Union Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan has announced a one crore rupee package for world-famed Kaziranga National Park to tackle the situation arising there out of waves of flood and consequent death of animals.

The money has been sanctioned from the Tiger Reserve Fund for the world famous Park where a total 39 rhinos have been killed in and around it in less than 10 months.

Mrs. Natarajan, who reviewed the situation in the Park following the devastating floods and recent incidents of rhino poaching, also announced that five country boats and four speed boats would be immediately sanctioned to the Park to help in the rescue and protection of animals.

The union minister, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, also stressed the need to strengthen the network between different agencies engaged in wildlife protection.

Referring to recent incidents of poaching in the Park, she said the Wildlife Crime Control Board was conducting an inquiry into the killings and necessary action would be taken after the submission of the report.

The involvement of militants in poaching has been established and the concerned department was taking steps accordingly.

Measures were also being taken to increase the number of forest guards to ensure increased vigil and patrolling in the Park.

There were plans to construct flyovers from Bokakhat to Jakhalabandha on NH 37 which runs through the Park to prevent killing of animals when they cross to the highlands in adjacent Karbi Anglong district during the floods.

Assam government would set up a state Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to deal with poaching and smuggling of animal products.

Talking to newsmen in Guwahati today, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that Assam government would publish a white paper on steps being taken to conserve wildlife and forest . Assam government has also mulling option to set up a Wildlife Defence Force to protect wildlife and parks in the lines of Village Defence Party who take care of village securities. Gogoi also said that involvement of insurgent groups have also been noticed in the poaching of rhinos. Atleast three rhinos were killed by poachers at Kaziranga National Park in last week. A four member team of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is also in Kaziranga to find out ways to prevent poaching.

 Twenty-two illegal Bangladeshi migrants, who had entered Manipur to work as labourers, have been sentenced to two years imprisonment by a local court in Imphal.The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Imphal East district passed the order yesterday after hearing the case filed by Porompat Police station. Official sources said, the Bangladeshis were charge sheeted under provisions of Foreigners Act 1946.Two children, who accompanied the 22 illegal migrants, have been sent to juvenile home. The State Home Department has been instructed to take up proceedings for deportation of the foreigners after completion of their prison term.

Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court has directed Assam government to file a report on the steps taken by it to protect the state from illegal migrants. Hearing a PIL, the division bench of Chief Justice A K Goel and Justice U Bhuyan directed the state Chief Secretary to file the report by November 19. It may be recalled that Assam government will publish a white paper on the implementation of Assam Accord on 7th of next month.

The Assam Government has issued notification that there must be normal functioning and attendance of all Government offices and Undertakings in view of tomorrow’s bandh. Instruction has been given to all concerned authorities to take necessary action to ensure normal functioning of all State Government offices, including Transport and Power during bandh.

In Assam, the North-East Frontier Railway is to run a special train today between Guwahati and Bangalore to meet the requirements of passengers who returned home from other states in the wake of fake SMS threat. Official sources said that as a result of confidence building measures initiated by the Centre and various state governments, people from north-east were returning to their places of work and study.

The Assam Government is bearing the cost of railway tickets for those who are returning to Chennai and Bangalore.

North East Frontier Railway ran a special train on September 1 between Guwahati and Bangalore. Adequate security arrangement has been made for safe journey of the passengers’ en -route to Bangalaore. Railway Protection Force along with Assam police personnel are being deployed in the compartments.

Meanwhile, as a result of improved situation, more than 40,000 people left relief camps in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts and Dhubri district. Banks, government and private offices resumed normal works. Around 70 per cent schools also resumed classes in the violence hit areas. But strict vigil is maintained to avert any disturbance. Police arrested 430 miscreants for indulging in violence acts. On the other hand, 4 ULFA linkmen were picked up by Assam Police yesterday in connection with the grenade blast at Doomdoma in Tinsukia district on Thursday evening. 12 persons including three constables were injured in the blast.

Mr. Shinde said the communal colour given to the recent ethnic violence in Assam was unfortunate and noted that the motivated online rumours were evidence of terrorists resorting to cyber space. He urged the security forces should develop skills in the cyber domain to not only locate the malicious content, but also identify those responsible. Speaking on the occasion, Intelligence Bureau Director Nehchal Sandhu said, Bangalore arrests show vulnerability of youth to radicalisation. Mr Sandhu said, attack on Israeli envoy shows India's vulnerability to become playground for global terrorism . The Home minister also gave away awards to meritorious policemen.

Assam government will publish a white paper on steps being taken to detect and deport illegal migrants. Talking to newsmen in Guwahati today Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the government will come out with the white paper in first week of the next month. Gogoi also asked Asom Gana Parishad and BJP to come out with details of steps adopted by them when in power. The Chief Minister also said that a retired judge will be appointed to advice the special directorate on the guidelines for the process of updating the National Register of Citizens, NRC.Mr Gogoi further said that the situation in the violence hit areas improved. He sought help from all sections to maintain peace and harmony in the state.

 The Information and Broadcasting Ministry today said it had received a petition about the role of media in an incident of molestation in Assam and forwarded it to the News Broadcasting Standards Authority,NBSA.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting C M Jatua said that matter has been sent to NBSA - a self regulatory body set up by News Broadcasters Association for immediate necessary action.

 Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh borders to effectively check influx of foreign nationals to India. Speaking to media persons at Imphal this morning, BJP President Nitin Gadkari said that the step will lead to solving the problem between the people of Indian origin and the people of foreign origin in the North-East region which has presently spread its ramifications to other parts of the country. He also said that this will help in the protection of national integrity as well as peace and tranquility in the social fabric of the nation.

 The National Commission for Minorities, NCM says the violence in Assam was a result of clashes between Bodos and resident Muslims and not Bangladeshi immigrants. While recommending setting up of a SIT to probe major incidents of violence in Assam, the NCM Chairperson Wajahat Habibullah said that the Commission has sent the report on the clashes to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and has personnally taken up the matter with him.

The NCM report said that the confict was not between some Bangladeshi immigrants and Bodos but between Bodos and Resident Muslims of Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts. 

The Commission Members also brought to the notice of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi the danger of muslims in the Bodoland Territorial Council becoming militants in the future in case their security was ensured. The Commission also said that the state needs to provide immediate shelters to victims in Assam such as those provided to Tsunami victims in Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The Assam Administration clamped indefinite curfew in Kokrajhar and Dhubri district today. The move comes after unidentified miscreants shot three people dead on Monday night at Raaniguli in Kokrajhar. This was followed by an angry mob blocking National Highway Number 31 at Beltali in Dhubri district in protest of the killings.

Two army personnel were also injured in mob stone pelting.

Security forces resorted to lath charge and blank firing. The District Administration reimposed indefinite curfew as a precautionary measure in Dhubri and Bilasipara Sub-Division of Dhubri district. Night curfew also continues in Chirang district.

With this, death toll has mounted to 73 in the recent violence.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has requested the Centre to allow the CBI to take over all cases of the recent violence. Talking to newsmen in Guwahati, Gogoi said instruction had been given to seize all illegal arms that was in possession in the violence-marred areas. The Chief Minister also said utmost care was being taken of pregnant women and children at the relief camps.

The Army today staged a flag march in Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD), including violence hit Kokrajahr and Chirang districts, in Assam. Army PRO in Tezpur said 13 columns had been deployed to maintain law and order situation in the state.

Three more bodies were recovered today in Chirang district today. With this, death toll has gone up to 35. Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar district said curfew was relaxed in the district from 8 am to 12 pm today. People in good numbers came out to buy essential commodities. The state DGP said that security forces would take two to three days to restore order in the violence hit areas.

An all-party delegation of state Legislative Assembly is visiting Kokrajhar district later in the day to take stock of the situation. The three member-team will also visit the violence hit Kokrajhar.

Meanwhile, large number of passengers have been stranded at various Railway stations as movement of trains is affected due to the ongoing turmoil. North East Frontier Railway sources say, more than 20 thousand people have been stranded.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has instructed his ministerial colleagues and senior party leaders to visit violence hit districts to monitor relief and rehabilitations work. Official sources said that additional Para-military forces have been deployed. Around 1,70,000 people, who left their homes are being sheltered at relief camps.

In Assam, the death toll has gone up to 12 in Kokrajhar district with the recovery of 3 bodies on Sunday. Two bodies were recovered from the Railway Bridge of Gaurang River while another from Kathalbari. District administration has re- imposed night curfew from 6 PM to 6 AM as a precautionary measures. Curfew was also clamped in the district last night (from 6 PM TO 6 AM) following stray incidences of violence in the wake of killing of 4 youths on Friday night.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar Donald Gilfellon said that 13 relief camps have been set up at Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar. Around 10 thousand people affected in the aftermath of violence. Army has been called in and additional security forces have also been deployed at 31 sensitive areas of the district today.

He said that prohibitory orders under section 144 have also been issued in the district. State Tourism minister Chandan Brahma said the situation is sensitive but under control. Assam government already announced an ex-gratia of 3 lakh rupees to the next to the kin of deceased and 50 thousand rupees to the injured.

In another incident, unidentified miscreants killed two people at Mangolian Bazar area in Chirang district. Security forces rushed to the spot. District administration urged the people to maintain peace and harmony.

A team of Assam police officers will tour the naxal affected areas of Jharkhand and prepare a report on dealing with the problem. The team arrived has arrived Ranchi to study the naxal problem . The team includes two IG's and one DIG rank officer and will stay in the state for two days

In Assam, the project “Rupaantar” (Transformation) has been able to create a social and economic transformation in the operational areas of Oil India Ltd. Particularly in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district. The project is being jointly implemented by the Oil India Ltd and the State institute of Rural Development, Assam. 

The project is coined to eliminate poverty through income generating activities by social mobilization and capacity building among the rural people. During a short span of time of only nine years the project “Rupaantar” is now being considered as a milestone of rural development initiatives across the country.

AIR correspondent reports, In order to address the problem of growing unemployment and poverty the Oil India Ltd. has undertaken a long term project named “Rupaantar” which means Transformation. The idea of the project was to help the unemployed youth and women to find out alternate source of employment and income. 

To achieve this goal the Oil India Ltd. Has signed a memorandum of understanding with the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Assam in the year 2003. Under this project Self Help Groups (SHGs) are developed and SIRD is providing these groups necessary training and technical support where the OIL is supporting them in the form of revolving fund and margin money.

The focus of the project is on development of agro-based industries, diversification of handloom products, poultry farming, pig breeding, duck rearing, fishery, sericulture, organic farming etc.

Till date over 2(two) thousand Self Help groups are formed and a large number among them are getting financial support from various banks.

This joint project of OIL and SIRD has not only helped in enhancing the income level of the rural people but also built a good rapport between authorities and the beneficiaries.

In Assam, the total number of arrests in the molestation case has now gone up to seven. Assam Police arrested 3 more persons yesterday in connection with the molestation of a girl on Monday night in Guwahati. Kamrup Metro’s Senior Superintendent of Police Apurba Jiwan Baruah this evening said that, 6 culprits are still absconding. He said that while two people were apprehended in Guwahati by police another culprit was arrested by local people at Bijni in Bongaigaon district last night.

Police today confirmed that the person arrested at Bijni was also involved in molestation case. One sub-inspector of the Dispur police station has been suspended.Police has already intensified search operation to nab all the culprits. Meanwhile, the 2 member team of the National Commission for Women returned to Delhion Sunday. They are likely to submit report tomorrow to the Chairperson of the Commission. Various civil society organizations today gathered at Dighalipukhuri area in Guwahati and also took out a rally demanding immediate arrest of all the culprits.

In another incident, police arrested one army personnel in Sivsagar district who allegedly tried to molest a girl on Friday. Official sources said that a team of army patrol team spotted a teenaged girl near a forest in Dolopa area at Dimow.But the local people rescued the girl from the clutches of the army men. News Content

n Assam, the seven-member Central team has assessed the damage caused by flood and landslides. The team has been divided into 3 groups and visited the affected distrits.Official sources said that before returning for Delhi, they will meet state Chief Secretary today in Guwahati to discuss relief and rehabilitations measures. Another team of Ministry of Environment and Forest also visited the World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park to take stock of the situation. Around 700 animals including 17 Rhinos have been killed in flood.

The current wave of flood also affected two lakh 55 thousand hectares of cropland across the state affecting over 10 lakh farmers’ family. As per the estimate, the state had lost a total crop worth over 990 crore rupees.Meanwhile, Chief Minister instructed the health department to take all necessary measures to prevent water and vector borne diseases.

Health department has intensified surveillance for early detection of diseases.

Blood tests are being conducted to detect malaria and encephalitis. Around 37 thousand people have been treated so far for diarrhoea, dysentery and flu.1 thousand 500 health camps have been organised to prevent spread of diseases in affected districts. So far, there has been no report of any disease assuming epidemic proportions. Health department has also set up round the clock control room to keep an eye on the overall health issues.Veteniary department has also intensified vaccination drive for over 20 lakh livestock 

In Assam, the flood condition in Dhemaji district has improved which has affected 330 villages in the district.The Brahmaputra and its tributaries are flowing below the danger level except at Nematighat and Dhubri.The death toll has gone up to 125 due to the flood and landslides .Official sources said that Rajesh Gopal,Member Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority will visit the Kaziranga park to assess the situation. The team will also review the relief and rescue measures for wild life as animal deaths have risen to 595. Official sources said that a seven member Central team has reached Guwahati. They will hold meetings with state government officials on the flood situation today. Later, the team will visit flood affected districts to assess the damage caused by floods.

The AIR correspondent reports that the recent flood,the worst since 1988, damaged infrastructure, croplands and national parks. Flood water damaged an RCC bridge and washed away 11 timber bridges and 12 culverts. Surging water also hampered movement of vehicles on the National Highways and State PWD roads at many places. The rail track has been extensively damaged by landslides in Lumding-Badarpur Division. Around 2 lakh 55 thousand hectare standing crop has been damaged due to the flood. The indigenous fire cracker and bell metal industries in Barpeta were also forced to down their shutters temporarily. The river Brahmaputra and its tributaries were also breached at 53 points. Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh already announced an ad-hoc package of 500 crore rupees to the state. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urged the Prime Minister for a financial package of 11 thousand 316 crore rupees for relief and rehabilitation.

The Environment and Forests ministry team will review the relief and rescue measures for wildlife as the animal deaths have risen to 595. The ministry had undertaken a review of the impact of floods in Kaziranga National Park, Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary and Loakhowa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Our correspondent reports that, out of the 595 animals killed, around 512 were hog deer that failed to navigate high speed of water. However, lesser casualty of bigger animals such as elephants and rhinos were reported. 

n Assam, flood water of Siang, Laali and Jiadhal rivers today submerged 315 villages in Dhemaji district, forcing the people to take shelter at relief camps and high embankments. The movement of vehicles also disrupted as flood water washed away a portion of National Highway number 52 at Bhebeli in Dhemaji district. Meanwhile, death toll in recent flood and landslides mounted to 116. Another 16 people remained untraceable so far. Official report said that rescue and relief operations are in full swing. Around 3 lakh people of 12 districts have taken shelter at 536 relief camps. The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Army, CRPF so far evacuated 3 lakh 70 thousand people.

n Assam, police recovered huge cache of arms and ammunitions during a search operation carried out at Potiagaon in Jorhat last night. Two suspected ULFA cadres were also arrested .Official sources said one AK-81 rifles, six grenades, ten landmines, 100 ammunitions and six remote control devices were recovered.EoM.mps.5-7-12.