Teacher shot dead

lA lower primary school teacher, Mohit Brahma, of Laokhata Barpeta district was shot dead by a group of 12 antisocials on Saturday at 7.30 pm. The antisocials, dressed in army uniforms, called him out of the house and then gunned him down. Brahma hails from Nava-Disira village, 35 km from Patacharkuchi. The motive behind the killing is yet to be known. In an another incident, Tiken Das of Barchakadal village under Patacharkuchi police station was killed by Hari Dev Das on Sunday.

Rural progress

lSonitpur district has received Rs 14.8 crore to implement rural development schemes. Water resources minister Noor Jamal Sarkar said 9,000 self-help groups had been formed of which 1,300 groups had received revolving funds.

Police medal

lSub-inspector and in-charge of Kacharigaon police outpost, Tezpur, Dilip Bharali, has been selected for the President’s police medal for his gallantry service. Bharali had saved the lives of three police personnel despite being hit by three bullets on his back during a militant attack.

Traders’ plea

lThe National Chamber of Commerce, Tinsukia, has requested Union railway minister Nitish Kumar to start a railway line touching all the district headquarters and major townships of the state with Dibrugarh.

Literary meet

lA three-day Bodo Sahitya Sabha conference will be held at Rangiya from March 28.

Thumbs Up

To 73-year-old Verna Elizabeth Ingty W. Momin for being conferred the Padmashree in recognition of her distinguished social service. She is the first Garo to be honoured with the award which has been given to her for the year 2002