Development

NEW DELHI, Dec 8 ? NSCN (IM) leaders today said that if the Government of India acknowledged the realities of the Nagas, the Nagas were prepared to accept the realities of India even ten times more. NSCN (IM) general secretary, Th Muivah, conveyed this to the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi when a delegation of the outfit called on her here this afternoon.

The Naga leader further claimed after meeting Gandhi that they have confidence in themselves and know what they can do and also what they cannot do. ?We will do our utmost to resolve the problem once and for all.

What we cannot do we shall not...

NEW DELHI, Dec 8 ? Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee today rubbished outlawed ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah?s contention that they have planted their cadres in security forces, asserting that nothing much should be read into the claim.

The issue figured during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, when an agitated former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and MP Farooq Abdullah expressing concern said that the Government of India should take the matter seriously. ?A militant outfit has claimed to have infiltrated into security forces and the Government should be cautious,? he said.

The...

IMPHAL, Dec 7 ? For the first time, the Congress-led ruling Secular Progress Front government in the state is under threat from its constituent partner regional Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP).

Former cabinet minister and president of MSCP Moirangthem Hemanta speaking as chief guest in the 8th foundation day celebration of his party at the Kuki Inn here on Sunday, has disclosed, ?We will monitor the activities of the Ibobi led SPF government in the state.?

Calling for value-based politics, Hemanta said: ?Our party is not society based political party.? He said in the last Assembly...

NEW DELHI, Dec 7? The revamped North Eastern Council (NEC) is going to have the Minister, Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), as its chairman, even as the NEC is all set to activate its role as a security agency.

Divulging this in a statement on revitalisation of the NEC tabled in both the Houses of Parliament, Minister DoNER, PR Kyndiah said that his Ministry has examined the report of the expert committee in consultations with ministries and departments concerned. The Government of India, has by and large, accepted the recommendations of the committee.

The Government has accepted...

GUWAHATI, Dec 7 ? To explore the untapped hydrocarbon sector, Canoro Resources Limited (CRL) is all set to invest Rs100 crore in the State. The leading oil company which has a strong presence in various parts of the country, will start its operations from January next.

The production sharing contract for Amguri oil field was signed between Petroleum Ministry and a consortium of Assam Company Limited (ACL) and Joshi Technologies International (JTI) in 2001 and the petroleum mining lease was granted by the State Government in 2003 vide letter No: PME/78/2001/60. But after withdrawal of JTI from...

NEW DELHI, Dec 7 ? Reaffirming their commitment to leave no stone unturned to achieve a peaceful solution to the Naga conflict, NSCN (I-M) leaders today formally began their tour with a meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil.

Clearly conscious of not repeating the past mistakes, the NSCN(I-M) and the Centre made all the right noises steering clear of the contentious issues like integration of the Naga dominated areas. A list of proposals for talks has been already submitted by the NSCN (I-M) to the chief interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah on their...

NEW DELHI, Dec 7 ? Days after the Prime Minister?s Office (PMO) clarified the Centre?s stand on talks, Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil offered proposal to talk with any group, which abjures violence.

Participating in a question hour discussion, the Union Home Minister said that the Centre was willing to talk to any group in Jammu and Kashmir or in NE, which abjured violence. The policy to tackle militancy was to bring them to the mainstream, bring in development, ensure social justice and correct any excesses committed by security forces.

Responding to a question by Kirip Chaliha, Patil...

IMPHAL, Dec 6 ? Hindi, the national language, which is losing its importance because of threats from lawful and outlawed outfits is being promoted with avid enthusiasm from ruling Secular Progressive Front government in the state. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is working for a comeback of the Hindi language in different tone.

Promotion of this language is in danger in Manipur, being a non-Hindi speaking state, due to imposition of blanket ban on screening of Hindi movies by proscribed Peoples? Liberation Army (PLA), armed wing of the banned Revolutionary People?s Front (RPF) since 2000...

NEW DELHI, Dec 6 ? Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has earmarked an amount of Rs 100 crore under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) for projects in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) during the current year.

The DoNER Ministry has retained 14 projects for BTC area with an estimated cost of Rs 154.42 crore for techno-economic examination and sanction. No funds have been released against any project so far, P.R. Kyndiah, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region said in reply to a question tabled by Urkhao Gwra Brahma in the Rajya Sabha today.

GUWAHATI, Dec 6 ? Wind, water, bamboo and some pieces of metal wedded to an innovative idea has created a device that could be of considerable help to marginal farmers in parts of Assam and the rest of the North-east. In several areas in and around the district of Darrang, farmers are getting introduced to a wind turbine-operated water pump.

The device is reliable, easy to install and maintain due to its basic design strength. It comprises supporting posts made of bamboo, which are themselves supported by two inclined bamboo posts. A shaft made of iron is mounted on bearings near the top of...