NORTH EAST NEWS BULLETIN                             DATED:26/01/2013
HEADLINES
• Northeastern states celebrate Republic Day in face  of boycott and general strike by
militant groups
• Five personalities from northeast chosen for prestigious Padma awards on eve of
Republic Day
• Meghalaya C & RD Minister Saleng Sangma resigns from Dr. Mukul Sangma’s ministry
• BDO in Assam removed from duty for addressing poll campaign
• Arunachal Pradesh government decides to construct bypass roads to ease congestion in
Itanagar
• National Voters Day observed in Mizoram
NORTHEAST:
The eight north-eastern states of India will join the rest of the country in celebrating the 64
th
Republic Day of India with main celebrations being  held in all the state capitals. In many of
these states, the celebration of the Republic Day is being held in the face of boycotts and general
strike called by militant groups therefore warranting high security. In Assam security has been
tightened across the state following a boycott call by several militant outfits of the North East,
including ULFA and NDFB. The central function of the Republic Day will be held at the
Veterinary College Ground at Khanapara here tomorrow where Governor J B Patnaik will take
the salute. In Meghalaya, the main celebration will be held at Polo Ground with Governor R S
Mooshahary taking the salute of the parade, even as seven over ground workers of the banned
Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) were arrested on the eve of republic day.
Manipur also witness similar attempts to foil the Republic Day celebration when insurgents
exploded three grenades in the high security areas of Imphal yesterday.
PADMA:
Five prominent personalities of the northeast have been chosen for the prestigious Padma Award.
Five-time world champion and Olympic Medalist Mary Kom, who brought laurels to the country
last year when she won a bronze medal in women's flyweight category boxing (51 kg) event, has
been named for the Padma Bhushan. Noted Assamese tea industrialist Hemendra Prasad Barooah
and xatriya dance exponent Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan from the state have been selected for
Padma Shri.  Hilda Mit Lepcha, a folk musician from Sikkim, and Mizoram educationist J
Malsawma has also been selected for the Padma Shri awards.
SANGMA:
Meghalaya Rural Development Minister Saleng Sangma has resigned from Dr. Mukul Sangma’s
cabinet as well as from the state's ruling Congress party after being refused a ticket to contest the
February 23 Assembly poll. Mr. Sangma handed over his papers to the Meghalaya Legislative
Assembly Joint Secretary and to a Congress functionary at the Congress Bhavan besides sending
a resignation letter to the Chief Minister. The Cabinet minister is one among three sitting
legislators including Samuel Sangma and Stanleywiss Rymbai who were not given party ticket
by Congress. Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Sanjay Das said he had
received the resignation letter of Saleng Sangma. The minister’s resignation came a few hours
ahead of the scheduled cabinet meet slated yesterday which was later called off as the Chief
Minister was not in station.  BDO:
In Assam, a Block Development Officer and relative of a state minister in Assam, was removed
from poll-related duties after a video footage showing him urging people to vote for Congress
spread.  Najrul Islam, who is Block Development Officer of Amri Development Block in
Karbi Anglong districts, addressed a campaign meeting held by Congress at Rupahihat in
Nagaon district on Thursday. State Election Commissioner Biren Dutta said that the state
election commission has removed Mr. Islam from poll-related duties and has also sought a report
from Nagaon Deputy Commissioner in the matter. Mr. Islam, who is related by marriage to Rural
Development and Panchayat Minister Rockybul Hussain, has been found to address the meeting
in the video. The speech was captured by video cameras and broadcast in local channels.  
ROAD:
The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to construct bypass roads for the state capital in
view of the ever-increasing traffic congestion. The decision was taken during the third State
Level Steering Committee meeting for Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission held
under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki. The meeting was held after a gap of three
years to review developmental projects initiated under JNNURM for Mission City Itanagar and
to prioritise future projects to be taken up in the immediate future. Mr. Tuki, who is also
chairman of SLSC, observed traffic congestion in the state capital as one of the major
inconveniences faced by the people that immediate remedial measures.  For the convenience of
pedestrians, the government has already initiated process for construction of sky-walks at
specific places in the twin capital cities.
ELECTION:
Mizoram yesterday observed the National Voters' Day with state Governor Vakkom
Purushothaman gracing the main function at Vanapa Hall in the state capital, Aizawl. The
Governor asked all voters in the state to exercise their franchise in the polls and election officials
to ensure that all eligible people be enrolled as voters. He also praised the role of the Election
Commission. Mr Purushothaman also distributed prizes of essay and songwriting competitions at
state and higher secondary school levels organised to mark the National Voters Day. The day
was observed in the headquarter towns of all eight districts in the state. The latest electoral roll of
Mizoram saw 27,836 new voters, a 4.2 per cent increase from the electoral roll of 2012.