Meghalaya marriages to be registered     

In pursuance of a Supreme Court order, Meghalaya Government has framed draft rules for compulsory registration of marriages of different communities and asked people to give their views on it. According to an official release, the State Government framed draft rules under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, the Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act 1935, the Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872 and the Special Marriage Act 1954. These draft rules, framed as per the Supreme Court order of February 14, are published in the Meghalaya gazette and posted in the state portal www.meghalaya.nic.in.

Antique rifles stolen from museum   

Three antique pieces of rifles were stolen from the museum of the Forensic Science Department of the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The three rifles were said to have been used by the British rulers in Assam and former professor of the premiere medical college in the region, late Girish Chandra Medhi, who collected those antiques after much struggle. This is the fifth incident of burglary that took place in the premises of the premiere medical institution in the region in the last four months starting from February. The front door of the museum, which is in the sixth floor of the college building, was seen broken. GMCH Principal M. M. Deka said that the College authority was informed by the night guard on duty in the morning about the burglary and that they could not assess whether any other material was also stolen.

Army should stay in CCpur: NCW

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recommended that the Army should stay as long as needed in Churachandpur, where the mass rape of women in two villages allegedly by insurgents was reported earlier. NCW member Malini Bhattacharya, who visited Parbung and Lungthulien villages near Mizoram said that at least 25 girls aged between 12 and 30 were raped, molested and tortured by UNLF militants, who also assaulted and intimidated the Hmar people living in the area. “We interviewed most of the 25 rape victims and mothers of the minors and found that the trauma of the horror remained even after the army flushed out the insurgents from the area...My heart is still heavy after meeting the poor villagers and specially the rape victims who live in the remote villages with high self-respect,” she said.

Mizoram breaks Tripura’s record

Mizoram Pay Commission created on March 1, 2005, has broken the record of Tripura’s Pay Commission of being the fastest in submitting its recommendation by three months. When Lalfakzuala, the Mizoram Pay Commission’s chairman submitted the commission’s recommendation to chief minister Zoramthanga on May 1, 2006, he broke Tripura’s all-India record of submission of recommendation in 19 months by submitting his recommendations in 14 months. The State Government had entrusted the work of looking and recommending pay structures of government employees on March 1, 2005    for an initial six months. When the Commission requested   more time, it was given six months again.

Customs abduction hits border trade    

Border trade between India and Bangladesh has been badly hit in view of the protests by customs and excise officials demanding the immediate release of their two abducted colleagues. Customs superintendent Dharani Borah and inspector Mrinal Sharma were kidnapped by suspected United Achik National Front militants April 26, from  Gasuapara in South Garo Hills. The militants took the abducted officials into Bangladeshi territory and later sent a ransom note of Rs.15 million. The two officials were held captive somewhere in Mymensing district. The Bangladesh Rifles and police raided several places in the border districts of Mymensing and Sunamganj.

Attempt to curb smuggling of precious stones 

India plans to train young men from Mizoram State to authenticate gems in an attempt to curb the smuggling of precious stones from Burma, according to the Indian Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council. Ruban Hobday, the Regional Director of GJEPC in Aizawl, said that the decision to launch the training was made after repeated calls from the group to stop smugglers. Hobday said India’s Ministry of Commerce had finally agreed to fund the training in Mizoram in partnership with GJEPC. Rubies, yellow diamonds and jade are often smuggled from Burma into India’s northeastern states. Many Indian dealers who are unable to distinguish real gems from fakes are duped by smugglers. Such a program would help a great deal to tackle the smugglers.

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