NEW DELHI, May 21 – Faced with increasing demand by social groups to stop uranium mining in Meghalaya, the State government has started official-level talks with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre seeking “clarifications” on fears that people living near the mines were exposed to radiation.

“Our officials have met BARC people seeking clarifications,” Chief Minister DD Lapang told PTI here. However, he did not divulge the outcome of the meetings, saying this would be done only after State ministers met the BARC officials.

Several social groups have demanded stopping of uranium mining in Domiasiat...

It was a landmark event for the cultural scenario of the State as well as the north-eastern region when the Jyoti Chitraban Film & Television Institute (JCFTI) was inaugurated on January 17, 1999, as a tribute to Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, the father-figure of Assamese films who produced and directed the first-ever Assamese feature film way back in 1935 which incidentally was also the first-ever movie produced in the region. As the region has been devoid of any such institution prior to the JCFTI, the Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio (Society) authorities felt that it was high time such an...

GUWAHATI, May 21 – “The Northeast Frontier Railway is gradually emerging with an identity characterised by better performance both in optimum utilisation of resources, and on the front of manpower management,” said Trikalagya Rabha, CPRO, N F Railways in an informal press meet today.

The recently appointed CPRO, explaining the reasons behind his claim stated that as a technology driven organisation, N F Railway has gradually augmented its reliance on modern management practices, so that expenses are reduced and earnings are enhanced. Putting at rest fears of retrenchment of employees, he...

Kohima, May 20: Enthusiastic youths thronged the local ground here, the venue of the Miss Northeast contest, till late last night, as three contestants each from the seven sister states fought for the coveted title. Former Miss India, Yukta Mookhey and choreographer Kelly Dorjee were the star attractions of the evening.

Ilasara D. Kharkongor of Meghalaya was crowned Miss North East 2004. The first runner-up title also went to Meghalaya as Angelica Pearl Nampui charmed the five judges, with Dorjee heading the panel.

Nagaland made it to the first three with Miss Nagaland Sentila Jamir being...

Jorhat, May 20: For a change, the army in Assam is not pointing its guns at militants. Instead, the guns are trained at a Royal Bengal tiger of the Kaziranga National Park, which has killed several heads of cattle and even tasted human blood. Park director N.K. Vasu said villagers have been complaining of attacks on their cattle. A few days ago, forest officials tranquillised and caught two cubs, which had strayed into the villages in Dipholoopathar. They were later set free at the park.

However, when complaints of more attacks poured in, an operation was launched to track down the animal.

T...