Guwahati Book Fair to start from November 5
Guwahati: The 10-day annual Guwahati Book Fair, organised by Asom Prakashan Parishad, will begin from Tuesday with 121 stalls from across the country that is expected to witness over four lakh visitors. The fest for book lovers, which will continue till November 14, will host unveiling of at least 30 new books. “During last book fair, we recorded 3-4 lakh visitors for 150 stalls. Although we are having less number of stalls this time due to space constraints, but we are expecting more footfalls,” state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters here. Last year, publishers had sold a total of around Rs 7 crore worth of books, he added. Of the 121 stalls, 10 are coming from Kolkata, while 12 are from New Delhi. Rest all are from Assam. During the fair, over 30 books will be released, including around 25 by Asom Prakashan Parishad, Sarma said. “We will also launch the first English edition of doyen of Assamese litterateur Lakshminath Bezbaruah’s writing. His entire collection will be published in 10 editions during the next one year,” he added. The book festival will be inaugurated by Assam Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik, while Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will be present at the concluding ceremony. When asked about popularising Assamese books in international market, Sarma said: “We are in an advanced stage of talks with some leading publishers of the country, including two from Kolkata, for selling Assamese books in overseas book fairs.” He said within next one month, Asom Prakashan Parishad is likely to finalise the association. (PTI)
One held with grenade, ammo in Dimapur
Kohima: The Special Operation Team (SOT) of the District Executive Force of Dimapur police apprehended one person while conducting routine frisking and checking of Eros Lane, Dimapur on Saturday afternoon. According to sources here today, the accused was arrested for possessing a Chinese hand-grenade and eleven live ammunitions of .22 calibre along with a Gypsy without registration number and valid documents which he was driving. The accused has been identified as Atoshe Achumi (38), of Hovikhu village, Niuland, currently a resident of Nagarjan, near Government Higher Secondary School of Dimapur. A case has been registered in this connection under various Acts and an investigation was on, sources said. (UNI)
IED explosion at crowded Imphal market, no casualty
Imphal: A bomb exploded in a crowded market complex here on Saturday but no casualty was reported, police said. The Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which was allegedly planted by militants near a drain at the crowded Thangal market complex, went off at 7.45 pm but no one was injured, police sources said. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident, they said. Police and para-military forces rushed to the spot and searched the area after blocking all exit points but no arrest was made, sources said. On October 29, a powerful bomb (IED) had exploded at Dharamsala Bheirodan Hindi High School area, about 100 metres from today’s spot, injuring five non-Manipuri labourers. On Wednesday, militants had exploded a powerful bomb at Yaiskul bus stand, killing two persons and injuring five others. In the wake of stepped up bomb explosions, Manipur Governor Ashwani Kumar had discussed the law and order situation in the state with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Wednesday evening. (PTI)
Nagaland CM Rio greets
people on Diwali
Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has extended greetings on the occasion Diwali, the festival of lights. In a message, Rio said the festival signifies the victory of good over evil and wished the festival be commemorated in a successful and peaceful manner everywhere. He said the celebrations may contribute towards unity, understanding and oneness of Naga society. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary for IT&C, Science & Technology, Technical Education and Taxes Tovihoto extended ‘warmest greetings’ to the Hindu community on the occasion of Diwali. On the occasion of festival of lights, he appealed everyone to maintain peace and harmony and spread love and brotherhood for the betterment of society. Let’s not only celebrate the day as an annual festival but strive to usher in tranquility, Tovihoto said. (UNI)