NEW DELHI, Oct 24 ? The hands-off attitude of the Centre threatens to derail the peace process with the outlawed NDFB even before formal talks to pave the way for ceasefire gets under way, highly-placed sources told this newspaper.

When Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi called on Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil last Thursday to discuss the NDFB?s offer, he went with the impression that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would take the lead in opening negotiations with the recalcitrant Bodo militant outfit but had to contend himself with just a ?go-ahead? and an assurance for Centre?s backing.

In...

DIMAPUR, Oct 21? A South Kolkata Durga Puja pandal depicting Hindu gods and goddesses draped in traditional Naga attire drew strong revulsion and outrage in Nagaland. Several organisations in the state have called on the concerned Puja pandal committee to apologize and immediately remove the pandal terming it as an insult to the Naga tradition and culture.

?The shameless depiction of gods and goddesses adorned with Naga shawls is an epitome of insult and has hurt the sentiments of all the Nagas,? said Dimapur Naga Women Hoho president Tiala Sapuh and general secretary Hukali Akato while...

MARIANI, Oct 21 ? Even though the situation in the Assam-Nagaland border areas is fast getting out of hand, with reports of incursions and Naga presence being reported every now and then, the authorities sitting in Dispur, Kohima and even New Delhi seem to be least concerned with the sensitive situation. The recent eviction drives conducted by the Assam government further aggravated the simmering tension prevalent along the border areas.

Being specific to the E-sector here in Jorhat district, the problem had started in 1963 after bifurcation when Naga men started to claim vast tracts of Assam...

AIZAWL, Oct 21? ?One of our prominent Mizo rebels has been rehabilitated in the Chief Minister?s office?, quipped a senior Mizo government officer when asked about the rehabilitation of the former Mizo underground cadres after the signing of the successful Mizo Accord of 1986.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga, a close aide of the Mizo rebel leader Laldenga who signed the Accord with the Central government has been leading the Mizo National Front (MNF) after the demise of Laldenga. The transition of the rebel group to a political party participating in electoral politics has not proved to be...

NEW DELHI, Oct 21 ? The Centre today gave the go ahead to Assam Government to open dialogue with the outlawed NDFB before announcing a formal ceasefire pact with the outfit. The talks are going to be held in the pattern of the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT).

The Centre?s clearance came after an hour-long meeting between Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi at North Block here this afternoon, which was also attended by top officials of the Ministry. Union Home Secretary, Dhirendra Singh, joint Secretary (North-East), Rajeev Agarwalla and IGP (SB), Khagen Sarma were...