News

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...

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...

Guwahati, Jan. 24: Peeved over the NSCN (I-M)?s claim over a large area of Karbi Anglong in its proposed Nagalim, the Karbi Students? Association has decided to submit a representation to the Centre opposing any move to divide the hill district.

The association president Roland Kiling told The Telegraph here that the representation would be sent to the Centre after an official resolution is passed at the general conference of the students? organisation to be held at Diphu from January 29.

?Karbi Anglong is for the Karbis and there can be no question of giving even an inch of our land to others...

Imphal, Jan. 23: The Jiribam jail does not have a single prisoner and the court building is under lock and key for the past several years. It would appear that Manipur?s outback is the most peaceful place on earth.

The truth is shocking: the entire Jiribam subdivision, bordering Assam?s Cachar district, has been left to fend for itself as armed militants have a free run in the wild west of the state.

The court of magistrates, civil judge (junior) division, established in 1996, was abandoned a couple of years back. In the absence of a functioning court, the Jiribam sub-jail is naturally...

New Delhi, January 23: Wrapping up a historic first meet on Indian soil with Central leaders and officials, leaders of the NSCN (I-M) today spouted all the right words when they promised to continue talking ‘‘until a peaceful and violence-free environment was achieved.’’ For the record, they maintained that the ‘‘destiny of the Nagas must be left to the Nagas.’’

But Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu, who held their second meeting with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee this morning, again had the alarm bells clanging when they claimed the Centre had given ‘‘no assurance to anyone in...