PDS rice seized, Myanmarese men flee
Imphal: Twenty bags of rice, meant for distribution in interior Manipur villagers through the public distribution system (PDS), have been seized from the border town of Moreh in Chandel district, police and official sources said here on Thursday. Following specific information, Manipur police commandos attached to Moreh police station detected four Myanmarese men trying to load rice in a vehicle when they were conducting a search in ward number four in the border area on Wednesday. On seeing the commandos, the four foreigners left the 20 rice sacks and fled to the neighbouring country through the forested areas on the Indo-Myanmar international border line, the sources said. The seized items were handed over to Moreh police station. Official sources said following complaints of rice scarcity by villagers, the consumer affairs and public distribution department (CAFPD) had been distributing 5 kg rice per head at an affordable price of Rs 10 per kg in the border town in the past four or five days. Sub divisional police officer of the border town Balram Singh has appealed to the people to cooperate with the police to prevent smuggling of PDS (public distribution system) rice to the neighbouring country, the police said. The mobile fair price shop of the CAFPD would continue distribution of rice and dal in the border areas for some more days. the sources said. (PTI)
Education most important for development: Nagaland CM
Phek (Nagaland): Expressing that education is the most important element for development and progress of a society, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that the state government will make all possible efforts towards providing quality education to the students. Education is among the top priorities of the state government because of which it has taken over private colleges in almost every district, said Rio to a gathering of students at the All-Nagaland College Students Union’s (ANCSU) 16th biennial conference at Phek district, some 145 km from the state capital. Rio said that the state has a literacy rate of 79.55 per cent, which is higher than the national rate of 74.04 per cent, and it ranks 15th in the country. The Chief Minister, however, regretted that despite 50 years of statehood, Nagaland lacks technical and medical colleges. “50 years of statehood and still the state government is pursuing with the Government of India for technical and medical colleges,” he said. The Chief Minister further said that despite such a high literacy rate, Naga society is yet to be civilized and therefore called upon the youngsters to take the lead and be agents of change. “Youngsters being future leaders should take the lead in bringing change to the Naga society to make it a peaceful and harmonious state,” he said. (PTI)
Man arrested in Manipur, arms seized
Imphal: A man has been arrested and heroin and arms have been recovered from his possession in Imphal East district of Manipur, police said here on Thursday. Following reports of some persons moving in Imphal East district with narcotic drugs and small arms, personnel of Narcotic Cell of Imphal West district launched a search operation at Hatta Golapati area in Imphal East district, the police said. The man was identified as Khullakpam Ajmal (39). During the search, Shah was arrested and 100 gm of heroin and a pistol with several rounds of ammunition were seized from his possession, the police said. The police would investigate whether Shah had brought the narcotic drugs from neighbouring Myanmar. (PTI)
NSCN(K) militant arrested
Itanagar: In a major breakthrough, a self- styled ‘second lieutenant’ of the NSCN (K), wanted in connection with several cases under the Arms Act, has been arrested in Changlang town, official sources said on Thursday. Samnan Jugli was arrested from Nadipar area of the town by a joint team of Assam Rifles, state police and CRPF yesterday, the sources said. A search operation was conducted by the security forces after receiving information about his presence in the area during which he was arrested. He was sent to police remand for further interrogation, the sources said. (PTI)
Former Naga militant killed
Imphal: A former Naga militant leader has been killed by unidentified miscreants in interior Senapati district of Manipur, police said here on Thursday. The miscreants kidnapped Hepuni John Kennedy (39), a former leader of the now defunct Naga Nationalist Council (NNC), from his house at Lairou Ching area in the district some days ago. His body was recovered with multiple cuts on his head yesterday from Naojai area under Maram police station in the district, the police said. Kennedy had ‘retired’ from the NNC several years ago and was living with his family at Lairou Ching area. (PTI)
EC fixes October 31 for holding bye-election for Arunachal Assembly
Itanagar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared the date to hold bye-election for the vacant 42-Dambuk ST Assembly constituency seat in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh on October 31 next. The Assembly seat was lying vacant following the death of sitting MLA, Jomin Tayeng, first IAS from the state. The date of notification in this regard will be issued on October 7, while scrutiny will be conducted on the following day. However, October 17 has been fixed for withdrawal of and counting of votes will be on November 4, an official release said today. (UNI)
Association proposes residential buildings for govt employees
Aizawl: Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGEW) has decided to make arrangements for construction of residential buildings for the state government employees. The council meeting of the FMGEW today decided that residential buildings to accommodate 1,500 to 1,800 families be constructed at the land given by the state government at the Government Complex locality in the outskirts of Aizawl. The plan formulated by the Federation was that a private company be employed to construct the residential buildings and the government employees be allotted flats to be purchased by instalments. It was also proposed that a market place and sports complex also be constructed inside the area to cater the needs of the residents. (PTI)