Decline in chow-chow harvest due to inadequate rainfall
Aizawl: Chow-chow growers in Mizoram have been facing problems due to sharp decline in the harvest of the horticultural product, owing to inadequate rainfall during monsoon. Chow-chow (locally called Iskut) growers, mainly from Sihphir, Lungdai, and surrounding villages near Aizawl, used to get good harvest in normal rains and this horticulture produce is exported outside the state. Mizoram Iskut Growers Association (MIGA), in a press statement said that this was the worst year for chayote cultivators since last 30 years. “Mizoram used to harvest 60,000 to one lakh quintals per year during the past 30 years while the harvest was expected to be hardly 7,000 quintals this year,” the statement said. The MIGA expressed the hope that the government, including the Centre would extend help. (PTI)
Model Code of Conduct enforced in Kohima district
Kohima: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen Saturday said that the Model Code of Conduct in Kohima district for bye-election to 11-Northern Angami-II Assembly Constituency has come into force with immediate effect. The Election Commission Friday announced by-election to 11-Northern Angami-II (ST) Constituency to be held on October 15, a press release issued by the CEO said. On the schedule of election, he said Gazette notification would be issued on September 20 while last date of nominations of candidature is September 27. Scrutiny of nominations would be done on September 29 while last date of withdrawal of candidature is October 1. Polling, if necessary, would be held on October 15, he said. The CEO also informed that counting of vote would take place on October 19 while election process should be completed by October 22. The Northern-II Assembly Constituency seat remained vacant since May 24 after the three times Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio resigned on being elected to the Lok Sabha. (PTI)
Tuki assures action to improve law and order
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Home Minister Tanga Byaling have assured visible actions to improve the deteriorating law and order in the Itanagar capital complex. This assurance was given when a delegation of Arunachal Pradesh Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACCI) called on them here on Friday. Giving a patient hearing, the duo expressed their deep shock at the tragic incident of murder of prominent trader K C Chacko and assured steps to be initiated soon to redress the grievances, a press release from the CMO said here Saturday. Chacko was kidnapped by armed miscreants from Naharlagun on August 28 and his decomposed body was recovered by police from Doimukh on September 5. Assuring that all the killers would be brought to book, the CM informed that inquiry would be made as to why the police arrived late at Chacko’s residence, why the naka at Model village was lifted. The strength in all police stations is very less because of no recruitment during the last few years but the strength will increase soon, the CM said. Byaling said that the Capital Complex would be divided into three zones under the charge of a sub inspector, police personnel to be deployed in each sector, more police control room (PCR) vehicles will be procured and deployed with an SI as in-charge and all cases of extortions would be dealt with seriously and extortionists taken to task. The police helpline ‘100’ would remain functional round the clock and special branch personnel would be reshuffled forthwith, he said. (PTI)
Arunachal seeks three smart cities in the state
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh has requested the Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu to set up three smart cities in the state. The request was made by the state Urban Development Minister Pema Khandu at the National Conference of All Ministers and Secretaries of Urban Development at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. Stating that the density of population in the state was lowest in the country with just 17 persons per sq km, Pema appealed to the union minister not to deprive the state from the scheme merely on the ground of low population, a press release said here. The union minister took note of the matter raised by Pema and assured him to take it up with the Prime Minister at the earliest, the release said. The conference was convened by the Union Urban Development Ministry to discuss in detail the draft concept note of establishment of 100 smart cities in the country. (PTI)
Policemen needs training, says Aruncahal chamber
Itanagar: The Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACCI) has suggested that policemen of the state required training to acquire professionalism. “The need of the hour is to make annual training or short period refresher’s course mandatory for all ranks for them to acquire professionalism,” the ACCI said in a memorandum to Chief Minister Nabam Tuki here Friday. The recent kidnapping and murder of prominent trader K C Chacko proved that the police lacked professionalism. The police reached Chacko’s rented house too late despite being informed by an eyewitness immediately after he was forced into the vehicle by the gun men, the ACCI said. The memorandum wondered whether the police searched the area where Chacko’s kidnappers had abandoned two vehicles as his decomposed body was recovered from the same area. “In all cases of Bank/ATM robbery in Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Doimukh in the past, the police were not proactive rather reactive,” the memorandum said. It urged the government to send police personnel to professional centres, like Delhi Police Training Centres. Besides, the Chamber said a probe was needed to expose the unethical and illegal activities of many police personnel. Citing the example of Arunachal Pradesh Police Housing Board, it said though the state has a very small police force, many of its senior officers are engaged in administrative work instead of field or operation duty. If remedial measures were not initiated, many more Chackos would be kidnapped and fear psychosis would grip the capital complex, the memorandum said. (PTI)