Latest news with #AssamAgitation
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam govt readies portal for arms licence application for people living in "sensitive areas"
Guwahati: The Assam government has readied a portal through which indigenous people living in "sensitive areas" can apply for arms licences. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that the portal is almost ready. A dedicated portal is coming up where indigenous people, who perceive a threat to their lives and reside in sensitive areas, can apply for Arms License. Upon proper scrutiny and after a multi-layered process, Arms License will be granted to individuals. He detailed about the eligibility of obtaining the arm license which include original inhabitant or indigenous Indian citizen of Assam, perceive a genuine threat to life and safety due to the vulnerability of the area of residence besides residing in a vulnerable or remote area, as notified by the District Administration, or assessed as such by authorized security agencies.' The process of granting the license will include security assessment, verification and vetting, compliance with existing laws, non-transferability and periodic review along with monitoring and reporting, according to the post. Sarma had said that the Assam Cabinet meeting on May 28 this year has taken a very important decision to protect the interests of our Jati, Mati, Bheti ((community- land- base). Arms Licenses will be granted to Original Inhabitants and indigenous Indian people living in vulnerable areas to tackle unlawful threats from hostile quarters. He had said that this decision was taken after reviewing the "demand" of the people living in these areas. 'Assam is a very different and sensitive state. Assamese people living in some areas have been feeling insecure and they have been demanding arms licences for a long time. The government will be lenient in giving licences to eligible people, who must be original inhabitants and must belong to the indigenous community living in vulnerable and remote areas of the state. The chief minister had said that in Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon and South Salmara-Mankachar, Goalpara districts indigenous people are minority and they suffer from insecurity especially after the developments in neighbouring Bangladesh these people may be targeted from other side of border and even in their village they may be targeted. He had added, 'Indigenous people are a small number in these areas. So people from these areas if they seek a license, the government will liberally provide them. This will ensure protection for our people in Dhing, Rupohi and Lahorighat. And Indigenous people from these places will not have to sell their land to move to different places. This move will provide confidence to them.' He added, 'This demand has been there since Assam Agitation (1979-1985) however no government has courage to do this. Had we been given an arm license then several people would not have had to sell their land and move to different places. Lot of people in Darrang and Nagaon during my visit to these places during the campaign of Panchayat polls requested me to provide arms licence or they said they will have to move out of the area.'
Hindustan Times
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Assam Agitation memorial nearing completion: Minister
Guwahati, 'Swahid Smarak Kshetra', a memorial for martyrs of the six-year-long Assam Agitation against Bangladeshi infiltration, in Guwahati is nearing completion, Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora has said. Assam Agitation memorial nearing completion: Minister He maintained that the state government is also actively implementing various clauses of the Accord, which was signed in August 1985 at the end of the mass movement. "To honour the brave martyrs of the historic Assam Movement, the State Govt under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa is nearing completion of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra & Udyan at Pachim Boragaon, Guwahati," Bora said in a post on X on Saturday after reviewing progress of the work. He was accompanied by a delegation of All Assam Students' Union , among the signatories of the Accord. Bora said the memorial will feature a 67.2m tower, busts of all martyrs, a light and sound show, cycle track, food court and other attractions, across 116 bighas . "Today, after inspecting the site, I also participated in a review meeting to evaluate the latest progress and instructed the authorities concerned to complete all remaining construction work swiftly," the minister said. Bora maintained that "to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people of Assam", the state government is also "actively implementing various clauses of the historic Assam Accord". "As part of the implementation of Clause 6 of the Accord, the state government has already taken steps to implement 52 recommendations from the report submitted by the Justice Biplab Sarma Committee," he added. Clause 6 of the Accord deals with political, economic, cultural, linguistic and other safeguards for indigenous people of the state. AASU chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya, who was part of the students' body's team, also in a post on the social media site said, "To ensure that the sacrifices of the 860 martyrs and the public are duly portrayed, the AASU delegation offered its suggestions." "The AASU is thankful to the state government for undertaking this project at our request," he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
27-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Assam Agitation memorial nearing completion: Minister
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Guwahati, Jul 27 (PTI) 'Swahid Smarak Kshetra', a memorial for martyrs of the six-year-long Assam Agitation against Bangladeshi infiltration, in Guwahati is nearing completion, Assam Accord Implementation Minister Atul Bora has said. He maintained that the state government is also actively implementing various clauses of the Accord, which was signed in August 1985 at the end of the mass movement. 'To honour the brave martyrs of the historic Assam Movement, the State Govt under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa is nearing completion of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra & Udyan at Pachim Boragaon, Guwahati," Bora said in a post on X on Saturday after reviewing progress of the work. He was accompanied by a delegation of All Assam Students' Union (AASU), among the signatories of the Accord. Bora said the memorial will feature a 67.2m tower, busts of all martyrs, a light and sound show, cycle track, food court and other attractions, across 116 bighas (over 38 acres). 'Today, after inspecting the site, I also participated in a review meeting to evaluate the latest progress and instructed the authorities concerned to complete all remaining construction work swiftly," the minister said. Bora maintained that 'to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people of Assam", the state government is also 'actively implementing various clauses of the historic Assam Accord". 'As part of the implementation of Clause 6 of the Accord, the state government has already taken steps to implement 52 recommendations from the report submitted by the Justice (Retd) Biplab Sarma Committee," he added. Clause 6 of the Accord deals with political, economic, cultural, linguistic and other safeguards for indigenous people of the state. AASU chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya, who was part of the students' body's team, also in a post on the social media site said, 'To ensure that the sacrifices of the 860 martyrs and the public are duly portrayed, the AASU delegation offered its suggestions." 'The AASU is thankful to the state government for undertaking this project at our request," he added. PTI SSG SSG ACD (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 13:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AGP nominates Baishya for Rajya Sabha election, ‘fissures' within party
Guwahati: The new generation of AGP leaders, who have come up after the Assam Agitation, yet again failed to secure nomination for the lone Rajya Sabha seat. On Saturday night, AGP again nominated party veteran and outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Birendra Prasad Baishya as its candidate for election to the upper house, which will be held for two seats on June 19, after Baishya (AGP) and Mission Ranjan Das (BJP) complete their respective terms on June 14. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now AGP president Atul Borah on Sunday said the Rajya Sabha was a "house of elders" and an experienced parliamentarian like Baishya was the best fit. "Tomorrow (Monday), Birendra Prasad Baishya will file nomination papers. Rajya Sabha is a house of elders. Normally, more knowledgeable persons get priority, if compared to Lok Sabha across all parties," said Borah. He said in Assam's interest, Baishya needed to be there in the Rajya Sabha. However, sources in AGP said there has been a huge resentment among other party leaders, who have been seeking nomination for the RS polls. Some of the leaders, who were denied ticket, said there were 27 leaders who sought the ticket, displaying resentment within the party ranks. General secretaries Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Kamala Kanta Kalita, Satyabrat Kalita, Manoj Saikia and vice-president Apurba Bhattacharjee were among those prominent leaders and well-known faces of AGP, who wanted the ticket. "There is huge resentment. So many leaders were seeking ticket, when Baishya was again keen to go to Rajya Sabha. It was a kind of protest against his (Baishya's) decision. The younger leaders are frustrated," one of the ticket seekers said.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Anti-incumbency can benefit Gaurav in 2026
Guwahati: Upon taking charge as Assam PCC President on Tuesday, Gaurav Gogoi has instilled optimism among Congress members. They believe he can achieve what his father Tarun Gogoi accomplished by steering the party from opposition to power next year. The party anticipates his leadership will guide them to triumph against the BJP in the 2026 assembly elections, reminiscent of how Tarun Gogoi previously defeated the AGP govt in 2001 and secured three consecutive terms against regional parties and BJP. Tarun Gogoi, who served as the longest-tenured state PCC president, led the party in opposition during his presidency from 1986 to 90 and 1996 to 2002. He subsequently transformed the Assam Congress's trajectory, serving as chief minister from 2001 to 2016. While he tackled insurgency and financial difficulties, senior Congress leaders observe that contemporary challenges are distinct. Those experienced in managing party affairs during testing times suggest anti-incumbency could benefit Gaurav in 2026. Former Assam PCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah noted that Gaurav faces a different political scenario, confronting a "communal" and national force like BJP, unlike his father who opposed the secular-regional AGP. "When Tarun Gogoi was state PCC chief, politics in Assam was not communal. But now its communal atmosphere and society is polarised, which is the biggest challenge before Gaurav Gogoi. But the lifeline for Gaurav is that BJP has ruled in Centre and state for more than 10 years. Definitely, anti-incumbency has grown. The CM's image is no more like it was when he became CM. We must overcome polarisation politics to win," Borah added. "Political atmospheres are different if we compare the times of Tarun Gogoi and Gaurav Gogoi. Ulfa insurgency was a big issue during Tarun Gogoi was PCC President. Assam Agitation was just over when Tarun Gogoi became PCC chief in 1986 and AGP govt was formed. Many Congressmen were killed in insurgency, Congress was boycotted. During that most crucial period from 1986 to 1990, Tarun Gogoi led Congress from the front," said Rituparna Konwar, senior spokesperson of the Assam Congress. In 1991, the Congress returned to power in Assam with Hiteswar Saikia becoming CM and Tarun Gogoi was shifted to central politics. Konwar highlighted present-day challenges, noting Assam's considerable debt under BJP administration, surpassing 1.76 lakh crore with per capita debt nearing Rs 48,000 crore. He acknowledged that while insurgency has diminished, Gaurav encounters different challenges with the party in opposition and alleged governmental interference. "He is an able leader, known for his efficiency in Parliament. Last time in the Lok Sabha election, the entire BJP leadership tried to defeat him in Jorhat, but he won. Now the govt is targeting him by accusing him of maintaining Pakistan links because they fear Gaurav Gogoi," said Konwar. Assam Pradesh Youth Congress vice-president Rakesh Chakraborty expressed confidence in Gaurav's appointment, indicating he must address BJP's welfare scheme claims and highlight Congress's secular values to gain working-class backing.
