‘14 Al-Qaeda branches in NE’   
The North East Students’ Organization has claimed that the Al–Qaeda, have set up   more than ‘fourteen branches   in the North-East’ with the support of the Pakistan intelligence agency, the Inter Service Intelligence. The NESO in its memorandum to all the seven states Governor in the North-East region urged to    take it as a ‘serious matter’    with the United Progressive Alliance government so as to able to  curb their illegal activities that may disturb the tranquility of  the region and its indigenous people.

Centre to set up 22 new ITIs in  North East     
Ministry of Labour and Employment will establish 22 new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the North-East states at the cost of Rs 100 crore under a Centrally-sponsored scheme. The main objective of the scheme would be to meet both qualitative and quantitative skilled and semi-skilled manpower requirements for the industry and service sector and self-employment by way of creating and developing infrastructure for training youth in identified skill areas in the NE region. The scheme also envisages strengthening and modernisation of 35 existing institutes in the region. With the setting up of these new ITIs, the seating capacity in ITIs of NE states and Sikkim would increase from the existing 7,244 to 16,144. Of the total project outlay of Rs 100 crore, Rs 71.41 crore has already been sanctioned under various components like civil work, equipment procurement and technical assistance.The scheme would increase employability in NE region.

Insurgency in NE on the wane: AR DG  
Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen. Bhupender Singh has claimed that insurgency in the North-East had been losing its teeth because of lack of people’s support and security measures. Gen. Singh said the situation in Assam, Manipur and Tripura had improved considerably in the past few months. ‘’The depredation by the insurgent groups would be further reduced with the completion of fencing along the Indo-Bangla border,’’ General Singh said. Without naming Bangladesh, he said due to continuous pressure the neighbouring country had at last accepted the presence of Indian rebels in its territory. Expressing concern over the activities of Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, the General said the ISI had been active throughout India, including the North-East.

Central varsities in Arunachal, Tripura, Sikkim   
To give a boost to higher education in the North-East, Central Universities for Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim are on the anvil. While Sikkim will have a new Central University, in Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh the existing State Universities are proposed to be converted into Central Universities, HRD Minister Arjun Singh said. Mr. Singh said the Government would make all efforts to introduce legislations regarding these universities in the budget session of Parliament. Responding to the demand for timely release of funds for various projects, he assured the states that he would personally take up the matter of release of funds by the DoNER with the Minister concerned.

CBI to investigate IGP’s muder  
Manipur Government has decided to hand over the murder case of IGP T Thangthuam and the Imphal bus stand firing case to CBI. The move followed uproars over the killing of the IGP and the bus stand firing incident in which two persons were killed while another person was wounded. The IGP and his escort commander were killed in an attack by members of the Peoples Liberation Army, the military wing of the Revolutionary Peoples Front at Oinam bazaar of Bishenpur district on December 31. A general strike was observing on Thursday to protest against the firing incident. The bandh was called by the Joint Action Committee from Wednesday midnight till 6 pm of Thursday. It was supported by three major student organisations. Earlier, the incident kicked up a furor from the tribal people in the State.

Assam Rifles to focus on development
Assam Rifles, deployed in Tripura, is focusing on  developmental initiatives in tribal dominated areas to bring normalcy in the State. The paramilitary force would adopt at least one village where it would build up infrastructure to fulfill basic needs to the people. The plan will be implemented under the forces’ civic action programme, which was started off long time back. Each adopted village will be renamed, as ‘Maitri Village’ where Assam Rifles will take the responsibility to develop basic needs of the rural people especially the tribals. Water supply, road connectivity, and healthcare facilities would be extended to these villages.

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