SILCHAR, March 21: In a bid to pave the way for a dialogue with the insurgent groups, the Tripura government is considering a Nagaland-type ceasefire in the insurgency-ravaged state. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told The Telegraph today that the Centre should immediately take the initiative in this regard. Sarkar kicked off the CPM's campaign for the ensuing Assam Assembly polls at the Gandhi Park here. However, the Centre should ensure before announcing the truce that the rebels observe the ceasefire rules, he said. Proper ground rules should also be framed for monitoring the ceasefire...

AGARTALA, March 21: Outlawed National Liberation Front of Twipra militants gunned down four BSF jawans and seven General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) personnel in a daring ambush in the remote Moracherra area in North Tripura district this morning. Sources said 14 people were injured in the incident, including five jawans of the BSF's 27th battalion. The militants took away a light machine gun, a mortar and a wireless set from the security forces. The injured have been rushed to G.B. Hospital in Agartala. Three of them are in a critical condition. Sources said a large group of NLFT rebels...

IMPHAL, March 20: The banned Revolutionary People's Front - the political wing of the People's Liberation Army - has rejected both the government and the Army's ceasefire offer. The RPF said it would continue its struggle until the Centre ends its "colonial rule" in the state. Another rebel outfit, the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, had earlier rejected the ceasefire offer. Both outfits are constituents of the Manipur People's Liberation Front. The outfit's rejection comes a day after Governor Ved Marwah announced the setting up of a contact group to liaison with insurgent outfits...

IMPHAL, March 20: A total of 11,271 HIV positive cases have been detected in Manipur till January, 2001, Governor Ved Prakash Marwah told the State Assembly on March 19, reports PTI. Addressing the Assembly on the first day of the session, Marwah said hundred per cent screening had been achieved in all the blood banks in Manipur. He added AIDS education had also been introduced in the school curriculum from Class VI to X, and 17 targetted intervention projects were in operation in the six high prevalence districts of the State. The Governor said the AIDS control programme was being implemented...

GUWAHATI, March 20: The United Assam Association organised its annual general meeting on Saturday last at the Vale Community Centre, Nottingham. The Assam Association of UK is a non-political organisation. Its main objective is the welfare of the people of Assam and their families residing in the UK. Recently, Assam Association sent donation to the flood victims through Assam Red Cross Society. The meeting was presided over by Nagen Sarmah, President (UAA). It discussed the programme of Assam Day celebration which will be held on August 26, 2001 at Marriott Hotel, Northampton with a day long...