Rhino translocated from Kaziranga to Manas National Park
Kaziranga (Assam): A rhino, hand reared at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga National Park, has been shifted to Manas National Park on Thursday. The adult male rhino, separated from the mother due to unknown reasons, was recovered on September 10, 2009, from near Bagmari camp of Bagori range when he was less than a month old and later hand reared at CWRC, Park DFO S K Seal Sarmah said. The rhino, named Maju, will be released in the wild following a period of in-situ acclimatisation in Manas National Park and will join two other adult rhinos translocated to the Park in January this year. During the 400-km journey to Manas, the rhino will be escorted by CWRC Deputy Director Rathin Barman, Deputy Director, veterinarian Anjan Talukdar and animal keepers Lakhiram Das and Ramen Das, who were taking care of the rhino at the centre. Altogether nine rhinos have been so far successfully translocated from Kaziranga National Park to Manas National Park. (PTI)
Labourers wages hiked in Arunachal
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh government has announced hike in wages of labourers working in various departments of the state. “My government is alive to the problems of working class so a number of welfare measures have been initiated to address their concerns,” Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said after formally inking the proposal of enhancement of minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers of the state on Wednesday. The proposal had been approved by the state cabinet held on February 18, official sources said on Thursday. Under the enhanced rate of wages for all three categories of workers is almost double of the existing ones. In another landmark decision by the state cabinet, additional powers to municipal councils to impose civic charges has been devolved. With this total 14 functions out of 18 enlisted in the 12th schedule of the Constitution of India have been devolved to the urban local bodies. The rest would be devolved in a phased manner, the sources said. (PTI)
Man injured in grenade explosion at private house of MLA
Imphal: A man was injured when militants hurled a grenade at a private house of Naga People’s Front MLA Samuel Risom at Deulalane area on the outskirts of the city in Imphal West district of Manipur, police said on Thursday. The grenade lobbed at the house at around 8 PM Wednesday night damaged some window panes and some walls, besides injuring Ram Kumar Rai, they said. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the crime, sources said adding that Rai, a worker at the house, was rushed to a nearby hospital. Risom and his family members were not present at the house because they are staying at government quarters at the VIP area at Babupara. Senior police officials conducted search operation last night but no arrest has been made so far. (PTI)
Congress stalwart Gegong Apang joins BJP
Itanagar: Congress stalwart Gegong Apang, who served as the second longest serving Chief Minister in the country with a record 22 years, mostly with the party, has resigned and joined the BJP. Apang, in a letter to Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president on February 17 resigned from the primary and active membership of the party, party sources said. He joined the BJP in New Delhi during the day in the presence of senior party leaders, Arunachal Pradesh BJP unit president Tai Tagak said here on Thursday. Tagak said that the formal announcement would be made during the Vijay Sankalp Abhiyan Rally to be held at Pasight in East Siang district on February 22 which would be addressed by BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Apang is not new to the BJP as he had led a BJP-led coalition government in the state during 2003 for 42 days. (PTI)