Four jawans injured in Manipur ambush
Imphal: Four Assam Rifles jawans were seriously injured when insurgents ambushed a patrol of the central paramilitary force at Nambasi in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Saturday. Insurgents exploded a powerful bomb and attacked a patrol party of the 44th Assam Rifles, injuring four jawans, officials said. The paramilitary forces returned the fire and the encounter lasted more than 15 minutes. The seriously injured jawans were taken to an army hospital, police said. Insurgents ambushed the security patrol minutes before the arrival of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to address a rally in Imphal. Charging that people of the state were being “suppressed” by central forces in the name of dealing with insurgents, militant outfit United Revolutionary Front had given a call for boycotting Modi’s visit. (PTI)
Gunmen attack TMC MLA
Imphal: Trinamool Congress MLA and former Deputy Speaker Th. Shyam Kumar escaped unhurt after unidentified assailants fired at him in Imphal West district of Manipur, police said on Saturday. Kumar, accompanied by his security guards, was returning from a marriage reception at Koirengei area, 15 km from here, last night, when he was fired at by the car-borne assailants, they said. Kumar, who represents Andro assembly constituency in Imphal East district, later told mediapersons that he along with his security guards gave the attackers a chase but they fled from the spot. The place was not far away from a security camp. Kumar then called up Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio, and informed him about the incident. The home minister asked him to lodge a written complaint. Police said an inquiry was on. (PTI)
Tripura HC uphold decision of ban on plastic carry bag
Agartala: Quashing the writ petition of All India Plastic Industries Association, the High Court of Tripura upheld the decision of the state government for banning of plastic bags. The state government had imposed ban on the uses of plastic carry bags from January 1 last, but challenging the state government’s decision, the All India Plastic Industries Association filed a writ petition in the High Court of Tripura. After hearing the writ petition Justice S C Das rejected the plea stating that Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 has allowed the state governments to take any stringent step for protection of environment pollution.
The association pleaded that the central government law on use of plastic bags did not cover below 40 microns, but Tripura’s Science and Technology and Environment department had clearly banned all forms of uses of plastic bags. Initially, HC issued stay on the state government’s complete ban on use of plastic bags and packets. Official sources said that the government machinery from Friday would start anti-plastic bag drive across the state. (UNI)
Lecturer missing in Assam
Barpeta: A part-time lecturer of a local college went missing after he left home at Pathsala in Barpeta district of lower Assam on Thursday, police said today. Nayan Moni Lahkar (25), a contractual lecturer at the Bajali College, had left home for college on Thursday morning but did not return following which his parents lodged an FIR with Pathsala Police Station, they said. (PTI)
Wildlife Trust extends ex-gratia to 1, killed by wild elephants
Kohima: The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has extended ex gratia of Rs. 50,000 to the wife of late Y. Nchumbemo Odyuo, who was killed by an elephant December 13 last year, at a function held at Community Hall Bhandari in Wokha district February 6. According to a press release issued an NGO, Natural Nagas, the unfortunate incident was the first after the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and its collaborating partner Natural Nagas have joined the Forest Department of Nagaland to address the human and elephant conflict in the state and as a gesture of its concern have pledged its support to the family of the victim. (UNI)