Gogoi orders removal of encroachment from Deepor Beel
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi inspected the wetland area of Ramsar site Deepor Beel on Sunday and directed officials concerned to take immediate measures to remove encroachment for unhindered flow of water from the city to the wetland. Gogoi, accompanied by Guwahati Development Department Minister Ajanta Neog and other senior officials, directed officials of the Kamrup Metropolitan District Administration and Revenue and Disaster Management Department to take immediate steps to remove encroachment from the wetland, home to migratory and several local bird species. He also ordered immediate stop to further issue of land sale deed to prevent haphazard growth of construction and destruction of the green cover that has compounded the problem of water logging and flash floods in Guwahati city. “Land sale permission must not be allowed till the time of proper planning to prevent encroachment and haphazard construction in Gorchuk and nearby areas,” Gogoi said. Encroachment and construction of permanent structures on the wetland must not be allowed at any cost, he said. “Any official found violating the provisions of Guwahati Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act 2008 would be dealt with severely. The Government will not compromise when it comes to freeing water bodies from encroachment,” he added. (PTI)
NPF hopeful of winning Outer Manipur
Kohima: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) is hopeful of winning the Outer Manipur parliamentary seat and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland but it is not expecting much in the Arunachal assembly elections, a top NPF leader said. NPF President Shurhozelie Liezietsu said “we are hopeful of winning the Outer Manipur seat. So this time will be the first time for our party to send two MPs (Outer Manipur and Nagaland) to Lok Sabha.” NPF is contesting for the first time in Manipur and has nominated former minister Soso Lorho in the Naga-inhabited constituency. (PTI)
Arunachal district threatened by floods
Itanagar: Incessant rains in the past couple of days have flooded several rivers in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh threatening Tezu, the district headquarters and its adjoining villages. According to official sources today, Tezu Nallah, Shukha Nallah and Dening Nallah rivers in the district have swelled abnormally because of relentless rain over the last six days. The water resources department (WRD) is constantly monitoring the flood situation in the district, recording and updating the water levels and intensity of the rainfall. According to WRD sources, a staggering 363.6 mm rainfall was recorded during the last rainfall, which is a sign of alarming flood situation. (UNI)