GUWAHATI: The Centre will provide more funds under various schemes to Assam for overall development of its tribal population, union minister for tribal affairs Kanti Lal Bhuria said.''We want the tribal people across the country to not only get land rights in forest areas but also enjoy the benefits of development. If the state government works in tandem with the Centre, then the tribal people will not lag behind but forge ahead on every front'', Bhuria, who called on chief minister Tarun Gogoi here, said.The tribal affairs ministry, he said, has initiated a new scheme under which residential schools would be set up in tribal areas with low literacy rate.Under it Rs 12 crore each would be allotted to set up a residential school in the plains and Rs 16 crore in hilly areas and the ministry would relax the norms for land requirement for setting up residential schools on 20 acres as required in other states to 15 acres in the North East, he said.Bhuria asked the state government to sort out the problem of land settlement of tribal people in areas under Bodoland Territorial Council and Autonomous Councils falling under the Sixth schedule, official sources said.Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi apprised him about the various initiatives taken by the state government for the development of tribals in the state.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Blast in Imphal, three injured, grenade recovered from shop
Three persons were injured, one of them critically when a blast occurred in Imphal West this afternoon. He blast occurred at around 2.30 PM in front of Langol View clinic near RIMS hospital. Three persons including one rickshaw-puller were injured in the blast. No group has claim responsibility of the attack. At least three persons sustained injuries when unidentified armed miscreants lobbed a powerful bomb in front of the ‘Langol View Clinic’ private hospital near RIMS in Imphal West. The incident occurred at around 2:30 pm. Apart from injuring three persons including two pedestrians and a rickshaw puller, a car parked in front of the clinic was damaged extensively as the bomb landed near the parked car. Among the three injured persons, one is in serious condition and had been rushed to RIMS emergency ward. As soon as the news of the blast spread, top officials of the Manipur Police came to survey the spot. However they declined to give any comment. It may be noted that security in and around Imphal has been beefed up in view of the sitting of the 8th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly. The incident occurred at a crowded place. A white Alto car parked in front of the Clinic was totally damaged due to the impact of the explosion. The explosion of the bomb strike terror among the local populace and patients undergoing treatment in the clinic. It may be mentioned that attacks like this have been a regular feature in Manipur. It is speculated that the present attack could be related to monetary demands.
