Four killed, 15 injured in accident
Kohima: At least four persons, including a woman were killed and 15 others were injured when a bus plunged into a gorge in Phek district of Nagaland on Wednesday. The accident occurred when the bus with a total of 19 persons rolled about 30 feet below the road, some kilometres before reaching Phek town. While three persons died on the spot, one succumbed to injuries on way to hospital, the police said. The driver was among those killed. Of the 15 injured, six were critically injured when the community bus in which they were travelling from Ketsapo village to Phek town met with the accident. Three of the injured were airlifted to Kohima in a chopper. Six injured persons are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in the state capital. (PTI)
Food Security Act implementedin Assam
Guwahati: The Food Security Act came into force in Assam from on Thursday, targeting to cover about 85 per cent of rural and 60 per cent of urban population in the state. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi launched the distribution of food grains under National Food Security Act, 2013, at a function at Garoimari in Kamrup (rural) district. State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs minister Dr Nazrul Islam, his parliamentary secretary Bidya Sing Engleng and parliamentary secretary, Education department, Rekibuddin Ahmed, among others, were present on the occasion. Over 2.40 crore people in the state will be benefited under the Act in the state. As per provisions of the Act, 84 per cent people in rural areas and 60 per cent population in urban areas will get rice at Rs 3 per kg. The implementation of the Act was delayed for some time as digitization of records of beneficiaries was made mandatory by the new NDA government at the Centre. (UNI)
Khiamniungan tribe of Nagaland to celebrate Hokah fest
Kohima: The Khiamniungan tribal community of Nagaland would celebrate their Hokah festival from January 8-9 next at Public Ground, Nokhu under Noklak sub-division of Tuensang district, which will be organised by Nokhu Range Public Organisation (NRPO). According to a statement, Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare P Longon will be the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Parliamentary Secretary for Land Resources, V G and Women Resources Development, L Khumo will be attending the valedictory function as Chief Guests. Nokhu Range Public Organisation invited all the Khaimniungan people to be a part of the festival. (UNI)
Police open fire to disperse cannabis cultivators in Tripura
Agartala: Police on Thursday opened fire in air to disperse mob in Gajaraia village under Bishalgarh police station area of West Tripura who have assembled to protest against destruction of cannabis plants in over more than two hectares of land under private possession. According to report, based on specific information officer in-charge of Bishalgarh police station accompanied by forest guard and BSF personnel raided the village in the morning and started destruction of the plants. Suddenly, about 200 villagers cordoned the police personnel in the cannabis estate with sticks and locally used cutters. They alleged that local police station has been paid a handsome amount by the villagers for cultivation of cannabis. Police opened one round in air to manage the situation and disperse the mob. However, there is no report of any causalty or injuries from any side. The mob ran away when police retaliate them. Bishalgarh area is known for cannabis cultivation for long time. The villagers shifted from paddy and vegetable cultivation to cannabis cultivation in Bishalgarh and Sonamura sub-divisions of West Tripura, which are supplied to Bangladesh illegally. (UNI)
