More BOPs on Indo-Bangla border
Agartala: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will set up 81 new composite Border Outposts (BOPs) along the 856 km long Indo-Bangla border in Tripura by 2017 in addition to the existing 245 BOPs, BSF sources said on Monday. The BOPs would have electronic surveillance equipment, communications and helipads besides living rooms for the men as also generators, the sources said. BSF said 80 per cent of the border fencing was complete and the remaining 20 per cent could not be completed due to tough terrain and large populations near the border. Border fencing was constructed 150 yards away from the demarcation line in adherence to Border management agreement signed between Bangladesh and India in 1974. The Ministry of External Affairs has taken up the matter with Bangladesh for allowing erection of fencing near the zero line in view of the difficult situation. (PTI)
Election campaigning reaches peak for Inner Manipur seat
Imphal: The election campaigning for the second phase for the Inner Manipur seat has reached its crescendo as the election campaign will end on Tuesday. The election will be held on April 17 and eight candidates are in the fray. The entire focus of the election is the Armed forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA) and all political parties have assured to work for repeal of the Act which has been enforced in the state. The military is empowered to kill anybody on mere suspicion. Poor power supply, corruption issues have also become election issue. The Congress has 47 MLAs in the 60 member House and is fielding both the sitting MPs. The candidates are sitting Congress MP, Dr Th Meinya, Dr M Nara of CPI, Oinam Indira (Independent), BJP candidate Dr R K Ranjan, Dr G Tonsana Sharma of Manipur Democratic People’s Front, Trinamool Congress candidate S Manaobi, Kh Ibomcha of AAP and Oinam Jotin of Jai Maha Bharath Party. The election for the first phase of election for Outer Manipur seat (ST) was held on April 9 last. Ten candidates were in the fray for the Outer seat. (UNI)
Manipuris celebrate coming of New Year
Cheiraoba: People of Manipur celebrated Cheiraoba which marks the end of the Manipuri year and the beginning of a New Year. Every family prepared feast which were offered to Gods and Goddesses. Houses were decorated and all family members took their meal together. All married women presented gifts to their parents and brothers on the occasion. After taking meal, people climbed Cheiraoching a hillock at Imphal and other hills. Governor V K Duggal said in a message, ‘Cheiraoba symbolizes the coming of a New Year and is a festival celebrated by every household with great enthusiasm and gaiety. This festival represents the change of guards, where the old give way to the new and with the arrival of spring which makes the landscape green, it rekindles hopes for a better life. On this propitious day, let us ail rededicate to strive towards the goal for bringing peace, prosperity and progress in every household of the State. May the coming New Year dispel the dark and bring in light to the state for a better future.’ Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said, ‘Cheiraoba is a sacred and socio-religious festival which marks the parting of the old year and the onset of the New Year. Cheiraoba heralds the message of love, unity and hope amongst us by cleaning our minds.’ (UNI)
Nagaland body criticizes Assam Police action
Kohima: The Rengma Naga People’s Council (RNPC) has criticised the action of Assam Police personnel during the bandh called by Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger (KPLT). In a statement RNPC General Secretary K Solomon Rengma said the Assam police resorted to ‘unprofessional attitude’ during the KPLT bandh and election period. He said in the name of security, the Assam police did not allow thousands of bus passengers, motorists and hundreds of goods carrier to pass through Karbi Anglong district of Assam without security escort. He also alleged that the only lifeline, the National Highway-29, for Nagaland and Manipur was practically held to ransom by the police and Karbi Anglong administration since escort was provided only twice in a day and no vehicle was allowed to ply without escorts. Hundreds of vehicles including buses, cars and trucks were made to line up for several kilometers at Khatkhati check gate and Garampani, subjecting travelers including women and children to unnecessary harassments, said RNPC. It further said the police should have deployed mobile patrolling parties along the highway to thwart the bandh so as to allow plying of vehicles. RNPC observed that small shops and dhabas at Garampani were making brisk business during the bandh and wondered if the police were allowing the traders to make ‘fast bucks’ at the cost of harried travelers. The RNPC reminded that KPLT was a banned organization and said the way the group has ‘flexed its muscles’ by Rengma Hills bandh with alarming regularity was due to the ‘incompetence’ of the police and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council administration. (UNI)
Nagaland mothers’ body condemns attempt of life
Kohima: The Naga Mothers Association (NMA) has vehemently condemned the intimidation and attempt to life on Abe Mero who is also the convener of the finance committee of Naga Mothers Association by some armed groups. In a statement, Naga Mothers Association President Abeiu-Meru and Secretary Lochumbeni Humtsoe said when the Naga society was going through a process of peace and reconciliation, such an act was a ‘mockery and an insult’ to the society. The association appealed law enforcing agencies to take stern action against the culprits and demand an apology from them. Meanwhile, the Western Chakhesang Youth Organization (WCYO) in a statement issued by president Shelepa Rhakho and general secretary Lhikhro Kreo has termed the incident as an act of cowardice which has no place in the society. Western Chakhesang Youth Organization said attack on innocent citizen was against social morals and called on all to condemn such a ‘barbaric act’. (UNI)