Explosives found in abandoned suitcase
Guwahati: Huge quantities of explosives was found in an abandoned suitcase on NH 15 in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Monday and neutralised by security forces. The abandoned suitcase was found on the highway, about 10 kilometres from Dhekiajuli town and the local people informed the security forces about it, a defence spokesman said. Police and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. The AR personnel along with Army Engineers team conducted investigations and confirmed the presence of explosives in the suitcase, he said. The team then carried out a two hour-long operation to destroy the suitcase without opening it. (PTI)
Mass prayer held in Presbyterian churches opposing relaxation
Aizawl: Mizoram Synod of the Presbyterian Church of India held mass prayer on Sunday night in the local churches on the issue of relaxation of prohibition in the state. The church has been opposing the proposal of the state government to relax the prohibition by introducing the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition and Control) Bill, 2014 in the state assembly session commencing on July eight, to replace the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1995 in force for 17 years. Meanwhile members of the Kristian Thalai Pawl (KTP), the youth wing of the Presbyterian Church, put up posters all over the Aizawl city opposing the government’s move. (PTI)
Marriage feast leaves 35 ill in Tripura
Agartala: Thirty-five people were taken ill and admitted to various hospitals after eating at a marriage feast in Tripura Sunday night, an official said Monday. The condition of five people is critical and they have been shifted to the government-run Tripura Medical College here. “A total of 35 people, including women, fell ill after eating dinner at a marriage ceremony in Madhupur village of western Tripura. They were admitted to various government hospitals. Condition of five people is serious,” a health department spokesperson said. (IANS)
Laldenga remembered on his death anniversary
Aizawl: Mizo National Front (MNF) leaders today paid their respects to legendary underground leader and former Mizoram chief minister Laldenga on his death anniversary today. Former Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Laldenga’s widow Lalbiakdiki and other MNF leaders laid wreaths on his tomb at the Treasury Square here. Born in 1927, Laldenga joined the Indian Army as havildar clerk and was working under the then Mizo District Council after leaving the army. He, and some leaders formed the Mizo National Famine Front (MNFF) during the great Mautam famine caused by gregarious bamboo flowering during the late 1950s triggering rodent population explosion which in turn ravaged the paddy fields. He converted the MNFF into a political party and rechristened it as the Mizo National Front (MNF). The MNF led by Laldenga launched a protracted movement against the Indian Union in 1966 plunging the state into disturbance which was put to an end by the signing of the historic Mizo peace accord by the centre and the Laldenga on June 30, 1986. He became the chief minister of Mizoram in the later part of 1986 in the interim government with the present chief minister Lal Thanhawla as the Deputy Chief Minister. He was inducted as the first chief minister of the state of Mizoram in 1987 after Mizoram was elevated into a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987. Laldenga died at the London airport on July seven, 1990 while returning from the US after receiving treatment. (PTI)