DIBRUGARH, Feb 12 — There are several industries in the twin districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. But whenever one needs a donation, the first name that comes into reckoning is Oil India Limited (OIL). None of the other industries, be it tea, fertilizer and others in the petroleum sector, are so deluged with donation demands. Such is the pressure on OIL that even the district administration in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh asks the company to cough out money for sundry reasons: install streetlights, build roads, beautification of some park, etc. Then there is the constant pressure for “complimentary...

Imphal, February 12: With the first phase Assembly election just two days away, pre-poll violence continues to rock the State with unidentified gunmen attacking the residences of six candidates including one bomb attack since last night. Armed assailants exploded a hand grenade at the residence of former Dy Chief Minister and Congress candidate, Kh Amutombi at Mayang Imphal Konchak at around 11.50 last night. No one was injured in the bomb attack which damaged the southern wall of the house. Reports said the assailants came from the Mayang Imphal Konchak side and lobbed the grenade from the...

Imphal, February 12: The underground KYKL(O), has clarified that its campaign against the MSCP candidate Th Bira, contesting in the Nambol constituency is not at the behest of any political group. The outfit, in a statement, reiterated it had nothing whatsoever to do with Indian elections, and the campaign against Bira has not been taken up at the behest of any of his rivals. It further said its actions were part of its crusade to stop the anti-revolutionary and anti-people activities of Th Chaoba, state Lok Sabha MP and Bira's younger brother. The KYKL(O) also claimed responsibility for the...

IMPHAL, Feb 11 — Over and above the current electioneering process, the recent declaration made by the United Naga Council, on apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, to promote the “Naga cause” has snowballed into a major controversy in the 8th assembly election. It may be noted here that a declaration was drawn up by the UNC to protect and promote interest of the Naga people during a joint meeting of All Naga Students Association, Manipur, Naga Women Union Manipur, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights and the working group fo UNC on February 1 at Senapati district headquarters. The...

GUWAHATI, Feb 11 — It is only fifty years old. Considering the problems it is facing and the size of the task it has undertaken, this is no age. Besides, it had to start with nothing but the zeal of a handful but well-determined people as its sole capital. And today, on the eve of its golden jubilee celebration, this organisation, which failed even to hold nine of its annual conferences due to some seemingly unsurmountable difficulties, has surpassed the other organisations of the like nature in matters of attaining maturity in shaping the vision and destiny of the people for which it is...