Heavy rains trigger flood, landslides in Arunachal Pradesh

 Itanagar,Sept 19 (PTI) Incessant rains over the past week has thrown life out of gear in Arunachal Pradesh with flood and landslides reported in many parts of the state. Floods triggered by rain submerged paddy fields, causing erosion and landslides in many areas of Nari, Ruksin, Pasighat and adjacent areas of East Siang district, officials said today. The historical MMJ road, considered as the lifeline of rural people of Ruksin sub-division, has been breached at several locations causing great problems to office goers and villagers. The flood also caused extensive damage to rural link roads, they said. Continuous rainfall for the last few days caused extensive damage to the Forest Beat office at Korang in the district. The flood water brought in huge debris with boulders damaging water tank, drinking water pipeline, some portion of buildings and also compound fencing. The rain triggered landslide blocked the main road culvert (PWD) near Beat Office causing soil erosion. If rain continues, government quarters and office buildings might be washed away, Beat Officer Bapak Koyu said. Meanwhile, DFO Bittem Darang has rushed to the spot and started relief and rescue operation to prevent further damage. The road communication to Mengio circle in Papum Pare district remains cut off as the rainwater washed away the road at various points between Sagalee to Mengio, the sources said. People of Mengio and Silsango areas are facing shortage of essential commodities due to disruption of road communication, officials added. PTI

 High Court orders reopening of liquor shops & bars in Guwahati 

 Guwahati, Sept 19 (PTI) The Gauhati High Court has directed all liquor shops and bars, closed earlier, having licences acquired before March 18, 2005, to reopen. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan in an interim order passed yesterday ordered reopening of bars here and directed the Assam government to submit a report of the administrative inquiry into grant of permission to liquor shops and bars by officials who violated norms. The order came after a high power committee formed by the state government to inquire into granting of liquor licenses and loss of employment and state revenue suggested that bars and wine shops having licences before March 18, 2005 may be allowed to reopen as the distance restriction of 500 metres was introduced only on that day. A petition was filed by the All Assam India Made Foreign Liquor Retailers' Association pleading modification of an earlier order by the court passed on July 9 directing closure of all liquour shops and bars within a radius of 500 metres of educational institutions and religious places. The high court had passed another order on August 24 allowing reopening of bars and liquor shops, which were granted licenses till March 13, 2000. There are 303 liquour shops and 128 bars in the city and following the latest order, about 22 liquor shops will still remain closed. The next date of hearing was fixed on November 26. PTI TI