Page 20 - Northeast India

Three killed in renewed violence following heavy gunfire at Kuki village

In a fresh round of violence in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, mutilated bodies of three youths were found following heavy gunfire at Kuki Thowai village in Ukhrul district on Friday, officials said. This is the first time that an attack in the recent bout of violence has occurred in Ukhrul district, which is dominated by Tangkhul Nagas. Sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village, which falls in Litan police station area, early in the morning, they said. Officials said the bodies of the three youths aged between 24 years and 35 years were found after police carried out a thorough search in the surrounding villages and forest areas. Bodies of the three persons bore injury marks apparently made using sharp knives and their limbs were also chopped off, officials said. Ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) ...

Assam Forest Minister hands over appointment letters to 6 appointees

Assam Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on Thursday handed over appointment letters to six candidates at his conference hall at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati. The candidates have been given appointments on compassionate grounds in Environment and Forest Department."The six appointees who received their appointment letters today are Helen Aman as Forest Guard, Rajen Sinha as Forest Guard, Sowaiba Sultana as Forest Guard, Manas Jyoti Gogoi as Constable AFPF Bn, Mohan Basfor as Constable AFPF Bn and Debraj Sarma as Constable AFPF Bn," the Environment and Forest Department said.Minister of Environment & Forest Patowary extended his congratulations to the new appointees and said, "The present state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been striving to fulfil its commitment of providing employment."He urged the new recruits to dedicatedly work in the department and contribute to the process of making Assam one of the top states in .

Mizoram moving ahead with responsible tourism policy: State sports minister

Mizoram is making headway with a responsible tourism policy that came into force from August 2020, state sports minister Robert Romawia Royte said. The policy, which was one of the political planks of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) in 2018, envisages a sustainable development strategy, coordination, strengthening institutional framework and skill development, he said. The policy also focuses on making tourism a tool for development of villages and local communities, eradicating poverty and providing livelihood for the local population while upholding the principles of economic, social and environmental responsibilities, he said. The Mizoram Registration of Tourist Trade Act 2020 was also enacted to introduce proper regulatory framework for suitable development of the tourism sector, he said. The Act provides for registration of tourism service providers within the state. At present there are 70 registered hotels, 63 homestays, 10 tour operators, 40 travel agents, 657 register

ADB approves $40.5 mn loan for Meghalaya early childhood development scheme

Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved a USD 40.5-million loan for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health programme in Meghalaya. The state government is contributing USD 15.27 million to the project, the multilateral funding agency said in a statement. The project will strengthen home-based childcare (children 01.5 years) and centre-based childcare (1.56 years) through daycare (Anganwadi) centres in Meghalaya, it said. The project aims to improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental healthcare and group-based parenting programmes to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving, it said. ADB's assistance will also improve nutrient adequacy by adding eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children aged 0.56 years, it said. As one of several climate-resilient features, the project will also help establish nutrition gardens at Anganwadi centres (AWC) for improved diet diversity and .

In contrast to UPA years, NER's economy has seen gradual growth in NDA rule

Shifting focus to population, the NER housed 45.5 million individuals, accounting for 3.7 per cent of the country's total population of 1.21 billion, according to the 2011 Census

Modi twisted decisions taken by his predecessors to score points: Cong

The Congress on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his criticism of then PM Indira Gandhi's decision to use the Indian Air Force in Mizoram in 1966, saying he "twisted decisions" taken by his predecessors out of their political and historical context to score "petty debating points". Responding to the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, Modi referred to incidents such as the use of the Air Force to "attack the people in Mizoram", a radio transmission of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 leaving the people of the northeast to fend for themselves during the Chinese invasion as cases in point of Congress' "neglect" of the region. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that on Thursday, the prime minister's speech revealed the influence of "mischievous distorians on his thinking". "He twisted decisions taken by his predecessors out of their political and historical context. He did it only to score petty debating points. This is perhaps only to b

NDA partner Mizoram's MNF to back oppn's no-confidence motion in Parliament

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram, a partner of the NDA, will back the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the BJP-led government at the Centre, Lok Sabha MP C Lalrosanga said on Thursday. Lalrosanga told PTI that he will vote in favour of the no-confidence motion over the Manipur government and the Centre's "failure to handle" the ethnic violence in the neighbouring state. "I will back the opposition's no-confidence motion. It is not because I support the Congress or (want to) go against the BJP, but to show our outright distress and opposition to the complete failure of the governments, especially the Manipur government, in handling the situation," he said. The MNF is deeply hurt over the condition of the Zo ethnic people in strife-torn Manipur, he said. Lalrosanga said he discussed the issue with party president Zoramthanga, the chief minister of Mizoram, and other leaders and they agreed to back the no-confidence motion. The MNF is a constituent

Manipur MLAs urge PM for disarmament to foster environment of peace

Forty MLAs from violence-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the state requires complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security. The MLAs, most of whom are ethnic Meiteis, also demanded the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki militant groups, implementation of NRC in the state and strengthening of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). In the memorandum, these MLAs opposed the demand for a 'separate administration' by Kuki groups. "For the immediate establishment of security, simple deployment of forces is inadequate. Although it is imperative to halt the violence in the peripheral areas, a complete disarmament is the key to achieve this goal. The entire state requires a complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security," said the memorandum that was submitted to PM Modi on Wednesday. "The confiscation of all weapons belonging to insurgent groups and illegal armed foreign forc

Torch rally in Imphal Valley demands special session of Manipur assembly

Hundreds of women took out torch rallies across the Imphal valley, demanding that a special session of the Manipur assembly be convened before the monsoon session of Parliament ends. The rallies were held around 9.30 pm on Wednesday at Keisampat, Keisamthong and Kwakeithel in Imphal West district, and Wangkhei and Kongba in Imphal East district. "In the assembly session, the government should pass a resolution to protect the state's territorial integrity and send it to Parliament while it is still in session," Ingudam Babita, one of the participants of the rally, told reporters at Wangkhei. The women also raised slogans against the demand for separate administration by Kuki groups, and for the implementation of NRC to identify "illegal" immigrants in the state and deport them. The Manipur cabinet last week recommended Governor Anusuiya Uikey to convene a session of the assembly from August 21. The previous assembly session was held in March, and violence broke out in the state in

3 killed, 3 injured in fresh violence in Manipur, curfew relaxation hrs cut

Three persons including a father-son duo were killed by militants in Manipur's Bishnupur district late night on Friday, police said. The three were gunned down while they were sleeping and later slashed with swords at Kwakta in the district, police said on Saturday morning, adding that the assailants came from Churachandpur. "The three used to stay in a relief camp but had returned to their residences at Kwakta on Friday after the situation had improved, police said. Soon after the incident, an irate mob gathered at Kwakta and wanted to head towards Churachandpur but was stopped by security personnel, police said. "Three persons including one policeman were injured following heavy exchange of fire between state forces and militants near Kwakta on Saturday morning. The policeman sustained splinter injuries on his face. All the three have been brought to Raj Medicity in Imphal for treatment. They are out of danger," police said. Meanwhile, the district administration has shortened .

Assam govt outreach drive: CM, ministers to visit over 25,000 villages

The Assam Chief Minister, ministers, senior government officers, and other staff will visit 25,501 villages across the state over a period of 15 days

General strike called by assembly committee cripples regular life in Imphal

The 24-hour general strike called by the co-ordinating committee of 27 assembly constituencies in Manipur on Saturday paralysed normal life in Imphal Valley, with markets and business establishments remaining shut in almost all localities. Public transport stayed off the road and only a few private vehicles were seen plying on the streets. Schools also remained closed due to the strike from midnight. The hill districts, however, have largely been unaffected by the strike, which was called by the committee to demand an emergency assembly session to discuss various issues. The committee's convenor L Binod had earlier said that the strike is not to add to the hardships of the people, but to pressure the government. Meanwhile, the Manipur Cabinet on Friday recommended Governor Anusuiya Uikey to convene a session of the assembly from August 21. The previous assembly session was held in March. Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence that broke out in May, and sporadically continue

Manipur cabinet asks Governor Uikey to summon Assembly on August 21

The Northeast state has been in the throes of violence, claiming over 100 lives so far and displacing thousands of people

Curfew relaxed for 7 hrs in twin districts of Imphal for essential shopping

The Manipur government relaxed the curfew in Imphal East and West districts for seven hours from 5 am on Friday to facilitate common people to purchase essential items, officials said. Following fresh violence in various parts of the ethnic strife-torn state, the administration had on Thursday imposed a total curfew in the two districts as a precautionary measure, withdrawing relaxations announced earlier. The curfew was relaxed on Friday from 5 am to 12 pm "to facilitate the general public to purchase essential commodities, including medicines and food items", according to orders issued by districts magistrates of Imphal East and West. Over 25 people were injured in clashes as Army and RAF personnel fired tear gas shells in Kangvai and Phougakchao areas in Bishnupur district on Thursday to stop processions from proceeding to a proposed burial site, violating restrictions on gatherings. A Manipur Rifles policeman was killed and one person injured in a gunfight at Senjam Chirang in

Around Rs 3.37 trn spent for development in NE states in past 9-yrs: Govt

The government has spent Rs 3.37 lakh crore for development works in northeastern states in the past nine years, Union Minister Anurag Thakur informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Replying to a question on sports infrastructure facilities in the Northeast, the minister highlighted the work done by the Modi government in the last nine years for the overall development of the region. In the last nine years, the road network in the Northeast has been expanded to around 16,000 km from 8,480 km to improve connectivity, the youth affairs and sports minister said in a written reply. He added that the number of airports have been doubled in the last nine years and rail connectivity is being improved. "Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has visited the Northeast 60 times in the last nine years," Thakur said, adding that this shows the commitment and seriousness of the government for the development of the region. Currently, Thakur, said 1,350 projects worth Rs 15,760 crore, across all departments

Curfew relaxation period increased by 1 hour in 2 Manipur districts

The Manipur government has extended the curfew relaxation period by one hour in Imphal East and West districts in view of improvement in law and order situation, an official statement said. The curfew relaxation period in the twin Imphal districts was now from 5 am to 8 pm. Separate orders issued by the office of the district magistrates of the two districts said that "there is a considerable improvement in law and order and there is a need to relax the restriction of movement to facilitate general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items". The curfew relaxation period in other valley districts of Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur remained unchanged from 5 am to 5 pm. A separate press release issued by the Manipur Police Control Room stated that the "situation in the state was still volatile and tense but under control" and that "security forces conducted search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of the state". Meanwhile, Kom Union Manipur ...

84% people from northeast relocate for better medical facilities: Report

Most migrate due to a lack of availability of human resources and essential requirements such as hospital beds, physical infrastructure, drugs, and diagnostics

Bajrang Dal camp organisers booked for imparting arms training in school

Assam Police have registered a case against Bajrang Dal activists for organising an arms training camp at a school in Darrang district. The case was registered with Mangaldai police station under Section 153A/34 IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony). ''Reference video related to training by Rashtriya Bajrang Dal at Maharishi Bidya Mandir, Mangaldai, a case has been registered vide Mangaldai PS case no 357 U/S 153A/34 IPC," Darrang Police tweeted. Assam Director General of Police G P Singh had directed the Darrang district superintendent of police to register a case and take lawful action against those allegedly involved in organising an arms training camp as seen in a video that has gone viral. ''Reference Mangaldai video-SP@ Darrang_Police has been instructed to register a case under appropriate sections of law and investigate the matter and take ..

Manipur women stage protest demanding removal of security forces from Moreh

Over 1,000 women on Monday staged a protest in Manipur's Churachandpur demanding immediate removal of state police forces from Moreh town. They have threatened to launch a massive agitation in all the hill districts if their demand is not met. On July 28, thousands of Kuki-Zo women in Tengnoupal district had blocked the road to Moreh, bordering Myanmar, to stop police forces from entering the town. A convoy of ten vehicles of security forces including the Indian Reserve Battalion, Manipur Rifles and commandoes were heading towards Moreh town when the womenfolk obstructed them at Tengnoupal. The protest by the women of Churachandpur comes a day after the opposition bloc INDIA on Sunday said if the conflict in Manipur is not resolved soon, it may create security problems for the whole nation. A delegation of the non-BJP coalition, which visited Manipur state for two days from Saturday, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence", showing "brazen indifference" to the ongoi

SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking SIT probe into Manipur violence

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a fresh PIL on the Manipur violence seeking among other things a SIT probe into alleged poppy cultivation and narco-terrorism. It asked for a "more specific" petition and said this one was "very difficult" to entertain because it blamed only one community. Senior advocate Madhavi Diwan, appearing for the petitioner Mayanglambam Bobby Meetei, sought to withdraw the plea and was allowed to do so. This petition is very difficult to entertain because it places blame on one community, said the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandcrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. You can come with a more specific petition. This petition has everything from the violence to narcotics to deforestation, the bench said. Diwan referred to cross-border terrorism and poppy cultivation in the state as responsible for the recent violence. The plea made the Narcotics Control Bureau, the National Investigation Agency and the NHRC as well as the .