Centre urged to review policy of funding on population
Itanagar:Arunachal Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kalikho Pul has urged Centre to review population criterion for releasing grants and make it based on the requirement of the state. A tribal state inhabited by the indigenous Scheduled Tribe population of 9,51,821 (68.78 per cent) of its 13,83,727 total population as per 2011 census, the grants-in-aid on population criterion has been too meagre, Pul told a meeting of state tribal affairs ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday, an official release said here on Wednesday. “The sensitive border state deserves special attention for development funding by considering socio-economic development parameters, resource constraints, difficult geographical terrains, strategic location, high cost of construction and lack of communication facilities. Many of the administrative circles in the border areas are yet to be connected by road,” he said. “I would also request the ministry to consider proposals for creation of minimum supporting staff under central funding for setting up of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in each district as per Centre guidelines which prescribes that development block where ST population is higher than 50 per cent must have ITDAs,” he said. (PTI)
NSCN(IM) militant nabbed in Manipur
Kolkata:A consignment of arms and ammunition was seized and an NSCN(IM) militant was apprehended by army in Manipur’s Senapati district, army sources said here on Wednesday. Based on specific intelligence about movement of an active NSCN(IM) cadre with a consignment of arms and ammunition, troops of Red Shield Division launched an operation on Monday in Tumnoupokpi village, the officials said. A hardcore NSCN(IM) cadre who was moving in a vehcile carrying 4 rifles, magazines and other ammunition was apprehended and was later on handed over to the local police station. The weapons were also seized, they added. (PTI)
Nagaland community to observe Chaga Gadi fest on Thursday
Kohima:The Liangmai Community will celebrate its most important and popular Chaga Gadi festival in traditional costum with great enthusiasm for two days from Thursday In a release, Kohima Liangmai Organisation president Kairinpibo and General Secretary Rutmakbo on Wednesday said as per the Executive body resolution, this year the Kohima Liangmai in general would not celebrate the festival The release said Chaga Gadi was an important and popular festival of the Zeliang people, to mark their belief that the Almighty showers his blessings and brings good harvest and good health. On the first day at midnight people wait anxiously to see the new moon which is believed to be a boon and messenger of blessings from God. After the appearance of the new moon the Village Chief (singkupiu) will make an announcement so that the people begin necessary preparation. The Liangmai Community celebrates this festival every year, usually in the last part of their Chagahiu month, that is in October. (UNI)
Arunachal Tea growers urged to follow Tea Board regulation
Itanagar:The Director of Arunachal Pradesh Trade and Commerce Tokong Pertin on Wednesday urged tea growers of the state to follow the Tea Board of India’s regulation on pesticide application in Tea cultivation through Plant Protection Code (PPC) with effect from January 1 next year. “The Board will allow very few chemicals to be applied in Tea cultivation for controlling pests and diseases as approved by the Central Insecticidal Board (CIB) with fixed maximum residue limit in Tea against each chemical,” Pertin said in a release here. This is a serious issue to be addressed by the tea growers of the state as tea manufacturing agencies would surely deny purchasing of green leaves having chemical residue beyond MRL or containing banned chemicals, Pertin said. Pertin urged the tea growers of the state to follow the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices developed and designed by Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TTRI), TRA, Jorhat, Assam for the benefit of both the big agency houses and small tea growers. Tea growers must have to avoid the application of chemical pesticides not recommended by CIB and TRA, he said. (PTI)
39 family render homeless in a big fire in Dimapur
Kohima:In a major fire that broke out in the United North Block ‘A’ in Burma Camp area of Dimapur town on Tuesday, rendering 39 families homeless, however there was no casualty was reported. According to Fire Brigade sources, the fire broke out from a kitchen of one of the rooms and it spread to nearby thatch houses and property damage was estimated at around Rs. 6.5 Lakhs. The tenement, sandwiched between a two-storied RCC building and an under-construction church, was occupied mostly by daily wage earners as tenants. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but it was suspected that it spread from an unattended fireplace at one of the kitchens. The Fire & Emergency Services had to press six fire trucks and 20 firemen to bring the fire under control and the flames were finally doused within three hours, sources said. (UNI)
NSF expresses concern over 1,000-hr bandh along NH-39
Kohima:The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has expressed serious concern over the ongoing 1,000-hour bandh along the National Highway-39 called by the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS), Karbi Anglong in Assam. “The NSF, or for that matter the Nagas, have nothing to say over the demand for autonomous or separate state by the Karbi people. “However, imposing a 1,000-hour bandh on National Highway, thereby cutting off the route which is the only life-line for the people of Nagaland, is a matter of great concern,” said NSF vice-president Joseph Ngouri and general secretary Esther Rhakho in a release here on Wednesday. The NSF said the Assam government should make sure that nothing happens to any travelers and ensure safe passage for vehicles carrying essential commodities meant for Nagaland. The NSF also urged the Union Home Ministry to take necessary measures for the safety people plying through the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. (PTI)