Development

Guwahati, July 4: A mission to digitally preserve Assamese literature of the 19th century has become part of the National Archives network. The Guwahati-based Nanda Talukdar Foundation launched the project in 2002 and has since restored all available editions of the first journal in Assamese, Arunudoy. Christian missionaries had published the inaugural edition of the journal in 1846.

The foundation?s administrator, Maitrayee Das, said the National Archives adopted the project last month.

?The National Archives selected our project after stringent scrutiny of our status and financial discipline...

Agartala, July 4: In a new twist to the ongoing power struggle in the Autonomous District Council (ADC), chief executive member Hirendra Kumar Tripura was asked to resign by his party today. The central executive committee of the National Socialist Party of Tripura (NSPT) ordered the controversial leader to tender his resignation from the post by July 8, failing which he would be expelled.

Tripura who is currently outside the state for treatment of his eyes, could not be contacted for his reaction.

The simmering discontent over Tripura?s activities, among his partymen and the CPM, which is...

New Delhi, July 4: The two representatives of Nagaland in Parliament are ready with a list of uncomfortable questions for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government on its common minimum programme, which rules out altering the boundaries of the northeastern states.

Lok Sabha member W.W. Konyak and his Rajya Sabha counterpart T.R. Zeliang are expected to demand a clarification on the government?s stand on the demand for integration of Naga-inhabited areas within the first three days of the budget session, beginning tomorrow.

A source said both MPs were of the view that the...

July 4: Less than 24 hours after getting Sonia Gandhi?s seal on the composition of his new team, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi rushed to 10 Janpath for the second time with a revised list to calm restive ministers who had got wind of their omission from the original one.

A Gogoi aide said lobbying intensified as word got around that some senior ministers were not on the list approved yesterday by the Congress president. ?After getting a whiff of a revolt, the chief minister had no option but to take a second look at the list.?

Another source said the disgruntled Congress leaders persuaded...

IMPHAL, July 4 ? All the 32 ministers of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) in Manipur Saturday night submitted their resignation papers to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to give him a free hand in downsizing the jumbo ministry before July seven, official sources said here. Speaker T N. Haokip and Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee Songchinkhup, who was of the cabinet rank, also stepped down raising speculation about their induction in the ministry.

The Hill panel was formed by legislators from the hill area. The ministers who have submitted their resignation papers included 25 of cabinet...

KOHIMA, July 4 ? Various individuals and organisations have congratulated former Nagaland Chief Minister and senior Congress leader SC Jamir for the reported move to appoint him as governor of Goa and urged him to continue his service for welfare of the Nagas through his wisdom. In the event of his assuming office, Jamir would be the second Naga after Hokishe Sema being appointed to the gubernatorial post by the new UPA government as per his wish to stay outside the state politics for "sometime".

State Governor Shyamal Datta congratulated Jamir and wished him a good health. Nagaland Baptist...

HAILAKANDI, July 4 ? In a memorandum to the Governor of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner of Hailakandi, the Hailakandi District Jaintia Darbar alleged the violation of human rights as well as constitutional rights as enshrined in the Preamble and the fundamental rights given in the Constitution of India.

The Darbar further alleged that the minority Jaintia people are living in very deplorable conditions and the Jaintia-inhabited places of Barak valley do not have pure drinking water supply, electricity, medical facilities and other infrastructural facilities including road communication...

NEW DELHI, July 4 ? In a tactical move aimed at avoiding further bitterness among his ministerial colleagues, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has decided to maintain status quo and avoid change of portfolios. The new ministry is likely to be in place by Tuesday. In the process, the downsizing is tipped to be a tame affair, as Sri Gogoi has made up his mind not to even promote or downgrade any ministers. The change in the portfolios of the ministers is likely to be effected later this year once the dust settles down, sources said. A brief swearing in ceremony may take place to induct the new faces...

New Delhi, July 3: The downsizing of the Tarun Gogoi ministry has entered its decisive stage with the AICC in-charge for Assam Digvijay Singh announcing tonight that the formation of the new team is almost complete. Emerging from an hourlong meeting with chief minister Gogoi, held at Assam Bhawan late this evening, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said the list was more or less complete. ?There will be no further meetings on the issue. It is now for the chief minister to announce his ministerial team,? he said.

Singh, who had met Gogoi on Thursday, yesterday interacted with MPs and...

Guwahati, July 3: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) chief Brindaban Goswami today appeared unfazed by yesterday?s ?in-camera? session between foes-turned-friends Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Phukan at the circuit house.

For the first time in more than a decade, the former chief minister and home minister had a one-to-one meeting, sources close to them said. They discussed intra-party affairs under Goswami?s leadership, leaving the political landscape abuzz with all kinds of speculation.

The sources said the duo had serious objections to the omission of several senior leaders in the 12-member...