News

Imphal, March 20: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s promise to rehabilitate surrendered militants has failed to the cheer up the majority of the former rebels. Fed up with a “series of unfulfilled promises” many of them are now weighing various options, including returning to life in the jungles.

Ibobi had announced in the just-concluded budget session of the Assembly that surrendered militants would be given priority in the recruitment of the proposed 3rd India Reserve Battalion.

However, the surrendered militants have claimed that such promises are not new. “Three phases of...

SHILLONG, March 19 — Meghalaya Governor MM Jacob today admitted that there had been serious allegations of corruption in the government during the last few years and assured that the new Government would strive to provide clean, transparent and efficient governance.

In his maiden address to the members of the newly constituted seventh Meghalaya Assembly here today, the Governor promised “concrete steps will be taken to strengthen the vigilance set-up in the State to deal effectively with corruption in the Government.” The hour-long address spoke of the State Government’s firm commitment to...

SHILLONG, March 19 — All export operations to Bangladesh from Assam and Meghalaya have been suspended from March 17 in the wake of the abduction of a customs officer and six exporters by suspected NDFB and PFLM militants on February 28 last from Ghasuapara in South Garo Hills.

Commissioner of Customs DD Ingty told newsmen in the evening that the decision of suspend operations will affect the lucrative Rs 200 crore annual export from Meghalaya alone.

“We have informed the Meghalaya Government that the customs authorities have been constrained to suspend the exports from the land customs...

NEW DELHI, March 19 — Nagaland Government has taken serious note of the complacent manner of Assam Government in issuing documents to illegal migrants. Assam has become a breeding ground for illegal migrants, who after procuring necessary documents move to the hills of Nagaland, charged Chief Minister of the State, Neiphiu Rio.

The cause of alarm for the State is that it has recorded the highest decadal population growth rate in the country at 67 per cent. The minister said that though the hill sector in his State has no problem, the Dimapur valley has been affected. It may be recalled here...

DIBRUGARH, March 19 — A unique festival of the Monpa community, the Kora festival, will be held at Zemithang from March 29 for five days. Kora is an important festival of the community, next only to the Lossar festival, in significance. The border town of Zemithang, near the Indo-China border, has been its traditional venue. This year, the Tawang district administration has also arranged for a handloom expo at Zomithang, to coincide with the festivities.

Since the past few years, the Arunachal Pradesh Government has been doing all it can to promote tourism in the State. Tawang is one of the...