GUWAHATI, Oct 25: The issue of sovereignty must form a part of Government?s discussions with the banned ULFA for lasting peace in Assam, Jnanpith winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami has said today, reports PTI.

Goswami, who will submit an appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon on initiating talks with the ULFA, told PTI that the issue of sovereignty must be heard during the talks process to find out a permanent solution to the problem of insurgency.

?The ULFA is fighting for 25 years on the issue of sovereignty. We just cannot ignore it. We have to listen to this aspect at the negotiating...

GUWAHATI, Oct 25 ? Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today sought to dismiss reports that the State Government is not quite happy with the response of the Centre in the aftermath of the militant outfit, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland?s (NDFB) unilateral ceasefire offer.

He said during a press conference at the Janata Bhawan here that he has nothing to complain about. ?I am not disappointed. I am completely happy,? Gogoi told newspersons while briefing them about his discussions with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in New Delhi last week. He said that the Centre has assured the State...

NEW DELHI, Oct 25 ? The prospects of a crackdown on insurgents belonging to North East in the neighbouring country have brightened with India and Myanmar signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Cooperation on Non-traditional Security Issues.

The MoU was part of the three agreements including on Cultural Exchange Programme and 1200-MW Tamanthi hydroelectric project on River Chindwin signed in presence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and visiting leader of Myanmar, Senior General Than Shwe who is the chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

The MoU on non...

DIMAPUR, Oct 24 ? SS Khaplang, chairman of the NSCN-K has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to sign any pact with visiting Myanmarese junta delegation for launching a joint army operation, inside the Myanmarese territory where the NSCN-K has its base headquarters, if New Delhi wants to continue the ongoing Naga peace process undisturbed.

The NSCN-K is worried that New Delhi is poised to sign a document, which would pave the way for a joint security operation along Indo-Myanmar border. The operation is said to be aimed at ULFA and Meitei rebel training bases as well as anti-Myanmar...

NEW DELHI, Oct 24 ? Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today sought to downplay the recent movement of troops to the North East, which recently saw a spurt in militant violence, saying that only the battalions shifted out during the Kargil war in 1999 were being restored, reports PTI.

?During the Kargil War, we had brought in many battalions from the North East. Now, we are simply restoring them,? Patil told reporters on the sidelines of the 43rd raising day of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) here. He was replying to questions about redeployment of ITBP troops from Jammu and Kashmir to the...