This Week NorthEast

A few ceasefires,many active groups

Several rebel groups including the NSCNIM and ULFA may have come forward to sign ceasefire agreements with the government and start peace talks,but the fact remains that a large number of militant groups remain active in the Northeast. According to Union MoS for Home M Ramachandran,there are currently 79 militant groups including splinter groups and breakaway factions active in the region. A list presented by the minister in the Lok Sabha this week said Manipur tops the list with 50 groups,followed by Meghalaya nine,Nagaland six,Tripura six,Assam five and Arunachal Pradesh three.

Space crunch on trade post in tripura

Export and import between India and Bangladesh through Akhaura,a designated gate on the border in Tripura,have been hit by shortage of space for loading and unloading of an increasing volume of goods in the recent months. Last week,members of the Agartala Export-Import Workers Association resorted to a strike that not only stopped movement across the Akhaura gate,located just outside Agartala,but also caused a jam that would take several days to clear. The strike came two weeks ahead of the Prime Ministers visit to Bangladesh. Chief Ministers Tarun Gogoi Assam,Mukul S Sangma Meghalaya and Lal Thanhawla Mizoram are accompanying the Prime Minister.

More ration cardholders than actual population

Fake ration cards have been a major problem in Mizoram,not only affecting civil supplies but also bringing to light the fact that a lot of food items are being smuggled out to neighbouring countries. A special drive carried out by the authorities in Champai,a district bordering Myanmar,has led to seizure of 4,599 fake ration cards,which together had 36,821 consumers enlisted. According to official sources,the state has 2,49,445 ration cards,which includes 46,000 BPL cards and 24,000 AAY cards. But,going by an average count of five members per family,the states population works out to more than 12 lakh,whereas the 2011 Census has put the number at only 10.91 lakh.

Meghalaya waives tax on movie theatres

The Meghalaya government has decided to waive entertainment tax on double-screen multiplexes and digital cinema theatres in the state for the next five years. According to Chief Minister Mukul S Sangma,who made the announcement this week,the decision would encourage investment through establishment of more multiplexes and hi-tech digital cinemas across the state. The existing theatres have not been exempted from tax. The government has specified that only mini-cinemas and multiplexes with a seat capacity not less than 200 and not more than 500 would be covered under this scheme.