SHILLONG, Dec 17? Members of Meghalaya Assembly today presented opposing views on the 32 year-old state reservation policy which is under tremendous pressures for a thorough review by various social organizations, student bodies and political parties.

The present policy, which provides for job reservation of 40 per cent to the Khasi and Jaintia tribes, another 40 per cent to the Garos, five per cent to other scheduled tribes leaving the balance 15 per cent to the general categories, has been in force since 1972 when Meghalaya attained full statehood. The policy also provides for quotas in...

IMPHAL, Dec 17 ? The whereabouts of Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University G Bijoy and Registrar R K Ranjan who were reportedly kidnapped by unidentified persons on Monday are not yet known, reports PTI. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Y Joykumar Singh told PTI that the VC and the Registrar were reportedly kidnappped by unidentified persons from the university campus at Kanchipur in Imphal West district of Manipur on Monday last.

However, no one at the university or the family members of the officials had informed the police till Thursday, the ADGP added. The police, he said, took...

NEW DELHI, Dec 17 ? Subject to availability of funds, the Bogibeel Road-cum-Rail Bridge Project is scheduled to be completed in 2008-2009, Union Minister of State for Railways, R.Velu said in the Rajya Sabha. In a written reply to a question tabled by Silvius Condpan, the minister said widening and strengthening of the National Highway- 52 from Lakhimpur to Jonai was planned to commence from the current financial year.

The NH is proposed to widened in anticipation to the increase in traffic intensity after completion of the bridge. The minister further added that the works of four laning...

GUWAHATI, Dec 17 ? ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah has taken seriously ill and will not be in a position to remain in contact with Jnanpith Award-winning author Mamoni Raisom Goswami, who has been attempting to bring the outfit for talks with the Centre, the outfit?s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said here today, reports PTI.

In an e-mail to a section of the media here, Rajkhowa said that Baruah had to undergo an emergency surgical operation and had to be taken to a place where advanced medical facilities are available. In view of this, the ULFA chief would not be able to remain in contact...

GUWAHATI, Dec 17 ? A new forest policy for the State was placed in the State Assembly today by the Government. The policy, titled ?Assam Forest Policy?, is formulated and adopted in view of the State ?progressively? losing its biodiversity as well as a vast expanse of forest due to various reasons, including excessive biotic pressures, said the policy document in its preamble.

The basic objectives, which will govern the forest policy, include maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance. The document has also enumerated conservation of...