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Rangiya, Jan. 24: A land deluged with milk and honey ? this was Bodoland viewed through the prism of wild jungles in Bhutan, where Promilla Ishwari and her militant-husband Lohit Ishwari fought a futile battle.

Nothing came out of the fight for ?freedom, equality and justice? ? ideals, which Lohit had strapped to his soul like a priest?s cross.

Lohit, with Promila in tow, today deposited the gun at a surrender ceremony involving several NDFB and Ulfa rebels, held at the Red Horns division?s base in this Kamrup sub-division.

After three years of life in jungles for the cause of Bodoland...

Imphal, January 24: Minister of State for Agriculture, K Ranjit and Minister of State for Social Welfare DK Korungthang had a providential escape when militants armed to the teeth opened fire at their convoy from three directions today noon at Thingkangphai village in Chandel district. The security escort of the Ministers also returned fire and a fierce gun fight ensued with the militants for about 45 minutes. BSF DIG, PK Misra in a statement said that the two Ministers were abducted by the militants, but BSF personnel on being alerted launched a rescue mission and managed to free the two VIPs...

New Delhi/Rangiya (Assam), Jan. 24: Barely a few hours after NSCN (I-M) leaders Th. Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu flew out of the country today, the army expressed the hope that the landmark talks would have a ?positive impact? on insurgent outfits in the Northeast. Before boarding the flight to Amsterdam, the two NSCN (I-M) leaders, too, echoed a similar view.

Asked to leave a message for the many militant outfits his organisation had inspired, Muivah said: ?If the government of India is prepared to talk to them (insurgent outfits), we shall certainly tell them that they, too, should be prepared...

Dimapur, Jan. 24: A day after its leaders wrapped up their maiden talks on Indian soil, the NSCN (I-M) today said issues relating to Manipur ? a grey area in the entire peace process ? were only a part of the ?Indo-Naga problem?.

Speaking out for the first time on the recent meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Manipur delegation led by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, NSCN (I-M) leader V. Horam today said the Indo-Naga issue should be ?looked in its totality?.

?We don?t want to waste time splitting hairs on the Manipur-Nagaland or Nagaland-Assam issues. We are not...

New Delhi, January 24: Top leaders of NSCN(I-M), who have just concluded talks with the Centre, would ask other northeastern insurgent groups to "be prepared to understand" the Centre?s point of view, if the Centre decides to hold parleys with them. "If Government of India would be prepared to talk to them (insurgent outfits), we shall certainly tell them that they should also be prepared to understand the Government.... we will also ask our friends to be prepared to find a better solution," NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said when asked what message they would like to give to...