Development

GUWAHATI, Aug 22 ? The Buddhist community of the region has expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of harassment and persecution of Buddhist tribals by militants and security forces alike in the remote locations of Arunachal Pradesh. The twin militant outfits, NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) have demanded annexation of land from the Buddhist and other indigenous faith followers of Rima Putak, Thikhak Putak, Motongsa and Longchong villages in Tirap ? Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh and issued a decree for their conversion to Christianity. The militant outfits have left the villagers with...

GUWAHATI, Aug 22 ? Watershed management possesses a plethora of dimensions, but if executed with care, it would not merely minimise the havoc of floods, but more significantly, would help improve the ecological state of a particular region. Sound watershed management practices, however, require precise scientific data, and a dispassionate attitude.

This perception was elaborated at the ?Seminar on International Year of Fresh Water,? organised by the UNESCO Association, in the city today. The seminar specifically dealt with issues related with water resources and watershed management, an area...

NEW DELHI, Aug 22 ? Rattled by the belligerent mood of the rival faction, the a group of MLAs has started a signature campaign in support of Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi. Amidst intense politicking among State Congressmen, a delegation of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) headed by the Chief Minister and Party president Bhubaneswar Kalita. met AICC president, Sonia Gandhi for what was described as a courtesy call after yesterday?s AICC session.

But no business was discussed and the group left after a photo opportunity. But the mood in the rival Congress faction was anything but cordial...

DIMAPUR, Aug 21? Following rumours of dissent within the DAN government over leadership issue, the NPF party reposed full confidence in the current leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in its Central Executive Committee meeting held at Kohima on Friday. The meeting also unanimously constituted a Disciplinary Action Committee to examine the clandestine activities of any member in the party and recommended for taking appropriate action, informed general secretary of NPF Dr. K. Kath.

Meanwhile, in yet another political development, the BJP Nagaland today reaffirmed its faith and confidence on...

GUWAHATI, Aug 21? With the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) going all out to create disturbance in the State, the question that is haunting the people is how safe is the Guwahati city as any act of violence in the city would ensure maximum possible publicity to the militants. The City Superintendent of Police, HC Nath admitted that there is no parameter to judge how safe is the city but at the same time, he said that the entire police force is working round the clock to prevent the ultras from carrying out any act of violence.

Talking to The Assam Tribune today, the city SP said, ? we...

AGARTALA, Aug 21 ? India and Bangladesh will carry out a joint survey to prepare modalities for the next Joint River Commission meeting between the two countries to solve the erosion problem, reports PTI. The three day joint survey, to be undertaken at Malaya in Tripura's Dhalai district and Mogabill, in Bangladesh's Moulavibazar from September six at the Superintending Engineer (water resource) level, would prepare modalities for the next joint river panel meeting, official sources said today.

The decision of carrying out a joint survey came after a meeting between the Superintendent Engineer...

DONGKAMOKAM, Aug 21 ? Three persons were killed in police firing at Ulukunchi police outpost under Baithalangsu police station in Karbi Anglong district last afternoon, after an irate mob gheraoed the outpost following the custodial death of one Raseswar Hokai. Hokai had been picked by police for his suspected ULFA links. Two of the dead have been identified as Sing Puma (40) and N Lumpai (45), while the third one is yet to be identified. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem.

The tragedy occurred when the police first fired in the air to disperse the group of incensed people at the...

IMPHAL, Aug 20 ? Altogether 20 persons, arrested in connection with their involvement in the current agitation, were today detained under the National Security Act (NSA) even as agitators stepped up civil disobedience movement for removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur, official sources said, reports PTI. District Magistrates of Imphal East and West districts issued the relevant orders declaring the 20 persons as detainees under the NSA, the sources said.

Among those detained were the president of Zeliangrong United Club, Manipur, Maibon Phaomei and a local reporter Ajit...

NEW DELHI, Aug 20 ? Uncertainty and indecision on implementing the mega Gas Cracker Project has left the Parliamentary panel incensed, forcing it to direct the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers to furnish a detail action taken report to executive the project within a month. According to the latest estimate even if the issue of feedstock supply is resolved, it is expected that nearly four years would be needed for implementation of the project.

Vagueness continues to cloud the Rs 3,700 crore Reliance Assam Gas Petrochemical Limited (RAPL) setting back the project by over two decades. Since...

IMPHAL, Aug 19 ? The Assam Rifles have refused to appear before the C Upendra Commission probing the circumstances that led to the custodial death of Th Manorama Devi in Manipur, and have filed a petition questioning the legal authority of the commission to summon its personnel. The commission had summoned the Commandant of 17 Assam Rifles, Col Jagmohan Singh, and four others three times to appear before it in connection with the inquiry, commission sources said.

The Assam Rifles petition said the commission should keep its proceedings in abeyance in view of the writ petition filed by it in...