Tragedy struck 11 of the 40 passengers on board the bus (AS 01 W 9963) bound for Silchar from Guwahati, as it darted off the road and plunged into a 100-meter ravine at around 2.30 am.

The bus flipped over several times and threw some of the passengers out of the vehicle before crashing at the foot of the hill. The hood of the vehicle was also smashed under the impact of the fall. Most of the travellers were asleep when the mishap occurred.

Among the dead were seven men and four women. The injured are being treated at Shillong Civil Hospital.

The death toll could go up as condition of some of the injured, including two drivers and conductor of the bus, was said to be critical.

Three of the deceased have been identified by their relatives. They are SS Das (40) of Halflong in Silchar, Assam; Raj Kumar Sharma of Kamarpora, Assam; SH Bharbhuyan of Silchar.

Those injured were identified as Dipen Kalita (Rangiya), Suraj Kumar Koiri (Silchar), Md Abdul Mannan (Morigaon), Satyamik Chakraborty (Bishnupur) Amishna Singha (Student of Cotton College, Guwahati) Hav Madan Singh (Silchar), Jiten Barman (Nalbari), Surhila Barman ( Nalbari), Nandalal Koiri (Cachar), Dirhan Puri (Silchar), Parbati Gauri (Cachar), Feritez Burguia (Silchar), Amit Mitra (Sultanpur), Harisilash Sharma (Guwahati), Siraj Ali (Guwahati), Amit Kaidi (Silchar), Mangal Kaidi (Silchar), Raju Das (Dhubriganj) and Rupesh Pradhan.

According to some passengers of the ill-fated bus, the accident occurred immediately after the driver had let his fellow driver take control of the steering.

SHILLONG: In a bid to ensure strict adherence to the poll code of conduct by politicians, the State Election Commission has barred legislators from inscribing their names on vehicles and constructions bought and carried out with public money.

The latest move by the election authorities to discipline politicians has come in the wake of allegations of violation of election code of conduct made by public against several legislators. Last Monday, an organisation called Meghalaya Tribal Welfare Association (MTWA) also filed a complaint with Chief Election Officer PK Naik that legislators were misusing government property to gain electoral mileage.

Mr Naik on Wednesday made it clear that politicians did not have any right to display their names on vehicles and constructions purchased and done with funds sanctioned under various government schemes. He pointed out that any mention of names of politicians on vehicles and materials purchased with government money could mislead the people as, he said, it would mean that those things were personal property of politicians, which could be donated to public. "I have directed all the deputy commissioners and sub-divisional officers to make an inventory of vehicles bought under SWRP and also to ascertain their registration numbers. If such vehicles are used for election campaigns by MLAs, it would amount to violation of the poll code of conduct," Mr Naik said.

Some waiting sheds have been constructed on the roadside and names of MLAs inscribed on their walls. If a waiting shed is built with public fund and name of an MLA seen on its walls, the legislator will be asked to immediately remove his name, he said.

"Politicians will be asked to remove their names from vehicles purchased under different schemes. This decision of the Election Commission would be implemented even after the elections," Mr Naik added.

SHILLONG: The arrest of a person in the city on Tuesday for possessing counterfeit currency notes is likely to open a Pandora's box, bringing to light the ugly side of State politics, with Meghalaya Police looking determined to bust the racket.

The arrested, a resident of Boko, Assam, reportedly entered Meghalaya with counterfeit currency worth several crores of rupees, which was meant for use by some politicians during the ensuing State Assembly elections.

Police, however, have not disclosed anything about politicians or political groups allegedly seeking to use counterfeit currency in Meghalaya.

When contacted, East Khasi Hills district SP AR Mawthoh refused to say much on the matter, adding investigation was still in progress.

Highly-placed sources said the person nabbed on Tuesday had confessed that the counterfeit notes were supposed to be used by some ‘‘high profile politicians’’ during the elections in Meghalaya.

Top police officials, however, have not ruled out the possibility of circulation of counterfeit currency notes in rural areas of almost all the districts of the State.

"The matter is under investigation and we cannot say for sure which district would be most vulnerable (to circulation of counterfeit currency)," a senior police official said. The police official hinted at the possibility of use of such currency to woo voters in "bordering districts" of Meghalaya.

It may be noted that Meghalaya shares about 423 km of border with Bangladesh, besides a fair portion of inter-state boundary with neighbouring Assam.

There were reports in the recent past that fake currency notes were brought into Meghalaya from across the international border with Bangladesh. Intelligence agencies have also not dismissed the possibility of Pakistan's ISI trying to disrupt the coming elections in Meghalaya and other northeastern states by pumping in fake currency.

Shillong: Election officials in Meghalaya face an elephantine problem to ensure that voting for March 3 polls is not disrupted by marauding pachyderms.

Playing safe, election authorities are marking several booths as "sensitive" not from a communal angle or law and order factor but being vulnerable to possible attacks from elephants in the light of previous experience.

Officials on Wednesday said a scenario like a herd of drunk wild elephants moving dangerously near an election booth, chasing away election officials and destroying electronic voting machines is very much in the realm of possibility. Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said forest guards would keep a watch during the elections in elephant-inhabited areas in certain pockets of Garo hills and districts of West Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi, bordering forests of Assam.

As of now, 194 booths mostly in Garo hills regions close to Indo-Bangla border have been identified as 'sensitive' to frequent tusker attacks, he said.

In the last four months, ten elephants were electrocuted in the Garo Hills and Ri Bhoi districts of the state when they came in contact with high-voltage electric poles. (PTI)

SHILLONG: In connection with the cheating of Rs 43 lakh belonging to one Pynsuk Dkhar on January 4, two person were picked up for interrogation on Wednesday from Khyndai Lad.The duo was identified as Lyen Zuaia and Lalrem Thanga from Mizoram. However, police said that the main accused identified as Mainul Khan is still absconding. They said that they are trying their best to nab the main accused and also to recover the amount.

Meanwhile, the federation urged the public to choose public representatives that would deliver for the betterment of the people and the whole State.

The federation has been also pursuing for strict implementation of capacity for trucks.

Shillong: State Additional Chief Secretary WMS Pariat asked the Centre and State Governments to be more flexible in framing schemes to control the problem of jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation, which has been practiced by the tribal inhabitants of the State since time immemorial.

Addressing a two-day workshop on "Scientific Management of Jhum Areas" organised by the Meghalaya Soil and Water Conservation Department here, Pariat said framing suitable guidelines at the Central and State levels would be very effective to control jhum cultivation.

Pariat said some reports indicated a marked decrease in the number of families practicing jhuming cultivation in Meghalaya, but it was difficult to assess its success due to lack of reliable data.

He said implementation of the schemes to control jhum cultivation should not be a water-tight compartment, but have an integrated approach.

"Barring the decrease in the jhuming cycle from 20 to 30 year to 3 to 6 years, this method of cultivation is arguably the one that is most suited in the hills of Meghalaya and perhaps in the whole of North Eastern Region," Pariat opined.

Commissioner, Agricultural Production VS Oberoi said the present allocation of fund of Rs 10,000 per hectare for treatable areas was not sufficient for the required treatment because of the terrain and rainfall condition in Meghalaya and urged the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation to consider raising this norm from the Eleventh Plan period itself.

In view of the lack of consistent data for areas covered under Shifting Cultivation, Oberoi said the Centre should be requested to introduce a common methodology and approach to ensure one reliable data bank to be used and followed by the States not only in the area covered, but also for all other relevant data in the future. He said that of late, there was a serious rethinking on jhum and its implications on the natural resources in the State, as this method of cultivation was closely interwoven with the psychological, social and even technological disposition of the jhummias (jhum cultivators).

Additional Commissioner of National Rural Mission, Shamsher Singh informed that on the request from the North Eastern States, the Planning Commission revived the scheme on Watershed Development Approach from 1994-95 for North Eastern Region.

Singh added that the evaluation studies undertaken under this programme by North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management, Tezpur, Assam and Agriculture Finance, Mumbai revealed there was 30 per cent decrease in Shifting Cultivation and there was an overall increase of income by 25 per cent of the jhummias families.

According to the report of Wasteland Atlas from Ministry of Rural Development during 2000 and 2005, the extent of shifting cultivation in the North East was about 34.96 lakh and 17.44 lakh hectares respectively. "There was large variation in extent of jhum area cultivation, mainly due to different approaches and methodologies" the record added.

Similarly, the report suggested for maintaining, developing of watersheds to arrest problems arising out of shifting cultivation as the method cannot be completely banned or replaced in short term.

Others who spoke on the occasion include the Principal scientist of Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Umiam, Dr KK Satapathy. (With PTI inputs)

According to the police, unidentified people asked the driver of the car, 20-year-old Duni Rymbai of Thangskai village on January 28, for a reserved trip from Mynkre to Shillong to which he obliged.

However, the gang abducted the driver to Sohkymphor village beat him up. They left him with head injuries on the roadsides. He was notice by the people who later informed the Ladrymbai beat house. He was shifted to Khliehriat CHC but succumbed to his injuries later.

The vehicle remains untraced and police investigation is on.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has asked the Planning Commission to create more job opportunities during the Eleventh Plan period. It is a matter of serious concern that while the economy is growing at a fast pace employment opportunities are either shrinking or not growing in proportion to the overall growth of economy. According to the Economic Survey 2007-08, the total employment in the economy grew at 0.98 per cent per annum over 2001-02—a sharp decline from 2.04 per cent per annum in the 1990s. This was largely due to negative growth in employment in agriculture, mining and power sectors.

In fact, in manufacturing, the growth of employment was 2.05 per cent in 2001-03—a small drop. The fastest growth in employment (between 5 per cent and 7 per cent per annum) was in construction, trade, transportation, storage and communications, and financial services. All these signify the structural changes that are taking place in the economy.

Within the organised sector employment (which constitutes about 7 per cent of total employment), public sector employment fell by 0.03 per cent per annum in 2004-06 (as against the annual growth rate of 1.52 per cent in 2000-01) whereas employment in the private sector grew by 1.87 per annum per year in 1994-2000 (as against 0.45 per cent in 1983-94). Future growth in organised sector employment would primarily depend on employment growth in the private sector. Given that ‘downsizing’ is the buzzword everywhere, are we heading for ‘jobless growth’? Where will the future generations find employment?

Direct employment in a state-of-the-art industrial plant would be much less than in an older plant producing the same amount of output of, say, steel. But that is not the full picture. More machines will require more people to service and repair. The use of computers in a steel plant, for example, gives rise to many other firms which supply the machines, software, printers, spare-parts, paper, ribbons, cartridges and so on and creates jobs outside the steel industry, often in the services sector. The scope for computerisation is still enormous in India, for example, in post-offices, stores, schools, colleges, hospitals, doctor’s chambers, municipal offices, land registration, and so on, which can absorb a great number of people, directly and indirectly.

Within the industrial sector, food processing is an area which has a great potential for employment generation, particularly low-skill rural employment. Even a stagnant volume of agricultural output can generate value-added employment through more processing activities. Diversification of agriculture from foodgrains to other products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, cashews and spices which command better prices and whose export potential is high can bring about year-round employment and greater rural prosperity. This, in turn, would create greater demand for simple industrial consumer goods and employment in those industries.

It is, nonetheless, true that the scope for additional employment generation in the manufacturing sector as a whole would be limited, unless we are able to corner a higher share of world market in simple labour-intensive consumer goods such as textiles, toys, shoes, watches, pens, low-end telephone equipment and electronic gadgets. This is where China has succeeded while we miserably lag behind. The biggest potential for employment lies in the services sector, including self-employment. Today, nearly 50 per cent of GDP comes from the services sector.

Construction and housing holds enormous promise for employment generation. The government will have to devote a higher fraction of expenditure on infrastructure development and maintenance—on roads, irrigation, schools, hospitals, ports, power plants, land development and building of new townships. The repeal of archaic urban land laws and simplification of procedures should also bring in private land developers. A vigorous housing sector creates job opportunities for construction-related workers of various skill categories as also for maintenance people—designers, draftsmen, masons, plumbers, electricians, furniture makers, interior decorators and even security guards, in addition to creating demand and employment in cement, steel, bricks, paints. Ownership of houses also gives a boost to the insurance industry by creating demand for insurance against fire, theft and natural calamities.

The use of various electrical/electronic equ-ipments at home and offices is bound to go up with growing affluence and advent of new technologies. This would continue to open up job opportunities for people with skills to repair TVs, refrigerators, music systems, personal computers, air conditioners, office equipments, and of course two-wheelers and cars.

India offers great scope for tourism related activities. Moreover, it is highly labour-intensive. India has the unique advantage of having the highest mountain ranges, thousands of miles of sea beaches, deserts, rich heritage and enormous cultural diversity. But for various reasons—our slow transportation systems, poor connectivity, the absence of moderately priced quality hotels for mass travellers and criminal activities in places of tourist interest—we have not been able to realise the potential.

A wide variety of people can be absorbed in more retail sales outlets, supermarket chains and restaurants, entertainment centres (video-game parlours, amusement parks), media and communication channels (both printed and electronic), education and training institutes. Low-income people may not buy from upmarket department stores and restaurants but they get jobs as salespersons, deliverymen and cooks. In the western countries, stores such as Walmart and fast-food chains such as McDonalds employ a great number of new entrants to the job market. With rising incomes, even if unequally distributed, the demand for eating out, leisure activities and one-stop departmental stores will go up, creating more employment opportunities for ordinary people. As the era of life-time job security is coming to an end, the need for acquiring new skills and updating them with changing, market demand will increase. This would sustain a crop of training institutes to cater to this revolving demand.

The demand for health and nursing care will be on a rising curve along with the steady rise in life expectancy. The ageing population, together with the breaking up of the joint-family system, would need more old-age homes, geriatric hospitals, emergency services and paramedics. These should provide more jobs for nurses, attendants and staff to run them. Given the much lower cost of nursing care in India, another promising area of business and job creation is setting up international standard old-age homes for the foreigners, preferably in some of the scenic tourist spots.

A lot of emphasis is often placed on the IT-enabled services (such as call centres or data-entry jobs) being shifted to low wage countries such as India. A recent article in The New York Times (July 22) reports that the traffic violation tickets in New York City are being electronically transmitted to far-away Ghana for data entry. The report also says that this job at one time was being done in India and Mexico. This shows that these are extremely ‘footloose’ industries which can be very easily shifted from one country to the other. The implication is that one cannot bank on them for stable jobs.

It is true that the potentials would not be automatically translated into reality. The Central and state governments will have to provide the infrastructure, a clear policy frame, a responsive and facilitating administration and a proper incentive structure to attract domestic and foreign private investment in these promising areas of job creation. (INAV)

The ministry of external affairs has prepared a draft document for approval by the cabinet committee on security to reorient India’s relations with ASEAN countries. Over the last 50-years India’s foreign policy with the ASEAN region has gone through three distinct phases—the first was the pre-Independence period when the two regions were linked together through the de-colonisation process unique to the region. Two events are considered a watershed in this period—the Asian Relations Conference of March 1947 and the 1955 Bandung Conference of Afro-Asian Nations, both of which addressed the significance of the newly emerging countries in the third world within the wider canvas of international relations and the roles that they could play.

The second phase encompasses a period from the early 1960s till about the early 1990s. The international scenario was dominated by the Cold War and it is within this background that the ASEAN was formed in 1967. Several factors can be attributed to the distance between India and ASEAN during these years. First, the ASEAN was seen as an extension of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO). The fact that the ASEAN had emerged as an anti-communist grouping at the height of the Vietnam War had given this impression. As the conflict moved to Cambodia, the ASEAN rallied its position in support of the view that Thailand had emerged as a frontline state after the Vietnamese intervention in Cambodia. While the ASEAN threw its weight behind the Coalition government of Democratic Kampuchea (CGDK), India’s backing and recognition to the Heng Samrin government did not help bridge the growing gap between the two sides. For the ASEAN itself, this was a crucial period where issues of internal and external concern brought its member-states together—considerations of security at the national and regional levels were critical concerns. As a result the states sought to retain continuity and legitimacy of the political leadership, which thereby ensured domestic stability and economic development. Despite the fact that the proposed objective of forming this grouping was economic and cultural, there is no doubt the ASEAN from its inception had a framework for political and security issues that could address regional conflicts in Southeast Asia.

In the early 1990s, a policy shift occurred in India with regard to its relations with the ASEAN region that is marked by two significant events—first, the end of the Cold war and the resolution of the Cambodian conflict. Second, India’s own foreign policy shift was evident when it announced its ‘Look East Policy’ in 1991. There have been certain key achievements with the policy, critical to any assessment of ties between India and the ASEAN. First, India has moved from being a Sectoral Dialogue partner in 1992 to becoming a Full Dialogue partner of the ASEAN in 1995. Second, within the framework of the two processes, the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), both steered by the ASEAN members, India’s position has allowed it to have a key role in the multilateral processes on security that are critical to the Asia-Pacific region and has consequently ensured that its security considerations are recognised by these multilateral groupings.

Third is a very significant step as it leads to the institutionalisation of the (ASEAN plus one) as a formal structure of the ASEAN’s annual processes. Past assessments of the ASEAN reflect the fact that the process of institutionalisation is a significant step in the development of its ties with its summit partners. Moreover, at a time when the ASEAN is seeking to enhance its linkages with the key players in East Asia, viz. China, Japan and South Korea which are linked to the ASEAN through the (ASEAN plus three), its decision to invest in the (ASEAN plus one) initiative reflects the growing importance of India in the region—both in terms of its economic interests as well as the fact that it would be a significant player with regard to the regional security considerations. Many analysts feel India should have been a part of the (ASEAN plus three) initiative which perhaps could have been structured into an (ASEAN plus four) process. However, when one considers the initial agenda of the (ASEAN plus three), it would be vital to remember that the structure had emerged after the 1997 financial crisis and was primarily meant to address issues of macroeconomic risk management. Moreover, it also addressed issues with regard to social and cultural aspects which emerged from the constant refrain between the West and the East Asian states over the debate relating to human rights and the Asian way.

Fourth, as far as the economic ties between the two are concerned there has been significant progress. The latest initiative by India to propose an India-ASEAN Free Trade Area within the next decade is a concrete step towards furthering the economic ties. However, certain issues need to be addressed. One of the most crucial steps would be to equalise the tariff rates between India and the ASEAN. Another important factor is that India has offered to lower its tariff considerations for the newer members of the ASEAN. India’s offer of $10-million assistance to Cambodia and Laos will be seen as a promising step. There is an overwhelming need to integrate the four new members of the ASEAN—Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia—on a par with the original six member-nations and these steps will contribute towards that goal. India’s efforts and cooperation is also being sought by the ASEAN on the entry of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam into the WTO.

Fifth, while trade will be a significant aspect and India will find itself being driven into broader economic ties within the framework of the WTO and the global economic trends, security aspects and the significance of the balance of power will continue to dominate the region. There is the need for a combined effort to address the issue of terrorism and the ASEAN has suggested finding a framework for this within the ARF. Another significant aspect is that with the latest confessions from North Korea on its clandestine nuclear weapons programme, the security scenario within East Asia is likely to be of prime consideration. The perceptions of the ASEAN states vis-à-vis China will be balanced by the ASEAN ‘looking west’ towards India as a significant player in maintaining regional balance. While China has greater economic integration with the region, there still remains apprehension over the strategic role it will play in the future. One clear example of this is the recent agreement on the Spratley Island issue where Beijing has said any settlement should be without prejudice to its interests. Therefore, it will be critical for India to look at how China evolves within the ASEAN psyche. In the past, the capabilities of India’s blue water navy and the Indian nuclear tests had created some apprehensions. But India’s willingness to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and its endorsement of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) has gone a long way in assuring the region of India’s intent. The ASEAN looks at India’s security needs more as a factor emanating from the compulsions of the geopolitical position that India holds, rather than being a derivative of any hegemonic designs on India’s part. (INAV)

Sir,

I was shocked beyond words to see that on the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi this year, the Wangala Dance of the Garo people of Meghalaya was described or rather flashed on the television screen as "Wangala Dance, Dimapur". It has been said many a times that most of the plain people of the country are poor in geography and a major chunk of India's population are not aware of the north-eastern states, except for Assam and Guwahati. I have experienced this several times on visits to the plain that Shillong is often mistaken for Ceylon (Sri Lanka). However for the country's pioneer and oldest news channel, DD 1 (Delhi Doordarshan) to commit this blunder is heinous and painful to the eyes of the people of Meghalaya. This only drove the nail of negligence deeper. Most of the educated people are even not aware of our existence or should we say that they do not bother at all as we are the least contributors to the national income of the country.

The slip or mistake by DD 1 should be seriously viewed by the authorities concerned, especially the Ministry of Broadcasting, as the Republic Day celebration in New Delhi was aired and viewed by people around the globe.

Such lapse is not conducive or expected from a national television network of the country. Lastly, I am of the view that our very own State Government should take up this matter so as to avoid any such misdemeanour in future.

Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar
Lawsohtun Bl-IV
Shillong - 4.

Hirawati had earlier said that she was contesting the panchayat polls in order to solve people's problems and expressed hope that she would emerge victorious. Paresh Baruah's family members were employed in various security force departments. His eldest brother Bimal Baruah works for the supply depot of Army at Panitola, elder brother Pradip is serving in the 2nd Mountain Division HQ engaged in anti-ULFA operations at Dinjan in Dibrugarh district while sister Hirawati's husband Uma Kanta Chetia had just retired from the CRPF. (PTI)

Official sources said today that some militants, who came in a car, fired at Konthoujam's house at Ningthoukhong area, about 40 kms south of here, on Tuesday night and escaped under the cover of darkness.

The police said they recovered several empty cases of 9 mm ammunition from the spot and registered a case in this connection.

Konthoujam, a former water supply minister, was not present at the time of the incident because he stays at the official residence at Babupara VIP complex here. The motive behind the incident was not immediately known. (PTI)

AGARTALA: After a series of marathon meetings in Delhi, Congress on Tuesday night unveiled the first list of 44 candidates for the ensuing Assembly elections in Tripura.

The party left 11 Assembly seats for its ally - Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), leaving vacant names of nominees for the remaining six seats - Krishnapur, Salgara,Jolaibari, Sabroom, Surma and Panisagar.

Sources said, the Congress is contemplating to leave Krishnapur and Promodhnagar Assembly constituencies for NCT while PDS may secure Sabroom constituency to finalise the seat-sharing deal.

"AICC general secretary Prithviraj Chavan called up and assured that the Congress will sacrifice two seats for us for the interest of strengthening anti-Left political force," said Animesh Debbarma, a prominent leader of the NCT.

A total of 12 MLAs were given nominations and party's lone legislator MLA Ashok Bhattacharjee has not given ticket due to his ailing health.

Three women including Maharani Bibhu Kumari Devi (Matabari) were given tickets while nine candidates will contest the election for the first time.

Congress high command has given nominations to all most all the heavyweight leaders of State Congress to reduce the factionalism during the Assembly elections.

PCC president Samir Ranjan Barman claimed that the aspirants were finalised keeping in mind of all aspects. "The candidates list has been finalized unanimously in presence of AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandez", he said in Delhi on Tuesday night.

He further hoped that the Congress along with its allies would storm back to power defeating the Left Front in the coming election.

The notification for the election was issued on Wednesday. With the announcement of notification, the process of filing nomination kicked off in the State. Four Left Front candidates on Wednesday filed their nominations on the first of filing of nomination papers.

The process will be continued till February 6 while scrutiny will be done on February 7. The last date of withdrawal of nomination will be on February 9 while polling will be held on February 23.

"The amount of subsidy, that is the actual cost of operating the helicopter service minus recovery from passengers, would be met on 75:25 basis. The overall ceiling of flying hours for the proposed helicopter service would be 52 hours a month," Dasmunsi said.

Regarding the extension of subsidy beyond a year, Dasmunsi said the central government would look into such consideration only at the end of the first year of operation.

"We will first review the operating performance before extending subsidy beyond a year. The centre's subsidy would facilitate extensive movement of tourists between Guwahati and Tawang," the minister said. (IANS)

Guwahati: Frontline NGOs working in wildlife conservation field in Assam have raised alarm over the use of weapons and ammunition prescribed for Forest and Wildlife Department and other government departments in the brutal killing of one female rhino and its calf in Kaziranga National Park on the night of January 19 last.

"The poachers used .315 ammunition meant for use by Government Department security personnel for the first time in killing rhinos in Kaziranga Park, which is considered one of the best protected wildlife habitat in the world," said Dr Bibhab Talukdar, leading wildlife activities and secretary general of Aaranyak, a reputed green group.

Aaranyak and four other wildlife NGOs - WWF-India Early Birds, Ecosystems India, Rhino Foundation - have termed the development 'ominous' for the security of the precious rhino population in the national park.

In response, Assam Government has constituted a 12-member high-powered committee to probe into the poaching incident in question and submit recommendations for augmenting anti-poaching efforts in the national park.

The NGOs pointed out that wildlife staffs in Kaziranga Park had recovered a tranquilizer gun inside the wildlife habitat about one and a half year back. Further, police investigation had traced the origin of the gun to the office of the Chief Conservator of Wildlife of Nagaland Government. But the investigation hit the wall after Nagaland Wildlife Department stated that the gun had been stolen from its Dimapur office though they failed to produce any copy of FIR lodged with the police in this regard.

The NGOs also alleged that the living and working condition of the 400 odd frontline wildlife staffs in the national park is pathetic because of the perennial fund crisis of the national park authority.

An official source informed that Assam Government earns an average of Rs 70 lakh revenue per year from tourists visiting Kaziranga National Park while it provides only Rs 50,000 to the National Park authority.

The NGOs alleged that the Centre released fund to the Park against specific projects so late in the year that it becomes difficult to provide the utilisation certificates in time.