Opposition disrupts Guv’s address in Assam Assembly

PTI GUWAHATI, MARCH 2 The Budget session of Assam Assembly on Monday began with a noisy scene as a united opposition disrupted the speech of Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, who did not complete his address. As soon as the Governor started his speech and mentioned that the state has achieved good economic growth, AGP's Padma Hazarika and Phani Bhusan Choudhury objected to it."Assam has made considerable economic progress over the last decade. Assam's economy has grown steadily over this period, registering an average growth rate of 6 per cent steadily over the last five years," Acharya said. When the Governor said this, the entire opposition including AGP, BJP and AIUDF shouted and protested over his remark. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rockybul Hussain tried to pacify the opposition by saying that a leading English daily of the country had praised the economic health of the state. When the opposition did not pay heed, the Governor read only the last line of his 57-page speech to conclude his address. While leaving within two minutes of his speech, Acharya said, "Thank you for your cooperation". He also gave his best wishes to the members of the House and all present for the Holi festival this week. Forest guard among five held for rhino poaching in Assam PTI TEZPUR, MARCH 2 A forest protection force staff member and four others were arrested from Sonitpur district in connection with a rhino poaching incident in Kaziranga National Park, police said today. The five persons were on their way from Dhemaji to Gohpur when they were apprehended at Purubari under Gohpur police station yesterday, Biswanath Chariali police district SP Manavendra Dev Roy said. The five were allegedly coming to collect the horn removed from the rhino which was killed by poachers on February 27 and one of them, identified as Dimbeswar Borgohain, was deployed with Forest protection Force's First Battalion in the Park's Burahapahar Range, he said. The other four are Purandar Borgohain, Dilip Borgohain, Joganta Konwar and Kamtao alias Ajit. Devroy said Borgohain was deployed in anti-poaching operation in Kaziranga National Park but was allegedly involved in poaching and trading of rhino horns. The police also seized the vehicle in which they were travelling. The adult male rhino was killed on February 27 by poachers who took away its horn. The rhino was shot dead with two bullets from an SLR rifle at around 7.30 AM and its carcass was seized with its horn sawed off. At least 167 terrorists held in two months in Assam: Governor PTI GUWAHATI, MARCH 2 Security forces have arrested at least 167 terrorists and link-men allegedly involved in the serial attacks on Adivasi people in many districts across Assam in the last two months. "The intensive operations by security forces in the aftermath of this gruesome killing has resulted in arrest of over 167 members and linkmen of the terrorist outfits," Assam Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya said in his written speech on the first day of the Budget Session of the Assembly. The speech was considered read and accepted in the House as he could not complete it following disruption by the united opposition over economic health of the state. "Two of their leaders were also killed during the action by the security forces. On the insistence of the state government, the National Investigation Agency has taken up investigation and registered four cases against the terrorists," Acharya said. At least 81 persons, including Adivasis, Bodos and Bengalis, were killed in serial attacks by NDFB(S) terrorists, retaliatory violence and police firing across many districts in Assam in December 2014. "The carnage on December 23, 2014 perpetrated by terrorist groups in the BTAD and Sonitpur districts and related incidents, in which a large number of innocent people lost their lives, is an example of a cowardly act arising out of sheer desperation of such terrorists and extremist elements," the governor said. He also said that simultaneous action was being taken against militant elements from outfits across the state. "My government reiterates its strong and continued commitment to deal firmly with all such anti-national and terrorist elements while retaining its focus on peace through development," he added. The government has so far inked 'Suspension of Operation' agreement with 17 extremist groups, of which Memorandum of Settlement agreement have been signed with BLT, UPDS, DHD(N) and DHD(J), Acharya said. "The Unified Command structure, set up to enable civil- army cooperation is in place and is operating effectively," the Governor said. Acharya also informed that the state police was being modernised through creation of infrastructure, procurement of latest equipments and weapons, and streamlining of recruitment and training. "My government is committed to ensure that Assam Police emerges as a people friendly organisation while acting firmly to enforce the law," he said. The Governor said the process to recruit 6,748 constables, 340 sub-inspectors and 345 APRO constables had already started, and more posts would be created in future. "To boost the morale of the security personnel engaged in fighting the terrorists and insurgents, the ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of the security personnel, including Home Guards, killed in direct encounters has been increased to Rs 20 lakh," he added. On human trafficking, Acharya said 344 women and children were rescued, 257 culprits arrested and 330 cases registered between 2011 and 2014 in the state.