Development

TEZPUR, Oct 28 ? Inspite of the Apex Court order to upgrade the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Institute of Mental Health (LGBIMH), one of the oldest institution for the psychiatric patients into an international standard institution, the future of the institution seems to be bleak due to irregular release of funds by the Government, alleged Dr SK Deuri, Director, LGBIMH.

Talking to the media persons, Dr Deuri said that shortage of manpower including doctors and psychiatrists is slowly crippling the institution which was established in 1876 following the administrative reorganization of the Assam...

NEW DELHI, Oct 28 ? If the Government of India wants to hold negotiations with the outlawed ULFA then its leadership must be given safe passage. This was the opinion of the ?finance minister? of NSCN (Khaplang), Kughalu Mulatonu.

But what is even more significant is the confirmation by the Naga militant leader about the involvement of the Pakistan?s ISI in the North-East. The Government of India must first ensure that the Indo-Bangladesh border was sealed. ?If the Government of India wants to hold talks with ULFA then the border should be well protected,? he said.

The reason, he pointed out...

IMPHAL, Oct 27 ? Wildlife lovers would be happy to note that the number of rare species Brow Antlered Deer, locally called Sangai and found only in Manipur is on the increase at its natural habitat Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), a part of Loktak, the largest fresh water lake in eastern India.

Sangai is the state animal in Manipur. State Forest and Environment Minister, Ngamthang Haokip while terming the Sangai as a part of the state?s identity has said that the number of this rare species is increased from 162 to 182 in the head counting survey conducted in March, last year.

The number...

IMPHAL, Oct 27 ? Moreh, India?s gateway to the South-east Asian countries, has been turning into one of the busiest international bazaars for trading in precious and rare stones ? from rubies to jades and sapphires, official sources said.

Gem and precious stones originated from the South-east Asian countries are being smuggled in to the state through Moreh from the across border and later the goods in demand had been passed through either the two NH 39 and 53 passing in the state or by air from Imphal after smuggling from Moreh. The gem smugglers from across the border have close links with...

NEW DELHI, Oct 27 ? Expectations of repeal of the controversial IMDT Act have been dashed to the ground with the Union Cabinet today approving retention of the Act in the present form. The Union Cabinet?s decision was in line with the stand of the Congress Party on the Act and was taken to clarify its stand in the Supreme Court where the validity of the Act was challenged.

?The Union Cabinet today approved the retention of the IMDT Act 1983 and its application to the State of Assam in the present form,? the single paragraph resolution said putting to an end speculations that the UPA Government...

SHILLONG, Oct 26 ? The Khasi Students? Union (KSU) has reiterated its demand for the introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system into the State to check the unabated influx of outsiders and foreign nationals. At present, the north-eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland have the system of Inner-Line Permit, which according to the students? organisation of Meghalaya, is an important tool in checking illegal migration.

Talking to reporters, Union president Samuel Jyrwa said if the state government did not agree with the recommendations of the cabinet sub-committee...

ITANAGAR, Oct 26 ? Setong Sena was today re-elected Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly with the Opposition BJP members abstaining the proceedings. Takar Marde was elected Deputy Speaker of the House.

Sena?s name was proposed by Atum Welly (Congress) and seconded by K Lowang (Independent) while Marde?s name was proposed by Lombo Tayeng (Cong) and seconded by J Kena (Independent).

IMPHAL, Oct 26 ? The Manipur Government has proposed to the North Eastern Council (NEC) for allocation of Rs 738.09 lakh from the NE funding agency?s 2004-05 annual plan outlay for utilisation in bamboo rehabilitation and re-plantation projects in Tamenglong district of Manipur where rodents have caused widespread devastation of bamboo plants and ripening paddy jhum fields.

The proposal was placed by the State Planning Department to the NEC Secretary detailing the destruction caused by the rodent menace on food crops after the phenomenon of flowering of bamboo plants through most part of the...

GUWAHATI, Oct 26 ? The process for the much-awaited widening of the GNB Road began today with the demolition of structures, mostly shops and business establishments, on either side of the road. Today?s drive covered the stretch from the TC Girls? HS School to the Silpukhuri bus stop. The rest of the clearance work on the GNB Road from the Reserve Bank of India up to Chandmari will be started from tomorrow.

?We have started the road clearance drive from today after giving proper notice to all concerned, and the drive will continue till the entire stretch is cleared,? a district administration...

DIMAPUR, Oct 20 ? Hundreds of students took to the streets at the district headquarter town of Phek in Nagaland on Monday. This time too, it was to register their voice against the excesses by some of the cadres of underground groupes.

The students from different educational institutions were protesting against the September 22 incident in particular and patrolling of Naga underground groups in civilian areas with full combat uniform and arms in general.

Chakhesang Students Union (CSU) officials said that on September 22, a Class B student of Chokri Baptist School Chetheba was shot while he...