SHILLONG, June 5 – President APJ Abdul Kalam has deputed the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India, Dr Anil Kakodkar to Meghalaya to dispel apprehensions regarding possible radiation hazards arising out of the proposed uranium mining project at Domiasiat in the West Khasi Hills district of the State. Dr Kalam had assured a group of MLAs from Meghalaya, who called on him last month at New Delhi of soon deputing a team of experts to explain the ground realities of uranium mining, in the wake of stiff opposition to the proposed mining by certain NGOs on the ground that this...

Guwahati/Nagaon, June 4: Pressure is mounting on the Assam government to secure the release of minister G.C. Langthasa’s youngest son Nirmalendu from Ulfa captivity before the impasse causes an ethnic divide. In a memorandum to chief minister Tarun Gogoi, the apex community organisation of the Dimasas said the relationship between the people of the hills and the plains was as much at stake as Nirmalendu’s safety.

“The community desires that Nirmalendu should come back safe, unharmed and immediately. It is only recently that N.C. Hills returned to normality from months of ethnic violence, and...

New Delhi, June 4: Three years after it was created and within three weeks of getting its first in-charge from the Northeast, the department for development of the northeastern region (Doner) has metamorphosed into a full-fledged ministry. Doner secretary Reva Nayyar said the “push” for the change in status followed the appointment of P.R. Kyndiah, who was elected to Parliament from Shillong constituency, as the Union minister for Northeast development and tribal affairs.

“He is a cabinet minister and it would have looked funny had he been in charge of only a department. This (transition from...

Imphal, June 04: In yet another slur cast on the security personnel, family members of Thingom Surjit alias Rocky (25) of Thamnapokpi Mayai Leikai alleged that the youth was picked up by security force personnel and later done to death and not as claimed by 33 Assam Rifles authorities that Surjit was killed in an encounter. Mention may be made that Surjit was killed on May 2 evening near Kakching Khunou Tokpa Ching under Waikhong police station. The accusation by Surjit's family members follows official identification of the body today. Surjit, who left home some four years back is reported to...

Imphal, June 04: With the deadline (July 7) for reducing the size of the SPF Ministry to 12, fast approaching, the SPF Govt has started drawing up a tentative list of the Ministers likely to be dropped and likely to be retained. Expectedly intense lobbying and behind the scene activities have intensified with a number of young Ministers audibly voicing their stand against any move to drop them. Disclosing this to The Sangai Express a well placed source said that according to the tentative list, Thoubal district may have three or two Ministers including the Chief Minister. Abdul Salam from...