‘Burha Satriya’ of Sundaridiya Satra passed away
Barpeta: Balabhadra Adhikari, the Burha Satriya (head) of Sundaridiya Sattra (monastery) died Friday night due to old age ailments, his family sources said. He was 88. Since 2002 Balabhadra Adhikari was the ‘Burha Satriya’ of Sundaridiya Sattra established by 15th century socio-religious-cultural reformer Srimanta Sankardev’s disciple ‘Mahapurush’ Sri Sri Madhabdev. Adhikari had worked to propogate polymath Srimanta Sanklardev’s ‘Ek Saran Bhagawati Naam Dharma’ (Shelter-in-One religion) and edited several books on religious books. He left behind wife, three sons and a daughter, the sources said. The ‘Sattras’ that Srimanta Sankardev and his followers set up in Assam and North Bengal continue to flourish and sustain till today his living traditions and legacy of literary and artistic contributions. (PTI)
9-year old raped by 65-year old man
Guwahati: A nine-year old girl has been allegedly raped by a 65-year old man in Maligaon area of Guwahati, according to an FIR filed by the girl’s parents. The girl was allegedly raped by her neighbour at his residence at Mangaljhara on Saturday, the police said. The girl has been sent for medical examination. The accused has been taken into custody, the police said. (PTI)
Three of a family missing
Kokrajhar: Three members of a family, allegedly practicing witchcraft, have been missing for the past three days in Kokrajhar district of Assam, police said on Saturday. Rajendra Brahma (65), his wife Bangali Brahma (60) and their daughter Malati Brahma (30) have been missing for the past three days from Mangaljhara village under Kajigaon police station. A search operation was launched to trace them and 11 persons were picked up for investigation, police said and did not rule out foul play. (PTI)
Four in fray for lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram
Aizawl: Four candidates are in the fray for elections to Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha seat on April 9 with filing of nominations ended on Saturday, returning officer for the polls and district deputy commissioner Juhi Mukherjee said. Mukherjee told PTI that two candidates – Robert Romawia Royte of opposition alliance United Democratic Front (UDF) and an independent nominee Vanlalngaia filed nominations on Saturday. The ruling Congress nominee C L Ruala and Aam Aadmi Party candidate M Lalmanzuala had filed their nominations on Thursday, she added. Meanwhile, only two nominations were filed for the by-election to the Hrangturzo Assembly seat to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls, Dr Franklin Laltinkhuma, deputy commissioner of Serchhip district, said. Laltinkhuma said that Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu of Congress and H Lalduhawma of UDF filed their nominations on Thursday and today respectively. The UDF constitutes of eight parties — Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC), Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP), Maraland Democratic Front (MDF), the Hmar People’s Convention (HPC), Paite Tribes Council (PTC), BJP and NCP. (PTI)
Cash and arms seized in Arunachal
Itanagar: The flying squads and static surveillance teams operating under ECI to monitor Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in respect of ensuing simultaneous elections in Arunachal Pradesh have seized an amount of over rupees thirteen lakh, arms and ammunitions and other materials, including IMFL, during security checking at different parts of the state on Friday. The team has seized cash amount of Rs. 13,70,800, two .32 revolvers with 34 numbers of ammunitions, one SBBL gun and 50 ammunitions, 20 sharp weapons, 3,184 bottles of IMFL, wine – 13,188 bottles, beers – 17,238 bottles, cane beer – 25 numbers, Pepsi 33 cases and 100 cases of power drinks, according to CEO office sources. Since the inception of MCC, both the squads and police have seized an amount of Rs.71,10,800, different sizes of IMFL bottles – 13,529, brandy 336 bottles, beer and cane beer – 20,286 pieces, blankets – 1651 pieces, 5409 pieces of CGI sheets, 237 numbers of sharp weapons, 89 mobile sets, opium 50 gms, 4 kg ganja, 104 kg tea leaves, two .32 revolvers with 34 numbers of ammunitions, two numbers of 12 bore SBBL guns with 50 rounds, 21 SBBL gun 4 numbers, sources added. The security checking would be continued in the state till the casting of ballots for simultaneous elections to be held on April 9, sources added. (UNI)
Strike called on Sunday to protest death of woman
Imphal: A 24-hour long general strike has been called Sunday to protest against the mysterious death of a married woman at Thoubal district. Convenor of JAC, M Debadas said a woman identified as Monika was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her husband’s house on March 17 last. The JAC has demanded arrest of those involved in the alleged killing of the woman. (UNI)