Issue Date: Friday, August 12, 2005 Police rope in seniors to foil rebel call - Plea to celebrate I-Day A STAFF REPORTER Aug. 11: The Kamrup metropolitan administration and senior citizens today joined hands to thwart the boycott called by militant outfits on Independence Day.
Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner Samir Kumar Sinha met prominent senior citizens to decide on the steps, which would ensure maximum participation of people during Independence Day celebrations. He said all senior citizens would appeal through television channels and newspapers urging the people to celebrate this red-letter day for the sake of future. They would also inspire people in their respective localities to hoist the national flag. The senior citizens have plans to light 59 earthen lamps at the foot of each and every statue of freedom fighters in the city. Sinha said school authorities have been requested to send the maximum number of students to Judges Field, many of whom would be given a chance to speak about their views on Independence Day. The senior citizens will also participate in the sports activities to be held at Latasil playground after the celebrations for the 59th Independence Day at Judges Field are over. They will play a friendly cricket or football match. Speaking at the meeting, Dhiren Baruah, president of Save Guwahati Build Guwahati, said it was sad that citizens were forced to hold meetings on how to make Independence Day a success. "But we have to fight against the call for boycott. It is good that the administration is holding a meeting to do something. Let us make this move successful." Litterateur Arun Sarma and veteran sportsperson Suren Ram Phukan said there has to be a consistent effort to inculcate the values of Independence Day and other red-letter days of the country. "We have actually succumbed if not to bullets then to the boycott calls of the Ulfa by not celebrating Independence Day and Republic Day," Phukan said. Sinha said there was no reason why citizens should be afraid to celebrate Independence Day. He said adequate security arrangements have been made at Judges Field and policemen in civvies would be present on the streets to arrest anyone who tried to enforce the boycott. The twin blasts that were triggered by militants on Republic Day have forced the administration and the police to throw a massive security blanket at Judges Field for August 15. The entire field was dug up a few days ago to search for explosives. Floodlights were installed and permanent camps manned by security personnel were set up to thwart any sabotage attempt by militants. Some citizens even suggested that the police should ensure that national flags are hoisted in at least 100 houses in every locality. Sinha rejected the proposal saying it might generate adverse public reaction. The participants, however, agreed to visit every household in each locality even after Independence Day to talk to the people about the need to celebrate the important occasions on the national calendar. _______________________________________________ Assam mailing list Assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/listinfo/assam Mailing list FAQ: http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/assam/assam-faq.html To unsubscribe or change options: http://pikespeak.uccs.edu/mailman/options/assam
