Dergaon Sahitya Sabha session begins today

DERGAON, Jan 31 – The 71st session of Asam Sahitya Sabha will get under way at the Hemchandra Baruah Kshetra here tomorrow.

The reception committee has completed all the necessary preparations for the mega event. According to Dr Parag Thakur, general secretary of the reception committee, the main pandal for the session measuring 45,000 square feet has been erected at the Hemchandra Baruah Khsetra at the historic Rajabahar. A dining hall having a capacity to accommodate 2000 people has also been built. A total of 185 bookstalls have been set up at the book fair site. Similarly, 200 stalls each for the trade fair and the exhibition etc have also been completed.

According to the general secretary of the committee, delegates camps have also been kept ready. The camps have been arranged at DKD College, Dergaon HS School, Dergaon Girls’ HS school, Indranee Devi HS School, Kuralguri HS School, Dergaon Town High School, Dergaon Basic Training Centre and Amar Sarmah Girls’ High School. The Marwary Dharamshala and Golaghat Circuit House have also been readied.

The session will start at 8 am on February 1 with the plantation of saplings by Kanak Sarmah, vice-president of Asam Sahitya Sabha. It will be followed by registration of delegates’ names, unveiling of the memorial pillar, inauguration of art mela, opening of a book fair by Imran Shah, inauguration of an exhibition by Ajanta Neog, and inauguration of the trade fair by Kashi Nath Hazarika. The souvenir Disoi-daria, edited by Sarat Rana Bora and Gunin Sarmah, will be released by Gautam Bora.

The ‘Matri Bhasa’ conferrence will be held at 12.30 pm. The delegates’ camps will be opened by Debo Kumar Borah, press adviser to the State Chief Minister.

In the evening, the ‘Ganesh Pegu and Kamini Narzary memorial cultural nite’ will be inaugurated by Dulal Roy.

On February 2, the Sabha flag will be hoisted by Sabha president Rong Bong Terang. Another seventy one flags will be hoisted simultaneousely. This will be followed by smriti tarpan, which will be initiated by Dr Krishna Kr Mishra. The inauguration of namghar will be done by Dr Naren Kalita.

A programme named ‘Ramdhenu’, which will be ianugurated by Yese Dorje Thongsi, will be chaired by Manikuntal Bhattacharya. The programme ‘Akash’ will be inaugurated by Dr Rita Choudhury and it will be chaired by Anuradha Sarmah Pujari. A Darsan Sanmilan will be held in the evening.

The Rekibuddin Ahmed, Dr Upen Kakoti and Amar Sarmah memorial cultural nite will be held in the evening, which will be inaugurated by Jatin Goswami.

On February 3, a cultural procession will be taken out with Rong Bong Terang, which will be flagged off by Dr Sarat Phukan.

In the afternoon the first open session will be held, which will be presided over by Terang and inaugurated by Ratan Singh while Alok Ranjan Dasgupta will be the chief guest. In the meeting, Satish Kaleskar and P Jakaria will be the invited guests.

The Rajen Pam and Mohan Bhaira memorial cultural nite will be held in the evening

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Centre may extend ULFA Ban

NEW DELHI, Jan 31 – Even as the decks are being cleared to hold peace dialogue with ULFA, the Centre is all set to extend the ban on the militant outfit for another two years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

An Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal today issued notices to Chief Secretaries of Meghalaya and Nagaland

Government to make submissions. The case is now scheduled to come up for hearing on February 14. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal sought the opinion of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, besides Assam on the Centre’s proposal.

The case had last come up for hearing on December 24, when all the parties were asked to submit their opinion within a month. ULFA, too, has been given one month time to submit their opinion before the Tribunal. The militant outfit has so far not given their opinion though it has time till February 13 to do so.

The case came up for hearing today in Mukta Gupta Tribunal, when Assam Government sought some time to submit a few documents in support of its bid to extend the ban. The Counsel for Arunachal Pradesh was also present, while the Union Government represented by its Counsel, additional Solicitor General AS Chandok.

All the four States are expected to seek further extension of the ban on ULFA. The dreaded outfit was first banned in 1979. The ban was last extended in April 2009, when all the States sought further ban on the outfit. The same year neighbouring States were for the first time asked to give their opinion.

The Union Government supports classifying ULFA as a “terrorist group” due to its “terrorist skills”, which is posing a challenge to the security of Assam and other neighbouring States, the Tribunal was told.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had last year decided to extend the ban on ULFA taking note of the activities of the outfit and refusal of its military chief Paresh Barua to come on board and sit for talks.

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NE excellence award presented

GUWAHATI, Jan 31 – The Indian Chamber of Commerce conferred Dr NK Dutta, who is the founder and Principal of city-based premier residential school Miles Bronson, with the 2nd North East Excellence Award at the 6th North East Business Summit in the Large Entrepreneur Category for charting the course of the school to be a frontal organisation with amenities in human and material infrastructure and redefining the course, quality and content of education from mere rote learning to the globally accepted and universally popular experiential learning, a press release said.

The award, presented at Mumbai’s Lalit Inter Continental appreciated the herculean effort of Dr NK Dutta, who built the school from scratch with a handful of students at a rented house.

The jury members of the awards which included a galaxy of experts and intellectuals from different fields also took a positive note of the fact that the school could herald a sea change in innovation by being the first school in the North East to introduce experiential learning along with a host of new age learning methodologies.

The award was conferred by DoNER Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique and was attended by the CM of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and other dignitaries.

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Vote bank politics to blame for influx

SHILLONG, Jan 31 – Holding vote bank politics responsible for the illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, outgoing Meghalaya Director General of Police Sibabrata Kakati has said that politicians are reluctant to solve the “serious” issue, reports PTI.

“It is a serious problem. Demographic changes are rapid. Political parties are not keen on solving the issue. It is because of political patronage and vote bank politics that the problem has assumed such serious proportions,” Kakati told PTI in an interview.

Kakati, a 1976 IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre who retires today, said that though the rate of present influx is not as threatening as before, but “people were still coming from across the border”.

“The solution to the problem is economic. You have to have your own labour force. Now, when more and more enterprises are coming up, unless you fill up that vacuun of required manpower the problem would persist. Assam will be swamped if it goes on like this,” he said.

On the insurgency scenario in the region, the senior IPS officer who has served in various branches of the security apparatus in the Northeast, said it is difficult to take out the roots of militancy from the region.

“If you satisfy one group, another outfit comes up. The futility of armed movement is yet to be understood by the youth. They are not enlightened. We will have to keep on facing the menace,” Kakati said, pointing to the “war cries given by an ULFA faction led by Paresh Barua at a time when another group is readying for the talks”.

He, however, described the militancy as a “money making business” taken up by some “opportunists”.

“Many outfits have realised that armed revolution is not possible because of the might of the state and so they have come overground. But small groups will keep on surfacing. The history of the region speaks for it,” the outgoing DGP, who also had a stint with the paramilitary BSF, said.

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State Budget session begins today

GUWAHATI, Jan 31 – The Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, which begins tomorrow, is likely to be a stormy one as both the ruling and Opposition parties will try to gain maximum possible advantage of the session, which will be the last before the ensuing elections to the Assembly.

However, in view of the elections, the Government will only present Vote on Account for three months instead of a full Budget for the entire financial year. The session will start with the customary address by Governor JB Patnaik while Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who is also in charge of the Finance Department, will present the Vote on Account on the first day of the session itself.

The session, which will continue up to February 8, will have six working days. The Government is planning to introduce 13 Bills in the session, of which three will be new Bills. The new Bills to be introduced in the session include the Kumar Bhaskar Barma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University Bill, Assam Urban Areas Land Control Bill and the Assam Molasses Control Bill, said Assam Assembly sources.

Meanwhile, both the ruling and Opposition parties are gearing up for the session. A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party was held this evening to discuss the party’s strategies for the Assembly session, while a meeting of the State Cabinet will be held just before the commencement of the session tomorrow morning.

The Opposition parties are planning to maintain floor coordination on the common issues to put the Government on the back foot.

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that corruption would be one of the major issues for the Opposition. He pointed out that the Government is hoodwinking people on the financial scam in NC Hills Autonomous Council. He said that though the Chief Minister assured to entrust the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the responsibility of probing into all the financial irregularities, only nine specific cases were handed over to the Central agency. He said that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pointed out a number of major irregularities by the Government and the Opposition would strongly raise the issues in the floor of the House.

Mahanta said that on the issue of peace talks, the AGP is of the view that efforts should be made to find permanent solution to the problem of insurgency by involving all militants and the peace talks should not be treated as an election gimmick by the ruling party.

The Opposition Leader further said that price rise of all essential commodities, failure of the Government to rehabilitate flood and erosion affected people, etc, would be the other major issues for the Opposition in the Assembly session.

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Hydel projects to thwart Chinese designs

GUWAHATI, Jan 31 – The Union Ministry of Power (MoP) has argued that the timely grant of environment and forest clearances for the proposed hydel projects in Arunachal Pradesh is crucial to ensure India’s right over the Brahmaputra, which is facing a grave danger of being diverted by China. This has been reported by the energyline india.com, an Internet portal on the country’s power sector in its latest issue.

In a recent communication to the Cabinet Secretariat, the MoP has demanded that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) act fast on consideration of projects being proposed in the Siang river basin of Brahmaputra to facilitate their speedy execution.

Besides, quick green approvals for projects in this hydropower rich State are also required if the country is to achieve its target of nearly 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 MW of fresh capacity addition over the 12th and 13th Plan periods, so as to sustain an annual growth rate of nine per cent for the economy, said the MoP communication, as quoted by the power sector portal.

In another report, the portal said that the MoP also brushed aside the apprehensions expressed by the Arunachal Pradesh Government regarding the safety of the dam at NHPC’s 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower project, claiming that all the relevant recognized institutes of the country were consulted to set the design parameters for the project.

The MoP maintains that the Central Water Commission (CWC), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Soil & Materials Research Station, Delhi and Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune as well as IIT Roorkee, have all checked and approved the project parameters, with regards to all safety aspects as well.

Besides, considering the fact that the entire Himalayas lie in a Seismic Zone-V, extensive survey and investigation activities are carried out post allocation for all the hydel projects, to prepare their Detailed Project Reports (DPR), which are then vetted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for concurrence.

While doing so, the CEA also examines various technical aspects, including the dam safety and design of various structures in consultation with CWC and GSI.

Further, site specific seismic studies are also carried out for all the hydel projects and put up before the National Committee on Seismic Design Parameters for their recommendations, thereby leaving no room for any potential danger, said the repot of the portal referring to the claims the MoP.

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Arunachal Guv discusses Tirap situation with army officials

Itanagar, Jan 29 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Governor J J Singh today said he has spoken to top army officials on improving the situation in Tirap district, rocked by the ongoing turf war between cadre of two NSCN factions.

The former army chief told PTI here that he has spoken to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 4 Corps, Lt General Gyan Bhushan and Army Commander, Eastern Command, Lt General V K Singh with reference to improving the ground situation and instill a sense of security in the minds of people.

"There cannot be any compromise with the security and safety of the people," Singh said referring to reports about insurgents roaming freely in Tirap district.

The infighting is going on for the last one month, apparently for area dominance in the wake of Eastern Nagaland People''s Organisation (ENPO) having called for a separate state comprising four districts of Nagaland besides Tirap and Changlang of Arunachal Pradesh.

Gen (retd) Singh, an advocate of "iron fists for insurgents and velvet gloves for civilians" principle, earlier had expressed concern over the prevailing situation in his Republic Day address.

He had said people of the district were living in fear psychosis with headquarters Khonsa witnessing intermittent gun-battles having claimed two lives.

However, forces are patrolling and the situation is under control, Superintendent of Police Vikramjit Singh said.

In all the 36th battalion of CRPF, 19 Assam Rifles and 14 Rajput Regiment of Army besides the state police are deployed in the district, declared disturbed since September 17, 1991 under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

Declare financial emergency in Tripura, demands

AGARTALA: Tripura's main opposition, Congress, on Tuesday urged the UPA-led Centre to declare a "financial emergency" in Left-ruled state as the state government has made itself bankrupt.

"Due to massive mismanagement and corruption, there is no financial stability in Tripura. Hence, under the Article 360 of the Indian constitution, the union government should declare urgent financial emergency," opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath told reporters here.

According to him, emergency audit by CAG is urgently required to save the people of Tripura.

Read more: Declare financial emergency in Tripura, demands - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Declare-financial-emergency-in-Tripura-demands/articleshow/7363699.cms#ixzz1COigHj9V

MOU signed to link Tripura with Bangladesh by train

Agartala: India and Bangladesh will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to link Agartala railway station with Akhaura in Bangladesh, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said on Friday.

"Railway ministry has placed the alignment report for the proposed rail connectivity seeking the state government?s opinion and we have readily agreed," Sarkar said after inaugurating the 21st Tripura Industries and Commerce Fair here.

A joint survey to prepare the alignment for the 16km Indo-Bangla rail link was carried out in September last and later it was placed before both the governments for a decision.

Sarkar said construction of a bridge on the river Feni in South Tripura district would also begin soon as the final alignment had already been made by a team of engineers of India and Bangladesh.

The bridge being built at a cost of Rs 12 crore would connect South Tripura with the Chittagong Port, 72 km away from the Indo-Bangladesh border at Sabroom, he said.

The chief minister also underlined the need to introduce Agartala-Dhaka-Guwahati air service to boost trade and commerce with the north eastern region.

PTI

Garo militant killed in Meghalaya, outfit ‘chairman’ escapes in encounter

A militant of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was killed, four others arrested while the outfit’s ‘chairman’ narrowly escaped in an pre-dawn encounter in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos of Meghalaya Police raided a GNLA hideout inside a forest at Rongrekgre where an unspecified number of cadres, including their chairman Champion Sangma, a deserter deputy superintendent of police, were hiding.

During the ensuing encounter, one GNLA militant ?" Washing Marak - was killed, while four others - Leting Marak, Paldil Marak, Mily Marak and Peper Marak - were arrested.

Police found one AK 47 rifle, one light machine gun, one pistol and a magazine from the busted camp.

One bullet proof jacket, suspected to be that of the chairman, was also found in the camp.

Earlier, police also recovered one of the two INSAS rifles stolen by a constable who has been missing since Friday and is believed to have joined the GNLA.

The rifle was recovered from a villager, Putin Marak, at Thaba Danengeni in the district. Putin, from whom police also found 17 rounds of ammunition and a magazine, has been arrested.

Constable Savio Marak had deserted his company deployed in the ethnic-violence hit Mendipathar area on Friday.

In another incident last night, Jaintia Hills district police arrested two cadres of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) from a taxi at Jowai.

Two AK 47 rifles, 85 rounds and four loaded magazines were seized from the two militants - Rilang Dohlilng and Maianbor Tongseng.

PTI

Meghalaya orders probe into rebel's killing in 'staged' gunfight

Shillong, Jan 28 (IANS) The Meghalaya government Friday ordered magisterial probe into the killing of a Garo rebel leader in an alleged staged gunfight by security forces.

'The deputy commissioner is issuing orders for a magisterial enquiry to ascertain the facts of the encounter and submit the report to the government in a time-bound manner for deciding further course of action on the demands of the NGOs of East Garo Hills,' Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told journalists.

Sangma hurriedly convened a cabinet meeting Friday to discuss the alleged fake gunfight.

On Thursday, thousands of angry villagers protested in front of Williamnagar police station against the killing of Washington N.Marak, 50, a suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebel, in an alleged fake encounter at Rongrekgre village Wednesday.

Four suspected rebels were also arrested from Rongrekgre village. Police claimed to have recovered an AK rifle with four round of live ammunition from Washington's possession.

Claiming that Marak and the arrested people have no links with the GNLA, eight social groups termed the police claims as 'absurd' and demanded the immediate termination of service of Police Inspector T.C. Chacko and other police personnel who were involved in the killing.

The NGOs also demanded a compensation of Rs.50 lakh to the next of kin of Marak, besides immediate treatment of the released persons.

'The concerns of the public on the allegations made against certain police officers in connection with the encounter have to be balanced against our efforts to fight against anti-national and social groups,' Sangma said.

Sangma, however, said the government was committed to protection of human rights and life and property of the citizens. No innocent should be harassed and no let-up in the action against the extremist elements can be allowed under pressure from extraneous vested interest.

He also admitted that the GNLA is actively involved in extortions and abductions and trying to expand its base by recruiting cadres and developing nexus with other militant outfits in the region.

The GNLA, which is fighting for a 'sovereign Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya, has links with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the NDFB.

AKRSU blockade cuts off northeast

KOKRAJHAR: The entire northeast remained cut off from the rest of the country due to a 36-hour road and railway blockade called by the All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union(AKRSU) beginning Thursday at Gossaigaon and Sagaliya inter-state border in Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts.

Train services came to a virtual halt in lower Assam during the day as about 2,000 AKRSU supporters staged a blockade on railway tracks near Salakati station.

NFR officials said the picketers were removed from the tracks and services resumed late in the afternoon. Railway authorities either regulated or controlled all movement of trains in various stations of West Bengal and Assam. Services of more than 10 passenger trains, including the Rajdhani Express, were affected.

About 1,000 AKRSU supporters blocked NH-31 C at Gossai-gaon and more than 2000 others stopped traffic at Sagaliay Inter-state gate, Golokganj, in Dhubri district, preventing movement of Assam-bound vehicles from West Bengal on both NH 31 C and NH 37.

Since a number of important highways in Assam like NH-31 C and 37 cut through Koch-Rajbongshi dominated areas, the blockade also choked the state's supply routes.

Although the district administration of Kokrajhar led by SP PK Dutta tried to thwart rail blockade, the union led by Biswajit Roy is firm on enforcing it till Friday evening. AKRSU president Biswajit Roy said the state government was engaged in a conspiracy to eliminating the community from Assam.

Read more: AKRSU blockade cuts off northeast - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/AKRSU-blockade-cuts-off-northeast/articleshow/7375271.cms#ixzz1COhDvFtP

Assam govt refers nine cases for CBI in NC hill district scam

Guwahati, Jan 27 (PTI) The Assam government has referred nine cases related to misappropriation of development funds in NC Hills district to the union Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) so that CBI can probe them.DoPT has given its consent for inquiry and investigation into five cases by CBI but is yet to give its consent for the remaining four cases, an official release here today said.The state government government had referred one case each relating to the public works department, public health and engineering, agriculture, soil conservation, forest, health, panchayat and rural department and two to the social welfare department, the release said.The state government is further examining all cases of misappropriation mentioned in the special audit report of Accountant General for referring it to the CBI, it said.The CAG had detected anomalies in development fund management of North Cachar Hills district. The issue has rocked the state with opposition parties demanding dismissal of the ruling Congress government on the issue.

Assamese trying to revive age-old ties through Indo-Bhutan friendship fair

With the decline of militancy in Assam, the people here are trying to revive the age-old ties with neighbouring countries, and one such initiative was the 'Indo-Bhutan Mela' organized here recently.

On the eve of Magh Bihu, Assam's Baksa District witnessed a huge influx of Bhutanese tourists and the traditional Magh mela held in the region, which was later renamed 'Indo-Bhutan Mela'.

Scores of tourists from Bhutan were present in Subankhata village to participate in the fair, which aimed to revive ties, promote peace and harmony and also boost the trade and commerce between the two nations.

The visitors were provided free lodging and transportation facilities.

"Since 1951, the people from Bhutan participate in huge numbers in Magh mela. But after the Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) started operating in the region this relationship was affected. We have taken this initiative to revive this age-old friendship," said Hem Narzary, Advisor, Subankhata Magh Mela.

"To promote trade and commerce between two countries we need to work hard and then strengthen our relationship. After that we can start working on promoting trade between both sides," added Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA) Vice President Norbu Wangdi.

The cuisine and culture, which are the best ways to build bridges, played an important part in the Indo-Bhutan Mela. Stalls serving both Bhutanese and Assamese cuisine were set up for the visitors.

Traditional dances during the mela provided a window to the culture and traditions of both the countries.

A photo exhibition that showcased cordial relations that have existed between both nations was also held during the fair.

"We have come here for the first time. It is a great experience. We watch a lot of Hindi movies there and we are enjoying ourselves here," said Bhutia, a tourist.

"It's not only about Subankhata area but the entire Baksa district. We can sell rice, potatoes and many other things to the Bhutanese people and they can sell their products here in our market and both can benefit from it," added Binjoy Boro, a local. (ANI)

SSC expects more applicants from the northeast

GUWAHATI: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC), which was established by the Union government for recruitment of Group B non-gazetted staff and Group C staff to various central government departments and ministries, has seen very few applicants from the northeastern region over the years.

But with the Union ministry of home affairs announcing the recruitment of more than 55,000 candidates in central paramilitary forces (CPMF) through the SSC, this year officials are expecting more applicants from the region. Among these, 4,713 vacancies are available in the northeastern region with Assam having 3,063 posts.

"The number of applicants from this region has remained more or less static, whereas there has been an increase in the all India figure. Assam, in particular has not done well, both in terms of the number of applicants as well as the success rate," said SSC chairman N K Raghupathy.

The Northeast regional office of SSC has received 60,075 applications in the open examination till January this year against 64,371 applications received during 2009-10.

"One possible reason for the poor representation of Assam is lack of awareness among the students about different examinations being conducted, the syllabi and requisite educational qualifications," Raghupathy rued adding that these exams are great opportunities for employment seekers in government sector where the remuneration are very lucrative.

"The SSC chairman also said, "The CPMF has state wise vacancies to be filled by the candidates domiciled in respective states or union territories. It's a wonderful opportunity for the candidates." He urged the youths of northeast to come forward and grab the opportunity with both hands.

Read more: SSC expects more applicants from the northeast - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/SSC-expects-more-applicants-from-the-northeast/articleshow/7375254.cms#ixzz1COf4ruA1

No dearth of talent in northeast India: Tripura governor

Agartala/Aizawl, Jan 26 (IANS) The success of tennis player Somdev Devvarman, who won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games, shows that 'there is no dearth of talent in northeast India', said Tripura Governor D.Y. Patil Wednesday.

'Somdev has become an immense source of motivation for all the sportspersons in India as well as Tripura. The people of Tripura along with the rest of the country are extremely happy following his success and feat in the international sports arena,' Patil said after unfurling the national flag at the Assam Rifles ground here on the occasion of Republic Day.

'Somdev's success proves... that there is no dearth of talent in northeast India and that all these bright youngsters need a platform or an opening to prove their capability,' the governor said.

The tennis sensation, who belongs to Tripura's erstwhile royal family, won two gold medals at the Guangzhou Asian Games in China and a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last year.

'Terrorism seems to be in its last throes in Tripura which bodes well for faster development of this land-locked bordering state.

'We all must reiterate our resolve today to banish militancy with courage, vigour and determination and share the commitment of our government to bring the fruits of development to every home of the state,' Patil said.

People came out in large numbers across the state to participate in the 62nd Republic Day celebrations, defying the boycott call by militant group, the Tripura People's Democratic Front.

In Mizoram, Governor M.M. Lakhera unfurled the tricolour at the Assam Rifles ground at Aizawl.

Lakhera said: 'As many as seven sports persons from Mizoram took part in the recently concluded 16th Asian Games at Guangzhou.'

Workshop on ecology preservation

Kohima, Jan. 28: A two-day workshop on “Experience sharing on communities’ initiative for bio-diversity conservation in Northeast India” began here today.

The workshop has been organised by the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (Neped) in collaboration with the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,

Researchers from the Northeast working in the field of bio-diversity conservation will interact with persons involved in managing community conservation areas over the two days.

The workshop assumes significance at a time when the Nagaland Baptist Church Council has banned serving of wildlife meat at any church-related programme.

Neped had launched “Strengthening community conservation efforts in Nagaland” in 2007 in collaboration with the Salim Ali centre. The programme was funded by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. It imparted technical support on bio-diversity conservation and livelihood options in Phek, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire and Mon districts.

The administrator of Neped, Vengota Nakro, said the programmes address the two critical issues of the 21st century: Biodiversity conservation and economic development. These identify specific areas that need conservation efforts and facilitate the implementation of conservation efforts by villagers.

He said Neped had outlined specific programmes for village communities that would lead to economic benefits and sustainable development. “By reaching most villages in Nagaland and identifying their requirement, it is opening doors for several donor agencies, including the Nagaland government and financial and developmental institutions, to implement programmes on sustainable development and enhancement of the income of the communities,” Nakro said.

He said the programme aimed to train a core group of individuals from different tribes who facilitated a resource group with expertise in biodiversity conservation and livelihood options.
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Literary fest of NE begins in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Jan 28 – Writers, intellects, journalists and social thinkers have gathered here for a literary fest “Cultures of Peace: Festival of the North East” to introspect and analyse the differences that have created rifts giving rise to local insurgencies, demands for secession and years of internal conflict and simmering discontent.

A two-day literary festival of peace organised by Zubaan in collaboration with Heinrich Boll Foundation, aims to showcase the region’s writing and also look at the whole question of whether culture can play a proactive role in bringing about peace.

It will also allow for people, both from the North East and from outside to talk across borders and to learn from the experience of others, said Editor of Zubaan, Preeti Gill.

Over the next two days a host of prominent authors including Mamang Dai of Arunachal Pradesh, Mitra Phukan, Bijoya Sawian of Meghalaya, Rita Chowdhury, Mona Zote, a poet from Mizoram, Temsula Ao, Arupa Kalita, Ananya Guha, Aruni Kashyap, Pradip Phanjoubam and Indrani Raimedhi, among others would share their thoughts and experience and showcase their writings.

The first session was on Writing Peace, Writing Violence, which was followed by a session on ‘The words to Say It’, ‘Crossing Borders’, ‘Stories from War Zone’. An exhibition “Seven Sisters and the City” was also organised on the occasion.

11 Naga ultras surrender in Manipur

IMPHAL, Jan 28 – Eleven cadres of various Naga underground groups laid down their arms at a surrender ceremony held at Army headquarter at Leimakhong, around 25 km from here on Thursday.

Six cadres of the NSCN-IM surrendered with one G3 rifle and six live rounds, two 7.35 mm pistol, 0.22 pistol, one AK-47 rifle and two Chinese hand grenades. Two NSCN-K cadres surrendered with one 0.22 pistol and 7.62 mm rifle.

FNG/NNC cadres deposited three 7.35 mm pistols. The cadres laid down their weapons before Major General DS Hooda, GOC of 57 Mountain Division. Speaking on the occasion, Major General DS Hooda, complimented them for their courage and wisdom in choosing to become responsible citizens of the State.

Tripura approves Indo-Bangla rail link alignment

AGARTALA, Jan 28 – Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday said the State Government has approved the alignment for proposed rail link between Akhaura (Agartala) to Gangasagar in Bangaldesh.

The Chief Minister, who was speaking in the 21st Tripura Industries and Commerce Fair here today, said the Railway Ministry had placed the alignment report for the proposed rail connectivity seeking the State Government’s nod.

“We have readily agreed on the proposed alignment as it will be feasible for both sides. Now, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between India and Bangladesh and hopefully the work will flag off shortly”, he said.

A joint survey to prepare the alignment for the 16 km Indo-Bangla rail link was carried out in September and later it was placed before the both governments for final decision.

The Chief Minister also made it clear that the construction of a bridge over river Feni in South Tripura district would also begin soon as the final alignment has already been made.

Referring to the Centre’s query on whether the State Government is ready to take up the construction work, Sarkar said “If Centre fails to fund the project, the State will spend Rs 12 crore to get the work done”.

According to the survey, the distant between Sabroom and Chittgong port stands at only 72 km, which will provide a major boost to the connectivity between the two sides.

The Chief Minister also underlined need to introduce air service between Agartala-Dhaka-Guwahati to explore potential in trade and commerce.

However, he criticised the Centre for delaying the face lift of Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-44) even after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s announcement. “We want the Centre to expedite the work for better connectivity to the landlocked Tripura”, he added.

Rs 434-cr NEC project on road connectivity

NEW DELHI, Jan 28 – As part of the 11th Plan Projects of the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned road projects amounting Rs 434.23 crore spread across five states of Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Manipur and Mizoram.

Official sources said that Minister DoNER, Bijoy Krishna Handique while sanctioning the projects said they would boost connectivity between the states, as well as connectivity within the states. The NEC is committed towards channelizing similar quantum of funds for improving the road sector in the region.

The projects include improvement of Jowai-Nartiang – Khanduli – Biathanlangsu Road at an estimated cost of Rs. 138.36 crore, which proposes to link Assam and Meghalaya. The Assam portion is 59.55 Km at an estimated cost of Rs.71 crore and the Meghalaya portion is 54.80 Km at an estimated cost of Rs.67.36 crore.

Construction and improvement of Simchuthang – Pabong – Yangyang Road in Sikkim at an estimated cost of Rs.62.84 crore, improvement of Kangokpi – Tamei Road in Manipur at an estimated cost of Rs.87 crore. Upgradation of Sherkha- Bhagabazar Road at an estimated cost of Rs. 146.03 crore and length 115.20 Km. The targeted date of completion of all the projects is 2013- 2014.

The expenditure for the projects would be met from Plan Funds of NEC to the extent of 90 per cent of the approved cost and 10 per cent would be borne by respective State Governments.

Ethnic clash: Centre rushes forces to Meghalaya, curfew in Assam

SHILLONG: The Centre has rushed additional 600 paramilitary personnel to Meghalaya to assist the state in the wake of ethnic clash between two tribal groups.

Shoot-at-sight orders were issued on the Assam side and curfew remained clamped on the inter-state border with Meghalaya as the toll in the strife at Goalpara-East Garo Hills rose to 10.

Official sources said shoot-at-sight orders were issued by the Assam government after a high-level security meeting at Dispur last night.

Goalpara Deputy Commissioner P K Goswami said over phone that two bodies were recovered on the Assam side on Sunday evening, taking the toll in the ethnic clash between the Rabhas and Garos to 10.

East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said Garo-dominated Chigism, Kaldang and Kasikgara villages in Assam were attacked yesterday and 200 Garo women and children fled to East Garo Hills and sought refuge at Hudakona primary school compound during the night.

They were shifted to relief camps by army troops, who arrived on the scene early today.

Besides, a vehicle carrying relief material was also torched injuring 11 people, two of them critically at Paikan in Goalpara.

Following the arson attacks on the Garo villages, a mob frenzy began to build up since yesterday and Gendabari Rabha village on the Meghalaya side was set ablaze during the day.

Security forces with the help of army moved in swiftly and cut off all entry and exit routes between the two districts to prevent any escalation of violence, Bakshi said.

In view of the incidents, curfew remained clamped at Resbulpara subdivision of East Garo Hills and in the four police station areas of Dudhmoi, Krishnai, Dhupdhara and Rangajuli of Assam, official sources said.

Security forces have detained several arsonists from both Assam and Meghalaya and taken them under preventive detention.

Official sources said a team of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs team led by joint secretary Sambhu Singh reached the border and will hold a review meeting at Resubelpara during the day.

He would later hold another meeting at Guwahati, the sources said.

Read more: Ethnic clash: Centre rushes forces to Meghalaya, curfew in Assam - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ethnic-clash-Centre-rushes-forces-to-Meghalaya-curfew-in-Assam/articleshow/7253604.cms#ixzz1AdXeKd1I