IMPHAL, July 16 ? In the wake of large-scale protests over the killing of a woman allegedly by Assam Rifles personnel, Manipur Government has asked the Centre to ensure that central forces do not commit human rights violations in the State, an official statement has said. Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh informed an emergency meeting of the Cabinet that he had taken up the killing of Manorama Devi with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and suggested ?appropriate affirmative action to restore public confidence?.

Singh also suggested to the Centre to issue appropriate directions to prevent...

GUWAHATI, July 16 ? Aromatic and medicinal plants in the North-East have tremendous potential to generate employment and income and efforts are on to commercialise their cultivation and use in the region reports PTI. The North-East Development Finance and Corporation Limited has started its own Research and Development Centre at Khetri in Assam?s Kamrup district to encourage unemployed youths of the region to take up their cultivation and ensure proper income generation.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has emphasised the importance of aromatic and medicinal plants in the economy of the State...

KOKRAJHAR, July 16 ? The commander in chief of Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam (ACMA), Kanhu Murmu and the chairman of this organisation Xabrias Khakha have demanded ST status to the Adivasi of Assam. Addressing the gathering at its ninth foundation day recently, both the leaders also demanded immediate rehabilitation to the riot-hit Adivasis of lower Assam, especially those affected in the Bodo-Adivasi violence in 1996-98.

At the same time, both the leaders also appealed to the cross-section of people to maintain peace and tranquility. They also appealed to the other militant outfits to...

IMPHAL, July 16 ? Indefinite curfew in force in Imphal and Greater Imphal areas was today extended to Thoubal and Bishenpur districts of Manipur even as more than 60 persons, protesting the killing of a woman allegedly by the Assam Rifles, were injured in police action, official sources. The sources said indefinite curfew was clamped from 4:00 pm in Thoubal and Bishenpur sub-divisions, following widespread protest against the killing of 30-year-old Manorama Devi. The police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets after lathi-charges failed to disperse the protestors at Kongba, Khurai...

GUWAHATI, July 16 ? Fear has gripped the city dwellers living in the hilly areas following Thursday night?s landslides in which 13 people were killed and several more injured. Many people have abandoned their houses on the hills and are now taking shelter in alternative accommodations including the ten relief camps set up by the district administration. Around 1,500 people have already taken refuge at the relief camps. Apart from those whose houses have been destroyed by landslides, the camp inmates also include a number of persons who have left their houses, fearing another occurrence of...