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The media fraternity in Tripura became desperate against the left front government seeking CBI probe following murder of two journalists in two months – one in the presence of police and another in the chamber of a commandant of Tripura State Rifles. As many as 12 professional bodies of journalists of the state have launched a common platform – Forum for Protection of Journalists (FPJ) to press for the demand of CBI probe into the murder of journalists Sudip Datta Bhowmik and Shantanu Bhowmik, to pass separate bill for the protection of journalists from violence.

Tripura government has however, constituted SITs for both the incidents rejecting the demand of CBI. After murder of Shantanu Bhowmik on September 20 in presence of police at Mandai, left front government constituted first SIT, led by IGP (armed force) G S Rao. It could not make any breakthrough except the arrest of four tribal youths claimed to be innocent and drug addicts. But in case of Sudip Datta Bhowmik who was gunned down at TSR 2nd battalion headquarter at R K Nagar of Agartala on 21 November, the government constituted SIT under DIG (southern range) Arindam Nath where IGP (armed force) Rao is accused of being a conspirator in the case. While producing Nayak shubedar Amit Debbarma and Rifleman Dharmendra Singh of the same battalion in the court, police claimed that Nandalal Reang, personal guard (PG) of Commandant confessed that the plot of murder was created on 19 November by Commandant Tapan Debbarma and both of them had discussion at the residence of the commandant. “Nandalal opened fire from his  following instruction of the Commandant in the parade ground inside the campus where Amit and Dharmendra had played a big role in the execution as per the order given by Tapan Debbarma,” police informed the court when argued for their remand. According to the investigating team, so far the information revealed by the accused, Tapan Debbarma had a professional relation with Sudip Datta Bhowmik for a long time. But recently he had made some news reports in Syandan Patrika including the financial corruption in the battalion and various immoral activities of Tapan Debbarma. Sudip recently got access to information of extra marital affairs of Tapan with a doctor posted in South Tripura.

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It is crystal clear that North East India has a huge potential of hydro power resources in the country. But a negligible amount of hydro power has been harnessed by different power generating agencies and government so far. Until and unless we tap these unexploited water resources, it will be a huge amount of economic loss for the region. Following suggestions are presented to exploit the unexploited hydro power resources of the region:

* Private power companies’ participation with respective states for joint development of hydro power generation must be encouraged in North Eastern Region. It will make possible to harness the unexploited hydro power potential of the region at maximum extent directly and boost up the socioeconomic condition of this backward region indirectly.

* Reorganisation and strengthening more on the existing hydro power generating public sector enterprises of the region such as NEEPCO, NHPC and WAPCOS is highly needed. Their age old work culture and technology should be changed with highly sophisticated technology.

* North Eastern state governments should take part in equity participation in the public sector power companies in lieu of their share of free power. This will put more concern on the development of already exploited and unexploited power resources of the region.

*Investment by other power deficit states to the power potential states or forming a joint venture to tap the unexploited resources is highly needed. In addition Foreign Direct Investment on Hydro Power sector must be encouraged by the government with special provision to North east India.

*A congenial atmosphere, cooperation from the people, NGOs, funding agencies and environmental clearance agencies are other important areas to be considered before construction of any major hydro power site. This will minimise the conflict between government and people, cost escalation and time overrun for completion of project.

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Masakui Rungsung, His Excellency , the Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe was felicitated at his hometown, Lamlang in Ukhrul district of Manipur by Tangkhul civil organizations.

Earlier, in the past years, Masakui served as Second Secretay in Jakarta, Indonesia, Under-Secretary, UNES, New Delhi, Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa, Counsellor in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Director in the Ministry of External Affairs. He is from the 2001 batch of Indian Foreign Service. He has become the Ambassador of India to Zimbabwe since May, 2016.

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Prior to the “Cherry Blossom Festival 2017” the Mukul Sangma led government had been facing criticism for the extravagant spend on the fourday multi-crore festival at a time when Meghalaya is reeling under financial crisis. There was plenty of criticism since the cherry refused to bloom especially inside Ward’s Lake. It is no doubt that this year, the pinkish and white cherries took its own time to bloom but critics must know that sometimes even science cannot predict nature. The Ward’s Lake which is the main attraction during this pink and white festival saw only a few of the cherry’s bloom but other parts of Meghalaya such as Upper Shillong, Laitkor, Golflink, Pyndengrei in Nongstoin West Khasi Hills saw plentiful of Cherry that did not fail to amaze its spectators.

During the inauguration on 8th November in Ward’s Lake, Aldous Mawlong the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya decided that the show must go on, blossom or no blossom since tourists from around the country and abroad had already reached Shillong.

The Himalayan cherry blossom is a real sight to behold and grows wild in the Khasi Hills. The India International Cherry Blossom festival is yet another reason for drawing visitors and tourists to Meghalaya, the North-eastern State of India. The festival is set up around Shillong’s picturesque and legendary Ward’s Lake. The festival is being touted as the world’s only Autumn Cherry Blossom Festival which was held from 8th to 11th November 2017. The entire state became a live stage for music, dance and other performances. The festival featured a number of events such as guided night walk beneath illuminated cherry blossoms, a fashion show, live music gigs and a variety of stalls showcasing region’s cuisine, art, craft and wine. Rock concert, unplugged western music, traditional folk music, dance performances from all over the northern parts of India, choir performances, bicycle rallies, photography competitions, storytelling sessions of the world and local folktales are all the other attractions for the visitors.

Donboklang Wanniang

To read the further article please get your copy of Eastern Panorama March issue @http://www.magzter.com/IN/Hill-Publications/Eastern-Panorama/News/ or mail to contact @easternpanorama.in