IMPHAL, March 16: The state Samata Legislature Party has resolved to stand solidly behind Union Defence Minister George Fernandes and other Central leaders of the party amidst the crisis currently gripping the NDA Government at the Centre. An emergency meeting of the Samata Legislature Party, Manipur, chaired by Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam was held today at the Chief Minister's secretariat to discuss the resignations of Fernandes and other Samata party ministers, including Digvijay, Nitish Kumar and V Sreenivasa Prasad from the Union council of ministers, and of Jaya Jaitley from...

IMPHAL, March 15: The banned National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has clarified that they are not involved in the burning down of 15 oil tankers on the National Highway near Karong in Senapati district on Thursday. The deputy secretary of the NSCN(IM), Wabang, in a press statement, said: "We have nothing to do with the said incident," and described the incident as an unfortunate one. The incident which occurred in Senapati district led to the death a driver and 15 others sustained injuries when a group of well-armed youths attacked a convoy of 54 oil tankers. The statement further...

AIZAWL, March 16: The Mizoram government has said the Bru insurgent outfit must stop its activities and the Centre should provide adequate funds before repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura, reports PTI. State Home department sources said here on Friday, Mizoram Chief Secretary H V Lalringa told a high-level meeting in New Delhi that the State government cannot begin the repatriation process as it will mean bringing an armed insurgent group in the State. Top officials of Union Home ministry and the Chief Secretary of Tripura, took part in Thursday's meeting on Bru repatriation issue...

SHILLONG, March 16: Meghalaya Governor M.M. Jacob today said the government will intensify counter-insurgency operations against the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC). In his address to the budget session of the Assembly which began here today, Jacob lauded the Mawlong government for prevalence of communal peace in the state during the past year. He, however, regretted that the HNLC and the ANVC were continuing with their robberies, dacoities, extortions, abductions and murders in the state. Jacob said the government was in the...

IMPHAL, March 16: The Army today kept mum on the possibility of extending the duration of the festival ceasefire in Manipur. However, sources said Army officials had already informed Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam about their intention to keep military operations suspended for some more time. General-officer-commanding, 57 Mountain Division, Maj. Gen. Iqbal Singh, had announced suspension of military operations by both the Army and the Assam Rifles for 15 days, beginning March 1. The goodwill gesture was made on account of the Yaoshang (Holi) festival. The 15-day period ended yesterday, but...