told The Telegraph that there could be no “second thoughts” on holding of polls as it was a constitutional obligation. He appealed for peace and cooperation.

Senior officials in the chief minister’s office said the government was determined to help the election commission in all possible manner and that the army had been kept on standby in both the council and Barak valley, another sensitive area.

Arson in lower Assam on eve of panchayat polls

Incidents of arson were reported in the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council areas of Kamrup (Rural) district in lower Assam on the eve of Panchayat polls in the area on Tuesday.

Three schools where polling booths have been set up were torched along with two trucks and market sheds by unidentified miscreants in different parts of the district, official sources said.

Early this morning in Boko police station area, three schools - Hatipar, Machenokhuwa and Sekhapari lower primary schools - were completely gutted, they said.

A truck was also set ablaze at Khorkhori under Chaygaon police station this morning, while another was torched at Bondapara under Boko police station around midnight.

Four sheds in Chingra Bazar under Chaygaon police station were also burnt down, they said.

Assam keeps door open for anti-talk ULFA faction

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday said his government has kept the doors open for peace talks with the anti-talk faction of ULFA, but first there has to be peace.

"There is a ceasefire with ULFA's pro-talk faction and the process is on. We have kept doors open for the anti-talk faction also, but not for violence," Gogoi said here.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of prize distribution ceremony of the annual flower show at the Agri Horticultural Society of India.

The Paresh Barua led anti-talk faction of the ULFA has been carrying on violence in the state, while another faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa is on peace-talks with the state and the Centre.

Order to shift Paltan Bazar fish hub

Thermocol containers and other packets dumped near Borsola Beel at Paltan Bazar.

It’s final now. Northeast’s largest wholesale fish market will be shifted to a 53.5-acre plot at Saukuchi, on the outskirts of the city, from Paltan Bazar.

The Kamup (metro) district administration has ordered Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the fishery department to immediately shift the market and submit a compliance report within 45 days.

Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner Ashutosh Agnihotri on Thursday issued the order because the current fish market, situated within the notified land of Borsola Beel, was polluting the waterbody and affecting the city’s environment.

Flying squads to trap cheats - Seba move to curb dishonesty in exams

Students planning to pass this year’s matric and high madarsa examinations the “easy” way and teachers who usually turn a blind eye to the formers’ “activities”, think again.

The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (Seba) is deploying “flying squads” to catch cheating examinees and teachers red-handed during the examinations commencing from February 18. The squads, comprising Seba officials, will make surprise visits to centres with an aim to catch the cheaters off guard. The visits will be kept strictly confidential.

Seba secretary Dayaram Rajbongshi told The Telegraph that the squads were being deployed as the state government had asked the board to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards cheaters.

“The Seba chairman, myself and other senior officials will form the squads and chalk out a list of examinations centres to conduct the surprise checks. We might take the help of local police and magistrates to prevent any untoward incident during the visits. Instant action will be taken against anyone found cheating. If teachers or centres-in-charge are found lacking in maintaining sanctity of the exams, necessary punitive actions will also be taken against them,” Rajbongshi said.