Tag: National

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Safety Incharge of Indian Oil Corporation, Ambala cantt.(Haryana) for demanding & accepting a bribe of Rs.6,000/-from the Complainant.
A case was registered by CBI under Prevention of Corruption Act on a complaint alleging demand of bribe of Rs.6000/- by Safety Incharge, Indian Oil Corporation, Ambala Cantt., for issuing safety certificate/green cards in respect of 5 vehicles/oil tankers of the complainant, failing which he will ban the vehicles/oil tankers of the complainant.
CBI laid a trap and the accused was caught red handed while demanding & accepting bribe of Rs.6000/- from the complainant.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-arrests-ioc-official/

AIZAWL, May 21 NNN : Bridge over Langkaih river is the only link between Tripura and Mizoram but the blockade imposed on this link is continuing since April 29 over the death of a man hailed from Bru community. Following the prolonging of the blockade, the tension is heightening in the Tripura-Mizoram border area.
The BDO level talk between the two states failed to bring any desirable result.The Bru community blames the Mizos for the death while the latter denied it.
Following this development, Young Mizo Association (YMA), in the western belt of Mizoram, had resorted to blockading of Langkaih Bridge at Kanhmun for an indefinite period of time starting from April 29.
It may be recalled that Sebaram Reang was one of the 8 members of an armed group arrested by Tripura and Mizoram Police in a joint operation.
He had reportedly committed suicide while searching for arms and ammunitions hidden by the armed group.
The police continue to hunt for seven other members of the group. It can be noted here that tension between the Brus and the Mizos crops up from time to time.
Mizoram had witnessed the climax of this tension in the year 2009 when houses of Mizos and Brus were burnt by each other.
In a Mizoram district of Mamit bordering Tripura, Mizo youths set the Bru (Reang) settlements and reduced 313 houses to ashes in November, 2009.
The violence in 2009 was triggered by the killing of an 18 year old Mizo youth identified as one Zarzokima by Bru militants.
Meanwhile, the process of identification of Mizoram Brus in Tripura camps for repatriation in the last part of this month is also stalled because of the tense situation. Joint Churches Committee of Mizoram proceeded towards Champhai yesterday to diffuse the tense situation between Vaphai and Saikhumphai.
According to official sources, the Joint Churches Committee was being headed by the Chairman, Rev. Lalramliana Pachuau who also is the Synod Moderator. Other office bearers and members are Lalnilawma Kawlni, B. Thangtinliana and Lt. Col. Lalramhluna. They are accompanied by the Joint Director of Local Administration Deptt. C. Lalthlamuana.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/blockade-affects-tripura-mizoram-linkage/

Mail News Service Imphal, May 19 : A team of National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) comprising of Shyam Saran, Chairman and Ex Foreign Secretary Government of India, PC Haldar former Director IB, Lt Gen PC Bharadwaj (Retd) former Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Prakash Menon (Retd) military advisor of NSAB and YS Sharawat, Chairman Port Authority of India are on a 10 days visit to North Eastern States of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in connection with infrastructural development issues. The Team was briefed by Lt Gen AK Sahni, SM, VSM, GOC Spear Corps at Rangapahar, yesterday on the progress of Infrastructure Development in the Corps Z. The team was also apprised on the operational preparedness and prevailing security situation in the region. The various issues concerning construction of roads, habitat for the troops and acquisition of land were debated in detail and measures to speed up the process were discussed. Prior to this, the team had been to Manipur, where in, it visited Moreh town and interacted with the local Border Trade Association, and discussions in connection with setting up of the Integrated Check Post at Moreh were held. The team also had a meeting with CM of Manipur and discussed the potential of an Economic Corridor to SE Asia. The plan for developing a modern city of international standards at Moreh, the issues of smuggling, drug trafficking and Border Management were also discussed in the said meeting.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/nsab-chairman-visits-rangapahar/

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 19 : Three climbers from Manipur reached the top of the world continuing the series of scaling of Mt Everest during the last few days. Puyamcha Mohon of Manipur and two others from Manipur who are part of NCC team, Ch. Shankar Singh , Ph. Bidyachand Singh also reached the top today.
Twelve climbers from north east scaled the highest peak Mt Everest in a span of three days. The first North East Mt Everest expedition however has made history .
The Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh conveyed his congratulations to the 1st North East India Top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition Team which have gained tremendous achievement by successfully sending ten climbers out of 13 climbers to the top of the highest peak in the world. The Chief Minister is proud to know that three Manipuris namely N. Bidyapati Devi (1st Woman from Manipur), N. Chingkheinganba (youngest from India) and Puyamcha Mohon are among the 10 climbers who have scaled the summit. In three days from 17th to 19th May, 2013 the 10 climbers from Arunachal Pradesh (2); Assam (1); Manipur (3); Meghalaya (1); Mizoram (1); and Sikkim (2) have reached the summit. For this tremendous and historic achievement the initiative of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) which is organizing the expedition deserves all praise.
The Chief Minister also sends his congratulations on the news of 2 NCC cadets from Manipur namely Ch. Shankar Singh and Ph. Bidyachand Singh who are in the NCC Mt. Everest Expedition Team have also successfully scaled the highest peak today.
The tremendous success of the 1st North East India Mt. Everest Expedition 2013 has once again proved the potential and talents of the North East people in the area of adventure sports and mountaineering in particular and this will surely encourage and renew the hopes of those who aspire to be Everester.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the support rendered by all concerned including the North Eastern Council (NEC), other NE States, family of the climbers and people of Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/three-climbers-from-manipur-scale-mt-everest/

MNS: The Central Bureau Of Investigation has arrested its SP & one Inspector both posted in New Delhi and two other private persons in an alleged bribery case.
A case was registered by CBI on 17.05.2013 under various sections of law against two CBI officers posted in New Delhi and two private persons on the allegations of demand & acceptance of illegal gratifications for settling a matter of two private parties by exercising undue influence.
CBI laid a trap and one CBI officer was caught red-handed while he was accepting a packet of Rs. Seven lakh. Another packet of Rs. Seven lakh meant for delivery to another CBI officer & Rs. One lakh was recovered during investigation. All the four accused including the two private persons who offered the bribe & another CBI Officer were arrested.
Searches were conducted at the residential premises and other places associated with the accused persons which yielded a recovery of certain cash alongwith incriminating materials.
All the four arrested persons are being produced today in the Designated Court at New Delhi.
Further Investigation is in progress.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cbi-arrests-its-officers/

Srinagar, May 18 (ANI): A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed on Saturday during an infiltration bid by militants in the Macchil sector along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara District.
One other soldier was also injured.
According to media reports, troops of the 56 Rashtriya Rifles noticed some suspicious movement of two to four persons along in the Macchil sector at around 3 a.m. and challenged the intruders. an Army spokesman said.
The militants opened fire on army positions, including on the Dingeri Post, which was retaliated.
In the ensuing gunfight, JCO Arun Kumar was killed, while another soldier Solanki Raju was injured.
The militants fled from the area owing to the stiff challenge posed by the army troops, the spokesman said.
The ultras left behind two assault rifles and some war-like stores before crossing back into PoK territory, he said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/army-officer-killed-in-gunfight-with-militants-on-loc/

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 18 : After Bidyapati of Manipur, Nima Lama of Arunachal Pradesh and .Anand Gurung of Sikkim unfurled the expedition flag on top of Mt. Everest on 17th May 2012 morning as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013. For the second day, the summit continues with 6 more climbers of the team reaching the height and successfully making their summit.
Anshu Jamshenpa of Arunachal Pradesh, N. Chingkheinganba of Manipur, David Zohmangaiha of Mizoram, Tarun Saikia of Assam, Kazi Sherpa of Sikkim made their successful summit at 5.15AM (IST) and Wangsuk Myrthong of Meghalaya summitted at 8.15AM (IST).
With the successful summit, David Zohmangaiha, Tarun Saikia and Wangshuk Myrthong are the first Mt. Everest summiter from their respective states. Anshu Jamsenpa of Arunachal Pradesh has again created history by being the only mother of two who successfully summitted the Mt. Everest for the third time. N. Chingkheinganba, the 16 years old boy from Manipur is the youngest among the team. The expedition team is the first ever comprising exclusively of mountaineers from North East India. It is being executed under the leadership of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association, funded by North Eastern Council, Shillong and Supported by Planning Department, Govt. of Manipur. The Leader of the Expedition is Dr. L. Surjit, President of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association.
Until now altogether 9 mountaineers of the team have summitted the Mt. Everest of which 2 each from Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and 1 each from Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam.
Puyamcha Mohon from Manipur is expected to summit the Everest by tomorrow morning.
1. Wangsuk Myrthong, Meghalaya Police, Meghalaya
Summited Mt. Everest on 18th May 2013 at 8.15 AM (IST) as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013
Anshu Jamsenpa, Arunachal Pradesh
Summited Mt. Everest on 18th May 2013 at 5.15 AM (IST) as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013
David Zohmangaiha, Mizoram
Summited Mt. Everest on 18th May 2013 at 5.15 AM (IST) as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013.
N. Chingkheinganba, Manipur
Summited Mt. Everest on 18th May 2013 at 5.15 AM (IST) as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013.
Tarun Saikia, Assam
Summited Mt. Everest on 18th May 2013 at 5.15 AM (IST) as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013.
Kazi Sherpa, OSD (Adventure)- India Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco Tourism, Sikkim
Summited Mt. Everest on 18th May 2013 at 5.15 AM (IST) as part of the 1st North East India top of the World Mt. Everest Expedition 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/chingkheinganba-climbs-mt-everest-one-of-the-youngest-to-achieve-the-feat/

New Delhi, May 18 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Member of Parliament Takam Sanjoy on Saturday urged the Indian Government to be assertive in asking China to stay away from his state.
“We are optimistic that the Indian Government will be very assertive on various issues affecting the two nations. All that we would ask from the Indian Government is that talks are held on the border issue. India should be assertive in placing their points,” Sanjoy said.
“The recent incursion by China hasn’t been of good design, although with the intervention of the Prime Minister himself with the dialogue process, all we want our PM to clarify, is that no portion of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to China, and they should keep away from India,” Sanjoy added.
On an emotional note, he further said: “We are Indians, and no force in the world can separate us, may be the roots are different, but still we are a part of this country,” he said.
Commenting on the issue of stapled visas, Sanjoy said: “In connection with the stapled visa, the Government of India should be very clear, and should continue having dialogues with China. Hence, whichever visa is used for other states in the country, the same visas should be used for Arunachal Pradesh, as we are a part of India. No need for India to accept stapled visas.”
Sanjoy’s comments came on the eve of Chinese Premier Li’s visit to India from Sunday. This is Premier Li’s first foreign trip since assuming office. He would also visit Pakistan, Germany and Switzerland during the week-long foray.
His statement was also a rejoinder to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s demand that the government should insist that Beijing recognise the stapled visa as a valid diplomatic document.
BJP Member of Parliament Kirran Rijju had earlier in the day said: “This visit has a historical significance. We have a great opportunity as well. I have written to our Prime Minister that he should take up two issues with the Chinese premier. First, they should accept the stapled visa that would be issued by the Chinese to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. First, China claimed Arunachal as their part and so there was no need for the people of Arunachal to go to China. Now, that they have agreed to give stapled visas, then, in a way, they are accepting that Arunachal is a part of India. There might be differences over the issue, but they are acknowledging it and issuing the visas. So, I feel that China has softened its stand.”
Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said India and China can cooperate globally on many issues. We should talk to the Chinese Prime Minister from a position of strength and not from a position of weakness. We are a great nation. China recognises that we are a great nation. And we should keep that in mind.”
China and India, despite both being founding members of the BRICS group of developing nations and having increasingly close economic relations, have long looked with suspicion at each other following a brief border war in 1962, which China won.
Both countries were involved in a renewed border standoff on the icy Himalayan mountains which calmed down this month after India agreed to a Chinese demand to demolish a remote army position, a topic discussed when India’s foreign minister visited China last week.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/india-should-ask-china-to-stay-away-from-arunachal-border-takam-sanjoy/

AIZAWL, May 18 NNN : Tuberculosis (TB) still a threat to Mizoram.
During January-March, 2013, as many as 497 people in Mizoram were detected with TB infection, out of which in the case of 164 persons, the TB germ is detected in the phlegm, and 88% of these 164 patients are now healed after treatment. Besides these, 6 other people were newly detected with MDR- TB infection.
This figure was shown in the performance report and presentation on Multi Drug Resistant (MDR-TB) during 3 months given through power point presentation by Dr. Harvey Vanlalpeka, Asst. Programe Officer and Dr.Lalhriatpuia, MO, State TB Cell at the Ist Quarter (January – March, 2013) Review Meeting on detection and treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) patients, held at Health Directorate Conference Hall on Friday.
At the review meeting which was presided over by Dr.Vanlalhruaii, State TB Officer Dr.K.Ropari, Directorate of Health Services said that the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) has been started in Mizoram from 2003, and since then review meeting is held regularly after every 3 months.
Dr.K.Ropari said it is necessary that the TB patients take the prescribed medicines properly because there is a great chance that others contracted the disease because of negligence for TB treatment by the infected people. She also said that TB and HIV can be infected simultaneously. “It is advisable that if a person suffers from coughing for two weeks or more, he or she may go for treatment early, and get the phlegm examined”, Dr.K.Ropari advised.
The review meeting was attended by the Chief Medical Officer, the District TB Officer, the Senior Treatment Supervisor, the DOT Plus Supervisor, the Senior TB Laboratory Supervisor from each district, besides from NGOs- representatives of Zoram Entu Pawl (ZEP) and Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tb-still-prevalent-in-mizoram-in-huge-number/

SHILLONG, May 16: Braving rain and inclement weather, shops and business establishments downed its shutter in Shillong on Thursday morning as most of its residents joined the protest march organized to condemn the brutal rape of a seven year old girl on May 8 and also put pressure on the district administration to apprehend the culprits responsible for the heinous crime. The protest march however was not confined to the residents of Malki locality as NGOs and prominent personalities of the city like legislator Jemino Mawthoh and State Commission for Women chairperson Thelin Phanbuh also joined the procession. The student community turned out in large number.
Organized by the Malki Dorbar Shnong, the protest march saw participation from hundreds of concerned citizens as the serpentine line marched through Nongshilang, Khlieh Shnong, Dhanketi and culminating in Malki ground where a public rally was held. The seven years old victim of the rape had been admitted in NEIGRIHMS and was released on Wednesday. She was taken to the jungle in Malki and was raped.
The incident had outraged the residents of Malki and other localities which made the Malki Dorbar Shnong to organize the protest rally and pressurize the government to take the case seriously, apprehend the criminals and give exemplary punishment that would be a deterrent to other likeminded criminals. After the rally a public meeting was held at Malki ground wherein Phanbuh felt that the government must appoint a strong public prosecutor so that the culprit doesn’t get away because of weak prosecution from the government side.
Another speaker Malki Presbyterian school principal P Nongneng called on women legislators of Meghalaya to take serious note of the rape incident and hoped that they would take steps in seeing that government formulate policy that ensure “zero tolerance” to such heinous crime. Another speaker suggested that criminals who indulge in such heinous crime must not only be punished by law but should also be ostracized by the society.
Further demanding speedy actions, the people during the meeting while expressing anger also maintained that if the law fails to act, people will be compel to take the law in their own hands against the culprit. “Despite Meghalaya being a Christian state, but the state day by day is turning into a devil’s land with such incident of crimes against minor and women growing at an alarming rate,” an executive member of the dorbar shnong said.
Stating that we want the immediate action, he said, “If the government fails, the dorbar shnong will trace the culprits by itself but will not hand over them to court and would take its own course of action against them,” adding “Even if we to go the court, justice is far from expecting.” A representative of a women organization in support to this said that such criminals should castracized by the society so that it will be lesson for others deterring from even thinking of committing such acts.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rape-protested-in-shillong/

New Delhi, May 16 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday said that no person should be arrested for posting objectionable comments on social networking sites without the permission of senior police officials.
The court also directed all states and union territories to comply with the Centre’s advisory on arresting people for their comments on websites.
The court made these observations while hearing a plea that challenged the arrest of a human rights activist from Andhra Pradesh.
He was apprehended last week for posting allegedly defamatory comments against a Congress leader on Facebook.
Jaya Vindyala, a lawyer and president of the Andhra Pradesh unit of People’s Union for Civil Liberties, was arrested in Hyderabad on Sunday afternoon for her comments against A Krishnamohan, a Congress MLA from Chirala in Prakasam district.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/no-arrests-for-web-posts-without-police-permission-sc/

AIZAWL, May 16 NNN : Schools throughout Mizoram were closed today as the state prepares to take the super-cyclone Mahasen. Traffic in the state capital Aizawl were thin and the percentage of office attendance in government departments were low.
As a pre-emptive move, the government of Mizoram had ordered to close schools in the state for two days starting from Thursday as the super cyclone Mahasen strking the state becomes imminent.
As weathermen have predicted that super cyclone ‘Mahasen’ is due to hit Mizoram on May 16 (Thursday night), Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawl issued yesterday an official order to shut all the schools in the State, excluding colleges, from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The Chief Minister also made a request to the people in the State not to organize any function or any kind of public gathering from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
As per the latest information provided to the Chief Minister by Cyclone Warning Division, Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi, the predicted timing of the ‘Mahasen’ cyclone remains unchanged. The super cyclone is believed to reach Mizoram at around 9:30 – 10 pm on Thursday.
The predicted cyclone is believed to reach Lunglei and other Southern parts at a 45-55 km/ph intensity/speed, and expected even to reach 65 km/ph.
Moreover, the super cyclone will be followed by heavy rain which will take 24 hours. It is also predicted that the cyclone may come along from Lunglei towards Aizawl and further up to Champhai.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, therefore, once again advised the people not to panic but stay ready at their own places and to turn themselves to God. He also informed all the government departments to stay alert.
The government release yesterday stated that the state government of Mizoram has around 400 trained persons of the Disaster Response Force who have been given training since 2009 – 10, who can be called out on any time at the given emergency helpline numbers.
In a preventive measure too, the School Education Commissioner of Mizoram, has also notified for closing of all schools in the State from Thursday afternoon till Friday. All the headmasters and teachers are accordingly informed to consider the safety of school materials.
The deputy commissioner of Aizawl has also announced opening up of Aizawl District Emergency Operation Centre for 24×7 service, to which reports can be given by the people.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mizoram-reeling-under-mahasen-fear/

AIZAWL, May 15 NNN: After continuous day-night rescue operation carried out by state disaster response team and volunteers, all the 17 dead bodies of the tragic massive landslide victims at Laipuitlang have been recovered yesterday night by around 11 pm. Altogether 6 persons were also rescued alive.
Meanwhile, short programme indicating closing of the rescue operation was conducted at Young Mizo Association (YMA) Information Centre, Laipuitlang after the last body was recovered.
After that a solemn send-off programme was held at Laipuitlang Baptist Kohhran Hall. The two dead bodies last recovered were identified as Lalremchhungi and Vanlalrema Hnamte, both belonged to Thingfal village.
State disaster response team members had carried out searching operation the whole day yesterday.
It can be noted here that a massive landslide at occurred on the Saturday last in Aizawl.
Besides human casualties, 11 houses were totally damaged and as many as 7 four-wheelers and 9 two-wheelers were also damaged in that calamity.
Mizo National Front (MNF), the principal Opposition party in Mizoram had demanded for the ‘independent judicial inquiry’ over building collapse that had killed 17 persons on Saturday.
The landslide that took place in the early hours of Saturday, had swept away nine houses including a PWD office building at Laipuitlang in north Aizawl killing 17 people.
A PWD office building, which had been vacated about a year ago after a crack developed on it, collapsed under the impact of the landslide and fell on nine houses below killing the people.
Mizo National Front (MNF) had demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, who holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio and his younger brother Lal Thanzara, Parliamentary Secretary for PWD, owning responsibility for the incident.
Meanwhile, regarding the tragedy caused by major landslide at Aizawl’s Laipuitlang on Saturday which had claimed 17 people convened by chief minister Lal Thanhawla had on last Monday discussed over setting up of a Magisterial Inquiry and on the ex gratia payment Rs.1.5 lakh each to the deceased’s families and of Rs. 35,000 grant each to the owners of the collapsed concrete buildings.
A large number of houses were destroyed by storms in Serchip district on Saturday .
Five persons were injured and around 40 houses were damaged in Serchhip district.
in Mizoram due to pre monsoon rain and storm.
Out of the five injured, three persons were discharged after having had administered first aid while two persons are undergoing treatment at the Serchhip district hospital. Among the 40 houses that were damaged, nine of them were swept to the ground which included two residential quarters of the state health department.
Further, it is learnt that six electric poles fell to the ground resulting a power cut in Sechhip town for the whole night that day. Three houses were destroyed in Tachhip village by the squall while many villages across the state were powerless due to transmission lines being snapped by strong wind and massive landslides, sources said.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/six-rescued-mizoram-landslide/

Mail News Service
New Delhi, May 15: The Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities increased the fresh scholarships from 1000 to 1500 per year under the Scholarship Scheme (Trust Fund) here today. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India chaired the meeting of the Board.
Laptop will be provided to all the Students with Disabilities now. The Board of Trustees decided that Laptop shall be provided to Orthopedically Handicapped (OH) students as an aids and appliances once in life time upto estimated cost of Rs.40,000/-(Rupees Forty Thousand only). Till now, this facility was available to Hearing Handicapped and Visually Handicapped students only.
It was also decided in the meeting that the advance funds for the year will be made available to NHFDC in the beginning of financial year for award of scholarships to students with disabilities without any delay.
The Scholarship Scheme for the Students with the Disabilities is being implemented by NHFDC, Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/laptop-to-be-provided-to-all-students-with-disabilities/

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 15 : The cyclonic storm Mahasen over west central Bay of Bengal moved further north- northeastwards during past 6 hours at a speed of about 20 kmph and lay centred at 1730 hours IST of 15th May 2013 near latitude 18.00 N and longitude 88.00 E, about 900 km northwest of Portblair, 500 km south-southwest of Kolkata, 360 km southeast of Paradip and 630 km southwest of Chittagong. It would intensify further and move northeastwards and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong during night of 16th May 2013.
Under the influence of this system, Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy falls would occur over South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland on 16th and 17th.
Strong wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph would prevail along and off north Andhra Pradesh coast during next 12 hrs, Odisha coast during next 24 hours and West Bengal coast during next 36 hrs. However, wind speed would increase to 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along and off West Bengal coast from tomorrow, the 16th May morning.
Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail over South Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland commencing from 16th evening/night for subsequent 24hrs.
Fishermen along and off Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal coasts are advised to be cautious while venturing into sea during next 48 hrs.
As a pre-emptive move, the government of Mizoram has ordered to close schools in the state for two days starting from Thursday as the super cyclone Mahasen strking the state becomes imminent.
As weathermen have predicted that super cyclone ‘Mahasen’ is due to hit Mizoram on May 16 (Thursday night), Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla today issued an official order to shut all the schools in the State, excluding colleges, from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The Chief Minister also made a request to the people in the State not to organize any function or any kind of public gathering from Thursday afternoon till Friday.
The government release today stated that the state government of Mizoram has around 400 trained persons of the Disaster Response Force who have been given training since 2009 – 10, who can be called out on any time at the given emergency helpline numbers.
In a preventive measure too, the School Education Commissioner of Mizoram, has also notified for closing of all schools in the State from Thursday afternoon till Friday. All the headmasters and teachers are accordingly informed to consider the safety of school materials.The deputy commissioner of Aizawl has also announced opening up of Aizawl District Emergency Operation Centre for 24×7 service, to which reports can be given by the people.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/cyclone-mahasen-arriving-today/

Bangalore, May 13 (ANI): K. Siddaramaiah, who led the Congress Party to victory in the May 5 assembly elections in Karnataka, took oath as the state’s 22nd chief minister on Monday.
State Governor H R Bhardwaj administered the oath of office to Siddaramaiah at a ceremony at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium here.
Siddaramaiah, a five-time MLA from Varuna in south Karnataka, was on Friday elected as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party in the state.
The decision in this regard was taken after four AICC observers led by Defence Minister A.K. Antony took the views of newly-elected MLAs on the issue of chief ministership.
Siddaramaiah, who is a backward caste leader from the Kuruba community, met former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna for about 20 minutes earlier in the day to seek his support for the coveted post.
Congress made a spectacular comeback in Karnataka wresting power after seven years in its old southern fortress. The party won 121 seats in the 224-member assembly.
The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) finished second with both winning 40 seats each.
Yeddyurappa’s KJP won six seats, while the independents and others won 16 seats.
Elections in Karnataka were conducted for 223 seats. Elections in one constituency – Periyapatna — was deferred to May 28 due to the death of the BJP candidate.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/siddaramaiah-sworn-in-as-karnataka-cm/

DIMAPUR, May 13 NNN: The Naga rights body has urged the Prime Minister of India to release all the Naga underground cadres including NSCN-IM’s foreign affairs head Ningkhan Anthony Shimray as a gesture of good will and expedite the ongoing peace process.
Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in its memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh requested for his intervention in expediting the Indo-Naga peace talks and to immediately release all ‘Naga political prisoners’.
“We once again, with faith in your sincerity in settling the Indo-Naga issue, appeal for yourintervention in expediting an honourable solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue andfor the release of all Naga political prisoners (Naga underground cadres) as a gesture of goodwill,” said the NPMHR in its representative to the Prime Minister signed by its Secretary General Dr Gina Shangkham while adding, “Hon’ble Sir, as you are aware the Indo-Naga cease-fire and peace talks have been in process since 1997. The Naga people have, since then, been waiting patiently for a solution that will end the cycle of violence and bloodshed that Nagas have gone through before the onset of the Indo-Naga peacetalks. However, almost sixteen years since the ceasefire, no end or honorurable solution is in sight”.
On the other hand, Indian state forces and its various agencies are functioning in total impunity; going against the central spirit of the ceasefire in which Indian representatives and Naga leaders collectively work toward an honourable solution for all concerned, the Naga rights body added.
The NPMHR then pointed out, “For instance, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), on 27 September 2010, illegally picked up and arrested Mr. Ningkhan Anthony Shimray, Head of the Foreign Affairs of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-IM (NSCN-IM) from Kathmandu International Airport on the allegation that he was to procure arms to wage war against India. Significantly, Ningkhan Anthony Shimray was on his way to New Delhi on the invitation of the NSCN-IM leadership to participate in the Indo-Naga peace talks between the government of India and NSCN-IM which was scheduled to be held on September 29, 2010 at New Delhi”.
According to the Naga rights body, the NIA and other Indian State agencies in many other instances have since then arrested and attempted to apprehend key senior Naga leaders, even going to the extent of summoning leaders to the office. This attempt to isolate and segregate leaders who represent the aspirations of the Naga people for peace forces us to question whether the government of India has any sincere intent to enter into any solution, added the NPMHR.
The Naga people have been patient; we are persuaded that peace is the only win-win situation for both the Naga people as well as India. The dilatory tactics of the government of India and attempts to hinder any viable solution is harmful to all the stakeholders including the government of India,” it cautions.
“We urge you and your office to expedite the peace process. Further we urge that political prisoners like Ningkhan Anthony Shimray be released immediately in the greater interest of peace and respect for rights and dignity. Such act of goodwill will strengthen the Naga people’s desire for mutual respect and trust,” the Naga rights body stated.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/naga-bodies-demand-release-of-prisoners/