gogoi-dismisses-reports-of-woman-burnt-to-death-for-kissing-rahul

Gogoi dismisses reports of woman burnt to death for kissing Rahul

Guwahati, March 02 (ANI): Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, dismissed media reports as 'unfortunate' which alleged that a woman was set ablaze as a punishment for kissing Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi at a recent public interaction. Media reported that a 35-year-old woman, who was part of a public interaction on women empowerment that was presided over by Rahul Gandhi during his recent visit to Assam on February 26, was allegedly burnt to death by her husband following a quarrel after the event. Gogoi, who also attended the event, clarified saying that the alleged woman was not the one who attended the interactive session. Mar 2, 2014
demand-for-bodoland-gains-momentum

Demand for Bodoland gains momentum

Guwahati, March 01 (ANI): Political leaders and activists welcomed the move by central government to constitute an expert committee to examine the demand for a separate Bodoland state from Assam, days after the Parliament passed the bill for the creation of a new Telangana state. The one-man expert committee was set up on Thursday, which would submit its report in nine months after consulting every section of the society on the creation and validity of Bodoland. The move was welcomed by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief, Hagrama Mohilary who said that a similar process was followed in the creation of Telangana state. Mar 1, 2014
government-lays-emphasis-on-improving-connectivity-in-the-northeast

Government lays emphasis on improving connectivity in the Northeast

New Delhi, Mar 1 (ANI): Railway Minister Malikarjun Kharge, while presenting the interim railway budget in the Lok Sabha on February 12th, announced the commencement of railway service in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya in this financial year. He also announced the conversion of the Rangiya to Murkongselek meter gauge line in Assam into broad gauge within this financial year. The Dudhnoi to Mehendipathar railway line in Meghalaya will be complete by March this year. Mar 1, 2014
kashmir-soldier-shoots-dead-5-colleagues-kills-self

Kashmir: Soldier shoots dead 5 colleagues, kills self

Ganderbal, Feb 27 (ANI): An army jawan of 13 Rashtriya Rifles shot dead five of his colleagues at point blank range when they were sleeping and killed himself in Kashmir's Ganderbal district Thursday morning, said army official. The deaths of the jawans took place inside the army camp of 13 Rashtriya Rifles at Safapora. An army court of inquiry will investigate the deaths. According to sources, the soldier, who was posted on sentry duty at the camp, entered one of the barracks at around 2:00am and opened indiscriminate firing on his sleeping colleagues. Feb 27, 2014
kashmir-army-kills-7-militants-recovers-arms-and-ammunition

Kashmir: Army kills 7 militants, recovers arms and ammunition

Kupwara, Feb 26 (ANI): Indian Army recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition from seven militants who were killed during an encounter between the Indian Army and militants in forest area of Kashmir. Security has been beefed up as more militants are believed to be hiding in the forest area. Major General, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kilo Force, SK Saini said that seven AK series weapons were recovered. On specific information, 18 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a cordon and search operation in Dardpora forests of Lolab, Saini added. Saini added that the documents recovered from the dead militants indicated that they belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Feb 26, 2014
huge-cache-of-arms-and-ammunition-recovered-from-maoist-hotbed

Huge cache of arms and ammunition recovered from Maoist hotbed

Giridih, Feb 23 (ANI): Police busted a Maoist operation in red corridor of Giridih district in Jharkhand and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition. The district police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a special joint operation from February 18 to February 22 to look out for any Maoist activity in the nearby hills. The team raided a bunker of the Maoists located over the area’s highest hill, forcing the latter to flee from the spot. Police seized 200 detonators, rifles, material used to make bombs, four belts, six uniforms, axes to cut through iron, tear gas grenades, Chinese grenades and a drill machine. Feb 23, 2014
narendra-modi-praises-arunachal-pradeshs-courage-to-defy-chinas-threats

Narendra Modi praises Arunachal Pradesh's courage to defy China's threats

Pasighat, Feb 22 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's Prime Ministerial Candidate Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a rally in Pasighat area in Arunachal Pradesh. Modi appeared on the stage wearing a traditional attire of the state. Making an apparent reference to the recent entry of Chinese troops into the state, Modi praised the courage shown by the people of the state to defy China's threats. Apart from Arunachal Pradesh, he will be addressing two more rallies in north east region today. The other rallies will be in Assam and Tripura. Feb 22, 2014
youth-turn-up-in-large-numbers-for-army-recruitment-rally-in-jorhat

Youth turn up in large numbers for army recruitment rally in Jorhat

Assam, Feb 22 (ANI): These youngsters have gathered at the Jorhat Districts Sports Association Field to participate in a recruitment rally being conducted by the Indian Army. Thousands of youth from different districts of Assam as well as from Arunachal Pradesh took part in the process. Through this recruitment drive, hundreds of people will be selected and absorbed into the different regiments of the Indian Army. The army officials were impressed by the large turnout. The Indian army and other security forces regularly conduct such recruitment programmes in the region with an aim to increase the presence of youth from the Northeast in the armed forces. Feb 22, 2014
it-happens-tribal-festival

It happens: Tribal Festival

Moradabad, feb 21 (ANI): The ethnic group of Mishing in India's northeastern province of Assam celebrated a seed sowing festival in which devotees prayed to God Donyi-Polo (the god of Sun-Moon) for a great harvest. Called 'Ali Ai Ligang', it is a spring festival associated with agriculture. A participant said the festival marks the ceremonial start of the paddy sowing. The Mishing community in Assam and northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh pray to God Donyi-Polo for the development. During the festival celebrations, a small area of land is marked to resemble a cultivation field. The land is ploughed with spade and then seeds are sowed from a basket by the member of the community. People dance, sing, and feast during the celebrations, and as a mark of honour people offer fish and eggs to the god. The famous traditional 'Gumrag' dance is also performed during the auspicious occasion by people of all ages within the community. However, people within the community opined that 'Ali Ai Ligang' is slowly disappearing from their society due to impact of westernization. Being the largest tribal group found in the northeastern provinces of India, members of Mishing community reside in the districts of Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Feb 21, 2014
it-happens-jute-fair

It happens: Jute Fair

Guwahati, Feb 14 (ANI): Awestruck visitors thronged the National Jute Fair in Guwahati city in India's north east Assam held to promote jute products and to create a platform for marketing jute products by self help groups. The fair is organised by the National Jute Board. Entrepreneurs from different parts of the country are participating in this fair, exhibiting huge variety of environment friendly consumer products. Eco friendly jute dolls, fancy bags, shopping bags, gift items, wall hangings, home textiles, floor coverings are some of the products displayed at the fair.Nearly 20 stalls are participating in the fair from all over. Several lifestyle jute products such as handicraft and handloom materials, dolls, fancy jute bags, shopping bags, gift articles, wall hangings, footwear, floor coverings and artificial jewelleries are on the display cum sale. The fair is organised as part of the National Jute Board's (NJB) promotional activity and to create awareness among the general public regarding eco-friendly alternative products for use in home and offices. Feb 14, 2014
security-tightened-along-assam-arunachal-border-to-maintain-peace

Security tightened along Assam-Arunachal border to maintain peace

Assam, Feb 13 (ANI): On January 29, armed people from Arunachal Pradesh raided a village in Assam's Sonitpur district and gunned down 10 people and injured many. It was believed to be a border land dispute. However, intelligence inputs reveal that assailants were provoked by Maoists or some other local militant outfit to create instability in the area. A battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is patrolling the inter-state border between Bhalakpong in Arunachal Pradesh and Bhairabkunda in Assam along India's border with Bhutan to curb the movement of militants. The forces will be deployed till the Supreme Court-appointed Commission headed by retired High Court judge Tarun Chatterjee submits it report, to define boundaries of the two states, in dispute since 1951. Feb 13, 2014
experts-discuss-growing-threat-of-maoism-in-the-northeast

Experts discuss growing threat of Maoism in the Northeast

Guwahati, Feb 11 (ANI): “Responding to the Maoist Spread in India’s Northeast” was the title of a seminar organized by Guwahati-based think-tank, the Centre for Development and Peace Studies. Members of the civil society, government officials, journalists and NGOs shared their views about the challenge Maoists have been posing in the region. It is evident that Maoists have set up base in Upper Assam, close to Arunachal border, and are working closely with northeast based insurgent outfits. Feb 12, 2014