Assam reciprocates KPLT's unilateral ceasefire Guwahati, January 30 (IANS): Reciprocating the peace offer of militant outfit Karbi Peoples' Liberation Tiger (KPLT), the Assam government has decided to stop counter insurgency operations by the security forces against KPLT till April 20 this year. A statement issued by the Assam government on Monday said that the decision was taken as a gesture of goodwill to the members of the outfit to enable them to join the mainstream. The Assam government's decision came two months after the KPLT declared a unilateral ceasefire for a period of six months on October 20 last year, which they communicated through a letter signed by the organisation's General Secretary Vojaru Hanjang. "The outfit also expressed its desire to come to the main stream in the interest of restoring peace and all round development in Karbi Anglong. The Assam government welcomes the above gesture of the organisation and sincerely hopes that all the group members along with the weapons retained by them, will come forward to the mainstream at the earliest," the statement added. The KPLT is a breakaway faction of the Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF). Formed in 2011, its main objective is to carve out an Autonomous Karbi State out of Assam. CNPO denies allegation against president Chandel, January 30 (MExN): The office of the Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation (CNPO) has denied the allegation of its president having links with Manipur’s Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Health Minister. A press release appended by Vice President, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Finance Secretary, Assistant Culture Secretary, and Information Secretary of CNPO attested that the President of CNPO served his people with dedication. “He stood firm and never compromised on Naga issue… He has done tremendous work as far as Naga issue is concerned,” it added. Therefore, CNPO has appealed to individuals or any section of people not to tarnish his image without any evidence or proof “because diminishing him is maligning the image of CNPO. We express our resentment on such baseless charges.” 22,000 court cases resolved in a day in Tripura Agartala, January 30 (IANS): A record number of around 22,000 court cases were settled in a day in Tripura through a 'Maha Lok Adalat', an official said on Monday. The Maha Lok Adalat was organised here on Sunday at the instance of Tripura High Court Chief Justice T. Vaiphei. In the day-long process, 21,984 court cases were settled, Tripura State Legal Services Authority's member-secretary Bipradas Palit told IANS. "In the 40 temporary courts, 53,843 cases were presented and of these 21,984 were disposed-off. Around Rs 33.94 lakh were collected as penalties and fines." A large number of cases related to traffic rule violations. The official said "Lok Adalats" were being organised every month but such a 'Maha Lok Adalat' had been held for the first time in Tripura. Palit said that in the lower courts of Tripura 148,275 cases were pending for years. Manipur observes Martyrs Day Imphal, January 30 (PTI): A state-level function to commemorate Martyrs Day was held here today to pay respects to freedom fighters as well as to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Governor Najma Heptulla led the dignitaries including Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and his deputy Gaikhangam, along with other top ranking government and police officials in paying floral tributes to the bust of Gandhi. A two minute-long siren was sounded at 10:59 AM during which all vehicular movement came to a halt in the state capital. A band of Manipur Rifles also played the national anthem to mark the occasion. Hitendra Nath Goswami elected Speaker of Assam Assembly Guwahati, January 30 (PTI): Assam Assembly today unanimously elected BJP MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami as the Speaker of the House. "I declare that Hitendra Nath Goswami is elected as Speaker of the House unanimously," Assam Assembly Deputy Speaker Dilip Kumar Paul said. The process was necessitated due to former Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass resigning from the post after becoming the president of BJP's Assam unit last month. Goswami received seven nominations in support of him. After election, he said from the Chair, "I will work independently for upholding democratic values. My aim will not be to adjourn the House during differences. I will use the elasticity and discretion power of the Chair in such moments." Goswami, a former AGP minister, represents the Jorhat constituency.
