IMPHAL, March 18: Manipur Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam today said he was expecting a 'positive response' from insurgent outfits during the one-month long unilateral ceasefire declared by his government from March 1, even as a second underground organisation rejected it. Renewing his appeal to insurgents for a political dialogue, Koijam told PTI in an interview that barring a few sporadic extremist-related incidents, violence had come down comparatively during the ceasefire period in the State. "We all love Manipur. Why cannot we sit together to solve any problem? Violence will not solve...

GUWAHATI, March 18: "...It seemed that I had arrived at an abandoned corner of India. The humidity of the climate added to my depression, and the occupants of the dak bungalow were tea planters, who welcomed me with their proverbial kindness but were sceptical of my wisdom incoming to Gauhati and of any possible success in the venture, and assured me of the impossibility of securing any place of residence. ... "...and then to complete my discomfiture they took me to the rear of the dak bungalow and showed me a long range of mud huts declaring these to be the hostels of the College. ... "I had...

SONARI, March 18: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started scientific exacavation at Charaideo Maidam No 2 of Maidam area in Charaideo. This Maidam was taken up for preservation by ASI about 10 years ago. The excavation was started from February 23 last and so far the remains of the outer wall of the Maidam have been excavated. It may be mentioned here that Union Minister for Tourism Ananth Kumar recently disclosed that ASI had identified three new sites including Surya Pahar, Ahom Palace Talatalghar and Charaideo Maidam No. 2 in Assam for scientific excavation during the current...

GOLAGHAT, March 18: Migratory birds at the Dolakharia Beel, a bird sanctuary within Golaghat district 5 kilometres off Golaghat town are in danger of falling prey to some insensitive people of the area. It may be mentioned here that birds like Indian Darter (Moniori), sarali, kamcharai, dalmura, etc., visit Assam during the autumn and spring seasons. The Society for Environment Education-Northeast (SEE-NE), a nature protection organisation of Golaghat, since the last couple of years has been constantly working for the protection of the flora and fauna in Golaghat district. SEE-NE has been...

IMPHAL, March 18: Moirang Thoibi, a project play was staged at the Rupmahal Theatre yesterday, the concluding day of the months long project on Moirang Parba held under the theme 'revitalization of traditional performing arts of Manipur'. The project had begun on December 7 last year. Meetings of experts, lectures given by gurus and demonstration by folk performers among others were carried out during the project sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Attending on the concluding day as the chief guest, Elangbam Sonamani said Moirang Parba has a deep component of the ancient...