Imphal, July 12: What?s in a name, goes the clich?. But for a large number of people in Manipur, a rose by any other name will not smell just as sweet. Or, will it? Prodded by two non-governmental organisations, people have suddenly realised that they need to shed their names and take on traditional ones to preserve their identity.

A hundred of them, egged on by the Meitei National Front and the Federation of Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Students, thronged Imphal?s lower court complex last week to take part in the mass conversion of names.

The people, belonging to Meitei, Tangkhul...

Kohima, July 12: Nagaland is anxious about whether the ceasefire will continue with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) yet to take a decision on extending the term of its truce with Delhi beyond July 31. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio and his colleagues today met representatives of the Church and various non-governmental organisations to ascertain their views on the subject. The verdict was unanimous: the ceasefire, declared in 1997, should continue in spite of the deadlock in the peace talks.

The last round of talks between Delhi and the NSCN (I-M) in Amsterdam ended in a stalemate, leading to speculation...

AGARTALA, July 12 ? Tripura remained cut off from the rest of the country as heavy landslides caused by incessant rains blocked Assam-Agartala NH 44 at Sonarpur in Meghalaya, offical sources said here today. The landslides have resulted in hundreds of Guwahati and Shillong- bound vehicles, including buses, to remain stranded in different places on the highway inconveniencing passengers and transport workers, the sources said. The landslides have led to suspension of state bus services and other private carriers.

Rail connectivity of the land-locked state was also partly disrupted at Badarpura...

DIMAPUR, July 12 ? The security forces have stepped up patrolling and frisking at several access routes to Dimapur, particularly from Niuland area and Intangki Reserve Forest area.Travelers from those areas reported that security forces have put up new check-posts and were frisking them as part of security measures. Sources said that this kind of security drill might be widened to other parts of the State if the activities of antisocial elements do not show any significant drop. Security forces said that from now on, frisking and other forms of security drill would be carried out routinely to...

IMPHAL, July 12 ? Manipur today remained cut-off from rest of the country following heavy landslides on the Guwahati-Imphal National Highway triggered by incessant rains in the past few days, official sources said. Landslides occurred at three points on NH39 in Mao, Kangpokpi and Lairouching areas in Senapati district and efforts were on to clear the roads, the sources said. Reports from the districts said all Manipur-bound vehicles had been stranded at Mao Gate, near Manipur-Nagaland border. Operators also suspended their transport services between Imphal and the neighbouring states, the...