KOHIMA, May 19?The Centre has created an ?Export Development Fund (EPF)? with an aim to boost trade from the north-eastern region under the prime minister?s package of new initiative for the north-east, reports PTI. An official release received here said the development of trade and exports in the region, which borders countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Myanmar, has been given priority by the Centre after the announcement of the specific set of measures under the ?PM?s action plan for the north-east? in January 2000.

The Centre has so far sanctioned Rs 7.95 crore for 21 projects...

Aizawl, May 28: The Mizoram forest department today downplayed the case against state excise minister K. K. Vanlalauva?s, indicted for having killed and feasted on a barking deer, saying it was a ?minor one?.

Though government officials refused to comment, an assistant conservator of forests said the offence for which Vanlalauva has been indicted was ?minor and punishable at most by a fine of Rs 2,000?.

Chief minister Zoramthanga, also an invitee to the feast at Vanlalauva?s home in which the venison was served, said he had no comment on the court directive.

?Since I have not been...

Agartala, May 28: Mathia, a film directed by Catholic priest Joseph Pulinthanath in the tribal Kokborok language, has bagged the best feature film award at the international film festival held in Warsaw from May 19 to 25.

The film is based on the prevalent custom of witch-killing in Tripura?s tribal community. Zygmunt, chief organiser of the festival, conveyed the news in a message to Sampari Pictures of Bishramganj in Bishalgarh subdivision yesterday.

Since nobody on behalf of Sampari Films could attend the festival, the organisers will send the award, consisting of a citation and statuette...

SHILLONG, May 27 ? A merger between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and People's Democratic Movement (PDM) is in the offing in Meghalaya, party General Secretary P A Sangma said Tuesday, reports PTI.

''A talk of merger between the NCP and PDM is going on. Perhaps by the end of the month, this process will be over'', he told reporters here. While NCP has 14 seats in the assembly, the PDM has no representative in the 60-member state assembly. Stating that the NCP was presently busy in strengthening its organisation, he said ''we are satisfied with the role of a constructive Opposition. We...

Guwahati, May 27: The holiest shrine in the Northeast and the pride of Assam, Kamakhya temple, is all set for greater glory.

The Centre has set into motion the process for designating the temple ? revered as the seat of tantric cult in the country ? as a ?monument of national heritage? and bring it under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

ASI sources said the Haigrib-Madhav temple in Hajo would also be brought under the agency?s protection. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu with the head of a horse.

The Kamakhya temple atop the Nilachal hills was built...