News

SHILLONG, June 29 – The average level of using information technology (IT) tools in Meghalaya government’s various departments was ‘quite low’, a senior official said. Although some of the departments were doing a ‘better job’ in using IT, the ‘average level’ was still ‘quite low’, principal secretary of IT Department WMS Pariot said here while inaugurating a training programme for senior officers.

Urging the participants to use IT tools in their work in their respective offices, Pariot said this would not only help a department to speed up its routine activities on a day-to-day basis but...

Imphal, June 29: The CPI, a partner in the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government in Manipur, has demanded two cabinet berths in the new downsized ministry. The party, which placed its demand before the SPF steering committee, is “confident” of getting its way.

Moirangthem Ibohal Singh, chairman of the CPI control commission, today said, “We consider at least two berths in the new council of ministry after the downsizing is our right.”

At present, the CPI has five members in the coalition, which has a combined strength of 40, including the Speaker. At present, all five are...

Nagaon, June 29: The Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KNLF) today said it was ready to call off its indefinite blockade in the two hill districts if voluntary organisations and political parties can dissuade the rival United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) from attacking its activists.

The KNLF, earlier known as a splinter group of the UPDS, clamped the blockade on June 21 in protest against the killing of four of its members in an encounter with security forces at Donkamokam in the last week of May.

KNLF general secretary H.S. Timung said it might call off the...

KOHIMA, June 29 – Nagaland Power Minister Tiameren Aier said the DONER ministry has already released the first instalment for 24-MW thermal power project at Dimapur, which was a commitment in former prime minister AB Vajpayee’s special economic package announced last year. The minister told the state Assembly that the first instalment or mobilization advance amounting to Rs. 18.86 crore has directly been released to the executing agency Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) by DONER in March, 2004.

Land for the project has already been acquired and the survey and preparation of estimates for...

ITANAGAR, June 29 – Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister L Wanglat informed the Assembly on Monday that second-in-command of Arunachal Dragon Force (ADF) Chow Monglang along with all cadres of his underground outfit would lay down arms in a ceremony here within a day or two.

The cadres trained by NSCN-K at its Myanmar camp would surrender a cache of arms, including AK-47, AK-56, M 20 pistols and magazines, assorted ammunition, two wireless sets and SBBL guns, which they had brought from the neighbouring country to create a reign of terror in Lohit and parts of lower Dibang valley and Siang...