One dead in police firing during Holi
Guwahati: At least one person was killed and several others injured when police had to resort to blank firing following a fractional feud during Holi revelry in Bishnupur area of western Assam’s Goalpara district on Monday.
Local reports said a dispute started between two factions during a traditional Holi ritual in the area on Monday.
The dispute turned violent and supporters of the two factions started attacking each other with sticks and other weapons.
Police arrived at the scene and resorted to lathi-charge to control the situation. But as the mob continued to get more violent, police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Around six persons were injured in the police action, and one of the injured succumbed at a local hospital later. The situation was later brought under control. (UNI)
Police lathicharge mob in Rangiya
Rangiya: At least five persons were injured in a clash with police in the Changsari area of Kamrup Rural district as the law and order personnel lathicharged a mob on Monday.
The incident at Athaboi village occurred after the locals intercepted a mini truck and beat up four persons whom they accused of being cattle lifters, police said.
The mob set the truck ablaze and, when a police team reached the spot, hurled brickbats at the police personnel and burnt their vehicle as well. Police then had to resort to a baton charge and also fired in the air to disperse the unruly mob.
Police have registered a case and arrested three persons for rioting and destroying public property.
One more person is absconding. Three occupants of the mini truck have been detained for questioning, police added. (PTI)
Body recovered from locked house
Nalbari (Assam): The body of a retired woman school teacher was recovered on Monday from her house, which was locked from outside, the police said.
The body of Sayada Safica Begum (62), retired assistant teacher of Ghograpar Girls High School, was recovered from her residence at Shantipur area of Nalbari town.
The police suspect that the woman was killed two days back.
She was staying alone as she was separated from her husband around 25 years ago, police said. Although causes behind the killing was yet to be known, marks of injuries were seen on her body. Police investigations were on into the murder. (PTI)
Directive issued for tree plantation
Kohima: The Phek District Traders’ Association (PDTA) has informed the hospital authorities under Pfutsero, Chizami, Jessami, Ukhrul, Meluri, and Pungro to keep the space ready for planting trees before April 15.
A press release issued by PDTA President Sanyi Dukru said that a meeting held with Ukhrul District Traders’ Association in Manipur and Pungro Subdivision Timber Traders’ Union (PSTTU) on March 10 decided to plant varieties of tree saplings in the hospital compound of the above mentioned places to promote tree plantation and do their bit in preserving the environment.
It also informed that PDTA will be providing the tree saplings for free. The team will carry out the plantation from April 15-20, 2014.
Concerned hospitals may also specify the number and variety of tree saplings they want to be planted in their compounds, the release added. (UNI)
Over Rs 38 lakh and materials seized
Itanagar: Since enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC) issued by the ECI, in view of simultaneous elections, the flying squad and static surveillance teams operating in the state have seized over Rs. 38 lakh cash and other materials during checking to control violation of MCC in Arunachal Pradesh.
According to a release issued by CEO, said that teams have seized cash Rs. 9,01,500, IMFL-1057 bottles, beer-67 bottles, local dao (lethal weapon) – 8 nos yesterday.
With the seizure arround cash Rs 38,13,500, 3972 bottles of IMFL, 336 numbered bottles of brandy, 16,211 bottles of beers, 491 pieces of blankets, 99 pieces of CGI sheets and 70 numbers of local daos (lethal weapon) have been seized since inception of MCC in the state. All these seizures have been made to ensure clean and peaceful poll in the state, the release said. (UNI)
Don’t allow Bru refugees to vote in relief camps: Mizoram CM
Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has submitted a memorandum to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath urging him not to allow Bru refugees living in relief camps in Tripura to exercise their franchise in the April 9 elections to the state’s lone Lok Sabha seat.
A press statement issued by the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday said Lal Thanhawla submitted the memorandum to the CEC in Delhi last week. The Chief Minister said that if the Bru voters wanted to exercise their franchise, they should cast their votes inside Mizoram, not in the relief camps through postal ballots. (UNI)