Mizo CM meets IM
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has had a meeting with NSCN (I-M) leader Issac Chishi Swu and other insurgent leaders of the North-East in Bangkok. He later said he was optimistic that the Centre-Naga peace process would continue smoothly and dialogue with other rebels would commence soon. Zoramthanga said that he had also met other leaders of NSCN (I-M) in the Thai capital as the representative of the Centre. The Mizoram Chief Minister had talks with Swu and T Muivah ahead of the peace talks the two NSCN (I-M) leaders had with Indian leadership in New Delhi.

NDFB vows again
NDFB is not giving up its fight. In fact, it has vowed to continue its armed struggle despite the BTC accord. In separate statements, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) chairman R. D. Nabla and general secretary Gobinda Basumatary made this unambiguously clear. They said their fight is ‘for the sovereignty of Boro nation’. Mr. Nabla voiced his views through his interviews to the media. Mr. Basumatary made his stand known through a statement released from the jail where he is lodged.

Wild Tusker on rampage
A group of wild elephants damaged the forest range office at Rowta in the West Kameng district of Arunachal. The range forest officer and his staff escaped with their lives and hid in the nearby jungle. The elephants damaged another building nearby. The damage to property is assessed at Rs 2 lakh. A wild tusker has become a source of danger in the area. It has reportedly killed six persons.

Kiyanilie elected Nagaland assembly speaker
Kiyanilie, a first time MLA is the Nagaland Speaker. He represents the Western Angami Assembly seat on NPF ticket. Kiyanilie election was unanimous. His was the only nomination for the office of Speaker. So, the pro-term Speaker Kuzholuzo declared Kiyanilie as the Speaker of the 10th Nagaland assembly.

Commercial complex of TDA inaugurated
Hemonta Gohain, Chairman, Tinsukia Development Authority (TDA) inaugurated TDA’s commercial complex at A T Road recently. Though Tinsukia has several privately owned marketing complexes, this new multi-storeyed building is the only marketing complex having all infrastructure like fire fighting, car parking, lift, etc.

UPDS demand note to teachers
A great deal of sensation prevails at Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district following the issuance of a demand note to the teaching staff of a school allegedly by the UPDS. The teachers were asked to pay three per cent of their salaries to the outfit. Sources claimed that the teachers have already deducted three per cent of their salaries to give it to the outfit.

10 cr for Lengpui, Guwahati airports
Dr C. P. Thakur, Union Minister for DONER informed that Rs 10 crore has been provided by the NEC for enhancing facilities at Lengpui Airport and also to improve air connectivity between Guwahati and Kolkata.

BLT activists nabbed while collecting cash
A group of ten BLT-ABSU workers were nabbed at Biswanath Chariali, when      they were busy collecting  money following the  observance of jubilee of       their BTC accord with the Centre and the State. As reported, the workers used the stamps and pads of the reception committee of the jubilee celebrations and went on collecting money by force from Gohpur to Biswanath Chariali. It came to the notice of the police and all the members were arrested. The police seized a Tata Sumo, a receipt book, an AK-56 with 27 round cartridges and cash Rs 1,20,000.

Journalist felicitated
Budhindra Nath Hazarika, a veteran journalist, was felicitated recently at a brief function held under the auspices of Biswanath District Journalists’ Association. The meet was presided over by Arun Das, vice-president of the BDJA. Following the completion of 42 years in the field of journalism by Mr Hazarika, the BDJA decided to felicitate him. 

Private parties likely to maintain Assam Houses
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi informed that his Government was planning to the hand over the responsibility of maintenance of guest houses, circuit houses, etc., to the private sector. The Chief Minister said this in his response to Opposition members’ allegation in the House that the circuit houses and Assam houses are not in good condition.

NOC of Balaji Cement factory cancelled
The Assam Pollution Control Board has cancelled the no objection certificate (NOC) of Balaji Cement Factory in Charing area on the outskirts of Jorhat. The setting up of the cement factory in March, 2002 had raised much of a debate with the people residing in the vicinity of the factory protesting against it. They said that the factory would not only pollute the greenery surrounding the factory but also affect the health of the children of a few primary schools situated nearby.

Four ULFA men sent to jail
Four ULFA militants have been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by the Sivasagar judicial magistrate today. The four hard-core ultras were recently arrested from various parts of the district by the Sivasagar police. The arrested cadres had confessed that the ULFA was trying to reorganise its base in the district and the top leaders had asked the grass-root level cadres to gather information about the latest security situation in the State. The members also revealed that more than 300 new recruits were undergoing arms training in four camps in Bhutan.

ADGP escapes bid on life
An Additional Director   General of Police escaped unhurt when an attempt was made on his life by unidentified insurgents at Baramura Hill range in Tripura. A group of unidentified ultras opened fire at the convoy of ADGP Pranay Sahay, damaging his car and seriously injuring a head constableaid. The security forces escorting the ADGP opened fire in retaliation.

JUA demands probe into killing of scribe
The Journalists’ Union of Assam has expressed grave concern at the ghastly murder of a freelance journalist Dineswar Brahma (40) of Banyaguri village under Gauripur police station, Dhubri on March 24 by unidentified assailants. The police suspected that BLT cadres were behind the killing. The JUA also condemned the attack on a senior journalist of Tinsukia by Mangal Upaddhaya. The JUA demanded an inquiry into the murder of Dineswar Brahma.

Assam civic bodies’ poll in June
Elections to all municipal bodies in Assam will be held in June, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said. Mr Gogoi said his party had promised during the last Assembly poll campaign to hold the panchayat elections if voted to power. “Our government believes in decentralization of power and we will carry out the same,” the Chief Minister said. The last municipal elections were held in Assam in June 1997 and all such bodies completed their term last year.

Form panel on river networking: AGP to CM
An AGP delegation led by party president Brindaban Goswami met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, and requested him to constitute a commission to look into the problems that might arise for Assam if the Centre goes ahead with its move to network the rivers of the nation. He requested the Chief Minister to prepare a scientists’ report on the probable problems if the Brahmaputra is connected with other rivers of the nation.

Thakur for development of SMC
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) Dr C.P. Thakur stressed the need for the development of Silchar Medical College (SMC) since it is located in the border, and rendering services to patients of neighbouring states Tripura and Mizoram. He met the Principal of the College, Dr M.N. Deka. The Union Minister also met Cachar Deputy Commissioner regarding the problems of the college.

Online lottery fetches Rs 6 cr for Meghalaya
The online lottery deal between the State Government of Meghalaya and M/s M S Associates has added Rs 6 crore to the State coffer, which constituted instalments for first and second quarters paid towards the minimum guaranteed aamount till date. Disclosing this during the question hour, the Taxation Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that besides the mentioned amount, Rs 37,000 per draw is being paid by the firm to the State Government. Dr Sangma mentioned that more terminals would be installed in Meghalaya. He said as per the agreement, the payment will be reviewed after a period of one year, which will go hand in hand with the ratio of the business.

Car lifters nabbed
Four more persons associated with the car-lifting racket, were arrested by the State Police from Nongthymmai area. According to police sources, the four accused had carjacked a Tata Sumo after strangulating the driver and his handyman from Guwahati.

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