KOHIMA, August 28: Angry over lack of food, 38 undertrials, mostly drug addicts and people charged with petty crimes, escaped from the high security Mokokchung jail in Nagaland on Thursday night, police said yesterday. Ten of the fugitives, however, were immediately recaptured. The home secretary (police), CP Giri, said the undertrials fled the district jail by breaking open the main gate of the prison. He said the inmates were agitated over delayed supply of food since Wednesday. Things turned violent when no food could be served to them till 7 pm. Altogether 20 of the prisoners were...

GUWAHATI, September 3: Dhiru Bhuyan, celebrated actor and director of films, AIR plays and TV serials, passed away today at his Uzanbazar residence here after protracted illness. He was 56. Born in a renowned Assamese family of Uzanbazar, Dhiru Bhuyan had developed a penchant for acting from his very childhood. Bhuyan made remarkable contributions in the field of Assamese culture. Professionally, he joined AIR Guwahati as casual announcer in 1962, became regular announcer in 1966, and served as senior programme announcer till his death. His first appearance on screen was as a child artiste in...

RANGIYA, September 2: Tension prevailed in Rangiya and its neighbourhood following the physical torture meted out to about 500 people of Batahkuchi, Bichennala, Kothra, Jamtola, Gariakoth, Tokonkata and Hairandab, villages under Rangiya circle by the Army and the police during a joint operation early this morning. The operation, led by the Rangiya subdivisional police officer, Mahesh Sarma, was launched by the Army and the police in those villages as a sequel to the United Liberation Front of Asom's gunning down of two masons at Hairandab on August 29 last. The ULFA action came in retaliation...

ITANAGAR, September 2: Solung, a tribal festival of the Adi community, was celebrated throughout Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday with traditional gaiety and fervour. Besides the traditional ponung dances, rituals and sacrifices to invoke Ponyi Pol, the festival was marked by community feast, games and sports. Addressing the gathering on the occasion of the festival here, the Arunachal University vice-chancellor, KK Dwivedi, said celebration of the festival promotes feeling of oneness among the people. Dwivedi said efforts were on to establish a cultural complex at the lone university of the...

RANGIYA, September 2: Tension prevailed in Rangiya and its neighbourhood following the physical torture meted out to about 500 people of Batahkuchi, Bichennala, Kothra, Jamtola, Gariakoth, Tokonkata and Hairandab, villages under Rangiya circle by the Army and the police during a joint operation early this morning. The operation, led by the Rangiya subdivisional police officer, Mahesh Sarma, was launched by the Army and the police in those villages as a sequel to the United Liberation Front of Asom's gunning down of two masons at Hairandab on August 29 last. The ULFA action came in retaliation...