ULFA (I) criticises repeal of Art 370, calls boycott of I-Day
Guwahati: The outlawed, separatist ULFA (I), on Sunday, criticised the abrogation of Article 370, without allegedly the consent of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as an undemocratic act, and expressed apprehension that such unilateral decisions could be imposed on North East region by the Narendra Modi-led government. In a statement emailed to media here to call for ‘boycott’ of Independence Day, the ULFA ( I) said, “Recent outrageous events of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir without the consent of the people of the state show India’s arrogance and blatant disregard for democratic principles.” “Underhand dealings of shutting down the state machinery and house arrest of prominent leaders clearly portend the kind of dirty policies that would be applied to the people of North East as well,” it added. The statement further claimed that the North East was ‘becoming forcibly a part of the Hindutwa empire’ and urged the people of the region to ‘fight tooth and nail’ ‘RSS-BJP’s ideology of one nation, one religion and one language’. Reiterating its resolve to fight against ‘colonial’ invasion of India of North East, the outfit, along with a conglomerate of militant groups of Manipur ‘CorCom’, called for ‘boycott’ of Independence Day celebration. The outfits also called for a general strike on August 15 from 0130 hours to 1830 hours, though exempting emergency services, religious practices and media from the strike. (UNI)
Assam Guv, CM greet citizens on occassion of Eid-Ul-Zuha
Guwahati: Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday greeted the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha. In a statement, Mukhi appealed to the people to strengthen the bond of peaceful co-existence and make the state an epitome of peace and harmony. “My heartiest greetings and warm wishes to the Muslim brethrens of the state. Since Eid-ul-Zuha symbolises sacrifice we should imbibe within us this core spirit of the festival,” he said. Mukhi further hoped that the celebrations will fortify the long standing tradition of communal harmony besides strengthening the existing bond of brotherhood so that no untoward elements could create any dent in the society. Sonowal extended his greetings to all on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha. “May the festival of sacrifice strengthen the bond of brotherhood and further the tradition of amity and communal harmony in the state,” he added. (PTI)
Lok Sabha MP becomes chief of BJP Tribal front
Agartala: Loksabha MP from East Tripura constituency Rebati Tripura has been appointed as president of BJP’s tribal front — BJP ST Morcha — Saturday night, while Pratik Dev Varma, the elder son of Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma and Bidyut Debbarma have been appointed as General Secretaries. The BJP state committee in consultation with the party’s national general secretary Ram Madhav has decided reconstitution of the front ahead of the upcoming Autonomous District Council election slated barely after six months. All the senior tribal leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Dev Varma and Social Welfare minister Shantana Chakma, have been made advisors to the ST Morcha. According to sources, Lok Sabha MP from West Tripura constituency and senior BJP leader Pratima Bhowmik is expected to be the next president of Tripura Pradesh BJP in place of Biplab Kumar Deb, soon. “Though there are few more names for the post of president but central BJP leadership favoured Bhowmik for the post after evaluating her performance in the first session of Lok Sabha in the parliament,” said a senior party functionary of BJP. (UNI)
Minor girl raped in Tripura
Ambassa (Tripura): A six-year-old school girl was raped by her neighbour under Kachuchara police station and police nabbed the accused in Dhalai district here. According to sources, the incident occurred on August 6 last at Chunkap village. One youth from the village Ashutosh Pal (21) raped his neighbour minor girl reading in class I. Then he influenced the victim family to not to knock the police. The family ultimately complained with local Kachuchara police station on 9th of August last. Police registered a case under sections 376 and 506 of Indian Penal Code(IPC) and sections 5, 6 and 10 of POCSO Act. Police nabbed the accused Ashutosh Pal. (UNI)