GOLAGHAT, May 10 – It is world’s most famous sanctuary for the endangered one-horned rhino, but the plight of the Kaziranga National Park does not find any mention in the speeches of politicians. The 859 sq km Park spans five constituencies, including Bokakhat, but the politicians here seem to be oblivious of its existence. This despite the fact that during elections, the candidates and their retinues have been regularly using the National Highway-37, the road east of the park to attend election meetings.

“Barring a 376 square km stretch of land where illegal migrants have settled, the park...

NEW DELHI, May 10 – Tumultuous days are ahead in Assam, with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi planning to start the process of trimming his ministry next month by asking his ministers to submit resignations en masse. The Chief Minister who paid a quiet week-end visit to Delhi apparently to gauge to the mood of the Party High Command in the aftermath of the oil-scam, however, could not meet Party president, Sonia Gandhi. Instead he briefed her close confident, organisation secretary, Oscar Fernandes about the recent developments. He is leaving for Assam tomorrow.

“We have began the process of...

Imphal, May 9: The army today said it would use “minimum force” and not artillery guns or helicopter gunships in its ongoing operation at Sajik Tampak and surrounding areas of Chandel district to flush out militants. Denying media reports of use of artillery guns and helicopter gunships in the operation, a defence release today stated that the basic rule of engagement of the army in counter-insurgency operations was the “use of minimum force”.

The same principle was being applied in Chandel district. Southern Chandel had been plagued by presence of various militant groups. The army...

Kohima, May 8: Authorities in Nagaland are suspicious of the high percentage of turnout of citizens to exercise their franchise in the parliamentary polls. Even as rampant proxy voting was recorded in Kohima on polling day by a team of journalists, statistics from other Assembly segments are more surprising.

In Longleng district’s two constituencies, Tamlu and Longleng, over 99.8 per cent voting was recorded. Only 33 persons from the 30,866 electorate in Tamlu have not voted according to the election office records here.

From the 16,790 voters in the Siyuchong-Sitimi Assembly constituency...

Shillong, May 9: Cross with its allies in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance for ganging up against partyman P.R. Kyndiah in Shillong, the Congress has begun scouting for new partners. Though chief minister D.D. Lapang is determinedly mum on the subject, the marriage between the Congress and the regional bloc comprising the United Democratic Party (UDP), the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) is on the rocks.

A source said the Congress was likely to annul its alliance with the three regional parties after the announcement of the Lok...