National level athlete branded as ‘witch’, assaulted
Diphu (Assam): A national level athlete was allegedly branded as a ‘witch’ and assaulted by a group of people of her own village Cherekuli in Karbi Anglong district, police said on Thursday. Superintendent of Police M J Mahanta said Debajani Bora, medal winner in javelin at several national meets, was was dragged to a ‘namghar’ (community prayer hall), tied to a post and beaten up by the group last evening. The group was allegedly instigated by the ‘namghar’ head Radha Laskar saying that she was a witch and was responsible for various problems faced by some villagers, Mahanta said. Bora became unconscious following the assault and her family members took her from the ‘namghar’ to Dokomoka Primary Health Centre with severe injuries in her back and neck, the SP said. Her family members filed an FIR today and two persons, including Laskar, was arrested while search was on to nab the others, Mahanta said. Bora, a mother of three and wife of a farmer, was selected to represent the country at an international meet at Malaysia in 2011-12 but could not attend it due to financial constraints. (PTI)
Nagaland observes World Food Day
Kohima:Commemorating World Food day on the theme ‘Family Farming: Feeding The World: Caring For the Earth’ a programme was held at District Agriculture Office (DAO) at Mokokchung on Thursday. Official sources said I. Lipok Jamir, DAO, maintained that, special attention has been given to uplift and safeguard family farming as they contribute 98 per cent of total food productions. He also pointed out that around 70 per cent of family farming is in the rural areas and their system of land use is sustainable and environment friendly. (UNI)
All party team visits Indo-Bangla open border
Guwahati:An all party delegation of Assam Legislative Assembly team visited Indo-Bangladesh open border area in Karimganj district. The delegation team led by Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Bhimananda Tanti had a spot study on the 2.27 KM unfenced area in Lathitilla and Dumbari area, about 70 km away from district headquarters. The team had an interaction with officials of BSF at Lathitilla on Thursday. Earlier the team visited Sutarkandi Indo-Bangla trade centre and exchanged sweet packets with Bangladesh Border Guard Security Personnel on Tuesday. The all party team had inspected river patrolling system on river Kusiara near Karimganj town on Tuesday. They also studied the situation of open border line measuring 3.5 KM long area near Karimganj town which is yet to come under fencing. Talking to mediapersons in Lathitilla BOP of BSF, Mr Tanti said the international border in Karimganj district is secured and river patrolling across river Kusiara in border area has been smoothly going on. (UNI)
Law and order review meeting focuses on Assam-Nagaland border
Guwahati:A law and order meeting convened by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here discussed threadbare the prevailing law and order situation along the Assam-Nagaland border. The meeting decided on Wednesday to take all possible measures for strengthening security along the Assam-Nagaland border, continuation of dialogue at community levels as part of confidence building measures and strengthening of critical roads. It also stressed on ensuring early return of the remaining 1740 persons housed in relief camps to their respective homes. The meeting was attended, among others, by the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Home and Political, DGP, DC, SP, Golaghat and other senior officials. (UNI)
Music fraternity’s special concert for Assam flood victims
New Delhi:Several music personalities like Vishal-Shekhar, Papon, Arijit Singh, Benny Dayal, Shilpa Rao, Neeti Mohan and Harshdeep Kaur are coming together for a special concert to raise money for Assam flood victims. Over 42 lakh people in Assam were affected during the floods recently. The funds raised at musical event, which will take place on October 19 here, will go to rehabilitate the people of the state. Assamese singer Papon, who has given several Bollywood hits like ‘Kyon’, ‘Maula Sun Le Re’, ‘Kaun Mera’, will spearhead the event. “The intention is to generate awareness and attention about to the flood situation in Assam and generate as much relief funds as possible towards the cause,” Papon said in a statement. Composer-singer Vishal Dadlani, said, “We would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to all the partners for their support for this initiative.” (PTI)