Kohima, Jan. 9: Unlike local newspaper banner headlines that screamed “Tears, joy, cheers welcome NSCN (I-M) leaders” — reflecting the “general mood” as well as the intense activity in the nation’s capital — the mood in the state capital was as sombre as the weather. The streets of Kohima showed neither excitement nor anticipation on a day that has been described variously as “crucial” or “historic” by prominent leaders and citizens in the run-up to the talks between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) today in New Delhi.

For most, it was just another day. “Our quotidian life has not been...

DIBRUGARH, Jan 8 — A controversial decision to put up a boundary wall around the campus of the Assam Medical College (AMC) during 1982-83 by its then principal Dr Nekibur Zaman, has put the institution authorities in a quandary. For, the wall excludes more than 442 bighas of land which old land records say, belong to AMC. The matter has since been taken up by the local Youth Leadership Centre (YLC), which has also filed a public interest complaint before the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Earlier too, the matter was reported in a section of the print media, but lost significance as...

Imphal, January 08: Thousands of people marched in a procession in the state capita] here today against any move to disintegrate Manipur during the first over Naga peace talks on Indian soil between the centre and the NSCN(IM) in New Delhi tomorrow. The processionists gathered at Thau ground. Around 12.45 pm the rallyists marched towards Khuyathong, then proceeded towards Nagamapal and passed through Wahengbam Leikai, Keishamthong, Yaiskul and marched on at Thambuthong and Thangapat areas, it proceeded towards Wangkhei, New Checkon, Minuthong and culmianted at Khuman Lampak. where a public...

Kohima, Jan. 8: Springing a surprise a few hours before Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah were to reach New Delhi, the Khaplang faction of the NSCN indicated that its top leaders, including chairman S.S. Khaplang, could return to India later in the year for “political negotiations” with the Centre. Khughalu Mulatonu, a deputy kilonser (minister) in the NSCN (K) hierarchy, told The Telegraph over phone that his outfit had lined up “something very positive” for Nagaland. “Khaplang is keen to come to India and lay the stepping stone for a political process,” he said.

Khaplang, a Hemi Naga and...

New Delhi, Jan. 8: All arrangements are in place for NSCN leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu’s visit to India, including their personal security guards and special cooks flown in from Dimapur. The interaction of Muivah and Swu with India’s top political leadership will set the tone for the peace talks aimed at ending one of the country’s oldest separatist movements.

The Intelligence Bureau will be responsible for the overall security of the two Naga leaders and senior members assembled in the national capital. The inner security cordon around Swu and Muivah will be manned by NSCN...