The Northeast Notebook

The reason for this low turnout is not that people do not want to travel between the two regions. It’s the Rs 500 per head travel tax that’s keeping them away.

Manipur jail house blues

THERE’S good news for criminals and law breakers in Manipur. The state government has closed down four of its seven jails because of lack of funds. While only three—Imphal Central Jail, Sajiwa Jail and the Churachandpur district jail—are working, those at Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Jiribam have closed down. Reports from Imphal said though New Delhi had provided Rs 3.14 crore to Manipur last year for modernizing prisons, the state government could not use it as it had not contributed its share of 25 per cent.

Naga scholar awarded

NOTED Naga litterateur Shurhozelie’s contributions have been finally recognized. A school teacher turned politician who has been a legislator since 1969, not only has he pioneered development of a language called Tenyidie, now spoken by about 38 per cent of the state’s 25 lakh population comprising over 25 tribes, but he has also written at least 36 books. Last week he was awarded the first D Litt of Nagaland University, which was given away by the prime minister.

Dam and displace

EVEN as the ministry of environment and forests has cleared a Rs 3000-crore Tipaimukh multipurpose dam in Manipur, NGOs and environment groups in the state fear it would dislocate about 311 square kilometres that covers 15 villages housing over 5000 people, most of whom belong to the Zeliangrong tribe. Cleared by the Centre after it was first proposed about 12 years ago, Tipaimukh is expected to produce 1500 MW of power apart from reducing floods in Manipur and southern Assam.