Adivasi girl fighting for community in LS polls

Guwahati: Stripped of her dignity publicly here in Beltola two years ago while participating in a rally for adivasi rights, Laxmi Orang contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Tezpur, is a determined young woman. Not putting the humiliation of being publicly stripped on November7, 2007 behind her, Laxmim, contesting on an Assam United Democratic Front(AUDF) ticket, says she is determined to fight for justice and recognition for marginalised sections of the society, including her adivasi community.

Undeterred at having taken on Congress heavyweight and sitting MP Mani Kumar Subba and AGP's Joseph Toppo, she hits the campaign trail at daybreak with her supporters.

She takes her message to fight for scheduled tribe status for adivasis and promises to draw national attention to their problems in tea gardens.

The young adivasi woman believes that the four lakh strong community of the 12.5 lakh electorate is her strong point.

Appealing for votes, Laxmi says that her suffering was not personnel, but was representative of the way her community has been suffering for generations.

Laxmi points out that nothing has changed since her ancestors were brought here by the British to work in the tea industry.

"Nothing has really changed. We remain just a vote bank," she says.

She narrates that when adivasis went to Guwahati to demand ST status for themselves two years ago they were attacked.

She decided to join politics and work for the welfare of downtrodden peoples as her community has been ignored by political parties.

The support of the people, including non-adivasis and the minority community, was her strength and inspiration to work for them, she says. (PTI)

Source: http://www.theshillongtimes.com/

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17.27 lakh voters in Guwahati seat

GUWAHATI, April 4 – The most eyed Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency, looked upon as a seat of prestige is getting ready for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. With 10 Assembly segments, this constituency will have a total of 1744 regular polling stations.

Under its Dudhnoi (ST) assembly constituency, there would be 152 regular polling stations, under the Boko (SC) constituency, there will be 164 regular polling stations, 145 under Chayygaon,141 under Palasbari, 147 under Hajo, 158 under Jalukbari, 272 under Dispur, 184 under Guwahati East, 215 under Guwahati West and 166 under Barkhetri.

There will also be a total of 29 auxiliary polling stations in the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency. Boko will have three, Jalukbari will have seven, Dispur will have ten, Guwahati East will have eight and Barkhetri will have one auxiliary polling station.

A total of 1726995 voters will exercise their franchise during the second phase of the polls scheduled on April 23. While 147050 voters will cast their votes under Dudhnoi Assembly constituency, 162778 voters will cast their vote under Boko. Chayygaon 135547, Palasbari 122475, Hajo 137117, Jalukbari 158670, Dispur 294281, Guwahati East 196746, Guwahati West 219809 and Barkhetri has 152522 voters.

There is also a sizeable presence of D voters in the Lok Sabha constituency.

Source: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=apr0509/City2

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NSCN (IM) responds to Rahul Gandhi

Dimapur, April 4 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) notes the Manipur Congress’ raising the territorial integrity issue now that elections are here. The ‘MIP’ today cautioned that ‘election poll plank’ should not be mixed with the “ground reality of the Indo-Naga political issue”. “Anything under the sky will be exploited to the hilt during the election”, the MIP note said.

“This time round it is already seen that Congress campaigner Rahul Gandhi, sent from Delhi is making an emotive issue of Manipur’s territorial integrity,” it stated. In the backdrop of Rahul’s campaign in Manipur, the NSCN (IM) expressed “interest” to “get some comments from the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee on the Congress high command’s statement that Nagas and their land will not be allowed to live together”.

Because the NPCC has also been talking about pushing forward the Indo-Naga political talks for the earliest solution, the note explained. “What Naga political solution is the NPCC talking about when their leaders are shouting at the roof top that N.E boundaries will not be changed? There is no beating about the bush. Either the NPCC contradict their high command’s statement or they have another interpretation” the note added.


Road construction links Nagaland to Myanmar

Kohima, April 4 (MExN): Probably, the “first ever road” connecting the Eastern Nagaland to present Nagaland state has been constructing between Dan ITC Pangsha and Lahe Town Myanmar. The road connectivity was finally made achievable on March 27, 2009 through various groups and individuals who contributed and gave full co-operation towards the construction.

Earlier, in pursuance of the resolution adopted by Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) in 2006, the civil administration of Noklak Sub-Division led by ADC and PA to DC Noklak and Myanmar Government representative held a meeting on February 18, 2009 at DAN ITC Pangsha. The Myanmar Government was represented by Enolaibo, Development general Secretary (ADC), one engineer and a political administrator of Lahe district. During the joint meeting both the sides agreed and finalized to open up a road between Dan ITC to Pounyu (Hemphu) Naga Village, Myanmar.

KTC general secretary N. L Tangsoi said that in order to expedite the road construction works and through mutual understanding, the KTC had borne the expense of diesel whereas the Bull Dozer was provided by Myanmar Junta government. “This could be the first ever road that has connected the Eastern Nagaland to present Nagaland state which may go in the annal of history,” the secretary said.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/international/19535.html

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