GUWAHATI, Dec 31 — It is a very good news for the people of the State. Maybe, it is a new year gift that may signal the beginning of a new era for the art and culture of the people of the State. Official confirmation is awaited though, the legendary singer, musician of the State Dr Bhupen Hazarika has been informed by the head of the Bengalee section of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Md A Haque that the Bengalee version of his Manuhe Manuhar Babe has been rated by the listeners of the BBC Bengalee Section as the best song of the 20th century.

Md Haque, who could contact Dr...

NEW DELHI, Dec 31 — In a big boost to Government of India’s peace plan in the North Eastern Region (NER), yet another underground outfit the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) operating in Assam has opted for talks with the Centre sealing a ceasefire pact for six months with effect from tomorrow. The DHD is the second outfit from the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills Districts to be engaged in peace talks with the Government. Earlier last year it was a faction of the UPDS, which signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre. Incidentally both the outfits operating in the same area are known to have...

DIMAPUR, Dec 31 — The white flag of peace may yet again flutter in the insurgency-ridden North-East as the peace initiatives between the Dimasa extremist organisation Dima Halong Daogah (DHD) and the Government of India show encouraging signs. Earlier, in a statement issued in the later part of August this year, the DHD had stated that although it had positively responded to Prime Minister’s Independence Day call and expressed willingness to discuss the Dimasa issue with the Centre, no further reciprocal gesture had been extended by the Union Government.

Citing an incident of harassment of...

ITANAGAR, Dec 31 — Activitiers of the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K were hindering development in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, State PWD Minister Talo Mugli said, yesterday, reports PTI. The pace of development works could have been faster if the two districts didnot witness militant activities, Mugli said at a function here. Both the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K are active in Tirap and Changlang, according to official reprots.

Claiming despite the presence of militants, the development projects were being executed in the two districts, the minister said, “many of the roads, bridges...

Imphal, December 31: The Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup today afternoon around 3 pm released all the five persons in its custody. The decision to release them was taken after the appeal made by the people of Manipur. The organization has not decided to take back the decision to kill the Education (S) minister Maniruddin Sheikh according to a signed statement by Lanngamba Mangang who issued a signed statement. KYKL's action will depend on the future actions of Maniruddin Sheikh he said. He however warned to all those working in Education (S) not to be involved with corruption. No one should try to get...