New Delhi, July 2: A non-government organisation has sounded a red alert over the spurt in human trafficking from the region. According to Shakti Vahini, the NGO, state governments in the region are yet to grasp the implications of the racket and yet to put the necessary preventive mechanism in place.

Its annual report, Trafficking in India Report 2004, classified all states (barring Arunachal Pradesh) in four categories in terms of the magnitude of trafficking, the existence of the legal and administrative frameworks and their implementation and the concern level for human, woman and child...

Guwahati, July 2: In a development that could change the contours of Assam politics, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and friend-turned-foe Bhrigu Kumar Phukan today buried the hatchet to jointly challenge AGP president Brindaban Goswami?s alleged dictatorial ways.

The two leaders, who led the anti-foreigner movement and formed the first AGP government before parting ways, met at room number 14 of Guwahati Circuit House this morning, ostensibly to discuss the power equation within the party.

Former AGP executive committee member Pranab Goswami, known to be a Mahanta loyalist, had booked the room in his...

AIZAWL, July 2 ? The Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) on Thursday denied any involvement in extortion activities in Mizoram?s Champhai town near Myanmar border and alleged that such crimes were organised by a rival faction. Police arrested eight persons last week on charge of intimidating people and extorting money in the name of the ZRA, a Paite rebel outfit.

The outfit, in its statement alleged that those involved in such extortion belonged to the ?Zothon faction? and called the faction ?a bunch of gangsters having their base in Champhai who have come together without the knowledge of Zomi...

SHILLONG, July 2 ? Countering criticisms that the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) in Byrnihat near Guwahati has benefitted only the outside entrepreneurs, Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang has asserted that the Park has benefited the State immensely and that more benefits would accrue in the coming years. He said that incentives are being given to the units in EPIP and other declared ?industrial areas? to attract industrial investment proposals so that with the growth of industries in the State, benefits would accrue to Meghalaya which have far reaching social cost benefits.

Replying...

AGARTALA, July 2 ? The ruling Left Front in Tripura has captured 156 village panchayats out of a total of 513 panchayats uncontested, according to official sources. The election is slated for July 18. The sources said that the Front also won five Panchayat Samities out of a total 23 by winning 80 out of a total 299 seats and six seats out of 82 in four Zila Parishads.

This picture emerged yesterday after the last date of withdrawal of candidates.Meanwhile, the president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress, Birajit Sinha, alleged that the ruling front had prevented Opposition candidates from...