After sikkim,Nagaland wants to stay prepared

Nagaland has read a warning signal in the Sikkim earthquake. The state has launched a massive campaign for disaster preparedness,and the first step it took earlier this week was a decision to train,batch by batch,at least one battalion of the state police to remain prepared for all kinds of calamities. The first batch of cops is from the 9th Nagaland Armed Police,which is part of the India Reserve Battalion that had played a significant role in operations against Maoists in Chhattisgarh last year. The 9th NAP will also become the first contingent of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the state. Nagaland director-general of police K Kire said 5,000 police personnel would undergo disaster response training in the next few months.

Light and dark in two states

Police stations in Assams interior areas will finally get electricity. At least 20 police stations will soon be installed with 24 1-KW solar power units in the next few months. The police stations identified are spread in districts with either an international or an inter-state border. They will also have round-the-clock computer connectivity to their respective district headquarters. Power is a problem in Tripura,too,and the state is also struggling with power thefts. The 726-MW power plant at Palatana is not expected to be commissioned before December 2012,and the state electricity corporation has proposed a tariff hike in view of the rising cost of natural gas. The corporation produces only 131 MW while NEEPCO thermal unit that adds 84 MW. The tariff in Tripura is currently among the lowest in the country at only Rs 2.80 per unit.

Mizoram takes suicide count

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Mizoram,otherwise known as the most peaceful state in the Northeast,is facing a problem: a high number of suicides among the youth. In the current year,for instance,the state has seen at least 53 deaths due to suicide,the victims including 15 women. All but six of these deaths were in Aizawl,the state capital,and the majority of those dead were in the age group 20-30. A recent study that covered about 1,400 persons in Aizawl and other towns,meanwhile,has revealed that while 31 per cent cited mental depression as a common reason behind suicidal tendencies,problems related to love and sex came next (23 per cent). Other reasons identified included failed marriages (17 per cent),drugs (16) and unemployment (13).

Manipur assesses climate change

Manipurs state action plan on climate change will be out in the next two months. Prepared for the state government by the Germany-based GIZ and the International Resources Group System,South Asia,it will broadly outline mission-modes for livelihood sustainability,water resources,bio-diversity,agriculture,health and urban planning,state principal secretary for forests and environment Dr J Suresh Babu said in Imphal. While Babu said Manipur did not have any air-conditioners 20 years ago,the states average temperature has gone up from 25°C in 1969 to reach 29.72°C by 2008. The states average rainfall too has come down: from 2217.9 mm in 1968 to 1969 mm in 2008.

samudra gupta Kashyap