Agartala, May 23: The Reang tribals, identified as the only “primitive group” in Tripura, have set in motion a process of unity under the banner of a socio-cultural organisation to protect the interests of the community. A state convention of Reang “Chowdhurys” (chieftains) is being held in Karbook area under Amarpur subdivision of South Tripura to float a new organisation.

More than 500 Reang chieftains from all over the state are attending the meeting, though CPM MP from East Tripura, Bajuban Reang, will not attend as he is in Delhi.

Vasishtha Reang, a senior leader of the community, said...

SHILLONG, May 23 – With the July 6 deadline for downsizing of the ministry just over a month away, permutations and combinations have become the order of the day in the political arena of the State. As per the new law, Meghalaya can have only 12 ministers in a House of sixty. Speculations are rife as to what could be the formula that Chief Minister D.D. Lapang, leader of the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic alliance (MDA) coalition would follow while downsizing his jumbo ministry. With the D-Day approaching, the guessing game has begun, and so has the politicking among the Congress party’s...

The Tripura unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has snapped ties with Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura and decided to contest the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state alone, a party spokesman said on Saturday.

The decision was taken in the party’s extended meeting held here Friday, because the allies could not work in coordination during the last Lok Sabha elections in the state. The INPT remained inactive and did not show any interest to work in favour of the BJP candidate, who contested from the East Tripura constituency, BJP spokesman Sudhindra Dasgupta said adding that the party...

GUWAHATI, May 23 – Sounding upbeat over Dr Manmohan Singh assuming office as the Prime Minister of the country, the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) has expressed confidence that under his able stewardship the state and the North-east would be able to tide over its multitude of problems, especially those concerning the poor industrialisation scenario of the region.

Terming Dr Singh’s elevation to the top post as a very good thing to have happened for the region, NEDFi chairman and managing director JP Saikia today told The Assam Tribune that the industrial policy for the...

NEW DELHI, May 23 – Union Cabinet Minister PR Kyndiah has been given charge of Tribal Affairs and DONER, Santosh Mohan Deb Minister of State (Independant) charge given Department of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise and BK Handique made Minister of State for Defence and Parliamentary Affairs.

While Kyndiah and SM Deb wee more less satisfied, Handique was expecting some developmental ministry having importance for NE region. They are likely to join next week.

Earlier, with wrangling over distribution of portfolios among allies of the United Progressive Alliance, the newly-elected...