BSF allowed to construct barbed wire fencing on Bangla border
Agartala: With the improved relation between India and Bangladesh, border guards of the neighbouring country have allowed BSF to construct barbed wire fencing within 150 yards of the international boundary in some patches, which is contrary to the border management agreement of the two countries. “The Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) allowed construction of barbed wire fencing in 25 patches within 150 yards of the zero line as those areas were difficult to fence due to tough terrain and natural barriers. We treat this as a good will gesture from our counterpart”, BSF D.I.G, B S Rawat said on Monday. According to the border management agreement, signed between the border guards of the two neighbours in 1975, no permanent structures could be built within 150 yards of the international boundary. Border fencing was completed in 671 KM long areas of the total 856 KM long Indo-Bangla border and the work is on progress in 81 KM areas. The BSF has made a plan of floodlighting 720 kilometers areas of the border of which 588 km was completed. The project of border fencing and flood lighting in the area was taken to check smuggling, illegal trafficking and cross border movement of insurgents using the soil of the neighbouring country. (PTI)
Newspapers fail to hit stands for third day in Itanagar
Itanagar: Publication of all newspapers remained suspended here for the third day on Monday in protest against the authority’s alleged anti-media ruling and over the fear of confrontation with the Students’ Union Movement of Arunachal (SUMA). The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ), which has decided to close all media houses indefinitely, have demanded removal of Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mige Kamki who allegedly permitted SUMA to stage a dharna against English daily Arunachal Times. “We will continue our agitation till the government fulfils our genuine demand and no newspaper will hit the stands unless the DC is removed for his act,” APC President Chopa Cheda said. On February 13, the APC and APUWJ in a joint representation to the chief minister’s office sought immediate suspension of Kamki. They also sought restraining SUMA president Biri Tabing and other members from intimidating media houses and press persons and banning entry of any person into media houses after 5:00 pm. “SUMA is known throughout the state because of the wide publication given by the state media. Regrettably, of late this organisation has started dictating terms amounting to muzzling the freedom of press and media,” he claimed. The two bodies have also cautioned that if any untoward incident occur putting media houses and media persons in danger, the blame would be on the capital DC, SP and the state government. (PTI)
Nagaland constitutes State Level media monitoring committee
Kohima: The Nagaland State Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) was constituted on Monday in accordance to a direction by the Election Commission of India. Official sources said this was stated in an Office Memorandum issued by the Election Department, Government of Nagaland that the State Level MCMC will have Chief Electoral Officer as Chairman, Joint Chief Electoral Officer as Member Secretary and other members. The Committee shall have the following two major functions besides previewing scrutinizing and verifying all the advertisements by individual contesting candidates or political parties before it is inserted in the electronic media. (UNI)
Heroin seized in Aizawl
Aizawl: Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department officials seized 32.6 grams of heroin worth around Rs 1.6 lakh in a local market near Aizawl on Sunday, an official statement said today. One person, identified as Vanlalmawia (22) of Zokhawthar hamlet in Champhai district, was arrested for allegedly carrying the drugs in the pocket of his jacket, it said. The contraband was seized from Vanlalmawia when he was travelling in a maxi-cab plying between Aizawl and Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai town, the statement said, adding the accused was booked under relevant sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985. (PTI)
Three NLFT insurgents surrender in Tripura
Agartala: Three hardcore insurgents of outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura have surrendered before the Border Security Force at MaldaKumar-para Border Outpost in Dhalai district, BSF said on Monday. The ultras, who fled from hideouts in Bangladesh, surrendered yesterday to the Officer-in-charge of the BOP in Gandacherra subdivision. The ultras deserted their hideout because of food shortage. They were also not paid their salaries for a long time. The ultras, identified as Jospeh Reang, Basajay Aslong and Angiakrai Reang, have been handed over to the police. (PTI)
Mercury slides to 7 degree Celsius in Mizoram
Aizawl: Mizoram shivered under a cold wave as the mercury slid to a low of seven degree Celsius on Monday with showers adding to the misery. The temperature sharply decreased from yesterday’s high of 20.3 and a low of 9.1 degree Celsius, state Science and Technology directorate sources said. People wore woollens and were huddled before fireplaces and electric heaters at home to beat the cold. (PTI)
Tuki condoles former MP CC Gohain’s death
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today condoled the death of former MP C C Gohain (Namchoom) who died on Sunday evening. In his condolence message Tuki said, ‘ Late C C Gohain (Namchoom), a first generation leader had represented the Parliament of the Fourth and Fifth Lok Sabha-1970-77 from the erstwhile NEFA. Besides being an eminent and renowned social worker, Gohain believed in simple living and high thinking. He was instrumental in transformation of present state of Arunachal Pradesh from the status of Agency Council to Union Territory and finally to statehood.”(UNI)