Assam on Monday received Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s body with all tears two days after the noted singer and lyricist passed away in Mumbai.
The entire state gears up to cremate him at the Gauhati University premises on Tuesday. The government revoked the decision to cremate him on the Brahmaputra river bank in Fancybazar in view of the popular demand to cremate him at the varsity campus.
Before that Assam Governor J B Patnaik and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi received the lifeless body at a coffin at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at 11-20 in the morning in presence of lakhs of his fans who rushed to Barjhar to get a glimpse of his body.
The coffin stopped at Dharapur for last respect for a while and then it stopped at the Gauhati University premises received by thousands of varsity students and ex students who were eagerly waiting with tearful eyes.
After one and a half hour, it was rushed to Dihgalipukhuri and the Cotton College Premises. It was then rushed to the Nizarapar residence in the city. Later, it was taken to the Judges’ Field to help the fans pay him last respect. Meanwhile, the Judges’ Field is teeming with lakhs of people who are paying last respect to the legend. The coffin would stay till 1 in the afternoon on Tuesday. Then the final journey would began at 1 in the afternoon and the mortal remains would be consigned to flames at the Gauhati varsity campus on Tuesday afternoon. His US-based son Tez is scheduled to arrive in Guwahati on Tuesday morning to perform the last rites.
decision was taken in view of the mounting pressure from Dr Hazarika’s family members, All Assam Students Union, varsity authorities along with many other organizations. All they refused to agree with the government’s decision to cremate the legendary singer by the Brahmaputra river bank. Notably, the cabinet on Monday evening decided to cremate him at the Sankardev Udyan in Fancybazar. But later, it was shifted to the Gauhati university premises.
Over 300 youths marched through the streets of Sivasagar town on Wednesday to protest government failure to take action on the army jawan involved in the recent molestation in Demow. Baring their pants, the young protesters representing 22 organizations marched through the streets of the town. Later they held a meeting outside the Deputy Commissioner's office. They were joined by hundreds of bystanders. Then they were stopped from entering the DC's office premises by police personnel who set up barricades. The organizations include ATASU, TMPK, AASU, AJYCP, KMSS) and Brihattar Asomiya Parishad. They said that they would continue the agitation programme till all till the demands are met.
The CPI(M) has accused Dispur of a huge failure in firmly dealing with the situation to stop escalating violence in Assam. It asked the government to take immediate steps to restore law and order. In a statement, the called the failure a monumental one of the Congress-led Government.
Delhi on Wednesday directed Dispur to nab the ring leaders involved in ethnic clash in BTAD areas. Further, it ruled out a Bangladeshi hand in the entire episode where 42 people lost their lives. According to Union Home Secretary R K Singh, 2,000 central security personnel have been deputed to guard Guwahati-bound trains and railway tracks which were disrupted.Singh said that the international border is sealed and that it was impossible for any intruders to foment trouble from across the border. Around 2,500 paramilitary personnel have reached Assam to assist the local administration.
In a bid to bring the situation under control in Kokrajahr, Chirang and Dhubri, the Centre is all prepared to talk to the leaders of the both warring factions. According t sources, two senior home ministry officials are all set to hold talks with the Bodo leaders and minority leaders on Wednesday or Thursday in Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been rushed in with orders to shoot at sight.
Around 1,50,000 people fled their homes at the height of the group clash after it erupted on Friday last. The displaced people, mostly, have taken shelter in government schools and buildings. Over 10,000 people in these trouble torn districts have escaped to neighbouring West Bengal. Trucks carrying essential supplies are remaining stranded halfway.
In Guwahati, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi held a meeting of government officials, including the chief secretary, to monitor the situation.
In the continuing orgy of violence, 6 more people were killed taking the death toll to 41 in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts on Wednesday. Kokrajhar district administration has relaxed curfew from 8 in the morning to 12 noon. But only to be reimposed indefinitely. Curfew has also been extended indefinitely in Chirang and Dhubri districts.With 13,000 troops, army staged flag march in Kokrajhar, Chirang, Dhubri and Bongaigaon district in presence of a magistrate.
An all party delegation of the Assam legislative assembly is on a stock taking visit to Kokrajhar on Wednesday.Indefinite curfew is still in force in some parts of Dhubri and Chirang. Army and Para military forces have intensified patrolling in the violence hit districts. Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh had earlier said that he has been in continuous touch with the Chief Secretary and the Assam Director General of Police.
The orgy of violence ravaging three districts of lower Assam spreads to the Bengal border. Thousands of people from scores of villages are fleeing to safer places in West Bengal during the last couple of days. Around 1,500 more paramilitary personnel have been deployed in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts with shoot at sight orders. More than 1 lakh people have been displaced. These displaced people, mostly, shifted to 55 relief camps. The Army staged a flag march on Wednesday morning in Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Chirang and Bongaigaon, the first since violence began four days ago.
The Army on Wednesday began flag marches in a bid to ring the situation under control. Moreover, night curfew are still in force three days after it was clamped to control the situation. Tensions between Bodos and Muslims over control of land and settlements have been simmering for a long time. The violence has spread to 400 villages in the Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts.
Violence spreads diabolic tentacles in five lower Assam districts killing at least 38 besides displacing around 1 lakh people till Wednesday. Four more people were killed in two incidents of shoot outs in Chirang district taking up the death toll to 40. There are reports of fresh incidents in both the districts where hundreds of abandoned houses were burnt down in scores of villages in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri districts. It was learnt that Meghalaya governor RS Mushahary’s native village was also not spared.
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