Once again there is public protest against the Assam Rifles is Manipur. This time for detaining and severe torture meted out to a youth who is an aspiring candidate in recruitment of Indian Army. Though the Assam Rifles reportedly maintained that the youth identified as 20 years old Neklalsiam Vaiphei from New Checkon in Imphal East was picked up due to mistaken identity, the Vaiphei Students’ Association and KSO, Imphal block has strongly condemned the illegal detention and third degree torture meted out to the youth as barbaric and have placed various charter of demands to the 28 AR reportedly involved in the incident, failing which the two student bodies has decided to resort to various agitations. This youth identified as Neklalsiam Vaiphei, an aspiring candidate in recruitment of Indian Army who has cleared the physical test and waiting for written exams was reportedly picked up by personals of 28 AR posted at Singjamei in Imphal West in the evening of April 22 without giving any arrest memo and remained missing till April 24. The youth who helps in running his family after the death of his father had been severely tortured using 3rd degree method by reportedly accusing him as a training instructor of the proscribed KYKL. The youth bore signs of torture at various parts of his body and was also reportedly given electric shock. Meanwhile, he was freed in the evening of April 24 after establishing that he was picked up due to mistaken identity. The youth narrated the ordeal he went through. Strongly condemned the act of the 28 AR as barbaric and unbecoming on the side of Indian Army, the Vaiphei Students’ Association and KSO, Imphal block strongly decried the branding of an aspiring candidate of Indian Army as a terrorist. The two student bodies further deplored that act was carried out within the Imphal municipality from where AFSPA is lifted and the highhanded act of the Assam Rifles should not be go with impunity. The two student bodies further placed various charter of demands including befitting punishment to officials involved in the act, proper medical and other compensation, providing of alternative means of livelihood as the youth hails from a poor family failing which the two student bodies has warned of various agitations with other like minded organizations if it is not met within 48 hours. With the latest incident of excesses committed by Assam Rifles to an innocent youth by picking up from a place where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been lifted and defying all legal provisions, the undisclosed intentions of security personals while carrying out counter insurgency operations has come to the fore again.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Swelling Brahmaputra, tributaries worsen flood scenario in Assam
From Sadiya in Upper Assam to Dhubri in the other end of the state, there is water water everywhere. The incessant rains since the past several weeks have brought back the miseries of the people. Situation in many flood prone districts is gone worse, like in every year. The world’s largest river island Majuli has suffered yet another deluge this year. Hundreds of acres of agriculture land has been submerged by the waters spilled from the mighty Brahmaputra. The farmers are the worst affected as crops and vegetables have been destroyed in the flood spree. As many as 20 villages have lost their early crops and in Lower Majuli also a large tract of cropland is under the water. The situation in the island is anything but perilous. Flood prone Dhemaji district has remained cut off from the rest of the country for the third day on Sunday. Road communication was snapped after about 150 metres of a national highway link road at Chamarajan was washed away by flood waters of Jiyadhol and Kumotiya rivers on Friday. Fed by the incessant rains the two rivers have become the cause of sorrow for the Dhemaji residents. With road surface communication snapped, even ferry people on boats have become dangerous. Even the Hume Pipes set up in place of a bridge served no purpose as within an hour the strong current dismantled all arrangements. As the Border Road Organisation looks helplessly to the worsening situation the district administration has no relief to offer to the marooned farmers and affected people. Apart from Dhemaji the worst hit districts so far are Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Jorhat, and Tinsukia. In Guijan area adjoining the Tinsukia town, the month long incessant rains have brought new areas under the flood waters. Already two persons had drowned in the Guijan river. Even the police station and the forest offices were flooded and had to be shifted of a panchayat office. In the absence of the police, timber smugglers have become active. At the world famous Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and adjoining areas, animals have fled to higher grounds for shelter. It is estimated that more nearly 2 lakh people have so far been displaced all over the state. Meranwhile, the water level of Brahmaoutra is rising due to incessant rainfall in the past two weeks. At present the mighty river is flowing 2.53 meter of danger level. The water level is rising 1 to 1.5 meter daily. Due to nonstop rainfall in the last two weeks, the water level of the Brahmapoutra started raising. According to Central Water Commission report, the water level of the river is raising 1 to 1.5 meter daily. On Saturday, the water level of the Brahmapoutra in Guwahati was 45.39 meter. It goes up to 46.97 meter on Sunday. Now only 2.53 meter rest for crossing the danger level in Guwahati i.e. 49.68 meter. According to CWC report the water level of the Brahmaputra is also raising in other parts of the state, In Dibrugarh, the river is flowing 1.16 meter above the danger level. The water level increased to 105.40 meter within two days. Similarly, in Tezpur, the Brahmaputra is flowing below the danger level. However, the water level increased to 53.47 meter on Sunday.
