Shillong, March 10: Settling all differences within the ruling coalition, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) today decided to nominate Martin M. Danggo as its candidate for the post of Speaker, election to which will be held on Wednesday.

At a meeting attended by the coalition partners of the MDA today, the leaders discussed the issue and resolved to settle the differences that had arisen after the Congress announced Danggo’s name as the MDA candidate for the post.

It was also decided at the meeting that the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) chief Hopingstone Lyngdoh would be...

BANGKOK, March 10 — Underscoring the need for the continuance of the ongoingg Naga peace talks with the Centre, Nagaland NSCN(IM) has urged the Indian Government to depute a politician instead of a bureaucrat to hold parleys with the group, reports PTI.

NSCN sources said they were keen to have a politician at the talks instead of a bureaucrat. “In any talks, there has to be give and take, and it is difficult sometimes to negotiate with non-politicians.”

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who was in Bangkok over the last two days, said he had met with NSCN (IM) chairman Chishi Swu and both...

ITANAGAR, March 10 – Bamboo or the poor man’s timber, as its is called emotionally, is poised for bringing about a revolution in Arunachal Pradesh in particular and the North East in general, claimed Dr S N Hegde, director Arunachal Pradesh State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in an exclusive interview here Sunday.

Mentioning that the North East Region has the largest bamboo resource and holds a unique bamboo culture, Dr Hedge cited the Apatani bamboo cultivation and management of plantation which has already gained acclaim the world over.“This poor man’s timber comes in the life of the...

KOHIMA, March 10— Chief Minister Neiphu Rio whose Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition government took over the reins of the state on March six, and is yet to distribute portfolios, today inducted four new Ministers, including one of Cabinet rank besides elevating five Ministers of State to Cabinet rank, reports PTI. Of the four new entrants, I Sangtam of the BJP was of cabinet rank while others from the Nagaland People’s Front, the leading DAN partner, were made Ministers of State.

The newly inducted Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Shymal Dutta at...

NEW DELHI, March 10 — The Central government is not moved by the spurt of attacks unleashed by outlawed ULFA with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani ruling out any possibility of talks in the near future with the outfit. The Deputy Prime Minister’s statement was in keeping with the unstated policy of the Central government to isolate the militant outfit before engaging them in talks. Advani was talking to newsmen at the Raising Day of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here today.

The Central government is on the opinion that its two-pronged strategy of thrust on economic development...