Ladakhis to intensify stir to press for statehood

NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (PTI): A day after they held a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, groups from Ladakh on Thursday reiterated their demands for statehood and 6th schedule status for the Union Territory, threatening to intensify their agitation if the government does not listen to them.

At a press conference here, environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk said democracy has been compromised in Ladakh and the local people have no say in decision-making.

Speaking on behalf of Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, an amalgam of social, religious, and political groups from the two districts of Ladakh, Wangchuk stressed on the need to provide safeguards for the environmentally sensitive area, and involve locals in decision-making.

“We wanted to become a UT, but we never imagined it would be without a legislature. There is no participation of people anymore in how the budget allocated to us is spent. The Autono- mous Hill Council has also been weakened, and the issue of statehood is of utmost importance,” he said.

“Ladakh is going through a crisis... When Article 370 was abrogated, the two districts - Leh and Kargil -- had different aspirations.

While there were protests in Kargil, it was welcomed in Leh …,” Sajjad Hussain, an activist from Kargil said. He said the administration has been left to the Lieut Governor and bureaucrats, who are not accountable to the people of Ladakh.

Govt bans fish products treated with formalin

DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN):

State government has prohibited storage, distribution or sale of fresh fish and fish products including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms treated with Formalin or any other forms of chemical preservatives in Nagaland with immediate effect.

In a notification, commissioner of food safety, health department, Y Kikheto Sema, cautioned that noncompliance to the notification would be an offence and would attract penalties up to Rs.10 lakh with imprisonment under section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act’2006.

Further, the designated officer/food safety officer of the districts have been directed to strengthen surveillance activity and carry out inspection, checking, testing and sampling of the fresh fish consignment before distribution for sale under its jurisdiction.

Adulterated, sub-standard food products banned: In another notification, the government has prohibited illegal import of food products, for sale, exhibit for sale, stored for sale or distribution of any form of Adulterated, misbranded, sub-standard food products imported from foreign countries and states with immediate effect.

It also warned Food Business Operators to desist from such illegal food business. Non-compliance of notification would be an offence punishable with penalty under section 51, 52 and 59 of the said Act.

The consumers have been advised to check the labelling provisions of the food products before purchase and to be aware and remain alert about such food products. The designated officers, food safety officers of the districts have been directed to carry out inspection and sampling for analysis.