NEW DELHI, March 22 ? The Assam Government today petitioned the Defence Ministry to review its policy and remove the restrictions on communication network, including cellular phone and Wireless on Local Loop (WLL) clamped on ground of security. The issues figure during a meeting between Defence Minister, George Fernandes and State Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, here this morning, at the South Block. The blanket ban on spread of communication network in the name of security ordered by the Army has cost the State as much as Rs 100 crore in equipments procured by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited...

NEW DELHI, March 22 ? The Commerce Ministry has ruled out the possibility of reopening the Stillwell Road even as two additional points for border trade with Myanmar in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have been identified for opening. The disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Commerce, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, at the Lok Sabha, here this morning, in response to a question by Paban Singh Ghatowar. The MP seeking an assurance from the Minister, underlined the importance of the Stillwell Road for the economy of the North East. He pointed out to the Minister that importance of the road lay in...

GUWAHATI, March 22: A full-grown tiger was run over by a heavy vehicle on the National Highway 37 section passing through Kaziranga National Park (KNP) late last night. The carcass of the animal was recovered by Forest officials early this morning. The killed animal was measured seven feet and nine inches in length. Forest department sources in the KNP informed that it was for the first time a tiger was run over by vehicle in the national park. Last year another full grown tiger was killed following fierce fighting with another tiger inside the National Park.

Imphal, March 22: Even though the Government is yet to order security operations for the rescue of abducted Chandel DC, Y Thamkishwor even after five days of the abduction, a red alert has been sounded in all the security posts in Chandel district including some in neighboring districts to check possible whisking away of the abducted official to Myanmar. Addl DGP AK Parashar who is holding the charge of the DGP in AA Siddiqui's absence told The Sangai Express that the rescue operations have not been taken up due to fear for the officer's life and in view of the appeal made by his family. He...

GUWAHATI, March 21 ? The State Government offices all over the State including the State Secretariat, the nerve centre of the administration, was paralysed in the second half for the fifth day today because of the ceasework by employees. The agitating employees led by Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) paralysed work at the State Secretariat here despite deployment of a large number of CRPF personnel in and around the capital complex today. The State employees have been agitating for non-payment of salaries for the month of February by the cash-strapped Tarun Gogoi Government till date. The...