Dimapur/ Kohima, Jan 22: If the Centre were to make peace with Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, it would have dealt a body blow to insurgency in the region. Because the NSCN (I-M) is today the pivotal force behind insurgent groups operating in Assam, Manipur, Tripura and even those creeping into Meghalaya.

Officials engaged in counter-insurgency operations have reason to believe that the NSCN (I-M) has ‘‘contributed in good measure’’ to the activities of outfits in states across the N-E, training and arming them and drawing from an extortion pool to fill its coffers.

‘‘Other ethnic...

Shillong, Jan. 22: The NCP?s one of the high-profile candidates-to-be ? chief minister F.A. Khonglam ? may, in fact, be denied nomination for the coming elections. Khonglam?s ?indecisiveness? ? he has so far masked his poll plans in secrecy ? may cost him an NCP ticket, with the patience of party leaders fast running out. Irked party leaders questioned the chief minister?s intentions, asking him to either formally apply for a ticket or declare if he wanted to go to the voters as an Independent.

NCP leaders are also angry over the fact that Khonglam, of late, has landed in several...

New Delhi, Jan. 22: The NSCN (I-M) today appeared peeved at Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh?s claim that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had assured him of not altering the state?s boundary, seeking a clarification from New Delhi on the issue.

However, the talks, which were extended by a day, remained unaffected.

The fact that the negotiations did not fall through was a breather for both sides, indicating that they were committed to a negotiated settlement. The NSCN (I-M) leaders, however, were not at all charitable to Ibobi Singh?s claim on the Prime Minister?s assurance.

Real...

Guwahati, Jan. 22: The department for Development of North Eastern Region (Doner) has expressed its unhappiness over the drawing of funds by Central departments from the non-lapsable central pool of resources for funding several projects in the Northeast.

?This could have been acceptable if the resource pool had funds to play around with. But since we have limited funds, the logic and rationale of the department funding activities of other ministries/departments of government of India is not very clear and to our mind not desirable,? said a report prepared by Doner joint secretary J.P...

Imphal, January 22: Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has registered its strong opposition to the construction of Tipaimukh dam by contending that the proposed dam would harm the land and the people for generations come. 'We, the Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur and the whole community do not want our land and our future to be annihilated in the name of development,' ZSUM secretary Thuanrei Phaomei said. He questioned, 'If the Govt of India and the State Government do not take the confidence of our people now how can we trust that the proposed Tipaimukh dam will be for our...