Assam Protest Against Killings

The CPI(M) Assam State Committee organised  a protest march in Guwahati on December 24 against the barbaric terrorist killings in Assam. Hundreds of CPI(M) activists assembled near Guwahati Club.

Addressing the gathering State Secretary Uddhab Barman condemned the gruesome killing of innocent people in the district of Sonitpur and Kokrajhar on 23 December. He also strongly criticized the Assam state government for its repeated failure in providing security to the people of the State.

The activists took out a procession appealing to the people to stay united and foil the nefarious designs of these forces. The  procession culminated in a meeting near the Reserve Bank where Central Committee member Deben Bhattachariya  reiterated Party’s demand to provide adequate security to the people of Assam. He also appealed to the people to stand unitedly in this hour of crisis and defeat the conspiracies of the terrorist forces to provoke the people of Assam and instigate fratricidal clashes.

Protest actions were also organized in different districts of the state. These include Tezpur (Sonitpur District) Pathsala (Barpeta), Manikpur (Bongaigaon), Tihu (Nalbari), Rangia (Kamrup), where protest meetings and procession were organised.

A team of CPI(M) leaders which visited  the Sonajuli area near the Assam-Arunachal Border found total chaos and helplessness prevailing even 20 hours after the gruesome killings. CPI(M) activists are also playing an active role in organizing relief at the camp opened at Tinisuti area for the affected people in the locality

CPI(M) announces civil disobedience movement in Assam

Protesting against the Centre's failure to control inflation and to press for food security and minimum support price for farmers, CPI-M today announced a civil disobedience movement across Assam on December 14. "We demand universalisation of the PDS, ration cards for all families, minimum monthly wage of Rs 10,000 for workers in unorganised sector and government initiative for procurement of crops at MSP, besides strong action against corruption and loot of national resources," CPI-M state committee member Nayan Bhuyan said.

Bhuyan , who was speaking after the party's state-level convention here during the day, said both the Centre and Assam governments have failed to deal with price rise, food security, corruption and devastation cause by flood and erosion.     "All our district and local committees across the state will hold rallies, signature campaigns and dharnas across Assam beginning from now and this will culminate with the civil disobedience movement on December 14," he said. 

CPI(M)'s 'fraternal organisations' -- All India Kisan Sabha, All India Democratic Women's Association, Democratic Youth Federation of India and Students' Federation of India would also participate in the agitation, he said.  Party activists took out a march in the city after the convention today. The convention was attended by CPI(M) state secretary Uddhab Barman, former secretary and ex MLA Hemen Das and other leaders and 1000 delegates.

Prakash Karat Visits Relief Camps in Assam

 CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat visited relief camps in the violence hit districts of Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon on October 5 and also inaugurated distribution of relief materials to the affected people. It may be noted that the CPI (M) has given a call for collection of relief materials and funds for the displaced people of Assam who are residing in the relief camps till today. The ethnic violence that took place in the month of July had rendered more than five lakhs people  homeless in the BTAD areas. According to the government sources, nearly two lakh people are still in the relief camps leading a deplorable life. Of these, 1.5 lakh people still displaced are Muslims.

One of the thickly populated relief camps is the Lakhipur relief camp where 392 Muslim families are taking shelter without having basic amenities. Out of them, 112 families have lost their houses. Visiting this camp, Prakash Karat interacted with the people and said that the CPI(M) is raising the demand that the state government and the BTAD administration must take all measures so that people can go back to their homes at the earliest. Explaining the conditions of the people of the camp Ahmed Ali, secretary of Lakhipur relief camp said that the people are residing in the camp without any basic amenities. There is no sanitation, no drinking water and the students are out of schools for all this period. The conditions of women are even worse. The government is providing rice, dal and salt. The question of nutrition is completely neglected. There is no firewood to cook. There is no electricity and the government is providing only two candles in three weeks.

The relief camp speaks volumes about its own condition. Prakash Karat expressed great concern at the utter negligence on the part of the government towards the people in the relief camps. He personally visited each and every hut made of plastic sheets and was astonished to see how people can be left to live in such condition by the Congress government in the state. Prakash Karat also inaugurated the distribution of relief materials to the people. He said that the CPI(M) is collecting funds to provide some relief to the affected people. He also said that the West Bengal committee of the Party is taking special steps in so far as collection of funds for relief work is concerned.

Earlier he visited Kakrikhola M.E. School relief camp in Kokrajhar district. In this camp, 200 Bodo families are taking shelter. The MLA of the constituency Pramila Rani Brahma welcomed the initiative of the CPI(M). Prakash Karat stressed that it is the urgent need of the hour that people go to their respective homes. All other issues can be addressed after peace and normalcy returned to the state. CPI(M) Assam state secretary Uddhab Barman, CPI(M) leader Hemen Das and other leaders of the districts accompanied Karat.

After visiting the relief camps, Prakash Karat addressed a public meeting at Bijni. The meeting was presided over by veteran leader Dr Mahodar Pathak. Addressing the gathering, Prakash Karat said that the incidents in the BTAD and its adjoining districts have repercussions throughout the country. The exodus of people of the North-East from the Southern part of the country is a clear manifestation of this. This affects the working people the most. We must identify the forces of division and defeat their conspiracies. Karat stressed that all the people in the relief camps must be allowed to go back to their homes and villages. The minority community should not be targetted as demanded by the communal forces. The meeting was also addressed by state secretariat members Hemen Das and state secretary Uddhab Barman. They called upon the people of the state to fight all conspiracies to divide people on communal lines. They also criticised the state government for its utter failure in safeguarding the lives and properties of the people of the state.

CPI(M) Assam State Committee criticises Gogoi on FDI in multi brand retail

Criticising Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's decision to support 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, CPI(M) today said any attempt to introduce the concept in the state will affect both farmers and consumers.

"Gogoi has supported Centre's decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail. But any attempt to allow foreign companies to open such shops in Assam will be detrimental to the interest of both farmers and consumers," CPI(M) state secretary Uddhav Barman told reporter.

Gogoi, he said, has supported the Centre's stand without going into details regarding cost-benefit analysis. "Globally wherever FDI has been allowed into retail segment, there have been monopoly of big companies. This has hurt both traditional shopkeepers and also made products expensive," Barman said.

There have been news reports that Walmart has purchased land in Guwahati in anticipation of the move. "If true, we oppose such things," he said.  Barman said seven parties -- CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML-Liberation), Forward Bloc,Revolutionary Socialist Party Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal (Socialist) -- have called for a day-long hartal in Assam on September 20 to oppose the entry of MNCs in multi-brand retail sector.

"We have also called the hartal against the hike in diesel prices, limiting the number of subsidised LPG cylinders and disinvestment in public sector undertakings," he said. Assam government had recently announced a one-month ban on bandhs and so the parties have called for a hartal, Barman

Maintain Amity and Peace

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses concern at reports of people of North Eastern origin leaving from certain places where they are working or studying and returning to their home states. Such movement has taken place from Bangalore and certain other places sparked off by rumours or alleged threats.

Immediate steps should be taken to assure the people of North Eastern origin of their safety and security wherever they are residing. The state governments and administration should take prompt measures for this. The recent violence in the Bodoland territorial region in Assam has localized reasons and any attempts to rouse feelings in other parts of the country should be firmly curbed. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) appeals to all sections of the people to foil any moves to disturb amity amongst the people and maintain unity and peace.

CPIM Assam criticizes late Government Action and BJP's dangerous statements

The CPI(M) today blamed the state government for not acting on time to prevent the ethnic clashes in lower Assam and accused BJP leaders of making "communal statements.""The state government failed to act on time when the first incidents of attack took place on July 19 and 20.

Kokrajhar and nearby areas have a history of ethnic clashes and the government should have acted fast when the initial incidents took place," Communist Party of India (Marxist) state committee secretary Uddhab Barman alleged.

He also accused, "While such a massive humanitarian crisis is going on it is unfortunate that senior BJP leaders, including L K Advani, are making statements which will only inflame passions." The CPI(M) leader refuted allegations made by Advani and others that Bangladeshi immigrants are behind the violence.

"If you study the Census report, you will find that the decadal growth rate of population in Kokrajhar district was much less than the average for Assam and the whole of India. This proves that there is no basis to the charge that immigrants are sweeping through the area," Barman said.  He called upon the government to formulate plans for protecting the rights and interest of both Bodos and non-Bodos in the BTAD districts.

"The state government should also investigate the issue of illegal arms and ensure their seizure in case they exist," Barman said. Meanwhile, no new incidents of violence were reported from Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts since yesterday.

Altogether 77 people have died in the strife since July 19, while over four lakh have been displaced.  “Night curfew is in place in all three districts and security forces are maintaining constant vigil," a senior police official said here.

CPI(M) stages protest march against price rise in Assam

Protesting against the steep rise in the prices of essential commodities and demanding food security for the people, the Communist Party of India (M) today carried out a ‘Raj Bhawan Abhiyan’ in Guwahati

The protesters took out a protest march from Guwahati Club to Raj Bhawan shouting slogans against the soaring prices of essential commodities. The programme was conducted by the Kamrup Mahanagar Zila Samity of the CPI (M). Protest meetings and rallies are being conducted by the CPI (M) in various places of the country as a part of the nationwide programme to pressurise the government to take immediate action to control price rise and ensure food security for the people. With the same demands, four left parties staged dharna in the Ramlila Maidan at New Delhi from July 30 to August 3.

“In Assam also the CPI (M) is leading the protest programmes at various places. District-level rallies have been organised in the past two months demanding the government to arrest price rise,” said Tiken Das, secretary of Kamrup Metro District Committee of the party. After a protest march, a meeting was also held in front of the Raj Bhawan today which was addressed by the party’s State secretary Uddhav Barman and senior leader Hemen Das. 

The leaders demanded control over the increasing prices and the universalisation of the Public Distribution System in the country. “We have been demanding the government to provide every family with 35 kg rice monthly at the rate of Rs 2. Moreover, government should take strict action against deep-rooted corruption in the entire PDS system. Supply of item in the fair price shops is also inadequate, which should be increased,” Das added.
Targeting the government over the issue of corruption, the party in its memorandum to the Governor said that the black money worth around Rs 25 lakh crore, stashed away in other countries should be brought back to India. 

Also raising the issue of flood and erosion, the protesters said that concrete steps should be taken to address the perennial problems and the flood-hit people should be rehabilitated without delay. The party also demanded a high-level enquiry into the issue of group clashes in BTAD area and asked the government to address the issue of law and order on priority basis. 

“The Assam government has measurably failed to maintain law and order in the State including the capital city Guwahati. Various major incidents in past couple of months indicate that law and order should be strengthened. The government should also establish rule of law in the BTAD area and ensure peace and harmony,” Das added. 

Earlier also, the district unit of CPI (M) conducted protest programmes in Basistha, Narengi, Boragaon and Maligaon in the city. 

On September 12, the party would resort to a nationwide civil disobedience movement against price rise and for food security.

CPI(M) PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITS AFFECTED AREAS IN ASSAM

Isfaqur Rahman

ASSAM continues to burn. The multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-national state, once again, witnessed horrible incidents of ethnic-communal violence in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) since the eruption of hostilities among different communities – mainly between the Bodos and Muslim minorities – from the first week of July. Since July 19, lower Assam’s Kokrajhar and Chirang districts under BTAD administration and adjoining Dhubri district have been experiencing the worst form of frenzied violence. At least 60 persons, including children and women, have been killed. Several others  remained untraced till the filing of this report (August 1, 2012). Moreover, nearly 4 lakh people have taken shelter in 274 relief camps. In the four districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon in western Assam  – a total of 244 villages and 45,000 families were affected and five thousand houses were burnt to ashes.

For quite a long time, there were simmering tensions between different ethnic groups residing in the BTAD areas. The politics of identity have also been playing havoc. There were demands for further vivisection of Assam and creation of a separate ‘Bodoland state’. There were also demands for a ‘Kamatapur state’ raised by a section of Rajbongshi people. Communal and fundamentalist forces were also at work. Various non-Bodo organisations oppose “Bodoland” and demand redrawing of the BTAD areas by excluding certain villages where non-Bodos are overwhelming majority. The security and safety of the people was also a cause for concern. Mutual distrust, ill-faith and ill-feelings among different groups and communities prevailed for quite some time now.

TRIGGER FOR

THE VIOLENCE

On July 6,  two poor Muslim peasants were killed by unidentified gunmen at Mussalmanpara near Bhowraguri under Dotoma police station in Kokrajhar district. When tension was brewing after this incident, two student leaders of the Minority Students’ Union were attacked in Magurmari near Kokrajhar on July 19. This was followed by the killing of four former Bodo Liberation Tiger workers on July 20 at Jaypur-Namapara near Kokrajhar town – the headquarters of BTAD administration. The eruption of violence and counter-violence started soon after and spread to the interior areas. Ironically, both Bodo and Muslim leaders see a design in the orchestrated violence which spread like wild fire. Now the situation is quite disturbing as the cycle of violence has communal implications and unless tackled with a firm hand, it might well trigger a large scale communal flare-up in the state. The state administration will have to exhibit greater alacrity in preventing any further  escalation of violence. The state and central governments must take a serious note of the developments and ensure security and safety to all sections of the people.

As a matter of fact, the volatile law and order situation in the BTAD areas has been a matter of concern for quite some time now with extortions, killings and kidnappings assuming alarming proportions. While the situation warrants firm handling by both the BTC and the state government, it is precisely the lax attitude of the authorities that has largely been responsible for the growing lawlessness in Bodoland areas, allowing extremist outfits as well as surrendered ultras to have a free run. Easy availability of firearms with the militant outfits has been a major factor perpetuating a situation of strife and tension in BTAD. From extremist and surrendered extremists to every other trouble mongers, firearms have an all pervasive presence in the BTAD. Muslim fundamentalist forces are also no less active. The overall situation in BTAD areas is characterised by a growing cult of violence and fratricidal killings. The progress that the creation of the BTC was supposed to usher in will remain a mirage unless there is an end to the prevailing gun culture.

DISTURBING

SITUATION

Notwithstanding a slight improvement following deployment of security forces, the situation in the strife-torn BTAD and adjoining Dhubri continues to be extremely disturbing with more and more bodies of riot-hit victims being recovered. There have also been incidents of arson at places, with people fleeing their homes and hearths in their hordes. People are taking shelter in hoplessly inadequate relief camps – without food and drinking water. Restoration of normalcy, peace and harmony in the days ahead will certainly pose a Herculean challenge before the government. Physical rehabiliation apart, the trauma suffered by the affected people – both Bodos and Muslims – will take a long time to heal as will the breached trust between the two communities.

It may be recalled that communal violence of similar scale had affected Udalguri district in october, 2008. But the authoritics failed to learn anything from it. The current carnage could well have been avoided but for the inexplicable laxity of the authorities in nabbing the culprits behind the incidents of frenzied violence perpetrated by the trouble mongers of both the communities.

The BJP and its saftorn  brigade have been trying to fish in troubled waters and blaming the illegal Bangladeshi migrants for the violence. The Bodo People’s Front (BPF), a coalition partner of the Congress-led government in Assam, has also echoed similar sentiments. Even the BTC chief Hagrama Mahilary has stated  that the violence is being perpetrated by an organised gang of illegal infiltrators from across the Bangladesh border. But saner sections have maintained that this is a wild allegation and gross distortion of facts. Even the central and state governments have ruled out the possibility of a foreign hand behind the riots.

Terming the largescale ethnic violence in Assam as a ‘blot on the nation’, prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced a Rs 300 crore Central Relief Package for the violence-hit people after visiting two relief camps at Kokrakhar on July 28. But considering the woes and sufferings, death and destruction, this meagre amount will not serve the purpose.

CPI (M) DELEGATION

VISITS VIOLENCE-HIT AREAS

A three member team of the CPI(M) MPs, including the leader of the CPI(M) group in Lok Sabha, Basudev Acharia, visited Kokrajhar and Bijni on July 28 to take stock of the situation. The other two MPs were Bajuban Riang and Saidul Haque. The delegation was accompanied by the state leaders of the CPI(M) including the state secretary Uddhab Barman and two other former MLAs,  Purna Boro and Ananta Deka, and also state secretariat members, Monoranjan Talukdar and Fazlur Rahman. The delegation met cross-section of the people, visited relief camps and exchanged views with the inmates.

The delegation first visited the relief camp at Kakritola M E School (Nayek Gaon) in Kokrajhar where more than 3000 people belonging to the Bodo communities of 17 villages are taking shelter. The CPI(M) delegation also visited Bangaldoba village which was completely burnt down on July 23-24.

The delegation was shocked to see the Nayabhita village where the houses of around 200 Muslim families were completely gutted on  July 22. The incident of arson and looting took place near the Dotoma police station, which was hardly 50 meters away.

Later, the CPI(M) delegation moved to Bijni and visited a relief camp at Bijni Motilal Bagaria M V School where 900 Muslims, including 200 children, were taking shelter. It also visited a Bodo camp at Bijni College.

After visiting the violence-hit areas, the CPI(M) delegation held a press conference at the state headquarters of the Party in Guwahati on July 29. Addressing the media persons, Basudev Acharia stated the experience of the Party delegation. Bajuban Riang and Saidul Haque also addressed along with Party state secretary Uddhab Barman and senior Party leader Hemen Das. The CPI(M) leaders expressed grave shock and consternation at the horrific incidents of violence and destruction. They charged that the Congress-led dispensation in Assam was totally caught off guard by the carnage. The state government has even failed to protect the life and property of the people and discharge its constitutional responsibilities.  

The law enforcing machinery was a silent spectator in many places to the gruesome incidents of killing and arson. For inexplicable reasons, deployment of security forces were delayed by at least a couple of days – something that caused escalation of violence and the resultan destructions, including loss of lives. It is also not understood why the central government too failed to assess the gravity of the situation. Tension had been brewing in BTAD for quite some time but both the BTAD authorities and the state government chose to remain blind to the spectre of possible carnage while the situation warranted reinforcement of police and security forces. The delegation leaders said that the relief camps were being run without proper food materials and other essentials. Even baby foods were not provided adequately. The administration should ensure supply of essentials including medical service to the inmates in the relief camps, the CPI(M) leaders demanded.

The press note issued by the CPI(M) on this occasion stated, ‘At the present critical juncture, the first and foremost task is to check violence with a firm hand and restore peace and unity among all sections of the people. The government must ensure full security and make arrangement for immediate rehabilitation and safe return  of the people to their own place of residence. Adequate compensation, relief and rehabilitation to the affected people must be ensured on a war-footing. The relief measures announced by the prime minister and the chief minister should immediately be implemented.

‘The CPI (M) appeals to all sections of the people of the trouble-torn areas to resist fratricidal clashes and to restore peace and tranquillity at any cost for building mutual trust and confidence. All sections of the people must defeat the forces of division and reaction and strengthen the unity and harmony in the area.’

The CPI(M) has also been organising peace processions, meetings etc. at different places of the state includimg Guwahati, Rangia, Barpeta Road, Sorbhog, Kalgachia, Dhekiajuli, Tezpur, Sarthebari. It has appealed to all sections of the people  to restore normalcy and maintain peace and amity. The Party also demanded that the state government’s priority should be to instill a sense of security to the people, restore peace and harmony and provide relief and rehabilitation to the affected people.

Violence in Assam

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern at the escalating violence in Assam which is taking a communal turn and is spreading from the Bodo Territorial Administered District and Kokhrajar to neighbouring districts and areas. It is indeed deeply disturbing that over 35 people have lost their lives, several are untraced, over 50 villages have been burnt, thousands have been forced to flee from their homes. Tragically the insecurity is so high among all communities that even those in relief camps do not feel safe.

This is a monumental failure of the Congress led Government in Assam which refused to take timely action allowing the tensions to increase from the first incident on July 6th. Even earlier the warning signs of distrust and tensions among different communities was ignored. The Central Government must explain why it too delayed its response to the violence. 

The CPI(M) also strongly condemns the motivated propaganda that seeks to justify the violence against the minority community in the name of illegal migration from Bangladesh. This is a total fabrication since the large majority of people in these areas are Indian citizens who have been living in the area for decades having been displaced from their own areas due to the erosion of their land by the Brahmaputra and other rivers. It is the tragedy of Assam, a state which has multi-lingual, multi-religious and different communities that the dominant political parties should practice a politics which divide and weaken people’s unity leading to repeated bouts of violence.

It demands that the Government take immediate steps to restore law and order. All those who are directly involved in the violence must be identified and punished severely. The Government must give full compensation to the families whose members have been killed.It must give compensation to those injured. Proper arrangements must be made for relief in the camps where security must be ensured. The CPI(M) appeals to the people to restore peace and to put an end to this fratricidal violence, isolating the trouble makers.

A delegation of MPs from the CPI(M) will be visiting Assam shortly.

CPI M to go on stir against Assam government

The state committee of CPI-M on Thursday announced a month-long agitation from June 15 against the ruling Congress. The party said that Congress-led government in Assam has failed to curb spiralling prices and maintain law and order. The decision to launch the agitation comes a couple of days after CPI-M's state committee meeting in Guwahati, which was also attended by Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar and party politburo member S R Pillai.

CPI-M state secretary and former MLA Uddhab Barman on Thursday accused the Tarun Gogoi government of harassing people in the pretext of preparing photo electoral rolls and distributing ration cards. "The brunt of soaring prices of essential commodities, anomalies in public distribution system, rampant corruption, poverty and unemployment in rural areas, demand for adequate rehabilitation package for flood and erosion victims and deteriorating law and order situation are the key reasons we decided to launch a campaign," said Barman.

Barman said the Assam government's plans to carry out second-generation reforms in the power sector, as announced by state power minister Pradyut Bordoloi, is aimed at privatizing the power sector. "After consensus was met on deporting all illegal migrants who have sneaked into Indian territory since March 24, 1971, the CPI-M is surprised that Tarun Gogoi as is advocating citizenship for all such migrants. This is a tactic to divide the people of Assam," the CPI-M state secretary said.

He also criticized the BJP, saying the saffron party is trying to give communal colours to the influx issue. "The state government continues to show apathy to flood and erosion victims at Mandia in Barpeta district even as their protest continues after 22 days," the CPI-M state secretary added. Barman said the recent killing of Gadapani Pathak, superintending engineer of agriculture department, not only reveals the deteriorating law and order scenario in the state, but has also brought to light rampant corruption in government departments once again.

Manik Sarkar slams Congress government in Assam

CPIM PB member and Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar alleged that the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government in the State has miserably failed to take any measures to contain the price rise of essential commodities.

Addressing an election rally at Nalbari College Chawk to campaign for the CPI(M) candidate of Nalbari LAC, Sarkar said that as a wave of change is blowing in the State, the people should cast their votes very carefully. He said the Assembly election gives a chance to the people to unseat a government which works against the people.

Sarkar also criticised the State Government for indulging in massive corruption in Public Distribution System (PDS) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MGNREGS) implementation in the State.

He, however admitted that his party has no ambition to form government in the state but is simply trying to unite the people against the corruption and misrule of the Tarun Gogoi government.

(Courtesy : Assam Tribune)

Brinda Karat attends poll rally in Dekiajuli - Assam

National Leaders capaign for CPIM candidates in Assam

CPIM politburo member Brinda Karat on Tuesday urged the people to vote for the 17 party candidates contesting polls in Assam and give them a chance to serve the people, asking them to vote for honest candidates.

"We are not here to form a government but to serve the people. Do not go by parties but look at the integrity of the candidates who can serve you," Karat said at a public rally organised to campaign for party candidate Robin Tamuly.

CPI(M) candidates can bring about a change in the constituencies and people should vote for their integrity and honest intentions, she said.

"Corruption has become synonymous with Congress and the people of Assam have got its taste in the multi-crore North Cachar Hills funds diversion scam and it is time that honest candidates are elected," she said. She also alleged that there was no development or progress during the BJP rule. "Therefore, we urge the people not to go by the prospects of the parties but look at the individuals who can help them," Karat added. 

 Sitharam Yechury flays anti people policies of Congress Governments

Left parties to contest in 48 seats in Assam

The Left parties comprising of CPI(M), CPI, CPI-ML and Forward Bloc will unitedly fight in 48 constituencies in the upcoming Assam assembly elections next month. The CPI(M)  will contest in 17 constituencies, CPI in 22 and CPI-ML in eight and Forward Bloc in one. CPIM has already named the candidates for the 17 constituencies.

 

The Left parties in Assam are strong in the Bengali dominated Barak valley area in southern Assam consisting mainly of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj districts. The Alliance's candidates will contest in four constituencies in Barak Valley's Cachar district with CPI-M's Parimal Paul in Silchar, CPI's Brajendra Das in Dholai and CPI-ML candidate Haidar Hussain in Udharbond.

The lone Forward Block candidate for the Sonai seat would be finalized later, Acharjee added. The left parties has formed the alliance "to save the people of Assam from the common enemy - Congress and BJP - by raising issues like price rise, rampant corruption by Congress, failure to bring about development, etc." 

CPI(M) to contest 17 seats in Assam

The CPI(M) will contest 17 Assembly constituencies in Assam where polls will be held in two phases on April 4 and April 11. 

CPI(M) Assam unit secretary Uddhab Barman on Thursday told reporters here that the party has given ticket to new faces with several senior members, including himself, not contesting.

The party will contest two seats in Barak Valley with Kripesh Ranjan Dasgupta and Parimal Kanti Paul as candidates.The CPI(M) candidates for Bijni, Abhyapuri North and Sorbhog constituencies are Gajendra Barman, Rabin Das and Manoranjan Talukdar. 

Abdul Karim Bhuyan, Nizamuddin Khan, Biren Sarma, Rabin Sarma and Ananta Deka will contest from Jania, Sarukhetri, Nalbari and Rangia. 

The party will also contest from Dhekiajuli, Rangapara, Sootea and Hojai constituencies where it has put up Junuma Boro, Rabin Tamuli, Khemraj Chetri, and Jogneshwar Das.

The candidates for Dhakuakhana, Naharkatia and Sadiya are Gyananath Mili, Sasa Kamal Handique and Labeswar Gogoi.

CPI(M) Assam State committe decides for statewide stir against graft

Decrying the nationwide rampant corruption at the high level of the government, the Communist Party of India (M), Assam State Committee today announced that it would register its protest against corruption throughout the State from December 5 to 11.

Condemning the financial anomalies revealed by special audit inspection report of the AG on NC Hills district, the party leaders today said that the issue would be raised during its countrywide protest along with the other issues like 2G Spectrum scam, land scam and favouritism in Karnataka etc.

"The special AG report has brought to light some of the shocking revelations on the issue of financial mismanagement in the State. It has also proved that corruption and misutilization of public money in the state have reached an alarming level," party secretary Uddhav Barman said while addressing the media.

"A huge amount of money meant for the development of the district has been misappropriated through a nexus between the ministers, officers, contractors and the militant organizations. The State government should have taken immediate measures to conduct an enquiry to ensure strict punishment to the guilty people. Instead, the Chief Minister and the government spokesperson are seen diverting the issue," he added.

"It is now clear that the Chief Minister, who is also the in-charge of the finance department in the State is trying to hush-up the issue making some unconvincing statements.

"The intensions of the State government are doubtful as it tried to cover-up the scam since the very beginning. The Chief Minister himself refuting the charges of Rs 1,000-crore scam announced that Rs 1,000 crore was never sent to the NC Hills district," Hemen Das, senior leader of the party mentioned.