The candidates who withdrew from the fray are Robinson Dhar (MDP) from Nongpoh constituency, E Wallence Basterfield Jyrwa (Ind) from Mawsynram and A Mangasing L Mawlong (HSPDP) from Mairang. Earlier, on February 16, three candidates had opted out of the elections, while candidatures of five others were rejected.

Besides incumbent Chief Minister DD Lapang (Congress) from Nongpoh constituency, five former chief ministers -- EK Mawlong (UDP) from Umroi, JD Rymbai (UDP) from Jirang, Flinderson A Khonglam (HSPDP) from Sohra, Purno Agitok Sangma from Tura and Salseng C Marak from Resulbelpara constituency -- will be in the fray.

A keen contest is expected in Nongpoh and Jaiaw constituencies. While Nongpoh is set to witness a one-to-one contest between Mr Lapang and Dr Celestine Lyngdoh (UDP), the fight in Jaiaw will be between Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh (KHNAM) and former minister Aubrey H Scott Lyngdoh (Congress).

Rongram constituency has the highest number of 11 candidates, including sitting legislator Sengman R Marak (Congress) and former GSU president Andreas T Sangma (Ind). Jirang has nine contenders, the most prominent among them being former Chief Minister Mr Rymbai. There are 18 women candidates seeking their electoral fortune this time. Health Minister Deborah C Marak (Congress) will fight another woman candidate Lenitha M Sangma (MDP) in a four-cornered contest in Rongrengiri seat.

Sitting legislator Irin Lyngdoh (Congress) from Pariong is likely to join a pentangular contest. Former minister Maysalin War (Ind) from Mawthengkut will face two other women rivals -- Meballin S Marak (Ind) and Serinda D Marak (Ind) -- in a battle of eight candidates.

The other women contestants are Rita M V Lyngdoh (MDP) from Raliang, Pretty Kharpyngrope (MDP) from Malki-Nongthymmai, M Ampareen Lyngdoh (UDP) from Laitumkhrah, Meristilla Wahlang (LJP) from Pynthorumkhrah, Irene P Hujon (LJP) from Laban, Celestina Lamin (NCP) from Mawlai, Manosha Warjri (BJP) from Sohryngkham, Christina Majaw (LJP) from Lyngkyrdem, Dr Bibilynda Wahlang (NCP) from Mairang and Jahanara B Kharbhih (UDP) from Rajabala. Congress has put up candidates in all the 60 seats, UDP in 51 and NCP in 50.

Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Naik on Monday said adequate security arrangements had been made with 40 companies of additional paramilitary forces deployed and 39 election observers appointed in the State to oversee conduct of the polls.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr Naik said eleven cases of violation of the model code of conduct were reported. Eight cases were without any basis, four were withdrawn and investigations were on in regard to the rest, he added.

"Arrangements have also been made for postal voting for service holders and personnel on election duty," Mr Naik said.

The total number of polling stations in the State is 1600.

''The average numbers of voters per Assembly constituency and polling station are 20,548 and 771 respectively. Tura constituency has the highest concentration of 39,698 voters, while Mawkhar has the least number of 7,799 electorate. Boirakupi polling station under Dalu constituency has the least number of 70 voters," he said.

According to the CEO, the average number of polling stations per constituency is 27. Nongstoin constituency has the largest number of polling stations with 46 and Mawkhar has the least number of 24. The remotest polling station in the State is located at Kanshushik under Mawthengkut constituency, West Khasi Hills.

The polling station is 198 km away from the district headquarters and polling personnel have to go there via East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills districts.

From a place called Jadigitithim in South Garo Hills district, polling personnel have to turn east towards West Khasi Hills district and then they are to cross Simsang river before having to walk for two hours to reach the polling station.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Naik told reporters here on Monday that the Election Department, complying with an earlier Supreme Court order, had made it mandatory for all polling stations to have Braille EVMs for the visually challenged and ramps for the physically disabled.

The Supreme Court, in its order passed last year, directed the states to provide PwDs with adequate facilities for voting. The apex court suggested provision of ramps for wheel-in persons or voters with physical disability and sensitisation of polling officials about the special needs of PwDs as the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

"Braille EVMs will be placed in all polling stations in the State. Similarly, ramps will be placed in all pooling stations for the physically challenged to allow wheel chairs right into the booths," Mr Naik said.

Meanwhile, Bethany Society executive director Carmo Noronha alleged that political parties in the State had overlooked the issues facing PwDs, saying none of the parties had highlighted any programme in their election manifestos for development of the disabled people.

According to Ms Naronha, Meghalaya has about 1 lakh PwD population. At least eight national and regional political parties will contest the March-3 Assembly elections. There is no mention of PwDs in the poll manifestos of parties like Congress, BJP, NCP and regional parties despite their promise to work for all- round development of the state.

"This clearly shows that the political parties are not at all concerned about the problems of PwDs," Ms Noronha said, adding, "In a small constituency like Mawkhar, these people (PwDs) can make a significant difference during the election with their voting right. A few votes can drastically change the outcome of an election."

Social activist Bertha Dkhar said appeals had been made to returning officers to ensure "barrier-free access" for PwDs in the coming elections.

Ms Dkhar, who is also the president of Parents with Disabled Children, said there was little awareness about the special needs of PwDs who had remained a discriminated group especially in the rural areas of Meghalaya.

Apart from persons with disabilities, old-aged people have also been brought under the Persons With Disabilities Act. Adequate facilities should to be given to such senior citizens to exercise their franchise, Ms Dkhar, a disabled person herself, added.

SHILLONG: Congress is confident of emerging as the single largest party and forming the next Meghalaya Government after the March-3 Assembly elections, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment and AICC member Oscar Fernandes said on Monday.

"Congress will emerge as the single largest party and form the next government in Meghalaya on its own," Mr Fernandes told reporters here.

Mr Fernandes, who visited the State to oversee the party's poll preparations, said Congress did not enter into pre-poll alliance with any parties in the State because it was confident of winning a clear majority in the coming polls.

It may be noted here that no single party has been able to form a government on its own in Meghalaya during the last three decades. Congress heads the MDA Government with the support of four regional parties - UDP, MDP, HSPDP and KHNAM.

Congress has put up candidates in all the 60 constituencies in the State with Chief Minister DD Lapang leading the pack and seeking reelection from Nongpoh seat.

In the 2003 elections, Congress fielded 60 candidates and won 22 seats. The party, however, increased its tally after six NCP MLAs had switched allegiance.

This time Congress faces an acid test in NCP stronghold Garo Hills where NCP is going full throttle holding Congress responsible for the 2005 police firing incidents in which nine persons were killed and several others injured.

The Security Adviser to the Prime Minister's Office arrived here on Monday morning from Kohima.

He met Governor Dr S S Sidhu, Army officials, Central paramilitary officials and senior police officials from Meghalaya and Assam.

His visit assumed significance in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi's visit to the state on February 23 and 27 to lead the campaign trails in the state.

Mr Narayanan reviewed separately the overall law and order situation in Meghalaya with state officials in view of the March 3 Assembly election, official sources said.

Apart from reviewing the law and order ahead of Meghalaya polls, Mr Narayanan reviewed the situation in neighbouring state of Assam with Army and security officials. (UNI)

In a letter to to Director of Higher and Technical Education on Monday, the residents alleged such 'hasty action' on the part of the managing committee gave the impression that the school authorities either have a 'hidden motive' or were acting under political pressure.

According to them, the order bears no exigency to take such hasty action.

They claimed that many teachers of the same rank continue to engage in the politics and the action of the school indicates as 'unwise and un-call for'.

They urged the Director to take up the matter with the school authorities while appealing the Government to come out with clear rules and regulations for teachers of government aided schools.

Former Chief Minister's daughter late BB Lyngdoh

Prominent MDP member from Lyngkyrdem constituency, Mrs Syrpailin Khonglah, daughter of former Chief Minister BB Lyngdoh, has extended support to the MDP-UDP combine candidate from Lyngkyrdem constituency, Samuel Khongbuh.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Mrs Khonglah, who lost the 2003 Assembly election to Prestone Tynsong from Lyngkyrdem constituency, said the combined candidature of Mr Samuel Khongbuh indicates the wish and aspiration of people for unity among regional parties of the State.

While appreciating the move of leaders from Lyngkyrdem, Mrs Khonglah hoped that the joint venture by the MDP and UDP would bring about success in the Assembly election.

She urged upon the supporters of Lyngkyrdem constituency to give their support in favour of Samuel Khongbuh.

Reacting to reports in a section of the press here on Monday, Mr Warjri, while expressing surprise, said the BJP Mandal's allegation holds no water.

Mr Warjri stated that Mrs Persha Nongdhar was one of the beneficiaries who received financial aid from the MDC in 2006-07, while suspecting foul intention by some vested interests by bringing out the matter now when the election is round the corner.

On the demand of the Laban Mandal BJP to make public the implementation of the MDC schemes in the constituency, Mr Warjri said that on November 16 last, the MDC Charitable Council released the booklet on implementation of the MDC schemes in the constituency while adding that Mr Shullai was the first MDC to release a booklet on implementation of the schemes.

"The BJP should first do its homework before charging anyone," Mr Warjri said while question the BJP for its failure to give an account of MLA schemes in the past five years.

According to the police, the incident took place at around 6 pm when the two accused, whose names were yet to be known, were trying to rape two girls who were passing by a place near the golf course.

Police said one girl escaped from the clutches of the two culprits and screamed for help.

On hearing the noise, some of the local youth rushed to the spot and caught hold of the two. While interrogating them, one of the culprits managed to escape.

The other accused, who was injured in the attack, was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital. Police are investigating the incident.

Informing this on Monday, East Khasi Hills Returning Officer said though the Election Commission, on several occasion, had issued a statement to get prior permission from the Chief Election Officer or the Returning Officer for decorating party flags on vehicles, public properties, etc, yet many party supporters failed to comply with the directive of the Election Commission. Mr Dhar said that district administration will take action against anyone who violate the order.

He further informed that once the candidate has sought the permission, he or she would have to state the fuel spending in the vehicle in the total election expenditure. The candidates are also allowed to use three vehicles on the election day.

A meeting between all candidates representing Mawlai constituency and Seng Samla Mawlai Pyllun (SSMP) will be held on Tuesday at 3 pm. The meeting, organised under the aegis of SSMP, aims to discuss, along with the contesting candidates, certain issues to ensure smooth sailing of the election keeping in mind the regulations of the Election Commission.

The District Election Officer, East Garo Hills has informed to all the concerned voters that the following polling stations - 30-Gare Songmong LP School, 29-Nongalbibra MeSEB LP School and 1-Ampatigiri Community Hall (under 38-Rongrenggiri constituency) - are in dilapidated condition and not fit for the conduct of poll. Hence, polling will be held at Gare Songmong UP School, Nongabibra LP School and Ampatigiri LP School.

The Election Commission has appointed Dinesh Kumar Srivastava, R Bhandari and Dr K Jaya Kumar as poll observers for Mairang, Rymbai and Sutnga-Shangpung constituencies, Ashish Upadhydhya (general observer) for Kharkutta and Songsak constituencies. Mr Rajat Kumar was appointed as general observer for Rongrengiri and Rongjeng while Sanjan Bahadur will observe poll expenditure in Ronrengiri, Rongjeng, Kharkutta, Songsak Assembly constituencies.

In a letter to the Commissioner, KJDSTA said an executive meeting held recently has expressed concern over the Government and Education Department's apathy in redressing the teachers' grievances.

KJDSTA further pointed out that releasing of the arrears of 50 per cent is not a policy matter, but a sheer and simple office procedure, that, unfortunately stands pending for years together.

During the three-day visit, he met several Scheduled Caste members in Tura and Williamnagar besides interacting with several Congress leaders.

District Level Committees for East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills were formed during the visit.

Sameet Rishi was elected as chairman of the District Level Committee, West Garo Hills, with its headquarters at Tura, while Bablu Basfor and Dharmendra Rishi were elected as vice chairmen, Bishnu Rishi, Jayanta Ch Das, Vinod Kr Basfor, Parimal Ch Mallick as conveners along with fifteen members.

For East Garo Hills, the following were elected as members of the Committee Sanjib Das as chairman, Rohit Basfor and Nikhil Ch Das as vice chairmen, D Mandal, GS Ram, S Mollick, S Das as conveners and 11 other members. The committee is headquartered at Williamnagar.

During the three-day visit, he met several Scheduled Caste members in Tura and Williamnagar besides interacting with several Congress leaders.

District Level Committees for East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills were formed during the visit.

Sameet Rishi was elected as chairman of the District Level Committee, West Garo Hills, with its headquarters at Tura, while Bablu Basfor and Dharmendra Rishi were elected as vice chairmen, Bishnu Rishi, Jayanta Ch Das, Vinod Kr Basfor, Parimal Ch Mallick as conveners along with fifteen members.

For East Garo Hills, the following were elected as members of the Committee Sanjib Das as chairman, Rohit Basfor and Nikhil Ch Das as vice chairmen, D Mandal, GS Ram, S Mollick, S Das as conveners and 11 other members. The committee is headquartered at Williamnagar.

Remember the famous Roman saying: Nero fiddled while Rome burnt. So true of India today. See how our netagan contrive while the country burns. One look at Maharashtra says it all. The State stood mute testimony to three days of gory violence against all non-Maharashtrians unleashed by a small-time neta Raj Thackeray's and his outfit Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Even as the Centre and State Governments vacillated shamelessly for 13 days before going through the arrest-bail charade.

It would be easy to dismiss Raj Thackeray's diatribe of wanting to rid Maharashtra of all North-Indians as a case of competitive populism at its crassest best. Or that it's all about supporting regionalism. But, the tragedy of the episode is two-fold. First, how dare the MNS Chief cock a snook at the law and order and be allowed to get away with it.

Second, where was the Iqbal of the State? Its roab? Which allowed a piddly local outfit to run riot with India's Commercial Capital and made its leader a national hero. When, in fact, Thackeray should have been told to shut up. That he wasn't tells us the asli rajniti story. Of a ruling Congress leadership, which wanted to play both ends against the middle. One, counter ally NCP's Sharad Pawar's clout over Maharashtra and, two, use Thackeray's new stature to eat into the Shiv Sena base and, eventually, benefit the Congress.

Exposing as never before, the acute crisis of leadership and paralysis of governance the country faces. Of pygmy leaders with small minds masquerading as giants. Bereft of any sense of nationalism who willy nilly abet competitive populism and vote-bank politics to batter down all semblance of leadership and chip away at established democratic institutions. Leadership today is all about political survival alone. Looking for genuine leaders is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Ask them about the nation. What nation, they ask?

Think. Isn't it ridiculous that a country as vast as India and boasting of a billion-and-growing population is swinging like a yo-yo between hope and despair, thanks to the fracas between the ruling coalition partners, its adversaries and friends-turned-foes or vice versa. All bogged down by tantrums, one-upmanship and clash of egos. Especially in a scenario where polarization is now based on vote-bank politics and unbridled lust for power and money --- not on values, ethics or national agenda. Forget good, clean governance and national interest.

Look at the inexplicable configurations of the UPA. The enemies and friends are all rolled into one. The Congress and the Left parties, which account for 64 seats in the Lok Sabha, are arch rivals in three States: West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura. Both have been fighting each other tooth and nail in every election since Independence. Yet they came together at the Centre simply to keep the "communal BJP" out. The Congress and RJD are arch rivals in Bihar and Jharkhand and the NCP cannot see eye-to-eye with the Congress in Maharashtra. Ditto the case down South with the DMK & Co. Can Governments be formed and held together merely on the negative and ill-defined premise that my enemy's enemy is a friend?

Today, the Left continues to have the Congress-led UPA profusely sweating over the Indo-US nuclear deal. Wherein Comrade Karat has once again threatened to pull the plug if the Government goes ahead with it. Making plain that the Grand Dame of Politics should be ready to go to the polls if it went ahead. This eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between Manmohan Singh and the thorny Left has pushed the country into suspended animation.

The basic issue is not the Indo-US nuclear deal or whether the UPA Government stays or goes. Or, who is to blame and why. But it is the sad spectacle of today's polity exposing their hollowness and hypocrisy of political commitment and subordinating national interest to personal egos and gain. If the Congress feels so strongly that the deal is the best thing for the country why doesn't it call the CPM's bluff and face the consequences? Sadly, as oft is the case, power breeds arrogance and absolute power breeds absolute arrogance.

Again, look at the Party's relationship with the UP Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati which swings like a pendulum. First, the Congress High Command read Sonia, tried very hard to have a pact with her prior to the State Assembly polls, failing which it decides to humour Mayawati and let her get away with outrageous anti-Congress diatribe. Now suddenly Sonia has woken up to the BSP's electoral threat and has decided to deride her. But, when the Dalit icon dares the Congress to take action against her in the Taj corridor scam, the Party backs off.

So unlike the Congress leadership during Indira Gandhi's time who epitomized the stuff leaders are made off, including the capacity to be a butcher when the need arose. Hailed as Durga after India's victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan she was the only man in her Government. None dared oppose her and if someone did he would be cut to size in no time. Remember, like true leaders she gambled her political career by taking on the powerful Party Syndicate of senior leaders.

But more than that she was a true democrat and nationalist. True, she imposed Emergency in 1975 after the Allahabad High Court set aside her election, but she was uncomfortable with it. Recall, she not only lifted the Emergency but called for elections in 1977. After her defeat, she gracefully demitted office.

Sadly, her son Rajiv, who took over the reins, converted the Congress into an organization of 'yes men' who were loyal only to him. Pure sycophancy. Thus friends and rudderless leaders were handpicked by Rajiv to form his coterie and propelled on to the centre-stage. His wife Sonia carried the family banner forward and has perfected sycophancy and loyalty into Brand Congress. The most unpleasant aspect of all this is the withering of internal democracy.

The BJP too is on the decline. Vajpayee has been replaced by Advani, who may talk tough but lacks the charisma and oratory skills to weave a magic spell. Surrounded by 'hot-house' second rung leaders who trot around with an all-important air but are incapable of wining even a single municipal election. The Party President Rajnath Singh and his "coterie" of junior and inexperienced 'yes men' play the cat and mouse game with Advani. Knives are even out for Modi who just resurrected the Party.

Gone are the days of Brand BJP---collective leadership as opposed to individual control. Its reputation of being a highly disciplined cadre-based faction-free party is in tatters. Its killer instinct, that its leaders so assiduously described, has been killed by the vicissitudes of power.

What about the regional parties? With a mohalla mentality they lack a national perspective. Worse, with the national parties losing their clout with the electorate there is a very high premium on these parties which get traded and horse-traded many times over. The trading is made easier by the total collapse of the moral fabric of all parties in their naked lust for the gaddi. Unfortunately, the national parties have been caught in a web of their own making. By pandering and giving in to the blackmail of these regional vote banks. They have created a Frankenstein over which they have no control.

What next? India today once again is facing a Hobson's choice. Gripped in the vicious tentacles of a petty power-at-all-cost polity the time has come to throw out the scoundrels and replace them with true nationalists who feel, think and breathe India.

A people, no doubt, get the leaders they deserve. But, at the end of the day, are we going to mortgage our conscience to "fair-weather fliers" and "hot-house leaders"? Are we going to allow leaders without nationalism to recklessly play havoc with India's future? The moot point: How long are we going to continue to look for giants among the pygmies and allow the latter to ride-roughshod over us? Time for people to look for real leaders. ---- INFA

Sir,

My attention has been drawn to the letter " MLA fund not received" (ST,Feb 18) written by the Headman of Jhalupara Village Council relating to the booklet Tryst with Mawprem which furnished detailed statement of accounts of the schemes undertaken by Mr Manas Chaudhuri, MLA and Late Ardhendu Chaudhuri during 2003-2008 in 21-Mawprem Constituency. I wish to clarify that there is nothing erroneous about what has been published in the booklet. An amount of Rs 3 lakh was allotted by Mr Chaudhuri for construction and development of the Community Hall at Jhalupara. It is a fact that the Village Council has not drawn the amount so far. But the question is why was the amount not drawn by the Council? To the best of my knowledge and belief, the Village Council had drawn certain amount under the Special Urban Works Programme during the tenure of former MLA Mr DN Joshi. The Village Council has so far not submitted vouchers to the Shillong Municipal Board for the amount drawn. This has resulted in a stalemate. The amount sanctioned by Mr Chaudhuri will be released by the Municipal Board once the Village Council submits all vouchers.

I wish to suggest that if anybody has confusion about the facts and figures contained in the booklet, they are at liberty to seek clarification from Shillong Municipal Board which is the controlling authority of all MLA Schemes in the Constituency.

Yours etc.,
Pinak Gupta,
Secretary,
Implementation Committee for 21-Mawprem
Shillong -4

Sir,

Apropos the letter "We need God, not education", (ST, Feb 8) by Omar Luther King, which was in response to my letter, "Literate Satans" (ST, Feb 5), I don't wholly agree with what the author has said in his letter. Yes, very emphatically I want to assert again that imparting human values is a step toward humanity. And that humanity eventually may pave way for divinity, though it is a very slow process.

Well, every bit of virtuous impression, ideas, teachings implanted into the mind, more particularly in impressionable tender age, does not just die down without bringing about positive behavioral changes. According to Aristotle, man (with intellect but bordered on emotion) has five senses that exactly function like receiver which help transmit externally received impulses to the brain via nerves. Almost like an open tape-recorder, Man with five senses respond to particular external objects (here teachings one receives) in a certain way (degree of intensity varies from individual to individual) which get processed in the mind prompting one to form a particular conclusion and thus action (may be just an act of thinking). In other words, what we think is what we see (or hear, feel, smell, taste) and what we continuously think with an attachment, that in course of time may transfer into an action (associated with that object/ thought), and repeated same actions lead to the formation of particular habit which contribute partly in the determination of our character and personality.

I further want to add that usually a bit of knowledge/information received by one being processed in the mind makes a certain effect on our innately existing vices such as anger, greed, desire, lust and ego. If the impression/education drawn from outer world is of virtuous kind, the said five vices tend to get weakened and resulting which one will be a little more virtuous, which is nothing but nearing to God. But, if the impression received is of immoral kind then these vices get stronger that inexorably affect one's day-to-day activities, which is for the worse.

As to turning towards the God, I have not a shred of doubt what the author has said through the letter. Believing in God and surrendering everything to Him is the easiest way to cure all the worldly maladies. And, this alone guarantees us the absolute knowledge, and permanent bliss - because all pleasure and happiness from material world is impermanent and illusive. Realisation of God is the ultimate mission, the ultimate goal!

Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2
Via e-mail

NEW DELHI: The Tribal Act, which has been touted as saviour of the hill people, is actually a big threat not only to the wildlife including the vanishing tigers but also to the tribals themselves, observed former Solicitor General Mr Harish Salve.

Mr Salve claimed the biggest challenge facing wildlife in India today was the Tribal Act. "I don't know whether the tribals know what is being done in their name," he said.

The Tribal Act was notified this year after a protracted battle between the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the tribal lobby.

"If the Act is implemented in letter and spirit, a day might come when the entire forest would wind up, Mr. Salve said adding, "and there would be no forest where the tribals would go".

Mr Salve was honoured by WWF and Wildlife Conservation Society at "Conservation and Crossroads", an event held here on Sunday, for his role in steering two important cases - on forests and air pollution - in the Supreme Court. He was also amices curiae of the Government in several environment cases including the cement plant case in Meghalaya.

The three-judge 'Green Bench', headed by the Chief Justice and aided by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), has passed several landmark judgments, orders and directions for implementation of the Forest Conservation Act in the last 12 years.

"If it had not been for the incorruptible and independent CEC, there would have been no forests left," he said.

Guwahati: The ULFA has given a call for a 12-hour Assam bandh from 5-30 am of Tuesday demanding release of arrested human rights activist and chief convenor of the ULFA-constituted People’s Consultative Group (PCG), Lachit Bardoloi and to protest ‘fake encounter’, killing of ‘ULFA members and ‘innocent people’ by security forces in Assam.

Assam police had arrested the human rights activist seven days back on charges of maintaining close links with the banned militants group.

In a statement e-mailed to the media, the ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa called upon all sections of the people including intellectuals to support the bandh call ‘for the sake of protection of human rights and democracy’ in the state. The ULFA chairman alleged that Assam police had ‘wrongly implicated’ Bardoloi with ‘fabricated charges’ of being part of a conspiracy for plane hijacking, supplying arms to ULFA and providing shelter to ULFA cadres. The ULFA chairman termed the arrest of Bardoloi, who it termed a staunch supporter democratic values, a sharp violation of democratic values in Assam. Meanwhile, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi said that the on going crack down on ULFA would continue in the state.

New Delhi: In an attempt to vent their frustration, express pathos and give the world a glimpse of the difficult situation back home, 18 artists from northeastern states have come together in the national capital for an art conclave organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi in association with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

Hailing from the eight northeastern states - Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Sikkim, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh - these artists began working on their canvases on Monday and will complete two works of art each, which will be later put together in an exhibition by the Akademi.

The conclave is part of the national conclave of the northeastern states for promoting access to justice to women of the region.

The themes of the art works, therefore, are in some way or the other related to the issues of women and human rights.

Punyo Chobin, a 22-year-old art student of Visva Bharati, Santiniketan in West Bengal, is one of the participating artists in the conclave.

"There are just so many issues affecting the northeastern states and my own, Arunachal Pradesh. There is HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, violation of human rights...but then again which place today is not affected by any of these issues?" Chobin asked.

"Like the blank canvas in front of me, my mind is blank. I am still thinking over the issues...but the theme of my drawing will be human rights," he told IANS.

Smita Saikia, an artist from Assam, stood playing with her brush and staring at the blank canvas, deep in thought.

"The theme of my painting will be an incident in Assam when a woman was harassed," she said bringing out tubes of acrylic colours.

Sudhakar Sharma, secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi, said that it was for the first time that an art conclave with regard to human rights and the northeastern states specifically was held in the capital.

"It is good to have so many talented artists of the northeastern region come together and express themselves on their canvas. Although human rights is the theme has been given to them, they have been asked for another painting on a subject of their choice.

"After this, the paintings will be taken by the Lalit Kala Akademi and put together for an exhibition," Vinod Aggarwal of the Akademi said.

The conclave, which is held at Gandhi Darshan near Rajghat, will be on till February 25. It also has an exhibition of handicrafts and other wares of the region.(IANS)

Agartala: Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Tripura's Left Front Government ahead of the Assembly election, saying she wants to dismiss the notion that her party was not serious in fighting the Left which supported the UPA Governemnt at the Centre.

''I want to make it clear that the Left parties have supported us to keep communal forces like BJP away from power but it does not mean that we will not fight against them in the states,'' she told a huge election rally here.

Gandhi accused the state government of siphoning of central funds for "narrow political interests" and had failing to provide safety and security to women and children.

''I am today very unhappy to see your deplorable condition in the state where law and order has collapsed and safety and security to womem and children undermined. Despite a huge fund flow from the Centre, the state has not developed yet,'' she said.

''How long will you tolerate? Endurance has also a limit and I think the only one alternative is to defeat this Left Front government in the coming elections.''

Refuting the allegation labelled by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee that the Congress has made an unholy alliance with INPT which, according to them, is the front of a separatist outfit, Gandhi said Congress has not made any alliance with any organisation soft to insurgents.

''Rajibji and Indiraji sacrificed their lives to fight terrorism, so Congress cannot ally with any organisation which has link with insurgent outfits,'' she said.

She alleged the economic condition of the people in the state was deteriorating and unemployment was on the rise as also nepotism in distribution of government jobs.

She charged funds from the Centre had been siphoned off to serve narrow political interests and wondered where the funds for 'Bharat Nirman' had gone and why there were five lakh unemployed people in the tiny state.

She said if Congress was voted to power the government would pay maximum attention to the people from backward communities, minorites, women and unemployed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will campaign on Tuesday in the Marxist-ruled Tripura where the Congress is making a determined bid to gain power.

Singh would be addressing a public meeting at Udaipur near the state capital of Agartala, sources said.

The Prime Minister's visit comes a day after Congress President Sonia Gandhi's whirlwind tour during which she launched a scathing attack on Left Front government ahead of the February 23 Assembly election. (PTI)

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh has demanded a clarification from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on what it called the latter’s approval of the integration of all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under Greater Nagalim.

The party in a communiqué stated that the Congress February 8 election manifesto contained the party’s commitment to implement the 16-point statehood demand of Nagaland ‘in letter and spirit’, and feared that such a statement would adversely affect Tirap and Changlang districts in Arunachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh BJP Mahila Morcha (APBJPMM) has expressed gratitude to the BJP national president Rajnath Singh for approving 33 per cent women representation to the party’s organisational structure and for announcing its implementation within three months.

The APBJPMM would join the All India Viraat Mahila rally at New Delhi on February 21 next called by the BJP’s national women wing to demand passing of 33 per cent Women’s Reservation Bill in the Parliament by the ruling Congress led UPA government.

The Morcha also protested against Chinese claims over Arunachal, price hike on diesel and petrol, the ill treatment and criminal assaults meted out to Northeastern women in Delhi and the recent attack on Arunachalee students at the national capital by some goons and demanded that the central government take immediate steps to stem such proceedings. (UNI)