Assam playing host to anti-insurgency plays

Jorhat (Assam), Mar 15 (ANI): Theatre artists have staged two plays at Jorhat in Assam to spread the message of peace.

The plays, one in Assamese and the other in Hindi, are based on insurgency and other problems posing obstacles to the state’s progress.

The plays focus on how the state is at a loss because of the absence of investment in a climate of insecurity and lawlessness.

“It was really touching because the play was based on violence caused by militants. The play gave the message of peace and harmony,” said B. Arup, a resident.

Assam is one of seven states in the country racked by insurgency.

The state of Assam has been badly affected by armed insurgency over the last one and a half decades with various insurgent groups like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Dima Halim Daoga (DHD), United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN).LFA has been demanding the independence of Assam since 1979 and accuses New Delhi of exploiting the state’s resources and doing little to develop the province.

The outfit has also accused non-Assamese people of plundering the state’s resources and spoiling its culture.

More than 20,000 people have been killed so far in the ULFA insurgency. (ANI)

Chopper wreckage found on Atlantic Ocean floor|World[ St. John’s (Canada){St. John’s (Canada), Mar.15 (ANI): The damaged fuselage of a downed helicopter that claimed the lives of 17, has been found on the silt and gravel of the Atlantic Ocean floor.

Investigators said on Saturday that it was largely intact.

Cougar Helicopters owned the Sikorsky S-92. Investigators recovered various debris and parts of the chopper and personal belongings.

After wading through deep, murky waters, a remote-controlled camera confirmed they had found the fuselage, the Canadian Press reports.

Mike Cunningham, lead investigator with the Transportation Safety Board, said investigators hope that same camera will determine whether any bodies are still inside the helicopter. (ANI)

Manipur curfew relaxed for twelve hours

Imphal, Feb 26 (ANI): Indefinite curfew, which was clamped recently in Imphal following protests over the abduction and killing of Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of Kasom Khullen, a sub-division of Ukhrul district, was relaxed for twelve hours from 6:00 a.m. on Thursday morning.

According to sources, the curfew would be lifted in the next few days if no violence is reported.

Educational institutions, government offices and banks are functioning normally during relaxation of the curfew.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Cabinet decided to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Though primarily the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN) (IM) is suspected to be behind the incident, the outfit, however, has denied having anything to do with the killings or abduction.

The incident has been condemned by organizations like the United Committee Manipur, which has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

Additional security forces have been deployed in Nagamapal kangjabi Leirak, Uripok Khoisnam Leikai and Yumnam Leikai, the region where the deceased came from.

Six people were kidnapped, including Thingnam Kishan, the SDO, his driver A, Rajen, and one other person of his staff. Their bodies were located after three days at Taphou in Senapati district. The remaining three other persons-a peon of the SDO office and two other workers-are yet to be traced. (ANI)