From evacuating students to declaring the State as 'disturbed area', the week that was
Guwahati, March 6: Amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, students from Assam stranded in eastern Ukraine have urged for immediate help from the govt. Meanwhile, the State has been declared as 'disturbed area' despite the assurance from the Chief Minister that some positive steps will be taken in this regard. The Assam Govt has also requested the Centre to take steps for allocating some of its shares to the State government in Oil India Limited (OIL).
Assam students stranded in Eastern Ukraine still under threat
Several students from Assam stuck in war-torn Ukraine have urged the government to speed up the evacuation process, especially the students stranded in the Eastern region. Although the govt has initiated a massive evacuation plan under 'Operation Ganga' but it is difficult for them to move about given the situation which has escalated over the past few days.
The state government has prepared a list of people stranded in Ukraine and the process of evacuating all of them has been going on in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs. Meanwhile, 91 students from Assam have been evacuated till March 5.
Reportedly, the Government of India has got in touch with its Russian counterparts for the evacuation of the students through Russia.
Assam Govt seeks stakes in Oil India Limited
To help Oil India Limited in its smooth functioning, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sama urged Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to take steps for allocating some of its shares to the Assam government.
While addressing the North-East zonal conference for PM Gati-Shakti Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity CM Sarma said that the state is fully cooperating with all the stakeholders to increase the Exploration and Production (E&P) activities in the oil and gas sector.
The Union Minister assured that he will look into the matter.
As per reports, the State government has sought five per cent stakes in the company, in which the Government of India has 56 per cent shares and the rest by various other stakeholders.
AFSPA extended by six more months in Assam
The Assam Government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in the entire state for six more months with effect from February 28.
As per an official release it has been stated that after reviewing the law and order situation in Assam in the past six months, the state government has declared the entire State of Assam as 'Disturbed Area' up to 6 (six) months with effect from 28/02/2022, unless withdrawn earlier.
Although the Civil society groups and rights activists have been demanding withdrawal of the "draconian law" from the North East claiming violation of human rights by the armed forces, the law is still prevalent in the Northeast.
Earlier in January, CM Sarma assured that "some pragmatic decision" will be taken in this regard.
