Manipur CM pitches for stronger ties between NE states
Itanagar: Stressing the need to foster ties between northeast states, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has asked people in the region to “uphold the spirit of unity in diversity”. The Manipur CM, who was here to inaugurate the four-day Solung Festival of Adi community in East Siang district, said on Monday both Arunachal and Manipur have rich traditions and the songs and celebrations in the two states reflect the cultural heritage of the tribal communities. He invited cultural troupes from Arunachal to participate in the upcoming Sangai Festival in Manipur. Singh, accompanied by Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu, reached Pasighat in East Siang by road late Monday as his chopper could not take off from Assam’s Dibrugarh district in the morning due to inclement weather. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the fastest growing states of the country in terms of performance and development, the Manipur CM said. He lauded Khandu for his deep commitment, sincerity and hard work in developing the state. “Arunachal in two years has taken a giant step towards development. It will be difficult for state like Manipur to catch up,” Singh said, after releasing a souvenir on the occasion. Khandu, during his address to people, thanked Singh and Manipur Deputy Speaker K Robindro for joining the agricultural fest of the Adi community. “We must continue our efforts to strengthen ties between sister states of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in various areas,” Khandu said. (PTI)
Braving attacks, Tripura CPI-M collects donations for Kerala
Agartala: Opposition CPI-M leaders and workers, braving a series of attacks by the ruling BJP workers, have collected Rs 23 lakh for providing relief to the people of flood-hit Kerala, the party said here on Tuesday. “Facing many attacks, CPI-M leaders and members during August 21-31 have collected Rs 23 lakh from across Tripura for the relief of the flood affected people of Kerala. The collection was sent to the Relief Fund of Kerala Chief Minister,” Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee member Bijan Dhar told the media. He said that during the collection of money from various shops, markets, common people and individuals, the ruling BJP cadres attacked CPI-M activists in 23 places and in three places snatched away the collection boxes. “Objecting to the CPI-M collecting money for the Kerala people, BJP workers had attacked Khowai and Sepahijala district committee offices and many houses of party members who joined the collection efforts,” said Dhar, who is also the state secretary of CPI-M. He said that at least 15 CPI-M members were injured in the BJP attacks from August 21-31. The Left leader said that many organisations including those of bank and LIC employees have also donated funds for Kerala people. BJP denied the CPI-M’s accusations. “No BJP men attacked the CPI-M people during the fund collection drive. Some common people who had suffered during the Left’s 25-year regime might have objected to the CPI-M’s acts,” BJP spokesman Mrinal Kanti Deb said. (IANS)
Punjab to supply pigs to Nagaland: Minister
Chandigarh: Punjab will soon start supplying pigs to Nagaland which would earn around Rs 200 crore annually to pig rearers of the state, Animal Husbandry Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said Tuesday. “Punjab will supply 8,000 pigs per month, thus, earning Rs 200 crore annually for pig famers of the state,” he said here. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard would be signed in the coming days, the minister said. People of Nagaland consider pork from Punjab to be hygienic, healthy and full of nutritious value as compared to the other parts of the country, Sidhu added. The decision followed a meeting of the minister with a delegation of Nagaland here. (PTI)
Two panther cubs born in Assam zoo
Guwahati: The birth of two panther cubs in Assam State Zoo here has given it the distinction of having the highest number of six panthers in a zoo in the country, an officer said Tuesday. The cubs were born on Saturday night to panther couple Meena and Mohan and both the cubs and the mother and doing fine, Zoo Divisional Forest Officer Tejas Mariswamy said. Mohan and Meena were rescued panthers raised in the zoo and the authorities paired them in April. Besides these four, Assam State Zoo has two more panthers and has the distinction of having the highest number of six panthers in a zoo in the country, he added. (PTI)