GUWAHATI, Jan 29 ? After three years of peace talks between the State and Central Governments and the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), only one issue, that is reservation of seats in the proposed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is delaying the signing of an accord for solution of the vexed problem. The leaders of the BLT are not willing to accept the State Government?s proposal on reservation of seats in the proposed council to be formed under the provisions of the amended Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, while, the State Government, on its part, is yet to take any decision on the...

SHILLONG, Jan 29 ? Meghalaya Police is investigating possible British connection of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). East Khasi Hills District SP, Ida Nongrang this evening told newsmen that the External Affairs Ministry has been approached to verify the antecedents of a British national, Timothy Paul Minds, student of Oxford Brooks University.

The development emerged after the police today arrested a HNCL overground activist in the State capital and recovered one American M-16 rifle and a Chinese assault rifle in a raid. The police also recovered some ammunition and...

SHILLONG, Jan 29 ? Dr PN Bezbaruah, District Medical and Health Officer, Williamnagar, was released from the captivity of suspected ANVC militants, at Williamnagar around 12.30 pm today. Meghalaya DGP L Sailo informed The Assam Tribune this evening that Dr Bezbaruah who was taken hostage on December 19 last year, was ?OK but weak?. He was released by his abductors at the outskirts of Williamnagar from where he walked home to rejoin his family after 42 days of captivity. The ANVC had placed a demand of Rs 30 lakh for his release. It is believed no ransom was paid to the abductors. ?It was the...

BOGOLAMARI (Goalpara), Jan 29 ? This tiny village, home to barely 2000 people, has suddenly woken up to a new beginning. Till the other day, the people here, almost all tribals, were eking out a living from the fields that yielded just enough to sustain them. Today, they plan to open their doors to tourists from India and abroad who seek the unique. The villagers believe that tourists will bring with them the much needed money to give a push to the local economy.

Bogolamari is 120 km from Guwahati, near Dudhnoi, in Goalpara district. Its population comprises the Bodos, Rabhas, Garos and...

NEW DELHI, Jan 28 ? Insurgents fighting the security forces may soon have a tough time, with the Union Government planning to procure 64,000 AK-47 assault rifles. The global tenders for the same has been floated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani at the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee here yesterday. In addition, the MHA is also incurring an expenditure of Rs 647 crore for strengthening the air power of the Central paramilitary forces.

The major modernisation initiative also included procurement of 14 floating...