Firing again across the LoC

     Poonch: Amid the denials of Pakistan's invovlment in firing, the LoC in Kashmir witnessed fresh heavy mortar shellings from Pakistani side late Thursday evening. Brigadier Dhruv Katoch of 16 Corps headquarters Jammu said that ten mortar shells followed by light machine gun were fired for 15 minutes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri Sector in Poonch district. However, no casualty or damage to property is reported. He didn't blame Pakistan for the firing and told, "we are investigating and it is too early to blame anybody as even militants have these small mortars and machine guns". Meanwhile, the state governor and Army Chief General NC Vij are scheduled to dedicate fencing across the LoC today.

First direct Haj flight from Guwahati

     Guwahati: The Haj pilgrimage for the people of the North East, particularly Assam,has just become easier with the launch of a direct flight from Assam to Jeddah. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently flagged off the inaugural Air India flight. This is the first international flight from Assam to West Asia and has fulfilled the long pending demand of the Haj Pilgrims from Assam, who will not have to head for Kolkata or Delhi to take a flight for Jeddah.

AGP to boycott Republic Day functions (Go To Top)

     Guwahati: Fearing that the Republic Day celebrations may invite bloody attacks, the opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has issued a call to boycott all official Republic Day functions in the state. The banned militant outfit, ULFA, has already called for a 'general strike' and boycott of Republic Day functions. Last year's independence Day programs saw 13 children being killed in a bomb blast at Dhemaji. The AGP General secretary Deilip Kumar Saikia said, "there is no guarantee that the same will not be repeated this time." The opposition alleged that the state government failed miserably in countering the violence across the state and did not take any action regarding the allegations of ministers having links with ultra outfits.