GUWAHATI, February 6: The Gauhati High Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by the Assam Chief Minister PK Mahanta alleging that two news items, published in two local dailies, indicating his possible arrest in connection with multi-crore veterinary LoC scam, amounted to contempt. Justice JK Sema held that no contempt was committed by publication of the two news items, appeared in 1997, which indicated that the arrest of the Chief Minister was 'imminent' in connection with the multi-crore veterinary LoC case on which the High Court was already hearing a public interest litigation (PIL)...

IMPHAL, February 6: In sharp contrast to the claims of state forest officials that the state has a stock of 31000 cubic metre timbers at different timber depots yet to be disposed, the Public Account's Committee (PAC) of the Manipur state legislative Assembly which conducted an aerial survey of some major timber depots yesterday and today found that the present stock of timber would be less than one third of the quantity claimed by the forest officials, according to reliable sources. The PAC team today conducted aerial survey of the timber depot at Kamjong in Ukhrul district. Earlier yesterday...

IMPHAL, February 6: A Cabinet subcommittee meeting on shifting of 17th Assam Rifles from Kangla to its new location at Mahakoireng, was held today at the Old Secretariat with the deputy Chief Minister, L Chandramani in the chair, in preparation for and to ensure that the deadline set earlier for the shifting is met. The meting was attended, among others, by power minister Govindas Konthoujam, PHED minister Ksh Biren, chief secretary Rakesh, officials of the 25th BRTF, Assam Rifles and State police. According to earlier terms of condition, a company of the 17th Assam Rifles was to be shifted to...

IMPHAL, February 6: The 36th General Conference of the Koiren Youth Organisation, Manipur, which is being held with the aim to preserve the Koiren (formerly Koireng) community, was formally inaugurated by the agriculture minister S Rajen at Longa Koireng village under Saitu constituency. The beginning of the five-day event was marked by unfurling of the KYO flag, cultural programme and games and sports. The observation will conclude on February 10 next. The KYO has been organising its general conference every year with the purpose of preserving the Koiren community's identity in the State and...

IMPHAL, February 6: The routine ban on government bill encashment and the numerous bandhs the state gets to see is gaining more notoriety. If things are not set right, even the prestigious World Bank sponsored project currently being undertaken in the state may end on a sour note even as it is on its final lap. According to a reliable source, the project consultant, TYPSA Company from Spain, have served an ultimatum to the Government that it would pull out by February 12 if funds due to it were not released by then. According to the understanding under which the project is being taken up, the...