New Delhi, March 25: Member of Parliament and former interlocutor to the Mizo and Naga talks, Swaraj Kaushal, has appealed to Ulfa leader Anup Chetia to retract his decision of seeking asylum in Bangladesh. Kaushal has stated his desire of taking up the matter with the Centre for “his (Chetia’s) safe return to Assam”.

Golap Baruah alias Anup Chetia, general secretary and a founder member of the Ulfa, was arrested in Dhaka in 1997 and has four cases pending against him, including illegal possession of foreign currency, arms and forged passport.

A Bangladeshi court had recently sentenced the...

NEW DELHI, March 25 — Former Mizoram Governor and senior Rajya Sabha MP Swaraj Kaushal has offered his services to intervene on behalf of imprisoned outlawed ULFA leader Anup Chetia to work out his safe return to Assam.

In an open letter to the general secretary of the outfit currently lodged in Dhaka jail, Sri Kaushal has said, “if you agree I am prepared to intervene on your behalf and take up the matter with Government of India for your safe return to Assam.” Sri Kaushal, who was the moving force behind the singing of the Mizo Accord, said he was distressed by reports that Anup Chetia has...

SHILLONG, March 25 — Only 11 tribes belonging to the State of Meghalaya will be eligible to buy land in the State once the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 is amended, Chief Minister DD Lapang said today.

Describing the proposed amendment as “high sensitive” and “debatable”, Lapang informed the Meghalaya assembly that it is the intention of the government to prune the number of tribes eligible to buy land in the State from the present 54 to only 11.

Under the proposed amendment only the Khasi, Jaintia and Garos and also the indigenous Hmar, Baite, Karbi, Lalung (Tiwa), Rabha...

AIZAWL, March 25 – A government press release said the government is reverting to the old school academic year after careful consideration of opinions put forward by various organizations and prominent citizens, reports NEPS.

According to the release, the academic session that is to commence in May 2003, now will commence on April 23, 2003 with promotion exams being completed by the early part of March 2004. Accordingly, the government hopes to get back to the old school calendar year starting from January to December by January, 2005.

After receiving criticisms from the various NGOs in the...

KOKRAJHAR, March 25— Realising an urgent need to protect Katrigacha Reserve Forest under Dhubri district territorial division from rapid destruction of primary forests as well as ‘Golden Langur’ habitat in the area, ‘green heart’ a nature conservation society of North-east involving villagers of the fringe area for forest conservation.

As a part of their activity, a meeting was held with the villagers of Boro Gandrabil of Kokrajhar district at Dwimalu club-cum-library premises with DP Bankhowal, IPS, Conservator of Forests, Western Assam Circle as the chief guest and BN Patiri, divisional...