GUWAHATI, Dec 20— The Union Commerce Ministry has decided to conduct a detailed survey on the border trade points in the North East. Highly-placed official sources today informed that the decision was taken in order to improve the present condition of the trade points. Though there are 32 trade points in north east India, 16 are functioning normally while rest are in bad shape. The commerce ministry has been focussing on the North East to accelerate trade with the neighbouring countries. The sources further revealed that the survey is aimed at harnessing the potential in the region. “We...

Imphal, December 21: A group of suspected militants attacked a convoy of police commandos with bombs at a spot between S Kotlan and Torbung under Churachandpur Police Station at about 12.45 pm today. However, no one was injured in the attack. Police sources said that the militants laid altogether three bombs, one each on either side of the road and the third in the middle of the road. The incident happened while a team of Bishnupur Police Commandos in two Gypsies were heading towards the Churachandpur PS in connection with a case. As the convoy reaches a spot some 18 kms towards the north of...

GUWAHATI, Dec 20 — Worried over increasing incidents of heroin smuggling from Myanmar, the Centre has stepped up operations along the Indo-Myanmar border. The three states of the north east India, bordering Myanmar, — Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland has been kept under strict vigil by the enforcement agencies, following reports that the smugglers are trying to despatch their consignments to the region. Though the enforcement agencies have made several seizures during the last couple of years, yet they have not been able to contain the problem in view of prevailing terrain. Talking advantage of...

KHONSA, Dec 19 — Ultras from neighbouring states especially the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, (IM) and security forces engaged to contain the militants are busy in violating the basic human rights in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Since October this year, both the personnel of 7/8 Gorkha Regiment positioned at Deomali, and NSCN (IM) ultras have not only made the life of innocent villagers of the sleepy Soha village difficult but also snatched away their basic civil rights. According to eyewitnesses as the trouble started on October 5, after the Naga ultras campaigned at the...

Shillong, Dec. 19: The BJP today said the party, as in other states, would take support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (rss) for electoral gains in Meghalaya.

BJP national vice-president Pyeralal Khandelwal today said his party was not averse to seeking co-operation from all concerned, including the RSS.

?What is wrong with the RSS?? he asked, reacting to statements made by the Congress in the state on the BJP?s ?hidden agenda?. He was supported by senior party leaders from the region and the state, who said that the BJP would extend support to the RSS as long as the organisation...