Renovated municipal hall inaugurated

DIBRUGARH, Dec 27: Sitting MP Pabon Singh Ghatowar yesterday formally inaugurated the renovated municipal hall, at a brief function held yesterday with the Chairman of Dibrugarh Municipality Board (DMB), Chandra Kanta Baruah in the chair. Ghatowar while inaugurating the hall called upon the people to help and extend full cooperation to the new DMB Chairman and his team of Ward Commissioners who have been trying to give minimum civic service to the people of Dibrugarh. The meeting was also addressed by Water Resource Minister, Prithibi Majhi, sitting MLA, Prasanta Phukan, Chairperson, Zila Parishad, Meena Teli, and former Chairman of DMB, Dr Kamini Ranjan Baruah. Majhi in his address while lauding the work of new Chairman of DMB, Chandra Kanta Barua disclosed that the State Government has released rupees eight crore and Rs 12 crore for development of drainage system of the town. He also called upon citizens of Dibrugarh to help DMB in making the town clean.

Army attachment camp held

Army attachment camp held

From our Staff Reporter

DIBRUGARH, Dec 25: A weapons and equipment display was held here today as part of the Army attachment camp being held by the Dah Division. It is part of the training schedule of the senior division NCC cadets from 26 Assam Independent Company, Digboi and 10 Assam Battalion NCC, Dibrugarh.

Manipur wakes up with no newspapers

IMPHAL, Dec 23: After a decision to protest against the “diktat” of a militant outfit by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), newspapers in Manipur today failed to hit the stands. As a result, none of the newspapers published from Manipur came out today as scribes were protesting forcible publication of press hand outs of a particular militant outfit.

The decision was taken in a meeting of AMWJU last evening, following a statement issued by the militant outfit, a spokesman for the body said. While a section of the outfit wanted the statement to be published in newspapers, another section of the same outfit warned the dailies with dire consequences if the statement was published, he said.

Journalists in the perennially restive State had been facing pressures from all quarters to publish press handouts resulting in frequent confrontations. Journalists, at meeting discussed the publication of news-related items especially of organizations with several factions at logger heads with each other.

The media body decided not to publish any statement issued by the outfit while appealing the public not to disturb the functioning of the media in the State. “This is not the first time that militant outfits have disturbed the smooth functioning of the media in Manipur,” the spokesman said. On earlier occasions also, dailies had failed to hit the stands because of various pressures from different militant outfits, he said.

Editors and members of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) has strongly opposed the infringement of the freedom of the press. (Agencies)

Railways launch scheme for RO water in NE stations

AGARTALA, Dec 21: In order to ensure better passenger amenities, Ministry of Railways has announced to make available free quality drinking water round-the-clock at railway stations in the northeastern states through Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. Railway officials here said a similar scheme was introduced in other parts of the country recently and it had yielded a better result.

Under this scheme, the private parties would be allowed to install and operate water vending machines through commercial advertising route. The machines should be required to dispense only RO processed drinking water, officials said, adding that the provider would be allowed to advertise on the machines or on the frame used for covering it, as per the approved guidelines with respect to aesthetics, public morale among others.

“The Ministry launched the scheme following mushrooming of packed water supplying companies in the railway stations across the country,” officials in Northeast Frontier Railway said. The water provided through these machines will not be allowed to be packaged. No charge shall be levied either from the passenger or from the Railway, sources stated. The Railway will provide only electricity and water supply free for the processing of water, sources added. (UNI)

IPS probationers complete army attachment

IPS probationers complete army attachment

IMPHAL, Dec 19: Twenty-two IPS probationers, including six lady officers, underwent a nine day training with the army under the aegis of Red Shield Division from December 10. It culminated with an interaction of the IPS officers with Maj Gen DS Hooda, GOC Red Shield Division here today at the Headquarters at Leimakhong.

Tripura demands 1.83 lakh meningitis vaccines from Centre

Tripura demands 1.83 lakh meningitis vaccines from Centre

AGARTALA, Dec 18: Following a report of fresh cases of Meningococcal Meningitis in remote locations of North Tripura, the state government has demanded 1.83 lakh vaccines from Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, State Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty said.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Chakraborty said two deaths were reported so far this month from Meningitis-affected Rajdhar area under Dhalai district while seven cases had been reported. He said besides operating a make-shift hospital, which had opened early this year, a specialist medical team was sent to the affected areas. “Altogether 285 cases of Meningococcal Meningitis have so far been reported and the toll has been recorded at 62 this year,” he said.

Chakraborty said after long persuasion the Centre had sent a three-member expert team from National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) led by Dr Pankaj Singh who studied the situation in the wake of spread of the disease.

Following the recommendation of the Central team, the health department requested the ministry to supply 1.83 lakh vaccines in September, as the experts advised that the recurrence of the disease might continue for next three-four years and mass vaccination would be the best remedy.

“Unfortunately, since the previous government’s tenure we have been demanding for supply of Meningococcal vaccines because of our fund crunch, but nothing was done and finally we procured about 30,000 vaccines from open market,” he added. The State Government issued public advertisement asking the people to come under hospital medication immediately if they complained of fever, body ache, sudden itching or allergy while advising them to keep safe distance from other patients and undertake all possible precautions. (UNI)

Fate of Mizoram Reang refugees uncertain

Fate of Mizoram Reang refugees uncertain

AGARTALA/AIZAWL, Dec 16: The much-awaited process of repatriation of 35,000 Reang tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram hangs in the balance despite pressure from the Centre, the Tripura Government and rights bodies on the Mizoram Government to resolve the 12-year-old ethnic crisis.

A fact finding team (FFT) from the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) in New Delhi visited Mizoram and Tripura during December 8-15 to facilitate a resolution to the ethnic conflict between Reang tribals and the majority of Mizos in Mizoram.

Tripura Assembly adjourned over CM’s statement

AGARTALA, Dec 15: Following protests against Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar’s statement alleging nexus between opposition Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) and banned militant outfits today, the Speaker adjourned the day’s business, preceded by two subsequent brief adjournments.

The opposition members demanded a probe in the wake of the Chief Minister’s statement on the floor of the House at the beginning of Question hour, but the Speaker attempted to manage the situation by making repeated appeals to the members. However, he was compelled to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.

But the opposition members raised the demand again after resumption of the Assembly’s proceedings and the House was adjourned again for 20 minutes. The opposition remained adamant on their stand and finally the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

Later, addressing mediapersons, Leader of the Opposition Ratan Lal Nath condemned the attitude of the Chief Minister and criticized the State Government and ruling party for “irresponsible” activities, while alleging that there were several instances of CPI(M) and militants’ linkage.

He accused the Chief Minister of indulging in corruption, nepotism and insurgency in the State for the sake of his chair and said, “The way he commented against INPT without any proof or record has established his political immaturity and disrespect towards the Indian Constitution and we demand him to withdraw the statement.” Nath said the statement had triggered reaction in political circles and if there was any communal tension, the Chief Minister will be “solely responsible.”

Sarkar stated in the Assembly yesterday on the recent militant attack in Kanchanpur where at least nine surrendered extremists and their relatives had been killed. He said the State Government had apprised the Union Home Ministry about the issue of INPT-militant relations.

He also accused the Chief Minister of “murdering” former Health Minister Bimal Sinha and alleged that he was always protecting criminals. (UNI)

Sikkim holds exhibition to showcase environmental heritage

GANGTOK, Dec 14: The Forest Department of Sikkim organized an exhibition to showcase the environmental heritage of the State in Gangtok this week. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling inaugurated the daylong exhibition, which presented the rich biodiversity of the State, at Saramsa Garden recently.

The occasion marked the concluding ceremony of “100 years of Sikkim Forestry.” The exhibition also introduced people to the State’s rich flora and fauna, comprising of heritage trees, landscapes, endangered wildlife, water bodies and the river network.

Centre to amend NRA for setting up HC in Tripura

AGARTALA, Dec 14: The Centre has initiated a move to amend North-eastern Re-organization Act, 1971 (NRA) to consider the demand of setting up a separate High Court in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said today.

Replying to a query in the State Assembly, Sarkar said Union Law Ministry had informed the development regarding the demand of establishing separate High Court in the state early this year that it was referred to Union Home Ministry and necessary steps were taken including the proposal of NRA amendment.

Sarkar, however, underlined that the State government had also been pursuing for filling up the vacant post of judges in Guahati High Court for long time besides, appointing more judges from Tripura but nothing has come out yet. Three posts of judges against the sanctioned post of 24 were still vacant.

Tripura adopts new strategy for forest conservation

AGARTALA, Dec 13: The Tripura Government has adopted a new strategy for protection of forest land, besides promoting settled agriculture among the tribal communities.

Addressing convocation in Tripura Forest School here today, State Forest Minister Jitendra Choudhury said about 1.5 lakh hectares of forest land had already been distributed among about 84,000 forest dwellers under Forest Rights Act and it was duty of the foresters to protect the core zone.

“Forest officials are not only responsible for maintaining the office documents, but also accountable for take care of the demarcated forest land,” Choudhury said, adding the State Government had initiated several projects for economic rehabilitation of the tribal people.

Chamling tables Bill seeking regulation of financial establishment

GANGTOK, Dec 11: A new Bill and two amendment Bills were introduced today in the first day of the winter session of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly by the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government. The new Bill, Sikkim Protection of Interests of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Bill was tabled by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

“The Bill seeks to provide suitable legislation in public interest, in order to regulate the activities of financial establishments that are not covered by the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and to safeguard the interest of the depositors,” said Chamling in his statement of objects and reasons while tabling the Bill.

“There has been in the recent past, emergency of a number of financial establishments not covered by the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 with the sole object of collecting money as deposits from the public, mostly middle class and the poor, on the promising of paying very high rates of interests and with no guarantee or obligation to return the deposits to the depositors on maturity. Many such financial institutions have defaulted in return of deposits on maturity, thereby inviting public resentment, socio-economic problems and law and order problems,” said Chamling.

MP demands separate HC for Tripura in LS

AGARTALA, Dec 10: Lok Sabha member representing Tripura Khagen Das urged the Centre to speed up the process of setting up a separate High Court in the State. Das stated in Parliament yesterday that Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and the Tripura Legislative Assembly and Bar Association of Tripura (BAT) had been demanding a full-fledged High Court instead of a permanent bench of the Guwahati High Court in Agartala for past few years and several memos were sent to the Law Ministry and the Chief Minister also met Prime Minister on the issue but no positive action was taken so far.

“It has been a long-standing demand of the State and last year a team of lawyers met the Prime Minister urging for a separate High Court. Despite assurances, nothing positive came out of it increasing the number of pending cases in the State,” Das underlined.

Tripura housed a separate High Court even in the royal regime but with the enactment of the Northeastern Areas Re-organization Act, the Union Law Ministry brought Tripura under the Guwahati High Court and in 1992 a bench for Tripura was opened,” he stated and sought immediate intervention of the Centre on the issue. (UNI)

Blast in Assam market kills four

Guwahati, Dec 10 (IANS) Four people were killed when a powerful blast rocked a market in Assam’s Sonitpur district Thursday.

The blast took place at around 3 p.m. at Missamari, about 200 km from here.

DT Lepcha to take charge of Upper Burtuk

GANGTOK, Dec 9: To drape the intra-party contention following its dissident legislator PS Tamang’s thumping announcement yesterday, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) today took another bound forward by appointing DT Lepcha as the party’s incharge for Tamang’s Upper Burtuk constituency in East Sikkim. According to a communiqué from the party’s General Secretary (Administration) SK Pradhan, the move has been taken in exercise of the power conferred upon him vide Para five of the Article 20.1 of the SDF party.

John Abraham to campaign on AIDS awareness in Nagaland

KOHIMA, Dec 8: Noted film actor John Abraham will visit Nagaland on December 18 to grace the final event of “Live Drive,” a multi-media awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS.

President of Rattle and Hum Music Society (RHMS) Theja Meru told UNI that John Abraham will arrive in Kohima on a three-day visit on December 17 and the next day he will grace the final event of “Live Drive” at Kohima. He will leave for Mumbai on December 19.

The Live Drive programme has been organized by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) with an aim to create awareness through music in the various districts of Nagaland and the RHMS is managing the events throughout the State by organizing music and rock band competitions in every district.

A rock band has been selected from every district and the finale would be held at Kohima on December 18. The RHMS had invited John Abraham to take part in the “Live Drive” and accordingly he accepted and confirmed his visit. (UNI)

Heliport work starts in Sikkim

GANGTOK, Dec 7: Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja today laid the foundation stone for the heliport at Chemchey, South District, Sikkim. This is first in the three heliport projects in the State sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Tourism for construction of heliports. The other two are Geetang Khola in the West and Mangan in the North District.

The projects have been sanctioned with a view to promote tourist destinations in hilly, remote and inaccessible areas of the country. Speaking on the occasion, Selja said it is heartening to note that for the first time in the country the State of Sikkim has been granted Central Financial Assistance for Heliport to develop three new destination projects. She said, the efforts of the State Government for taking lead towards promotion of adventure, eco and wellness tourism in the country are praise worthy.

Miscreants create havoc

KOKRAJHAR, Dec 5: A large group of unidentified miscreants created havoc in Khorkila and Hasraobari villages under Serfanguri Police Station on Friday night at around 9 pm by pelting stones and burning heap of straws of many families. According to the sources from the locality, the miscreants pelted stones at several houses starting from one Mohini Goyary whose son is an ABSU member and also burnt down a good number of heap of straw in the villages. The villagers started hue and cry but calmed down as the miscreants did not allow to do so.

OBITUARY

Chabiram Sarma (98), a well-known priest and astrologer of Barangabari in Kalangpur Mauza died on November 27, at his son’s residence at Ghahigaon due to old-age ailments. A Sanskrit Pundit, Sarma was the adviser of Sonitpur Zila Brahman Samaj. He is survived by his wife, three married sons and five married daughters. He walked daily for hours together till his death. Walking was his hobby.

Expedite sanitation drive: Centre tells Meghalaya

SHILLONG, Dec 1: Rajwant Sandhu, secretary to Union Government today asked Meghalaya to accelerate the pace of programme implementation in sanitation, especially on IEC component, to raise the level of awareness and physical coverage on sanitation in the State.

Nathu La export set to cross Rs 10 million

GANGTOK, Dec 1: The fourth edition of the annual border trade at Nathu La, located at 14,200 feet altitude on the Sino-India frontier in Sikkim, ended today with Indian traders registering a turn over of Rs 8.95 million till October this year.

The import of goods from Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) stood at nil as per the official figure as against Rs 1.35 lakh last year, according to Industries and Commerce Department officials here.

Indian traders had initially showed lesser enthusiasm to participate in the fourth edition of the annual border trade at Nathu La which had led to no transaction of goods from either side of the border in May and June this year. The authorities later persuaded Indian traders, all of them from Sikkim, to engage in border trade that resulted in the export turn over of Rs 8.95 million in the next four months as compared to Rs 9.6 million last year, they said. Items like textiles, utensils, canned food, tea and vegetable oil were in great demand to the importers of TAR, sources said.

The import of goods from TAR failed to enthuse Indian traders as against the corresponding figure of Rs 1.35 lakh last year. The historical Nathu La silk route was reopened for bilateral trade in 2006. (PTI)