Bhutan Maoists infiltrating State

By Sanjoy Ray GUWAHATI, May 11 – Conceding that the infiltration of the Bhutan Maoists along the porous Assam-Bhutan border is on in an unprecedented manner, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has expressed concern over the possibility of the ISI and the insurgent groups active in the North East, including the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), cashing in on the Maoist infiltration to further their nefarious designs. Highly-placed sources in the SSB, which is entrusted with the job of manning the Indo-Bhutan border, told The Assam Tribune that the SSB, following some confirmed intelligence inputs about increasing Bhutan Maoists’ presence along the Assam-Bhutan border, has intensified vigil along the border.“According to our intelligence report, hundreds of suspected Bhutan Maoists have crossed the Assam border in the last few months and most of them have mingled with the local population of the border areas which are mostly dominated by the Indian Nepali population,” the sources revealed.“The trend of Bhutan Maoists’ infiltration seemed to have picked up, especially after the elections in Bhutan,” the sources opined. “On one hand, where there are possibilities of the ISI using the Maoists’ infiltration into Assam as a tool to dilute the relationship between Indian and Bhutan, and on the other hand the banned ULFA and other NE-based insurgent groups, according to our reports, are trying to use the Maoists’ presence in carrying out for subversive activities in the State,” the sources said, adding that the recent instance where two Bhutani Maoists’ were arrested in Nalbari district, has indicated that the Maoists are taking interest in Assam and have entered in the Indian domain via Assam border. Moreover, as the ULFA is facing the heat of a continued crackdown by the security forces, there are substantial chances of the banned outfit taking the help of the Maoists in adding teeth to its dwindling force. The Indo-Bhutan border, it may be mentioned, comprises a stretch of 699 km covering four States including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.The sources further informed that the SSB, in a special move, is monitoring the activities of several hundred suspected Maoists, who are trying to settle along the Assam-Bhutan border.“We have kept them under surveillance and necessary action would be taken once their identity is proven,” the sources reiterated, adding that the process of identification is on.“At this moment, the scenario is not very sensitive but in the long run this might take an alarming turn,” the sources pointed out.“We have informed the civil administration about the matter and accordingly steps are being initiated,” the sources stated.(The Assam Tribune)

GJMM charges tourism asst director of sexual impropriety

Statesman News Service DARJEELING, May 9: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) has levelled charges of sexual impropriety against Mr Amar Singh, assistant director, Tourism Department of the DGHC. Allegedly Mr Singh asked for sexual favours from a woman of Gorubathan in exchange of her appointment in the tourism department. “We have substantial evidence against Mr Singh to corroborate our allegation,” said Mr Binay Tamang, Press and publicity chief of the GJMM. The incident came to light when the woman came forward and lodged a complaint with the GJMM. According to Mr Tamang, the woman claimed that Mr Singh had asked her over the phone to stay with him at a hotel in Siliguri, in return for which he would give her the appointment letter. The recorded telephone conversation between Mr Singh and the woman forms the basis of the complaint. “The telephone conversation proves the immoral intentions of Mr Singh,” Mr Tamang said. He added that the incident had brought to the fore similar cases of sexual advances made by accused. Mr Singh has been given a deadline till 12 May to vacate the post by the GJMM. The party has also sent a letter requesting DGHC caretaker Mr BL Meena to take stern action against him. “Several charges have been levelled against Mr Singh. He was on a deputation but has been sent back to the state department of tourism. He is not attending office already,” Mr Meena confirmed. However, Mr Singh refused to comment on the issue stating that he could give no statement without the permission of the principal secretary of the department. “On account of being a government official I cannot say anything now,” he said.

Morcha blow to Agsu

Darjeeling, May 11: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has dissolved the Gorkha Janmukti Agsu, an affiliate association whose office-bearers are unaware of the decision.
“Agsu (All Gorkha Students’ Union) should stop using ‘Gorkha Janmukti’ as part of its nomenclature and can revert back to its earlier status. Bimal Gurung has said the Gorkha Janmukti Agsu has been dissolved because our party, too, has a students’ wing,” said Binay Tamang, the media and publicity secretary of the Morcha.
The decision has come as a surprise to many as Gurung’s party seemed to have accepted Agsu as its affiliate. The Morcha president had not only flagged off the organisation’s march from Darjeeling to the Sankosh on April 13, but had also reached the spot a fortnight later to meet the marchers.
Agsu, which was formed in 1994, was essentially a brainchild of Roshan Giri, the current general secretary of the Morcha. After Giri joined the Morcha on October 7 last year, the students’ body elected Ravi Shanker as its president.
Shanker said he was unaware of Gurung’s decision. “The Morcha leaders had asked us to change the nomenclature. If such a decision has been taken we will soon sit for a meeting to chart our future course of action”, said Shanker.
GNLF resignations
Members of the GNLF in Mirik have resigned from the party and have decided to dissolve the branch committee, reports our Kurseong correspondent.
“All frontal organisations and units in every ward of the Mirik Municipality have also been dissolved. We have already sent the resignations to Subash Ghisingh (the GNLF chief),” said L.B. Rai the president of the GNLF in Mirik and chairman of the municipality. (The Telegraph)

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