Assam CM flays plan panel name change
Guwahati:Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said changing the name of the Planning Commission was a cheap gimmick. “Renaming the Planning Commission is an attempt to belittle the contribution of Jawaharlal Nehru, the architect of modern India,” Gogoi tweeted today. People are not “concerned with the name, but with the substance and just changing the name of the Planning Commission was just a cheap gimmick,” he said. The Planning Commission has been replaced by a new body, NITI Aayog or National Institution for Transforming India, which will serve as a policy think-tank for the Centre as well as state governments and will have Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its Chairperson. (PTI)
IED in ATM of Mokokchung defused in Nagaland
Kohima:An Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which was reportedly kept in a ATM booth near the Cosmos Hall of Mokokchung town this morning, was successfully disposed by the Bomb Disposal Squad of Assam Rifles. According to official sources, the IED at the ATM was reported by a CRPF constable, who went inside the booth to draw some cash on Friday morning at around 1130 hrs and he noticed some wires were connecting with the ATM. Later on the nearby area was cordoned off and the 31 AR personnel pressed into an action in disposing the bomb. The IED was disposed off by the personnel of 31 Assam Rifles Mokokchung at a secured place at around 1500 hrs successfully without any injury or damage to properties. Sources further said that it was not yet confirm what type of bomb it was, but suspected to be an IED, which may exploded any moment, for which it was immediately disposed without checking the type of bomb. The motive behind the incident or the persons responsible was yet to be ascertained though investigations have been initiated. CCTV records and other possible evidences were being collected from the booth to aid in the investigations. (UNI)
Special security drive taken up in Manipur
Imphal:Manipur Police has taken up a special security drive to control celebrations of New Year throughout the state. Police has also advised people not to use intoxicants, resort to rash driving . All available forces have been called out and vehicles without proper documents were detained. People who resort to speed driving were also detained and fined. Due to the security measures accidents which occurred during New Year celebrations are mostly by youths were also controlled, according to police. Vehicles coming towards major picnic spots were also frisked by police personnel to check use of liquor. Inspite of the security arrangements and cold weather all major picnic spots were packed with people who came to celebrate. Various clubs and organisations also took up measures to check pollution of parks and river beds . Huge fines were imposed on those who throw away plastic and other waste items. (UNI)
Festival of Goddess of prosperity celebrated
Imphal:Festival of Emoinu was celebrated in Manipur here on Friday.People offered vegetables, fish at the shrine of Emoinu located at every Manipuri household kitchen to seek a bountiful year.The festival observed on the 12th day of Manipuri month of Wakching is one of the most important festivals of the Manipuris as it is believed the Goddess bestows all humanly needs. Special functions were held at every household and temples. At Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal , Imphal East , the sacred place of Goddess Emoinu religious rites were performed. The entire area including the Ningthem Pukhri (Prince’s pond) the biggest pond in the state was also decorated. Hundreds of people visited the complex since morning. Entry of vehicles was restricted and special traffic arrangements were made. (UNI)
Surrendered ULFA men held with drugs
Howrah/Guwahati: Two surrendered ULFA militants,who boarded an Assam-bound train at Howrah railway station posing as armymen, were arrested with 16 kg drugs, police said here on Friday. The two boarded the military compartment of the Kamrup Express wearing ‘army uniform’ last night, but actual army personnel inside the coach found discrepancies in their uniform, they said. Police said they challenged the two, identified as Rashid Ahmed and Mohammand Aslam, and soon found out that they were not armymen and were carrying 16 kg brown sugar to Assam. They were then handed over to police. During interrogation, they revealed that they had been ULFA militants and surrendered in 2011, police said. (PTI)
New Year celebrations low key in Assam
Guwahati: The New Year celebrations in Assam were a low key affair following the recent violence in three districts that left 79 people dead and rendered over two lakh homeless.In Assam’s main city Guwahati, the Kamrup (Metro) district administration appealed to people to enjoy the celebrations peacefully. The administration had asked clubs and organisations to hold New Year’s Eve parties till 12.30 a.m. only and prohibited them from serving liquor after 10 p.m. Wednesday.Officials Thursday said the parties followed the instructions issued by the administration.”There was no report of any violation of guidelines issued by us. Everyone cooperated and the celebrations remained peaceful,” said a district administration official.The administration had set up 15 mobile teams comprising officials of the police, excise and other departments to monitor the celebrations across the city.On Thursday, people visited religious places like the historic Kamakhya temple atop the Nilachal Hill, the Sukreswar temple, Balaji temple and other prominent temples in and around the city.The state zoo too recorded a huge footfall, as many families organised picnics inside the premises.Bodo militants launched attacks Dec 23 in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Sonitpur districts. The backlash of the violence soon spread to neighbouring Udalguri district and many houses belonging to Bodos and adivasis were burnt.(IANS)