IMPHAL, Jan 16 —The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has categorically stated that the party has nothing to do with the eight State Assembly election which is to be held in February. According to a press statement issued by the Department of Publicity, the organisation said that the election is an exercise carried out by the Government of India to eliminate the right of self-determination by the people of Manipur. It stated that election is being held in Manipur under the garb of democracy to legalise India’s occupation. The statement further said that taking part in the...

GUWAHATI, Jan 16 — Technical education is to be upgraded and expanded in six north-eastern states ie Aruanchal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura besides Jammu & Kashmir and the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is being done at a cost of Rs. 329 crore and would be completed in five and a half years. This was disclosed by the Education Secretary Sri BK Chaturvedi while addressing a meeting of chief secretaries of these states here. He said, polytechnics in the region will be revamped to meet the requirements of the region especially the changed needs...

GUWAHATI, Jan 16 — After a brief lull, the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militants stRuck again in Bongaigaon district, killing 13 persons, and seriously injuring five others. Officials sources said here that the incident occurred around 10 pm yesterday when a group of about 20 to 25 heavily armed NDFB militants attacked number III Dailongjhar village in Bishnupur area under Bongaigaon police station at a time when the people of the Bengali-dominated village were performing some puja. Some gambling dens were also set up as part of the celebrations. Sources said that the...

GUWAHATI, Jan 16 — Several underground organisations of the North-east have appealed to the people to boycott the Republic Day programmes on January 26. In a statement, the organisations said that the ‘Indian occupation forces’ had started exploitation on the people of the region causing a serious problem. ‘We have been fighting to achieve freedom by overthrowing Indian colonial rule,” they said. The organisations also appealed to the people to observe a day-long strike on Republic Day. The organisations are — Arunachal Dragon Federation (ADF), Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), Dima...

Imphal, January 16: The countdown for the 8th Manipur legislative Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on two phases February 14 and 21, 2002 has started with the chief electoral officer Manipur DS Poonia issuing a formal notification of holding of the polls for the purpose of constituting a new legislative Assembly of the state. As per the notification, which was published in the Manipur gazette extraordinary, filing of nomination papers for the elections will be allowed till January 23 next. Scrutiny of the filed nomination will be done on January 24 and the last date for withdrawal of...