News

Imphal, Dec. 23: The Manipur film industry never had it so good. After yanking Hindi films off the screen following a ban by an outlawed organisation, most cinema halls here have been screening only Manipuri digital films, rejuvenating an industry that was floundering not long ago.

The first feature film in Manipuri, Matamgi Manipur, hit the big screen in 1972 and several talented filmmakers from the state have emerged since then. But despite winning national and international awards, including a Grand Prix for Imagi Ningthem, the Manipuri film industry did not become financially stable until...

Jalpaiguri, Dec. 23: If Bhutan was their sanctuary, Bangladesh was the armoury ? in a manner of speaking. Indian intelligence has been saying that arms for insurgents in India?s Northeast have been coming in through Bangladesh, but the recent crackdown by Bhutan on rebel camps has again brought into focus the role of transit and landing points on the smuggling route on the soil of the eastern neighbour.

Dhaka has denied these charges. But, after Bhutan responded to persistent Indian requests to act against the northeastern militants, the pressure on Bangladesh could go up with Delhi using the...

IMPHAL, Dec 23: Normal life was affected in Manipur today due to 12-hour general strike called by the separatist Manipur People?s Liberation Front in solidarity with the ULFA, NDFB and KLO whose camps in Bhutan were busted. Markets, shops and business establishments were closed and people preferred to remain indoors. Attendance in both Central and State government offices was almost nil, official reports said, adding that transporters also cancelled long-distance services. Police and para-military forces had been deployed in all sensitive points and patrolling intensified in various places...

SHILLONG, Dec 23: Bhutanese students have been fleeing Shillong over the last couple of days in the wake of Northeast-based ultra outfits having decided to serve a ?quit notice? on the Bhutanese nationals living in the region. Nine extremist organizations of the region, including the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), have decided to serve ?quit notice? on Bhutanese nationals residing in the Northeast faced with continued onslaught by the Royal Bhutanese Army in the Himalayan Kingdom. The ULFA, while demanding immediate cessation...

MANAS, Dec 23: Notwithstanding the broken-down infrastructure, the flow of foreign tourists to Manas Tiger Reserve is increasing day by day. Its name and fame attract tourists from various corners of the world. But now the famous attraction of the State is crying for urgent repair of its infrastructure. Almost all the infrastructure, the approach road from Barpeta Road town, the bridges along the road, forest bungalows, the internal facilities for tourists all are in a bad shape in sharp contract to the naturally endowed splendid beauty of the reserve. The Manas Tiger Reserve, in the foothills...