AT Photo
Guwahati, Jan 30: In line with the Padma awards, Assam presented the State's maiden civilian awards to a total of 19 recipients. The Nagaon firing incident has raised a question on the 'trigger-happy' police for shooting a former student leader. After Meghalaya and Assam, the State Government have initiated a border settlement with Nagaland, the governments of Assam and Nagaland are ready for an out-of-court settlement on the border issue.
Here are the top three news that were in the spotlight during the last week:
State's maiden civilian awards presented
The State Government presented the maiden civilian awards- Assam Baibhav, Assam Gaurav and Assam Saurav awards to 19 personalities for their contribution in their respective fields on January 24.
Industrialist and philanthropist Ratan Tata was conferred with the Assam Baibhav award, the State's highest civilian award by the Assam Government for improving cancer treatment facilities in the State.
Meanwhile, the "Assam Saurav Awards" were given to academician Professor Kamalendu Deb Krori, Dr. Lakhsmanan S in the field of Public Service, Professor Dipak Chand Jain for Business Management, Lovlina Borgohain for Sports and Neel Pawan Baruah in Art and Culture.
The "Assam Gaurav Award" was bestowed upon Munindra Nath Ngatey in the field of Public Service and Vaccination, Dr. Basanta Hazarika for Health and Covid Management, Akash Jyoti Gogoi in Poultry Farming, Manoj Kumar Basumatary in Piggery, Khorsing Terang in Sports and Mountaineering, Boby Hazarika for Woman Entrepreneurship, Hemoprabha Chutia for Weaving, Namita Kalita in Health and Public Services, Bornita Momin in Public Service, Dharanidhar Boro for Wildlife Conservation, Kaushik Baruah for Agro Exporter and Entrepreneur, Kalpana Boro in Public Service and Asif Iqbal in Health and Medicine.
The awards were presented by Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Nagaon Firing Incident
The incident of police firing on a former student leader Kirti Kamal Bora from Nagaon has allegedly drawn flak over the Assam Police. The incident which took place after a reported altercation led to a massive public uproar following which an inquiry has been initiated by the State Government.
The student leader was allegedly shot by the police following a heated argument. However, the police claimed that he was shot after he had attacked the police during an anti-drug operation.
The student leader and his family further alleged that he was targeted by the police for no valid reason. Meanwhile, Nagaon Police Superintendent Anand Mishra said that Bora was shot in his leg after he had attacked the police during an anti-drug operation. He further assured a proper investigation of the case.
Meanwhile, various organisations and politicians have expressed their concerns over the Assam Police's shooting spree and demanded a high-level inquiry. A one-man inquiry committee has been set up to probe the incident.
Despite the incident leading to widespread protests, Sarma had on January 25 asserted that police action against criminals will continue. He, however, said that the Nagaon case will be probed and the officials found guilty will be punished.
Assam Nagaland Border Issue
The governments of Assam and Nagaland are ready for an out-of-court settlement of the decades-long border dispute between the two northeastern states.
Informing about the developments Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio stated that delegations from both the States are likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in February to discuss and formulate how to go about the settlement.
Apart from this, the issue of royalty on petroleum and natural gas along the Assam-Nagaland border was also discussed.
"If we resolve the border dispute and the issue of royalty, it will be good for both sides as we are going to remain neighbours," Rio said.
