Kohima, Jan. 3: From slippers to soaps and tubelights, goods made in Myanmar are flooding the markets of Nagaland, pushing Indian products off the racks and reducing the government’s earnings from sales tax. The “Myanmarese invasion” began about three years ago, but what was initially a trickle of goods has now become a torrent. The first destination of the consignments, mostly originating from Yangon and Mandalay, is Moreh in Manipur.

Vans bring these goods from the border town to Dimapur via Kohima. The state capital does have its share of the “foreign business”, but Dimapur is where the...

Shillong, Jan. 3: The Meghalaya government today made it clear that it would not pay ransom to the Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC) to secure the release of district health and medical officer, Williamnagar, P.N. Bezbaruah. The government, however, promised that it would continue its efforts to get the doctor released “unharmed”. Chief minister F.A. Khonglam today told newspersons that the government would not succumb to any pressure from any militant outfit and could only appeal for the release of the abducted doctor.

ANVC rebels had abducted Bezbaruah from Williamnagar on December...

Shillong, Jan. 3: A resident of the Meghalaya capital has won the Rs 4-crore jackpot in a hugely popular online lottery but is unwilling to disclose his identity, lest extortionists come knocking on his door. Agents of Playwin, which conducts the Sikkim Super Lotto draw, confirmed that the person who had hit the jackpot was from Shillong. However, they declined to divulge if the winner had staked claim to the prize.

A source said the winner was from a middle-class family and had purchased the lucky ticket a few hours before the draw, shown live on a television channel. It is presumed that the...

NEW DELHI, Jan 3 — In a bid to avoid massive diversion developmental funds at least 29 projects in North East Region have been taken up for concurrent audit by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) at the request of Department for Development of North Eastern region (DONER).

In Assam, which receives a large chunk of funds 5 schemes worth over Rs 100 crore has been handed for concurrent audit. All the States in the Region have been advised to publicize project details. Time frame for completion of projects given and area Officers for each state earmarked.

However, some of the State including...

GUWAHATI, Jan 3 — The new year will see a major boost in television services in the North East as national broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) has embarked on a massive service expansion programme in the region. DD Director General SY Quraishi announced this evening that DD will observe the next financial year as the ‘Year of the North East’.

Quraishi, who is here, along with senior officials of Prasar Bharati, to review the working of DD’s North East division, told a press conference that by March this year there will be 15-minute bulletins in all the eight States of the region. Some States may...