Imphal, March 7: The Okram Ibobi Singh government in Manipur is facing a crisis over the issue of reconstructing the foundation stone of the Bir Tikendrajit flyover, with the two groups advocating different sets of Meitei scripts refusing to budge from their positions.

Both groups are demanding reconstruction of the stone with the inscription in their respective script.

The foundation stone for the Rs 25-crore flyover, laid by the chief minister on February 14, was completely destroyed by members of organisations advocating the 27-character Meitei script on Tuesday.

The demonstrators were...

NEW DELHI, March 7 — The Department for Development of the North Eastern Region (DONER) has in the last five years, sanctioned projects worth Rs 3,097.65 crore for the region out of the Non-lapsable Central Poll of Resources (NLCRP). Assam has been released projects worth Rs 139.95 crore in February. This was conveyed to a delegation of the North-east MPs’ Forum (NEMPF) by Union Minister in-charge of DONER, Dr CP Thakur, at a meeting held here yesterday. The first-ever meeting between the MPs and the new Minister was attended by Minister of State for DONER, Tapan Sikdar, senior officials of...

NEW DELHI, March 7 — In a bid to capitalise on the ongoing peace talks with the NSCN (I-M), Centre has despatched Mizoram Chief Minister, Zoramthanga to Bangkok to open dialogue with pro-IM underground outfits including the NDFB, highly placed sources said. The development came at a time when name of former interlocutor, Swaraj Kaushal has again come into circulation as the next political negotiator for the Naga peace talks. The chief interlocutor, K Padmanabhiah may be on his way out with Centre looking for his successor.

Indications were that the Mizoram Chief Minister may have carried a...

AGARTALA, March 7 – Manik Sarkar-led Left Front Ministry was sworn-in today in a function at Rajbhawan. Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KM Seth administered the oath of secrecy to the new 18-member cabinet where dignitaries from all walks were present. After the swearing-in ceremony Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told newsmen that his Government’s priority are would be to develop agriculture and education sectors apart from others like infrastructure development. “We have to lift the standard of life of the people living under the BPL. And for this total development in Agriculture sector is needed’ the...

SHILLONG, March 7— The ‘so-called crisis’ in the Meghalaya ministry blew over today with UDP Legislature Party leader Dr Donkupar Roy being appointed the Deputy Chief Minister besides being given the plum portfolio of Finance as a bonus. Earlier this morning, a delegation of the UDP, which is the main ally of the Congress in the four day-old Meghalaya Democratic Allies coalition ministry met the Chief Minister D D Lapang and expressed their dissatisfaction over the distribution of portfolios to the UDP members.