NEW DELHI, Dec 26 – In a poor reflection of endeavour of the North-eastern states, all the states in the region including Assam have missed targets of compensatory aforestation, even as questions have been raised about the manner in which the Supreme Court’s direction has been interpreted. For all the tall promises made by these States to conserve its forest resources, it has little achievements to show for results, if the accomplishment of compensatory aforestation is anything to go by. Worse still State like Manipur has not even bothered to prepare a working plan to conserve forest, while...

GUWAHATI, Dec 26 – The Central government’s promise of providing an amount of Rs 500 crore during the 9th Five Year Plan period for taking up flood control measures remained on papers only as the State received only Rs 54 crore during that period, highly placed Flood Control Department sources said. Sources told The Assam Tribune that during the last two years of the 9th Plan period, the Department did not receive any money from the Central Water Resources Ministry. The funding pattern for the 10th Five Year Plan period is yet to be finalised, but the Department has submitted detailed project...

GUWAHATI, Dec 26— Assam government today took strong exception to the statement made by Union Minister for Department of Development of North eastern Region (DONER) Arun Shourie that the Centre would consider the request for a ‘special development package’ for North East provided peace was restored in the region. The statement made by Shourie here yesterday has evoked sharp reaction from the Assam government. Minister of State for Planning and Development Himanta Biswa Sharma who claimed to be speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, today informed that the State government would dash...

GUWAHATI, Dec 26 – The security forces are still in the dark about the identity of the miscreants involved in the mortar attacks in the city last evening, which killed two persons and injured 19 others including former member of Parliament Prabin Sarma. The Director General of Assam Police has announced a reward of Rs one lakh to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the miscreants involved in the attacks. Superintendent of City Police Hiren Nath told The Assam Tribune this evening that the needle of suspicion points towards the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)...

Imphal, December 26: Continuing its drive against corrupt elements and to cleanse education department of all ills, the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) said six persons - including Education (S) Minister Dr Maniruddin Sheikh – charged of indulging in corruption will be given death sentence. While five are currently under the custody of the outfit the Minister will soon be given the same treatment, contended a press statement of secretary, publicity and research, Langamba Mangang. Five others who will be given the death penalty on December 31 are Khwairakpam Raghumani (45) s/o (L) Kh...