Rhino horn recovered, two nabbed
Sibsagar (Assam): Two persons were arrested and a rhino horn and its small pieces worth over Rs 45 lakh in the international market were recovered from their possession in upper Assam’s Sibsagar district, police said on Friday. Acting on a tip-off about the theft of the rhino horn, the police launched an operation at Sibsagar town’s Noali in Joisagar area on Wednesday, they said. Gautam Gogoi, a member of an inter-state gang dealing in rhino horns, was nabbed with pieces of rhino horn, they said. Based on a lead provided by Gautam, police searched the house of his gang member Maneki Gogoi in Gaurisagar area and recovered a horn hidden in the kitchen on Thursday. The horn weighing 1.35 kg is eight inches high and is estimated to fetch Rs 45 lakh in the black market, the sources added. The two horn illegal dealers were forwarded to two-days police custody by a local court on Thursday. Rhino horns are made of keratin, a similar protein that makes up hair and finger nails, and are used by some cultures for preparing traditional medicines and specifically in Vietnam for ornamental purposes. (PTI)
BJP to contest 11 seats in Mizoram
Aizawl: BJP would contest 11 seats in the coming elections to the 40-member Mizoram legislature to be held on November 25, BJP sources said on Friday. Though official announcement was yet to be made, BJP would contest Hachhek, Dampa and Mamit constituencies in Mizoram-Tripura border Mamit district, Serlui seat in Assam border Kolasib district, Aizawl North-I, Aizawl North-III and Aizawl West-I constituencies in Aizawl district, Lengteng, East Tuipui and Champhai North seats in Myanmar border Champhai district and South Tuipui seat in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district. BJP state unit President Lalhluna and general secretary Lalchhanhima were not likely to contest the polls. The sources added that there might be two independent candidates to be supported by the party. (PTI)
Tarun Gogoi wishes people on Kali Puja, Diwali
Guwahati: On the eve of Kali Puja and Diwali, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday wished the people of the state and hoped that the festivity will give strength to fight against violence and injustice. In an official release, Gogoi expressed hope that Kali Puja and the festival of light will illuminate the minds of people and help unite everyone. The Chief Minister also urged people to work with utmost sincerity for the development of the state. Kali Puja and Diwali is being celebrated in the state over the coming weekend. (PTI)
VDP president, general secretary killed in Assam
Golaghat: A Village Defence Party (VDP) president and general secretary were killed by unidentified assailants at Sarupathar area in upper Assam’s Golaghat district, police said on Friday. The bodies of the VDP office bearers killed last night with sharp weapons were recovered from Tengajan area, police said. The VDP men were killed while they were on duty as the two were in uniform, they said, adding, their cycle and mobile phones were also recovered. The deceased were identified as VDP local unit president Bhaba Gogoi (47) and general secretary Aloram Mardi (35). Investigations are on. (PTI)