GUWAHATI, Oct 31 ? In the backdrop of the Union Government earmarking ten per cent of funds of various ministries for utilisation in the North East, a new initiative of the Union Ministry of Urban Development (UD) has raised serious concerns. If implemented it would only siphon off funds meant for development of the region.

The UD Ministry has recently asked some state governments in the North East that funds sanctioned by it should be executed by the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC). This is a notable departure from the earlier practice when funds released by the UD Ministry...

NEW DELHI, Oct 31 ? After Bhutan, North East insurgents hiding in Myanmar could face the heat as the military regime there is not averse to carry out an Army operation against them. The issue was discussed during the just-concluded visit here by Myanmar?s top military leader Than Shwe.

He is believed to have assured the Indian leadership that Yangon was for a Bhutan-type operation against the Indian insurgents hiding there, government sources told PTI here today. The two countries have agreed to discuss modalities for carrying out such an operation, the sources said, adding, the process could...

NEW DELHI, Oct 31 ? Eminent litterateur and Jnanpith Award winner, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami has taken umbrage to Assam Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh?s language describing his utterances as unbecoming of a Governor. The author?s reaction came after Governor Singh yesterday described her as ?a writer? whom the ULFA has contacted in Guwahati.

?No ULFA cadre contacted me. I came to know through the media that they have contacted a writer in Guwahati ... But ULFA should take initiative to approach the authorities which is the Assam Government,? he told reporters at Shillong on the sidelines...

IMPHAL, Oct 30 ? Under the directive of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Manipur government is to submit a proposal to the Centre for a special financial package for strengthening the state police commando force now engaged mainly in counter-insurgency operations in the valley districts.

Under the new proposal the existing commando force of Manipur Police would be increased from the present 800 to 1800 and they would be deployed in all district headquarters. There are nine districts in the state ? four in the valley and the remaining five in the hills. Commandos are not being deployed in...

IMPHAL, Oct 30 ? In the backdrop of the deteriorating law-and-order situation, particularly excesses by the protectors of law in dealing with the civilians and militant outfits, the Manipur Human Rights Commission has called for complete lifting of the black laws from the state at the earliest.

Justice Wungazan Awungshi Shishak, retired Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and Chairman of the Manipur Human Rights Commission said that complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from the state will stand a good stead at this crucial junction.

He was speaking...