3 killed, over 50 injured as train rams into JCB near Azara
Guwahati, Feb 3
NETV Correspondent
Three persons were killed and over 50 injured when a passenger train derailed after hitting an earth-cutting vehicle at an unmanned railway crossing in Kamrup (Rural) district on Thursday.At least three people were killed when a passenger train rammed into an earth-cutting machine near Azara on Friday morning. The driver of the earth-cutting vehicle and two other persons were killed when the Bongaigaon-Guwahati Chilarai Passenger passenger train hit their vehicle stranded at the level crossing at Gossainghati between Azara and Mirza at 9:30 am. The collision derailed the engine and five bogies of the passenger train leaving 50 passengers injured.Local people rushed the injured passengers to the Mirza Public Health Centre from where the critically injured were referred to the Gauhati Medical College Hospital and MMC Civil Hospital in Guwahati.Two of the dead on the earth cutting vehicle were identified as Bipul Rabha and Saloi. The wheels of some of the derailed coaches broke and a portion of the railway tracks was damaged in the accident. Personnel of the Disaster Management Authority swung into action for rescue and relief operations with railway rescue vans and high officials rushing to the spot. The earth cutting vehicle was hurled about 100 feet away under the impact of the collision killing its driver and helper on the spot. According to the railway officials, the vehicle's driver had violated the Motor Vehicles Act at the unmanned level crossing that led to his death and that of his helper.Agriculture Minister Nilomoni Sen Deka, after visiting the accident site, said that the state government had been asking the Railway ministry to put up a manned gate at the railway crossing used by villagers, for the last two years. Deka said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi would write to the railway ministry for converting the gate into a manned one. The GMCH superintendent Dr Ramen Talukdar told reporters that the passengers brought to the hospital are out of danger and are being given proper medical care.Meanwhile, an altercation broke out after the Railway Police Force directed the local people rescuing the passengers of the train to move away. However, the police and district administration have lauded the efforts of the local people in rescuing the passengers.

Election Commission ready for tomorrow’s repoll in 34 polling stations of Manipur
Manipur, Feb 3
NETV Bureau
Repoll in 34 polling stations of the hill districts of Manipur will be held tomorrow amidst tight security. The repoll was ordered following large scale violence and incidents of EVM snatching in the polling stations during last Saturday’s assembly election.Election Commission has approved re-polling in 34 polling stations in the five hill districts of Manipur accepting the recommendation forwarded by the Manipur State Election Department. The repoll would be held between 7 am To 3 pm and electronic machines from interior parts of the hill areas would be brought to the district headquarters by helicopter. The re-polling will be done in 9 polling stations in Ukhrul district, 4 polling stations in Tamenglong district, 8 polling stations in Senapati district, 5 in Churachandpur and 8 in Chandel districts. Altogether 106 companies of central paramilitary companies 13 companies exclusively for EVMs transportation will be used during the 34 polling stations with two sections each in every polling stations and all the polling stations has been declared hyper sensitive. The Election commission is also discussing the feasibility of deploying state forces. The re-poll was recommended by the ROs of the concerned districts. Counting of votes would be done on March 6 at the nine district headquarters as well as the offices of ADC Kangpokpi and ADC Jiribam. Chief electoral officer PC Lawmkunga has announced Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for the four polling personnel, including a presiding officer, who were killed in a shootout at Tampi police station in Chandel district during Saturday's polls. Besides the quartet, one CRPF jawan, a girl and a suspected NSCN (IM) cadre also died when the rebels tried to capture a booth. The Election Commission will take additional security measures to ensure free and fair balloting in five hill districts of Manipur where re-polling is scheduled for Saturday. The Nagaland-based militant outfit NSCN-IM was blamed for the violence. It was alleged by various sections that Naga militants had interfered with the polls to help candidates of the Naga Peoples' Front which has put up 12 candidates in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. About 28,076 voters would exercise their franchise at 34 polling stations stations in the hill districts of Ukhrul Churachandpur,Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel. Counting of votes for the assembly elections would be held on March 6 next.

Apex Court slams government policy on army chief’s age row
New Delhi, Feb 3
NETV Bureau
The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the hearing till February 10 on Army Chief General VK Singh's plea for a direction to the government to declare May 10, 1951, as his date of birth in place of May 10, 1950.Army chief Gen V K Singh seems to have won the first round in the legal battle on the age row with the Supreme Court on Friday saying the manner in which his statutory complaint was rejected by the government "appears to be vitiated”. Posting the matter for hearing on February 10, the court sought to know whether the government would like to withdraw its December 30, 2011 order. Defence minister A K Antony had issued an order on December 30 turning down the statutory complaint of Gen Singh that his date of birth be treated in Army's records as May 10, 1951 and not as May 10, 1950. Posing questions to the government, the bench of Justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale was of the view that the defence ministry's order of July 21, 2011 holding the date of birth as May 10, 1950 was based on the opinion of attorney general and so was the case when the December 30 order was passed on the statutory complaint. After the court asked whether the government would like to withdraw the December 30 order, attorney general G E Vahanvati said he will seek instruction from the government on the issue. The court said there were other remedies available for Gen Singh if the government withdraws its December 30 order. It said in that case Gen Singh's statutory complaint against July 21 order can be reconsidered by the authorities and there was also an option for him to approach the Armed Forces Tribunal. From the outset, the bench questioned the decision-making process of the government.Gen Singh had moved the apex court in January this year accusing the government of treating him in a manner reflecting total lack of adherence to procedure and principles of natural justice in deciding his age. The Army chief took the unprecedented step of dragging the government to the apex court after the defence ministry had insisted upon treating May 10, 1950, as his official date of birth, necessitating his retirement on May 31 this year. Challenging the government's decision to determine May 10, 1950, as his date of birth and not May 10, 1951, Gen Singh, in petition, has maintained that his acceptance of 1950 as the year of his birth was given in good faith at the behest of the then chief of Army Staff and not due to agreement with the conclusion of the military secretary's branch.

Dalu upgraded to transit route for goods to Bangladesh
Shillong, Feb 3
NETV Correspondent
In an attempt to develop trade and Commerce, Meghalaya in particular and north east in general is leaping forward to forge an economic boom by extending trade ties with neighbouring countries. The state focus on better connectivity to bloom trade, in this regard, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma has said efforts are on to build a bridge across Brahmaputra connecting Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari in Meghalaya to shorten the distance which would eventually connect to Jogigopa and north Bengal for transit of goods to Dalu.Meghalaya in particular and north east in general is leaping forward to forge an economic boom by extending trade ties with neighbouring countries which would lead to further engagement of the custom department indicated the Chief Minister at the Golden jubilee celebration of the custom day here in the city. He also informed that the land custom station at Dalu in Meghalaya has been identified by the Government of India as a transit route as the chief minister is hopeful to improved road and rail connectivity it would emerge as the busiest route for export and import to neighbouring Bangladesh. He further informed “efforts are on to build a bridge across Brahmaputra connecting Dhubri in Assam to Phulbari in Meghalaya to shorten the distance which would eventually connect to Jogigopa and north Bengal for transit of goods to Dalu”. He said government of Meghalaya has recently received a sanction 195 crore to connect Dalu land custom station to North Bengal through Dhubri.Expressing optimism he said Bangladesh with its minimum resources registers about 20 billion in export while North East together has much more resources and with improved connectivity can yield a much higher export return. He also said that rail links are being vigorously pursued both by all the north eastern states to establish better connectivity in tune with the Govt of India’ s look east policy.Besides being a significant contributor to Central Government Revenue and facilitator of international movement of passengers and goods. Indian Customs protects our economy, environment, wildlife and heritage by checking smuggling including that of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), endangered species of flora & fauna, arts and antiquities among others. By checking the smuggling of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the Customs Department plays an important role in preserving and promoting our social well-being. The Customs Department has presence at International Airports, Sea Ports and Land Customs Stations.

Imphal talkies continue to mesmerize the people of Manipur
Manipur, Feb 3
NETV Correspondent
Amidst the chaotic socio- political upheaval that the state of Manipur is going through with violence bloodshed becoming the order of the day, at least one group of artistes has taken the responsibility of speaking about it in a way never heard before. Ne Tv caught up with Imphal Talkies' frontman, Akhu Chingangbam.When unconventional lyrics that paints the current socio political turmoil that the people of Manipur entrapped in are sung with rhythms inspired by every beats of meitei society, you get the latest buzz in the Manipuri music scene- Imphal Talkies. Although the lyric of HO YAYA HO YA talks about unjust social order and grim future, Akhu Chingangbam, the songwriter and vocalist claims this song is a happy song because of its spiritual tune.
Akhu who is a research scholar, pursuing a doctoral degree in the study of cosmology from jamia milia Islamia says he is passionate about his music for its allows him to vent out his emotions and fears like this song where he sings he thinks he is going mad.Explaining how the band, he formed along with a school mate was named, Imphal Talkies, the new kid on the block said the band represents a talking Imphal and hopes to become the voice of the marginalized, particularly the youths who are living a life of deprivation as compared to their counterparts in the metros of India.Fueled by the stark realities of contemporary times; Akhu is also a poet having written over 400 poems. This radical artist, who voices the social pains, feels music should always have a purpose.Having already cut an album of eight satirical songs called Tidim Road, Imphal Talkies is almost ready to come out with another. While its latest offing is sure to raise eyebrows, poor finance has been a constants brake to their exploits. Whenever it comes out, songs like Maria, about an ethnic conflict victim becoming a commercial sex worker and about India's bad human rights records are radical songs to watch.

Employees and NGO's take to street for release of power officers
Shillong, Feb 3
NETV Bureau
People including the employees of MeECL took to the street in Shillong seeking to appeal to the abductors for safe and early release of two officials abducted by the Garo terrorist outfit, the Garo National Liberation Army.The MeECL Engineers’ Association and “The Association Of Power Engineers along with other employees of different sections under the Meghalaya Electric Corporation Limited staged a rally in Shillong on Thursday expressing resentment over the abduction of two of their MeECL Engineers by the Militant in Garo Hills recently. Appealing for the release of the power officers the President and the Zonal Secretary of the Association of power engineers, B Khonglah and Arzu Dkhar appealed to the abductors to release the officers unharmed on humanitarian ground citing “they are also the father of their children”.Backing their appeal for release of the officers they stated that the employees have been tirelessly working for the development of Garo hills while with the kidnapping all works are now stagnated and as employees of MeECL shall continue to work to complete our assignment within set target in Garo hills and once it rains the progress of the work will hinder while this incidence has put on hold all the progress.Meanwhile, Organized by the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People, Khasi Students’ Union, Civil Society Women’s Organization and HNYF, a peace rally was held that took off from the Student’s Field and culminated at the BSNL Parking near the state Secretariat.The MeECL employees are demanding for the safe and unconditional release of the two engineers identified as A. Pohtmi and Boney Majaw who were abducted by the militants in Garo Hills. After the public rally, a delegation of the MeEcl Employees called upon the Chief Minister of the State Dr. Mukul Sangma apprising him of the situation and also sought his intervention into the matter. The three engineers had returned from a concert at Chandmari playground when the trio was abducted by some armed miscreants.