News

DIMAPUR, May 16 ? The Naga National Council (NNC) while welcoming the ?positive step? taken by the Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland for uniting all Nagas under the aegis of Naga National Unity, on Tuesday reiterated its stand that any settlement ?without involving the NNC? can never achieve a solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political problem. Asserting that the Naga problem, which is a political one, ?needs a political solution?, NNC said. We welcome the Peace Committee formed under the dynamic leadership of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio. NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi was...

GUWAHATI, May 16 ?Industries, that had committed crores of Rupees in investments in Assam, have suddenly lost interest in setting up bases here. They are, instead, directing their investments to Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal, keeping an eye on the nearness of the immense north Indian market. The Centre?s dedision to extend tax concessions, similar to the ones offered to investors in the North East to states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Jammu and Kashmir, have driven prospective investors away from this remote region to the more lucrative northern states...

HAFLONG, May 16 ? Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi alongwith DG(P), Home Commissioner, Commissioner, Hills and Barak valley etc visited Haflong, the district headquarter of North Cachar Hills, which has witnessed killing of several innocent, burning of houses etc due to recent ethnic clash between the Dimasa and Hmar today.

To console both the bereaved family of Normendu Langthasa and Lienzaova Toulour, who were killed by unidentified gunmen on May 12, Gogoi visted both the places of Langthasa and Toulour and shared sorrows with the families. The Chief Minister held a meeting with the Chief...

GUWAHATI, May 15 — In a joint operation, police and the Army have tracked down a deputy commander in-chief of the banned NDFB undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Downtown Hospital here. Police sources said the NDFB leader, identified as Ajay Brahma alias self-styled major B Olongbar, has not been arrested yet as he is severely ill, but is being kept under strict surveillance.

Police said the militant has been undergoing treatment at the hospital under the assumed name of Nirmal Bodo since May 9. All along police was suspecting his presence, but it was confirmed only...

GUWAHATI, May 15 — With the BJP-led NDA government determined to go ahead with the disinvestment of government shares in the public sector Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), the future of the Assam Accord Numaligarh Refinery in which BPCL controls 63.3 per cent equity is shrouded in uncertainty.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Members of Parliament from the State concerned at the development have already urged upon the Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik to safeguard the status of the Accord refinery as a public sector unit (PSU). Expressing apprehension that delay in taking timely action...