AGARTALA, June 18 – A total of 952 people have been killed and over 1200 kidnapped by insurgents in Tripura during the last five years, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said.

In a written reply to a question by leader of the Opposition Ratan Lal Nath in the Assembly recently, Sarkar, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that 633 people were injured in insurgency-related incidents and 111 houses set ablaze by the ultras during the same period.

A total 836 insurgents had surrendered, he said, adding, 858 insurgents were arrested and 179 insurgents killed during the same period...

SHILLONG, June 18 – The Meghalaya Assembly on Thursday admitted a privilege motion against an NCP member questioning ‘impartiality’ of the Speaker. Speaker Martin M Danggo informed the House that his secretariat received a notice for privilege motion by Congress’ Zenith M Sangma who quoted media reports on April 26 last saying NCP leader ‘Edmund K Sangma flays Danggo for supporting the ruling party’s views’.

The Speaker said the motion would be taken up for discussion on Monday. Zenith Sangma in his privilege motion said the reports quoting the NCP leader questioned the ‘impartiality’ of...

GUWAHATI, June 18 – Indian industries are facing stiff challenges following free flow of third country products across the international border. The problem in the North East is more apparent as most of the markets are being flooded by these cheap products, posing a serious threat to the Indian industries.

The third country products are generally brought from Myanmar and then sold to different markets as per demand of the people. Porous Indo-Myanmar border and lack of enforcing agencies are helping the traders to run their business without any hindrance.

In Guwahati, three markets...

GUWAHATI, June 18 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today ruled out removal of any ‘tainted’ minister as demanded by the Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). Terming the AGP demand as vague and politically motivated one, he dared the AGP to name the ‘tainted’ ministers in his ministry. The AGP had at a recent press meet, made the demand for removal of some tainted Ministers from Gogoi’s Ministry referring to a letter of Transport Minister Anjan Dutta. However, the opposition party had refrained from naming any of the Ministers in this connection.

Taking a dig at the AGP president Brindaban Goswami...

NEW DELHI, June 18 — Asserting that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre was concerned with the growth of extremist violence and other forms of terrorist activities, Minister DONER, PR Kyndiah offered his assistance in resolving the problem of militancy in the North-East.

Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of the Conference of Chief Secretaries and Vice Chancellors (VCs), the Minister said that he could play the role of a catalyst as the main initiative would have to be taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs. But he added that the problem of militancy was not merely...