Guwahati, July 13: The dismally low rate of funding by the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) and other major financing institutions (FIs) in the backward NE region is showing no sign of improvement despite the repeated policy announcements made by successive Central Governments to develop the region's economy with an impressive thrust at the macro level. For, said knowledgeable circles here, the funding rate of the IDBI in the region stood at 0.012 per ecnt against the all India rate in 1996-97, while it stood at 0.024 per cent in 1997-98 and 0.008 per cent in 1998-99 against the all...

Imphal, July 13: The much-awaited Paona international market at the junction of the Paona Bazar, Imphal was formally inaugurated on July 11 by the State Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh. The modern two-storey shopping complex was completed with a total cost of Rs 71 lakh since its construction on January 14 this year. The main aim of the construction of such kind of shopping centre in the state is to develop trade and commerce among the small-time businessmen in Manipur. It may also attract tourists to the state. The market complex was formally launched by the Joint Action Committee in...

Imphal, July 12: The North-East Students Coordinating Committee on the Manipuri identity has decided to boycott the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in protest against the decision taken by the Assam and Tripura governments to recognise the Bishnupriya language as 'Bishnupriya Manipuri'. Talking to The Assam Tribune, here the convenor of the co-ordinating committee, Chidananda said that the final decision on the poll boycott will be taken after a joint meeting of the constituents of the committee, All Assam Manipuri Students' Union (AAMSU), All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) and All Tripura...

Kohima, July 13: A senior Cabinet minister of Nagaland resigned from the council of ministers on Tuesday bowing to pressure from various quarters following the killing of a youth by his securitymen near Dimapur on May 29. Making a suo motu statement on the opening day of the Assembly session, roads and bridges minister I Imkong offered his resignation from the council of ministers, saying he had taken the decision "in the interest of public peace and harmony" in the state. Various organisations have been demanding resignation of Imkong owning responsibility of the incident in which one youth...

Agartala, July 13: The director-general of Tripura police K T D Singh has ordered an enquiry into arson and alleged assault on villagers at Takumbari and adjoining areas immediately after the killing of five Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawans by insurgents there on July 10. Five TSR jawans and the driver of the vehicle were killed at Takumbari in South Tripura district on July 10 in an insurgent attack. After the incident, about 40 armed youths attacked three villages adjoining Takumbari and burnt at least 100 houses and physically assaulted the villagers, including women and children.