GUWAHATI, Jan 31: Growing links between the militant outfits of the North Eastern region and Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) backed Kashmiri militant outfits is causing concern among the security agencies and recently the security agencies have come across links between the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and Jamait Ul Mujaheedin (JUM), a Pakistan Occupied Kashmir based militant outfit.

Highly placed security sources said that the links between the ULFA and the JUM came to light after the seizure of huge number of AK 47 ammunition in Kolkata, following which, two ULFA...

TAMULPUR, Jan 31 ? The peace process in the State received a shot in the arm today as 156 militants, belonging mostly to the banned ULFA and the NDFB, laid down their arms before the GOC Gajraj Corps, Lt Gen Anup Singh Jamwal at Tamulpur in Nalbari district and pledged to shun violence and be a part of the mainstream. Those who surrendered included five woman cadres as well.

Significantly, the general amnesty declared by the State Government for militants wishing to surrender expires today. But the GOC made it clear that it would have no effect on the Army?s endeavour to get militants...

Guwahati, Jan. 30: Last night was certainly the longest for the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in recent memory. By the time party president Brindaban Goswami defeated challenger Prafulla Kumar Mahanta to earn a second term in office, it was morning. The first light of the day, however, did not quite dispel the darkness within the AGP.

In the span of 24 hours, the divide in the party became so pronounced that a repeat of 1990, when it suffered a split, looked possible.

In 1990, former home minister Bhrigu Kumar Phukan and Goswami revolted against Mahanta and formed the Natun Asom Gana Parishad. The...

Guwahati, Jan. 30: He became president of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) over two years ago, but battle-hardened Brindaban Goswami will regard his victory over Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in the fight to retain the top job as his finest moment.

Chosen to lead the party after Mahanta, his predecessor, was forced to step down in September 2001, there were doubts among a section in the AGP ? and outside ? about Goswami?s ability to lead the regional party.

However, the man known for his cool temperament silenced his detractors in style this morning, defeating his challenger by a margin of 97 votes in...

Imphal, Jan. 30: The office of the Manipur unit of the BJP was closed down today following a threat issued by an underground outfit to protest MP Chaoba Singh?s joining the party. The banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) asked the BJP to close down all party offices and stop party-related activities with immediate effect.

Several years ago, the outfit had announced death sentence for Chaoba Singh, charging him with involvement in drug trafficking, sucking blood of the people of Manipur during his more than 25 years of political career and indulging in activities that went against the interest...