IMPHAL, January 16: The political scenario in Manipur has become more complicated following the five ruling Front ministers' failure to turn up at the hearing summoned by the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly in connection with their disqualification case. The five ministers who were summoned for hearing are Sericulture Minister Hangkhanpao, Minister of State for Minorities, Allaudin, Minister of State for IFCD, K Tomba, Minister of State for Family Welfare, S Chandro and Minister of State for PHED, Onzamang Haokip. Mention may be made here that they were summoned by the Speaker on...

IMPHAL, January 16: The Opposition Manipur Democratic Front (MDF) today said its leadership issue was open and would be decided in a democratic manner. The MDF's move is seen as an attempt to woo Union minister of state for food processing Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, an arch rival of chief minister W. Nipamacha Singh in the ruling Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP). MDF convenor Nimaichand Luwang told newsmen that they would democratically elect a leader after the Nipamacha Singh-led United Front of Manipur (UFM) ministry was toppled. "Those MSCP leaders who want to join the MDF after splitting...

GUWAHATI, January 16: Two Assamese women - Rita Banerjee and Shibani Choudhury - are doing commendable jobs as an editor and a scriptwriter-cum-assistant director respectively, in one of the world's most acclaimed natural history filmmakers company - the Riverbank Studios, headed by the famous filmmaker Mike Pandey. The team has so far produced over 20 films since 1991 on wildlife, environment, social and developmental issues and also on children education. Two of its films - The Last Migration - Wild Elephant Capture in Sarguja and the Shores of Silence - Whale Sharks in India, have won the...

GUWAHATI, January 16: After a long wait, the construction work of the much publicised Pagladiya project will begin from February next. The Rs 500 crore multipurpose project of Nalbari district suffered a setback at the initial stage as several organisations raised strong protest apprehending that over 27 villages would be affected due to erection of a bundh for it. Addressing a press conference here today, the Union Minister for Water Resources, Bijaya Chakraborty informed that Centre has released Rs 40 crore for rehabilitation of the villagers. In this context, Chakraborty said that all the...

NEW DELHI, January 16: The Government of India today suggested setting up of a Boundary Commission with specific terms of reference to settle the boundary dispute of Assam with the neighbouring States of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Two suits filed by the Government of Assam against Arunachal and Nagaland for the demarcation of the boundary and encroachment of its areas were taken up today by a three-Judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India. In this case, the Supreme Court had earlier sought the assistance of the Attorney General of India to suggest the...