SIVASAGAR, February 26: The construction work for the installation of the proposed gas-based power project at Amguri under the economic development clause of the historic Assam Accord, 1985 will begin soon, disclosed Minister of Transport and Food and Civil Supplies Pradip Hazarika at a press conference held at Amguri Inspection Bunglow recently. He said that to facilitate installation of the project, all necessary documents have been completed. Strongly refuting the allegation, the reopening of the question of installation of the project on the eve of the ensuing Assembly election is a...

AGARTALA, February 26: Analysis of sand samples by the ONGC has revealed that there might be a major underground crude oil reserve in Tripura. ONGC chairman and managing director B.C. Bora said analysis of soil structure in the state after drilling showed signs of a major crude oil reserve. However, heavy pressure of natural gas has prevented deep drilling to confirm the existence of petroleum. The oil major is planning to conduct an intensive survey soon. ONGC group general manager P.K. Adak has been authorised to invite tenders from technically-equipped organisations for conducting the...

KOHIMA, February 26: Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir today urged the Centre to accord 'special treatment' the Northeast due to the region's peculiar problems, and insisted that the scope of Naga political talk process be broadened by including all sections of the Naga society, reports PTI. "The Centre cannot afford to treat us on the same footing as other advanced States in matters of socio-economic development. A different approach is essential and we request the home ministry to convince other ministers and departments at the Centre of the special problems faced by us", Jamir said while...

AGARTALA, February 26: Concerned at the relentless onslaughts on Hindu activists and institutions by the NLFT militants, the VHP and other Sangh Parivar members have decided to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to counter the menace. It is organising a Sanatan Dharma Sammelan on March 8 at Astabal where top religious leaders of the country are expected to be present. Among the prominent leaders expected to be present during the sammelan are the VHP international president Ashok Singhal; Mathadhish of Gorkshanath Math, Gorkahpur; Mahanta Avaidyanth and Mathadhish Paramartha of the Sadhak...

NEW DELHI, February 26: The Supreme Court today decided to go into the validity of the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983 after the Centre accepted the Act as discriminatory as it applied only to the State of Assam but refused to repeal it in the absence of a political consensus. Earlier, the court had given sufficient opportunity to the Centre to repeal the Act. But today solicitor general Harish Salve told the court about the predicament of the Centre in repealing the Act in the absence of political consensus and urged it to hear the matter and decide about the validity...