Monday, September 21, 2009

Another shocker from Manipur

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Manipur Police commando team had on September 14 picked up green activist Jiten Yumnam from the Imphal airport before he could board a flight to Delhi en route to Bangkok to attend a UN meet on climate change.

A day later, he had to undergo treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Imphal. The medical report, accessed by HT, makes it apparent Yumnan was tortured in custody.

“General weakness – 1 day, pain private parts after electric shock,” reads the report.

Yumnam and the others were booked under the Official Secrets Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They were scheduled to be produced before the court on 29 September.

Yumnam was one of the eight members of the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation that had been upping the ante against the Okram Ibobi Singh government after a series of “fake encounters”.

He also happens to be one of the strongest voices against the controversial Tipaimukh Dam that Bangladesh is also opposed to.

Environmentalists have been opposing construction of the 1500 MW Tipaimukh hydro-electric project on Barak and Tuivai rivers saying it would displace tens of thousands of villagers and submerge agricultural and forest land.

“Yumnam has been motivating youth to engage in constructive dialogues with governments in the backdrop of development aggression and extreme forms of militarisation... (in) Northeast,” said a spokesperson of Asia-Pacific Indigenous Youth Network.

Kohima-based environment rights activist Mmhonlümo Kikon said the police were waiting for Yumnam to move out of Imphal so that they could legitimise arrest and imply he was trying to flee.
SSP Imphal West district L Kailun told HT, “I’ve not seen the medical report.If such a thing has occurred, I will definitely look into it...”.

No rift in the party over CM post: Arunachal Congress

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runachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and PCC chief Nabam Tuki on Sunday denied a media report of rift over CM's post within the ruling Congress.

"In the recent Lok Sabha elections and panchayat polls, we worked together and helped the party win hands down and have been working like brothers to secure a big victory in the assembly polls due next month," the leaders told reporters in a joint press conference.

A recent newspaper report had claimed that the ruling Congress in Arunachal Pradesh was divided over the chief ministers post, with incumbent Dorjee Khandu and PCC president Nabam Tuki reportedly trying to outdo each other.

The two leaders described the report as 'baseless'. Tuki said the Congress, under the dynamic leadership of Khandu, had won elections after elections in the state.

National identity cards by 2010-11: Chidambaram

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he proposed unique multi-purpose national identity cards would be issued to all citizens by 2010-2011, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said here on Monday.

In the first phase this year, 1.2 crore people in about 3,331 coastal villages and cities would receive the cards, he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The card will be given to 110 crore people by 2010-2011.

Government has set up a Unique Identification Authority of India to implement the project aimed at obviating the need for multiple proofs of identity for citizens while availing any government service or for personal needs like opening bank accounts or seeking telephone connections.

Earlier, addressing the function to flag off the Chennai-Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) Duronto Express, Chidambaram said the government was keen on and committed to working for the development of the nation and the people.

"The government would also see to it that this development is shared equally among the people", he said.

Welcoming the launch of non-stop train, he announced that the frequency of the train would be increased to twice a week.

Southern Railway General Manager M S Jayanth said the train would have new design AC composite coach consisting of 24 AC 2-Tier berths and 40 AC 3-Tier berths, as an economy AC class.

He said the train will cover 2,177 km in 27 hours and 55 minutes compared to 28 hours and ten minutes by Rajdhani Express.

Keralites in Northeast celebrate Onam

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nam Festival, as we know, is celebrated in the beginning of the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kolla Varsham) called Chingam. In South India, this festival was celebrated on 2nd September. Nevertheless, the Keralites of Shillong decided to celebrate it today. Organized by Kalakairaly, an organization upholding the welfare of Malayalese in Meghalaya, Onam celebration saw more than a thousand men, women and children participating. Along with Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh as guest of honor, the governor of Meghalaya RS Mooshahary graced the auspicious occasion as chief guest. He was accompanied by his wife and mother-in-law. For students, this is also a day to remember as the meritorious were given awards for encouragement. Onam without King Mahabali, is unthinkable. On this occasion, RS Mooshahary pleased everyone with his speech in Malayalam. He said, “Onam is a celebration of food, art, culture, the festivity of unity, one creed and one God. The significance of Onam is the happiness of the people at the end of a bountiful harvest. Most Malayalese go to their native place during Onam. Some do not get the opportunity to celebrate the festival with grandeur. This Onam in Shillong was to bring community members together. Meanwhile, Over 600 families belonging to the Malayali community residing in Dimapur on Sunday celebrated Onam festival. The Malayali community residing in Nagaland has lots of contribution to the Naga society, either in the field of education or serving the government in various capacities, which has also been acknowledged by the Naga community. The celebration of Onam is held every year under the aegis of Kerala Samajam, Dimapur. With traditional `rangoli’ or `pookalam’ and sumptuous food with the authentic ethnic flavour, the members of Kerala Samajam not only enjoyed the ambience, but also celebrated the occasion with an equal number of invitees from a cross section of other communities and dignitaries. Cultural items were presented by the members of the Malayali community.

Zeme Nagas warn govt. against infringement of their land in NC Hills

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he surrender of DHD militants in NC Hills recently with a view to end violence and start negotiations with the Government of India might be seen as a welcome step by the citizens of NC Hills, but the Zeme Nagas residing in the district are not very happy with the government of India’s decision. The Zeme Nagas have cautioned the Centre and the Assam government that any infringement upon their ancestral land at NC Hills arising out of the talks with DHD militants would simply mean inviting a direct confrontation from the Zeme Nagas. Although the Zeme Council of Northeast India welcomed the positive step of the Centre to bring the DHD militants of both groups to the negotiating table to bring peace in NC Hills, the Zeme nagas said that they are unhappy as the Centre has not invited them to know about their problems. Talking to NETV, President of Zeme Council of Northeast India said that the Zeme Nagas have suffered a lot at the hands of the Dimasa militants as well as the Indian Army, whom they alleged were working hand in glove with the militants and targeting the Zeme Nagas in the North Cachar hills. G H Newmai, vice president of Zeme Council said that the Dimasas want to change the nomenclature of NC Hills and rename it as Dima Halom Razi, which is not acceptable to the Zemes. He also said that they would not allow even an inch of their land to be taken away. Raito Elu, another Vice President of Zeme Council alleged that the militant groups have also blocked several government schemes. The Council further fumed that officials from Assam visited the Zeme villages and asked the Zeme Nagas whether they want to stay in Assam or in Nagaland, The Zeme body also blamed the centre for turning a blind eye on the ongoing violence at NC Hills and failing to protect the minorities from the bloodbath carried out by the DHD militants.

Poverty forcing poor to turn to Maoists: Maoist Commander

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he announcement by both Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and home Minister P Chidambaram that Maoists are the greatest threat to the nation is an indication of how the Maoists menace has taken shape today. While the government terms them as terrorists, they love to call them as the protector of the poor. The Communist Party of India (Maoists) or Maoists as they are commonly known have been giving the security agencies sleepless nights these days. Be it in Lalgarh or Orissa or Jharkhand or Andhra Pradesh or Maharashtra, everywhere, the Maoists are unleashing reins of terror by triggering blasts or attacking police stations. The Maoists are basically based in the rural hinterland where there is no development. According to the Maoists, poverty is forcing the poor to turn to Maoists. According to them, until government becomes pro-poor they will continue their fight against the state. The commander claimed that Maoists are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers and in turn the rural people give their support to the cause of rebels. Maoist insurgency began in the late 1960s and so far thousands of people have been killed. Their influence is on the rise especially in rural areas of east, central and southern India. Recently Prime Minister Manmohan Singh identified Maoists or Left-wing extremism as the greatest threat to the nation’s internal security. However, the Maoists said that rebels who have been denied their basic rights are taking them by force. He accused the Indian security forces for carrying atrocities against the 'poor' and 'helpless' people. Maoists force poor people to join their ranks and train them in carrying out hit-and-run attacks. They even try to carry it forward as a family tradition by teaching their children the same tactics. Look at this nine-year old child, who was rescued recently by the police while he was trying to elope from his home in Jharkhand for New Delhi, the Indian national capital. Shahzad is the son of a Maoist as well as the nephew of a Maoist commando. They used to teach him tactics of using arms and ammunitions and parade him among the Maoists. The boy claimed that he would never wish to be like his uncle and even his father as they ended up being rounded up by the police. Struck by that tragedy, he now refuses to return to his home. Getting ready for launching a decisive battle against the Left-wing extremists across eight major states after the monsoon, the government had declared CPI (Maoist) as a terrorist outfit. The ban came in the wake of rising violence unleashed by the Maoists across the eastern and central region as was recently witnessed in Lalgarh where extremists had virtually taken control of the villages.

Crisis cripples opposition camp in Assam

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risis after crisis seem to have crippled the opposition camp on Assam’s political front. AGP is in deep crisis. A few top leaders has already left the party. Several others are preparing to follow the suit. AUDF leadership are inching closer to Congress. This is gradually clearing the decks for Congress to retain power in Dispur. The Opposition parties arte gearing up for the next assembly polls. But have yet to chalk out a set of clear cut policies to put up a good show. Internal bickerings in AGP and a possible Congress-AUDF alliance have made the things congenial for the ruling Congress to retain Dispur. More trouble awaits AGP after its strongman Israil Nanda came out of the party and Prabin Boro is preparing to join the Congress-BPF alliance. In yet another blow, Barak valley AGP leader Sahidul Alom Chaudhury who is known to be a close associate of former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is preparing to join AUDF. These have worried the AGP leadership at a time it is formulating a set of strategies to come back to power with the help former Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and his acolytes. The AUDF leaders are gradually clearing the decks for forging a poll pact with the ruling Congress. These are more or less a clear indications of how the Opposition camp are losing its strength in the political scenario in Assam.

Manipur police in trouble, arrested environmentalist’s family alleges third degree torture in custody

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lready in the dock over the July 23 Fake Killing issue, the Manipur police found itself in the midst of another storm. This time, the family of an environment activist presently in police custody has alleged that third degree torture has been meted out on the arrested man. While the state police is trying hard to contain the prolonged public agitations as a fall out of the July 23 incident, the approach of the state police is being met with strong criticism from various sections. As a part of police crackdown, Yumnam Jiten, a national environment activist was arrested on September 14 from the Tulihal Airport while he was on his way to Bangkok to attend a United Nation’s sponsored Framework Convention on Climatic Change to be held from September 28 to October 9. The arrest has created a matter of perplexity. Meanwhile, the family of Jiten alleged that severe torture has been carried out on him in police custody. According to them, he had to be admitted to JN Hospital after he was given electric shock at his private parts. The family maintains that Jiten has no connection with any anti-social elements. Jiten’s wife also expressed apprehensions that using of electric shock could bring unwanted consequences in future and might deform her husband mentally as well as physically. Though the police reportedly claim to have recovered a box containing CDs from his possession, the family members maintained that the box was recovered by police from the AMUCO’s office. Jiten is a member of the Citizen’s Concern for Dams and has been at the forefront of various activities of CCD. However, despite repeated attempts, DGP Y Joykumar could not be contacted. It may be mentioned that the after the July 23 incident and series of agitations by various bodies, the police are trying to contain the situation by unleashing a crack down on the leaders of the ongoing agitations. Many leaders of ‘Apunba Lup’ have been arrested and detained under NSA for seeking the removal of the chief minister.

IAF converting Nyoma ALG into full-fledged transport airbase

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ith the first successful landing of an AN-32 at Nyoma airstrip in eastern Ladakh, the IAF is all set to convert the Advanced Landing Ground into a full-fledged airbase for fixed wing transport aircraft in the next couple of years. The work on converting the Nyoma airstrip, just 23 km from Line of Actual Control with China, into an airbase, where the AN-32s can be based and operated, had already begun, IAF officials said here Sunday. The ALG already operates helicopters from Nyoma, which is the third such ALG to come up in Ladakh region after Daulat Beg Oldi in northern Ladakh and Fuk Che in eastern Ladakh. Once the Nyoma airbase comes up, it will be the first operational transport airbase of the IAF in eastern Ladakh. The IAF already has an airbase in Leh, which can operate all types of aircraft -- fighters, heavy lift and medium lift transport, apart from rotary wing. One more airstrip at Chushul is in the offing, though work on laying the compacted runway there is yet to begin. Chushul, incidentally is closer to the Pongang Tso lake in eastern Ladakh. India controls only one-third of the lake, while the rest is under Chinese control. Apart from the new ALGs in Ladakh along the Chinese border, the government is also reviving around 20 helipads along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. But these helipads are coming up with help from the Home Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry and the state government, apart from the Defence Ministry.

Army terms troops movement to China border as routine exercise

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hile admitting the movement of troops to the China border in ARunachal Pradesh, the army has however termed it as a routine exercise done before the winter. NETV aired a news item last week on the movement of troops to the China border in Arunachal Pradesh following escalating tension in the border. The news report stated that a platoon of UTBP jawans, divided in two groups were sent from Chirang and Bongaigaon to Arunachal Pradesh for deployment in various posts along the China border. On Sunday, several army trucks were seen at the Guwahati railway station understood to be sent for the forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Army has however denied they were deploying extra soldiers in the forward posts. According to them, the troop movement is part of "Operation Alert", a winter exercise that sees soldiers move into inhospitable border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast ahead of the bitter weather conditions that make the roads impassable due to heavy snowfall. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu too denied any extra troops movement in the sate. The border deployment comes amid persistent reports of Chinese incursions and Beijing's opposition to the visit of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. China has denied any incursions by its army into India. And Indian officials say the number of border breaches has shown no dramatic increase to warrant undue worries. India has said that the Dalai Lama is free to travel to any part of the country. The Tibetan spiritual leader has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959 after a failed revolt against Communist rule. It is through Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh that the Dalai Lama entered India. India and China fought a border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into Arunachal Pradesh and inflicting heavy casualties on poorly armed Indian troops. After 1962, tensions flared again in 1986 with Indian and Chinese forces clashing in Sumdorong Chu valley of Arunachal Pradesh. Chinese troops reportedly built a helipad in the valley leading to the fresh skirmishes.

Govt launches border development program

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mid reports of repeated border violations by neighbouring countries, the Centre has launched an ambitious frontier area development programme in 17 states having land border with foreign nations, including China. The Border Area Development Programme has been launched early this fiscal in the border blocks through the state governments. The objectives of BADP is to meet the special development needs of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border. The project also aims at saturating the border areas with basic essential infrastructure through the convergence of Central or State governments schemes or BADP and through participatory approach. The guidelines of the BADP have been revised in February in consultation with the state governments. As per the revised guidelines, the state governments concerned will arrange the utilisation of the BADP funds only in those villages of the border blocks which are located "within 0-10 km" of the international border. The villages located nearer to international border will get first priority. After saturating these villages with basic infrastructure, the next set of villages located within 0-15 km and 0-20 km would be taken up. If the first village in a block is located at a faraway location from the international border, the first village or hamlet in the block may be taken as "0" km distance village for drawing the priority list. The revised guidelines of the BADP have come into force with effect from 2009-10 for compliance by the state government concerned. The convergence of BADP with other state or central plan schemes has activated the process of development.

Heavy exchange of firing between poachers-forest guards at Kaziranga National Park

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oachers at the Kaziranga National Park have managed to flee from the spot of a heavy gun battle on Sunday a day after the national park lost a rhino along with a tiger and an elephant. Heavy gun battle between poachers and forest guards rocked the Kaziranga National Park on Sunday. According to information, the encounter took place at Bagsai hill where the poachers were hiding after killing rhino near the forest office of the park. Forest guards were launching an operation against the poachers on Saturday night which resulted in the fierce fight. But the poachers managed to escape. The incident took place a day after the forest officer feared such an incident. An elephant, a rhino and a tiger were found dead on Saturday. The cause of the panther’s death has yet to be ascertained. But the death of the rhino and the elephant were a case of poaching. The forest gaurds had inputs that the poachers behind the killing of the rhino on Saturday beside the Burhapahar forest office were hiding at Bagsai hill. Acting on these tip off, forest security guards were launching an operation where the heavy gun battle took place. After two incidents of firing on Saturday evening at Mensang Majgaon and at Amguri Sang forest security gaurds have recovered five empty cartages and a torch light. Deployment of untrained forest guards and old arms were blamed for this failed encounters inside the national park on Saturday. It may be noted that the ranger office at Burhaparar has been running altogether 23 camps with 23 forest workers armed with 60 guns, mostly, old. This is how, the authorities have been failing to deal with the increasing incidents of poachings at Kaziranga.

Contaminated foods flooding Assam markets as government watches

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espite more and more teeth against the dishonest businessmen, adulterated commodities are still flooding in the market. A circle of businessmen aided and abetted by a section of food and civil supply department and police officers are repackaging some commodities even after the expiry of the date. But the authorities are still in deep sleep. Death due to consumption of adulterated food continues to hit media headline these days. What is the source of these foods in question? How these are adulterated? NETV has some startling revelations as it tried to crack the mystery. This is the goodwon owned by one Mittal at Betkuchi area in Guwahati. A huge consignment of ghee, sugar is rushed to the various places from this godown. A truck bearing No WB76653 was seen remaining stranded in front of the godown on Saturday evening. What was loaded in the truck? The truck was loaded with ghee packets manufactured by Ruchi Co. whose period had already expired. The truck had approximately 1000 bags of ghee of manufactured by Hindustan Lever branded as Ruchi whose date has already expired. The truck was to leave for Haldia from Guwahati. According to the truck owner, these ghee packets would be carried by the truck. But the question is why are these being rushed to Haldia spending lakhs of rupees? Why these ghee packets were not disposed off in Guwahati? These are what that is going on without the notice of the heavily manned food and civil supply department. Disclosures made by the security guards have made the things more mysterious. The involvement of police and supply department officers in this deal of adulterated ghee is no longer a secret. The entire circle has a nefarious plan to repackage these ghee packets at an undisclosed location in the outskirt of Guwahati before being released to the market. It’s a small and simple example of how adulterated commodities are flooding in the market. But will the authorities wake up from the deep sleep?

Nagaland's first Swine Flu case

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ohima, Sep 20 : The first case of Influenza ‘A’ (H1N1) better known as Swine Flu, has been detec-ted in Nagaland with an army jawan testing positive for the flu in Dimapur district.
The jawan was tested positive on September 18.
State Nodal Officer for Pandemic Preparedness, Dr Kevichusa Medikhru today confirmed that the patient (name withheld for medical reasons) is a defence personnel based in Ranga- pahar Army cantonment, Dimapur.
He also informed that the army jawan had returned from Pune and started developing symptoms of Swine Flu on September 16.
The suspected sample was sent to a laboratory outside the State for confirmation the next day while the positive report for H1N1 was received through telephone on September 18.
Manipur also has detected one positive case of Swine Flu some months back.
The Swine Flu was detected on a young fencer, who had gone abroad to take part in a meet.
14 test positive for HIN1 in Karnataka : Fourteen persons were today tested positive for the H1N1 influenza in Karnataka, where the deadly flu has so far claimed 73 lives, health officials said.
Out of the 14 cases, ten were reported from Bangalore, three from Kolar and one from Gulbarga, they said. This takes the total number of confirmed cases to 887 in the State.
The largest number of cases has been reported from Pune.

Chidambaram flags off Chennai- New Delhi Duronto Express

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hennai, Sep 21 (ANI): Union Home Minster P. Chidambaram flagged off the super fast Duronto Express train between Chennai and New Delhi on Monday.

This is the second Duronto Express in the country. Earlier on Friday Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee flagged off country’s first Duronto Express train between Sealdah and New Delhi at Sealdah.

Speaking on the occasion Chidambaram said, the government is keen on and committed to working for the development of the nation and the people.

He also assured that the government would see to it that the developments are shared equally among the people.

Train number 2269 Duronto Express will depart from Chennai on every Monday at 6.40 a.m. and reach Nizamuddin on Tuesday at 1035 a.m.

Similarly, the return train, number 2270 will leave Nizamuddin at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and reach Chennai at 8.10 p.m. on Wednesday.

It will have operational halt at Vijaywada, Warangal, Nagpur, Itarsi and Jhansi on both the directions.

The train will have a composition of 15 coaches, including eight-sleeper class, two AC3 and four AC2 and AC3 combine and a pantry car. (ANI)

Bullets rain down on battleground Kaziranga

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UWAHATI: Kaziranga shuddered as bullets rained down on the forest terrain. Barely recovering from the triple blow dealt out on Saturday, the
national park braced itself for more trauma as poachers and forest officials engaged in a fierce gunbattle that lasted late into the night.

In the end, though, the poachers managed to escape, through the hilly terrain of adjoining Karbi Anglong district, even after forest guards fired several rounds to nab them.

The rogue gang, comprising 4-5 sharpshooters from Nagaland, Manipur and Karbi Anglong, was the one who had killed a rhino and chopped off its horn earlier on Saturday evening. They were ambushed by armed forest officials about half-an-hour after the rhino was gunned down near Jamuguri Beel, a marshy wetland under Burapahar forest range of Kaziranga.

The hail of bullets continued as the poachers started taking the route through Bagse Reserve Forest to Karbi Anglong. Till 10.50 pm, at least 55 rounds were fired by guards at a place called Rhinoland park, bordering Karbi Anglong. But the poachers dodged and fled. "Not only have we launched a search operation, we are also on the lookout for the linkman," Kaziranga divisional forest officer D D Gogoi said.

Taking advantage of a brief spell of thunderstorm at around 3 pm on Saturday, the hunters gunned down the rhino at 3.20 pm. A forest official admitted that the thunderstorm delayed their response to some extent. However, the official ruled out locals' involvement in the latest rhino poaching.

"Our intelligence sources said a seasoned poacher now based in Karbi Anglong provided all kinds of assistance to the gang for sneaking into the park. We don't want to disclose his name as we are formulating a strategy to nab him. One thing is for sure - no local villagers connived with the poachers as guides," the official said on condition of anonymity. Kaziranga National Park, about 250 km from here, is also a World Heritage Site and houses two-thirds of the world's one-horned rhino population.

Following the recent surrender and arrest of a number of local poachers and villagers who helped sharpshooters as guides, Kaziranga saw a brief lull in rhino killing this year. A man called Farse Killok Rangber, a notorious local poacher, who was involved in the killing 22 rhinos since 1992, is now behind bars.

Sources said the same gang had made at least 11 attempts at rhino poaching, which had been aborted after disruption by residents of the adjoining villages. "We could manage to break the local chain of helpers. But our concern is over the gang that is now getting help from a Karbi Anglong-based poacher, who knows the park like the back of his hand. We suspect he is the one who had earlier assisted the poachers in killing a rhino at Bagori on August this year," the forest official said.

On the other hand, the gang involved in killing a tusker at Karbi Anglong, has posed as a fresh threat for a 1000-odd elephant herd that frequently travels between Kaziranga and the forest in the neighbouring district. The latest jumbo poaching at Sarchuk area between Panbari Reserve Forest and Dolamara forest range took place after a gap of almost two years. The tusks and trunk of this sub-adult elephant were chopped off by poachers about three days back.

"The latest elephant killing has increased the risk of poachers entering into Panbari Reserve Forest, which is a vital corridor for the elephants of Kaziranga," said Garga Mohan Das, project officer of WWF-Indian Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape Conservation Programme.

Law and order disturbances have made Karbi Anglong a safe haven for poachers, who can easily escape after killing rhinos in Kaziranga. In recent years, there had been about two incidents where suspected militants snatched arms from Kaziranga forest guards. Unesco's World Heritage Committee (WHC), at its 33rd session in Seville (Spain) in June this year, had asked New Delhi to strengthen the anti-poaching mechanism by using better equipment in Kaziranga National Park."

China won't wage war on India'

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TANAGAR: Despite reports of frequent border incursions, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu believes that China will never a wage a
war on India.

"China can't afford to go for a war. But the fact remains that its sole aim is to weaken India on all fronts. China wants to prove that it's an economic superpower in the region," said Khandu, who hails from Tawang, an area of contention between India and China.

China's policy was to force India to increase its defence expenditure at the cost of its economy, he added. "The idea is: The more the expenditure on defence, the less the money spent on development. In short they are bent on weakening India through this game of psychological warfare," Khandu told reporters here on Sunday morning.

He said India should take up the challenge on the economic front. "At the moment, we should give top priority to rapid economic and infrastructure development in border areas," he added.

Denying BJP's claims that the UPA government has shown a "slow response" to China's challenge, the chief minister of the frontier state said development on the Indian side of the border is still unmentionable."While China has developed two-lane roads right up to the McMahon Line, we do not even have porter tracks in most parts along the border. In the absence of motorable roads, troops movement may be hindered during an emergency," he said.

The chief minister said the Centre should induct more locals into the army to strengthen intelligence network in the border areas.

On the Dalai Lama's scheduled November visit to the state, he said, "China has no right to interfere or raise questions on his visit. "The spiritual leader can move freely, anywhere in India. China has no business or right to object. The Centre has given him permission to visit Tawang. The matter ends there," Khandu said.