AGARTALA, March 13: The crisis in the Indigenous Peoples' Front of Tripura over the election of a new executive council and member has taken a turn for the worse with the murder of a party worker and direct interference by a militant outfit in the election process. The ousted chief executive member, Debabrata Koloi, who had been planning a revolt, was called by the "invisible allies" to the remote Vaishyamonipara and warned against defecting from the IPFT. Police sources said clashes broke out between rival groups owing allegiance to ousted chief Koloi and aspirant Sridam Debbarma after 23...

IMPHAL, March 12: The top brass of Manipur police is drawing up an elaborate national highway security plan following the torching of 25 oil tankers by militants on National Highway 39 over the past three months. Director-general of state police D.S. Grewal told The Telegraph today that police officials will meet Army commanders on March 15 to discuss the situation arising out of the March 8 incident in which militants set ablaze 15 oil tankers in Senapati district. One handyman was killed and 13 truckers injured in the attack. The police will seek the Army's help in maintaining security on...

DHUBRI, March 12: Gayatri Barua, Deputy Commissioner of Dhubri district has been awarded the "Outstanding Woman of 21st Century" award by the American Biographical Institute of the United States of America for her leadership, dedication, service, etc and her profound contribution to the society, according to SC Baishya, DIPRO, Dhubri. Barua hails from Dibrugarh and was married to Haresh Ch Barua who retired as Dy Director, Deptt of Geology and Mining, Govt of India. Academically an MA in Education, Barua distinguished herself by securing the highest mark in English in her graduation and...

NEW DELHI, March 12: The Rangiya Railway Division project appears to have been shelved into the cold storage, with the Railway Ministry now reviewing the investment planning for the project. In reply to a question tabled by Basanti Sarma, the Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee has cleared the confusion surrounding the project. "The Railways are presently facing acute resources constraint necessitating a review of the investment planning. The proposed now Division including the one at Rangiya, will gradually become operational, depending upon the result of the review and availability of...

GUWAHATI, March 12: The Coconut Development Board has allotted Rs 350 lakh for implementation of various coconut development programmes in the Northeast for the year 2000-2001, its chairman, P Rethinam, said here today, reports PTI. "Northeast is a goldmine for coconuts but its full potential has remained unutilised and underutilised," Rethinam said at the inaugural function of a workshop organised for extension workers here. He said that under area expansion programme, the physical target is 1250 HA while the financial target is Rs 76.69 lakh. "During this financial year, the Board has given...