ZNP, BJP, HPC withdraw from UDF
Aizawl: In a sudden turn of events, the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), BJP and the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC) have withdrawn from the United Democratic Front (UDF). The formation instead would be in fray from the lone Lok Sabha seat as part of National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The decision followed the eight-party alliance (UDF) failing to reach consensus on the issue of the common candidate for the alliance. The Mizo National Front (MNF), the Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) and the Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) wanted the common candidate for the Lok Sabha polls to be someone having no political affiliation and acceptable to the people while the ZNP wanted to have one of its leaders as the nominee of the UDF. The ZNP, the BJP and the HPC yesterday signed an MoU to form an alliance and contest the election to the lone Lok Sabha seat and by-election to the Hrangturzo assembly seat to he held on April nine. (PTI)
Major fire averted in Kisama Heritage Village in Nagaland
Kohima: A major fire was averted in the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, when a big fire broke out in a nearby jungle which was timely doused by the Nagaland Fire and Emergency department Tuesday evening. According to official sources on Wednesday, the fire brigade got the information last afternoon and three fire tenders were pressed into service, which rushed to the spot, about 12 kms away from Kohima town. After fighting for hours, the firemen were able to douse the fire, which could have spread to a petrol pump below the World War two museum. Sources further said that the jungle below the museum was completely gutted, however, the museum housing historic items was left untouched. The cause of fire could not be ascertained and investigation was on. This was the third fire incident in the Naga Heritage Village, the venue of the famous Hornbill Festival within a span of 20 days. On Sunday last, the fire broke out at the same venue and doused by the fire tenders. (UNI)
Buffaloes die after drinking river water laced with poison
Aizawl: At least 40 buffaloes have died in the villages around the Mizoram-Myanmar border river Tiau in Champhai district, state AH and Veterinary department officials said on Wednesday. The officials said that the buffaloes reportedly died after drinking the river water which was poisoned by miscreants trying to catch fish. Buffaloes belonging to Lianpui, Hmawngkai and Sazaphai villages were the worst hit while there were also reports of buffaloes dying on Myanmar side. Veterinary doctors were sent to ascertain the cause of the death of the buffaloes. (PTI)
Robotic workshop at School of Engineering Technology in Nagaland
Kohima: The School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Nagaland University, Dimapur organized a two-day workshop on robotics titled ‘Sixth sense using matlab’. According to a release today the workshop was conducted by Pranjal Kumar, Research Engineer of Robospecies Technologies Private Limited, where altogether, 39 students, all from SET, participated in teams (five members each) in the workshop, which concluded yesterday. In the Workshop, the students were taught how to assemble and programme the robots. At the end of the two-day workshop, a prelim was conducted and two teams were selected to take part in RoboZest 2014. Shanchamo Yanthan, Coordinator of the workshop, said such workshops were important for engineering colleges to create skilled engineers as well as to boost the confidence of the students. (UNI) NEEPCO clarifies on Monarchak Project
NEEPCO clarifies on Monarchak Project
Agartala: NEEPCO has termed the news item provided by UNI — “Monarchak Project becomes uncertain” — as totally misleading. In a statement, NEEPCO on Wednesday clarified that erection works of gas turbine unit of the project were completed in September,2013 well ahead of schedule and since then the project is awaiting commencement of supply of natural gas for its commissioning and there has been absolutely no problem between NEEPCO and any of its contractors. Rather, the contractual problem referred to in the news is between ONGC and their contractor who were assigned the works of developing facilities required for feeding gas to NEEPCO project which has resulted in suspension of works of ONGC since August, 2013. NEEPCO also took strong exception to the reported allegation of ONGC in stating that the plant is still far away from receiving gas for power generation. NEEPCO has been repeatedly informing all concerned of its readiness for commencing commissioning of the gas turbine unit on open cycle mode since August, 2013 which has also been duly authenticated by various Government agencies like CEA, NERPC and the Ministry of Power in various reports and communications