IMPHAL, February 15: The new Chief Minister of Manipur, Radhabinod Koijam, today said his top priority would be to usher in peace to the state and enforce financial discipline in the government. Talking to newsmen at the Raj Bhawan after he was sworn in as Chief Minister, Koijam said he did not believe in using force to solve the problem of militancy. After capturing the Chief Ministership by staging a major political coup, Koijam's biggest task is to improve the law and order situation and the state's economy. The Chief Minister said use of force can never end insurgency and added "only a...

IMPHAL, February 15: The season's seed sowing festival of the Naga conimunity, Lui-Ngai-Ni was today observed with pomp and gaiety at the jam-packed Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Palace Compound with a day-long function. This year's festival held under the theme 'Know Thy Roots' focused on the culture and tradition of the tribe and handing down the tradition to the youngsters. The festival was opened with a show of solidarity with the quake victims of Gujarat and the organisng committee donating a sum of Rs 10,000 through the chief guest of the function, Governor Ved Prakash Marwah...

YANGON, February 15: In keeping with the changing perception in their relationship, India and Myanmar have identified at least five points in the Northeastern states of Mizoram and Nagaland for opening of border trade with the neigh-bouring country. The issue of opening of more border trading points in the economically backward NE states and North Western Myanmar received the green signal at a meeting between visiting External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior General Than Shwe here this morning. Indian officials revealed that...

SHILLONG, February 15: Meghalaya Government today announced a tourism policy in a bid to attract private investments in the sagginng tourism sector. The policy approved by the State Cabinet in a meeting today offers a whole range of incentives and subsidies on private investments, publicity, power generation, etc, State Finance and IPR Minister AH Scott Lyngdoh told newsmen. He said "the policy is intended to give a big fillip to the economy of the State and also generate additional employment opportunities." All new "units" will also be eligible for exemption from sales tax for a period of...

GUWAHATI, February 15: Guwahati Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) is gearing up to meet the cleaner fuel requirements of the country in the coming year by undergoing extensive modernisation of its plants and equipment. Sources in the Refinery informed that one of the most important projects currently under execution is the Hydrotreater Unit, at a cost of Rs 497 crore which will enable the refinery to live upto future quality specification of High Speed Diesel. Another such project, Indane Maximization Unit (INDMAX) is currently being executed at a cost of Rs 86 crore. On...