Army denies rape charge
The Army has denied involvement in the rape case at Nayamati under Misamari police station as reported in a section of the Press recently. A Defence press release said that the charge is an attempt to tarnish the image of the Army in the eyes of public. The release further said that on February 4 one Betet Koch was apprehended by the Army for possession of illegal arms following which a group of local Bodo women approached the army for his release, failing which they threatened to lodge a rape charge. It is a nefarious design of the militants to malign the image of the Army and counter the good work initiated by the Army, the release added.

Police official faces rape charge in Arunachal
Assistant Commandant of India Reserve Battalion Kime Kameng was arrested on January 27 last for allegedly raping a 13-year-old local girl in his official residence at Khonsa, headquarters of Tirap district, official sources said. Kime was produced in a local court and remanded to judicial custody for 11 days. However, the victim belonging to nearby Dadam village was sent for medical checkup after a complaint was lodged on January 26 the day of the incident, the sources added. When contacted state IGP Deep Chand said departmental action has already been initiated against the errant cop.

2 NLFT ultras die in encounter
Two hardcore NLFT militants were shot dead by police recently in Dhalai district. Police had got specific information about militants’ movement at Shibbari area under Ambassa police station. Acting on this information, SDPO Ambassa Subrata Chakrabarty led a contingent of TSR and TSR personnel in search operation. When the police party reached Shibbari, militants perched on hilltop, opened fire at them. The security personnel at once retaliated heavily. The encounter lasted for about 20 minutes. Later, during search operation two bullet riddled bodies were recovered from the spot. The slain militants were identified as Haripada Maisum (26) alias Baishnab and Katirai Malsum (25). A high-explosive grenade and incriminating documents were recovered from the militants.

Ex-MLA dead
Veteran CPI leader and former MLA Jogen Gogoi died at the Assam Medical College (AMC) Hospital, Dibrugarh following a massive heart attack. He was 81. He leaves behind his wife and a son. Meanwhile, the Assam State Council of CPI has condoled the death of Mr. Gogoi.

Centre ready for talks with NE ultras: Swami
The Centre is prepared to hold talks with different underground outfits in the North-Eastern region without any condition for bringing peace in the region, Union Minister of State for Home I. D. Swami said. Mr. Swami said all problems could be solved through dialogues and discussions and added that a ministry to look after the NE affairs had been created for paying attention to the development in the region.

Army denies rape charge
The Army has denied involvement in the rape case at Nayamati under Misamari police station as reported in a section of the Press recently. A Defence press release said that the charge is an attempt to tarnish the image of the Army in the eyes of public. The release further said that on February 4 one Betet Koch was apprehended by the Army for possession of illegal arms following which a group of local Bodo women approached the army for his release, failing which they threatened to lodge a rape charge. It is a nefarious design of thegha (AATS) accused the Assam Government of diverting Central funds to the tune of Rs. 30 crore under the Special Central Assistance (SCP) for tribal development. The Sangha also demanded that the Government should implement more income-generating schemes in the tribal areas of the State. General secretary of AATS, Aditya Khakhlari, said that the AATS welcomed the initiative taken by the Union Government and the State Government towards solving the vexed Bodo problem by creating the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). He, however, said that the interests of the non-Bodos must be safeguarded in the proposed BTC at any cost. Mr. Khakhlari said that the State Government must take up prompt measures for tribal development in the State. He said that funds for tribal welfare from the Centre should not be diverted to other heads under any circumstances.

NDFB alleges Army atrocity
The banned National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has alleged large-scale Army atrocities in Bodo-dominated areas of Assam. NDFB organising secretary D. Derhasa said the recent killing of five innocent Nepalese was the "reflection of frustration" of the Army and other security forces operating in the area. He further alleged that killing of Nepali people was a part of a greater conspiracy of the armed forces.

Army shoots dead 2 SULFA activists
The Army shot dead two surrendered United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) activists — Lohit Deka (22) and Dambaru Deka — at Naharbari Kopili Xatra. While Lohit Deka hails from Alekjari in Jaljali, Dambaru hails from Mohanpur in Howli.

Kokrajhar shoot-out report
The investigation report on the recent death of five Nepalese in Army’s custody in Saralpara in Kokrajhar district was submitted to the Kokrajhar DC, Dr. Ashish Bhutani, by inquiry officer B. K. Paul. The State Government had ordered a probe into the reported killing following protests from all sections of the society after the five "innocent" persons were picked up by the Army and later gunned them down terming them as NDFB cadres.

UPDS leader’s body recovered
The body of a leader of the anti-talk faction of the banned United People’s Democratic Society (UPDS) has been recovered from Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The body of the leader identified as Munindra Teron was found on the Bokajan-Borpathar road near Diphu.

Toytrain claims first victim in 122 years
For the first time in its 122 years of service, a person was run over and killed by the toy train of Darjeeling district. North East Frontier Railway sources said 51-year-old Krishna Bahadur Chetri was walking on the track near Ghoom, the highest railway station in the world, when the train knocked him down. Poor visibility due to a thick cover of fog might have caused the accident, the sources added. He died on the spot, about 7.5 km from Darjeeling railway station. The toy train, linking New Jalpaiguri  and Darjeeling, has been accorded world heritage status by the UNESCO.

College woes
With part time lecturers far outnumbering regular ones, students of Moirang College are facing untold hardships and their academic pursuit greatly hindered due to the ceasework strike of the Part Time lecturers demanding extension of service.
A press release of Moirang College Students' Union while urging the Government to bring an amicable solution to the strike, warned that numerous agitation would be launched by the Union if the Government fails to do so.

Poll I-Card
The Election Commission of India has approved the identity cards issued by village authorities only for identification of electors at the forthcoming Assembly elections, an official release said. The release said that ECI has given its approval to the identity cards in addition to the 16 documents already approved by the commission for the ensuing polls.

DIET employees threaten strike
Contract Employees of the District Institute of Educational Training, DIET have closed down the State Council of Educational Research & Training, SCERT, Govt of Manipur with immediate effect. The action, the DIET Employees Association, DEA, said in a release, has been taken up against the nonpayment of their salaries for 14 months by the Government of Manipur. DEA charged that the state government has not paid their due salary though the Centre has sponsored them fully and has sanctioned necessary funds for the purpose since September 12 last year. The State Government has not fulfilled their promise of giving their dues under special encashment permission, said the release.

200 children take out rally
A children's rally, organised by the Social Reformation Committee, Brahmapur Sangaichuthek Imphal was taken out in Yaiskul kendra in an appeal to the general public of Yaiskul kendra to ensure a free arid fair elections. More than 200 children participated in the rally.

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