Addressing newspersons here Congress spokesperson Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi pointed out that the NCP did not have any pre-poll alliance with the "non-secular" BJP in Meghalaya but cobbled up a rag tag combination just to grab power by any means, fair our foul.

"Hence it is for them to explain why they formed an opportunistic government in Meghalaya with BJP despite the fact that they are pre-poll partners with the Congress at the Centre and Maharashtra," he said.

Indirectly, hinting at Purno Sangma, the architect of the NCP-BJP and regional parties alliance in Meghalaya, Mr Singhvi said, "NCP has become hostage to the whims and fancies of one particular leader which will ultimately boomerang."

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister DD Lapang met party president Sonia Gandhi and apprised her about the state of affairs in the State.

For the first time in the history of the party in the State, Congress on its own got maximum number of 25 seats, he told Mrs Gandhi.

Mr Lapang, who is also chairman of the North East Congress Coordination Committee, discussed the overall situation in the North-East.

He also discussed the forthcoming elections to Mizoram Assembly due this year.

Mr Lapang and the PCC president OL Nongtdu were camping here for about a week to apprise the AICC leaders about the state of affairs in Meghalaya.

While Mr Nongtdu left on Thursday night Mr Lapang is leaving on Saturday.

Dr Singhvi stoutly defended the Congress forming government in Meghalaya which later could not muster majority.

"People's verdict was with Congress which came out as the single largest party way ahead of any other party in the State," he said.

Replying to questions on NCP-BJP alliance another Congress leader, Manish Tewari said the same is based on grabbing power at any cost even in one state.

"You cannot hunt with the hounds and run with the rabbits," he said.

It is not that Congress is aligned with the NCP only at the Centre, Mr Tewari said.

Both parties are in alliance for two consecutive terms in a major state like Maharasthtra, he said adding an alliance of the latter with the BJP becomes untenable.

"I took up matters related particularly to development in the State," Mr Sangma told The Shillong Times after the meeting. He also urged Dr Singh to declare Tura campus of the NEHU as a full-fledged Central university.

The Prime Minister assured all help to the State, Mr Sangma said. "He was happy that I have become a part of the planning and development process of the State and the region," he said.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker also met most of the union ministers including TR Balu who assured that at least 30 km double-laning road from Tura to Nongtem and Willam Nagar would be taken up this year itself.

He also asked Mr Sangma to submit project proposals to make Sillong-Nongstem-Willam Nagar-Tura road part of the extended National Highway. Union Minster for Rural Development, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh agreed to take up more roads in the State under the PMGSY.

Mr Pradhan was recently transferred as IG, Prisons.

According to officials at the State Police headquarters, Mr Sawian took leave for three weeks from April 2 in protest against the transfer of his junior officer.

Mr Pradhan was the first bureaucrat to be removed by the MPA Government.

Sources said Mr Pradhan was transferred as IG, Prisons because the ruling regional parties considered him to be more inclined towards Congress.

According to sources, the Dorbar Shnong of Wahiajer has declared social boycott of 62 Wahiajer villagers for not openly coming out to support the Congress candidate Sngiawbhalang Dhar in the recent State Assembly polls.

Among those facing the brunt of the social boycott are former Cabinet minister Indro Pariat, defeated MDP candidate Edmund S Lyngdoh's wife Lahun Sari and another defeated poll contestant Roland Shylla.

The Durbar has not spared even the family of prominent Church leader and secretary of the influential North East India Christian Council (NEICC) Rev N Sandiwell Phawa. Besides Rev Phawa's three children Feather Beauty Susngi, Ibanroi Susngi and Geoffrey M Susngi, two deacons of the local Presbyterian Church - John Lyngdoh and William Wahlang - have also been ostracised by the local Durbar.

Sources said the victims would face social boycott for different periods ranging from three to five years. Under the boycott, the Dorbar will no longer help them in any incidents of death and suffering or even if they were assaulted in the village. They would also lose the right to avail of residential certificates, besides being barred from using the resources of the village. Those doing business at Wahiajer market have already been asked to vacate their shops.

Most of the victims reportedly did not report the matter to the authorities concerned, fearing retribution from the Dorbar.

Jaintia Hills MDC Edmund S Lyngdoh has, however, taken up the matter with the district administration, seeking its intervention in the predicament being faced by the isolated families of the village.

Meanwhile, Jaintia Hills DC Frederick Roy Kharkongor told The Shillong Times that he had received verbal complaints from Mr Lyngdoh about the matter. Mr Kharkongor also said he had asked the MDC to file a formal written complaint to the district administration for necessary action in this regard.

"I have told Mr Lyngdoh to file a written complaint regarding the case so that appropriate action could be taken. Even those victims who are afraid of coming forward to report the matter are free to meet me secretly, even at my residence" Mr Kharkongor said.

He further said the district administration was ready to protect the people and ensure that nobody harassed them in any manner.

Despite being a Union Minister since 2004, Mr Kyndiah sought to take initiative only once, in 2006, for speedy implementation of the Shillong Bypass project to ease traffic congestion in the capital city.

The latest interest shown by the minister in the project, which was conceptualised twenty years ago, has become a talking point in circles concerned as it has come at a time when speculations of an early Lok Sabha election are doing the rounds.

A section of the people feel that this may be a political strategy of Mr Kyndiah to improve his image in the minds of the people, knowing well that he has much to do as a Union minister.

Questions have also been raised over why My Kyndiah has become so concerned about the Shillong Bypass project after keeping studious silence over the matter for years.

"If Mr Kyndiah really wants early construction of the Shillong Bypass, he should have kept on impressing upon the Union Government that this project would be the lifeline of the people of Shillong," they said.

It may be noted here that since the very day of the project's formulation, land acquisition has been a major problem for the project in this land-locked State. The problem has continued to linger on even after about twenty years of intense negotiations with villagers residing along 47-km stretch of the bypass over compensation of Rs 19 crore.

Moreover, about 3 km of land, a vital stretch of the bypass in Lumdieng Ngan village in Ri-Bhoi district, has not been acquired till date.

"There is a dispute. Villagers and village heads are at loggerheads over acquisition of the land for the project," former MLA from the area Stanleywiss Rymbai told reporters.

The government has Rs 5 crore left in its kitty to compensate for the remaining 3 odd km stretches.

Earlier, while speaking to reporters, Mr Kyndiah had said the total cost of the project would be Rs 220.35 crore, which was being processed for approval by the Union Finance and Road and Surface Transport ministries.

"The Shillong Bypass is necessary to deal with traffic jam in Shillong. Even VIPs with escorts find it difficult to move in the city," Mr Kyndiah said.

Initially, the plan was to have a four-lane road, but faced with opposition from villagers to part with their land, the government mooted the idea of building the bypass as a two-lane highway.

The Shillong Bypass will bifurcate NH 40 at Barapani and culminate at Mawryngkneng to join NH 44 after covering a distance of 47 km.

Terming as illegal the transfer of land to Lafarge, North East People's Alliance on Trade, Finance and Development, a conglomerate of prominent NGOs from Northeasten states, including Meghalaya, on Friday lashed out at the company for "mortgaging" land of indigenous Khasi people to various international financial institutions, including Asian Development Bank (ADB).

"Lafarge is now known for illegally obtaining land belonging to indigenous Khasi people and mortgaging it to financial institutions to get loans. This indicates a gloomy future for the whole of North-East," the Alliance said in a statement issued here.

The Alliance also called as farce the recent North East Mine, Environment and Mineral Conservation Week organised by Lafarge Umiam Private Limited (LUMPL), saying it was meant "only to hide environmental and human rights violation committed by the company in Meghalaya."

Stating that mining of oil, gas, uranium and other minerals had led to severe exploitation of indigenous people, the body of NGOs said "stealing of resources" from indigenous communities of the region without due consent from them would only add to the present conflicts in the region.

Other issues raised by the Alliance were ONGCL's oil exploration in Nagaland and Assam and also entry of French and Canadian multinationals to Arunachal Pradesh for oil exploration without taking into consideration the consent of the State or complying with acceptable international standards.

"The amendment to the Land Transfer Act 1991 has not taken into consideration the role of traditional institutions in connection with granting of permission by the State government for transfer of land in Meghalaya," MIPF president W Anthony said on Friday.

Mr Anthony pointed out that in the absence of any provisions in the Act for legal role for traditional institutions in matters of land transfer, authorities were only misguiding people by claiming that consent of traditional institutions had been obtained for any land deals.

SHILLONG: The State Government has asked the Review Committee to reassess public opinion on the recent hike in tax on holdings by Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).

The meeting of legislators from Shillong municipality area, convened by Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Friday, discussed the situation arising out of public opposition to increased tax on holdings announced by SMB.

After the meeting, Mr Lyngdoh said the Review Committee would also study the proposal made by the Evaluation Committee to minimise the tax burden of the people residing under the jurisdiction of SMB.

Mr Lyngdoh claimed that "more than 60 per cent of the people have already paid their tax," adding, "Those who have paid the tax feel the increase is reasonable."

He said the last time SMB revised tax on holdings was in 1982 and that "it is high time we increased our taxes."

"After a gap of more than 25 years, SMB has hiked a tax by a negligible amount," Mr Lyngdoh said, while pointing out that the consumer's price index had increased by 566 points.

The minister also said the Evaluation Committee of SMB, which was formed early last year, would submit its report on April 15.

"Members of the public under Shillong municipality area can submit their grievances or problems to SMB office in writing" Mr Lyngdoh said.

Except for Bindo Lanong, all MLAs, including Education Minister Manas Chaudhuri, PHE Minister AL Hek, Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai and Parliamentary Secretary Ampareen Lyngdoh, whose constituencies fall under the jurisdiction of SMB, attended the meeting.

According to Mr Lyngdoh, the legislators from the Shillong municipality area will again meet on April 15.

SHILLONG: Recent outbreak of meningococcal disease and its symptoms at the outset being similar to malaria have created general confusion leading to conflicting views about whether the 31 people who died in Garo Hills succumbed to malaria or meningococcemia. The Shillong Times interviewed Dr AI Hussain, MBBS, MD, a senior medical specialist at Bethany Hospital in Shillong. Dr Hussain did his senior residency at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi and also worked briefly in Saudi Arabia.

ST: Dr Hussain, can you tell us in common man's language what exactly is meningococcal disease?

Dr AIH: Meningococcal infection is caused by a bacterium known as meningococcos which can infect the blood or cause an infection of the brain and spinal cord called meningitis. Approximately 10 per cent of the population carry meningococcus bacteria at the back of the throat or nose without any ill effects. In rare instances, meningococci overcome the body's natural defences and cause serious diseases including meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) and meningococcemia, a widespread infection involving the blood and multiple organs.

ST: What are the symptoms of this disease?

Dr AIH: Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting and drowsiness. Other symptoms are nausea, sensitivity to light (photophobia), confusion or a small purplish skin rash. In young children, the most noticeable symptoms are marked behavioural changes such as irritability or excessive crying. These symptoms can develop over several hours or may take one to two days. In people with meningococcemia without meningitis, the headache, neck stiffness and photophobia may be absent but the rash may be extensive and may be associated with bleeding. People who have had a sudden onset of these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately or go to a hospital emergency for diagnosis. Early treatment reduces fatality.

ST: How does the disease spread?

Dr AIH: The bacteria are spread from person to person by direct contact with an infected person's nose or throat secretions, including saliva. Some common ways the bacteria can be spread are by sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses, water bottles etc.

ST: How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

Dr AIH: The diagnosis is usually made by growing bacteria from a sample of the spinal fluid or blood. The organism can also be isolated from the sputum. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important.

ST: Who is at highest risk for getting the disease?

Dr AIH: Although the disease can occur at any age, the highest risk is among children under one year of age with the next highest risk among teenagers between 15-19 years of age. People living in crowded places and slums are at higher risk for infection. Persons with weakened immune systems are also more likely to be infected.

ST: What is the treatment for meningococcal disease?

Dr AIH: There are effective antibiotics for the treatment of meningococcal disease. It is important that the treatment be started as soon as the disease is suspected.

ST: Can meningococcal disease be prevented?

Dr AIH: Yes, the disease can be prevented by good hygiene. It is advisable to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and throwing away used tissues, and also washing the hands often. Eating or drinking utensils should not be shared.

ST: Is there a vaccine that can prevent this disease?

Dr AIH: Yes, there are two vaccines that protect against most types of this disease. It is important to consult a doctor to know which one is right for you. A dose of meningococcal vaccine is recommended for children and adolescents aged between 11 to 18 years. Meningococcal vaccine is also recommended for people who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease such as family members of the affected. Specific antibiotics are recommended for those in close contact with patients.

Following the scare, there had been large scale buying of antibiotics, particularly Ciprofloxin tablets, leading to a shortfall in its supply while medical companies watched with glee its rapid sale.

District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) of West Garo Hills, Dr (Mrs) Malti K Sangma, while speaking to The Shillong Times cautioned against the use of the drug as it could lead to serious health hazards in the long term.

"The drug is highly toxic and unless one is suffering from the disease no one should take it. It can lead to renal failure (kidney problems) in children and even adults who are treated with the drug tend to experience side effects," said the district head of the department.

There have been reports of certain doctors in the Garo Hills, including Tura, Williamnagar and Baghmara, who allegedly advised concerned citizens to take the dose as a preventive measure. "Ciprofloxin is used only to treat the disease, not prevent it," informed Dr Sangma.

Sales persons in medical stores in Tura have reported panic buying of the drug by customers.

"We have advised them (customers) not to take the drug unless one is infected with the disease but they refuse to listen. We were even threatened with physical assault if we did not sell the drug," said a pharmacist from Tura.

The delay on the part of the Government in creating awareness on the disease and the use of the drug has also been attributed to panic buying.

"I came to know from people that the disease can kill you within two days and I did not want to take any chance, so I procured the antibiotic and gave my three children besides my wife and myself," said an office assistant working with a private firm in Tura.

Meanwhile, there have been some positive results with the health department's 'belated' information that the large scale deaths in East Garo Hills was not from meninggitis but malaria.

A section of the public have since begun returning the ciprofloxin tablets they procured from pharmacies in the Garo Hills.

"But the number of people returning the antibiotic remains very small," said a pharmacist in Tura.

In a letter to the Director of ICFAI, Hyderabad, the NYC demanded temporary suspension or withdrawal of all posts (both teaching and non-teaching) appointed so far at the ICFAI Centre, Shillong alleging gross irregularities in the appointment process.

They also demanded that all advertisements should be published both in national and local newspapers, all interviews concerned with various appointments be held in Shillong and all qualified local youth should be given preference.

A meeting in this connection was held here on Wednesday last. Earlier, members of the NYC under the leadership of its president met the acting principal to apprise him of the irregularities in various appointments at the centre.

How sick is the environment of our state? Is it on the brink of collapse? Has exploitation of nature by man, reached a point of no return? What are the options if any to retrieve the health of our environment? These together with thousand of similar queries are howling for attention with none to take up the cause of healing the denigration of the eco-system. The last couple of decades have witnessed a world wide consciousness and introspection on environmental issues. Yet, in our state there is hardly any concern to arrest the devastation and restore environmental security. It is a long and arduous task, where even if concerted efforts to stabilize at the current level commence in right and total earnest, it will take decades to restore some parity. It is high time for the opinion makers, political masters & civil society to sit up and comprehend the catastrophy looming large in the horizon. The issues pertaining to environment is no longer the domain of a select few. There is genuine concern and concrete steps initiated in the developing and poor countries too. The impact of environmental degradation in our state is evident for all to see and feel. Human travail and tribulation like water and power scarcity, abrupt climate change, acute water and air pollution, declining water bodies, desecrated rivers and depleting ground water; recurring natural disasters et al - all manifests with clarity, the consequence of defiling the environment. The symptoms are too obvious to overlook yet there are no sign of any initiative to even delay the inevitable.

Human induced activities in our state as in other parts of the world are responsible for the momentum. The impact of the increasing quest of a small section of our society has led to serious ecological aftermath, which has been caused mainly by quantum leap in extraction and use of fossil fuels like coal, limestone and other minerals including recent resumption of deforestation, diverse land use pattern without regard to land capability, soil and water conservation. Modern unplanned construction of roads and buildings together with unscientific mining and quarrying has also contributed to the ecological denigration. The above activities together with emissions from different sources and large scale use of harmful chemicals & pesticides have greatly increased greenhouse gas release. Activities that generate greenhouse gases are called 'sources' and those that remove them are known as 'sinks'. A balance between 'sources' and 'sinks' like forests - called 'sinks' of carbon dioxide are disappearing fast. Our rivers are highly contaminated. The pollution load on the rivers and lake system include around 35 MLD of sewage daily and a major portion of around 73 MT out of total 174 MT of garbage generation per day within Greater Shillong, either not disposed and treated or firmly ensconced in the network of drains. Sadly lack of public awareness is appalling.

There is an innate link between water and hydro power generation. Decline in water supply adversely affects generation of hydro power to its full potential. A classic example is the Umiam Hydel project resorting to continuous power cuts during lean season. All the proposed hydel projects shall meet similar fate if conservation and management of water is not accorded top priority. The problem of water crisis in spite of adequate rainfall can primarily be attributed to rapid decline in the fragile resource base, impinging directly on catchments which are natures indigenous "water reservoirs". These "store houses" have been exposed to over exploitation and consequently, major catchments, all over the state are in different stages of being finally wiped out. The Meghalaya Protection of Catchment Areas Act, 1990 & Rules 1996 was enacted to provide for the protection of catchment areas and preserve water sources. The act could never be invoked due to its inherent legal deficiencies and intricate land holding system. It is imperative for the MPA Government to review both the moribund Act & Rule by incorporating adequate legal sanctions, authority and sweeping powers as far as preservation of catchments and practical implementation of remedial measures are concerned. It is not a question of non-availability of water but a consequence of unplanned use and misuse of natural resources coupled with total ignorance and lack of initiative to conserve water. In order to overcome water stress conditions, rampant harnessing of ground water even for commercial operation is common. In order to maintain this potential, a hydraulic equilibrium must be established between availability and utilization. The proliferation of energized wells has to be restricted, since such wells deplete ground water ranging from 1 to 3 meters a year depending on their location. In hilly terrain, the decline shall be much higher. The best way to replenish ground water is through rain water management and harvesting aimed at maintaining the water table at a pre-determined constant level to which extraction has to be limited.

Mining of coal shall continue till the reserve is exhausted. By that time however all the affluent miners would have departed for their eternal journey leaving behind ruins of destruction and imminent environment holocaust to be faced by successive generations. What measures are being initiated on the ground to reclaim the exploited and barren coal and limestone mines? Whether any check and balance exist to ensure adherence to environment norms in mining operations? Is the environment, ecological & social-economic impact assessment study, mandatory prior to actual mining and establishing an industry, being scrutinized to verify the ground reality and credibility of such exercise? What is the mechanism in place to ensure execution of environment management plan? What is the role and achievement of State Environment Impact Society? How are the EIA plan furnished with the proposal, say, for a limestone or coal based plant evaluated technically to establish the genuineness? What is the mode of sensitizing a common man on the findings of each assessment study before a public hearing is conducted? A lay man has to be thoroughly briefed on the various implications before one can give a frank and measured opinion. Most public hearings are either doctored or silent acquiescence in absence of understanding the basic issue. Our state is rich in bio-resource including traditional and contemporary knowledge. The Biological Diversity Act, 2003 provides for constituting a State Biodiversity Board with the powers relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources. No positive steps have been taken in this direction as the epicenter of power till now was busy dispensing our inherent resources through the "single window" and accruing individual benefits through the "back door".

The MPA Government has to accord serious thought on this vexed issue and act positively, before the situation reaches a point of no return. The traditional institutions, District Councils and civil society will also have to put their act together and address the perilous issue which concerns the entire population of the state. This subject which is gradually coming into sharp focus will influence all future socio-economic and public interest interventions of the government.

The NDA-ruled States have raised a banner of revolt against the UPA Government at the Centre. Nine Chief Ministers met last Saturday at BJP leader L K Advani’s residence, and not only accused the ruling alliance of "gross discrimination" but decided to go to the people in their respective States with a 10-point "chargesheet". The Chief Ministers not just shared their concerns against the "step-motherly treatment" meted out to them, but backed these with specific instances. Naveen Patnaik of Orissa accused the Prime Minister of not keeping his word of allocating Rs 200 crore as Central assistance for the flood-hit State two years ago. Instead, a meagre Rs 2 crore was doled out! JD (U) Chief Sharad Yadav filled in for Nitish Kunar and accused the Centre of brazen bias against Bihar. While Congress-ruled States of Delhi and Maharashtra, he charged, had been given 22 litres and 19 litres of kerosene under the PDS, Bihar was getting only three litres per family.

Madhya Pradesh’s appeal for Central assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for the drought-hit State, it was alleged, had found no takers in New Delhi. Not a single paisa had been given, complained Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Gujarat’s Narendra Modi accused the Centre of playing spoilsport to his initiative of setting up the first university dedicated to children, by taking away 200 MW quota of power supply without notice. A common refrain of the Chief Ministers, alongwith Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, was that not a single brick had been added to the proposed Medical Institutes (AIIMS) in their States in the past four years. In sharp contrast, the NDA had chosen four Congress-ruled States out of a total of six wherein the AIIMS was to be set up.

Ironically the UPA also came in for a scathing attack by its ally, the CPM. At its 19th Congress in Coimbatore on Saturday last, the CPM asked the Left-ruled States to launch a joint offensive to against increasing encroachment by the Centre into the States’ powers and for "belying all expectations" on improving Centre-State relations. West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who led the attack, accused the Centre of having failed to implement any recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission. He also charged the Centre of "doing nothing" to provide safeguards against the abuse of Article 356 of the Constitution and of misinterpreting Article 355 to unilaterally send Central forces to the States. The Centre was also indicted for its latest "assault" on the decision-making powers of the States. New Delhi was now directly discussing State subjects with the IMF, World Bank, WTO etc and imposing the agencies’ conditionalities without seeking the States’ concurrence .The UPA has yet to respond to the unprecedented attack by the CPM.

The water issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is on the boil yet again. Passions were aroused on Tuesday last in Karnataka no sooner than Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s utterances that the drinking water project at Hogenakkal, along Cauvery river, would go ahead come what may. Cinema halls showing Tamil films came under instant attack in Karnataka and Tamils Sangam at Ulsoor in Bangalore. Tamil Nadu Assembly soon reacted and passed a resolution asking the Centre to intervene and "maintain the sovereignty and integrity of the nation." It also wanted the lives and properties of Tamils in Karnataka protected. Meanwhile, protests are snowballing over the issue in both the States-- the film industry in Tamil Nadu has decided to protest with a day-long fast on Friday, whereas activists in Karnataka have called for a bandh on April 10. Karunanidhi has a smooth explanation for the latest row: "Tamils are anathema to some linguistic fanatics in Karnataka. It has become their full time job to hate us. First they said no water for our crops, now they say no to even drinking water …" But Karnataka has its view, strong and uncompromising.

The Orissa Assembly has created murky history for all the wrong reasons. Its Speaker, Maheshwar Mohanty, resigned on Monday last following allegations of sexual harassment and a stormy demand by the opposition for his ouster and an independent probe by either a High Court judge or the CBI. Last week a woman assistant marshal in the Assembly, Gayatri Panda, had gone public and filed an FIR alleging that the Speaker was persistently harassing her and even persuading her through his staff to have a sexual relationship with him. Mohanty, for his part, dismissed the charges as "baseless and part of a conspiracy" and went on to resign "to protect the office of the Speaker." While the truth whether a third party is involved will be known only after the State Human Rights Commission, gives its report, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already given Mohanty a clean chit. In fact, he has sacked his Information and Public Relations Minister, Debasis Nayak, for allegedly instigating Gayatri to hurl the charges. This dimension too is being probed, adding intrigue to the goings on in the Assembly.

Mind your language, is the latest bolt from UP Chief Minister Mayawati to her many opponents. The first to receive the warning is none less than the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Mahender Singh Tikait. On Monday last, Tikait was charged with having used derogatory language against the Dalit leader and a woman at a rally in Bijnore on Sunday and found himself slapped with a case under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. Orders were issued for his arrest as such crimes constitute a cognizable offence. The police, however, failed to carry out the orders. Tikait’s supporters, numbering about 1,500, in his village Sisauli prevented it from doing so. The two sides clashed for over 18 hours, leaving 25 policemen and two farmers injured. While Tikait has now agreed to surrender, Mayawati’s "intolerance" has sparked an anti-BSP mobilization. The Samajwadi Party has supported Tikait arguing that nothing objectionable was said and that Mayawati "uses worse language".

Chandigarh and its citizens have a special reason to rejoice--like their representative in the Lok Sabha: Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance. The city, which is a Union Territory and continues to be the capital of Punjab and Haryana, today has the highest per capita income and vehicles in the country, according to the District Census handbook, released by Bansal on Monday last. (Every household has two or more vehicles.) Chandigarh also leads in maximum usage of clean fuel in the country. What is more, it is now acknowledged as "the most popular marketing research and launch destination". Nevertheless, all is not honky dory for the city whose population is bursting at its seams and is expected to double in 20 years. It has the worst sex ratio in the world: 777 females per 1,000 males. The ratio further dips if the sex ratio of the slums, 926 females for 1,000 males, is excluded. The city’s urban sex ratio then drops to 500 females for 1,000 males! ---INFA

Madam,

Perhaps the recent death of Rinky Kaushik, a 15-years class X student of Dinkar National Model School in Delhi, is an instance that sends a shudder down our spine. She was beaten repeatedly by her teacher for being refused to take private tuition from him. It is an obvious case of homicide by the teacher and should attract severe punishment.

A rod of punishment aside, it is often in the news how perverse male teachers drool over their young girl-students. Are they not expected to represent themselves as fatherly figures in the school? Frankly speaking, hush-hush molestations or sexual exploitations may have become a cause of a life-long trauma for countless girl students these days.

Well, if the sacred institutes of learning can become a hotbed of cruelty, death and sexual exploitation, then some basic truths have been blithely overlooked or something very significant must be going shockingly awry. I believe merely forming laws to punish the culprits and making strict rules and regulations may not resolve the issues fully. Don't we know the spirit of evil can be dispelled by the holy spell of godliness alone? One should acknowledge that the society is round the clock being concerned by the spell of evil. Let us be analytical and find out what sort of environment is predominating our society these days. How are women being portrayed in film-worlds and media? What have become our everyday pastimes? What are those indulgences we have chosen? What quality of entertainments we are forced to feast on and grow in? I think seriously unprejudiced pondering is the need of the hour.

Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2

Madam,

Recently, the Canadian High Commissioner to India David Malone mentioned how Canada was interested in investing in the "abode of clouds." He also mentioned the fact that Meghalaya was "rich in natural resources" making it investment friendly. It would definitely be a boon if the present government could show interest by initiating moves that would show a positive outlook towards outside investment.

Advertising, rules & policies which are encouraging and conducive towards attracting investment would go a long way in solving the many problems plaguing the state due to lack of progress and exacerbated by the fact that the state has no major earning to make up for its deficits. Even the tourism sector has nothing to boast of despite the fact that Shillong is one of the major tourist destinations in the country. Foreign investments if channelised in an efficient and transparent manner would not only bring revenue to the state but also help to solve the infrastructure and unemployment issue. This in turn could be used to develop the primary sectors of the state which would then address the problems of the poor and BPL families who have no access to any kind of service whatsoever. We talk so much about progress, development etc without taking the necessary steps to make it happen in the first place. Maya Angelou once said, "Nothing will work unless you do."

Yours etc.,
Hubert Diengdoh.
Shillong-1.
Via e-mail

Guwahati: Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has announced that capacity addition of 4261 Mega-Watt has been planned for the north eastern region during the 11th plan period. The Union Power Ministry has also planned to feed to the power deficit Western and Northern India through the surplus power evacuated from the North East, Shinde, who was in Guwahati, said on Friday.

A master plan for evacuation of power is being prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) considering the huge potential of power available in the region. Power Secretary Anil Razdan said that a Rs 13000 crore road map for transmission network is being prepared. Power Grid Corp of India Ltd (PGCIL) or other such conglomerate can implement the project.

"Northeast has very high transmission and distribution loss of around 36 per cent and those power companies which are not able to start the project work must make way for others," he asked.

Mr Shinde, who was in Guwahati to take part in the national conclave on "Accelerated development of power sector in the North East and Sikkim" informed that the major projects which will be implemented during the plan period are Lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Project (HEP) (2000MW), Kameng HEP (1200MW), Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (750 MW), Palatana Gas based power project in Tripura (750MW), he said.

He added that the region would be able to meet its power requirement and surplus power could be evacuated through the narrow transmission corridor for supply to the deficit North and Western regions.

"The transmission and sub-transmission system is being strengthened by the State Government with the help of the Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) schemes, the distribution system is not being given proper attention by the states. Inadequate distribution system is a major constrain in the region," he said.

He further said that power is not reaching to the people of the states. The transmission system remains under utilised and is not able to absorb the allocated shares from central sector power stations.

The states need to take effective steps to strengthen the distribution system and reduce the losses in a phased manner. He pointed out that main reason for slippages of projects during 10th plan were delay in placement of orders for the main plant, delay in award of work and investment decisions, environment and forest clearances, lack of preparedness of projects. (NNN)

Out of those killed, ten were from Golaghat district, five from Sivasagar and two others from Jorhat. Seven of the victims were children even as 20 others are battling for life in different hospitals in those districts.

Golaghat district Joint Director of Health H Baruah informed that members of at least three families fell sick on April 1 after they had consumed mushroom collected from the wild.

Guwahati: The Assam unit of the NCP on Friday said the party is going to launch a movement soon against the 'horse trading' prevailing in most of the northeastern states.

NCP (Assam) chief spokesperson Dilip Hazarika told a news conference on Friday that the Congress in Meghalaya tried to prove their majority by indulging in 'horse trading'.

"Our party, however, foiled the attempt of Congress by keeping intact the support of the 31 MLAs of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA). We are holding a dharna on April 8 in the city and this would be one of the main agenda of the dharna," said Saikia.

He also pointed out the role of two Cabinet ministers of Assam - Rockybull Hussain and Himanta Biswa Sarma, who camped in Shillong for alleged 'horse trading'.

"I would like to quote the statements of Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, who had recently said that Hussain and Sarma offered him the chief ministership for supporting the Congress," he said, adding this kind of immoral activity would affect the spirit of democracy.

"The NCP stands for morality of politics and the party's role in the recent Meghalaya election and subsequent formation of MPA Government in the State indicates the fact.

Despite the fact that NCP has good number of seats, the party did not bargained for any important portfolio in the ministry," he said.

NCP (Assam) general secretary Akshay Rajkhowa warned the Congress against 'horse trading' and said that party is committed on the preservation of democratic values at any cost. "We would form a movement by creating public awareness over the issue," he said. (NNN)

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Tripura Police and Border Security Force raided the house of one Ramesh Sarkar on Thursday night and arrested three Bangladeshis with seven mobile phones and one PAN card.

The Bangladeshis were identified as Muhammad Kabir Hussain (35) from Jesshore, Sirajul Islam (27) from Dhaka and Syed Hussain (35) from Tangail. (PTI)

Kolkata: Even as he admitted that insurgency was still not "over" in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Friday said his State had geared up to attract investment and would have infrastructure in place in three to four years.

"Insurgency is a problem. It is not over, but is contained. Insurgents still have camps in Bangladesh and Pakistan's ISI is nurturing them. We are aware of it," Sarkar told the Merchant's Chamber of Commerce here.

The Tripura Government, he said, was strongly fighting them back.

The result of the recent State Assembly election was in favour of peace and progress and a positive verdict, he said.

Luring investors, he said physical infrastructure in the state would be put in place and investors would be able to evaluate the existing possibilities in the State. (PTI)