TURA, February 28: Highway robberies on the rise on the Shillong-Tura route (via Guwahati) with the gangs of anti-social elements adopting a new modus operandi. This new technique was apparently chalked out to foil the security forces strategy of providing escorts to the passengers. The dacoits have capitalised on the lacuna in the police plan which is that escort is provided only from Bono located about 90 minutes drive from the western part of the city. There has been an increase in highway robberies during the last couple of years and reached its peak during the years of 1977 to 2000...

IMPHAL, February 27: Close on the heels of the declaration of 15-day ceasefire offer by the Army, the seven-party coalition government led by Radhabinod Koijam has declared a unilateral ceasefire against the State insurgents for one month with effect from March 1 in view of Yaoshang, the biggest festival of Manipur. Announcing the newly formed People's Front Ministry's stance on the declaration of ceasefire with all the underground outfits operating in Manipur during a press conference held at MR complex today, the Chief Minister said newly inducted Council of Ministers also took a resolution...

IMPHAL, February 27: The Army has announced safe passage for all the insurgent groups operating in this border State during the 'Yaoshang' festival which commences from March 9. Addressing a press conference here at the historic Kangla Fort yesterday, the GOC of 57 Mountain Division, Major General Iqbal Singh, said that the suspension of operations against all the insurgent groups in Manipur will commence from March 1 and it will conclude on March 15. During the period, the Army and the Assam Rifles deployed in Manipur, will not carryout any operations against the insurgents, Iqbal said...

NIRUBJULI (Arunachal), February 27: Nyokum Yullo - the socio-religious festival of the Nyishis tribes - took off to colourful start at Nirubjuli, around 25 km from state capital Itanagar today. The Nyishis of Upper and Lower Subansiri, East Kameng and Papum Pare districts of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate this festival from January 24-27 every year. It reflects the beautiful culture and traditions of the Nyishis. According to Nyishis legends, the word 'Nyokum' is derived from two words - Nyok, meaning entire land mass of the earth and Kum means putting things together. Therefore the Nyishis...

SILCHAR, February 27: The Centre is often accused of neglecting the Northeast and even of being discriminatory in releasing of funds for development projects. But, according to a document of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Northeast States are themselves to blame for creating logjam on utilization of huge Central funds due mainly to their slipshod approach, non-submission of proposals and non-adherence to financial norms. During 1999-2000, Assam was granted Rs 3606.83 lakh for rural development schemes including three special muga, eri silk and mushroom projects. Assam could utilise a meagre 10...