Guwahati, Jan. 18: The Assam government today approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) to resolve the vexed Bodo problem, but failed to take any decision on the inclusion of 93 additional villages in the proposed Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

The state Cabinet, which met here this evening, reiterated its earlier decision that only those villages which have more than 50 per cent Bodo population or are contiguous will be considered for inclusion in the proposed BTC, government spokesman Ripun Bora told The Telegraph.

The government...

New Delhi, Jan. 18: In a rare gesture of solidarity, parliamentarians today cut across party lines to come out in full support of the ongoing peace dialogue between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) and the Centre.

?It?s simply wonderful. We have been received warmly. All (MPs) have risen above party interest. It is a historic occasion. We hope that this spirit is seen in Parliament as well when support will be required for resolving the problem. The Nagas wish to live peacefully with you all. We feel that our visit to Delhi has been successful,? a moved Isak Chisi Swu, chairman...

Imphal, Jan. 18: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that elections to the autonomous district councils in the state would be held soon. Addressing a Congress party convention on panchayati raj at Imphal?s Gandhi Memorial hall today, Ibobi Singh regretted that though polls to municipal bodies, nagar panchayats and zila parishads were held regularly, election to the district councils have not been conducted for the past 12 years.

The chief minister said the Secular Progressive Front government would discuss with the tribal development minister the issue of holding the...

Dimapur, Jan. 18: The Dimapur Airport Advisory Committee has decided to introduce a slew of measures to enhance services and facilities at the airport. In a recent meeting, the committee discussed the lack of facilities for passengers at the airport. The meeting was necessitated by an increase in flight services with the introduction of ATR aircraft.

The meeting, chaired by the lone Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland, C. Apok Jamir, discussed issues like passenger services, transportation problems, hygiene, maintenance of essential services, layout and illumination of the airport.

Sources said the...

New Delhi, January 18: Emotions overtook politics when the NSCN(I-M) delegation, including its two senior leaders T. Muivah and Isaak Swu, met 27 MPs cutting across party lines at a lunch hosted by India International Centre here today.

Muivah is believed to have told the MPs after the interaction: ‘‘We did not know that you are prepared to hear us. We have not been heard for 55 years. But we have been heard today.’’

The lunch meeting was hosted by MP Swaraj Kaushal, who was the interlocutor between the Government and the NSCN(I-M), in 1998-99. It was during his period that the two-month...