150 still missing in Assam boat mishap; Home Minister P. Chidambaram: ULFA talks progress to be slow due to an anti-talk faction; 103 militants surrender in Manipur; People's Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM) plans agitation in support
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • According to reports, rescue operations continued in the Brahmaputra in Assam, a day after a ferry capsized in the river killing nearly 70 people, but with at least 150 still missing the death toll was expected to rise. Abdul Aziz, a survivor, said there were over 300 passengers on the ferry. The Border Security Force (BSF) and the National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF), which started rescue operations immediately after the incident along with local people, could bring ashore 80 people till Monday night. Some passengers managed to swim to the river bank.1

    In another development, according to reports, setting at rest all speculation, Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram said that the progress of talks with pro-talk ULFA faction would be slow because the leaders are treading very cautiously. Home Minister P. Chidambaram presenting the monthly report of his Ministry said that the Home Secretary held the talks and has reported to him that the talk is making progress but it will be slow progress because there is an anti-talk faction. So the pro-talk leaders are proceeding with great caution. The Home Minister was referring to the last round of tripartite talks with ULFA held on April 9, 2012. The Government of India and ULFA leaders have so far held three rounds of formal dialogue and substantive discussions on the charter of demands submitted by the outfit are yet to begin. 2

    Meanwhile, according to reports, one hundred three militants belonging to 12 underground organisations in Manipur laid down arms during a ‘home coming’ ceremony at IG of Assam Rifles (South) headquarters, near Imphal. The hardcore militants of proscribed outfits including United National Liberation Front, People’s Liberation Army, Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, United People’s Party of Kangleipak, People’s United Liberation Front, Kuki National Liberation Front, NSCN(K), UNPC, KRPA and KRF, handed over 103 weapons including 9 AK 47 rifles, three Lathodes, 25 Carbines, 59 pistols, three 303 rifles and one each M-16 and M-21 rifles to Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Home Minister Gaikhangam. 3

    However, reports noted that with other communities backing the demand for a Bodoland in Assam, a 36-hour State-wide strike has been called from May 7, 2012. Forty-five groups representing tribal and non-tribal communities have joined the movement. People's Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM) has called for a 36-hour strike on May 7. On May 18, there will be district demonstrations. On May 25 national highways will be blocked for 12 hours. 4

    According to reports, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that it was incorrect that northeast students were more vulnerable to discrimination than those from other regions. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, he also said that the government was obliged to provide them security. The issue was raised in the upper house of the parliament following the deaths of three northeast students last month. Two of them, from Assam and Manipur, committed suicide in Delhi and the third, also from Manipur, died under mysterious circumstances in Bangalore. Chidambaram said state governments were responsible for providing safety and security to people residing in their regions. 5
    In other developments, according to reports, the Guwahati police arrested a cadre of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) from a rented house. According to senior superintendent of police (City) Apurba Jiban Baruah, the cadre was arrested from a house in the Gorchuk area of the city during an operation based on specific information. 6

    Top