Encounter between troops, militants in Manipur
Imphal: Troops of Assam Rifles and cadres of United National Liberation Front(UNLF) exchanged fire at Ukhrul district here on Sunday. Troops of 34 Assam Rifles and UNLF cadres resorted to heavy firing when Assam Rifles troops came across UNLF cadres at Kangpat Khul, Ukhrul.UNLF however claimed that during the encounter three Assam Rifles were killed. Police said detailed information about the matter is not yet available however there is report of injury of some Assam Rifles personnel. No death report has yet to come, police said. In another incident suspected militants placed a bomb at the residence of Thoubal District DC Takhellambam Ranjit at Pishum Oinam Leikai here today. Manipur Police personnel removed the bomb and blasted it at a safe place. (UNI)
Nagaland organizations react to Solo’s statement
Kohima: Nagaland based organizations the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and Naga Students Federation (NSF) at a joint consultative meeting on Saturday in Kohima reacted to statements of Thepfulhouvi Solo which appeared in the local media on October 3, wherein he had purportedly stated that the Naga Hoho, NMA, NSF and NPMHR ‘could not protect the interest of Naga people’. In a statement Naga Hoho President Keviletuo Kiewhuo and Vice President NSF Joseph Ngouri has admitted that there could be errors on the part of any organizations or governments and said the meeting wanted Thepfulhouvi to bring out in detail ‘in which way, we could not protect the interest of the Naga people’. Stating that they appreciated or welcomed any constructive criticism and corrective measures to lead the people forward, the two however asserted that ‘we shall not accept total condemnation of existing organizations’. Describing Thepfulhouvi Solo as a responsible citizen, the signatories also hoped he would be able to protect the rights and interests of ‘the Naga people in totality.’ (UNI)
Nagaland observes World Mission Sunday
Kohima: The Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Kohima, along with over one billion Catholics all over the world, is observing today as World Mission Sunday. A press release issued by Fr. Sojan Xavier, Bishop’s House, Kohima, said on World Mission Sunday, Catholics gather to celebrate the Eucharist and to contribute to a collection for the work of evangelization around the world. The offerings that will be collected (on World Mission Sunday) are destined for a common fund of solidarity distributed, in the Pope’s name, by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith among the missions and missionaries of the entire world. Mission dioceses – about 1,100 at this time – receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance, among other needs, for catechetical programmes, seminaries, the work of Religious Communities, for communication and transportation needs, and for the building of chapels, churches, orphanages and schools. These needs are matched with the funds gathered in each year. This annual celebration gives the faithful a chance to reflect on the importance of mission work for the life of the Church. It reminds her faithful that they are one with the Church around the world and that they are all committed to carrying on the mission of Christ, however different our situations may be. Calling upon all Christian to share the message of Christ not by force but by exemplary and transparent Christian life, by prayer and by financial support, Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the bishop of the Diocese of Kohima, exhorted every Christ’s faithful to appreciate our missionary obligation and support the Church’s missionary activities by leading transparent Christian lives, by fervent prayers, and by generous donations. (UNI)
Five militants surrender
Imphal: Five cadres of PREPAK- Pro have laid down arms to Manipur Police on Saturday night. Police sources said the five militants came last night to Thoubal Police at Thoubal district along with five AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines and 375 live rounds. Police identified the five persons as Ksh Santosh, Ibomcha , Athoi, Iswarchandra and Ushorjit . (UNI)
Four car thieves nabbed from Jorhat
Jorhat (Assam): A gang of four car lifters, including one woman, were arrested on Sunday near here. According to police sources, the gang was going to Dimapur in Nagaland in a car, which was stolen from Nagaon district. The four people wanted to sell the car in Dimapur when police nabbed them from the National Highway near Jorhat town. (PTI)
Powerful bomb explodes in interior Manipur district
Imphal: A powerful bomb exploded at Ukhrul district headquarters of Manipur but no casualty was reported, police said on Sunday. The bomb, which was planted on the roadside by suspected militants at Phungreitang area in the heart of the town, went off at around 9 p.m. yesterday. In another incident today, unidentified militants hurled a powerful grenade in the courtyard of deputy commissioner of Thoubal district Th Ranjit’s private residence at Pishum Oinam Leikai area here in Imphal West district, the police said. said. The official was away in his place of posting in Thoubal district at the time of the bombing, the police said. (PTI)
JACAS reiterates autonomous statehood demand
Diphu: The Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS) has reiterated its demand for creation of an autonomous state comprising the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao of Assam as envisaged in Article 244(A) of Indian constitution. Top leaders of the conglomeration of 20 organisations made it clear before public that it will thrive hard to realise the mission at a public consultative meeting held at Donkamukam in West Karbi Anglong yesterday. JACAS, formed to pursue the autonomous statehood demand, will hold its next round of discussion with central government on November six at New Delhi. The JACAS leadership said the objective of JACAS is to open dialogue with government on statehood demand and extract a tangible result on the long pending issue. (UNI)