All-party committee on ILP formed in Manipur
Imphal: A 13-member all-party committee has been formed to look into the demand of various social organisations for introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to protect the indigenous people in Manipur, officials said. The decision to form the committee was taken in a 6-hour-long all-party meeting presided over by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh last evening, they said. The Naga People’s Front, however, did not participate in the meeting. The committee would consider whether a separate law could be enacted by the state Assembly and submit its report soon to the government. The first meeting of the committee would be held on August 9, officials said. Representatives of the political parties have urged the government in the meeting to release about 100 women activists, now in judicial custody for demanding introduction of ILP in the state, JD(U) leader M Tombi said. (PTI)
Two GNLA militants killed in Assam
From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: Two suspected GNLA militants were killed in an encounter that took place during a joint operation of 19th Dogra Regiment of Army and Assam Police with a group of GNLA extremist at Khangkhal under Kukurkata outpost under Krishnai Police Station in Goalpara district on Thursday at around 2.30am. The GNLA cadres are yet to be identified. Army and the police also recovered two 7.65 pistols with three magazines, three HE-36 grenades and one IED from the incident site.
Arunachal govt temporarily stops transfer of officers
Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has stopped transfer of all field level officers including those of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service till October 31 next. The decision has been taken to ensure smooth operation of restoration and relief works on flash floods, landslides, blockage of roads, disruption of communication and damage of public property triggered by heavy rain in several districts of the state recently, an official order informed here on Thursday. In another extra ordinary notification, the state government has declared all the district land revenue and settlement officers (DLRSO) as the district head of office for land management matters with immediate effect. (PTI)
Dimapur DPDB meet stresses on wildlife conservation
Kohima: The Dimapur District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) has stressed on strict preservation of wildlife of Nagaland and decided to create an awareness campaign for the conservation of all types of wildlife. Official sources said on Thursday the decision to this effect was taken during its monthly meeting on Tuesday in the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall which was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Husheli Sema. To protect and preserve all types of wildlife, especially the Amur Falcons, during their annual migration to Nagaland, every member decided to voluntary contribute Rs 500 each, from all Departments in Dimapur, for creation of awareness on wildlife conservation, while it also directed the Dimapur Municipal Committee (DMC) to check and strictly ban the sale of wildlife in Dimapur town. (UNI)
Tripura to procure 30 more fogging machines to control mosquito breeding
Agartala: With the growth of infectious mosquito causing spread of malaria, dengue and encephalitis in Tripura, the state government has decided to procure 30 more fogging machines immediately. Health Minister Badal Choudhury on Thursday said the department had taken the decision in an emergent review meeting last night besides, massive awareness campaign and strengthening health infrastructure at village level mosquito control measure became priority now. “Besides, drinking water from unpurified sources and late reporting of fever to hospital, sudden growth of infectious mosquitoes created havoc across the state, which needs immediate response,” Mr Choudhury said. According to him, so far 78 malaria related, deaths have been reported in Tripura during past two-and-a-half months though NGOs and missionaries figure out the death toll at 187. As on date three people were found infected by Dengue and seven persons were identified as affected by Japanese encephalitis. (UNI)
Assembly Speaker hears claims of 3 MLAs who joined BJP
Kohima: Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Chotisuh Sazo on Wednesday heard the claim of merger with BJP by three Nationalist Congress Party MLAs. Official sources on Wed said that the ‘Personal Hearing on claim of merger by the three NCP MLAs’, the then state unit NCP chief Imtilemba Sangtam, Dr T M Lotha and Mmhonlumo Kikon, was conducted, where Speaker Sazo told them that another seven days have been granted to both parties to submit their submissions, if any. However, the NCP Nagaland Unit, supported by its national high command in Delhi, had written to the State Assembly Speaker not to accept the merger but disqualify the three defectors on the ground that no resolution had been taken by the NCP to merge with the BJP in Nagaland. In this connection, the Speaker held the hearing Wednesday. He is likely to pronounce the verdict only after August 13. (UNI)
Assam submits Rs 605-cr proposals to Minority AffairsMinistry
Guwahati: Assam government has submitted proposals amounting to Rs 605.16 crore to the Central government for Multi-sectoral Development Programme, the state Assembly was informed. Replying to a query by AIUDF MLA Mazibur Rahman during the Question Hour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamani Sen Deka said the submitted proposals are “under consideration of the Ministry of Minority Affairs”. On behalf of Welfare of Minorities and Development Minister Nazrul Islam, Deka also said, “For the 12th Five Year Plan under MsDP, the tentative allocation…is Rs 525.26 crore as communicated by the Government of India.” He said this allocation is meant for 118 minority concerned blocks and one minority concentrated town in Assam. The Centre has so far sanctioned and released Rs 1.20 crore in 2013-14 under the 12th Plan for MsDP. (PTI)