Development

NEW DELHI, Nov 19 ? On the eve of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh?s departure to Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today announced constitution of a five-member expert committee under the chairmanship of former judge of Supreme Court, Justice Jeevan Reddy to examine the contentious Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

The Centre while constituting the panel has tried to pack it with experts and balancing the committee by picking up a retired army general, jurist, a former bureaucrat and journalist. The Expert Committee has been given six months to submit its reports to the...

NEW DELHI, Nov 18 ? Lopsided policies of Government of India in dealing with the north eastern region (NER), lack of sincere efforts to understand the problems, bureaucratic indifferences, deficiency of visionary political leaders coupled with the menaces of insurgency and illegal infiltration from Bangladesh have aggravated the problems of the region.

These were some of the opinions expressed by panel of experts comprising retired Governors, army officials, security analysts, who have had long stints in the region and senior journalists at an interaction on North-east organised by the...

NEW DELHI, Nov 18 ? The internecine fight between the rival Isaac Muivah and Khaplang factions that threatened to cast a shadow over the peace talks today forced the Centre?s interlocutor, K Padmanabhaiah to deny arming the Khaplang faction.

The war of words between the two rival factions that threatened to spiral out of control that too on the eve of arrival of the NSCN (IM) leaders to Delhi has led the Centre to issue strong denial reaffirming that the Naga leaders? visit to Delhi for dialogue was on.

In a statement, the Interlocutor said that the Government would like to assure the NSCN...

GUWAHATI, Nov 18 ? British High Commissioner to India, Sir Michael Arthur today said the security situation in Assam and the North East is generally ?encouraging? and hoped that investors, particularly from Britain, would invest here to take advantage of the region?s huge economic potential.

Addressing a press conference in the city this evening, Sir Arthur, however, said that the international press has ?noted? the recent serial blasts in the State triggered by militants and that has created doubts in the minds of many. The High Commissioner, who is meeting the Governor, Chief Minister...

ITANAGAR, Nov 17 ? A World Peace Park meant to achieve sustainable development of natural and human resources will be inaugurated at the strategically located Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh on November 19. The project, being developed by Future Generations, a US NGO, will promote relationship between various facets and entities of the ecological system.

The park located at a height of over 10,000 feet at Gompa near international borders with Bhutan and Tibet (China) would facilitate the conservation of natural resources of Arunachal Pradesh known as one of the 16 biodiversity hot-spots...

IMPHAL, Nov 17 ? In the ongoing anti-militant operations conducted by Army especially in Churachandpur sector of Manipur, the underground outfits have been forced to take on in jungles and interiors. This has come as great relief to the local population who had been erstwhile subjected to atrocities of militants. With the presence of Army now in South and West of Churachandpur, the district administration has been able to commence functioning consequent to secure environment now prevailing.

Refuting claims of the banned underground organisation UNLF that it has inflicted heavy casualties on...

AGARTALA, Nov 17 ? Buoyed by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) success story, the Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) is toying with idea adopting the former?s formula to revive its business. The new and innovative approach by the TRTC, state?s lone transport company is expected to have twin blessings.

Recently four Guwahati-bound private buses were detained in Agartala without valid documents. Only TRTC is having permit of plying inter-state bus service. The rule formulates that the private buses plying in the Agartala-Guwahati route require permit from TRTC. All the private...

NEW DELHI, Nov 17 ? All pending trade issues with Bangladesh would be resolved within three months, Commerce Minister, Kamal Nath disclosed here today. Addressing a conference of the Economic Editors? the Commerce Minister said that the decision was taken after a meeting with the visiting Bangladesh Commerce Minister.

Asserting that primary focus of BIMST-EC would be on North-east, he said that efforts were on to open two more border trading post in North-east. ?We had agreed with Myanmar to open three border posts and we want all three to be made functional to ensure balance trade.

On...

NEW DELHI, Nov 17 ? In a major move to develop road network in the North-east, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (RT&H) has proposed a package of over Rs 7,931 crore to develop 6,396 km of national highway in the Region. The process for seeking clearance of Public Investment Board for the special North-east package has been initiated by the Ministry, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highway, TR Baalu disclosed here today.

The Minister told economic editors that initial plan to develop 1957 km of road network in the NER by double and four laning NHs was junked in the...

GUWAHATI, Nov 17 ? Normal life in the State was severely affected today due to the 24-hour chakka bandh called by passenger and goods carrying vehicle operators from 6 am. The operators, led by the All Assam Motor Transport Association (AAMTA), are demanding a 70 per cent hike in fares owing to the sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices in the country over the past couple of years.

Passenger buses, trucks, light commercial vehicles and taxis were off the roads in the State, including the capital. However, autorickshaws plied on the streets of Guwahati with the Greater Guwahati Autorickshaw...