By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Assam will observe Sok Divas or State Mourning Day on August 16, 2013 to mourn the tragic death of the innocent souls killed in bomb blast on August 15, 2004 at Dhemaji like the previous years after celebrating the 67th Independence Day state-wide along with the entire country.
The day will be observed in all districts and sub divisional headquarters and arrangements for the same will be made by Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers. All officers and staff of all departments and offices have been asked to participate in the observance of ‘Sok Divas’ throughout the state and wear black badges on the occasion. Ministers/ MPs/ MLAs have been requested to attend the programmes in the districts/ sub divisions.
The female cadres of Assam police take part in the dress rehearsal on the eve of the Independence Day celebration in Guwahati on Tuesday
The National Flag will be flown at half mast in all Government offices/ educational institutions. Public meetings will be convened centrally in all district headquarters.
Educational institutions have been instructed to observe Sok Divas for eternal peace of the departed souls and to take pledge to work united for peace and social harmony and raise their voices against all acts of militant violence. Black badges will be distributed amongst all educational institutions on the occasion.
On the occasion of Independence Day in 2004, people including the school children and their parents gathered at Dhemaji College ground for the parade. At around 9:30 am a bomb went off killing at least 18 and injuring many more. According to police it was the banned militant outfit ULFA who had planted bomb near the college-gate.
On December 13 in 2009 Paresh Barua, the self styled chief of the outfit sought public apology and forgiveness for the blast.
For the Independence Day celebrations, the state government has taken several steps to avoid any kind of untoward incident as as many as six organizations have asked the people of the state to stay away from the I-Day celebration.
“We have taken adequate measures to tackle all possible such activities to bring disturbances during the Independence Day celebrations with CCTV cameras and extra personnel in patrolling,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (city) AP Tiwari.
Security personnel keep vigil on the railway tracks as several militant outfits have asked for boycott the celebrations of Independence Day in Guwahati on Tuesday
Besides, the day will be celebrated with great pomp and gaiety at Khanapara Veterinary College Playground in Guwahati on Thursday by Assam government. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will ceremonially hoist the National Flag at 9:00 am. This will be followed by Parade and other cultural programmes.
Later in the day, fruits will be distributed to inmates of Central Jail, patients of MMC Hospital, B. Baruah Cancer Hospital, TB Hospital, inmates of Jalukbari Destitute Home, Fatasil Ambari Orphanage, students of Basistha Blind School and Kahilipara Deaf and Dumb School.
Independence Day will also be celebrated at Gauhati High Court premises. Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel will hoist the National Flag at 8:00 am.
Additional Chief Secretary of Power, WPT and BC, Jitesh Khosla will hoist the National Flag at 7:30 am in front of the Chief Minister’s Block of Assam Secretariat premises on the occasion of Independence Day.
[Photos by: Dhruba Jyoti Boro]