SILCHAR, Sept 14: Even as the State government, with the return of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from Mumbai, has been activated and galvanized to go all out for implementation of schemes and projects along with publicity blitzkrieg, Barak Valley continues to reel under unprecedented load shedding and unending woes of commuting through hazardous highways and roads with no sign of improvement, reinforcing the impression of being neglected and discriminated against by Dispur. The two otherwise vociferous ministers from this south Assam, Dinesh Prasad Goala and Gautam Roy are perhaps tired of making long and hollow promises and now prefer to relax their limbs and maintain discreet silence. It is no use talking of two parliamentary secretaries, Ajit Singh and Siddique Ahmed who, like the ministers, are more of a liability for the beleaguered 35 lakh people of the valley. AIUDF MLA, Ataur Rahman Majarbhuiya, when reminded of the failure of PWD minister Ajanta Neog to visit the valley for an on the spot study of NH 44 for its improvement following his fast unto death agitation in July, reacted sharply to say, “both Dinesh Prasad Goala and Ajanta Neog are anti-Barak Valley who do not want its development” and warned that if his ultimatum to be served soon on the state government fails to bring any positive outcome, he would spearhead another course of agitation which would have “widespread ramifications”.
Majarbhuiya came out hammer and tongue at Dinesh Prasad Goala and squarely blamed him for all the mess of highways, roads and drainage system. Being a minister of Urban Development, Goala cannot evade the responsibility for improvement of roads and seek comfort in ‘sophistry’. He conceded that he broke the indefinite fast on the assurance of Vivekananda Doley, Parliamentary Secretary of PWD, an emissary of Ajanta Neog to improve the highway 44 in phases.” Neither the minister turned up nor any work on improvement initiated”. He pointed out.
The AIUDF MLA further accused Goala of preventing Ajanta Neog from visiting the Barak Valley, though after his meeting with her at Dispur, she had agreed. Terming it an act of betrayal, he said, “people of this Valley would give a befitting reply.’ He also spelt out the agitation plan before media persons. (The Sentinel)