Guwahati/Kohima, Jan. 12: Former Nagaland chief minister and BJP national executive member Hokishe Sema will lead a BJP-led Opposition front — the Nagaland Democratic Alliance — in the Assembly elections starting February 26, amid speculation that the anti-Congress combine has the tacit support of the NSCN (I-M).

A decision to this effect was taken after parleys between the Nagaland People’s Front and Nagaland BJP leaders with NDA convenor George Fernandes and BJP national president Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi.

Speaking to The Telegraph from New Delhi, Hokishe Sema said the BJP high command...

Imphal, Jan. 12: NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah’s statement that Ukhrul in Manipur does not belong to Meiteis has evoked sharp reactions from student organisations and political parties in the state. In a grim reminder of the many thorny issues that lay strewn on the path to peace, they have termed the statement as “communal”, saying such utterances indicated that “Muivah’s fight is against the Meiteis”.

President of the Democratic People’s Party Khaidem Mani today said the statement reeked of “communal hatred” and Muivah could be arrested under Section 153 of the IPC for a...

Imphal, Jan. 12: At a time when it appeared that all hurdles in the way of the Tipaimukh project had been cleared, a group persistently opposing the power project is now preparing a resistance movement against the dam. The Committee against Tipaimukh Dam has resolved to organise public rallies and bandhs on National Highway 53.

The anti-dam front comprises several environmental groups, including those belonging to the Zeliangrong community, that would be most affected by the project. The Manipur government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Neepco to start work on the project. The...

DOOMDOOMA, Jan 12 — The troops of 2 Mountain Division responsible for conduct of counter-insurgency operations in upper Assam and some parts of lower Assam have been able to contain militancy to a large extent especially after elimination of some key personalities like self-styled ‘major’ Tapan Sarma, ‘commanding officer’, 28 battalion in May, 2002 and self-styled Lt Rakta Plaban, Ajay Rajkhowa and Biren Deori. It was followed by seizure of a large cache of arms and ammunition during the month of August and September last year.

“The effects are very visible in that militancy is at extremely...

NEW DELHI, Jan 12 — The North Eastern region of the country is sitting on a powder-keg as Pakistan’s ISI has been able to make substantial inroads into the region by covertly using the Bangladesh territory for carrying out its operations, reports PTI. A report submitted to the Government said the arrest of vice president of banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Dhiren Boro in Sikkim on January 1 this year led to more information about how ISI was using the Bangladesh territory to carry out subversive activities in the north eastern region.

During interrogation, Boro, who was...