B. B. Lyngdoh  laid to rest
Mortal remains of former Meghalaya Chief Minister Brington Buhai Lyngdoh were laid to rest at the All Saints’ Cemetery. One of the principal architects of the State of Meghalaya, the veteran public leader passed away recently following protracted illness. Hundreds of mourners were present at the Garrison Ground for the state funeral accorded to the “little big man” of Meghalaya politics. Meghalaya Governor M. M. Jacob, Chief Minister D. D. Lapang and his Cabinet colleagues besides representatives from the police, army and paramilitary forces laid floral wreaths on the Tri-colour draped coffin. Condolence messages sent by President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister I. K. Gujral, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sonia Gandhi and a host of other eminent personalities were read out by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner D. P. Wahlang at the state funeral conducted by Chief Secretary J Tayeng. Venerated by all whether in power o r not, ‘Bah Bring’, as he was fondly called left behind a legacy of transparency and simplicity in public life. Described by his compatriots as a shrewd politician, Lyngdoh, however was never embroilled in any controversy or involved in any corruption in his long innings in public life.

2 jawans killed in blast 
Two Army jawans were killed and three injured in a powerful bomb explosion triggered by suspected United National Liberation Front, (UNLF) insurgents in the Moreh area, bordering Myanmar, in Manipur’s Chandel district.

Tripura ultras should start talks: Advani
Insurgents of Tripura should shun violence and come to the negotiating table to solve their problems, as was done by other outfits of the North Eastern region, Deputy Prime Minister  L K Advani has said. The view was expressed by Advani during his meeting with Tripura Governor D N Sahaya in Delhi recently. The Deputy Prime Minister told the Governor that as other insurgent outfits of the region, the ultras of Tripura should also shun the path of violence, surrender and start dialogue with the state or the Centre for resolving their demands.

NCHAC principal secy rapped 
The Executive Member, North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) , Martin Teron has strongly criticised the Principal Secretary of NCHAC for his alleged lackadaisical attitude towards the development of the region. Mr Teron expressed his dissatisfaction over the attitude of S I Hussain, Principal Secretary NCHAC in various matters of the council. Disclosing one reason for his dissatisfaction, Mr Teron said that the Garampani Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex was constructed by the DRDA with a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh. “This complex was to be inaugurated ceremonially. And I was ready to organise the inaugural ceremony involving DRDA officials. But the Principal Secretary without the knowledge of DRDA and even the local MAC inaugurated the complex. This act of the Principal Secretary dishonouring the elected member raised several questions in the minds of the people,” Mr Teron said.

Dimasa body dissatisfied over SSA functioning 
The All Dimasa Students’ Union which has been organising education awareness campaign mostly in the interior areas of the district has expressed dissatisfaction over the activities of the Sarba Siksa Abhijan, N C Hills. ADSU vice-president disclosed that the Central Government has introduced this programme with the aim to educate each citizen for which it has sanctioned huge amount through the SSA. Since its inception, the NC Hills, SSA has also spent huge amount but no progress has been noticed till date. The people for whom this programme has been introduced are still in the dark about the programme. The aims and objects and purpose of the programme is yet to be made explicit to the people. It seems that the programme is to enrich a section of people through supply and construction works, therefore more importance has been given to supply and construction works than to implementation of the programme. There has been slogans like dedication, transparency, etc., in the matte r of implementation of the programme.

Foreign delegation visits Gajraj Corps 
A delegation of military attaches and their families visited Gajraj Corps recentlyThe delegates and their families were taken to Kaziranga National Park, and they were fascinated by the exotic scenic beauty of the North-East. Later, the delegation arrived at the Gajraj Corps, the HQ of the Unified Command in Assam. Lt Gen Mohinder Singh, GOC Gajraj Corps received the delegates at the Corps HQ.

Arunachal CM’s austerity measure   
Setting a new precedent, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang travelled by air in economy class from Guwahati to New Delhi despite being entitled for an executive class journey. Official sources said that the Chief Minister took the decision to avail of the economy class for all official tours in future understandably to reduce the burden on the State exchequer. 

AGP dissatisfied over inclusion of 25 more villages
Coming down heavily on the State Government’s decision to include 25 controversial villages in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) without discussing with other political parties, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Brindabon Goswami said that it was unfortunate that the State Government did not take other parties, including the AGP, in confidence in deciding the issue. He said that resentment prevails among the people due to the government’s decision to include 25 villages out of 95 controversial villages in the BTC. On providing Koch Rajbongshis ST status, Mr Goswami said that his party had requested the Deputy Prime Minister to look into the matter. Mr Advani has instructed the department concerned to take necessary action, he said.

2 bodies recovered   
Manipur Police recovered two bullet-ridden bodies from Akampat under Singjamei Police station area. Suspected militants shot dead the two and dumped the bodies in the area.

Kuki activists kidnap 8, burn 12 houses
In a retaliatory action, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) militants attacked four villages in a remote area of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district kidnapping 28 persons and setting on fire 12 houses. Deputy Commissioner Anurag Goel said after his return from the Singhasan Hills, where the site of the attack, Thekerajan is situated, that a group of about 30 armed KRA militants dressed in ‘military uniforms’ stormed four villages on November 2 night and kidnapped 28 villagers but later released 20 of them. Eight villagers are still missing, he said, adding that the militants also burnt 12 houses in three villages and severely assaulted several villagers and decamped with their cattle and poultry.

US realising  value of Indian traditions’ 
India is going to be one of the most important allies and trading partners of the USA in the coming decades as a sizable population of the latter has of late started realising the value of Indian tradition and philosophy, according to an NRI business woman from Michigan. Speaking on impact of Indian culture in the USA, Renu Malhotra, founder of “Seed the World’’ an NGO engaged in promoting Indian culture in that country, said 15 per cent of the population in the USA had been practising yoga while another 10 per cent have interest in indian art, culture philosophy, family system and ayurvedic medicine. “More and more people have started realising what worked in making Indian children in the USA progress in life and get peace of mind,” she said at the programme in Arunachal.

AR commanders’ conference held
A high level Assam Rifles biennial commanders’ conference was held at HQ, DGAR, Shillong which was presided over by Lt Gen H S Kanwar, AVSM, VSM, Director General, Assam Rifles. The aim of the conference was to coordinate smooth functioning of Assam Rifles units and formation headquarters as also to examine the administrative and logistics aspects of the Force. Some of the important points discussed in the conference includes provisioning of state-of-the-art quality equipment, rationalization of manpower, timely promotion of deserving cases, improvement in communication, medical and transit facilities, prompt disposal of disciplinary cases, improved state of accommodation etc.

New BJP secy, spokesman for Arunachal
Kangir Jamoh, president of the Arunachal Pradesh unit of the BJP, has appointed D Vivek, currently organisational secretary, in the post of general secretary (organisation) in place of Khiren Rijiju. Tapen Siga, vice-president of the district unit has been appointed party spokesman, which was earlier hold by Rijiju. The decision was taken in view of Rijiju’s workload as he also functional as a member of the National Commission of Khadi and Village Industries.

One drowns in Dimapur
A teenager accidentally fell   into the river Dhansiri and met his watery grave at Dimapur. The boy, identified as Pintu Jaiswal (17) and a resident of Kalibari Road.

Assam Rifles media seminar concludes  
The two-day long media  seminar held at the headquarters of Assam Rifles at Shillong concluded recently. The seminar was divided into three sessions. The first session’s theme was synergizing efforts of security forces, media and   other agencies in the North-East in the prevailing environment. This session was chaired by  Maj Gen (Retd) Ashok Mehta and the panelists were Sanjoy Hazarika, Ashok Dewan and Brig Vipin Nautiyal. In this session, the need for adopting an integrated nationalistic approach in solving problems of the North-east region, the importance of the role of government, NGOs and media   in bringing improvement in the environment and economic development being a key factor of the synergy of effort between all agencies including security forces were brought to the fore. The second session was chaired by Mrinal Miri, Vice-Chancellor of NEHU and the panellists were Manoj Joshi, Gaurav Sawant and Brig N. N. Maddappa. The theme of this session was the “Role of Assam Rifles and Media in Nation Building and Bringing Peace and Harmony to the Region”. The contribution of media and electronic media in nation building was highlighted. The third session was chaired  by Lt Gen (Retd) S K Pillai, PVSM and panellists were Dr Menfuza Rehman,  Pradeep,  Bidhayak Das and  Brig R N Bhattacharji. The theme of this session was “Forging Greater Understanding Between Media, Assam Rifles and the People”. This session dealt with the role of NGOs in forging greater understanding between media.

Central team to assess flood damage
A 10-member Central team visited the State to assess the damage caused by the recent floods in Arunachal Pradesh. The team, headed by Dr Rajesh Hooja. During their three-day assessment, they had visited the flood affected areas of West Kameng, East and Upper Siang, Lohit and Dibang valley districts along with State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Dorjee Khandu and other senior officials. The Central team had completed their assessment and would submit their final report to the Central Government, sources said adding that the State Government has projected a loss of Rs 345.63 lakh due to flash flood this year. 

Bangla denies sheltering NE militants 
Notwithstanding India’s assertion that Dhaka was sheltering insurgents from the NE states, Bangladesh has said it does not allow its soil to be used for insurgency activities against any country. “Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used for insurgency activities against any country,” Foreign Minister Morshed Khan said reacting to outgoing Indian High Commissioner Monila Tripathy’s assertion that top insurgent leaders from the NE parts of the country were operating from Bangla soil. Tripathi had said at a dinner hosted by main opposition Awami League that “it is claimed that insurgents receive no sanctionary or support in   this country, but Sanjit Deb Burman, an insurgent leader from Tripura continues to live and operate from here even though he has not been formally given political asylum”.

Mysterious disease claims 87 lives in Arunachal 
Help of Army Medical Corps has been sought by the Arunachal Pradesh administration as a mysterious disease suspected as measles has claimed 87 lives during the last two months in Laju circle of Tirap district in the State. Sub-divisional Officer (SDO) W Lowang, incharge Deputy Commissioner of Tirap said that the epidemic had so far claimed 87 lives – 35 in Laju, 20 in Upper and Lower Kolam, 16 in Longliang, 11 in Sanu, 2 in Pongkong and 3 in Noglo. As the situation was alarming following spread of the disease to 12 villages of the circle affecting many people, the help of Army Medical Corps had been sought to contain the epidemic, the SDO said. A three-member medical team along with medicines was air dashed to Laju to help the doctors in district, he said.

Clash over demolition of   Kali temple
Police opened fire in the air to disperse a mob that clashed with the security men leaving eight persons injured over demolition of a Kali temple at Dharmanagar Sub-divisional town of North Tripura district. The trouble started when a group of villagers came to know that the 40-year-old Kali temple in office tilla area of the town had been demolished by the sub-divisional administration in the wee hours. Hundreds of people gheraoed the office of the sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) demanding reconstruction of the temple. Senior police officials rushed to the SDM office and the villagers attacked the policemen. The police opened fire in the air to disperse the unruly people.

IM man held for assaulting German tourist
The police have arrested a NSCN (IM) cadre, Inato Sumi, the prime accused in the assault of a German  tourist outside a hotel in Dimapur, after the outfit, which is negotiating a peace deal with the Centre, handed  him over following an ‘exhaustive investigation’. An assistant geologist of the Mining and Geology Department Hilito Sumi has already been arrested for the assault by the two on the retired senior German army man Holger Ruppert in his caravan parked outside the state-owned Saramati Hotel in Dimapur. Ruppert had come to Dimapur along with another German couple in their caravans seeking Restricted Area Permit for visiting other parts of Nagaland. After interrogating a number of witnesses, the police said they concluded that Hilito and Inato were directly involved in the assault that night when a party, to which Ruppert, his wife and the other German couple were invited, was going on at the hotel. Information and Publicity wing of the NSCN (IM), in a statement said a ‘joint council’ exhaustively investigated the assault.

Dacoits assault British couple  
In a daring dacoity, passengers of several vehicles, including a foreign tourist couple, were looted by a gang of around ten armed dacoits at 10th Mile area near Bhalukpong under Rangapara police station along Assam-Arunachal border. The British couple, Dr Michael Masey and Dr Irene Masey, were robbed of Rs 45,000 in cash besides a camera and other property worth Rs 1.5 lakh.

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