Imphal, June 08: Even though the Chakpikarong based 44 Brigade, brigadier has asked the displaced persons of Sajik Tampak areas to return to their homes the villagers are still reluctant to do so due to apprehension of escalation violence between underground elements and security force personnel there. The villagers' reluctance were highlighted to media persons during a visit at the remote Sajik Tampak areas organised by Indian Army. During an interaction with Brigadier VPPS Gushain at Chakpikarong, he said as Sajik Tampak and adjoining areas are highly sensitive, the security force has been...

Imphal, June 08: In a significant development concerning the interpretation and legality of section 309 Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit suicide), Irom Sharmila who has been on fast unto death since Nov 2, 2002 has filed a petition before the Supreme Court. The petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution prayed before the apex Court to issue a direction to the respondents to immediately and unconditionally release her from custody and to stop force feeding. Lawyers of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) initiated the case on behalf of Sharmila, said advocate Rakesh Meihoubam, co...

IMPHAL, June 8 – The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) claimed the responsibility for the encounter that took place with the combined force of State police and India Reserve Bettalion in the adjoining areas of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts Saturday. During the encounter, six security personnel susustained bullet injuries. The encounter took place at Khoirentak, Harmontang and Moirang Khousabung in and around the adjoining areas of Bishnupur and Churachandpur district. The gunbattle continued for several hours.

Claiming that the underground cadres of UNLF were involved...

SHILLONG, June 8 – Among the north-eastern States, Assam is the highest contributor of income-tax. Out of a total of Rs 590 crore revenue collected from income-tax in the entire North East in the 2002-03 financial year, Assam alone accounted for a whopping Rs 509 crore, Commissioner of Income-Tax, Guwahati, TM Das informed. In the current financial year there was a substantial increase in revenue collection which stood at 12,000 crore from the region, in which Assam’s contribution is again expected to be substantial, Das said, addressing a press conference at the Shillong Press Club on Monday...

SHILLONG, JUNE 8 – Non-governmental agencies fighting against the malaise of trafficking of women and children have expressed grave concern that the evil is growing with increasing numbers women and children from Meghalaya and other north-eastern States being lured and deceived into the flesh trade in the metropolitan cities in the country. Voicing concerns, Praveen Patkar, India’s representative for ‘End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT), has called for concerted action by the State authorities, NGOs and the public at large to wage a...