GUWAHATI, January 10: Disappointed by the State government's inaction in constituting an elected Autonomous Council, the All Tiwa Students Union (ATSU) has decided to launch a series of agitation from February next. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the student body president Pranabjyoti Mosorong said that despite repeated demands the State government has failed to constitute a permanent Council. It has affected the developmental activities in the Tiwa dominated areas, he said. It may be recalled that the State government had constituted an interim council in 1998 following an...

IMPHAL, January 10: With differences growing between the Chief Minister and president of the ruling Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh, and working president of the MSCP and Union Minister of State for Food Processing T Chaoba Singh, moves are on to remove the former from the post of MSCP chief, a highly placed inside source said. The central executive meeting of the MSCP was held here a few days back wherein it was decided that it would be prudent to remove Nipamacha Singh as chief of the MSCP. The reliable source further said that 14 to 21 members of the central...

IMPHAL, January 10: Counting of votes for the elections held to 7 municipal councils and 18 nagar panchayats was completed peacefully today. Judging from the results available so far, the ruling MSCP and the BJP were the strongest performers, with the MSCP grabbing Mayang Imphal municipal councils and at least four nagar panchayats outright, while the BJP has captured the Bishnupur municipal council, along with at least three nagar panchayats. The Congress also performed well in some areas. In Mayang Imphal municipal council, seven MSCP candidates, two INC, one SP and two Independent...

IMPHAL, January 10: The State Opposition, aiming to keep up the pressure on the Ruling Front, has filed fresh applications with the state Assembly Speaker, S Dhananjoy, for taking up disqualification proceedings against ministers Onjamang Haokip, Hankhanpao, S Chandra and Md Allauddin. According to reliable sources, BJP MLA K Ranjit filed an application against PHED minister Onjamang Haokip, Samata MLA M Oken against Hankhanpao, Nimaichand Luwang against family welfare minister S Chandra, and L Kerani against MoS (minorities) Md Allauddin. All four named members are already facing...

NEW DELHI, January 10: The Election Commission today hinted at the possibility of simultaneous elections to the Assemblies in five States before the third week of May. The five States of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam would be completing their terms between May 21 and June 11. The present AGP-led coalition Government is completing its term in office on June 11. The CEC MS Gill said the Election Commission of India (EC) was focusing on the aspect of having a good law and order situation in all the five States. "While we expect State Governments to do its bid, we also...