Read to know the latest news updates on all the states of Northeast India.
MANIPUR: Catch big fish: Supreme Court directs ED as it protects Former CM from arrest
On Wednesday , the Supreme Court, in sparing former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh from arrest in an accused money laundering case, directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to catch the “big fish.”
“You capture the big fish,” a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana observed. Singh, who is currently the Leader of Opposition in the Manipur assembly, is “simply a tiny opposition member of legislative assembly (MLA) of a state.”
The bench, which also included Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli, dismissed ED’s appeal against a Manipur high court ruling granted Singh anticipatory bail on December 16, 2020.
NAGALAND: CM Rio Inaguarates Export Facilitaiton Cell
In the presence of IIFT vice-chancellor Dr Manoj Pant, state chief minister Neiphiu Rio launched the ‘Export Facilitation Cell’ of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) with the help of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Capital Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Rio said, “the centre marked a new beginning in the import and export industry for not only Nagaland, but the entire North-eastern States. The fundamental goal of establishing the Export Facilitation Cell.”
He added, was to encourage and support existing and new businesses by establishing a well-organized business framework.
He said that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a growing recognition that even a small state like Nagaland can achieve self-sufficiency.
“In response to this demand, the State government created the Naga model of agriculture and allied industries in a confined region in order to expand agriculture and increase output,” he added.
ARUNACHAL PRADESH: Three NSCN (K-YA) operatives killed by security personnel; Village Chief, Ex-ASM rescued
On Monday morning, security personnel killed three suspected NSCN (K-YA) operatives during an operation in the jungle between Kaimoi and Khogla villages in Longding district.
According to police authorities, the operation was carried out by the 6th Assam Rifles (AR).
Police reports also held that alleged NSCN (K-YA) militants kidnapped Laho village leader Ranwang Lowang and ex-ASM Sunwang Hakhun on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Longding is bordered by Laho village, which is located in the Tirap district.
“It is said that one Johny Sumnyan, ex-revenue secretary of the NSCN (K), is due to pay Rs 7 lakhs to the organization. The operatives abducted Lowang and Hakhun to get their due ransom amount of Rs 7 lakhs from the villagers before 20 November,” the police said.
The militants were apprehended in the jungle by the 6th AR jawans around 8 a.m. on Monday.
According to the Police, three NSCN (K-YA) operatives were killed in the encounter, and one AR jawan sustained a hand injury.
The militants’ remains were eventually sent to the CHC for autopsy.
Meanwhile, Tirap SP Kardak Riba informed that the Tirap police leapt into action as soon as they learned of the kidnapping.
The SP held that the Tirap police were eventually able to establish contact with both the victims through technology and human intelligence inputs.
According to the SP, the Tirap police later retrieved Sunwang Hakhun from the Tissa river’s eastern bank, while another team recovered Laho village chief Ranwang Lowang from the jungle west of Laho village.
SP Riba held that after establishing touch with both of them, the villagers and Tirap police directed both of the victims to a specific area.
ASSAM: State’s young boy embeds his name in the India Book of Records
A 5-year-old boy from the state has made it to the ‘India Book of Records 2021’ for singing 7 National Anthems of 7 countries, in 5 minutes.
India Book of Records 2021 granted him the title, “Maximum Countries’ National Anthem sung by a kid in five minutes.”
As mentioned in the certificate, the 5-year-old broke the record at the age of 4 years, 11 months, and 5 days as confirmed on October 16, 2021. He recently turned 5 on November 11.
Priyam Sarmah of Gogamukh, Assam is a student of LKG in Gogamukh Gyan Jyoti Academy
He can sing the national anthems of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Japan, Sri Lanka, England, and America.
MEGHALAYA: Chennai Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee leaves to assume post in Meghalaya
Madras High Court Chief Justice, Sanjib Banerjee left for Meghalaya on Wednesday, November 17, to assume charge as the Chief Justice of the North-Eastern state.
The central government had issued a transferring notification on Monday, November 15.
The notice was on transferring the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court to Meghalaya.
The Supreme Court collegium had on September 16 recommended his transfer to the state.
As per reports of The Shillong Times, the advocate associations and 31 designated councils of the Madras High court had sent petitions to the Supreme Court collegium that Justice Sanjib Banerjee had joined the Madras High Court only on January 4, 2021 and that he had served only for ten months.
Justice Sanjib Banerjee did his law course at the University of Calcutta and got enrolled as an advocate on November 21, 1990.
He was a practicing advocacy at Calcutta High Court and Supreme Court of India and also appeared in several tribunals.
MIZORAM: Mizo government to implement pension scheme for Journalist in the state
Mizoram minister Lalruatkima on November 16 on the occasion of National Press Day said that efforts are being made to implement a pension scheme for journalist in the state.
While addressing National Press Day in Aizawl which was organised by Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA) state Information and Public Relations minister Lalruatkima said that priority is being given to the welfare of journalist as they are the pillar of democracy by the Mizo government.
He said, “efforts are being made to provide pensions to journalists. The pension scheme is under study by a study group constituted specially for the purpose”.
The measures taken couldn’t make any progress due to Covid-19 outbreak, the minister said.
He also expressed his regret delaying to set up a press conclave for MJA members due to COVID-19.
Highlighting the importance of journalists, he said that they are the sources of information and urged everyone to remember that they are ears to the public.
Journalist are the fourth pillar of democracy and that they play a vital role in democracy by moulding and correcting the government, he said.
Highlighting the influence of media over general public, he urged the media persons and houses to refrain from publishing any inauthentic or biased reports which may have the tendency to mislead the public. He also urged them to follow journalistic ethics and try not to misuse freedom of press.
He encouraged the journalist to work harder in order to compete with the growing influence of social media.
SIKKIM: CM P. S. Golay launches pre-paid energy meter in Sikkim
According to a CMO release, CM P S Golay inaugurated pre-paid energy meter at his official residence Mintokgang.
The meters are going to be installed in all residential and commercial establishments with free of cost according to the implementation of the Government of India’s integrated Power Development Scheme.
The Chief Minister emphasised in his speech that these metres will solve the issue of electricity waste and misuse while also being financially viable for the State government in terms of revenue.
Consumers can recharge these metres online or using vouchers offered at the State Bank of Sikkim, and they will be placed in phases throughout Sikkim. As needed, recharge vouchers would be available in amounts ranging from Rs.200 to Rs.30,000.
During odd hours and holidays, emergency credit and friendly credit services ensure that the electricity supply is not disrupted. Consumers can download the SAHAJ Liberty app to their mobile devices to register their meters, obtain all the information they need, and recharge their meters, according to the release.
M.N. Sherpa, the power minister, was in present, as were the secretary, principal chief engineers, chief engineer, addl. chief engineer, and other officials from the Power Department.
TRIPURA: Tripura reduces tax on Aviation Fuel from 16% to 1%
In anticipation of increased air traffic at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Agartala, once it receives international airport status, the Tripura Cabinet has resolved to lower the percentage of Value-Added Tax (VAT) levied on Aviation Turbine Fuel from 16 per cent to 1 per cent.
Sushanta Chowdhury, the minister of information and cultural affairs informed that, as building work nears completion, it is envisaged that the airport would be granted international airport status.
He further informed that with the withdrawal of the state’s portion of VAT on ATF, the Tripura government will face an annual loss of Rs 1.67 crore.
Previously, the government’s tax revenue was Rs 1.78 crore each year, he noted.
Currently, West Bengal charges 25% VAT, whereas Assam charges 23.65%,” he noted, presenting a detailed comparison with neighbouring states.
“We anticipate an increase in the number of flights landing at MBB airport as a result of this action,” he said. “The ATF was subject to an 18% tax during the previous administration. The BJP-led administration decreased the state’s contribution of tax by 2% in November 2018, bringing it down to 16%. In light of the current scenario, further reductions are being made now, Sushanta added.
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