BANGKOK, March 10 — Underscoring the need for the continuance of the ongoingg Naga peace talks with the Centre, Nagaland NSCN(IM) has urged the Indian Government to depute a politician instead of a bureaucrat to hold parleys with the group, reports PTI.

NSCN sources said they were keen to have a politician at the talks instead of a bureaucrat. “In any talks, there has to be give and take, and it is difficult sometimes to negotiate with non-politicians.”

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who was in Bangkok over the last two days, said he had met with NSCN (IM) chairman Chishi Swu and both...

KOHIMA, March 10— Chief Minister Neiphu Rio whose Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition government took over the reins of the state on March six, and is yet to distribute portfolios, today inducted four new Ministers, including one of Cabinet rank besides elevating five Ministers of State to Cabinet rank, reports PTI. Of the four new entrants, I Sangtam of the BJP was of cabinet rank while others from the Nagaland People’s Front, the leading DAN partner, were made Ministers of State.

The newly inducted Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Shymal Dutta at...

ITANAGAR, March 10 – Bamboo or the poor man’s timber, as its is called emotionally, is poised for bringing about a revolution in Arunachal Pradesh in particular and the North East in general, claimed Dr S N Hegde, director Arunachal Pradesh State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in an exclusive interview here Sunday.

Mentioning that the North East Region has the largest bamboo resource and holds a unique bamboo culture, Dr Hedge cited the Apatani bamboo cultivation and management of plantation which has already gained acclaim the world over.“This poor man’s timber comes in the life of the...

GUWAHATI, March 9—The Indo-Myanmarese border trade across the Moreh point has suffered a setback due to closure of ‘Burma Economic Bank’. All the banking transactions have come to a grinding halt due to closure of the bank and as a result of which traders are facing severe problem. The bank has been closed down last week by the Military junta due to poor financial position.

It is learnt that a huge chunk of money of the Indian traders are yet to be paid by the Manmarese due to poor financial position. Talking to this Correspondent, the vice-president of the Indo-Myanmar Traders Union WN Singh...

GUWAHATI, March 9— The recent spurt in violent activities by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is an attempt by the outfit to prove its existence, highly placed security sources said. Sources revealed that according to information available with the security forces, at least 200 youths from different parts of the State last year joined the ULFA and most of the youths had passed at least school leaving certificate examinations. The local level leaders conducted some kind of interview of the youths before they were recruited, which proved that the outfit has become selective in...