Assam gives Rs 40 lakh relief to kin of six ‘encounter victims’
New Delhi: Following the recommendations of the NHRC, the Assam government has paid Rs 40 lakh as relief to the families of six persons who were allegedly killed in separate police encounters between 2010-2011. “In all these cases, the Government of Assam could not convince the Commission in response to its notices that the encounters were genuine and the police had to open fire in self-defence,” said a statement issued on Monday by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Out of these six, four cases were registered by the Commission in the year 2010 while two other cases were registered in the year 2011. Police have, however, claimed that all these encounters were of the suspected extremists and were carried out by police alone or in joint operations with security forces in different districts of Assam. Recording the compliance of its recommendations by the state government, the Commission closed these cases in the month of September, 2015. (PTI)
MNF decides to go it alone in AMC, LADC polls
Aizawl: Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Monday announced that the party would go it alone in the coming Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) polls likely to be held in November. MNF president Zoramthanga told party workers at a meeting MNF office that contesting the coming polls alone would ensure formation of stable self-governments in AMC and LADC. The party, he said, would nominate untainted candidates having excellent track records. Meanwhile, ruling Congress has said that it would form alliance with Mizoram People’s Conference(MPC) in the coming by-poll in Aizawl North III assembly seat and the elections to AMC. Mizoram PCC Vice-president and state home minister R Lalzirliana told PTI that Congress has already announced its intention to forge electoral alliance with MPC, founded by the late former chief minister Brig Thenphunga Sailo in the coming AMC elections. MPCC and MPC had formed a coalition in AMC after Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) withdrew support to the Congress-led AMC executive body and formed alliance with MNF. (PTI)
Arunachal govt releases Rs 44 cr to Panchayati Raj Institutions
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh government on Monday released Rs 44 crore to Panchayati raj institutions for developmental projects at the grass root level. The grant under the 14th Finance Commission will be utilized by the Panchayati Raj institutions for welfare and developmental projects like garbage management, drainage system, electrification in villages. Chief Minister Nabam Tuki while approving the release of the sum today observed that the third tier of government works the closest with the rural population and therefore has the first hand understanding of the needs and potentials of the rural areas, an official report informed. “It is the commitment of our government for devolution of the 3Fs to the local self Government and accordingly we have concentrated on requirements of the basic services in all the villages,” he said. The Chief Minister while presenting the budget for financial year 2015-16 had proposed Rs 100 crore for rural local bodies, which included Rs 88.52 crore from the 14th Finance Commission Grants. For this he had suggested a need based action plan to be prepared by engaging experts for maximum benefit to the villagers, the report added. (PTI)
