While Mr Muniappa said that the State government was yet to decide whether to go for a four-lane or two-lane bypass, Mr Aiyar said that this indecisiveness should be avoided.

At the NEC meeting on road development at the NEC office, Mr Muniappa and Mr Aiyar said that the Meghalaya government should have avoided confusion over the issue. While there was a decision to go in for four-lane at one point of time, there was another request from the State government to have only a two-lane bypass.

"The State government should first make up its mind before finalising the project", the Union Ministers said.

In his address Mr Aiyar favoured dialogue with Bangladesh to have better road connectivity, economic development and trade relations. Downplaying repeated queries regarding Bangladesh's readiness to accept India's proposal to open up, Mr Aiyar said that the problem could be solved through sustained diplomatic means.

"If the North-east develops rapidly, the region could be a link between India and South East Asia", he added.

A Shillong declaration on the improvement of road connectivity in North-east is scheduled to be released on Friday.

Speaking at the second Special Meeting of the North Eastern Council here on Thursday, Mr Rymbai said "the congestion in Shillong city is compounded due to plying of large volume of traffic to other NE States. So the State government had proposed to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to initially construct a two-lane bypass."

He said that for successful and early implementation of schemes under Phase-B, all works including preparation of Detailed Projects Reports should be entrusted to the State PWD. He said that a portion of NH-40 from Pynursla to Dawki, which is still a single-lane road, needed to be upgraded to double-lane on priority basis.

"In Garo Hills, the NH-51 and NH-62 which are the main lifelines of that part of the State need to be upgraded," he added.

Stating that the Sonapur portion of NH-44 in the Jaintia Hills was prone to heavy landslide during the monsoon, Mr Rymbai said, "as such this problem needs to be examined thoroughly on a priority basis to find out a permanent solution by adopting new technologies for land stabilisation, realignment or tunneling."

Earlier during the day, a dharna was staged outside the college premises by the teachers of the college with the support of the Meghalaya College Teachers' Association and the CSWO. Mawprem MLA Mr Manas Chaudhuri also took part in the dharna. 

SHILLONG: Home Minister Robert G Lyngdoh said that the State government cannot appoint anybody as official negotiator to initiate peace talks with the United People's Democratic Alliance (UPDS) as the outfit was not operating in the State.

Reacting to the request by KHNAM general secretary Erwin K Syiem Sutnga that he should be appointed as official negotiator to start discussion with the UPDS, Mr Lyngdoh told newsmen here on Thursday that if the negotiation was to take place, it had to be with the Asom government.

"The State government cannot appoint anybody as official negotiator with the UPDS as we do not recognise the outfit at all. The UPDS is operating in Asom and if they want to talk, they have to do so with the Asom government only and not with us," Mr Lyngdoh said.

Stating that the State government had received the letter from Mr Sutnga wherein he had offered to act as official negotiator, the Home Minister said that so far no discussion had been held on the matter. He also made it clear that if talks had to be held with the UPDS, it would only be on the safety of Khasi people living in the disputed areas of Block I and II.

Mr Lyngdoh also said that the efforts of anybody to bring peace was welcome, but it had to be done in a "proper manner."

He, however, refrained from commenting on the policy of the State government on the status of Block I and II.

He said that the District Congress Committee had no power to expel him from the party. The MPCC president alone can not expel him, he said adding "he can only propose the same to the MPCC Executive Committee, and if the committee finds me wrong then the MPCC has the right to take disciplinary action against me but not the DCC".

Stating that he received the expulsion order on Wednesday, the JHADC CEM further said "now I am the most happy man, I am a free man now. I don't want to work with leaders who want to use muscle power."

Informing this, CORP spokesman Gershom Hat said that the decision to withdraw the agitation followed the discussion held between leaders of the organisation with the KHADC Executive Member (Elaka Administration), Field Marshal Mawphniang and Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem Mr Armstrong Syiem here on Thursday.

"The discussion is fruitful and both the KHADC and the Acting Syiem of Hima Mylliem had agreed to our demand for immediate removal of the Syiem of Raid Marwet, Mr Daki Syiem who is guilty of several misdeeds in matters related to issuing of land documents," Mr Hat said.

Moreover, the CORP leader said that the official order for removal of the present Syiem of Raid Marwet is likely to be issued on Friday. He also lauded the KHADC and the Hima Mylliem for their concern and intervention in dealing with the issue.

SHILLONG: Senior Congress MDC in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Founder S Cajee on Thursday resigned from the post of Executive Member (Health and Environment) in an indication of new power struggle in the Council.

Informing this at a press conference here, Mr Cajee said that he had submitted his resignation letter to Mr Shylla on the same day and that similar intimation was also made to District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong.

"My decision is a mature one as I don't want to be a stumbling block to the present Executive Committee headed by Mr Shylla. I must honestly say that even though I am his friend, I have differences with his policies," Mr Cajee said.

While refusing to divulge further on his resignation, Mr Cajee said that he would do so in due course of time. He however said that he would continue to work for the welfare of the party and KHADC.

SHILLONG: Large-scale misappropriation of funds under MLA schemes amounting to several lakhs of rupees in Nongkrem constituency has been unearthed after a local NGO obtained evidence in this regard using the Right to Information (RTI). It was revealed that funds were allocated to a non-existent sports and cultural club at Mawrymphiat and Mawmuthoh village under the Nongkrem constituency.

According to papers received from Mawryngkneng Development Block through the RTI, Mawrymphiat Sports and Cultural Club received financial assistance twice under the ISYDP and IACDP schemes in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. Through the ISYPD scheme the Club received Rs 25,000 (2003-2004) and Rs 25,000 (2004-2005) while under IACPD scheme the Club received Rs 50,000 (2003-2004) and Rs 50,000 (2004-2005).

Meanwhile, the United Sports and Cultural Club of Mawmuthoh village twice received financial assistance under the ISYPD scheme in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. The Club received Rs 25,000 in 2003-2004 and Rs 25,000 in 2004-2005.

Speaking to The Shillong Times on Thursday, the one Shondra Lyngdoh Nongbri who owned a farm at Mawrymphiat village said that surprisingly the village, which did not have a single house besides his farm, had a sports and cultural club. He alleged that the MLA had taken for granted the people of the constituency by misusing the public funds for his personal gain.

Meanwhile, Sordar of Mawmuthoh Village Sorja Kharmudar informed that there were only two clubs recognised by the local Dorbar and that the Dorbar was not aware of the existence of the United Sports and Cultural Club. He further said, "The Dorbar is totally unware of the allotment of funds to the Club by the MLA."

Mr Kharmudar said that when any development project is allocated to the locality the executive committe of the Dorbar would only have to identify the site.

"But in this case the construction work is carried out without consulting the Dorbar.

It may be mentioned that there are many such non-exsistent clubs under the Nongkrem constituency to whom funds are being allocated regularly.

SHILLONG: The issue of torture of Shillong residents in Manipur has taken a new twist with NGOs and political parties decrying the assault. Earlier, the UDP had taken up the issue with more joining to condemn the incident.

The headman of Nongmynsong Mr B Khonglah has sought the intervention of Chief Minister JD Rymbai to ensure security to the Kharphuli mother-son duo, who are currently in Manipur. Mrs Merila Kharphuli and her son Michael Kharphuli, residents of Nongmynsong, were to appear before the investigating officer at Imphal on Tuesday.

During this period, the duo was allegedly dragged, physically tortured and abused and intimidated by the Imphal police and they had to be referred for medical check-up on Wednesday. Having had a love affair with a Manipuri lady from the same locality Tamtha Sana Devi, Michael had been living with her as husband and wife.

As their relationship was not approved by the girl's parents, the parents filled a compalint in a court at Imphal accusing Michael of kidnapping Tamtha Devi. Following this, the court asked the mother and son to appear before the court on February 6.

Prior to their visit to Imphal, both the mother and son were allegedly forcefully taken by Manipuri policemen, who were intercepted by Meghalaya police. On producing them before the ADM court, the mother and son were released on conditional bail.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, the headman said, "This highhandedness of the Manipur police deserves condemnation especially the torture and harassment meted out to the Mrs M Kharphuli and her son Michael." According to the headman, this incident is serious and needs to be redressed immediately before anything worse takes place.

The letter was written following request by the relatives of Mrs Merila Kharphuli and her son Michael Kharphuli.

Manwhile, the UDP Youth wing have also expressed concern over the incident and said the government should initiate an inquiry.

SHILLONG: The 80-metre-long RCC footbridge foundation stone over Tyrsung river was laid by PWD Minister Brening K Sangma on Saturday last.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, local MLA Francis Pondit Sangma stated that the footbridge if completed would better communication for more than 6,000 people inhabiting the border villages -- Moipara, Malapara, Umchek, Ranighat, Mazpara, Rongthali, Thunaguri, Madankolur, Upper Gijang, Rangsong, Dalbot, Salbari, Athiabari, Arangdonga and Malchapara.

He said that people of the area had been demanding the bridge since last 20 years but none of the previous MLAs did anything to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. Mr Sangma urged the engineers to properly supervise the works so that the project would be completed early.

He also said that he had already brought about many schemes for various villages under his constituency which include construction of new road. There is also a proposal for repair of the 39-km Mawthengkut-Hahim Road which is the main lifeline of the border constituency of West Khasi Hills.

Meanwhile, PWD Minister Brening Sangma urged the people to cooperate with the government by making proper use of the bridge and not to destroy the public asset. He lauded the local MLA for initiating many useful schemes for Mawthengkut constituency.

SHILLONG: The Director of Higher and Technical Education on Thursday night summoned the Principal, members of the management committee and teachers of St Peter's College to find out a solution to the controversy that cropped up from the termination of the ten teachers of the college.

The summon to the Director came after the teachers of the college with support of the Meghalaya College Teachers Association and the CSWO held a demonstration outside the college premises on Thursday. However, the college authorities refused to meet the demonstrating members, creating more agitation among the latter.

The college authorities also closed the main entrance to prevent the crowd to enter the college premises.

Mawprem MLA Manas Chaudhuri, who also took part in the demonstration, strongly criticised the college authorities for refusing to meet the delegation. Mr Chaudhari said that the State government should take stringent action against the college authorities. "The NEHU also should cancel the affiliation of the college to the university," he said.

A delegation submitted a memorandum to the State government in this regard.

Enough has been written about the benefits of private ownership of land as opposed to state ownership. But private ownership tends to favour the affluent at the cost of the poor. Private ownership implies that anyone with the money can buy up as much land as she or he wants. Incidentally, most of the land targeted for acquisition by the rich happens to include in the main water sources, watersheds and catchment areas which are usually secreted amidst lush green forests.

The only pioneering land reform legislation in Meghalaya happened in 1976 when the legislature put a cap on sale of land to non-tribals. The argument, then, was that non-tribals, especially the business community had no dearth of money and could afford to buy off the entire State of Meghalaya if they chose to. The most glaring indicators were Police Bazar, Jail Road, Mawprem, Laban, Laitumkhrah, Polo Ground, Umpling etc which witnessed a polarization of people of the same community, residing in close proximity. In fact one of the reasons for the communal riots of 1979 was this xenophobia that the non-tribal was rapidly appropriating what should rightfully belong to the 'children of the soil'.

So the non-tribal was kept well within control although benami transactions and surreptitious transfer of land continued well after 1976 and carries on even to this day. Please do not ask me how. Registration authorities are not exactly unaware of these transactions. Rangbah Shnong (headmen) of some localities are also in the know of these non-legal dealings. But money helps to buy acquiescence and tacit approval.

However, more than the non-tribal, now it is the rich tribal who is the ravenous land buyer and grabber as well. Hundreds of hectares of erstwhile forest land began to be acquired by individuals for mining coal and limestone. This is the only State in the country where mining laws are non-existent. It was a laissez-faire policy. So mine owners were not bound by any conditions. They could not be held responsible for polluting water bodies with sulphuric acid leaching out from coal mines. Excavation could carry on laterally or vertically through the rat hole method that allowed access to one person only at a time. Whether the mining entailed complete decimation of water aquifers was no concern of the mine owners.

In Jaintia Hills the presence of zillions of tones of both coal and limestone is threatening to become a curse. No wonder every wealthy Jaintia who has minted money from coal mining makes a beeline for Shillong as his new place of residence. At least in Shillong he is assured of sufficiently clean, potable drinking water unlike his native place where water has now turned to poison. But even such drastic results have hardly generated any learning outcomes.

Limestone mining in the Lumshnong areas of Jaintia Hills is set to scale new heights what with all the leading industrialists including an acclaimed giant cement manufacturer - Lafarge making the place their new Eldorado. Ironically, the State Government has extracted strict corporate social responsibility from these firms. Part of their agreement is to install pollution reducing mechanisms and ensure that other spin-offs accrue to the local population. Only last year when Meghalaya was dragged to the Supreme Court on a PIL filed by an NGO - Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA)- did the Government suddenly wake up to the need for a policy on mining. The policy, apparently is in the drafting stage.

In village after village, one observed a complete sense of helplessness among villagers who complain of water shortage because their catchment areas are denuded. A catchment area upstream feeds thousands of people downstream. But the owner of that catchment feels no sense of responsibility to conserve the catchment area because according to him/her logging provides immediate cash and if the timber is standing on his/her private forest who is to stop the logging? Even the Supreme Court regulation of 1996 which set a ten-year moratorium on logging and export of timber outside the State seems to have failed miserably.

A classic case is that of Mawklot village in Upper Shillong, located roughly about 12 kms from the city. Mawklot gets its water supply from a source in Sainmein on the foothills of the Shillong Peak. The sacred Shillong Peak, the abode of U Blei Shyllong (the God of Shillong) with its lush green forests used to be the catchment area for Sainmein. Today, Shillong Peak is desecrated by all kinds of activities of which lumbering is one. The peak has lost its sacrosanct character. Since the forest belongs to a particular clan, even though the area falls under the Mylliem Syiemship, the clan assert their right to do what they please with 'their own' forest. The result? Sainmein is now a dirty, dwindling water source which could dry up in a couple of years.

So what can be done in such a situation? When the villagers of Mawklot were asked if they had brought this plight to the notice of their MLA, they said they had not thought of it. But they had certainly approached the Syiem of Mylliem on several occasions with the plea that he should prevail upon the forest owners to stop logging from Lum Shyllong. They had also petitioned the PHED to fence off the source and keep it from pollution by picnickers and vagrants.

In the case of Lum Shyllong what is needed is a convergence by different stakeholders who are committed to protect this heritage site. The local MLA would, to my mind, be the prime stakeholder. So he should chair the convergence group. Other members of the stakeholder group should be the Eastern Air Command of the Air Force who draw their sustenance from the same peak. The Dorbar Shnong of Mawklot and other Dorbar in downtown Shillong who get their drinking water from the peak should also be included. Then the departments of PHE, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, the Mylliem Development Block and the Syiem of Mylliem should also be included in the convergence group. Together they should thrash out the nagging issue of deforestation of the sacred peak. Together they should resolve the issue of private ownership versus community benefits.

What needs to be underlined here is that individual good should always be subservient to the greater good of the largest number of people. The Meghalaya Catchment Areas Protection Act legislated in 1988 has never been invoked, for whatever reason. It is time that people assert their rights over common property resources. After all, if one water source dies it affects thousands of people.

Water is a crucial issue and it should become a major election agenda. Each candidate must have an action plan on (1) How he plans to improve water supply and sanitation in his constituency (2) How he intends to protect the catchment areas so that sources do not run dry (3) New and innovative techniques on water conservation such as rain water harvesting. It is useless for an MLA to talk of grandiose plans if water which is a basic necessity remains out of reach of a large majority of people.

To achieve the above goals the electorate will have to elect only those who agree to address their most pressing issues. At the moment water availability is a priority. Health and sanitation outcomes depend on the availability of water.

Whilst we were driving to the Badaling section of the Great Wall, Nancy, our guide in Beijing, had told Vijay and me that only wimps went up The Wall by cable car. Real heroes climbed up. So, two unwilling old heroes, aged 68 and 64, we looked at the steep incline in dismay, but managed to huff and puff our way up 500 steps.

When we finally stood on the fourth watchtower of this amazing structure, there was a lump in my throat — one of my lifelong dreams had come true. As fascinating as the structure is the story of how it came to be. Bits and pieces of the Wall seem to have come into being around 1000 BC, during the Chou Dynasty, to stop invading nomadic hordes from the borders.

But it was in the 3rd Century BC, when the first emperor Chin Shi Huang, having conquered all the warring states in the land and coalesced them into the vast, single unit which we now call China, that the work of the Great Wall was undertaken in earnest, to prevent marauding hordes such as the Huns, to create mayhem in his empire.

All sections of all the walls created by the previous dynasties were, at this time, consolidated into a homogeneous whole.

The Han Dynasty, which overthrew the Chin, and all the dynasties that followed, but especially the Wei, Chi and Sung, consolidated and built vast stretches of the Wall during their reigns.

But it was under the Ming, who ruled from 1368 to 1644 AD that the Wall really became a force to reckon with. The news of an incipient invasion, sighted along the borders, was relayed to Beijing by means of smoke signals from successive watchtowers — in 24 hours flat — a remarkable achievement for those times.

Mesmerised, I stood atop the Wall, the magnitude and scope of which defies human logic. It winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus stretching approximately 6,700 kilometres from the east to the west of this huge country, and was in the making for over 2,000 years!

But more than the awesome reality of the Wall, I pondered on the remarkable, not to say unique, nature of the Chinese people and their history, which, unlike the history of any other nation, revels in continuity. (By arrangement with The Times of India)

The Reserve Bank of India has, in a calibrated shift of emphasis to sustained growth and financial stability, left the interest rate structure broadly unchanged beyond a further hike in repo rate, but significantly enhanced the provisioning requirements for the banking sector for real estate, capital markets and consumer demand to contain demand pressures in the economy. Some changes in regard to NRI deposits like reduction of interest rate ceilings and limiting the size of loans against those deposits have also been announced as these flows are known to be feeding asset prices.

Notwithstanding considerable concern over the current levels of inflation and credit and monetary expansion, RBI Governor Dr Venugopala Reddy has left the bank rate and CRR unchanged at 6 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively. He said it was considered desirable to leave the reverse repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) also unchanged at 6 per cent while the repo rate would be raised by another 25 basis points to 7.50 per cent "in view of the current macroeconomic and overall monetary conditions".

Apparently, the Governor has opted more for regulatory measures than for a direct rise in costs of credit in view of the recent measures taken by Government by way of reduction in import duties on a number of commodities that have contributed to the inflationary upsurge of recent months with the wholesale prices exceeding 6 per cent, let alone the consumer price inflation which is hovering in the 7-8 per cent range. On balance, RBI takes the view that containment of inflationary pressures would be best served by a combination of fiscal, external and supply management policies complemented by ongoing implementation of monetary measures. He would also wait for the lagged effect of the measures taken by Government.

Also, the Governor has had to keep in view the forthcoming Union Budget for 2007-08 which would unfold a new fiscal policy and has accordingly outlined the monetary policy stance for the immediate period ahead as one of reinforcing the emphasis on price stability while ensuring a monetary and interest rate environment that supports export and investment demand to enable continuation of the growth momentum. A second objective in his third quarter review policy statement is ensuring credit quality and orderly conditions in financial markets conducive to macroeconomic and financial stability. RBI will announce the monetary and credit policy for 2007-08 on April 24.

RBI expects GDP growth in 2006-07 in the range of 8.5 to 9 per cent, as against his earlier estimation of 8 per cent. On inflation, it says, the objective is to bring it "as close as possible" to the stated range of 5 to 5.5 per cent at the earliest, "while continuing to pursue the medium-term goal of a ceiling on inflation at 5 per cent.

Expressing concern at the high credit growth in the real estate sector, outstanding credit card receivables, loans and advances qualifying as capital market exposure and personal loans, the governor said the data revealed also higher default rates in regard to credit card receivables and personal loans. Therefore, the provisioning requirement in these categories of loans and advances (excluding residential housing loans) is being raised to two per cent from the present one per cent. For residential housing loans, it would remain unchanged at 0.4 per cent for loans up to Rs.20 lakh and at one per cent for loans in excess of Rs.20 lakh. The risk weight for banks' exposure to NBFCs has also been increased to 125 per cent from 100 per cent.

Reporting a large growth in advances granted against NRI external rupee and foreign currency account deposits which could be contributing to upward pressure on asset prices, RBI has decided to reduce the interest rate ceilings on NR(E)RA and FCNR(B) deposits by 50 basis points and 25 basis points, respectively. Pending a review of the extent of large advances to high net worth individuals, banks are being prohibited from granting fresh loans in excess of Rs. 20 lakh against these deposits either to depositors or to third parties. The policy incentive structure for external investment, RBI points out, is favourable to real estate and the capital market, leading to sizeable inflows and rising asset prices.

In a review of macroeconomic and monetary developments during 2006-07, RBI said monetary and credit expansion at 20.4 per cent and 31 per cent was way ahead of the projected range in the annual policy statement. There were continuing signs of aggregate demand firming up as reflected in double digit growth in production of consumer durables, rising credit and growing trade deficit. Prices of primary food articles and manufactured products have been driving up inflation and infrastructural bottlenecks were becoming tighter and binding. In this setting, RBI said, the monetary policy had to make policy response with appropriate tightening of accommodation in assuaging demand pressures and also to ensure that high credit growth did not lead to erosion in quality of credit.

At the same time, the Governor said the signs of overheating could be "transitional in nature". He referred to evidence of substantial investment taking place, accompanied by overall productivity increases which should add to potential output. Furthermore, the data indicate an upward shift in gross domestic saving and investment rates which could provide the underpinnings for a higher level of the structural component of growth. "Hence, the policy challenge is to manage the transition to a higher growth path while containing inflationary pressures so that potential output and productivity are firmly entrenched in order to sustain growth at the current level with the potential for further acceleration," Dr. Reddy added. (IPA Service)

Sir,

We don't need no education, we don't need no self-control. I guess this song by Pink Floyd is well known among the youths. And yes, it is not just famous but very relevant in the institution I studied in two years ago, viz., St. Peter's College. I am now studying in Bangalore doing my Management courses and I happen to be here in my hometown for holidays. When the news of the termination of services of ten teachers of the college was published in the newspapers, I was taken aback and was reminded of this so-called famous institution which initially gave me the picture of a very well-established college, which I was told would offer a lot of co-curricular activities plus an opportunity to study abroad.

Now, as I continue to read the articles by different individuals on this college, I feel tempted to write too on the bitter experiences I have had in the institution for three years. I feel the need to write because, if this is what an institution is doing to the teachers, the plight of the students is no less pitiable. This state of affairs must be brought to an end before the students become robot-like and are controlled by the whims and fancies of the principal and the vice-principal.

I would like to let the public know and more importantly, the students that we need to voice out such tyranny, which is totally frightening and unwelcome. It is an institution, which does not provide us any co-curricular activities. I remember the bitter experience that we as third-year students had with the principal, when we had gone to seek his permission for having a college week (as the other normal colleges do). On agreeing, we went ahead with the preparations, jotting down names of the activities, participants, fixtures for different sports - indoor and outdoor, banners, and sought help from our teachers as we were all eager to make it successful. But on seeing our enthusiasm, and the unity amongst the students and teachers, I guess the principal and vice-principal felt threatened (because we were told that forming any kind of unions or groups was against the rules), and immediately gave orders to drop the whole idea of any college week. That was the time when we all questioned the principal, but we being students were not given a chance to explain and the teachers were helpless. We therefore in a silent rage tore down all the banners and the notices. The college week never happened.

If we had any problem, we were told to come individually and confidentially not letting anyone know about our meeting with the principal or vice-principal. I just fail to understand the wretched rules imposed on us. Another grievance among legions was that, we didn't have any off-periods or breaks because we lacked a campus or a playground where we could spend our time getting to know our own classmates.

As a past-pupil of St. Peter's College, I can say with assurance that we were controlled in all unnecessary matters, our minds were set only on books which made us dull and inactive. But thanks goes to our teachers, who made our classes lively and interesting. I still respect them and would always continue to. I would like appeal to all the students in other private and renowned colleges to raise their voice against such an institution, which runs without any proper management and rules. I would like to call upon the NEHU authorities, student unions, NGOs, Government, and citizens concerned, especially the youths to support these teachers. We would all sing in unison with Pink Floyd, We don't need no education, we don't need no self-control…leave the kids alone!

Yours etc.,
Past pupil,
St. Peter's College.
Via e-mail

Official reports said about 90 per cent polling was reported from Thoubal and between 85 and 95 per cent from Senapati and Ukhrul disricts. The reports said polling to 19 of the 60 assembly constituencies in the state was by and large peaceful save for minor incidents of clashes between poll workers and attempts to snatch electronic voting machines in Thoubal and Ukhrul districts.

Reports said unidentified gunmen ambushed security personnel accompanying poll personnel in a vehicle at Leirongthel in Thoubal district and attempted to snatch an EVM but were unsuccessful. No one was injured though the vehicle was damaged. Some persons unsuccessfully tried to snatch an EVM at Phungyar in Ukhrul constituency.

A Congress worker was injured in a clash with supporters of the Manipur People's Party at Khangabok constituency in Thoubal district. Reports said some polling stations, including Karong in Senapati district and Mahadeb area in Ukhrul district, registered over 90 per cent voting at 3 pm, half an hour before the end of polling. The reports said 99 per cent votes were cast at a polling station in Karong constituency, while 95 per cent votes were cast at Wunghon polling station in Ukhrul constituency.

Talking to newspersons, Deputy Chief Election Commissioner J P Prasad said polling was by and large peaceful barring some stray incidents of violence in three polling stations in Ukhrul district and one in Senapati district.

He said in all there will be just six booths where there will be repolling of which four are due to disturbances and two because of malfunctioning of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) against 34 booths for the same constituencies during the previous assembly elections.

While, the Congress had fielded nominees in all the 19 seats, the Manipur People's Party was fighting it out in eight, the NCP and the RJD in five each, the CPI in four, the LJSP in three, the Manipur State Congress Party and the SP in two each and NNP and NPP one each.

Prominent among those, whose fate would be decided in this phase, are Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who will contest from Thoubal and Heirok seats, and Speaker Md Maniruddin Shaik (Congress), who will try to retain Lilong against Md Allauddin of NCP and Md Helaluddin Khan of the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Manipur would go to the second phase elections on February 14 and third phase on february 23. In five polling stations --one in Senapati district and four in Ukhrul district-- people boycotted the poll. A feature during the poll is the deployment of new EVMs where time will be blocked at the time of start, during the casting of each individual voters and at the closing time. (Agencies)

''ULFA is not the only militant group active in the state, there are other groups too. So there is no question of taking any chance as far as Games security is concerned, '' said a senior official in the National Games Secretariat here.

The Army has been asked to keep vigil along the periphery of Guwahati to foil possible penetration bid by the ultras into the city during the Games commencing here tomorrow.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will kick off the event in a colourful opening ceremony tomorrow afternoon at the main stadium named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

A senior police official informed that though the Army wouldn't be deployed in and around any of the National Games venues here, the men in olive would be busy keeping round the clock vigil just outside the state's capital city.

The players and officials coming from outside to take part in the event had been asked to move in groups for security reasons. (UNI)

Representatives of over 40 women's organisations from the states of Meghalaya, Asom, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim had a meeting in Guwahati under the aegis of Women Power Connect (WPC). The two-day meeting held recently prepared a memorandum in support of the demand, Dr Ranjana Kumari, President of the WPC said.

WPC is a national group of women's organizations that lobbies for legislative coordination for the benefit of women. The women organisations also demanded for implementation of the Domestic Violence Act 2005, passge of the Women's Reservation Bill, Gender-just Budgets, passage of the Sexual Harassment Bill and solution to declining Girl child sex ratio.

The WPC, which submitted a memorandum to Asom Chief Minister, Tarnu Gogoi, would hold similar meetings in Shillong and other state capitals and towns of the region to press for its demands, Dr Kumari said.

Police said suspected National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT-BM) insurgents opened fire on CPM MLA from Asharambari Sachindra Debbarma at East Takchhaiya village under Khowai subdivision in West Tripura district on Wednesday afternoon. A fierce gunfight took place between the Tripura State Rifles and the militants, police said.

The MLA was holding a public meeting at around 1 pm on Wednesday when the militants opened fire at him from a nearby hilltop.

As the field where the meeting was going on was surrounded by huts the flying bullets failed to reach the spot and hit the targets, police said. Nobody was hurt in the firing. The insurgents managed to escape. Security forces launched a massive combing operation in the area, police said.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested three hardcore NLFT militants from GB Market on Wednesday. They were wanted in several insurgency-related cases. An amount of Rs 19,000 was recovered from them.

"All the three insurgents identified as Ratanjoy Tripura, Saidul Singh Aslam and Alkajoy Aslam were arrested," said Dy. SP (Central) BK Nag on Thursday.

A decision to this effect was made during a meeting held between government representatives led by acting chief minister Tawnluia and FMGEW leaders on Wednesday. FMGEW leaders said that state chief Zoramthanga, who also hold finance portfolio, now in Delhi had been consulted by Tawnluia on phone. The government employees called off the proposed two-day mass casual leave beginning from today after the decision. (PTI)

Guwahati: Railway operation between Guwahati and Rangiya was suspended till February 10, following report of a possible bomb planted in the track. Following a tip-off on Wednesday night, the NF Railway officials suspended railway operation.

Trains coming to Guwahati were stopped at Rangiya and the passengers were sent by bus, specially the athletes coming to the National Games. Thursday morning all long distance trains have left via south bank.

The Railway service will not be affected as the south bank line provides an alternative railway track. Meanwhile, the security forces have been trying to verify the veracity of the tip off and sniffer dogs have been used. (UNI)

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang said the solution to the flood problems in Asom and Bangladesh lies in Arunachal.

Interacting with a team of water resources specialists from Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Kenichi Yokoyama here on Wednesday, Mr Apang said the silting in the plains of Asom and Bangladesh are caused by soil erosion in Arunachal and the solution lies in addressing erosion and flood problems of the state. Mr Apang said the solution would revive the vast greenery of the areas.

Highlighting the difficulties in addressing floods in different locations of the state, Mr Apang said the Brahmaputra Board created to address the chronic problems of the region had failed miserably for its inability to understand the crux of the problems.

Assuring full cooperation and support of his government, he urged the team to take up project in the State, which in turn would help solve the problems of the North East.

Anticipating that the Centre would cooperate in the endeavour, Mr Apang said the Prime Minister has declared that foreign direct investment would be at 90:10 (ADB 90 per cent and the Centre ten per cent) to enable fund-poor states like Arunachal to come at par with other developed states.

Water erosion is a very serious problem and requires a very sound management system, Mr Yokoyama said adding that the team has noted all-important factors of erosion during its visit to different parts of the state. The project proposals would be prepared in July and handed over by year-end for final consideration, he informed.

Highlighting flash floods problems, state's Water Resources Minister Tako Dabi said ADB's help would facilitate in solving the flood and erosion problems and directed his officials to prepare realistic proposals, sources added. (UNI)