65% polling in 2nd phase of Assam panchayat elections

An estimated 65 per cent of the electorate on Wednesday cast their ballots on the second day of the three-phase Assam panchayat election, which was marked by sporadic incidents of violence, officials said.

Clashes between rival parties, attack on candidates and presiding officers were reported from parts of Nalbari, Kamrup (Rural) and Sonitpur districts, they said.

Irregularities in electoral rolls with names of eligible voters missing and wrong symbols were reported from some polling stations in Nalbari, Sonitpur, Kamrup (Rural), Barpeta and Darrang districts.

Arunachal, Assam draw Centre's attention to Chinese dams

Arunachal Pradesh and Assam have drawn the attention of the Centre for steps to neutralise the impact of three dams proposed to be built by China on river Tsangpho, known as Siang in Arunachal and Brahmaputra in Assam.

"We have no objection to China building dams but the life of the people which sustain on the flow of Brahmaputra since ages should not be affected by the dams," Arunachal Pradesh Water Resources Development minister Newlai Tingkhatra, flanked by his Assam counterpart Rajib Lochan Pegu, said.

Shoot-at-sight orders could be considered to check poaching at Kaziranga park

The Assam government is taking all steps and shoot-at-sight orders could be considered in the Kaziranga National Park (KNP)to deal with poaching, Assam Minister for Environment and Forest Rockybul Hussain said on Saturday. The state government has already sought a CBI probe into poaching of rhinos, whose horns are considered aphrodisiac. "Some of the demands made recently by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) are sound ones, including deployment of Army and shoot-at-sight," he said.

Lakhs of devotees attend Sankardev Sangha session

Over five lakh devotees from all over the State today gathered at the Garor Gobinda Ata Samannay Kshetra at Bamunigaon near here in Kamrup district, to attend what is considered as the largest Vaishnavite congregation of Assam – the annual convention of Srimanta Sankardev Sangha.

The newly elected Padadhikar of the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha hoisted the religious flag of the Sangha at 9 am today. This was followed by a magnificent cultural procession in which over 3 lakh devotees participated. The procession reflected the traditional cultures of different tribes of Assam.

Speaking at the open session of the four-day long open session under the presidenship of new Padadhikar Rajani Kanta Dutta today, Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region, Pawan Singh Ghatowar, said Srimanta Sankardev was one of the greatest litterateurs and social reformers of the world, who was also the inventor of the musical instrument khol. Ghatowar said Srimanta Sankardev Sangha is doing a tremendous job by propagating the ideals of Sankardev among the masses.

Kaziranga National Park guards to be armed with AK-series rifles

Kaziranga is set to become the first national park in the country to be manned by guards armed with AK series of weapons. The State Government has moved the Centre for the purpose, and expects it to materialise soon.

Addressing a press conference, State Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain today said that the move was in consonance with the Government’s ‘Intensification of management and restructuring of Kaziranga National Park’ plan.

“With threats to Kaziranga mounting in recent times, it is imperative to have a matching response mechanism – both in terms of security and management. We have taken up the matter of arming our guards with AK-46 and AK-57 rifles and ammunition with the Union Home Ministry, and are expecting a favourable response. This will make Kaziranga the country’s first protected forest to have such a security set-up,” Hussain said.

Vehicle lifting racket busted

Think twice before you employ a driver. It could just cost you your dream car!

City Police has busted a vehicle theft racket and arrested its kingpin Sultana Parveen alias Bhabhi, on charges of planting drivers and subsequently lifting vehicles.

Manoj Gupta, a listed criminal who has been arrested and sent to jail thrice in the last 10 months, has also been arrested for masterminding lifting of a number of vehicles.

Police said, “The gang was picked up just when they were planning to lift more new vehicles in connivance with the drivers they had planted.”

KMSS takes Gogoi Govt to task over corruption

“The present Congress government has failed to fulfil the basic needs of the common people in the State. The party has now become a hub of persons with dubious character.”

This was opined by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi recently at Baghmari, 5 km away from here. Addressing a public rally held at Baghmari Rangamancha with veteran social worker Moulana Azam Ali in the chair, the KMSS leader said that a lion’s share of the money amounting to Rs 5000 crore released under NREGA scheme since 2005 had been grasped by the Congress representatives elected to the panchayats.