NEW DELHI, May 26 – Aiming for economic development of the North-east by restoring peace, the Centre today appealed to the insurgents there to come to the negotiating table saying "dialogue is the only way to solve all problems", reports PTI. "Insurgents must realise that it is time for all of us to recognise the importance of dialogue. The insurgents may be misguided because of economic deprivation but it is important for all of us to believe in the dialogue process as it is the only way to solve all problems," Tribal Affairs and NE Development Minister PR Kyndiah told PTI. He said his...

Aizawl, May 25: Experts at a dialogue held today to discuss the draft policy of the ministry of tribal affairs found the policy inadequate in addressing the country’s tribal problems and especially those of the Northeast. The dialogue, organised by the Human Rights and Law Network of Aizawl, was attended by representatives from the churches, press, retired government officials, NGOs and legal practitioners.

The experts unanimously opined that tribals of the Northeast were distinct and could not be encompassed under an all-India tribal policy umbrella as drafted in the policy.

Two former IAS...

Kohima, May 25: The grand old man of Naga politics and former chief minister, Vizol, has decided to retire on health grounds. Vizol, who was appointed president of the ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) in October 2002, has asked the party to relieve him because of his deteriorating health, according to NPF general secretary K. Kath.

Though the NPF initially decided to prepone its annual convention in view of the development, the party last week postponed it to November to accommodate certain amendments.

“The NPF will become a cadre-based party, similar to the CPI and CPM,” said a leader....

Kokrajhar, May 25: Given his fascination for “border” themes, filmmaker J.P. Datta may not need too much prodding to make a film on the travails of the residents of Darranga, a once thriving town on the Indo-Bhutan border in Assam. Since the Royal Bhutan Army’s offensive against militants, life has been unkind to several thousand families dependent on trade with the Bhutanese people for their livelihood.

Darranga is about 115 km from Nalbari town and part of the newly created Baska district, which is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council. The population is a mix of Bodos, Nepalis...

SHILLONG, May 25 – Two Shillong girls have bagged the first couple of positions in the 'Miss North East' beauty pageant as Ilasara crowned the title, reports PTI. Anjalika was the first runner-up in the contest held at Kohima and hosted by the Beauty and Aesthetics Society of Nagaland (BASN).

Presenting themselves before the media here Monday, Ilasara said she wanted to finish her studies and “at the moment not concentrating as fashion as career.”

“Education is till important to me although I am the title holder,” said Ilasara, who received a purse of Rs 50,000 and a crown from former Miss...