-Economic and Political Weekly The government has notified a Draft Land Reforms Policy which, on paper, has all the requisites of an earnest programme. Yet, the near total failure of earlier efforts at land reforms in India leave little room for hope that something substantial will at last be done to combat landlessness. Harsh Mander (manderharsh@gmail.com) is with the Centre for Equity Studies, New Delhi, and works with survivors of mass violence,...

-The Hindu 40 families of Ragimaruru village have been bonded labourers for decades Hassan (Karnataka): While the rest of the country celebrates Independence Day, the much-vaunted freedom has no meaning for around 40 families of Ragimaruru village in Arakalgudu taluk, who have been bonded labourers for years. They work every day for a day's off can attract the wrath of their masters. And, there are no specified working hours. They have to report...

-The Telegraph Tezpur (Assam): Rains in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and a rise in the water level of Solengi river has inundated at least 20 villages in Assam's Sonitpur district today. An embankment of the Solengi river at Borghuli village was breached, affecting the neighbouring villages. Road communication between Gohpur and Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, was also hit due to floodwaters. Ramen Bora, a resident of Kokila village, said the breach near...

-The Hindu Kozhikode (Kerala): The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has intervened in the problem of malnutrition deaths plaguing the tribal belts of Attappady in Palakkad district in the State. A letter written by T.K.A. Nair, Adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has urged Kerala Chief Secretary E.K. Bharat Bhushan to take preventive measures to find an amicable solution to the grave problem. (As many as 54 children have reportedly died owing to...

-The Times of India JORHAT: The surge in the water level of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries aggravated the flood situation in Dhemaji, Jorhat and Golaghat districts on Sunday. Dhemaji district administration opened five relief camps in the district and has even started distribution of relief material among flood victims. According to a Central Water Commission report, the water level of the Brahmaputra at Neematighat in Jorhat district was 87.73cm on Sunday...