Assam Rifles alleges forceful recruitment by NSCN-K
Kohima:The Assam Rifles on Wednesday alleged that NSCN (K) has been continuing with its drive to recruit school children at gunpoint, as Nagaland have refused to support any form of violence and are not willing to replenish the depleting strength of NSCN(K) cadres. A statement by the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR- North) said that in the latest recruitment drive, 15 youths from Phek District, have been forcefully taken away by the cadres of self-styled (SS) Brig Kurichu, Commander of Mobile-V Group of NSCN(K), which is operating between Phek District (Nagaland) and Tsera (Myanmar). The youngest student recruited is only 14-year-old. These youths have been taken to Tsera Camp in Myanmar, from where they are being sent to Ngiakching Camp (Myanmar) for Basic Military Training. The list of youths who have been forcefully recruited was given by Assam Rifles. According to IGAR, this action of NSCN (K) was in direct contravention to the Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly November 20, 1989. (UNI)
Gogoi denies knowing ‘good friend’ Rakhi Sawant
Guwahati: Assam CM Tarun Gogoi today denied knowing Bollywood actor Rakhi Sawant after she had claimed that they were ‘goog friends’. “I do not know Rakhi Sawant. I have heard of her statement, but I don’t remember meeting her,” he said. “I might have met her, but I meet many people and if everyone claims to be my friend, I would be in a difficult position,” he added. “I have explained to my wife that I don’t know Rakhi and we are not friends as claimed by her,” the veteran Congressman said, amid peals of laughter from journalists. Rakhi, who is playing Assam-origin murder-accused Indrani Mukherjea’s role in a new Hindi movie, had claimed yesterday that she was ‘good friends’ with Mr Gogoi, met him several times, clicked photos and would be visiting Assam soon on his invitation. (UNI)
Tripura town observes strike protesting slow pace of devp
Agartala: A dawn-to-dusk general strike began peacefully this morning in Kailashahar sub-division, district headquarters of Unokoti in North Tripura in protest against the poor pace of development in the district. The bandh has been called by civil society platform – Kailashahar Unnayan Manch. The Manch accused the administration of ‘apathetic attitude’ towards upgradation of 24 kilometres connecting road to NH 44 at Kumarghat besides, poor infrastructure of health, education and connectivity. To press for the demands, hundreds of people under the banner of Kailashahar Unnayan Manch, staged sit in demonstration yesterday. Police later arrested the agitators. Instead of getting assurance of holistic development, the police action against the civilian enraged them and they called strike on Wednesday, Manch sources said. A report said life was paralysed due to the strike in Kailashahar and it’s surrounding locations. (UNI)
Tribal MLAs will not resign: Deputy Chief Minister
Imphal: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said Tribal MLAs will not resign, as demanded by some tribal organisations. He said the three Bills passed by the State Assembly do not affect the tribals and people from other parts of the country. Mr Gaikhangam further said the four Naga People?s Front (NPF) members who resigned recently, must have resigned after getting a directive from the party leadership. Some tribal leaders were wrongly instigating the people specially the tribals by wrongly stating that the Bills affect the tribals. The government and the tribal MLAs have repeatedly clarified on the issues raised and even extended offer to amend whatever matter they wanted. He appealed to all not to spread rumours and create problems. The Deputy Chief Minister further stated that during the two month long stir, there was not even single report of harassment to people from other parts of the country. (UNI)
