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Saturday 30 July 2011

Dry spell brings in diarrohea, malaria in rural Dhalai

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Agartala, Jul 30, 2011 : With the dry spell sweeping the hilly regions diarrohea and viral fever has took serious turn in rural parts of Dhalai district .

Dhalai Health Official sources said, already six people including women and child died since last five days.

On July 28 last, one child and one teen ager with four women died at West Govindabari in Chawmanu under Longtarai Valley Sub Division. Death toll is likely to increase as many as 40-60 patients are still admitted in Chawmanu and Longtarai Valley Hospital.

“Diarrhea and viral fever are found among the admitted patients after diagnosis”, said officials from the District Medical Office, Dhalai on Saturday over telephone.

Beside this, malaria is another problem among them.

“The beds of Chawmanu hospital are full of patients”, said Longtorai Valley Sub Divisional health officials. The official added that “the situation may turn grave if the scarcity of drinking water continues”.

“So far I learnt two villagers died in Longtarai Valley Sub Division during last three-four days”, said Sub Divisional Magistrate U. Mog over telephone. “We are organizing regular health camps with preventive medicine in the interior parts”, he added. 

R L Srivastava new PCCF

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Agartala, Jul 30, 2011 : Dr R L Srivastava, senior most IFS officer has been appointed as new Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Tripura.

Srivastava will join the top post of the Forest department on Sunday next replacing the incumbent PCCF R P Tangwan.

Tangwan will go on retirement on Sunday.

Official sources said, another senior IFS officer Mr Rastogi will replace the incumbent Managing Director (MD) Dr R L Srivastavaof Tripura Forest Development and Plantation Corporation Limited (TFDPC).

Friday 29 July 2011

Bikach Choudhury, 3 others donate 500 books to Municipal library

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Agartala, Jul 29, 2011 : In a unique gesture four renowned personalities of Agartala had donated 500 books to the ‘Municipal Library’ of Agartala Municipal Council here on Thursday.

Eminent writer and Rabindra Purushkar awardee Bikach Chaudhury donated 300 books from his precious collections. Most of the titles are on Indian freedom struggle and Biography of eminent personalities.

Educationist Dr Sukomoy Ghosh donated 90 books, Nihar Ranjan Guha, father of late Dhiraj Guha donated 80 books and writer P K Paul donated more 30 books.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar who was present in the programme was all praise for the donors and called upon people from all sections to follow the example. He also appealed to the social organizations and clubs to set up mini library in their respective premises to encourage people for book reading.

‘Writers, educationists and intellectuals should play a vital role to popularize the book reading and expansion of library movement’, said Sarkar.

Urban development Minister Manik Dey congratulated the donors for their unique initiatives and hoped that people would take the advantages of these collections.

AMC’s chairpersons Dr Prafullajit Sinha along with others were also present in the programme.

More responsibility fixed on teachers

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Agartala, Jul 29, 2011 : Tripura government has made ‘additional attention’ to relatively poor performing students mandatory for the elementary level teachers in both government and non-government schools under Right to Education Act (REA).

Principal Secretary of education Banamali Sinha said that the state government had framed Rules under REA, which stressed upon continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) over the year to ensure quality education besides, generating interest among the students.

“Taking the spirit of REA we have prepared the academic calendar, which ensures 255 days classes in a year. Teachers were made responsible for holding additional classes for the poor learning students. If necessary they have to go to student’s house,” Sinha said.

He however, pointed out that the department had already delegated the teachers transfer power to District Education Officers for eradicating uneven and disproportionate distribution of teachers in the schools. Development of basic infrastructures including drinking water facilities and provisions of separate toilet for both boys and girls were also handed over to the DEO.

Teachers were also responsible for effective instruction, training and evaluation of the progress of pupils in the subjects assigned to the teacher and for the management of the class; Sinha said adding that the teachers have to participate in regular meetings with pupils’ parents or guardians.

According to the condition mandated by the Right to Education Bill, teachers who have completed the six-month abridged teachers’ training course will face problems because the bill has mandated full two years’ Bachelor of Education course for eligibility as a teacher.

In view of shortage of trained teachers in the state’s 4,393 schools, the government had, by a cabinet decision, introduced six-month abridged training course for serving teachers.

Many teachers who have completed the shorter period of training have also secured promotion to posts of headmasters and assistant headmasters but according to the bill’s condition they will be required to undergo full two-year training courses now.

Lalbahadur clinch the Rakhal Shield

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Agartala, Jul 29, 2011 : Defending champion Lalbahadur Vyamagar retained the Rakhal Shield football title this year.

In the deciding match at Dasharath Dev Stadium here Lalbahadur breezed past Ageya Cholo Sangha by a solitary goal. The decider came just at the beginning of the match, when Lalbahadur’s striker Denga scored a brilliant goal in third minutes. Carried out the ball from opponent midfield, Denga beat Ageya Cholo’s defender’s and placed it in the net.

After this initial lead Lalbahadur could not afford much of a show in the rest 87 minutes. They also missed a penalty in the second half when Joram Thara was brought down inside the box. Ageya Cholo’s keeper managed to save it with smart move.

Ageya Cholo who lost last year by 1-3 goals in the final of same tournament, could not manage this time also to level the score for their limitation of striking zone.

After final match, the prize money was give away to both champion and runner-up team.

Denga was selected Man of the Final and Kishor Debbarma of Ageya Cholo was chosen best goalkeeper of the final.

MLA and former President of Tripura Football Association Pabitra Kar, MLA Subal Bhowmik and Secretary of Tripura Sports Council Kamal Saha were present in this function.

Flood lighting work along border on

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Agartala, Jul 28, 2011 : The 854 km flood lighting project along Indo-Bangla border has made good progress showing completed works of 180 km so far.

The project, which was expected to be completed by March, 2012, got delayed due to the slow erection of barbed wire fencing.

“The NPCC has been working on war footing in interior parts like Raishyabari, Ambassa, Gandacherra, Longtarai Valley, Khowai, Sidhai and Bishalgarh”, said an NPCC official on Thursday.

“Transportation, dearth of materials and monsoon’s fury have emerged as barrier for implementing the project”, the official added.

Union government had sanctioned Rs. 400 core for flood lighting project to ensure foolproof border vigil and to check the cross border movement of anti-Indian element s including militants.

According to Police, the eastern part of the border still remains unfenced. And two major abduction cases have been reported from those areas recently.

CM inaugurates digital edn facilities at Don Bosco

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Agartala, Jul 28, 2011 : I wish to be a student again’, said visibly impressed Chief Minister Manik Sarkar as he listened intently as teachers at Don Bosco imparted lessons to students through ‘ Educomp Smart class’ facilities. The Chief Minister inaugurated the digital education methodology here at Don Bosco school on Thursday morning and interacted with the students and the teacher for about 10 minutes.

He emphasized for more ‘social and humanitarian education’ in schools to build social responsibilities among the children.

“You are among the privileged few who can study in an institution like Don Bosco. But if your education does not make you think of the plight of our country and inculcate love and concern for the poor and less privileged, the education would have no meaning’, said Sarkar.

This is for the first time in Tripura; Don Bosco school of Agartala has introduced ‘Smart class technology’ after taking into account the collective experience of Don Bosco schools across the country.

School principal Albert Longley said, every class room of the school has been furnished with a digital projector, computer and white board besides the internet enabled knowledge center.

To ensure that the switch over to Smart Class is smooth the teachers of the school have already been trained to teach the smart class methods.

Thursday 28 July 2011

Pawan Hans chopper service resumed

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Agartala, Jul 27, 2011 : Pawan Hans chopper service has resumed to operation with double engine in Tripura on July 26 last.

The service was suspended in Tripura along with other north-eastern states after the tragic crash of a single engine chopper where Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and his four associates were killed on April 30 last.

On July 26, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and two of his security personnel went to Dharmanagar on 12-seater chopper. The aircraft took off for Dharmanagar after a thorough check.

The resumed copter service would be operated on previous schedule and to and from same destinations, according to the official.

Victim files case against suspended Jahangir

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Agartala, Jul 27, 2011 : An innocent civilian who was brutally assaulted by police on July 10 last during the Congress movement against the CET for admission to TMC in front of MBB College, filed court case against suspended Sub Inspector Jahangir Hussain.

Krishna Kamal Lashkar of R K Nagar, a victim of polices brutal assault filed an application in the court of Chief judicial Magistrate of West Tripura district on Tuesday. Soon after the hearing of the petition CJM TC Ray Bhaumik ordered police to register the case against suspended officer-in-charge of College Tilla Outpost, who led the brutal assault on a group of auto rickshaw passengers including Krishna Kamal Lashkar on their way to ‘Fourteen deities temple’ at Khayerpur.

Based on the petition of Lashkar, court registered the case under section of 325,392 and 34 of IPC.

In the July 10 incident in front of MBB College, 11 media persons along with several civilians were also injured by police and TSR assault.

However, victim Krishna Kamal Lashkar would file another appeal for imposing of section 307 of IPC for attempt to murder charge against Jahangir Hussain.

Lawyer, Pijush Kanti Biswas, Harekrishna Bhaumik and Arabinda Deb will plead for Lashkar against the accused.

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Jilted lover kills minor student

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Agartala, Jul 27, 2011 : A jilted lover murdered a minor girl Banati Reang in her school hostel on Tuesday. The incident that took place in Panjiram Para HS School hostel located at remote Panjirampara in South Tripura district triggered wild sensation.

The murderer Amendra Reang was arrested.

Both Banati and Amendra were students of Class IX.

Police said, the murder was a fall out of triangular love affairs.

Amendra Reang (19) of Nabajoy Para under Karbook police station had love affair with his class mate Banati Reang(16). Since she had come from a distant village Baikhora she used to stay in the school boarding.

According to reports, recently Amendra who wanted to marry her, found she had developed relations with another boy. This sparked fatal fury in him and on the fateful night he entered into the girl hostel climbing up the boundary wall and accosted Banati. The altercation only added fuel to fire and in a furious mood Amendra started hitting Banati with a brick.

Meantime, as the other panicked girls of the hostel started screaming and ran helter skelter Amendra fled.

When the hostel incharge and others rushed in they found Banati lying in a pool of blood. . One way to hospital Banati succumbed to death.

Police said, Amendra was arrested later and produced before the Amarpur court.

Lalbahadur to take on Agiyecholo in final

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Agartala, Jul 27, 2011 : Defending champion Lalbahadur Vyamagar will take on Agiyacholo Sangha in the Final of domestic Rakhal Memorial Shield Knock-out football tournament this year.

In the second Semifinal at the Dashrath Dev Stadium, Badharghat, Agiyacholo beat Birendra Club by 2-1 goals. Trailing before lemon break by Birendra striker Banabir Kaloi, Agiyacholo bounced back in the second half and managed to win. Aditya Debbarma leveled the score 1-1 and Sujit Shukla Das netted the decider for winning team.

The final match will be held on July 28 next.

Multiple mobile SIMS being issued for same number

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Agartala, Jul 26, 2011 : Pressure for business expansion and greed for more revenues for private mobile companys and their distributors have emerged as a major problem. A large number of distributors of private mobile companys have already sold multiple SIMs against the same number . Complaints have also been filed with police on this ground but police personnel have been dithering over the issue without taking any action . A government employee living in Pragati road area , S. Ghosh received abusive calls and missed calls from same numbers belonging to different persons living in different locations. He also filed a complaint with police but the police personnel have not yet initiated any action either against distributors or against companys. Ghosh said that he has been receiving such calls from same number but from different persons over the past one month. 'I have found one distributor in Laxmi Narayan Bari area , another in Dhaleshwar area and one more in Amtoli area and then filed a complaint with police but the police personnel have not yet taken any action despite requests' said Ghosh . He is now planning to take up the issue with higher echelons in police.

Tuesday 26 July 2011

TMC admn: Controversy continues to rock

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Agartala, Jul 26, 2011 : The controversy over admission to first year MBBS course in Tripura Medical College (TMC) has taken a new turn with leader of the opposition Ratanlal Nath charging the state government and Society-run Tripura Medical College authority with depriving students of the state . Interacting with media-persons in his assembly chamber Ratanlal Nath said that the number of Tripura students admitted to the college could have increased further if the college authority had set aside 85 seats for state quota . 'In its notification for admission the TMC authority had initially kept 55 seats for Tripura-based students , 30 for students from outside states and 15 for central pool ; when we had protested a corrigendum had been issued that the thirty seats would be open for all and Tripura students would be considered if they qualified in the Common Entrance Test (CET) but now the admission profile proves that Tripura-based students have not been considered for the thirty seats' Nath said . He added that on the basis of merit list of the CET three more students each from unreserved and scheduled caste categories could have secured admission to firt year MBBS course.

'Another major irregularity committed by the TMC authority is that in the notification issued on June 10 they had said that state reservation policy which allotts 31% of seats to scheduled tribes and 17% to scheduled castes would be followed in the matter of admission but they have actually followed the central reservation policy which allotts fewer seats to both the categories' Nath said . He charged the TMC authority and the Society running it with financial irregularities and said that TMC authority admit that Rs 3.85 lakh is being charged from each student student 'but I am sure a much higher amount is being charged from the thirty students admitted from outside Tripura'. He also took serious exception to annual budgetary allocations to TMC and stashing of hefty fees collected from students to 'invisible' accounts and demanded an immediate and special audit of TMC's accounts by the CAG.

Apart from this, Nath has addressed two letters to the prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and chairman of Medical Council of India (MCI) Dr K.K.Talwar requesting them to exempt tribal students of Tripura from cut-off marks for admission to first year MBBS course. He said that supreme court's directive on 40% cut-off marks for tribal students in joint entrance examination has been in vow since the year 1995 but this was never followed in Tripura . 'This year they sudenly woke up to the stipulation about cut-off marks at the time of counselling though Tripura joint entrance board has mentioned nothing about it in its prospectus ;naturally crisis has erupted because 22 out of 25 seats reserved for ST category will remain vacant' Nath said . Charging the joint entrance board and education department of the state government with 'negligence and callousness' Nath said he had requested the prime minister and the MCI chairman to give an exemption for this year only in view of the failure of the joint entrance board to mention the requirement of cut-off marks . 'I do not know whether the MCI chairman and the prime minister will be able to do anything but I do know that the state government is fully responsible for this deprivation of tribal students' said Nath.

NE can show alternative dev model : Sarabhai

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Agartala, Jul 26, 2011 : Kartikeya Sarabhai, leading environmentalist and Director, Centre for Environment Education (CEE) affirmed that the resource base of northeast India could show an alternative model of development in changing phase.

Addressing a seminar on heritage and environmental conservation for sustainable development Sarabhai said that existing development model of the country would not be replicable uniformly because of diversified culture, heritage and challenges.

“Development of India is not sustainable for all the regions in true sense, as physical development is taking place by destroying natural system, which is not at all an approach of sustainable development”, Sarabhai said.

He pointed out that knowledge was the issue of sustainable development where social values and cultural heritage had been playing vital role while reminding that the concept of waste is not there in natural development but so called development is ruthless and to generate waste.

Aiming to explore and analyse the relationships between both natural and cultural heritage and environmental issues, CEE and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organised a two day seminar here.

Monday 25 July 2011

Kidnapped villagers families meet top cop

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Agartala, Jul 25, 2011 : Family members of six villagers had been kidnapped by NLFT (BM) militants on last June 29 from remote Ram Bhadra Para of Amarpur subdivision under South Tripura district met DGP on Monday for their early rescue.

Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Surajit Datta accompanied them to the police chief.

The Congress president also submitted a memorandum to DGP demanding security of the villagers and financial help from administration.

Expressing serious concern over the security situation along the border area of the district, where about 3 kms areas of Indo-Bangla frontier is still unfenced, PCC president requested the DGP to set up BSF and TSR camps to plug the vulnerable area.

He said, NLFT also served ransom notice to the poor villagers, demanding Rs 10 lakh for release of the six kidnapped persons and threatened they would kidnap more villagers if their demand were not met.

Earlier, Datta during his visit in the village offered Rs 1, 000 to each of the victim families.

Police believed that that the six abducted persons had been taken to Bangladesh and confine them in the safe hideouts of NLFT militants

Datta later said, DGP assured the victim’s family that the police administration would conduct a flag meeting between BSF and Bangladesh Border guards to ensure the early release of the abducted persons.

Lalbahadur beat Bullets, enter final

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Agartala, Jul 25, 2011 : Defending champion Lalbahadur Vyamagar enter into final in the domestic Rakhal Memorial Knock-out football tournament this year also.

In the first Semifinal at the Dasahrath Dev Stadium, Badharghat, Lalbahadur defeated Nine Bullets Club by solitary goal here on Sunday last. Lal Siyam Thara scored the decider in the eighth minutes of second half from penalty. The penalty occurred when Bullets defender handled the ball inside the box. Trailing by 1-0 Bullets tried to level the score but they could not manage equate.

Earlier, in the barren first half of the big dual, two footballers from both teams Tulunga of Bullets and Jagannath Jamatia of Lalbahadur were sent off in 13th minutes by referee for violence. They were punching one another after a simple tackle in the middle of the ground. Then the two sides fought with ten players in the rest 77 minutes of play.

The final match will be held on July 28 next.

Police assault on July 10: SI suspended, OC transferred

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Agartala, Jul 25, 2011 : Police sub Inspector Jehangir Hussain who led a brutal lathi charge on July 10 in MBB College campus injuring 11 media persons was suspended even as Officer In Charge of East Police Station Narayan Saha was transferred with immediate effect.

The decision was taken following series of agitations launched by media persons and creation of adverse image of the police in the public. Though axe was grinded on two police officers, no action was so far taken against SP West Tripura Anees Prasad.

The media persons under the banner or Assembly of Journalists did demand suspension of the three police officers.

Teliamura police station OC Inspector Partha sarathi Pal was shifted to East Agartala PS while Inspector Pranab Sengupta who was in crime branch was sent to Teliamura PS.

It is learnt that the decisions were taken following meeting of media persons to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar recently.

Vacant ST seats in MBBS : State seeks advice from MCI

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Agartala, Jul 25, 2011 : Tripura government has sought advice from Medical Council of India (MCI) and Union Health Ministry over filling up 23 MBBS seats reserved for schedule tribe (ST) and schedule caste (SC) category in Agartala Govt Medical College (AGMC).

Health minister Tapan Chakraborty said according to MCI and Supreme Court directive, no SC or ST student can be admitted in Medical study if he or she failed to secure at least 40 percent marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Tripura Joint Entrance examination.

“This year only three ST students for 25 reserved seats and 14 SC students in 15 reserved seats were found eligible for admission in AGMC and the state government has decided to leave these 23 seats vacant in reserved categories because of non-availability of qualified students,” Chakraborty said.

He however, informed that the government had sought advice form MCI and health ministry to manage the situation while making it clear that the state government would not fill-up the seats from unreserved category unless they received comprehensive instruction.

Meanwhile, in a separate letter to MCI Chairman Leader of the opposition Ratan Lal Nath demanded reduction of cut-off mark for SC and ST candidates referring to the precedence of 2005.

Eligible ST students not found, 23 seats in medical study may go vacant

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Agartala, Jul 24, 2011 : Counseling for medical seats for Agartala Government Medical College ran into an impasse as almost 23 seats out of 25 reserved for the ST students are likely to go vacant in absence of eligible students with 40 percent cut off marks as stipulated by the Medical Council of India.

On the second day of the counseling out of 25 seats only five ST students were found eligible for the admission in medical study. But as the situation stood on the second day of the five students two are reported to have opted for engineering studies while the two remaining would get into medical science in the AGMC. Rest 23 seats would naturally go unfulfilled as these cannot also be directed to the general category students. The MCI had earlier set strict guideline to adhere to the standard of cut-off marks for admission to medical courses in the wake of Supreme Court verdict in 1997.

On Saturday counselling scheduled to come off in Agartala town hall was disrupted by irate guardians and students of the ST category demanding counselling and admission on the basis of 'ranks' and not 'cut-off marks'. The students and guardians also blamed the state's health department for not issuing any notification regarding the cut-off marks as an essential prerequisite beforehand. Commenting on the issue the director of health services highly placed sources said that the health department or state government had nothing to do in regard to the cut-off marks imposed by MCI .

'Till last year, counselling and allotment of seats for medical courses was conducted on the basis of ranks in the joint entrance examinations but this year the MCI has issued a strict guideline on the basis of supreme court judgement of 1997 directing us to conduct counselling and allot seats on the basis of cut-off marks obtained in the joint entrance examination' sources said.

They point out that according to MCI guideline unreserved category of students are required to obtain a minimum of 50% marks in both the joint entrance and Board examinations while SC and ST category students are required to obtain at least 40% marks in both the examinations.

'Candidates are available for all 44 unreserved seats and 15 SC category seats but only five of the twenty five seats reserved for ST category are available with stipulated marks but three of them have already opted for engineering course ; that is why the ST category students and guardians are protesting but we are helpless' said another official of the health department.

For MBBS course 84 of the one hundreds seats are available in Agartala Government Medical College are open for Tripura student and, in addition , there are 13 seats for Tripura students in Regional Institute of Medical Science in Imphal.

Following the ruckus on the issue in Agartala Town Hall , a delegation of guardians met in deputation with health minister Tapan Chakraborty and pressed for admission to available seats in AGMC and RIMS on the basis of 'ranks' in joint entrance examination. Pleading his inability to do anything on the issue Chakraborty informed the guardians that the state government had nothing to do in this matter and the issue had been brought to the notice of union HRD ministry and union health ministry.

'We have already informed the ministries that seats will remain vacant in the first year MBBS course leading to deprivation of ST category students and are awaiting a response from the ministries' Chakraborty told guardians , appealing to them to bear with the state government. Later commissioner for health department Sudip Roy, accompanied by Dr Satya Debbarma , reached Agartala Town Hall and assured the guardians that the state government was trying to persuade the union ministries to take positive action so that ST category students are not deprived and appealed to them to let counselling continue on Monday.

Bullets pip Police, enter Semis

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Agartala, Jul 24, 2011 : Title contender Nine Bullets Club entered into Semi final beating Tripura Police by 2-1 goals in the opening match of domestic Rakhal Memorial Shield knock-out football tournament here on Thursday last.

It was a battle for two teams first time in this season and Bullets breezed past Police at last. At the Dashrath Dev Stadium, Badharghat, Bullets lead 1-0 before lemon break by Vanlal Rowata. Trailing behind, Police bounced back and level the score by skipper Utpal Chowdhury just at the beginning in the second half. At last, Bullets striker Tulunga found the net only when ten minutes were left of final whistle.

For this defeat Police bowed out from the tournament.

Bullets now to take on defending champion Lalbahadur Vyamagar in Semifinal on July 24 next.

Earlier, veteran footballer Karna Debbarma opened the tournament by kicking the ball. MLA Pabitra Kar and Secretary of Tripura Sports Council Kamal Saha were present in this function. Altogether six teams are in the fray in this tourney.

Candle light protest by scribes

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Agartala, Jul 23, 2011 : Media persons took out a candle light march in the city protesting against the brutal police actions on media persons on July 10 last. The media persons under the banner of Assembly of Journalists felt that state government was not serious enough to meet their three points demand.

On Thursday a delegation of Assembly of Journalists met Labour Minister Manik Dey and later Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to discuss the impasse.

On Saturday evening the candle light march was brought out as pre-scheduled programme.

Ker Puja begins on Saturday

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Agartala, Jul 23, 2011 : One of the most important Tripuri festivals- Ker Puja began at Ujjayanta Palace compound on Saturday morning.

According to official notification, it would continue uninterrupted for over 30 hours. The area in and around the palace has been notified restricted for the puja.

Ker puja permits no death, birth and recreation within the demarcated puja area. Even, no outsider is allowed to enter in the area. Anybody violating the customary rules will have to pay a fine.

A structure constructed with green bamboo poles serves as the deity for Ker. The chantais, head priest, holds supreme power and is regarded as the king during the occasion.

The puja rituals are carried out at government expense. Before starting the puja and at the end, police fired guns.

Besides Agartala, the puja take place almost in all tribal villages for the welfare of people praying against calamities and to ward off evil acts.

The sacrifice of animal characterizes this tribal festival.

Saturday 23 July 2011

Legislature must uphold its dignity :CM

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Agartala, Jul 23, 2011 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar expressed concern over increased judicial activism that often undermines the basic tenets of parliamentary functioning.

"The trend has now become ‘dangerous for Indian democracy", he said....

New Assembly Building inaugurated at Capital Complex

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Agartala, Jul 22, 2011 : Governor Dr D Y Patil inaugurated the new house of Tripura Legislative Assembly at capital complex on Friday afternoon.

In his inaugural address at the crowded inauguration programme, Dr Patil said, ‘the new assembly house will be a divine temple democracy where people’s aspirations will be met through people’s representatives’.....

Palatana generation from February next

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Agartala, Jul 22, 2011 : The 1st unit of gas based ambitious Palatana power project generating 363.3 MW will be commissioned by February, 2012.

“In the first phase 363.3 MW would be generated by 2012 and later another 363.3 MW would be generated”, said ONGC Chairman cum Managing Director AK Hazarika on Friday. .....

Wednesday 20 July 2011

NLFT kidnaps 8 tribals

Agartala, Jul 20, 2011 : Eight tribal villagers were kidnapped by NLFT militants at gun point from Dhalai district on Tuesday. Two persons were also injured when the militants assaulted them.

The abduction took place at remote Debendra Karbari Para under Chawmanu police station.

In the last two months this was the second time that NLFT rebels once again struck in Dhalai district and kidnapped villagers.

Police said, a group of seven to eight armed NLFT (BM) extremists kidnapped four villagers Arun Chakma (35) , Ganja Chakma (45) , Sudhyajoy Chakma (35) and Ratanjoy Chakma (27) of Debendra Karbari Para , about 18 Km South– East from Chawmanu police station.

During retreat the extremists also kidnapped four more villagers Baisakh chakma (30) , Sumanta Chakma (30) , Kahindra Tripura (35) and Fallenjoy Tripura (25) who were returning to their houses after daily work.

Franchis Darlong SDPO, Longtarai Valley along with TSR jawans rushed to the spot and launched a combing operation.

Police also immediately, alerted BSF to intensify surveillance in adjoining border areas. 

Meanwhile, T.B Roy, DIG (AP&OPS) along with R Gopala Krishna Rao, SP (Dhalai) visited the spot. 

Police added that Assam Rifles jawans were also pressed into action.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Scribes demonstrate as impasse continues

Agartala, Jul 19, 2011 : The assembly journalists that spearheaded the agitation protesting brutal police actions against the media personnel organized a sit in demonstration at Paradise Choumuhani on Monday morning.

The impasse continued as both the state government and media remained intransigent on their respective issues. The media personnel put forward three demands- suspension of SP West Anees Prasad , suspension of East Agartala Police Station OC Narayan Saha and suspension of OC MBB College outpost Jehangir Hussain for launching brutal lathi charge on the journalists.

The media personnel met DGP K Saleem Ali twice on the issue and also resorted to protestmrach in silence before giving deputation to Governor D Y Patil. 

The DGP said, the magisterial enquiry had already been ordered into the incidents and the suspensions could not effected. 

The Governor said, he would look into the matter.

But as the situation stands today till date the journalists’ demands were not yet met and the ice thickened further.

Worse, as no breakthrough in the standoff appeared in sight, some CPM leaders launched scathing attacks on media persons- first in a press conference by CPM secretary Bijan Dhar and then openly in street rallies by some other local level leaders-identifying all the media personnel as workers of Opposition Congress. The comments vitiated the situation further and strengthened the journalists’ resolve.

On Monday the media personnel under the banner of Assembly of Journalists took to street again-this time in sit-in-demonstration at paradise choumuhani where several leaders of the community spoke.

“We are determined to continue with the agitation until and unless our demands are met. The erring police personnel must be punished”, said Subal K Dey, chairman of the assembly of journalists.

It was decided that if the demands of the journalists were not met then at next phase a candle light procession would be organized.

Meantime, several intellectuals, community leaders and eminent personalities expressed solidarity with the journalists and unequivocally condemned the brutal police actions on them.

CM says, media-govt relations based on mutual respect

Agartala, Jul 19, 2011 : As the standoff between the media and state government continues Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said his government believes in mutual respectful and cordial relations with media.

The Chief Minister’s comment came close on the heels of verbal attacks –almost amounting to threats-on media by some of his party colleagues in recent times following agitation launched by media personnel against police assaults on 11 journalists on July 10.

“The relations between state government and the journalists are always based on mutual respect. We understand that media has great role to play in a democracy”, said Sarkar while giving interview to local TV channels.

Referring to the police assault on media personnel he said, ‘it was, indeed, unfortunate and unwarranted. It should have been evaded”.

“Journalists have to go to places and carry out their professional duties. Concerned officials should ensure that the media personnel can perform their duties without hindrance”, he added.

Chief Minister said, his government believes in restraints while dealing with situation like July 10 and 11.

Besides, he added, it is expected that in a democratic society there would be opposition to the government policies. It is not at all unusual.

The Chief Minister also indicated that he was ready to discuss the issues and find out a solution to break the ice.

Expressing condolence to the bereaved family of slain Papai Saha he hinted that state government might consider financial compensation to the family.

On the cancellation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Tripura to inaugurate the assembly building, Sarkar said he was informed by the PM that the visit had been cancelled due to his preoccupation with some important works.

Meantime, Congress organized a rally on Sunday and launched a scathing attack on the ruling Left Front for recent developments- brutal police actions on Congress workers, media persons etc- arisen out of opposition agitation relating to TMC admission imbroglio.

Varsity students demonstrate against 'result scam'

Agartala, Jul 18, 2011 : Students of Journalism and Mass Communication Department in Tripura Central University organized a day long mass-sit-in demonstration on Monday at City Study Center at Gandhighat in protest against alleged manipulation of their results. 

Eleven students including girls started their agitation in front of the Gandhi statue with placards. They were demanding revised result, probe into the alleged scam and punishment of the guilty. 

Bhupal Chandra Sinha, Controller of Examination, came to the students in the afternoon and listened to their complaints. 

He said, “We are well aware about the ongoing happenings of the Department. We shall also consider your demands. But, the existing system cannot allow us to look into the matter”. 

“An assistant professor had acted in an unfair manner against some students while examining their papers for raising protest against his illegal collection of cash from the students in the name of studio education in 2nd semester”, students informed Sinha. 

“In 3rd semester, two students got promoted to 4th semester without sitting at the examination from the same assistant professor while others fell out of his favour for protesting this wrongdoing and given less marks”, added the students. 

They also informed Sinha about the present situation of 2nd semester where 11 out of 25 students, mostly girls had left the course due to the misbehaviour of this particular assistant professor, 

Sinha, however, assured the students that he would inform the Vice –Chancellor about their grievances and alleged malpractices for doing the needful.

“We have decided to remain firm on our stand until and unless the demands are fully met”, said the students, adding that, “We, however, will submit the detailed report to the Vice Chancellor tomorrow. 

Meantime, the students had written to the President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil and Governor Dr. DY Patil seeking their early intervention to ensure the revised result and probe into the result scam after Vice Chancellor had expressed his incapability in taking action on the demands.

List of Block Congress Presidents announced

Agartala, Jul 18, 2011 : The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) on Monday announced the names of block Congress presidents to strengthen anti-CPM movement in Tripura in order to oust the Left Front government in 2013 assembly polls.

PCC President, Surajit Datta released the names for ‘president of block Congress committee’ for 57 assembly constituencies barring three constituencies of the state.

As per Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) list, the names of the block presidents were not declared for the constituencies of 6-Agartala, 8-Bardowali and Bishalgarh as MLAs Sudip Roy Barman, Asish Saha and former PCC president Samir Ranjan Barman had not put forward any name for the posts despite being repeatedly requested by the PCC president Surajit Dutta.

It may be recalled here that, AICC’ Secretary Dr K Jayakumar had instructed the PCC president to declare the names of block presidents before July 21.

In addition, PCC has also declared five additional names as ‘working president’ for the constituencies of Teliamura, Radhakishorepur, Santirbazar, Rajnagar and Yubarajnagar.

Media-govt war of nerves worsens, sit-in demonstration tomorrow

Agartala, Jul 18, 2011 : The war of attrition between the media and the state’s Left Front government has taken a turn for the worse with the 'Assembly of Journalists', a newly formed outfit to fight for media rights deciding to intensify the ongoing agitation to press for suspension of SP (West) Aneesh Prasad, officer in charge (OC) of East Agartala police station , Narayan Saha and officer in charge of College tilla police outpost Jahangir Hossain from service for committing excesses on media-persons on July 10 when Congress workers and supporters had made a desperate bid to disrupt Central Entrance Test (CET) in MBB college for admission to first year MBBS course in Society run Tripura Medical College (TMC). Altogether eleven media-persons-almost all photographers of local TV news channels and newspapers-had sustained varying degrees of injuries in police assault on them. 

Earlier the leading lights of the Assembly of Journalists had met in deputation with the governor D.Y.Patil seeking his intervention to ensure appropriate punishment for the allegedly guilty police officers after the DGP K.Saleem Ali had pleaded inability in taking action. The governor gave an assurance of doing the needful but there has been no concrete action on the part of the state government till now. 'We held an emergency meeting of the Assembly of Journalists and decided to launch a sit-in demonstration in all district and subdivisional towns of the state; here in Agartala we will organize the sit-in demonstration while in district and subdivisional towns correspondents of local newspapers and TV channels will participate in the programme ' said Jayanta Bhattacharya in a press conference last in Agartala Press Club. After the daylong sit-in demonstration tomorrow the Assembly will organize a candle-light procession at Agartala on July 23 as part of the phased agitational programme demanding punishment for guilty police officers and guarantee of security for media-persons working in Tripura. 

So far , the officer in charge of West Agartala police station Manindra Debnath and in charge of College Tilla outpost Jahangir Hossain have been transferred but Narayan Saha , officer in charge of East Agartala police station which covers the College Tilla area and SP (West) Aneesh Prasad have remained in place . No comments on the issue of transfers were made by senior officials of state police.

Monday 18 July 2011

Tax collection showed 25.70 pc growth, e-services mooted

Agartala, Jul 17, 2011 : Department of Taxes and Excise recoded 25.70 percent growth at tax collection with a total amounting to Rs. 586 crore last year. 

The tax collection is expected to increase manifold in coming years and in view of the growth of business and numbers of trading establishment the department is now contemplating to use e-service facilities at optimum level, officials said.

On Sunday under Mission Mode Project, the Department organized a workshop to make the Tripura traders aware of e- services relating to payment of commercial taxes. The workshop was organized at Agartala Town Hall on Sunday. 

Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury inaugurated the workshop. 

Chowdhury in his address laid emphasis on the literacy to facilitate the traders with the e-services like- e-payment, e-return filing, e-refund, e-issue of forms that would reduce the time taken process. 

Commissioner Brijesh Pandey threw light on the technical aspects and urged the traders to be registered under these e-services. 

At present there are total of 16,568 VAT traders registered in the state.

PM's visit to Tripura cancelled

Agartala, Jul 17, 2011 : Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Tripura was cancelled. The Prime Minister was schediuled to inaugurate the nes Assembly Building in the capital Complex on July 22 next. Accordingly all plans were made and security arrangements were put in place.

But on Saturday Dr Singh informed Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar that he would not be able to come to Agartala for some urgent works. 

It is widely believed that recent developments related to political opposition, police actions and press anger played a role behind the sudden cancellation of the Prime Minister’s visit.

Congress had in a direct letter to the Prime Minister on Saturday itself requested him not to visit Tripura in the wake of ‘undemocratic’ actions of the Left Front government here on Congress and also on media personnel.

The letter which was sent to Prime Minister directly by PCC sought to detail the police atrocities committed on opposition workers and media persons and requested him not visit Tripura. Union Minister Mukul Wasnik who had visited with two other leaders Agartala to take stock of the situation also submitted a report to the AICC president Sonia Gandhi. Following the report Sonia Gandhi also sent personal condolence letter to the slain youth Papai Saha’s family and also another letter praising the PCC movement under the leadership of Surajit Datta.

Apparently the Prime Minister’s Office took the decision under the AICC instructions and cancelled the visit.

Many believe that AICC is taking keen interest in Tripura politics in an attempt to oust the Left Front in 2013. This is perhaps for the first time AICC is sending their political representatives time and again to Tripura to look after the party matters and is monitoring the party movements directly from Delhi. Besides, Sonia Gandhi’s personal letters to Papai Saha’s family as well as to PCC president over the agitation programmes also are indicators of the AICC’s determinations. The cancellation of Prime Minister’s proposed visit to Tripura would also not only send a message in this direction but also act as booster for the opposition Congress in Tripura.

Official sources here indicate that the inauguration of the Assembly Building would be now laid by Governor D Y Patil on the same day where Chief MInister and his cabinet colleagues would be present.

Saturday 16 July 2011

Three pc DA for ADC employees

Agartala, Jul 16, 2011 : The autonomous District Council (ADC) administration on Friday declared three percent dearness allowance (DA) for its employees.

An executive body meeting of ADC presided by Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ranjit Debbarma at Khumulwnhg on Friday, declared all the employees of ADC shall get the DA at an enhanced rate of 3 percent effective from July 1, which is at par with state government employees.

Rs 1.67 will be required for the purpose for 5380 ADC’s administration and other deputationist employees from the state government would be benefited.

It may be recalled here that the Tripura government earlier in the last month declared three percent DA for state employees’ effective from July 1, 2011.