A stimulus package for the crisis-hit tea industry in the country has been prepared by the Commerce Ministry, following a big economic crisis. The basic aim of the package, worth Rs 2,800 crore, which is submitted to the Government for Cabinet approval, is to improve the tea plantations.

It was announced by the Minister of State for Commerce, Jairam Ramesh, while launching the new e-auction and a GI logo for Assam orthodox tea at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre that the tea growing states like Assam would immensely benefit from the new scheme.

Guwahati, Dec. 9 : India is making the same mistakes in handling its internal conflicts as it did in tackling the external attacks on Mumbai.

This is one of the findings of the Asian Council of Human Right''s in its India Human Rights Report 2008.

The report underlines that human rights violations by the State, combined with the failure of State institutions to address these violations, are fuelling internal conflict.

Kamrup (Assam), Dec 8: At least 100,000 birds have been culled in Assam after bird flu began to spread in an alarming manner.

More than 100,000 chickens and ducks have been be slaughtered over the weekend in around 20 villages, after one of them, just 35 km of Guwahati, was hit by bird flu.

Authorities are worried about a new outbreak after some poultry deaths were reported in Palasbari.

"It is around between two to three lakh. About two lakh more need to be culled," said S L Mewara, the state''s commissioner of veterinary and animal husbandry department.

The virus has now spread to Barpeta and Nalbari districts besides Kamrup district.

Morigaon (Assam), Dec 7 : Eight members of a banned militant outfit have surrendered in Assam.

They surrendered militants belonged to the "Karbi Longri National Liberation Front."

The militants laid down their arms before Major General Chander Prakash of Indian army''s Redhorn Division at Jagi road in Morigaon district on Saturday.

One of the militants said he was forced to join the outfit against his will.

Bird Flu virus has spread to two more regions including Barpeta and Nalbari in lower Assam.

The fresh outbreak prompted the State Veterinary department to start the culling of thousands of chickens in these regions.

The samples, which were sent to laboratories in Bhopal, have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza.

The State Government has ordered culling operations and Rapid Response Teams (RRT)s have already begun going from house-to-house asking the habitants to give away their poultry birds to them.

Assam authorities ordered to kill 40,000 poultry as there is deadly bird flu virus in the region. The poultry targeted includes chickens and ducks.

Deputy Director of the Assam Veterinary department, Manoranjan Choudhury said, “Culling operations are on in the district of Kamrup since Friday and so far about 40,000 chickens and ducks were killed.”