TINSUKIA, February 4: The Union Home Minister, LK Advani, today said that the Centre would be only too happy to talk to the ULFA and other rebel outfits of the Northeast to bring long-lasting peace and prosperity to this troubled part of the country. But at the same time, he said that the militants would have to abjure violence and break themselves free from the outside influences like the Pakistani ISI. Addressing a moderately attended public meeting at Kachujan field here today, the Home Minister reiterated that violence serves nobody's interest. He said that he was too happy to note that...

SHILLONG, February 4: The BSF and the police today denied having received any complaint from the coal traders in Meghalaya that they were threatened by the banned Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) to pay Rs 5 lakh each by tomorrow or face consequences. A section of the press here reported that the ANVC ultras again had given demand notes of Rs five lakh each to the coal exporters operating at Borsora in West Khasi Hills district and warned of dire consequences if the payment was not made by tomorrow. BSF Inspector General V K Gaur told UNI that they had not received any complaint from...

GUWAHATI, February 4: The Centre may declare a Kashmir-type unilateral truce with the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) in a bid to force the two separatist rebel outfits to enter into talks with the government for a negotiated settlement of the insurgency problem in Assam. Home Minister L.K. Advani, who arrives here on Sunday on a two-day visit to the state, is expected to make an announcement aimed at preparing the ground for a possible militant-government dialogue to restore peace in Assam. The ULFA and the NDFB, meanwhile...

IMPHAL, February 4: Unidentified armed persons burnt down the unoccupied security post, located at Irilbung in Imphal East district late last night. The main building and other furniture have been totally destroyed in the fire. The post was earlier occupied by CRPF and IRB personnel, sources said. Police said that the 11 IRB personnel who had manned the post were withdrawn some 5-6 months back for using in counter insurgency operations. CRPF personnel were staying at the post before they were replaced by the IRB personnel. Reports said armed persons made an attempt to burn down the post some...

KOHIMA, February 4: Although declining rate of killings among the underground factions is felt, the people are still in a muddle with the security forces and the NSCN (IM) unceasingly blaming each other for violation of mutually agreed ground rules of the ongoing cease-fire. The security forces charged the NSCN(IM) of violating agreed ground rules of the existing ceasefire whereby dishonouring the sentiments of the general public who are consistently yearning for permanent peace in their land. The security forces said on February 2, they intercepted a Maruti 800 on the Kuhoboto-Nihoku road and...