GUWAHATI, Nov 3 ? Even as a world wide campaign is on against the drug menace, opium poses a serious threat to Singpho people living in Margherita of the State. The problem has reached such a magnitude that more and more youths are getting attracted towards opium.

Though the Singpho people used to consume opium during 18th century, the problem became apparent in 90s following free flow of opium from the Indo-Myanmar border. According to local people there are about 17,000 opium addicts in and around Margherita. The addicts may be more as no proper survey is yet to be initiated so far.

?Opium...

NEW DELHI, Nov 3 ? Calling for a joint action plan between the north eastern states and the Centre to counter attacks on soft targets, Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil today said that a holistic approach addressing the concerns of the region combined with strong anti-insurgency measures was the way forward to a final solution to the problems.

The Union Home Minister, however, cautioned the intelligence agencies and chiefs of state police forces against being complacent asking them to utilise the ceasefire period to collect maximum information on the outfits for future use.

?In some states...

NEW DELHI, Nov 3 ? Reports of detention of top leaders of NDFB by Bangladesh Government after their unilateral ceasefire offer has sent alarm bells ringing. Highly placed sources told this newspaper that a senior leader of NDFB lieutenant Sushil Bodo a key member of the core group of the NDFB and close aide of chairman of the outfit Ranjan Daimari was mysteriously detained by authorities in Bangladesh reportedly at the behest of the DGFI.

India?s plea to Bangladesh authorities to take action on the militant leaders operating out of the country has so far been met with stout denial. But...

IMPHAL, Nov 2 ? Thousands of people mostly ethnic tribes of the north-east India and Myanmar exchanged vows for peace and prosperity in a one-day post-harvest festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups held at different places under the sun on Monday. Kut, the post harvest festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo (CHIKIM) ethnic tribes of the north-east India and western Myanmar was celebrated with all gaiety and fervour.

The main function was held at Kangpokpi Thomas ground in Senapati district of Manipur bordering Nagaland with Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as chief guest. Apart from cultural...

GUWAHATI, Nov 2 ? Ancient manuscripts and documents that are a virtual treasure trove of the State?s rich heritage and could throw much light on the State?s past, are fast decaying and vanishing for want of care and attention.

Majority of the manuscripts, mostly scripts written on sanchi leaves, are traditionally owned and kept in private households, and the owners are generally disinclined to part with their precious possessions because of superstitious reasons.

These are invariably regarded as symbols of good luck that keep the evil at bay. But when these start to get disintegrated for...