Japanese Encephalitis claims 89 lives
New Delhi: More than 350 cases of Japanese encephalitis and nearly 90 deaths due to the viral disease were reported in Assam this year, the Rajya Sabha was told on Tuesday.
“There were 351 cases and 89 deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis reported in Assam till Aug 9 in the current year,” Minister of State for Health and Family and Welfare Sudip Bandyopadhyay said.
Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing inflammation of the membrane around the brain, often fatal if not treated soon.
“For the prevention and control of the vector-borne disease, including Japanese encephalitis, the Indian government is implementing an integrated National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) under the National Rural Health Mission,” the minister added.
Vectors are the transmitters of disease-causing organisms that carry the pathogens from one host to another. (IANS)
Manipur Assembly starts
Imphal: The eleventh session of the ninth Manipur Assembly began here on Wednesday amid tight security.
Members of the House paid obituary reference to three former members of the House, Moirangthem Meghachandra, Thangjolal and Elangbam Suraj.
Suraj was a member of the ninth assembly and was killed in a tragic road accident recently in New Delhi.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said Elangbam Suraj was a young dynamic leader who was well educated and excelled in various fields.
Leader of the Opposition Radhabinod Koijam also remembered the works of the three former members.
The House was adjourned after taking up the obituary reference. (UNI)
2 Dimasa insurgents held
Aizawl: Two suspected insurgents of Dimasa rebel outfit were arrested and an AK-56 assault rifle seized from them in Mizoram capital late on Tuesday night. Police said a team of Mizoram police and Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation arrested the two, one of them a self-proclaimed sniper of the local insurgent group. Besides the AK series rifle, a large haul of 82 rounds of ammunition were seized during the raid.
One of the arrested persons Snak Dimasa claimed himself to be a sniper of the outfit and said he was from Haflong. Dimasa’s accomplice was identified as Bim Chakma of Silsury village in south Mizoram, another activist. (PTI)
AP traders express support for Anna’s campaign
Itanagar: Traders in Arunachal Pradesh today downed their shutters and took out rallies in some parts of the state extending support to Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption. Shops were closed till noon and traders took out rallies in Naharlagun and Itanagar shouting slogans. They were led by Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Techi Lala and Naharlagun Bazar Welfare (BWC) Committee General Secretary Tok Buttum. (PTI)
Tuli Paper Mill to resume production
Kohima: After a gap of about 20 years, Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company Limited (NPPCL) has received the first truckload of bamboos to resume production of papers.
A statement issued by the management of the NPPCL said the first truckload of bamboos on August 22 marked the culmination of a long deadlock.
According to the statement, the company intended to market the paper of M/s Hindustan Paper, their holding company and become stockiest and distributors in the North East.
The company had earlier announced a scheme for supplying bamboo plant-lets free of cost to the farmers of Nagaland and is already on the verge of dealing with coal and selling it at a premium to interested agencies outside Nagaland. (UNI)