NEW DELHI, March 16: Parliament has approved a bill seeking to establish a central university in Mizoram to promote higher education in the Northeast state and help its people join the national mainstream. The Lok Sabha on Thursday unanimously approved by a voice vote the bill which was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha. Replying to the brief debate on the Mizoram University Bill, human resource development minister Murli Manohar Joshi said the university was to be set up under the Mizo Accord but had been delayed due to various reasons. The legislation for this purpose was in no way different for other central universities in the country. The establishment of the central university in Mizoram was another major step taken by the government to help the people of the Northeast join the national mainstream, he said. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 17, 2000)

AGARTALA, March 16: About 2000 people have been rendered homeless and at least 300 houses collapsed when a cyclone ravaged 30 villages in Bishalgarh subdivision of West Tripura district, according to official sources here on Wednesday. The cyclone which lasted for about an hour, also uprooted thousands of trees and many telephone and electric posts, the sources added. Many mud houses were damaged and a number of rubber gardens completely destroyed under the impact of the cyclone in Nehalchandragar, Gokulnagar, Namapara, Gautamnagar, Champamura and neighbouring villages on Tuesday. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 17, 2000)

AIZAWL, March 18: The age-old Mizo custom of 'se chhun' (slow killing) of 'mithun' has been banned by the state government following protests by a section of the society, including the church. An order to this effect was issued on Friday by the Aizawl undivided district magistrate under Prevention of Cruelty on Animals act, 1960. This was a day before the Mizoram Culture Club had planned a programme to sacrifice this animal to mark the beginning of the traditional harvesting season. However, the animal could be sacrificed by shooting in presence of the village council president and a police sub-inspector, the order added. The state government's proposal to sacrifice a 'mithun' under the 'se chhun' tradition to mark the millennium celebrations had to be abandoned when several church leaders threatened to boycott the programme terming it as barbaric. In 'se chhun', a 'mithun' is made to run through the streets before being killed using spears. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 19, 2000)

DIBRUGARH, March 21: A domesticated male elephant has trampled five persons to death since Monday morning at the Kutuha area near here, causing panic and furore in the locality. Irate citizens today blocked the Dibrugarh-Guwahati national highway for five hours from 10 am today, demanding the district administration to declare the pachyderm rouge and have it shot dead. Four persons of Kutuha Naujan died on the spot yesterday when the mad elephant crushed them in a frenzy. Two others have been admitted to the Assam Medical College in a critical condition. This morning, Lankeswar Das of Natungaon was crushed to death by the rouge elephant, before the pachyderm tried in vain to topple a loaded truck on the national highway. As the elephant slowly proceeded towards the Jokai forest reserve, panic-stricken and furious villagers gathered on the highway and in a fit of rage blocked traffic. Meanwhile, the owner of the animal, T Das has urged the administration to finish the rouge elephant. The district administration has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5000 each for those killed and Rs 2000 each for the two injured. Policemen this morning did try to shoot down the animal but could only succeed in piercing holes on its ears, further infuriating the deranged pachyderm. The local AASU units have warned that in case the elephant is not shot dead by tonight, they will launch yet another road blockade at today's venue. (Ron Duarah; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 22, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 22: Knowfair Communications and Services Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based company promoting the interest of the Northeastern region, has launched a set of services addressing the long-felt need for offering of guidance in admissions and career counselling in the capital of the country, a press release issued here said. Branded as 'Project Assist', the package has culminated from two primary researches undertaken both in Delhi as well as in Guwahati. In Delhi, the sample was researched to find out what problems the students of Northeast have to negotiate during their pre-settlement and post-settlement phase. Similar research conducted in Guwahati was to determine the factors preventing in coming out of the native region and availing opportunities of better education and career outside. It was found nearly 90% of the students who have decided to study outside their native, are looking at Delhi as the most desired destination to be followed by Bangalore in order of preference. In terms of problems being faced by the aspiring students, 94% mentioned about non-availability of proper information and proper guidance. The existing students of Delhi were vocal about accommodation and lack of guidance for education and career. To fill up such a void even in the age of Internet, e-commerce, and cellular phones, Knowfair Communications has launched its major project, namely 'Project Assist'. To know more about Knowfair Communications and its project, one can visit their website www.knowfair.com, or, they can write directly to managing director, Knowfair Communications and Services Pvt Ltd., P-94, C R Park, New Delhi 110 019, the release added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 23, 2000)

KOHIMA, March 22: Former Chief Minister of Nagaland and leader of Nagaland Peoples Council Vamuzo died of a heart attack here on Wednesday at his house at around 9.30 A.M. As soon as the news of his death spread, thousands of mourners thronged his residence. Among those who paid their last respects to Vamuzo included Chief Minister SC Jamir, his cabinet colleagues, MLAs, public leaders and state government officials. Born at Yoruba village, Vamuzo joined the Naga underground movement at a very young age in early '50's. He came overground in late '50's as one of the first Naga underground activists to do so. As the Nagaland state was formed in 1963, he along with Kevichusa, Vizol and others planted the seed of regional politics there. As a footballer and sportsman he represented many schools and in 1955 he broke the existing record of one mile race in the Upper Assam sports meet. He was elected to the Assembly in 1969 as a UDF candidate from Chozuba constituency. In 1974 he was re-elected from Ame constituency and appointed PWD minister in the Vizol ministry. In 1977 he was re-elected from Chozuba and appointed finance minister. In 1982 he returned to the house from the same constituency and was elected leader of the opposition. In 1987 too he was re-elected leader of the opposition. He failed to return to the house in 1989, but following political crisis Vamuzo was sworn in as the Chief Minister on June 19, 1990. MLA K Kenye vacated his Chizami seat for Vamuzo, from where he was declared elected unopposed in September, 1990. He was re-elected in 1993 and elected leader of the opposition. In 1998, the NPC with other political parties, did not participate in the election. He was the president of NPC till 1998. The state cabinet, in an emergency meeting expressed deep shock and sorrow over the sudden death of Vamuzo. The cabinet recalled his immense contribution to Nagaland's democratic process. In his death the Naga people lost a true and compassionate leader, who had the welfare of the people uppermost in his mind, the leaders said. Mortal remains of Vamuzo will be taken to his native village Yoruba for burial on Thursday. He is survived by wife, three sons and three daughters. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; March 23, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 23: Beware the next time you pick up a soiled currency note from your neighbourhood paan-shop, in a city-bus or the fish and vegetable market. The soiled notes, circulating all over the north eastern region can be the carriers of a whole range of diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, peptic ulcer, pharyngitis and gastro-enteritis. A study carried out by Sudip Dey, a zoologist of the Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre (RSIC), North Eastern Hill University suspected - soiled notes do carry a number of bacteria and other pathogen micro-organisms that caused diseases. The findings were presented at the national seminar on "Environmental issues and priorities, challenges of the new millennium" organised at Assam University, Silchar on March 2-3 last. Speaking to The Assam Tribune here today, Dey said microbes detected in the soiled notes included bacillus which causes tuberculosis, heliobactor-pilori causing peptic ulcer, streptococcus which causes pneumonia, gastro-enteritis and others. Similar experiments carried out on coins failed to detect presence of any microbes. (Bedabrata Lahkar; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 24, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 24: The week-long tiger census in the Kaziranga National Park came to an end on March 21. The director of the national park, BS Bonal told this correspondent that apart from officers of the department, representatives of different non-government organisations from different parts of the country and abroad participated in the census. Bonal said that the compilation of the figures of census would take about 15 days and the total number of tigers in the National Park would be known then. He revealed that in the last tiger census in 1997, altogether 80 tigers were found in the park. He hoped that the number of tigers would increase this time. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 25, 2000)

GOLAKGANJ, March 25: A recent survey at the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary by Nature's Beckon revealed that the population of golden langurs has increased considerably in this habitat. The present estimate population of this rare and endemic species of langur in this sanctuary is little more than seven hundred. The survey was conducted from February 15 to March 15. During this survey several other wildlife species had been sighted, including mongoose, leopard cat, flying squirrel, Malayan giant squirrel, civet cat, gaur, barking deer, rheshus macaque, monitor-lizard and python. Besides, a large number of bird species have been located in this habitat. With the increase of wildlife population in Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, it has become necessary to increase the area of this sanctuary. Nature's Beckon has suggested to the government of Assam to include Sreegram RF and Kaljani PRF within the ambit of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary. S Doley, chief conservator of forest and wildlife, Assam, has taken keen interest to develop the infrastructure in this important wildlife habitat. On March 14 last a meeting was held at Dispur in the office chamber of the commissioner and secretary of Forest, Alok Jain. The meeting was attended by Sonadhar Doley, CCF wildlife, Anwaruddin Choudhury and the DFO Dhubri, DFO Bongaigaon and ADC Bongaigaon and representatives of NGOs. Important issues on the management of Chakrashila area were discussed with the NGOs. Alok Jain suggested that NGOs can play a vital role in creating awareness in the grassroot level and take active part in social management. Nature's Beckon organised a village meeting at Tapoban, on the periphery of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary on March 3. Puck Heikens, an official of International union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Netherland committee, attended the meeting and inspected the conservation work of Nature's Beckon and went round the sanctuary. She sighted the golden langurs of Chakrashila and appreciated Nature's Beckon's efforts to conserve these important primate species. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 26, 2000)

NEW DELHI, March 27: Perceived racial discriminations against students from the Northeast residing in the capital, have led to a massive outcry among the students community, who accuse the authorities of turning a blind eye to their woes. If the students who prefer to call themselves, Mongoloid People Association, are to be believed; their dreams and aspirations of earning a decent living and leading a respectable life lie shattered, in the face of harassment and racial abuse meted out to them. Though their grouse is against the government. It is the Delhi Police which has made life miserable for them. Take for instance the case of nine students from Tripura who were for no reason picked up by Kirti Nagar Police on the night of January 16, and detained for the night without any warm clothes. Again a group of Manipuri students were detained by Roop Nagar Police here for possessing pigeons and were let off only after payment of Rs 1,000 each. The president of the Delhi Mizo Students Association was harassed by the police for coming to the rescue of one student from his State, who was beaten up by a couple. The Mukherjee Nagar Police which covers the Delhi University North Campus, initially refused to lodge an FIR, but on intervention of some senior government officials they relented. "The Delhi Police often ridicule and make fun of our genuine problems whenever approached for justice or protection. Besides, the police has never shown any interest in taking immediate interest till some third person intervened, no matter how serious the complaints could be. As a result, the culprits are further encouraged to commit such offence against the Mongoloid community," the Association has charged. "It is unfortunate that, despite the commendable service and contributions made for the country for the last 50 years we are yet to be treated as equal citizens. However, derogative and unpleasant it may be we tolerate and bear it within the limit of our conscience." This humiliation and insults happened in most places, be it office, college, university or the police station said one such student requesting anonymity on the ground that by speaking to the Press they may incur the wrath of the police. Students said their harassments do not and with the police. It's very common for students from the region to find their mails missing or delayed. The reason most postmen, particularly, in the Delhi University area on seeing the name of the addressee, hijack the mail demanding ransom for delivering the letters including bank drafts and money orders. Our complaints to the higher authorities does not yield any effect, they complained. The problems reached such a pass that they staged a demonstration in the capital, early this month, by taking out a procession from Rajghat to Parliament Street. Over 500 students from the region participated in the programme. A memorandum addressed to the union home minister said that they come all the way to the capital in search of better living conditions and also to associate with the mainland people but are ignored and often humiliated. Whenever we approach the police we are ridiculed and humiliated till we agree to compromise or threatened to put us behind bars. 'From constable to the police chief, we don't know whom to blame for all the unfortunate racial bias,' they said. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 28, 2000)

NEW DELHI, March 28: With the upgradation of the uplinking facilities, the official electronic media's coverage of the Northeast is likely to improve to 97.7 per cent of the population, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a report. Guwahati, this year, will have an FM transmitter with stereo playback facilities along with Shillong, Imphal, Agartala and Aizawl. The system is ready for commissioning at Guwahati, while in other areas, the work is in progress, the report said. During the current plan, uplinking facilities will also be provided at Kohima, Imphal, Agartala and Aizawl, while such facilities already exist in Guwahati, Shillong and Imphal. Besides the AIR, the Doordarshan has also worked out several projects in the region including a special plan for software and hardware packages for the region. The DD has earmarked a sum of Rs 32.99 crore for the region. Their plan for the region includes replacement of DD-I HPTs at Guwahati, Silchar and Agartala by new transmitters. For development of a special hardware and software package clearance has been received from the planning commission and sums of Rs 10.50 crore for software and Rs 2.25 crore for hardware have been earmarked. As against this, the AIR has allocated Rs 12.20 crore for the region, besides an additional proposal for Rs 46.4 crore. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 29, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 28: The Society of Traditional Herbal Practitioners and Researchers of Assam claims to have discovered a rare drug for malaria and successfully treating patients with this drug for the last more than five years. UK Sarma, botanist and lecturer of Dhemaji College informed that even scientists of the Defence Research Laboratory at Tezpur have shown a interest in developing this medicine further and have sponsored a 15-day project for more research in this field. Currently in the city in connection with a seminar, Sarma stated that a total of 850 traditional plants with medicinal qualities have so far been categorised in and around Dhemaji area and 322 of these have been identified for future use. Though these plants are found in forests their availability is gradually decreasing. To counter this problem of scarce availability a plan was mooted for setting up a nursery of all these identified plants soon for 'in-house' production for the clinic of the society at Dhemaji. At present the owners of plots of land where these are found have been asked to take care of these plants. Deva Koch, a practitioner of that clinic who was also here along with Sarma stated that almost any disease can be cured with these herbal medicines. Koch, who took to this practice after he was unable to find allopathic cure for certain health problems said that he learnt most of these medicines from his parents and elders in the locality. He informed that till date no person has complained of any complications after getting treated at this clinic. Sarma who has been spearheading a mission in this regard has also been trying his best along with other colleagues for identifying and categorising more and more such medicinal herbal plans for future usage. The process is being hampered to an extent due to non-availability of land for 'in-house' cultivation of such plants. However, the society is determined to go ahead against all odds. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 29, 2000)

IMPHAL, March 29: The first day of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination in Manipur today was marred by violence. A student was killed and another injured in clashes between the police and students. The victims were allegedly trying supply "notes" for "copying" to examinees inside the hall. Twenty-three-year-old N. Premkumar, a student of Mayai Lambi College, had come to Myangimphal Bengun High School to help out his relative who was appearing for the examination. But he was spotted by the police while supplying "notes" for the Science Part-I paper in the afternoon. The police chased him and Premkumar fell into a pond while escaping. He was fished out and allegedly beaten up by the policemen. After some time, the youth collapsed and died. The exact cause of his death could not be ascertained. Activists of the Meira Paibis (women's organisation) have demanded action against the police. Another student was shot by militants after he was found supplying "material for copying" in Bishenpur district. Twenty-year old M. Bhubonsana was caught red-handed by some militants while supplying "notes" to one of his friends at the T. G. English School. He was taken by the militants to a nearby area and shot in the leg as "punishment." Bhubonsana was rushed to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital and was stated to be out of danger. An underground outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (Oken group) recently warned of stringent action against those supplying material for cheating during the school leaving examination. The KYKL (Oken group) even announced a "public curfew" within 500 metres of all examination centres. A special task force was constituted by the outfit to tackle the "copying" menace. The outfit has asked the students not to threaten invigilators and officials and warned that the outfit might even award death penalty to those who encouraged unfair means during examination. It has asked the teachers to prevent students from using unfair means in the examination. It was, however, not known whether the KYKL (Oken group) was involved in today's shooting incident at Bishenpur. Altogether 35,855 students are appearing in the school leaving examination this year. The examination which started today will continue till April 8. There are 92 examination centres all over the state. Of the 35,855 students, 26,633 are from the general category, 8,182 tribals and 1,040 from the Scheduled Caste category. (Correspondent; The Telegraph; Calcutta; March 30, 2000)

AIZAWL, March 29: Maintenance of village registers in the whole of Mizoram and fencing international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh would be the state government's main thrust to check illegal influx of foreigners into the state, home minister Tawnluia told the assembly here yesterday, report agencies. Enumeration works for maintenance of registers in every city, town and village have been going on, Tawnluia said, adding, the Centre, under Prime Minister's economic package for the Northeast region, would provide funds for border fencing. He also said that more border police outposts have been erected and BSF and Assam Rifles deployed on the border areas to check the illegal immigrants from across the borders. Replying to another query, he said that 84 cases of unnatural deaths have been registered in the state during this financial year. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 30, 2000)

AIZAWL, March 29: Drug abuse has claimed 89 lives in Mizoram during the past one year, minister in-charge of excise K Vanlalauva told the state Legislative Assembly. According to the minister, while 77 of the victims were men 12 women. Altogether 69 deaths took place in the Aizawl district itself while only one person each died in the Serchhip and Mamit district. Most of the victims died due to the overdose of Proxyvon, a highly Potent pain-killer taken intravenously, the minister added. The state police and the excise department had registered cases against 596 people under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act during 1999. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 30, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 30: Meghalaya Chief Minister EK Mawlong today said the government was considering declaration of Khasi and Garo as associate official languages in the state. Replying to a query from CB Marak (Congress) on whether the two languages fulfilled the criteria to get recognition, Mawlong informed the house that the matter depended on the policy of the government. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 31, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 26: Meghalaya Chief Minister E K Mawlong on Saturday expressed concern over the recent killings in the state capital. Mawlong said a one-man inquiry headed by an Inspector General of Police had been constituted to probe the incident. Though the Chief Minister did not specifically make any mention of the killings, it might be recalled that two youths were killed in a cross-fire between police and militants on March 17 at Lawmali. The inquiry came in the wake of protests from different organisations, particularly the state's human rights body which pressured the government to be clear on the issue. Addressing a function organised by the Mawprem Dorbar Shnong (local-council) to felicitate him on Saturday, Mawlong also emphasised the need to preserve and strengthen local durbars which he described as the 'best means for the preservation of peace.' He warned that the government would take strong action against those who violated law. Mawlong, who had already offered unconditional talks with the local militant outfits, reiterated that he would hold talks with religious organisations on March 31 for working out means to solve the vexed issue and seeking their suggestion on matters of social concern. Meghalaya finance minister AH Scott Lyngdoh was also present at the function. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 31, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 30: Despite the fact that there are two registrars of Muslim marriages and divorces appointed by the Meghalaya government under the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 for the district of East Khasi Hills, one Abdul Hafeez of Barapathar, Shillong has been issuing registration certificates of marriage and divorce to people after charging a huge amount as registration fee. Sources said, his registration certificates are in great demand among the newcomers to the state as they become permanent residents of the state overnight through this process. (Staff Correspondent; The Sentinel; Guwahati; March 31, 2000)

TINSUKIA, March 30: Krishna Bhuyan, a renowned short story writer of the Awahan era passed away at his Tinsukia residence here today. He was 86. He leaves behind his wife, two sons and a daughter. Born in 1914 at Jorhat, Bhuyan started writing short stories in the 30s and contributed writings to magazines and newspapers till some time back. Some of his noted writings are Ramdhenur Rang, Phool aru Jabar, Galpa Samagra, Uttar Megh etc. (Correspondent; The Sentinel; Guwahati; March 31, 2000)