Bangla for better ties with India

Observing that irritants always exist within a family, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said    India and Bangladesh can mutually resolve their differences and called for expanding bilateral relations both as neighbours and as members of SAARC. Bangladesh is committed to further strengthening relations with India, Zia. Zia said that irritants always exist within a family but these can be removed.

Concern over increasing attacks on NE scribes 

The Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) has expressed deep concern at the increasing attack on the journalists of North-Eastern region, particularly in Assam. The Secretary General of IJU and former chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Press Academy  K Sreenivas Reddy  in a release said that the journalists of this region are continuously facing attacks    and threats from militant  groups, mafia and security forces. Mr. Reddy demanded that the recent killing of Dineswar Brahma, a freelance journalist by the extremists at Gouripur should be handed over to the CBI and the government should give adequate compensation to the family of late Brahma. He also demanded to expedite the legal procedure against the killers of Parag Kumar Das and punish the culprits at an early date. He    has expressed his shock over  the fact that some miscreants ransacked the office of the Asamiya Khabar, an     Assamese daily at Jorhat recently. He urged upon the State Government to nab the culprits who vandalized the office of the said newspaper.

Assam starts single window clearance

The State government is preparing ground for  introducing single window clearance system to facilitate quick disposal of investment proposals. The State Industry and Commerce Minister Bhubaneswar Kalita informed that single window clearance system would be put into practice in the State as soon as the new industrial policy is announced. The new  industrial policy of the State  will favour introduction of single window clearance  system. However, the Minister failed to set the deadline for introduction of the system and said that the   new industrial policy was delayed as the State Government was yet to issue the VAT notification although the VAT Bill was passed in the Assembly in the last budget session. He informed that the new industrial policy would give thrust to promote industries based on local resources and manufacturing units would get preferance over packaging units.

Rail line to Meghalaya

The Government of Meghalaya has not made available lands,   so far, for extension of railway line in the State from Dudhnoi  to Depa. This project was included in the Railway    Budget 1992-1993. The Railways have already submitted land papers to the State Government. This project would be taken up once the land is made available to the Railway by the State Government. Acquisition of  land in tribal areas is difficult   as tribals cannot be  dispossessed ordinarily of     their lands in view of the Special Constitutional Protection.

5 Nagaland policemen held for smuggling

The Forest staff and Home Guards under Manja Forest Range office have arrested five Nagalanad police personnel for illegally carrying two trucks of teak wood valued at over Rs 4 lakh. The Nagaland police personnel led by Leena Ao, ASI, Pangti Ao, Havildar, Longkhush Lotha, constable, Kishethu Sema and Bijoy Mommi (both driver) and Bharat Dimasa, a local youth of Borjan under Manja police outpost were smuggling the wood from Borjan towards Dimapur. It is gathered that the strong vigil of the Home Guards personnel on duty at Forest check gate no 2 led by Robilal Thousen managed to stop both the trucks, while other home guards and forest personnel arrested the smugglers and seized the truckloads of teak wood. All the arrested persons have been forwarded to Diphu Court for trial under Assam Forest Rule 1891.

ONGC donates  Rs. 7 lakh

ONGC has released Rs 7.25 lakh under its socio-economic development programme for Sivasagar district. An amount of Rs 4 lakh was distributed to four beneficiaries at a public function held at Desangpani      in Lakwa Oil Field area. N. N. Taye, General Manager (HR/ER & PR) distributed a cheque of Rs 1,50,000 to Dhemaji Desangpani Higher Secondary School for construction of the boundary wall of the school, Rs 1,00000 to Swahid Kanaklata Girls’ High School, Rs 50,000 to Chengelimora Prathamik Vidyalaya and Rs 1,00000 to Tai Cultural & Meditation Centre.

Naga Governor for moral values

Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta has urged the toppers in the recent HSLC exam to focus on gaining knowledge in addition to moral values through hard work and sincerity. Felicitating the toppers, Mr. Datta asked them to help and not fight, assimilate and not destruct and emphasised on peace and not dissension. The students must have a vision backed by action to do wonders and must think to ignite noble thoughts for flooding the society with the light of  wisdom, the Governor suggested. 

‘One Union minister for each NE state’

BJP said that under a new dispensation to be in place shortly, a Central minister would be asked to be look after the affairs of each State of the north-eastern region. “This is a very new thing BJP is going to introduce. Each and every state of the North-Eastern region will be looked after by a Central minister who will also try to solve the workers’ problems,” party’s national vice president Pyarelal Khandelwal said.

Tea industry alarmed over extortion

The recent spurt in subversive activities by various extremist groups is causing great anxiety in the tea industry of Assam. According to the North Eastern Tea Association, the threat of extortion is more prevelant in Karbi Anglong district. The Association has demended additional security forces in these areas for the protection of the tea industry.

CM secretariat in districts

Meghalaya Government is considering setting up Chief Minister’s secretariat branches at district headquarters to bring the administration closer to the people, Chief Minister D D Lapang has said. This would also facilitate greater accessibility to the plans and programmes of the Government, he told an officers’ meeting at Nongpoh. He also asked the officers to highlight problems faced by them in the discharge of their duties and be prompt in the execution of projects. A congenial atmosphere had to be created to attract investors from outside the State for the uplift of the economy, he said, adding bureaucrats should develop a work culture.

Eye hospital at Mokokchung inaugurated

Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister Thenucho has called upon the medical officers and working staff to develop work culture with coordinated team sprit. Inaugurating the newly constructed Eye Hospital at Mokokchung district, the Minister appealed to the doctors and nurses to properly extend their services for the welfare of the people. He stated that improvement was possible only when the staff were punctual, well disciplined and straight forward. The hospital was funded by the Union Health Ministry under the National Programme for Control of Blindness. Earlier, the Minister also inspected the Changtongy Community Health Centre, Civil Surgeon Office, Zonal Malaria Office and also made a thorough inspection of the Rs 8 crore ongoing infrastructure project of the Regional Diagonastic Centre and Civil Hospital Mokokchung.

Overground wing of ULFA floated

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), in view of its declining popularity among the people of the State and shortage of manpower, has floated an ‘overground wing’ of the outfit under the name Asom Jatiya Parishad, high level police Intelligence sources claimed. The objective of the ULFA behind floating the organisation, is to revive its link with the people and create sympathy for the outfit, sources stressed.

NDFB leader nabbed from Guwahati hospital

The Army and police nabbed the ‘deputy commander-in-chief’ of the banned National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) from Down Town hospital in the city in a joint operation. Acting on a tip-off, security forces tracked down the militant undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The militant has been identified as ‘major’ B Olongbar alias Ajay Brahma. He was admitted to the hospital under the assumed name of Nirmal Boro.

4,800 kgs of contraband   ganja seized

The Excise Department sleuths seized around 4,800 kgs of contraband ganja worth Rs 1.44 crore from two trucks along Kohima-Dimapur highway and arrested a person in this connection. Acting on a tip off, Excise Department personnel intercepted the two trucks near Burma camp along the National Highway 39 and seized the contrabands. The contraband sealed in plastic sheets was hidden in a compartment in     the carrier. 

Rs 82.63 crore SRSF for rail safety

The Railways have allocated   Rs. 82.63 crores under Special Railway Safety Fund for strengthening rail safety in the North-Eastern region in the current year 2003-04. The amount will be incurred on rebuilding and rehabilitating 29 bridges, renewal of 96 km long tracks, replacement of signalling assets at 5 stations  and provision of track circuits at 10 locations. During the last two years, the Special Railway Safety Fund has been in operation, 115 bridges have been re-built, 184.17 km of tracks renewed, signalling replaced at 30  stations and track circuits provided at 12 stations. 

Financial assistance for disabled women

The National Handicapped Finance and Development has launched a scheme for promoting economic development  activities for the benefit of persons with disabilities. NHFDC would provide loan for self-employment of disabled persons for trading, manufacturing fabrication, vocational     training centres, including computer training centre, agriculture production and other related fields such as irrigation, horticulture, sericulture and small scale industries.

Mahurat of  Bodo film

Mwsakhaori Film Productions (MFP), Kokrajhar will launch another Bodo film Jalama(Layer) shortly.           The mahurat of the film was done by renowned Bodo lyricist Chitrajit Narzary in a simple function recently.

3 SPOs arrested on rape charge

Police arrested three Special Police Officers for allegedly raping a teen-aged tribal girl at Manoranjandaspara in Dhalai district. SPOs, Sudhir Mallick, Sudip Saha and Surja Das of Manoranjandaspara SPO camp allegedly lifted a tribal girl to a jungle while she was returning home from a crops field and committed the crime. The girl was rescued by another group of SPOs when she was lying unconscious. SPO is a special contingent of police force raised last year to help the regular police in combating insurgency in Tripura.

BJP leader’s arrest resented

Arunachal Pradesh State BJP unit has described the recent arrest of its Tirap district unit general secretary Thangwang Wangham as an instance of harassment of the party workers in the district. Accusing the district administration of working under the pressure of the State Government, the BJP asked the authorities not to be influenced by politicians.

Meru inaugurates tourist resort at Mezomam

Nagaland Tourism Minister Vatsu Meru has stressed on the need for people’s participation in development of tourism in the State. Inaugurating a tourist resort at Mezoma, Mr Meru said Nagaland was still in its nascent stage so far tourism was concerned and added that the tourism industry has now become one of the income generating sources to the economy. Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie stated that the Nagas first need to have peace among themselves to boost development..

NSUI opposes IM (DT) repeal

NSUI has strongly opposed the steps taken by the AASU, BJP and the AGP in pursuance with the        Central Government to repeal the IM (DT) Act in Assam. NSUI stated that the repeal of the Act will     invite the situation of 1983 for the religious and linguistic minorities under the leadership of the AASU. On the foreigners’ issue, the NSUI stated that not a single foreigner should be allowed to stay in the region, but in the name of deporting foreigners, genuine Indian citizens should not be harassed.

Four NDFB ultras killed

Four National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants were killed in an encounter with the Army in Tukrabasti village under Runikhata outpost near the  Indo-Bhutan border. A team of Armymen patrolling the area was fired at by a group of  NDFB militants. The Armymen also fired back killing four militants on the spot, while, the others managed to escape. Army recovered one  303 rifle, one nine mm pistol, one grenade and some ammunition.

Naga woman delivers triplet

A Naga mother gave birth to an all-male triplet on May 24 at a civil hospital in Nagaland’s Tuensang district. The triplet, weighing between two and two-and-half kg respectively. The mother of  the triplet, 35-year-old      Y Olai of Sakshi village under Longlen subdivision of the district, was under constant observation.

24 ultras surrender in Tripura

Altogether 24 extremists, including eleven hardcore    ones, had surrendered to the CRPF in South Tripura.   The ultras, led by their ‘area commander’ Phalapal Jamatia, laid down their arms and ammunition to the officials of fifth battalion CRPF at Amarpur. The ultras deposited two AK series rifles, one carbine, three Chinese grenades and huge cache of ammunition. Continuous offensive operations undertaken by the CRPF had put pressure on the insurgents, active in the area, to surrender before the paramilitary force.

Manipur to seek Centre’s nod

Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh has said the State Government would seek the Centre’s nod before passing the Manipur Control of Organized Crime   bill, 2003. The Chief   Minister said the proposed  bill would contain provisions  to counter the State’s  insurgency problem. “Although it was decided to introduce the bill in the last Cabinet meeting, we would seek the Centre’s approval before putting it into force”, he said. Mr Singh also said the bill would be different from the POTA.

Give up Home portfolio: Goswami to CM

AGP president Brindabon Goswami demanded Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to give up Home portfolio owning  moral responsibility for the fragile law-and-order situation in the State. 

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