Nagaon, Feb. 28: The anti-talks faction of the United People?s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has agreed to initiate a dialogue with the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) if the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) acts as the mediator and guarantor in the peace process.

The Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills People?s Resistance ? the armed wing of the UPDS anti-talks faction ? today said the militant organisation was ready to accept the Kuki outfit?s offer for peace talks ?if the KRA accepts the NSCN (I-M) as the mediator?.

In a statement, the general secretary of the armed wing of the UPDS (anti-talk faction), H...

Guwahati, Feb. 28: BSNL?s CellOne will be launched here tomorrow following Delhi?s strict directive to start the cellular phone service in Assam within February. The BSNL will be the second cellular service provider in the city after Reliance Telecom, which is at present locked in a stand-off with the National Students Union of India (NSUI).

A senior BSNL official on condition of anonymity said the CellOne launch had to be advanced following a strict directive from Delhi.

?We received instructions from Delhi last evening that the service has to be launched within February. Tomorrow being the...

Guwahati, Feb. 27: A stunned Assam today questioned the wisdom of Bhupen Hazarika?s decision to join the BJP. The influential All Assam Students? Union (AASU) even said the legendary maestro has put the state to ?shame? by joining hands with a party which had insulted him not too long ago.

?We had stood by Bhupenda when the BJP-led NDA government insulted him and the entire state by cancelling his nomination to the Rajya Sabha at the last moment. But by joining the same party, he has put us to shame,? AASU president Prabin Boro said. Boro said as a citizen of a democratic country, Hazarika was...

Imphal, Feb. 27: A Manipuri play will shine in Athens ahead of the Olympics this year. Sanaleibak Nachom, a drama group, which stages sumang leela, a popular form of local theatre, will leave for Greece in June with Lidice-gee Gulap (Roses of Lidice) in hands.

The play, to be staged in seven cities of Greece during June and July, has been invited especially to the Peace Olympics. The World Peace Council, headquartered at Athonos in Athens, and the Greek Peace Movement are organising the event. The 17-day Athens Olympics kicks off on August 13.

World Peace Council secretary Irkish had shown...

Imphal, Feb. 27: For the second time in a fortnight, president of the BJP Manipur unit Thounaojam Chaoba Singh sought pardon from the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), which had passed a death sentence on him.

Chaoba Singh issued his first appeal on February 12 after the rebel group set February 15 as the deadline for the BJP to expel him from the party. The KYKL had accused the former Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports of being an agent of the Indian government.

In an advertisement published in all Imphal-based dailies today, the Lok Sabha MP said, ?Once again I would...