Ram-da,
thats an important piece of info,
Umesh
Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
There are two news items here - one from the Sentinel and the other from
the AT.
Some weeks ago, a netter (I think it was C'da) made a heartfelt appeal (for
support) on behalf of some women who went on hunger strike (to know the
whereabouts of their husbands from the Govt.).
And now this - the other side of the coin. One hopes that it is realized that
these people who have have also lost their loved ones are as Assamese and as
genuine as the "Ulfa wives". The case of these people, below, is probably more
poignant, as they had basically nothing to do with the Govt. or the ulfa.
(collateral damage, or is it like the famous words of Forrest Gump -"s?*t
happens" ? )
Will Dr. Mamoni Goswami, the PCPIA and other individuals join these women,
fathers and mothers to demand the whereabouts of the missing and to stop
killing innocent people as fervently as they did when they were demanding the
same from the Govt. It is high time for them to step forward, and at least
pretend to play fair with the people of Assam.
_______________________________________________________________________________
This from the Sentinel
Anti-ULFA tide begins to surge
By a Staff Reporter
Guwahati, April 27: For the first time in the history of Asom, common people
have come forward protesting ULFA's violence. One hundred and eighty six
families of the victims of ULFA violence today launched the first of their
series of agitational programmes protesting the subversive activities of the
ULFA as well as in support of their demand that the whereabouts of the
civilians who have been kidnapped by the banned outfit be disclosed.
The Assam Public Works (APW), an anti-ULFA organization comprising the family
members of those who were either killed or kidnapped by the outfit, started its
two-day sit-in-demonstration at Dispur Last Gate here beginning today.
One hundred and eighty six families from 12 districts of the State who have
bore the brunt of the ULFA atrocities participated in the demonstration
demanding the whereabouts of the victims kidnapped by the outfit.
The stir comes a day after the six missing ULFA cadres' wives withdrew their
35-day indefinite fast after an assurance from the Chief Minister. The fasting
women have been demanding the whereabouts of their husbands who have been
missing since the Operation All Clear launched by the Army and the Royal Bhutan
Army in Bhutan in December 2003.
Sumita Ghose, wife of Sanjoy Ghose who was kidnapped and later killed by the
ULFA in Majuli, told The Sentinel over telephone that democratic protests like
today's is the right way against violence. Sumita, who did not take part in
today's protest, however, extended her full support to the agitation. "We
should not take up arms to protest against violence. Our protests should be
democratic and I am happy to be a part of this," Ghose said.
The same feelings were also echoed by Sabitri Das Rabha, wife of journalist
Indramohan Hakasham of Goalpara, who was abducted by gunmen on June 24, 2003.
It is not known whether Hakasham is dead or alive. "But our Rabha community
does not allow me to take sindur. I am forced to wipe off this sacred colour
forcing me to be a widow," Sabirti told The Sentinel, wiping her silent tears
dropping from the eyes with a cloth. "Two ULFA militants Dalen Rabha and
Sanjay Rabha came to our village after abduction and told the villagers that
my husband was killed, but I have not yet got his body. So how can I know
whether he is dead or alive?" Sabitri said while she was surrounded by hundreds
of people of same emotion and feelings. "I ask the ULFA to let me know the
details of my husband. What wrong did he do to the ULFA?" Sabitri asked.
Sabitri Sonowal and Tarulata Saikia, who lost their 13-year-old kids in the
Independence Day blast in Dhemaji in 2004, have still not forgotten that dark
day. They do not know what the ULFA gained by killing their sons Bijit and
Girin.
Meanwhile Dr Akashitora has expressed anguish over the apathetic attitude of
the CID in conducting the probe into the killing of his father, Kamala Saikia,
a journalist. "I have an appeal for Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami," the actress
said: "She is working as a mediator with the ULFA and the Government. But I ask
her to convince the people of Asom that the ULFA will not kill anyone any
more."
From the AT (below)
ULFA must be made answerable for crimes
By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, April 27 While the fasting wives of the six missing ULFA leaders
made media headlines for quite some time, it is now the turn of the scores of
families that had to part with their near and dear ones due to the ULFA's
brutality to launch a protest demonstration. Many of these suffering families
do not know even today the exact fate of their kin who had been kidnapped years
back, as their bodies were never found.
The protesters, under the banner of the Assam Public Works (APW), today
submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, urging, among other things, to
ensure that the ULFA was made answerable for all the deaths committed by the
banned outfit since 1979 till today. "Many of those kidnapped by the ULFA
remain traceless even now. The outfit must be made answerable for all such
heinous crimes," the demonstrators said.
Sabitri Rabha, wife of Indramohan Hakasam, a journalist who had been traceless
since his abduction on June 24, 2003, in Goalpara, narrated the plight of her
family after the incident.
"We have no source of income and I am leading a miserable existence with three
minor children. It is only with the support of the missionary charity that my
two children have been able to continue with their education so far," she said,
adding that she had received a government grant of Rs l lakh in 2007. "Unless I
get a job, it would be impossible to run the family," she said.
Sabitri is not alone in her plight. The list of victims of ULFA brutality
includes
hundreds others some of who are well-known names like Sanjoy Ghose of
AVARD-NE, journalist Kamala Saikia, Russian engineer Sergei Gritsanko, etc.,
but most others are from an obscure background like Munin Chetia (73) of
Sivasagar, whose teenaged son Sunil was gunned down by the ULFA on October 3,
1991.
Sumita Ghose, wife of Sanjoy Ghose, who could not attend the demonstration,
said that peaceful and constructive measures like the APW stir was the only
means to fight injustice and compel the authorities to take action.
"I extend my support and solidarity to the agitating family members. We should
continue to fight for our dues in a peaceful and constructive manner," she told
this correspondent over phone from Kolkata.
The agitators vehemently condemned the ULFA leadership for leading opulent
lives outside the State and working at the behest of the ISI. "If ULFA c-in-c
Paresh Baruah and chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa have the guts, they should come
and stay in Assam," a festoon read.
APW director Abhijit Sarma said that the Government ought to take the issue of
the victims of ULFA violence seriously and initiate remedial measures. "The
victim families must be adequately compensated and also the kin of the dead
given jobs, as it is a matter of sustaining their families," he said.
He further said that the ULFA leadership must come out of the grip of the ISI
and start a dialogue with the Government. "I also appeal to the people of Assam
to fight terror jointly and build a peaceful Assam," he said.
Members from over 80 families that had suffered due to ULFA violence are taking
part in the two-day demonstrations. "We have around 200 members from such
families in the APW, and more are expected to join the stir tomorrow," Sarma
said.
_______________________________________________
assam mailing list
[email protected]
http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Umesh Sharma
Washington D.C.
1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/
http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Mail is the world's favourite email. Don't settle for less, sign up for
your freeaccount today._______________________________________________
assam mailing list
[email protected]
http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
