Film Fest on Tagore in Celluloid from Sept 1

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Agartala, Aug 31, 2011 : A film festival, titled, “Tagore on Celluloid and MIFF in Tripura” is going to begin here on September 1 next.

The film festival would be organized under the aegis of Films Division, and in collaboration with government of Tripura and Cine Delve.

The four day festival is going to screen 23 short films and documentaries, said Sumoy Mukherjee, Branch Manager, Films Division; Kolkata here in a press conference.

Subhasis Talapatra said entry cards could be collected from the office of the Cine Delve and from the office of Tripura Darpan.

The festival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in presence of Dr Prafullajit Sinha, Chairperson, Agartala Municipal Council (AMC).

During the festival, six documentaries on Gurudeb Rabindranath Tagore will also be screened on the opening day and on the other three days 17 selected award winning films of Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short and Animation Films (M.I.F.F.) will be screened. The fest will close on September 4.

“MIFF in Tripura” is a festival of award winning films from the ‘Mumbai International Film Festival for documentary, short and animation’, which is held biennially at Mumbai. “MIFF in Tripura” will also showcase some of the finest cinematic works realized in the last eight years throughout the world.

Two teachers for President medal

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Agartala, Aug 31, 2011 : Two teachers of Tripura have been nominated for the President’s medal for distinguished service in the field of education.

The teachers are Kalyan Kumar Purakayasta, assistant headmaster of Fatikroy Higher secondary school and Kramfru Mog, headmistress of Manu Bankul H S School, primary division.

An official communiqué of Education department of Tripura said, the President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will award them on September 5 at New Delhi during the observance of ‘Teacher Day’.

Coal found in Gandacherra

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Agartala, Aug 31, 2011 : After Khowai, coal was found at Jagabandhu Para under Gandacherra sub division on Tuesday.

The pieces of black material were coming out along with water and mud during the work for a deep-well at the locality”, said DM (Dhalai) Abhishek Singh on Wednesday.

“The chunks of coal were coming out in a small amount after digging about 300 feet that was officially confirmed after primary examination”, added Singh over telephone.

“Sub Divisional Magistrate (Gandacherra) went to the spot and the official would submit a report tomorrow”, said the DM adding, “Experts have been asked to come here for assessing the availability”.

“Although no further collection of coal was affirmed at the spot till this morning locally”, stated the SDM (Gandacherra).

Meantime, the locals gathered at the site and collected the pieces of coal as soon as the news spread that would be used replacing firewood after dried out.

“The work has been stopped since Tuesday last. Police personnel were also deployed for the protection of the site”, Police said.

Id-Ul-Fitar celebrated with fervour

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Agartala, Aug 31, 2011 : Id-Ul-Fitar, the official end of holy Muslim month-Ramzaan, was celebrated with fervour across the state on Wednesday.

After sighting the moon last night, thousands of muslim devotees offered prayer-‘namaz’ to the almighty in the open Id-gahs on Wednesday.

At Gedu Miah mosque, Agartala, DG of Tripura Police K Saleem Ali and Sub-divisional Magistrate (Sadar) Moslem Uddin Ahmed offered namaz and shared hug each other.

There were also distribution of cloths and sharing of sweets among the muslim people in many parts of the state.

Governor Dr DY Patil and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in their separate communiqués greeted the muslim people in particular on the occasion of Id-Ul-Fitar.

“The celebration of Id-Ul-Fitar would strengthen the unity among the people despite diversity”, hoped the Governor.

Initiatives for better traffic management

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Agartala, Aug 31, 2011 : Tripura police has undertaken fresh strategies to manage traffic of Agartala city and it’s surroundings along with National Highway, said state home department officials.

According to report, the police has taken initiative of regular briefing to the field staff on their daily experience while the state government instructed the authority to stress upon corrective measures avoiding punitive measures to the violators.

In order to strengthening the traffic infrastructure, traffic police has installed as many as seven new signal points in the city squares and increased highway patrolling in accident prone locations besides, putting ban on stoppage of commercial vehicles on the roads without designated stops.

Traffic authority has placed order for 35 TVS (Apache) Motor Bikes specially designed for Traffic Police as part of traffic modernization plan, officials said. The state transport department had recently reviewed the issue of overloading and unauthorised stoppages of passengers’ vehicles.

“Traffic police has been asked to take action against both overloading and over speeding of the passengers’ vehicles and sufficient mobilization of the traffic personnel in busy spots,” officials stated adding that the top officials had expressed displeasure over unnecessary harassment of two-wheeler riders by a section of traffic personnel.

The authority instructed the traffic authority to concentrate more on inter-mixing of slow and fast moving traffics in busy roads, indiscriminate movement of paddle rickshaws in the city, encroachment of footpaths and misbehavior of the auto-drivers with the passengers and access fair collection.

B R Madhav urges Chief Minister to oppose NAC bill

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Agartala, Aug 30, 2011 : Senior RSS leader Ram Madhav has urged upon Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar to oppose the ‘Communal and Targeted Violence (Justice and Reparation ) Bill-2011 drafted by the National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by Sonia Gandhi on the ground of its ‘inherent infirmities and unconstitutional provisions’. Ram Madhav who is on a tour of northeastern region as part of the RSS’s nationwide awareness campaign against the bill this afternoon met the chief minister in his office and urged him to oppose it , citing its various provisions that will ‘destroy India’s fragile communal harmony’. ‘The chief minister responded positively and said that he would study the bill when it would be put forward by Centre and then take an appropriate stand which is fair enough’ said Ram Madhav , appreciating Sarkar’s honesty and candour.

Citing the infirmities of the bill he said that , if passed by parliament, India’s federal structure would be destroyed . ‘This bill is based on the dangerous assumption that the majority community is always perpetrator and the minority is always victim ; moreover, this bill will enable the Centre to ride roughshod over state governments and invoke draconian Articles 355 and 356 of the constitution’ said Ram Madhav , adding that taking advantage of the bill the terrorists and anti-Indians can create anarchy by provoking communal violence . ‘The provisions of the bill clearly show that the government at Centre do not have faith in Police, Army or the Bureaucracy and the tribunal that will be formed as part of the implementing process can ride roughshod over the entire administrative machinery , this bill will be a disaster ‘ said Ram Madhav who addressed a gathering in the Pritilata auditorium over the issue . He also questioned the NAC’s locus standi , describing it as an ‘extra-constitutional body comprising NGOs.

He also called for an early solution to the Reang refugee problem, demanding a tripartite agreement involving the leaders of refugees and state governments of Mizoram and Tripura . Ram Madhav visited the Reang refugee camps in Kanchanpur subdivision and spoke to the leaders yesterday . ‘I appreciate the efforts being made by the state government , specially the north district administration and DM Ms Soumya Gupta in providing relief to the unfortunate people but they can not stay here permanently ; even according to UN convention the internally displaces persons have certain rights which must be respected’ said Ram Madhav. 

Mega Quiz kept thousands glued and excited throug out the day

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Agartala, Aug 28, 2011 : Like previous years All Tripura Mega Quiz this year too was held with enthusiasm, color, and pomp and fervor in a jam packed auditorium of Town hall for long 12 hours at a stretch.

Oganized by states premier news website www.tripurainfo.com the quiz held at Agartala Town Hall on Sunday pulled thousands of audience and participants. Pradip Sarkar and Kishore Sarkar won the first prize of two laptops, Dilip Kumar Roy and Rajesh Banik won the second prize of two desk-top computes while Bappaditya Roy and Satyabrata Dasgupta won the third prize of two mobile sets.

The Quiz was conducted by four Quiz masters- Abhijit Bahttacharjee, Nandu Panicker, Anil Raja Vijan and Bharat Jain. Jain who had exposure as quiz master at national level and was also a member of the quiz that got mention in the Guinness Book of World Records , came from Hyderabad to conduct the quiz.

In the special audience rounds Prithiv Debroy, a student of class eight, won Rs 2000 as cash in a special audience round sponsored by ONGC official Sanjeev Sharma. Shar,a who had once been in Agartala was so emotionally attached with the Quiz that he flown down from Delhi to just attend the Quiz. He was all along in the auditorium and also sponsored the question for the students up to Class X standard.

What was one of the most interesting part of the Quiz was an audience round sponsored by Dr M J Pnicker. The winners were- Dipraj Datta in student category, Ms Sikha Bhattacharjee and Narayan Debnath in female and male category respectively.

Dr Panicker who had been the quiz master for the last five years could not join this time as he was in Oman. He had come last year from Oman and conducted the Quiz, but this time. He could not come. But as he was emotionally involved in the Quiz and Tripura that he joined from Oman he gave three questions from Oman which was asked by his younger brother Nandu Panicker, one of the quiz masters. Each of the three questions- asked for gents, women and children separately bore cash prize of Rs. 2000. Before that Dr Panicker also spoke on line to the audience.

In addition, three special prizes were given away in the raffle round in which tokens were selected randomly to invite lucky holders of counterparts for answering questions on a variety of subjects.

The first prize of Rs 10 thousand was won by Bidhu Bhusan Rudra Paul while the second prize of Rs 5000 went to Ms Krishna Devi, who has been participating and winning prize since last two years.

The third prize of an up down air-ticket between Kolkata and Agartala was won by Sourav Majumder.

More than thousand quiz enthusiasts appeared at the town hall in advance along with 864 registered contenders. It was a crowd of all- from senior bureaucrats, academicians, politicians, students, housewives, businessmen and kids et al.

Organizers donated Rs 10,000 to the Chief Minister’s relief Fund. The money was collected from the participants - Rs 20 each.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar speaking at the function as Chief Guest was all praise for the tripurainfo.com for their initiative for the last six years. He called upon the young talents to pursue knowledge and come out of the limit of bookish world. He asked the young people, especially the children to become aware of what is happening and grow as a human who is knowledgeable but sympathetic to his fellow citizen and the society at large.

“The initiative on the part of tripurainfo.com is indeed a step forward in this regard”, he said.

Opposition leader Ratan lal nath who attended the function at the last leg in his brief speech lauded the organizers, Tripurainfo.com and said, “Every year I attend the function and every year I just get amazed to see the quality and talent that gets exposure in the Mega quiz organized by the tripurainfo.com”.

He also requested the organizers to conduct similar quiz in all the three districts to explore more such quality..a talent hunt. He to press his point also cited from former President APJ Abdul Kalam to exhort the youths of the state.

At 8.45 pm, the prizes were given away by the Opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath, Prof Arunodaya Saha, PCCF Chief RL Srivastava, Principal Secretary SK Roy and Special Secretary Kisore Ambuly.

Among other who were present in the function include among others, Chief secretary S K Panda, former AMC chairperson Deepak Majumdar, NIT-Agaratala director PK Basu, senior officials of ONGC, DIG NC Das and several other organizations.

C M inaugurates 6th Tripura Mega Quiz 2011

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Agartala, Aug 28, 2011 : The 6th All Tripura Open Mega Quiz was inaugurated by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar organized by northeast's premier news website tripurainfo.com on Sunday in the Agartala Town hall.

At 12.40 pm, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar formally inaugurated the Mega Quiz.

Earlier, more than 800 quiz enthusiasts’ participants take part in the screening test in pairs from 10.30 am.

A total of 432 pairs of quiz enthusiasts have sit for screening test. The preliminary quiz round had begin at around 11 am with 16 best teams selected from the screening test, intersperse by audience rounds.

Chief Minister in his inaugural speech applauded the organiser for organising such mega event of knowledge since 2005.

“Education must be for the welfare of country, society and the innovation of knowledge of should also spread for welfare of human being’, said Sarkar.

Earlier, in the inaugural programme, Dr P K Basu, Director of NIT-Agartala, Prof Arunodhoy Saha, Vice-Chancellor of Tripura Central University, PCCF R L Srivastava also delivered their speeches and appreciated the tripurainfo.com’s efforts for expansion of knowledge.

Later, in the inaugural programme, tripurainfo team donated the money collected from the fees to the Chief Minister's relief fund .

It may be recalled here that, all Tripura mega Quiz happens to be the state’s biggest open quiz competition. There are four quiz masters- Abhijit Bhattacharya, Nandu Panicker, Anil Raja Vijan and Bharat Jain-this time.

There is also being special rounds for students and audience on environmental pollution, disaster management, global warming, Right to Information and HIV-AIDS in the real battle of intelligence.

There are also be a raffle of Rs 10,000.00 (Rs Ten thousand) only and four more prizes with Rs 2000 each. Besides, attractive prizes for participants as well as audience are also given there.

The winners will be awarded with laptops, desk-top computers and mobile handsets beside cash in a raffle.

Stage set for Tripurainfo Mega Quiz

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Agartala, Aug 27, 2011 : Stage is all set for the 6th All Tripura Mega Quiz 2011 organized by states premier news website www.tripurainfo.com at Agartala town hall on Sunday.

At 12.30 pm, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will formally inaugurate the Mega Quiz.

More than 700 participants will take part in the screening test in pairs.

“Till this noon 358 forms were distributed to the quiz enthusiasts. They will have to sit for screening test. The preliminary quiz round would begin at around 10.30 am with 16 best teams selected from the screening test, interspersed by audience rounds”, said Jantu Debnath,an official of the tripurainfo.

"Money collected from the fees will be donated to the Chief Minister's relief fund", added Debnath.

All Tripura mega Quiz happens to be the state’s biggest open quiz competition. There will be three quiz masters- Abhijit Bhattacharya, Nandu Panicker, Anil Raja Vijan and Bharat Jain-this time.

There will also be special rounds for students and audience on environmental pollution, disaster management, global warming, Right to Information and HIV-AIDS in the real battle of intelligence.

The winners will be awarded with laptops, desk-top computers and mobile handsets beside cash in a raffle.

If funds come, ADC to recruit teachers soon

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Agartala, Aug 27, 2011 : ‘If the state government allots required funds the ADC administration would undertake recruitment for ADC schools soon’, said Radhacharan Debbarma, the Executive Member for Education department of TTAADC.

On the first day of the Monsoon session of the TTAADC on Friday, Debbarma informed the house that so far 227 senior basic schools so far run by School Education department of Tripura government were brought under the ADC administration. The Education department also transferred 819 teachers and 49 office workers to ADC.

Replying to another question by member Gurapada Debbarma, Chief Executive Member (CEM) Ranjit Debbarma said, during last two years about two lakh tourists visited at Khumulwng Tourist Park at ADC headquarters. And a total of Rs 6.53 lakh was collected as revenue.

CEM said the ADC administration had also undertaken several steps to improve the Khumulwng Park to make it a favored tourist destination.

Moreover, the ADC administration had already sent a project to the Union government for Rs 4.53 crore for up-gradation heritage Centre.

He said, ADC administration had taken several initiatives to improve surface communication systems, drinking water and health scenario of ADC areas.

VAT rate increased

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Agartala, Aug 26, 2011 : Following in the footsteps of the Union government, Tripura finance department issued a notification to enhance the rates of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 4 to 5 percent over ‘declared goods’ included in the entry no. 35 of Schedule II (a) and all the commodities kept under Schedule VIII of Tripura Value Added Tax Act, 2004.

On Thursday, Commissioner of Taxes Brijesh Pandey issued the official communiqué notifying the decision of state finance department.

The Centre has increased the ceiling imposed under Section 15 of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 on the power of the state to levy VAT on ‘declared goods’ from 4 percent to 5 percent by the Finance Act, 2011.

“Since most of the state governments have already enhanced the rate of VAT on the ‘declared goods’ to 5 percent in their states, it has become necessary to enhance the rate of VAT from 4 percent to 5 percent on the declared goods in entry no. 35 of Schedule II (a) and all items included in Schedule VIII of the Act in our state”, said Pandey.

“The state finance department has obtained approval of the Council of Ministers for issuing the notification over the issue that was published in the Official Gazette on August 24, 2011 expressing the intention of the state government to amend the ‘Schedules’ appended to the Tripura VAT Act, 2004 as a notice of 14 days from the date of notification for general information as required under Section 16 of the Act”, added the Commissioner.

Manik to accompany PM to Bangladesh

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Agartala, Aug 25, 2011 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will accompany Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his whirlwind official visit to Bangladesh starting on September 6 next.

Sarkar along with Chief Ministers of three northeastern states- Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram and also West Bengal will fly for Dhaka from New Delhi on September 6.

Sarkar will leave the state for New Delhi on September 5 next.

This high profile visit is expected to finalize several issues including border fencing, Chittagong Port, river Feni stalemate, border-market, power transmission, Agartala-Akhaura rail link, Ashuganj river port and combating trans-border militancy et al.

Dr Singh is slated to return to New Delhi on September 7 next.

Union govt rejects cut off marks relaxation

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Agartala, Aug 25, 2011 : After a long wait, union health ministry finally downed the shutters for ST students waiting for entry in MBBS course denying relaxation of cut-off marks on Wednesday.

The Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in a communiqué sent to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said, “`Though this ministry agrees on principle that there is a need to enable and encourage the underprivileged sections of the society, as far medical education is concerned, there are two aspects-one is teaching and the other is treatment”.

“The medical students deal with ‘living human beings’ during the course of study and once they qualify, they would be treating the ailing human beings during rest of their professional career”, said Azad.

Pointing to the career of medical students Azad said, “It is felt that diluting criteria would neither be feasible nor desirable”.

On August 9, Sarkar requested Union Health Minister to intervene into the deadlock that sealed the fate of 29 ST candidates in Tripura.

Reshuffle in admn, three DMs changed

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Agartala, Aug 25, 2011 : In a minor administrative reshuffle, three district magistrates of Tripura have been transferred on Thursday.

Official sources said, J K Sinha, District Magistrate (DM) of West Tripura district has been transferred and posted as Special secretary of Rural Development department and in addition he will look after the charges of General Administration (personnel and training).

The incumbent DM (Dhalai district) Kiran Gitte has been transferred as new DM of West Tripura district.

Kiran Gitte was SDM Dharmanagar in 2008 where he took major initiatives to improve citizen services through e-Suvidha, computerized land records and Lok Adalat. During his tenure, the citizens could receive PRTC within 3 days. The Public Distribution System (PDS) was streamlined and FP Shop Dealers started issuing Money Receipts, which is now being replicated in other Sub-Divisions in the State.

Highly placed sources in the administration said that the transfer of Gitte as DM (West) reflects the state government’s initiative to tone up the administration in West district. It was during his brief tenure as chief executive officer (CEO) of Agartala Municipal Council (AMC) that Gitte had infused new life and blood in the sluggish municipal administration.

Abhishek Singh, at present holding the charges of ADM for Dhalai district and project Director of DRDA, has been transferred as new DM of Dhalai district.

M L Dey, the incumbent director of Social Welfare department, will look after now the charge of DM (South).

The present DM (South) Samarjit Bhowmik has been transferred as new Director of Social Welfare and Social Education department and in addition he will also be assigned as Director Mission of NRHM.

Varsity wants Kokbarak in college level

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Agartala, Aug 24, 2011 : Even as many feel deprived at the way Kokobarak study gets stagnant beyond primary school in the study due to lack of opportunities Tripura central university mooted the idea of introducing the subject at the college level.

The varsity informed the state government’s higher education department of the decision. However, there so far there is required infrastructure for introducing the course at college level.

After the decision was taken at Academic Council the matter was conveyed to the president of the Indigenous Women’s Federation (IWF), front organization of the regional Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), by Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Arunodhoy Saha.

TU sources said, a delegation of IWF headed by their president Patalkanya Debbarma had met in a deputation with VC on Monday last; they raised the issue of 'Kokborok' study at college level.

TU authorities informed the delegation team that way back on June 28, 2009 the university academic council had decided to introduce Kokborok study at college level as elective subject and also informed the authorities of all seventeen degree colleges in the state as well as the Higher Education department of the decision including rules , regulations , syllabus and course structure.

But no follow up action has so far been taken' said TU sources and added that the university was keen to see study of 'Kokborok' as optional subject at the undergraduate level also.

Patalkanya Debbarma said that there is only one school in Tripura, Ratanpur higher secondary school in Khowai subdivision, where the medium of instruction is 'Kokborok' from class one to twelve but in all other schools in areas dominated by indigenous people 'Kokborok' is studied only up to class five.

'Since students have to compulsorily switch over to Bengali or English as medium of instruction from class six many guardians do not want their wards to study Kokborok at school level at all because switch-over at a late stage creates lot of problems.

The study of Kokborok has become a major issue of controversy in the state over the past five decades as the language did not have a script till the early seventies. Tripura's first language act passed in 1964 recognized only English and Bengali as official languages on the ground that the language spoken by 31percent of the state's population did not have a script . Two Calcutta-based linguists late Kumud Kundu Chowdhury and Dr Subhas Chatterjee devised a script for Kokborok and the language was introduced as medium of instruction for indigenous students up to class three since 1973 but no major progress was made. Even the recognition to the language as an official language accorded by the left front government in 1979 did not improve things as despite passing the relevant act the left front took two full decades till 1999 to frame rules for usage of kokborok as medium of instruction and also for official purposes.

Apart from alleged official apathy the language has also been dogged by a script controversy with votaries of modified Bengali script and Roman script refusing to budge an inch from their positions. 'Now the language is being used through modified Bengali script as also in Roman script but the issue has eluded a solution so far ; in this atmosphere of uncertainty the study of the language is suffering though lot of literature is being composed in Kokborok ; famous poet Chandra Kanta Murasingh has won the prestigious 'Bhasa Samman' award given by Sahitya Academy as a poet of Kokborok language' said sources in Kokbork literary society.

Police disperse surrendered militants from road blockade

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Agartala, Aug 23, 2011 : Police dispersed about 250 surrendered militants who had resorted to road blockade agitation on Tuesday.

The surrendered militants from Lachi rehabilitation camp launched a road blockade agitation on Agartala-Sabroom national highway at Birchandranagar under Shantirbazar police station from morning to press for their ten point charter of demands.

“As soon as they gathered, senior police officials with large contingent of CRPF camping in the area dispersed the agitators”, said SP (south) Rajesh Sharma over telephone.

“So far, no untoward incident has been reported and vehicular movement on the road is normal”, added the SP.

Meanwhile, the surrendered militants claimed, “The movement would continue until the demands were conceded to by the state government”.

The demands include grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh to each returnee as one time sanction, allotment of land plots, etc.

Earlier, they had approached the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on July 29 last.

NHRC issues notice to DGP on July 10 incident

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Agartala, Aug 23, 2011 : National Human Rights Commission asked the Director General of Police K Saleem Ali to submit a report on July 10 incident in which 11 media persons were assaulted by policemen.

Subal Kumar Dey, Editor of Syandan patrika, had moved the Commission seeking its intervention in the wake of the July 10 incident.

In a press conference the editor said, the NHRC had given four weeks time to the DGP to send the report to the panel.

“The NHRC also cautioned that the Commission might take action for failure to comply”, said Dey.

Dey had requested the NHRC on July 27 last and his compliant was accompanied by video clippings etc. The commission served the notice to DGP on August 2 last.

He said a team of the commission might also visit to the state to take notice of the situation.

“We have been forced to move the NHRC as despite filing FIR and assurance from the top cop no action was taken against the erring police officials who were involved in the assault on 11 media persons”, he said and added that this was for the first time any such notice was issued against DGP in Tripura. He said Tripura Police accountability commission also asked a detailed report.

He also rued that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar despite his assurance did not take any positive steps so far.

Arun Nath, secretary to Tripura News paper Society who was also present in the press conference demanded that the media persons working in electronic media should be given accreditation card.

“We have taken up the matter with the ICAT minister and also concerned officials. The issue should addressed without delay”, he said. 

Akhaura check post strike withdrawn

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 Agartala, Aug 22, 2011 : After two day halt in export and import trade between India and Bangladesh at Akhaura land port due to a strike, Indian labourers have resumed work on Monday morning.

Earlier, from Saturday last, the workers of ‘Agartala Export-Import Workers Association’ called an indefinite strike, demanding more spaces for loading and unloading of goods from trucks, immediate repair of the roads , highways and adequate storage facilities for the imported goods and extension of time for loading-unloading.

The workers association also demanded relaxation of norms for timely loading and unloading of goods from the BSF.

‘On Monday morning, the officials of the Industries and Commerce department had persuaded the workers association and assured that the department would take positive steps to fulfill their demands’, said Pratap Datta, General Manager of Industries and Commerce department.

It may be recalled here that a large number of trucks were stranded on both sides of the check post for the last two days due to workers strike.

From Monday morning, gradually the number of vehicles carrying good to and from Akhaura check post has started decreasing.

CM visits construction sites with officials

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gartala, Aug 21, 2011 : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar along with his two cabinet colleagues reviewed some of the ongoing construction projects of Agartala on Sunday morning.

Sarkar, first visited Astabal ground and monitored the construction works of the stadium. He ordered the concerned officials for timely completion of the proposed stadium.

Later, he also visited ongoing construction sites of Bhagat Singh Hostel near Civil Secretariat, sites for Kunjaban B T College, Radhanagar Bus stand and Ram Thakur College at the outskirt of Agartala.

Sarkar also spoke to construction laborers and ordered the private construction authorities to increase their wages.

Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty, Rural development Minister Jitendra Chaudhury and officials of the state administration including Chief Secretary S K Panda, PCCF Dr R L Srivastava, Commissioner Banamali Sinha also accompanied Chief Minister.

CPM to launch movement for effective 'Lokpal' bill Aug 23

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Agartala, Aug 21, 2011 : Left Front in Tripura has embarked on an agitation programme virtually on the Anna line. The Marxists opposed the Team Anna’s supposed attempt to bypass the Parliamentary for the Lok pal Bill but keeping in mind the turbulence that the UPA government due to to ‘anti-corruption movement’ the ruling party here would launch a movement on Tuesday to press for 'an effective Lokpal' . The programme included among others protest demonstrations across the state where all the paryy frontal organizations would take part.

The CPM will also protest police high-handedness to curb democratic and peaceful agiations as happened in the case of Anna Hazare's movement in Delhi. 'The call for this agiation has been given by altogether nine secular opposition parties including four left parties and this will be organised on August 23 across India ; we the left parties have been pressing for an effective institution of Lokpal for the past many years and now is the time to refocus on the issue' said CPI (M) state secretary and party's central committee member Bijan Dhar.

Interacting with the media in the state CPI (M) party headquarter in Melarmath area of Agartala, Dhar said that the draft Lokpal bill prepared by Centre is 'toothless and ineffective' and it needed to be given more teeth and power to effectively act as anti-corruption ombudsman. 'Besides, we want the Centre to constitute a judicial accountability commission for curbing corrupt practices in the judiciary because it is now a proven fact that a section of the judiciary is corrupt' said Dhar. He also pointed out that the left parties want concrete measures includng launching of an institutional mechanism to curb the widespread use of black money in elections . 'Use of black money for purchasing votes has reached alarming proportions ; this has to be completely eliminated because black money stands in the way of people recording their actual political choice in elections' said Dhar. He added that the widespread support to the movement launched by Anna Hazare proves the peoples spontaneous protest against 'unprecedented corruption' in the country under the UPA-II regime. He also reiterated the CPI (M)'s stated position that in parliamentary democracy 'the supremacy of the parliament must be maintaiend and safeguarded as NGOs and civil society can not be final arbiters on the issue'.

On the issue of West Bengal , he said that a reign of terror was on there and on August 4 four left parties will organise a sit-in demonstration in front of the parliament in Delhi. 'The Trinamool-Congress combine had promised not to indulge in political vendetta but this is exactly what is happening now , many of our party workers have been killed or hounded out of homes by supporters of Trinamol; this is political vendetta at its worst' said Dhar , adding that left front workers and supporters would fight the terror unleashed by Trinamool with support from the common people. He dismissed Trinamool general secretary and union minister for shipping Mukul Roy's assertion in a meeting at Agartala that Trinamool would capture power in 2013 as 'wishful thinking'. 'Every body has a right to dream but the strength of Trinamool here is too negligible to hope for much ; who will win the next assembly polls in Tripura will be decided by the people of the state' said Dhar.

Manik demands perspective plan for NE

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Agartala, Aug 21, 2011 : “Union government should chalk out a perspective plan for the development of irrigation for tapping the water resources of north east region”, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday.

Sarkar while inaugurating the three-day long national conference on ‘Water, Energy and Bio-Diversity- with special reference to North East region’ at Nazrul Kalakshetra said, “the Union government has adopted apathetic attitude towards north east that helped the hilly region to remain underdeveloped”.

The conference, organized by the Institution of Engineers (India), Tripura Centre, and National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, gets underway at Prajna Bhawan.

Claiming utter negligence to north-eastern states, the Chief Minister said, “We have to ask our due from the Union government for sustainable development of the region that could have been the torch bearer of the country in power”.

In his speech, Science and Technology Minister Joy Govinda Deb Roy emphasized on the need for use of renewable sources of energy.

Eminent Biotechnologist Dr Anil Chandra Ghosh and Hydrologist Dr NC Ghosh were present in the inaugural ceremony.

“The conference is organizing three parallel technical sessions besides discussion on water, energy resources and bio-diversity for scientific roadmap and sustainable conservation”, said Dr Swapan Bhaumik, organizing secretary.

“On August 22, Finance minister Badal Chowdhury accompanied by Power minister Manik Dey and Forest minister Jitendra Chowdhury will remain present to mark the valedictory session”, according to Ranen Dasgupta, organizing Chairman.

Natl seminar on water, energy, bio-diversity in city

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Agartala, Aug 19, 2011 : The Institution of Engineers (India), Tripura Centre, and National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee will organize a three-day long national conference on ‘Water, Energy and Bio-Diversity- with special reference to North East region’ at Prajna Bhawan on August 20 next.

“At around 6 pm, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will formally inaugurate the conference at Nazrul Kalashetra where Science and technology minister Joy Gobinda Deb Roy and eminent Biotechnologist Dr Anil Chandra Ghosh will also remain present”, Dr Swapan Bhaumik , organizing secretary, told reporters here on Thursday.

“In the conference, three parallel technical sessions will be held besides discussion on water, energy resources and bio-diversity for tackling emerging challenges through scientific roadmap and for sustainable conservation”, said Dr NC Ghosh.

“Various government and apex bodies are also associated with the conference”, said Ranen Dasgupta, organizing Chairman.

Beside eminent scholars from across the country, a large section of individuals of eminence including students will attend the conference.

On August 22, Finance minister Badal Chowdhury and Power minister Manik Dey and Forest minister Jitendra Chowdhury will remain present to mark the valedictory session.

Tripura govt mulls computer learning for 282 more schools

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Agartala, Aug 19, 2011 : Tripura government has decided to expand computer learning and satellite based education network in rural schools under Information and Communication Technology expansion programme of Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty said here that computer learning facilities would be expanded in at least 282 more rural schools besides, existing 350 schools in remote locations.

“We have 50 schools in satellite based education network in the state but the expansion was stopped because of absence of high speed internet connectivity. However, now the expansion drive is initiated following growth of internet network,” Chakraborty said.

He said that five various consultancy groups had been engaged for providing computer education among the school children under the programme since 2007 and in last year Govt of India had enhanced it substantially and had opened up more opportunities.

The state government had sincerely been trying to increase computer literacy at school level for enhancing the knowledge base of the students, Chakraborty said adding that Tripura was the first among the northeastern states to have satellite-based educational facilities, launched in 2007.

According to plan, every state would be a hub and a studio in each state capital and a maximum of 500 Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) set up in different schools to be linked to the hub and what would be taught in the studio could be seen and heard in the classrooms through SITs on large screens or big television sets with cameras and audio equipment available at both ends for communication.

Finance Minister in court for defamation cases

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Agartala, Aug 18, 2011 : Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury today appeared in the court of West Tripura district Civil Judge, Pankaj Kumar Datta to record his statement as petitioner for two defamation suits against Opposition leader and editors of two local dailies on ‘Online Lottery scam’.

Giving details of two ‘defamation suits’ filed by Finance Minister, Public prosecutor Lutfur Rahman Khadim said the suits were filed against news items published by the two local dailies quoting a press conference called by Opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath on last May 26, 2005, relating to ‘Online lottery scam’.

‘During the press meet, Opposition leader Nath submitted false allegation relating to online lottery scam, which was far away from the truth and maligned the Finance Minister ’, said Lutfur Rahman Khadim.

He said, Chowdhury had filed defamation suits against opposition leader and editor cum owner of Syandan Patrika, Subal Kumar Dey.

In another petition, Chowdhury filed suit against opposition leader, News editor of Dainik Sambad and its executive editor Paramita Livingstone.

Giving details of the suits, Khadim said, both the Bengali news papers published news items on May 27, 2005 with false allegation against Finance Minister.

On May 28, 2005, ‘Dainik Sambad’ also published another editorial in an ugly manner to defame the Finance Minister, said Khadim.

He added that Finance Minister, in anyway was not connected with the alleged ‘online lottery scam’ in Tripura. So he personally appeared in the court to seek justice.

During the period of last two years, the accused persons did not appear in the court and filed petitions for extension of time for the personal appearances.

On Thursday, Justice Pankaj Kumar Datta order the defendants to pay Rs 4000 each to the witnesses as ‘witness cost’ and issued another order for the personal appearance of the accused personnel in the court on next August 24, said Khadim.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister claimed Rs 3 crore each as compensation from the two sets of defendants.

Along with Lutfur Rahman Khadim, advocates Debabrata Chakraborty, Sudhendu Chakraborty, Nirmal Chandra Paul and others acted as ‘public prosecutors’ of the cases.

Advocate Arun Chandra Bhowmik, Debaranjan Chowdhury and Dipak Deb are fighting the suits for the defendants.

Mukul coming to assess Trinamul foothold on Aug 20

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Agartala, Aug 18, 2011 : Buoyed by the success in West Bengal, Trinamul Congress is all set to squeeze into the traditionally bi-polar politics here in Tripura.

Trinamul Congress which is expected to announce its full fledged Pradesh committee is hopeful of repeating the West Bengal experience here unseating the Left Front from the government.

As first step in this direction, the TMC is ready to kick off its campaign with a series of public rallies.

“Pradesh Trinamul Congress will hold a rally at Sakuntala road on August 20 next to assess the political prospect of the party here”, state convener Manik Deb told reporters here on Wednesday.

Deb said, “Mukul Roy, Sultan Ahmed, Kakali Ghosh Dastidar and several other party MPs will address the gathering to launch a movement like West Bengal to oust the CPM from Tripura”.

“The decision to hold a rally was taken following the series of meetings between party supremo Mamata Banerjee and state steering committee”, added Deb, who returned to the state with about 50 functionaries from Kolkata weeks ago.

“We have also requested Mamata Banerjee to visit Tripura and address a rally that would be expectedly as massive one”, Deb claimed.

Deb alleged that congress and CPM are trying to jeopardize the rally as it would pose a threat to both the parties.

On the matter of full-fledged Pradesh Trinamul Congress Committee, Deb said, it did not exist here since last one year.

It will be declared within a month.

INPT agitation on cut-off marks

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Agartala, Aug 17, 2011 : Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT) will hold a protest rally seeking further relaxation in eligibility criteria for admission to 29 vacant seats for SC and ST students in MBBS course.

“We will organise a gathering followed by protest rally at Agartala on August 27 next”, INPT leader Nagendra Jamatia told reporters here at Agartala Press Club on Tuesday.

“We have approached the MCI and Union government on the issue. Both the authority is yet to communicate their decisions on further cut-off marks relaxations for the tribal and scheduled caste students seeking admission to MBBS courses" said Jamatia.

“Besides, state government should take positive step immediately to resolve the deadlock”, he added.

According to the MCI guidelines, an unreserved aspirant would have to secure at least 50 percent marks in both higher secondary and joint entrance examination. The cut-off for SC and ST students is 40 percent.

Separately, Joint Action Committee resorted to two-day long fast seeking admission to MBBS course through joint entrance examination from Wednesday.

For the last one month, the Committee has been demanding grace marks for the unsuccessful SC and ST candidates.

The Committee would also submit memorandum to the Governor and Chief Minister on the issue.

Earlier, some individuals and organisations had also filed cases in the Guwahati High Court seeking directives for further relaxation of cut-off marks.

13th Finance panel: Badal releases White Paper

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Agartala, Aug 17, 2011 : Pained by the alleged financial deprivation, Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury formally released the white paper titled ‘13th Finance Commission Report- a review’ on Tuesday.

Briefing media at civil secretariat, Chowdhury said, “We had sought Rs 26,848.76 crores for the financial years 2010-2015 while in reality we got only Rs 16,349.13 crores from the 13th finance commission.

Throwing light on why the left ruled state had been targeted, the finance minister said, “We had opposed the conditions given by the finance commission during allocation”.

“We had demanded Rs 13924.43 crores for state government employees. But we have got only Rs 7727.90 crores based on the faulty employee figure. Likewise, we had sought Rs 3944.80 crores for the pensioners but the FC has allotted Rs 2779.09 crores”, stated the finance minister.

“In non plan gap grant, the 13th finance commission has sanctioned Rs 4453 crores as against the amount of Rs 5494.20 crores given earlier by the 12th finance commission.

“We have gone for fresh recruitments and also not paid any heed to reform guidelines placed before us”, claimed Chowdhury.

While making its allocation, the 13th finance commission had taken an inflexible stand and deprived the state, according to the finance minister.

The state has been facing a financial crunch as the funds for the development works and other expenditures are stalled.

“We have already informed the union government about the crunch”, added Chowdhury.

On the mushrooming of NBFIs, the finance minister said, “The state cabinet has framed rules to take on the frauds that would protect the interests of depositors”.

As per the rules, the institution that wishes to start its business in the state or already has an establishment would have to provide details before opening, besides filing of a monthly report.

Meanwhile, the state government has issued the official notification to curb the activities of NBFIs on Wednesday.

Assembly begins from Sept 2

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Agartala, Aug 17, 2011 : The monsoon session of Tripura legislative Assembly would begin from September 2 at the new assembly building here at Capital Complex.

This will be the first sitting of the House in the new Assembly building.

Tripura cabinet on Tuesday decided to begin the session of the House from September 2. The business advisory committee of the assembly will meet in the last week of August to fix the working days of the session.

Sources said, monsoon session of the assembly is likely to witness uproarious scenes as opposition Congress would raise several issues including large scale violence on July 10 and 11 last over Common Entrance Test (CET) of Tripura Medical College and killing of innocent youth, Papai Saha by TSR firing.

Besides, Congress legislators are also expected to bring up issues of relating to vacant ST seats in the AGMC, Rs 60 crore on VAT exemption by the state government to BHEL for Palatana Power project increase of women related crimes across the state and recent spurt of militant’s activities in some remote areas.

Anti corruption :NEW-Tripura launches signature campaign

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Agartala, Aug 16, 2011 : National Election Watch (NEW), Tripura chapter a common platform on electoral reforms, improving democracy and governance has opposed provisions of exclusion of the prime minister, chief justice of India and judges of the higher judiciary from draft of Lokpal Bill.

Addressing media here NEW Tripura Chapter’s President and former state election commissioner and law secretary B B Senapati said, “Indian constitution recognizes equality before the law and nobody can be excluded intentionally from the ambit of any law. If this bill is passed, very spirit of Indian constitution will be defied, which will weak our democracy.”

In favour of strong Lokpal bill and anti-corruption law, NEW Tripura also organized signature campaign in front of City Centre, Paradise Choumuhani in Agartala. The campaign would subsequently spread across the state, said the NEW office bearers here..

Senapati said, freedom fighters had sacrificed their lives for an independent country where equality, honesty and integrity were given importance. But now our governance system denies the basic spirit of the Constitution”.

However, Senapati and his team expressed disagreement over Anna Hazare’s demand to bring the conduct of MPs in Parliament in the ambit of the anti-corruption watchdog and opined that Parliament should have the supreme authority and Lokpal should not interfere in the Parliamentary /Legislative proceedings.

The NEW however strongly demanded for educated, energetic and honest candidates joining the election fray.

“The person who is charge-sheeted under CrPC cannot contest in the elections. Contesting candidates must have minimum education of Graduation and there must be an upper age limit for contesting any elections, which would substantially reduce the apprehension of corruption in legislative bodies”.

The present bill did not have the scope to deal with petty cases of corruption against junior functionaries in Lokpal and Lokayukta; NEW Tripura felt that Lokpal would receive the complaint against of and above joint secretaries and equivalent ranks in Govt of India and in case financial corruption. Besides, the bill says, if the quantum of corruption involved of and above the value of Rs 1 core then it would only be entertained by the Lokpal.

I-day passed off peacefully

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Agartala, Aug 16, 2011 : Independence Day celebration with all pomp and éclat passed off peacefully in Tripura. There was no report of any untoward incident in any part of the state.

At around 9.10 am, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in the main programme at Assam Rifles ground hoisted the national flag. He was accorded with march past of the police, security forces and scouts and guides.

Hundreds of school students participated in a chorus while other participants staged a tribal dance and also demonstrated P T.

In the early morning, ICAT Minister Anil Sarkar also unfurled the national flag at Civil Secretariat.

Later, several cultural events took place across the state to mark the 65th Independence Day.

Several clubs like Sanghati Sangha also organized blood donation and body donation camps.

Prez’s Police Medal for nine cops

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Agartala, Aug 14, 2011 : Altogether nine police personnel of Tripura would be decorated with President’s Police Medal on the Republic Day ceremony of January 26, 2012 next.

The President office of India on Sunday announced the names of Tripura police personnel for the ‘President’s Police Medal for Meritorious service’ and ‘President’s Police Medal for Distinguish Service’.

This year, ‘President’s Police Medal for Meritorious service’ would be given to four SP rank officers including Pradip Paul (SP, Procurement wing), Rama Rakshit (SP, MTF wing), Soumitra Dhar (SP, CID) and Arindam Nath( AIGP, PHQ).

Two more TSR personnel and Pintu Debbarma (SDPO of Jirania) and Pranab Sengupta (OC of Teliamura police station) would also get the ‘President’s Police Medal for Meritorious service’.

The ‘President’s Police Medal for Distinguish Service’ would be awarded to V S Yadav, IGP-Administration.

National Highway plagued by traffic jam

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Agartala, Aug 14, 2011 : The traffic jams, particularly for loaded Lorries in the entire stretch of National Highway-44 from Churaibari to Sabroom has became a major bottleneck for smooth passage of vehicles.

The busiest single road with several curves and poor surface conditions has forced the inter-state truckers, passenger buses to halt on their ways to reach their destination in Agartala and other parts of the state.

Earlier, in the mid part of the May last, V K Yadav, Additional Director General (ADG) of Border Roads Organization (BRO) during his Tripura visit said that the National Highway-44 inside Tripura would be converted into two lane highway instead of four lanes by 2014.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had sanctioned the project for making the NH-44 two-lane, but so far the NHAI did not release the sanctioned amount, said Sunil Bhowmik, the Chief executive Engineer of Tripura PWD.

‘The PWD are well aware of the daily situation of the NH-44’, said Bhowmik, adding that the situation would not be improved till the conversion of NH-44 into a double lane highway.

However, he said that the PWD had already started a project with a cost of Rs 200 crore for construction of an alternative highway on a stretch of 83 KMs from Bishalgarh to Belonia via Boxanagar, Sonamura, Kathaliya and Nidaya.

He hoped that after completion of the alternative road, the traffic congestion would be normal.

The national highway from Churaibari to Khashiamangal has been partially completed while massive widening work would have to be done from Mungiakami to Udaipur stretch via Agartala.

Sources said, keeping in view of the poor road conditions, the private transporters have imposed higher cost for transportation of goods towards state capital and other parts of the state. This has resulted in rising prices of all essential commodities compared with other states in northeast.

National conference on water and bio-diversity

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Agartala, Aug 14, 2011 : A three-day long national conference on ‘Water, Energy and Bio-Diversity- with special reference to North East region’ will begin at Agartala on August 20 next.

The Institution of Engineers (India), Tripura Centre, and National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee will organize the conference in association with various government and apex bodies.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will inaugurate the conference where eminent scholars from across the country will remain present.

In the conference, three parallel technical sessions will be held besides discussion on water, energy resources and bio-diversity for tackling emerging challenges through scientific roadmap and for sustainable conservation.

A large section of individuals of eminence including students will attend the conference. It will end on August 22 next.

Night trains suspended before I-day celebration

Agartala, Aug 13, 2011 : The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) cancelled and also suspended passenger train services in Agartala-Silchar-Lumding routes running at night from August 13.

The decision was taken keeping in mind militants’ threat before the Independence Day celebration, said S Hajong NFR’s Chief Public Relation officer.

Among the cancelled trains include Agartala-Lumding Express and Karimganj-Dullabcherra passenger train, Barak Valley Express between Lumding to Silchar, and Cachar Express in the same route.

Hajong added that, the Lumding- Agartala express will be regulated between Badarpur and Agartala and the down train will run up to Dharmanagar.

The Hill Queen Express between Lumding and Haflong will run during day time. Two more special trains have also been arranged from Lumding to Silchar and Silchar-Agartala during daytime, he added.

After peaceful observation of Independence Day, the night train services would be resumed.

Massive security for I’ Day celebration

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Agartala, Aug 13, 2011 : Massive security arrangements were made across the state for peaceful observation of 64th Independence Day.

“As part of security arrangements every police station is now conducting raids in militant infested areas. Counter insurgency operations were also intensified”, said NC Das DIG Operations on Saturday.

He added that Security forces had been deployed in sensitive and vulnerable areas known to be insurgents’ stronghold.

“We also tightened security on National Highway-44 and other highways with additional deployment beside in the city and important venues including Agartala airport”, Das informed over telephone.

The official said, “Police also pressed into action dog and bomb squads in Agartala and other places of the state that would be continued up to peaceful observation of I-day”.

Plain cloth police personnel were also deployed in all important places of the state to monitor suspicious movements.

Border vigil by BSF was intensified in view of the recent movement of NLFT activities in some parts of Dhalai, North and South Tripura district and remote areas adjacent to Indo-Bangla border.

NLFT bid to plant explosive on NH-44 foiled following encounter

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Agartala, Aug 12, 2011 : Police averted a sabotage attempt before Independence Day when they engaged a group of NLFT militants in an encounter in Dhalai district on Thursday afternoon.

According to police sources, a group of about nine to ten NLFT militants led by Athara Babu Halam was planning to plant explosives on National Highway 44 on or before Independence Day. The bid was foiled when Dhalai district police led by Additional SP Nagendra Debbarma acting on a tip off raided remote Khagendra Roaja para of Ambassa subdivision.

“We had specific information about militants’ movements in the area and accordingly we set three police parties accompanied by TSR and led by senior officials for a coordinated hunt. I was leading one group which came across the militants about 400 to 450 metres north of Khagendra Roaja para”, said Nagendra Debbarma over telephone.

He said as the combined police and TSR party were entering the area they saw a militant. When the raiding party challenged the militant, his comrades in arms hiding nearby jungle opened fire. The police-TSR combine immediately retaliated forcing the militants to flee.

“We then launched a massive search operation to hunt down the militants. But they managed to escape as the area was densely forested. We suspect there were nine to ten militants”, Debbarma said.

Police later came to know that the group was led by Athara Babu Halam a first generation NLFT militant responsible for several attacks including Kamalpur UBI robbery on November, 1995. He hails from Jamthung village of the district.

Another officer said that Athara babu led NLFT militants had planned to plant explosives on Assam Agartala national Highway -44 before Independence Day. But due to the police actions they are now on the run.

Of late, there is a sudden spurt of NLFT offensives in various parts of Dhalai district. Besides attempts are also on recruit youths from the tribal villages.

Sources said, the militants seemed to have become highly active before the Independence day celebration. And in view of the threat massive security arrangements were also made not only in Dhalai district but also in the entire state with intensified force deployment, tightened surveillance and bomb squads being pressed into service. Border vigil has also been stepped. Bordering areas Gandacherra, raishyabari and remote areas of Chhailengta and some parts of Khowai subdivision were put on round the clock surveillance.

In view of the sudden spate of cross border movements of the militants besides BSF in some locations TSR personnel were also deployed to guard the frontier, the officer added

Only on Thursday night TSR nabbed five tribal youths with country made fire arms from Murabari under Kalyanpur police station. The youths were from Gayanfangbari, police sources said.

“At least three NLFT groups are holed up in Bangladesh just across the border but in Dhalai district and they regularly sneak into Indian territory and move around in deep interiors of the district. One group is led by Athara babu, and the two others are by Bomtong a ka Ananda hari Jamatia and Lakshilung Halam. And all them are desperate to make a spectacular attack”, said a senior officer in Agartala. It is Lakshilung who had kidnapped eight villagers recently from deep interior of Dhalai district and took them in Bangladesh. They are still held captive.

The NLFT militants are now hell bent to extort money from the villagers as much as possible. And this season is suitable for their extortion bids.

At this time the militants can move freely in the deep forested land without much difficulty. While verdant foliage now grown in the wake of rains gives them required cover, the jhum fields spread in the hilly regions provide them food. In fact, unlike other times they do not need to enter into any village for food. They can get any vegetable and fruits from the jhum fields up in the hills and deep forest and survive on them without going near the villages- which are all virtually covered by security forces TSR or Assam Rifles. Besides in absence of villages and habitations in large tracts of hilly region in both sides of the border the NLFT hide outs –which are of course being constantly moved-remain untraced by the security forces of both the countries.

Brahma Kumaris observe universal brotherhood with Rakhi

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Agartala, Aug 12, 2011 : As part of their universal brotherhood movement Prajipita Brahmakumari Iswariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Agartala center observed ‘Raksha Bandhan’, like previous years on Friday.

As part of the observance, a three-member team- BK Sanghita, BK Aparna and BK Roshni has come to www.tripurainfo.com and tied rakhi to all the members.

BK Sanghita also briefly spoke about the spiritual aspects of the universal brotherhood at the realm of spiritual understanding that seeks to embrace all souls together irrespective of cast creed religion or any other man-made barriers.

The Bramma Kumaris who are universally called as ‘Behenjis’ ( sisters) would also go to the cross section of the society- from media personnel, doctors, engineers to cultural activists and individuals of eminence to spread the message of unity and fraternity.

“On August 14 next, a brotherhood union would also be arranged at the center”, said BK Sanghita.

In 1995 June 1, the Agartala center of Prajipita Brahmakumari Iswariya Vishwa Vidyalaya which has its headquarters in Mount Abu was set up in Tripura. Now it has a strong following in the state.

Five youths held with firearms in Kalyanpur

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Khowai, Aug 12, 2011 : Tripura state rifles belonging to 11 battalion detained five tribal youths with firearms from Murabari under Kalyanpur police station on Thursday.

At 7.30 pm, the jawans in a routine patrolling went to Murabari rubber garden and detained Sujit Debbarma (27), Papan Debbarma (21), Malendra Debbarma (35), Sachindra Debbarma (21) and Krishna Debbarma (45), residents of Gayangfangbari, with two country-made gun and 2 rounds of cartridge.

Later, they were handed over to the Kalyanpur police station.

“The five youths claimed that they had gone to kill the wild bears that attacked their hamlets”, Police added. Apparently, they were speaking the truth and they do not belong to any insurgent group”.

Police nevertheless asked for remand for the arrested youths on Friday.

CM’s assurance for SSA teachers

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Agartala, Aug 11, 2011 : 'The regularization demands of contract teachers of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) cannot be fulfilled at present due to state’s financial condition’, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

The SSA teachers met Chief Minister in deputation raising their seven point charter of demands including regularization of service on Wednesday. Sarkar assured the agitated teachers that ‘as long as the Left Front government remains in Tripura, SSA teachers’ services are safe and the state government looks into their demands with compassion’.

He also said, ‘we have no objection to your demands and have full sympathy with you. But financial condition of the state government doesn’t permit us to consider regularizing the SSA contract teachers at this moment’.

During deputation School Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty, Principal Secretary of School Education Banamali Sinha were also present and decided that the discussion would continue in the second phase on August 18 next.

Earlier, on Wednesday rally of the contract teachers serving under SSA moved upto the Civil Secretariat and a delegation met with the Chief Minister.

However, School Education Minister said that according to a recent decision of the government, Casual Leave (CL) facilities have been increased from 8 days to 12 days annually, Maternity Leave has been increased to 120 days with full honorarium, Extra-ordinary Leave has been granted for 20 days and summer vacation and other government holidays have also been made applicable for the SSA contract teachers.

It may be recalled here that entry level honorarium of SSA teachers in primary level (UGT) stands at Rs. 5,896 for five years of service and Rs. 10,642 after completion of five years period while entry level honorarium for SSA teachers in Upper Primary level (GT) stands at Rs. 7,286 and it soars up to Rs. 13,134 after five years of service, keeping it at par with the regular state government teachers.

Tripura readies to set up VHSNC

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Agartala, Aug 11, 2011 : Tripura government under direction from the Centre is in the process of expanding the ambit of Village Health and Sanitation Committee (VHSC) by including vigilance over nutritional diet in National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) framework.

Officials here said that with the active participation of Anganwadi Workers, ANMs and ASHAs the existing VHSC would be re-named as Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC), which would engage and monitor status, issues and action pertaining to nutrition.

The VHSNC would primarily be responsible for generating awareness on nutritional issues, carry out survey on nutritional status and nutritional deficiencies in the village especially among women and children, identify locally available food stuff of high nutrient value as well as disseminate and promote best practices (traditional wisdom) congruent with local culture, capabilities and physical environment through a process of community consultation.

Health minister Tapan Chakraborty said that inclusion of nutritional needs in the village health plan, the committee would do an in-depth analysis of causes of malnutrition at the community and household levels, by involving the ANM, AWW, ASHA and ICDS Supervisors.

Chakraborty, however, pointed out that they would facilitate early detection of malnourished children in the community, tie up referral to the nearest Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) as well as follow up for sustained outcome.

Supervise the functioning of Anganwadi Centre (AWC) in the village and facilitate its working in improving nutritional status of women and children and to act as a grievances redressal forum on health and nutrition issues, he said adding that the committee act as a sub-committee of Gram Panchayat and function under the overall supervision of Gram Panchayat.

REPA to oversee teachers’ ethical issues

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Agartala, Aug 11, 2011 : Tripura government has constituted Right to Education Protection Authority (REPA) under Right to Education Act (REA) to deal with the ethical issues in education sector including private tuition by the government teachers.


Education minister Tapan Chakraborty said that REPA had already been made operational in the state. It had also been empowered to punish the teachers for breach of ethics and violation of the norms. 


Teaching faculty members would now face punishment under REPA if anybody lodges a complaint regarding private tuition. Chakraborty observed that barely two percent of government teachers are engaged in aggressive private tuition in the state. 


Tripura is having prohibitory regulations against private tuition by the government teachers were initiated by the state government beforehand in several phases, the last one with widespread effect and controversy in 2005-2006. However, due to involvement of several employees association from both major political parties actions could not be taken against the erring teachers.

Monsoon lashes out at Tripura

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Agartala, Aug 10, 2011 : Monsoon rains have struck Agartala and its vicinity since Monday evening. The incessant rains have upset the normal life.

Low-lying areas of the capital have been partially submerged with water and traffic movements also hit road-blocks. The showers have cooled the air with maximum temperatures plunging to below 30 degrees Celsius.

Reports reaching from several parts said, there were moderate damages to crops and destruction of trees due to rains.

According to MET officials, the state recorded 025.9 mm monsoon rainfall during last 24 hours over Tripura.

In its next 48 hours forecast MET department said, there is a possibility of cloudy sky with few spells of rain and thunder showers at some places across the state.

High Court rejects plea on-cut-off marks

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Agartala, Aug 10, 2011 : The Guwahati High Court rejected the writ petition filed by 17 students over the cut off marks impasse for admission to MBBS course on Tuesday.

Justice UB Saha in a hearing said, the petition for relaxing the cut off marks goes against the MCI guidelines that was approved by the Supreme Court of India for the value and standard of medical education.

The students filed a writ petition before Guwahati High Court and sought judicial intervention for the admission of ST candidates in vacant seats making Medical Council of India (MCI) a party.

Earlier, one Dr. Biplab Jamatia also challenged the role of Tripura Joint Entrance Examination Board over the issue.

Meantime, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar held a telephonic discussion with Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad over the standing problem on Tuesday.

The Union Minister, however, could not throw much light on the deadlock. He said, ‘We are working on it. We shall get back to the state government as soon as something comes out’.

6TH ALL TRIPURA OPEN MEGA QUIZ

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organized by northeast's premier news website tripurainfo.com

Nine officers to probe into July violence

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Agartala, Aug 09, 2011 : Tripura home department has assigned nine experienced police officials including Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors to CID for speeding up the investigation process of July 10-11 violence in Agartala.

“The newly posted investigation officers have reportedly taken over the formal charge of five cases on the spate of incidents on July 10-11 on Tuesday”, official sources here said on Tuesday.

The CID was overburdened with the investigations into NBFCs and other important cases.

State government had ordered a CID probe into the series incidents of July 10-11 in the wake of the demand of opposition.

Altogether, five cases were filed at East Agartala and West Agartala police stations following the July 10-11 incidents in which over 100 people including Congress supporters, police personnel, passers by and scribes were injured beside tragic death of a youth Papai Saha.

KCP militants sent to five days Police remand

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Agartala, Aug 08, 2011 : Two KCP militants have been sent to five days police custody for their alleged involvement in anti-Indian activities by a local court here on Monday.

East Agartala Police team produced the Manipuri militants before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate B Palit seeking 20 days Police remand for the duo arrested.



“Several sections for criminal conspiracy against India were slammed against them under IPC and Cr PC”, according to Police officials.

The Magistrate sent the Meitei operatives for five days police remand after examining the available documents.

APP Raghunath Mukharjee said, “Both the militants would be questioned thoroughly at special branch cell for divulging details”.



A special police team will not only investigate into the movement of the militants’ right from the time they lived but also all their calls to other places be tapped.

They would be produced further before the court on August 12 next.

Tripura’s tributes on Tagore death anniversary

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Agartala, Aug 08, 2011 : The seventieth death anniversary of great poet and nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore is being observed across Tripura with due solemnity through a number of programmes.

The main programme to commemorate the death anniversary as well as the celebration of 150th Birth anniversary of the Nobel laureate will be held at Nazrul Kalashetra here on Monday evening in presence of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

A procession, starting from Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Monday afternoon with participation of school students, teachers, employees of various government departments and cultural artists passes through various thoroughfares of Agartala city and will end at Nazrul Kalashetra.

Later, in the evening as part of the memorial programmes a book on Rabindranath will release by Chief Minister in presence of ICAT Minister Anil Sarkar.

Several artists including school children will perform songs, drama and dances of Tagore to pay homage to the poet.

Cultural programmes were also held in all schools, colleges, other educational institutions.

Earlier, on Sunday as part of four day long cultural programmes to pay tribute to poet Rabindranath Tagore renowned Bangladeshi singer Abdul Wayadot enthralled the audience at main programme organized at Nazrul Kalashetra.

Two meitei militants held in Agartala

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Agartala, Aug 08, 2011 : Tripura police arrested two Meitei militants from city outskirt here. The militants are suspected to have been members of Kangleipak Communist party (KCP) out fit of Manipur.

Acting on a tip off police personnel from East Agartala Police station raided the house of one Damayanti Pal at Jogendranagara early morning on Monday and nabbed Nangam Subed Maitei (35) alias Rubel alias Sumit and Hirojit Singh (26) of Manipur.

“Police recovered 13 mobile handsets with nine SIM cards, two laptops, a digital camera and some other incriminating papers from their possession”, said a Police official.

What however intrigued the police here that the two were hiding in Agartala for the last eight months.

“The duo was produced before a local court by East Agartala Police station with a prayer for Police custody under several sections.

A top police official said, “We are trying to find out their actual identity” but refused to divulge any more details for case interest.

Officials said that Manipur police had been alerted and a team of cops from Imphal is likely to arrive here soon to interrogate the two suspected KCP militants. They might also seek transit remand for them.

Tripura had always been a favored corridor for the Manipuri militants from their hideouts if Bangladesh to Manipur. Earlier also several Meitei militants belonging to PLA, UNLF, PREPAK and KCP were arrested from the state. In mid and late eighties the Meitie militants used Kailasahar and Dharmanagar in North Tripura to cross over to Imphal from their Bangladesh camps. Many of them had also been nabbed on their way.

Writs filed in HC on vacant ST seats in medical study

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Agartala, Aug 08, 2011 : Two writ petitions have been filed at the Agartala Bench of Guwahati High Court, by the students and parents, over 24 vacant ST seats in MBBS course at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC).

Among the two writ petitions, one Dr Biplab Jamatia filing the petition challenged the role of Tripura Joint Entrance Examination Board (TBJEE) and sought judicial intervention into the matter and instruction to the Tripura government for immediate entry of ST students in the vacant seats.

The second writ petition was filed by 17 students in the same issue making Medical Council of India (MCI) a party in the petition.

The petition filed by Dr. Jamatia stated that the Joint Entrance Examination Board did not specify the cut-off marks in the notification of examination and the students who sat in the examinations were unaware the new regulation.

He also claimed that there was no special coaching system for joint entrance examinations for ST students by the state government.

He appealed that ‘the state government should be directed to by the court to admit students in the vacant seats’.

Sources said, both the writ petitions would be heard in the HC on Tuesday next.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Tapan Chakraborty on Saturday said, so far the Union government and the MCI did not send any response over the vacant ST seat issues.

Chakraborty also added that from next academic year, there would be all India CET for medical admissions.

However, seven seats of MBBS course and 2 seats for BDS have been released from the national pool from TBJEE merit list.

It may be mentioned here that 24 ST seats are lying vacant at the medical college due nonavailability of eligible ST students having 40 percent cut-off marks stipulated by MCI and non availability of candidates in TBJEE merit list.