Guwahati, March 11: Assam is set to go the Kerala way by hardselling its countryside to the outside world. Clearly influenced by the southern state’s village and ecology-based tourism models, the Assam tourism department has decided to set up “model villages” to showcase its ethnic and cultural wealth.

To begin with, the department has identified a predominantly Karbi village, Phumen Ingti, for its project.

The village is located just three km from the Kaziranga National Park, home to the largest population of the one-horned rhino.

Next on the department’s list are Sualkuchi and Bhalukpung...

IMPHAL, March 11 (NEPS) – Amid severe criticism from the opposition - Democratic People’s Alliance, the first anniversary of the Secular Progressive Front government led by the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was held at the outhouse of the Manipur Chief Minister’s official residence on Monday afternoon.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister released a booklet highlighting the achievement of his government which came into power on March 7 last year. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Okram who also holds home portfolio reiterated his appeals to the anti-socials and insurgent outfits...

GUWAHATI, March 11 — The Minister in charge of Assam Accord implementation, Sri Pankaj Bora, today informed the State Assembly that the Government has so far spent an amount of Rs 12,89,28,385 on the tribunals set up under the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act but only 1501 foreigners have been deported from the State under the provisions of the Act. Replying to a question by Sri Zoii Nath Sarma (AGP), the Minister said that as on January 1 this year, the IMDT tribunals disposed of 20,297 cases.

In reply to another question by Sri Sarma, the Minister said that so far 149.298...

UDALGURI, March 11 – The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) should come for negotiations and should make public what it wants. If they want the welfare of the entire Bodo people, they should not delay in negotiations.” This was said by Hagrama Basumatary, chairman of Bodoland Liberation Tiger (BLT) at Udalguri courtfield Monday evening. He also questioned the validity of sovereign Boroland from Kokrajhar to Udalguri area only. Basumatary added that the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) would ensure peace and communal harmony and that development in the entire BTC area would be their...

SILCHAR, March 11 (NEPS): The NSCN-IM, alleged to be responsible for kidnapping of three Dima Halam Daoga (DHD) cadres reportedly released the abducted persons - Ajir Dimasa, Samil Dimasa and P Kapla. The abduction might be due to differences between the local cadres of the two outfits, intelligence sources said. The Naga outfit abducted the threesome on February 26 from Gayingpur, along the Cachar-Meghalaya border.

The abduction was quite surprising considering the understanding between the two outfits. One Daoraja Dimasa, a civilian, was also abducted along with the three DHD cadres. The...