Former Assam bureaucrat killed after fall from Rajdhani
Alipurduar (WB): Former secretary to the Assam Water Resources Department Dilip Kumar Chetia was killed after he fell from the Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express here near Shamuktala station, the police here said. Chetia was standing at the door of the moving train when he fell down near 172 pole near Shamuktala station yesterday, his son, Hrisiraj Chetia, told reporters. The body was identified by Chetia’s son on Sunday at the Alipurduar District Hospital where the body was taken and a post mortem done later on Saturday. (PTI)
Nagaland Phek farmers seek help to combat with drought-like state
Kohima: The Phek Farmers Club (PFC) has appealed to frontal organizations of Phek district to intervene on the drought-like situation that has hit Phek district preventing farmers from carrying out paddy cultivation. In a press release, PFC President Chiekhunieyi Vero and Chief Coordinator Thuputhiyi Venuh also appealed to the agriculture and allied Departments to come forward and assist the affected farmers by conducting spot verification and provide alternative crops or relief measures. The PFC also urged elected representatives of Phek district and well-wishers to support the farmers in time of distress. It stated that around 80 per cent of paddy fields have been left unattended by the farmers till date due to weak monsoon. (UNI)
Nagaland ACAUT accuses Govt of corruption
Kohima: The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxes (ACAUT) Nagaland has said that the State Government of Nagaland is the eighth faction in the State collecting taxes. In the ACAUT consultative body member in an awareness drive programme at St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama recently, Khekiye K. Sema (IAS Retd) said ‘Nagas as Christians have lost our honest character. We rather go back to head hunting when we had strong principles. Government is the 8th faction collecting taxes. All factions are fighting for sovereignty but does sovereignty differ for every faction. ‘ On the question of why cannot all NGOs, Church, organizations, associations work together to solve this issue, the ACAUT said every NGOs and Churches have their own vested priorities, looking for financial support for themselves and their organizations. ‘They have their controlling masters who help out financially and as a result get compromised. They also have their own support for factions in one way or another to protect their interests. Under these circumstances it is not so easy for all the NGOs to work together.’ On question raised by students regarding in what way can ‘One government one tax’ unite the factions, the ACAUT answered that all factions need money to run their organizations, and at present all factions are comfortably surviving on illegal taxation in the name of sovereignty. (UNI)
Nagaland Govt.’s order on road construction stays: HC
Kohima: The recent work order issued by the PWD (Roads and Bridges) for the first phase of Foothill road project in respect to the Mon and Mokokchung sectors has been stayed, following a court order. In a statement, the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has disclosed that the stay order was passed by the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court. The NFHRCC stated that contractors – Yashitsungba Aier and A Neangba Konyak filed separate petitions in court challenging the PWD (R&B’s) decision to award works contract to other contractors, even after they had quoted the lowest rates in the bidding process. Aier’s firm, Nagaland Steel Engineering Works was in the fray for the Mokokchung sector, while Neangba had bid for the Mon sector. Initially, the NFHRCC stated that the committee advised the contractors against seeking legal redress. “However, having seen the adamant attitude of (PWD) Department, the committee was compelled to finally ask both the committee recommended contractors to approach the court of law.” It added that the decision of the court clearly exhibits that “NFHRCC recommended contractors were denied justice through open tender.” (UNI)