GUWAHATI, Feb 16 — The first phase of the National (Natural) Resource Information System Project, aiming to create a national-level database on the resources of the country, is expected to be completed in Assam by March this year. The initial phase of the project in the State will cover Kamrup district.

Other districts will be covered in the next phases, sources in the Assam Science and Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) said. The NRIS project was launched by the Government of India in 1999-2000 to have a total database on the resources like forests, soil, water, etc., to help policy...

ITANAGAR, Feb 16 — The Arunachal Pradesh Government and the Centre were thinking of relaxing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP) systems for promoting tourism in the State, Chief Minister Mukut Mithi said Wednesday, reports PTI.

“We have not taken any decision to withdraw the ILP and RAP but contemplating to relax it,” the Chief Minister Mukut Mithi told reporters at the ‘Festival of Arunachal’ here. Mithi said both the ILP and RAP were introduced under the Bengal Frontier Regulation Act 1873 which could not be easily scrapped. At the same time, development of tourism...

Imphal, Febuary 18: Minister of State for Home Affairs, ID Swami today informed the Lok Sabha that five Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) - Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS), North East Coordination Committee on Human Rights (NECOHR), United Committee, Manipur (UCM), Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Students Federation (NSF) - have clandestine links with terrorist organizations in the North East. He said these organizations reportedly maintain discreet links with terrorist outfits. 13 terrorist organizations of North Eastern States have been declared as unlawful...

LEKHAPANI, Feb 15 ? They were known to be a ferocious community, which never subjugated themselves before anybody else. Save the British, who enticed them with opium trading licences. But over the decades, the Singpho community has distanced itself from violence, took to Buddhism, and today is one of the most docile people to be found anywhere in the world. Their warmth is especially experienced at the annual Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi festivities where they pay obeisance to their forefathers and dance around the Shadung in graceful, semi-military formations.

This year?s festivities were held...

Imphal, Febuary 15: The Power minister Phungzathang Tonsing today appealed to all without to cooperate with the government in construction of the Tipaimukh dam project so that the state could benefit from the project. Out of the 1500 MW of power the state government will be getting 12 percent of power free he said. The government will not construct the dam without considering the ecological, environmental and all other aspects he assured. The government will properly conduct survey so that people will not have any grievances. Compensation will be given equally to all the people affected he...