News

GUWAHATI, March 9 ? Contrary to the loud claim of the newly elected Congress Government about ?fast improvement? of law and order situation in the State, altogether 491 persons were killed in violent incidents in the State during the period from May 2001 to January 2002. Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi in reply to unstarred question raised by AGP MLA, Jagadish Bhuyan informed the State Assembly today that out of these 491 killed in the State since his Government took over the mantle, 205 were civilians, 72 were police or para-military force personnel and 214 were militants belonging to different...

GUWAHATI, March 9? Peeved at the ?dilly-dally? over formation of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), leaders of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and Bodo People?s Action Committee (BPAC) today threatened to resume their intensive mass movement for a separate State. Addressing a Press conference here, ABSU President Rabiram Narzary, Adviser U G Brahma and other BPAC leaders today demanded that the Central and the State Government should create the much awaited BTC under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution without further delay as Bodo people were getting restless over the delay and...

NEW DELHI, March 9 ? Rail projects in the North-East are likely to suffer further delay and cost-overrun as they are hit by serious financial crunch and the department has been forced to knock at the doors of the Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) for additional funds to complete pending projects in the region. While the north eastern States continue to vent their frustration over delay in implementation of projects and the meagre funds earmarked for mega projects in the successive Railway Budgets, the Ministry has sought to move the Centre for funding some of its...

GUWAHATI, March 9 ? The Guwahati station of the All India Radio (AIR) is in a tight spot following an irregular selection of artistes for modern and folk songs allegedly about two years back. According to sources, a record number of around 200 artistes were selected in the August, 2000 music audition of the AIR Station. Normally, 20 to 25 artistes are selected in an audition test. The problem is, however, not with the number, but, with the quality of those selected, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General, NE AIR, office here is conducting an inquiry into the allegation, and...

AIZAWL, March 9 ? ?Chapchar Kut? or spring festival, the most important festival of Mizoram, was celebrated today with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. The main function was held at Assam Rifles ground here with Chief Minister Zoramthanga as ?Kut Pa? or father of the festival, which marks the end of hard work to clear jungles for cultivation. He urged the people to protect and maintain the traditional values of the Mizos. All the State government offices and educational institutions remained close for the day, which was celebrated by exuberant dancers in colorful traditional attire dancing...