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Imphal, Jan. 11: The BSF has pulled out of the Sajik Tampak valley of Manipur’s Chandel district. A fierce gunbattle had raged between the militants and the BSF in the area for three days. An inspector-general of the BSF flew into the state capital today to assess the situation. BSF sources confirmed the pull-out, but said the troops were regrouping at the Sugnu post in Thoubal. They did not assign any reason for the withdrawal.

The Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), however, claimed the troops had “fled” using villagers as a human shield. The pull-out that began yesterday was...

NEW DELHI JAN. 11. Emerging from the meeting with the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) made a significant statement here today. There would be "no more fighting between Indians and Nagas," they said.

"I want to tell you that there will be no more fighting between Indians and Nagas. That is the understanding we have reached now,'' the NSCN (I-M) chairman, Isak Chisi Swu, said after an hour-long meeting with Mr. Fernandes.

"The people of Nagaland have been praying that the leadership of India and the NSCN (I-M) should...

New Delhi, Jan. 11: After an hour-long discussion with defence minister George Fernandes, the NSCN (I-M) leaders today said there would be no more fighting between “Indians and Nagas”. Though a ceasefire agreement has been in place in Nagaland since 1997 and today’s reiteration by NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu is largely symbolic, its significance cannot be overlooked.

For the Naga leaders who have relentlessly fought the Indian Army, the statement shows a complete shift in mood and direction of the outfit.

“I want to tell you that there will be no more fighting between Indians and Nagas...

Imphal, January 11: The first ever Asian theatre festival ended here today with the staging of Ritu, celebrated playwright-director Ratan Thiyam s latest production. Law and Parliamentary affairs Minister L. Nandakumar was the chief guest who declared the festival closed at 'The Shrine' playhouse. Thiyam, widely acclaimed for his series of plays based on war and violence themes, this time turned his focus on the relationship man and environment. Ritu, a brilliant portrayal of Indian cycle of six seasons - Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemanta, Shishir and Vasanta - drawn from Kalidas's detailed...

MIHIMUKH (Kaziranga), Jan 11 — Wonderful activities of domestic elephants on the occasion of the two-day Elephant Festival, that got under way here this morning, reminded the people of the cultural heritage of the State in which elephant occupies a place of love and respect. The festival is organised with the twin objectives of reducing the tension between the elephant and man and promoting State’s tourism. A colourful procession of about 60 elephants from the Kohora NH point to the festival ground here earlier this morning, set the mood of the festival. The elephants, which took part in the...