News

Nagaon, Dec. 9: The Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) today offered to talk peace with its rival, the anti-talks faction of the United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), and said it was ready to accept even a Karbi as mediator. The announcement was made by the KRA divisional commandant in charge of operations launched by the Manipur-based militant group in Assam.

The militant leader, K. Hanghshing, said: ?For the sake of peace in Karbi Anglong, we are ready to sit for discussions. The mediator may be a Karbi or from other community, but we are ready to talk on the issue of peace in Karbi...

Aizawl, Dec. 9: The Independent candidate who won the election in Mizoram?s Suangpuilawn constituency has promised to resign immediately after being sworn in as a legislator to pave the way for a ?free and fair bypoll?. H. Lalsangzuala, who was declared the winner of the seat yesterday, made the commitment this morning in an agreement with the Hmar People?s Convention, which had backed him, and the Central Young Mizo Association. He agreed with the two organisations that the election in Suangpuilawn had not been free and fair.

Sources said Lalsangzuala prepared the draft of his resignation...

New Delhi, Dec. 9: The Assam government?s lackadaisical and ad hoc efforts towards promoting tourism came as a shock to visitors at the tourism stall in the Assam Pavilion at the recently-concluded India International Trade Fair here. So incensed was Assam governor Lt Gen. (retd) Ajai Singh with the shabby appearance of the stall and its shoddy arrangements that he immediately shot off a letter to the department.

A few improvements were, naturally, ushered in after that. But sample this: There was no visitor?s book at the stall.

A sum of Rs 1.75 lakh was earmarked for tourism at the fair but...

Agartala, Dec. 9: Dissension within the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has intensified with a section of militants beginning to give vent to their frustration by targeting their leaders. A 24-member group shot dead as many as 12 NLFT commanders at Jupui in the Sajek range of Bangladesh?s Chittagong Hill Tracts on November 21 and sneaked into South Tripura.

Two of the militants, identified as Sanjib Reang and Jibon Reang, surrendered at Belonia police station last month.

They deposited an AK-47 rifle, an M-16 assault rifle, a 9mm pistol and a huge quantity of ammunition.

The...

Agartala, Dec. 9: The tourism sector in Tripura has been hit by two unfavourable developments. The income of Comilla View, a tourist lodge in the Kasba area of West Tripura, plummeted after secretary of the department of tourism D.K. Chakraborty banned the system of spot booking at the lodge.

The lodge used to earn around Rs 50,000 per month. However, their income plunged after Chakraborty passed an order banning spot booking and consumption of liquor in the lodge.

This was done following a dispute with a nearby restaurant, run by a group of local leaders. Police intervened and arrested a...