Security forces arrested 4 PDCK militants with a huge cache of arms-ammunition in Assam, Karbi Anglong District:

Guwahati, June 8: Security forces had arrested four hardcore militants of Karbi militant group PDCK (People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri) in Assam, Karbi Anglong district.

Security personnel had also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, cash amount of Rs 3.01 lakh in possession from them.

Based on intelligence input about the presence of a militant group, Karbi Anglong district police had launched an operation with the help of CRPF at Therebasa village under Dakmaka police station on Sunday and arrested the militants from the area.

The arrested militants were identified as former self-styled (SS) army chief and present home secretary of PDCK Francis Terang alias David Mukrang, self styled Sergeant Naman Rishi Rengma alias Akhabi Rengma, Roosevelt Engti and Angthong Rongpi.

Security personnel had recovered two numbers of 7.65 mm pistol along with two magazines, 10 rounds ammunition of 7.65 mm pistol, cash amounting of Rs 3,01,050, four mobile handsets along with nine numbers of different SIM cards, few numbers of PDCK letter pad and demand pad, two combat uniform along with two magazine pouch, one Laptop, four pairs of jungle boot, one pistol shoulder holster, one knee guard and one Rack Sack Backpack, rice around 2 kg wrap in a black long bag and torchlight and battery.

Karbi militant group PDCK is active in Karbi Anglong district and some parts of Dima Hasao, Nagaon, Hojai districts.

Temples and Religious places in Assam open for devotees after 75 days:

Guwahati, June 8: Most of the religious places, temples in Assam open after 75 days on Monday with the new set of guidelines issued by the government in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

In Guwahati, most of the temples, religious places have opened from Monday morning by maintaining social distancing norms and following the government orders, directives.

Devotees thronged to famous Ugratara temple, Hanuman temple, Ganesh temple in Guwahati, Shiva Doul in Sivasagar to offer their prayers after the doors of the temples opened for the public.

The temples and other religious places in Guwahati and other parts of the state were closed since March 20 amid the novel Coronavirus outbreak.

The devotees have been allowed to enter the temple premises by registering their name and address in the register and they will not be given any Prasad, and not be allowed to enter the premises without wearing masks.

On the other hand, the historic Kamakhya temple will remain closed for the public till June 30.

The temple management authority has decided in a meeting that, given the COVID-19 pandemic, the door of the temple will remain closed till June 30.

Earlier, the Assam government had issued fresh guidelines for Unlock 1 and allowed to open religious places, temples from June 8 by following the directives issued by the Union Home ministry.

Assam government decides to close down 17 high schools after it showed zero per cent results in Class 10 examination:

Guwahati, June 7: Assam government on Sunday announced to close down 17 government-run high schools after the schools showing zero per cent result in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) or Class 10 examination declared on Saturday.

Not a single student of these 17 government-run high schools was passed in the Class 10 examination.

Assam Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that, after the results, the state government has decided to close down 17 high schools within 72 hours.

“The teachers of these schools will be transferred to other schools within 72 hours. The students of these schools will be attached with other nearby schools,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The results of HSLC or Class 10 examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) declared on Saturday and around 64.80 per cent students passed in the examination.

A total of 3,42,224 students appeared in this year’s HSLC examination of which 2,21,756 students passed in the examination.

Addressing a press conference held in Guwahati, the Assam Education minister said that, this year 109 government-run high schools have shown a result of 100 per cent in the HSLC examination.

“Last year 54 schools showed 100 per cent results, but the number of schools has gone up to 109 this year. Last year 386 schools showed pass percentage of 90-110 and this year the school numbers have gone up to 503. On the other hand, 92 schools showed 0-10 per cent results last year and the school number reduced to 33.” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

He further said that this year 17 schools have showed zero per cent results.

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the state government has decided to make 100 per cent free admission to colleges.

“Every student is eligible for 100 per cent free admission to colleges and the state government has decided because of the current COVID-19 pandemic scenario,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam Education minister also announced some decisions taken by the state cabinet on May 26 last.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a total of 46,153 teachers who have qualified Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) will now get all benefits which are being availed by other government teachers.

“Among these teachers, 29701 TET teachers are currently working under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), 11206 teachers under state pool and 5243 teachers are working in high schools as a contractual basis. Their retirement age is now fixed at 60 years. They will now get regular pay scale along with other government teachers,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The Assam Education minister also said that the state government will give Rs 20,000 instead of a laptop under Anundoram Barooah Award scheme to the students who secured star marks and above in the HSLC, High Madrassa Examination, F.M. Examination and Sanskrit Pali & Pravesika Examination, Assam this year.

13 monkeys found dead inside a water tank in Assam Cachar district, forest department starts investigation:

Guwahati, June 8: After Kerala pregnant elephant death incident, another heartbreaking incident happened in Assam Cachar district where 13 monkeys were found dead in a water tank.

Locals have suspected that the monkeys have might be poisoned by some people, but police and forest department have started investigation.

The shocking incident took place at Katirail near Kalain area under Karimganj Divisional Forest office on Sunday evening as 13 monkeys’ corpses were found floating in a water tank of a Public Health Engineering (PHE) project.

Locals had immediately informed police and forest department officials.

The forest department officials had recovered the bodies of the monkeys and sent it for post-mortem.

Karimganj Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Jalnur Ali said that, it is very heartbreaking incident and the department has started an investigation into the matter.

“These are local monkeys. We have already sent the recovered bodies for post-mortem. We have started our investigation and we will take strong action against those who found guilty,” Jalnur Ali said.

The top forest official further said that, all things will come out in post-mortem report.

The area where the incident happened, comes under Cachar district, but the wildlife is under the jurisdiction of Karimganj Divisional Forest Office.

On the other hand, some local people said that the monkeys were might be poisoned and the monkeys dived themselves to drink water.