Severe cold wave hits Nagaland
Kohima: High altitude areas in Nagaland and the state capital are reeling under severe cold wave conditions with temperature dropping to minus zero degree Celsius. The state capital, Kohima, located at an altitude of 1,444.12-metre above sea level, has been reeling under severe cold wave. The lowest temperature has been swinging between -2 to 2 degree Celsius while the minimum temperature on Friday is minus two degree Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said. The department, in its district-level weather prediction issued today, said that the minimum temperature in higher reaches of Kohima will continue to reel under zero degree Celsius. Among other districts, Tuensang will remain the coldest this week followed by Kohima and Kiphire districts, it said. According to official reports, Mount Saramati, at an altitude of 3840.00 metres, the highest peak of Nagaland, has been covered with snow for past one month. The second highest peak in the state Mount Japfu, at an altitude of 3,015 metres under Kohima district, also wore the snow cap for more than 20 days and there were reports of snowfall in the Viswema and surrounding villages. Due to snowfall in the Japfu peak, which is just above Kohima town, cold breeze has been blowing down round the clock. People remained inside their houses huddled around fireplaces. However, places like Dimapur, Wokha and Mokokchung recorded minimum temperature between 5-7 degree Celsius as per the IMD report on Friday. Though normal life has been affected because of the extreme cold weather conditions but there has been no report of lost of life. (PTI)
2 boys booked for desecration in Mizoram
Aizawl: Two boys were detained for the desecration of a holy book in Lunglei town on the night of Christmas eve in Mizoram, police reports said. Two boys were detained for the desecration, the sources said. The police did not rule out the possibility of the involvement of members of a satanic cult known as ‘Satanic Worshipers’ in the vandalism. (PTI)
MP concern over food supply shortage
Itanagar: Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh Takam Sanjoy on Friday expressed grave concern over the reported shortage of ration supply in West Kameng district and directed the Food and Civil director for immediate restoration. A delegation led by parliamentary secretary for Science and Technology Phurpa Tsering called on Sanjoy and apprised him of the acute shortage of ration especially rice in West Kameng district, official sources said here. The district has been reeling under the shortfall for two months following the limitation on monthly allocation of rice from 3,600 quintals to 2,800 quintals. Sanjoy called the Food and Civil Supply Director and directed him to take immediate steps to restore the normal monthly allocation of 3,600 quintals. He insisted that the shortcoming is resolved before his scheduled public meeting in West Kameng next month while assuring the delegation of prompt and permanent solution after discussing it with the Food and Civil Supply Minister Kamlung Mossang soon. Earlier, while urging the MP to take up the matter seriously, Tsering pointed out that the people of West Kameng primarily depend on PDS items as the denizens of the district do not grow rice but horticulture products, sources added. (PTI)
2 kidnapped masons released in Manipur
Imphal: Two masons who were kidnapped by suspected Kuki militants from Saikul area in Manipur’s Senapati district have been released, the police said on Friday. The duo A Doren and S Tomba were freed at a foothill near Saikul on December 24, sources said adding that it was not known whether ransom had been paid by the contractor under whom they were working. They were abducted on December 10 in connection with alleged monetary demand from the contractor. Several organisations including Kuki Students Organisation had earlier demanded the safe release of the two to avoid ‘any misunderstanding’ between Kuki and other communities. (PTI)
International Convention on education
Guwahati: The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) is organising a two-day International convention on education here from Saturday. The convention, with a focus on enhancing learning and leadership opportunities for children and youth, will be addressed by several scholars from the region, country and abroad, AFMI’s Founder Trustee A R Nakadar told reporters here today. The other key areas to be addressed during the convention include ‘Empowering Women as key agents of change’ and ‘Muslim education in the North East’, he said. The international speakers at the convention include scholars from Canada, USA, Singapore, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. Besides, 133 meritorious students who have passed out from Class 10 and 12 from different parts of the country, including six from Assam, will be awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals along with cash prize. AIUDF MLA and Convention Chairman Sirajuddin Ajmal said that this was the first time AFMI was holding its convention in this part of the country and hoped students would benefit from this. AFMI’s 22nd International Convention is being held here in association with Ajmal Foundation and an NGO Markazul Ma’arif. (PTI)