Thursday, March 27, 2008

Mizoram assembly passes budget for 2008-2009

Aizawl, Mar 27 : Mizoram Assembly on Thursday passed the state annual budget for 2008-09 amounting to Rs 2,625.03 crore as presented in the legislature by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who also holds Finance portfolio, on March 11.

Demand-wise discussion on the budget commenced from March 19 and was concluded by passing the demands of Sports Minister Z.H. Ropuia and Chief Minister Zoramthanga Thursday.

The state annual budget, sans new taxes and new tax rates on the year of the state assembly election, is estimated to open with Rs 84.65 deficit and close with Rs 30.36 crore as the next fiscal is estimated to have a surplus of Rs 54.29

PTI

India okays Rs. 535 cr Myanmar project to help Northeast

New Delhi, Mar 27 : The government on Thursday approved a Rs 535.91 crore multi-modal transit transport project in Myanmar, which India will use for improving access to the North-Eastern states.

The Union Cabinet sanctioned the funds under the ‘Aid to Myanmar’ project for the upgradation of Sittwe Port and Kaladan Waterway. The money will also be used for construction of a road from Setpyitpyin (Kaletwa) to the India-Myanmar border.

“The project will provide an access to Mizoram and to other North-Eastern states as well as an outlet to the sea,” an official spokesperson told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The project, to be executed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India, also involves construction and improvement of 117 km road on the Indian side from India-Myanmar border.

The government approved signing of the Framework Agreement and Protocol on Facilitation of Transit Transport and Protocol on Maintenance and Administration to facilitate the project.

PTI

Militants own responsibility for killing three persons

Imphal, Mar 27 : Banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) has owned responsibility for the March 24 incident in which three persons including two girls were shot dead in Thoubal district of Manipur.

In a statement here Wednesday, Prepak said ” two girls - I. Nirmala (17) and Th Promila (16)– and a youth identified as Th. Romesh (21) were killed at Heirok village while the victims were celebrating ‘thabal chongba’ dance festival in connection with holi on Monday night.”

Requesting the people to pardon the outfit for killing the two girls, the statement said Prepak was attempting to eliminate Romesh for colluding with enemies of Prepak and for trying to kill Prepak members.

It claimed while opening fire at Romesh, stray bullets also hit the two girls and injured another girl also.

PTI

Assam buys rice worth Rs 900 crore daily

Guwahati, Mar 27 : Though Assam is primarily an agriculture-based State, it has to buy rice worth about Rs 900 crore daily from outside the State. The daily requirement of rice in Assam is 12,000 metric tonnes, and 17 per cent of this is bought from outside the State.

Informing the State Assembly of this while replying to a question from BJP Legislature Party leader Mission Ranjan Das, Assam Argiculture Minister Pramila Rani Brahma today said during the last three/four years production of rice was less in the State due to various reasons like floods and drought, lack of assured irrigation and dependency on rainfall, non-availability of flood-tolerant winter rice and cold-tolerant, short-duration summer rice varieties, lack of adequate credit support, decrease in cultivable land area due to siltation and deposition of sand, gradual decrease in productivity of soil, and inadequate market infrastructure leading to widening of the demand-production gap of the commodity. “To bridge the gap, we have taken steps like development of mechanization and irrigation, strengthening of input and credit delivery mechanism, creating buffer stock of seeds for natural calamity, implementation of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 13 districts of the State, implementation of seed village program from the current financial year, strengthening of price support and market information etc,” she said.

On the vast difference between vegetable prices at the places of their production and Guwahati, the minister said to minimize the gap, the Government is contemplating on providing transport subsidy to the farmers so as to enable them to bring their produce to Guwahati markets instead of selling the produce to middlemen at throwaway prices. “The Government is ready to extend 33 per cent subsidy to entrepreneurs willing to set up fruit and vegetable preservation units, mini cold storage etc in the State,” she added.

It may be mentioned here that as on March 17 this year, the prices of brinjal were Rs 5 to Rs 6 at Sorbhog, Rs 4 to Rs 5 at Barpeta Road, Rs 2 at Mandia and Rs 14 at Ganeshguri in Guwahati. Likewise, the prices of potato were Rs 5.30 to Rs 6.50 at Sorbhog, Rs 5 to Rs 6 at Barpeta Road, Rs 4.50 at Mandia and Rs 8 at Ganeshguri in Guwahati. Such vast differences were seen in the prices of tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, pea and carrot at Sorbhog, Barpeta road and Mandia from that at Ganeshguri in Guwahati.

TS

4 CRPF men get life for ’95 killings

After 12 years, four CRPF men involved in the RIMS massacre — where nine civilians were killed — have been sentenced to life imprisonment. The order was passed by a Guwahati court recently.

On January 7, 1995, the four, who had been on guard duty at RIMS hospital in Imphal, were attacked by unknown gunmen. In retaliation, they had opened indiscriminate fire on a group of civilians, killing nine on the spot. Since then, many human rights bodies and civil societies have been demanding punishment for the CRPF personnel.

The CBI’s Special Crime Branch, Kolkata, had registered a case on November 14, 1996, following a request from the Manipur government. The case was shifted from Manipur to Guwahati on the intervention of the Supreme Court. The trial concluded on March 17 last.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Blast damages Mizoram’s ruling party office

Aizawl, Mar 26 : A powerful bomb blast damaged the office of ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) here on Tuesday evening.

The police said the bomb which went off in front of MNF’s party office named “Hnam Run” damaged its window panes and iron grills.

Nobody was injured in the blast. Top police officers, who visited the spot after the blast, said that the explosives may be gelatine but further investigation would ascertain it later.

The entire state was in darkness at the time of the blast as power supply was snapped from outside the state for the second time.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga, other ministers and police officers including state DGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau visited the site.

PTI

Conrad Sangma promises more power to Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 26 : Holding the past Governments of being responsible for the power crisis and malfunctioning of public health centres (PHCs), the two new Meghalaya ministers who have been assigned the charge of the Ministry of Power and the Health and Family Welfare Ministry came out with their respective assurances to improve the functioning of their respective departments.

During the second day of the Budget session, the Opposition was quick to pull the Government on the malfunctioning of the two departments. Kick-starting with erratic power supply in the State, the Opposition led by Charles Pyngrope and RC Laloo questioned the seven-day-old Government on the power crisis and load shedding.

Even as Opposition members demanded of the Government to have a vision document on development of power potential and the need to enter into a joint venture to tap the 3000 MW power potential in the State, Minister of Power Conrad Sangma was apt in blaming the past Governments in the State for the present shortfall in power.

Sangma, in his admission, said the State is short of hydel power by another 300 MW, and pointed out at the Government’s initiatives to reap the State’s power potential during the 11th and 12th Plan period. Referring to the 0.5 feet daily depletion of water from the main electricity power generated reservoir — the Umiam lake, the State Power Minister stated on the floor of the House that there is a need to implement short-term as well as long-term plans to stabilize power supply.

He named seven power projects with an approximate power generation of 471.05 MW scheduled to be completed by the 11th plan and another 14 projects with a capacity of 977 MW during the 12th plan being the projects that should make the State self-sufficient in power supply.

Even as he stopped short of telling the House that the State’s deal with multinational power developers will be as scrapped, the new Power Minister said that the power deal that has evoked protest from political parties and NGOs is under examination.

“The first report of the committee examining the power deal is being assessed by the Chief Secretary”, stated Sangma, adding, “any decision on the joint venture to tap the power potential of the State will be decided accordingly”.

As Conrad Sangma managed to force the Opposition to withdraw the cut motion, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr A Pariong found his reply to the cut motion taken smoothly by the Opposition.

The Opposition was literally pouncing on the Health Minister on the poor state of affairs in the State’s public health centres (PHCs). The debate on the cut motion witnessed the entire Opposition pulling the Health Minister. However, Dr Pariong, a medical practitioner till last year and a minister now, managed to scrap through by stating that “the grievances will be addressed”.

ST

Scribes protest threat by militants, stir enters 4th day

Imphal, Mar 26 : An indefinite strike by the journalists here in protest against threats and intimidations to them by the proscribed Peoples United Liberation Front (PULF) entered its fourth day today. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Forum Manipur (EFM) said the militant outfit used to threaten the scribes over publication of some items.

“They want us to publish only those items which were desired by them and they force us to do so,” a senior journalist stated. News services has been disrupted following the stir. Even the local news and cable services have been suspended. The AMWJU official said a meeting would be held on March 26 to discuss the issue and till then the journalists would continue their stir.

UNI

Dimasa body meets Dimasa body meets Gogoi on problems afflicting NC HillsGogoi on problems afflicting NC Hills

Haflong, Mar 26 : The Jaidikhe Naisho Hoshom (JNH), a Dimasa apex body met and submitted a memorandum signed by six organizations to Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at his residence recently, appealing for immediate intervention of the Central and State Governments to control the prevailing situation in North Cachar Hills district.

The team held a discussion on the problems afflicting the region and were assured by the Chief Minister of solving them. This was stated in a press release.
The JNH in its memorandum put forward certain demands before the Chief Minister. It demanded the acceleration of peace talks with the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) ceasefire group.

The organization also demanded reasonable percentage of revenue to the NC Hills Autonomous Council from the NEEPCO project at Umrangso, facilities of employment and other benefits to the local people, installation of pollution control devices by the owners of cement factories of Umrangso, which should also pay revenue to the NC Hills Autonomous Council.

The Dimasa body also demanded basic civic amenities like schools and hospitals. On the advice of the Chief Minister, the delegation also met the Home Commissioner at the Circuit House in Guwahati and submitted a memorandum on supplementary demands.

They demanded the immediate clearance of Haflong Government Boys’ HS School and Haflong District Library, which have been occupied by security forces for a long time.

The delegation also demanded the change in the nomenclature of NC Hills district considering the historical background and the sentiment of the majority tribe –– the Dimasa –– and the present identity crisis of the people.

The Home Commissioner assured the delegation of extending all sorts of help in improving the scenario in the district.

ST

Four businessmen kidnapped in Tripura

Four businessmen were kidnapped by Borok National Council of Tripura insurgents from a remote tribal hamlet in Jampui hills of North Tripura district, police said on Wednesday.

A group of six small businessmen went to Fuldonshai village in the hills to sell their wares on Tuesday. When they were returning by a lorry, a group of about 12 insurgents armed with country-made firearms stopped the vehicle at Tulangsang and kidnapped them.

However, two of the kidnapped persons managed to flee from their clutches and reported the matter to the police.

Police and paramilitary personnel have launched a search operation to rescue the kidnapped persons.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Meghalaya says no to uranium mining

Uranium mining in Meghalaya has expectedly hit the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) wall.

Barely a week after taking charge, Meghalaya chief minister Donkupar Roy has made it clear his government would not allow mining of the potentially radioactive mineral unless the “local people change their minds”.

Uranium mining has been a touchy issue in Meghalaya ever since Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) marked the Domiasiat area in West Khasi Hills district to have rich deposits of the mineral. However, efforts to begin the project have come a cropper since 1995 owing to opposition from local villagers and various pressure groups.

Following clearance from the Union ministry of environment and forests, UCIL had in June last year conducted a public hearing at Nongbah Jynrin in the uranium belt towards setting up the Rs 1,000 crore project. That the belt with 16 per cent of India’s uranium reserves was key to the country’s nuclear programme underlined the UCIL’s urgency.
UCIL had apparently banked on a “change in mindset” after the MPA took over from the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.

Roy, however, dashed any trace of hope on Sunday, hours after India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-I missile off the Orissa coast.

“Ours is a people’s government, and we will go by the people’s verdict,” Roy told reporters in State capital Shillong, indicating a rethink would depend entirely on what the local stakeholders decide.

He added all the constituents in the NCP-led MPA concurred on opposing the uranium project. Roy is the chief of the regional United Democratic Party, which opposed uranium mining even as an ally of the Congress in the previous government.

Pastor’s death rocks Mizoram House

Aizawl, Mar 25 : The mysterious death of Rev Chanchinmawia, former moderator of the Mizoram Presbyterian Synod and chairman of the Mizoram People’s Forum (MPF) in October last year rocked Mizoram Assembly here today where Opposition parties demanded a CBI probe.

Replying to a question from Andrew Lalherliana of Zoram Nationalist Party, Home Minister Tawnluia said the case was investigated by a special investigation team of the State police which submitted its final report to the Additional District Magistrate (Judicial) on December 6 and the court had already accepted the final report.

The pastor was found dead in his official residence at Khatla here on the morning of October 1, 2007. Controversy was fueled by the fact that he was the chairman of the MPF, formed by conglomerate of churches and major NGOs to reform political and electoral process in the State.

Tawnluia also said the police investigation did not reveal any possibility of homicide and all the evidences pointed towards a suicidal death.

Opposition members, however, alleged that insurgents might be involved with his death and demanded that the case be re-opened and the CBI be asked to take up the probe.

PTI

Northeast could be largest rubber producing region

Agartala, Mar 25 : India’s northeast has the potential to transform itself into the world’s largest natural rubber producing region and the country’s second rubber-based industrial park is being set up in Tripura to boost the industry.

‘Future expansion and growth of natural rubber in India lies in the northeast, which is agro-climatically most suitable for rubber cultivation,’ Sajen Peter, chairman of the Rubber Board of India, told IANS.

An estimated 60,000 hectares of land is now under rubber cultivation and in the next five years the area under the ‘liquid gold’ cultivation would be doubled.

Peter said India, Thailand and Vietnam are among the largest natural rubber producing countries, and India tops the list in terms of productivity.

The Board is now celebrating the golden jubilee of rubber cultivation in India. Seminars, workshops and numerous other programmes are being held across the country.

Small growers in the past 50 years have contributed to an overall production of 852,895 tonnes.

‘The annual productivity has increased from only 333 kg to 1,879 kg per hectare, which is the highest productivity in the world,’ the Rubber Board chief said while addressing a seminar here.

The union cabinet earlier approved a Rs.4.13 billion scheme for re-plantation and fresh cultivation of rubber in the non-traditional areas, mainly in the northeastern states.

An assessment made by the Rubber Board indicates that rubber could be cultivated in about 450,000 hectares in the seven northeastern states, mostly in Tripura, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Tripura is the second largest rubber producer in the country after Kerala with 40,000 hectares of land so far brought under rubber cultivation.

According to the Rubber Board and the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, an area of 100,000 hectares is suitable for rubber plantations in Tripura.

To boost the industry, India’s second rubber-based industrial park is being set up in Tripura to bring about a natural revolution in the elastic polymer industry.

The rubber park, a joint venture between the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) and the Rubber Board, is the second of its kind in the country after the rubber park at Irapuram in Kerala, where over 520,000 hectares are now under cultivation.

Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (ILFS) is the project management agency of the park, where at least 20 rubber-based industrial projects would be set up within the next three years.

‘The rubber park is to be built in an area of 50 acres of land in the Bodhjunjnagar industrial growth centre in western Tripura and over Rs.500 million are expected to be invested in the park over a period of three years,’ said Pabitra Kar, chairman of the TIDC.

Kar, a rubber garden owner, demanded further strengthening of the official machinery of the Rubber Board in the northeast region.

IANS

Assam ready for unconditional talks with militants

Guwahati, Mar 25 : The Government of Assam Tuesday reiterated that it is ready to talk to the militant outfits, including the banned ULFA, if they come forward for negotiation without any pre-condition and under the ambit of the Constitution of the country.

Replying to the cut motion brought against the Home Department in the State Legislative Assembly this morning, the Chief Minister Mr. Tarun Gogoi said his Government is giving top priority to solve the menace of militancy. Mr. Gogoi said three new India Reserve Police Battalions have been raised and one more is coming up in the State very shortly. These Battalions have been trained specially on jungle warfare to counter militancy.
The Chief Minister said that despite insurgency the GDP growth rate of the State has been increased to 7 point 6 against the average national target of nine per cent.

PTI

Monday, March 24, 2008

Curfew reimposed in Imphal

Imphal, Mar 24 : Manipur Government has re-imposed curfew in greater Imphal area as well as parts of Thoubal and Bishnupur districts in view of the volatile law and order situation in the State in the wake of the killing of 15 non-locals by some unidentified armed persons since March 17 last.

Curfew was relaxed till 9 pm on Friday in view of the beginning of five-day Yaoshang, the greatest festival of the Manipuris beginning from Friday. But it was re-imposed from 6 pm to 5 am daily. The district magistrates have issued necessary orders in this regard on Friday.
The district administration took the step in view of the recovery of two bodies of tribal ladies on Saturday morning. Reports said the two tribal women P S Snowby (27) and Langu Ester (27) of Charong Ching both under Chakpikarong subdivision in Manipur’s Chandel district were shot dead by unidentified gunmen suspected to be militants at Thoubal wangba Taba Oinam leirak in Thoubal district last night at around 10 pm. The reason behind the killings is yet to be established.

Meanwhile, nearly 2,000 non-locals mostly manual labourers have been given shelter at various relief camps in the four valley districts.

According to L Kailun, SP, Imphal West, more than 415 non-locals are taking shelter at the relief camp opened at the Bengali High School, Babupara while another 150 are taking shelter at Dharamsala in Thangal Bazar.

When contacted, Jayenta, SP Bishenpur district, said that the relief centres opened at various places in the district since the last two days have been shifted to the higher secondary school near the district police headquarter for better security.

Till late this evening altogether 346 non-local labourers had arrived at the camp and around 150 of them were staying at the camp opened at NHPC, Loktak project located at Kom Keirak.

In Thoubal district also, non-locals are taking shelter at three places at Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School, IRB camp at Wangbal and another one at Kakching.

According to a report received here, a total of 136 non-locals have gathered at the Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School, 132 are taking shelter at the IRB camp and 338 are reportedly taking shelter at the relief camp opened at Kakching.

Central funds for Mizo famine

New Delhi, Mar 24 : It is not an earthquake or flood but rats that have led to allotment of funds from the Central government for the National Calamity Contingency Fund for Mizoram. The hill state has been allotted Rs 8.81 crore for distribution among the farmers in all eight districts of the state for the victims of Mautam.

Famine was triggered in many areas of Mizoram by Mautam or gregarious bamboo flowering which results in explosion of rat population. The rodents ravaged paddy fields and other cultivated areas leaving nothing for the farmers to harvest leading to acute food shortage.
Mautam is the Mizo name for “death of the bamboo”, a strange ecological phenomenon which occurs in a cycle of every 48 years or so. Melocanna Baccifera, comprising more than 95 per cent of the state’s bamboo plantation, flowers causing immense hardship to the tribal populace. Officials said no starvation death has been reported in any part of the state despite acute food shortage.

Bhutanese vote in historic poll

People in Bhutan are voting in elections that will bring an end to more than a century of royal rule.

Monday's vote for the 47-seat National Assembly completes the country's peaceful transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

Correspondents say there is huge interest in the election, although many people say they liked the old system.

The only two parties in the race have similar manifestos, promising less poverty and better infrastructure.

Both are led by former prime ministers. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is headed by Sangay Ngedup, who is the brother of the former king's four wives - all sisters.

Jigmi Thinley, head of the Bhutan Harmony Party (DPT - Druk Phuensum Tshogpa), has no royal connections and has pitched his party as representing ordinary Bhutanese.

An election for the upper house of parliament was held in December.

Mass exodus

The BBC's Chris Morris in Thimphu says people have been queuing quietly in large numbers to vote.

The capital is half-deserted, with many returning to their villages, he says. One report in a local newspaper told of a woman who walked a distance of 600km (370 miles) over two weeks to get home.

Two Indian air force helicopters dropped election guidelines in mountainous regions and mules and horses carried voting equipment to ballot stations.

But despite the activity a lot of people are not keen on democracy, and say they quite liked how things were before, our correspondent adds.

The tiny Buddhist kingdom has been preparing for democracy since former monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided to hand power to an elected government.

'Bit of corruption'

The country is now headed by his 28-year-old son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who will remain as head of state and is likely to retain some influence.

"Everyone is very sad to see the king stand down," 42-year-old businessman Kinley Penjor told Reuters news agency.

"But I think democracy will be good. In the past if you went to a minister about your problems - well there is always a little bit of corruption, even in Bhutan, or it might be decided according to his mood.

"Now we can elect the best candidates."

The monarchy remains popular in Bhutan partly because of its focus on promoting what it calls "gross national happiness" - based on the idea that economic growth should be balanced by respect for traditions and the environment.

Bhutan is not without problems. About one-fifth of the country lives in poverty and youth unemployment has risen sharply in recent years.

Tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalis were forced to leave Bhutan in the early 1990s when the government imposed strict citizenship rules.

The refugees are now living in neighbouring Nepal and many of them are demanding the right to return.

Border fencing to be completed expeditiously: Governor

The Meghalaya government is committed to complete the fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh border in an expeditious manner, Governor S S Sidhu said on Tuesday.

Fencing along the Indo-Bangla border is expected to help in restricting illegal influx of Bangladeshis into the country, he said in his address on the first day of the state's budget session, the first sitting of the newly-sworn in Donkupar Roy-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance ministry.

"The Government has sanctioned funds for setting up a Border Management Institute, to be located at Baghmara, which will provide training to police personnel engaged in the task of preventing infiltration," he said.

In his 32-page speech, Sidhu also asserted that the anti-insurgency operations in the state would continue and the government will work for modernisation of the police force.

Sidhu said in the preceding year, successful police operations were conducted against militant outfits which will be continued.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

yaoshang festival - manipur

yaoshang

Govt to stress on farm diversification in Nagaland

As envisaged in its common minimum programme (CMP), the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government will lay emphasis on diversification of agri and allied sectors to augment production and productivity.

Informing this in his address to the first session of Nagaland assembly yesterday, Governor K Sankaranarayanan pointed out that owing to unscientific land use and farming practices, there had been extensive reduction in the available land resource and in the fertility of soil in the hill state.

In order to tackle this problem, the Governor said, greater emphasis would be on soil and water conservation oriented land use technology and practices.

The Government also proposed to modernize and mechanise the agriculture sector and increase irrigation, flood control measures, water management, anti-erosion projects, Common Area Development schemes, conservation of bio-diversity and preservation of the rich flora and fauna, he said.

Fisheries would be promoted by creating more awareness among entrepreneurs and farmers and by organizing training proramme for them, he said, adding that emphasis will also be put on brining in large areas under paddy cum fish culture to utilize terrace paddy fields for rearing fish.

The reservoir of Doyang hydro-electric power project woul also be exploited for large scale production, he said.

The Governor said veterinary and animal husbandry dpartment was devising schemes to facilitate large scale meat production to meet the ever increasing demand for it.

Cooperative societies on the lines of the milk producers societies will be organized in all the potential areas to achieve this objective. Marketing of bamboo products would be taken up on priority basis, he told the assembly.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Donkupar Roy appointed Meghalaya CM

Ending a week-long political turmoil in Meghalaya, Congress-led DD Lapang Ministry on Wednesday resigned ahead of the trust vote in the assembly after failing to muster majority and rival UDP leader Donkupar Roy was appointed the new Chief Minister.

Roy, who met Governor SS Sidhu along with other MLAs of the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance, which is headed by NCP leader PA Sangma, was handed over the letter appointing him to lead the new government, Raj Bhavan sources said. He will be sworn in at 6:30 pm at the Governor's house.

MPA spokesman and Khnam MLA Paul Lyngdoh said along with Roy, a batch of five to six ministers are expected to take oath.

Earlier, capping speculation, Lapang, who was heading the minority Meghalaya United Alliance, resigned, half an hour ahead of the floor test he was to face in the assembly on the directions of the Governor.

Speaking to reporters after a Congress Legislature Party meeting, Lapang, who had the support of 28 members including two independents, said "Congress could not garner requisite support. So the CLP decided that I should resign". Thereafter, he went to the Governor and submitted his resignation.

Lyngdoh said the other new ministers would be sworn in on Thursday after the election of the Speaker.

Sangma, the architect of the MPA, said the alliance members would meet before the swearing in to finalize other formalities and details.

He also indicated that the ministerial berths have been finalized, but refused to disclose them.

One more non-Manipuri worker shot dead, toll rises to 15

The attack on migrant labourers in Manipur continued on Wednesday with unidentified militants gunning down a worker in their drive against non-Manipuris in the state even as indefinite night curfew was imposed in all the four valley districts.

Fifteen workers have been shot dead so far since Monday night.

The militants on Wednesday drove up and shot dead the non-Manipuri labourer at Kumbi market area, 50 km from here, where he was working, official sources said.

The militants escaped before the police arrived.

Seven non-Manipuris were gunned down by militants on Monday night in Imphal west district and another seven in Imphal East and Thoubal districts yesterday. Papers saying 'go back to your state' were attached to some victims.

Meanwhile, the administration has imposed indefinite night curfew from 6 pm to 5 in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur districts.

Describing the killings as "uncivilised, brutal and acts of cowardice", Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh told the Manipur assembly that there would be round-the-clock vigil at 42 checkposts in Imphal and surrounding areas to prevent the movement of militants.

Participating in a short discussion, he said steps would be taken to book the culprits and there would be "no negotiation" with them. Singh also blamed human rights groups for maintaining silence on the issue.

Meanwhile, relief camps were opened in Thoubal district to shelter 600 migrant labourers.

Instructions have also been given to authorities in other districts to open camps if necessary, the sources said.

Lapang may quit ahead of tomorrow's floor test

Apparently facing defeat, DD Lapang, heading a minority government of a Congress-led coalition in Meghalaya, may quit ahead of Wednesday's crucial floor test.

Highly-placed sources in the Congress said he may take the decision during an emergency meeting of the Congress Legislature Party convened on Tuesday evening.

Asked by Governor SS Sidhu to prove his majority by Wednesday, Chief Minister Lapang had got the Speaker's election postponed on Monday apparently fearing defeat in the first trial of strength.

There was speculation that Lapang may quit before Wednesday's test to avoid embarrassment as the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA) was still three short of the magic number, despite desperate attempts to woo MLAs from the rival Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) camp.

The sources also indicated that along with Lapang, state Congress president OL Nongtdu may also quit on moral grounds. With 28 legislators, including three Independents, in the 60-member House, Congress is desperate to win over MLAs from the rival MPA in the floor test.

Governor Sidhu's decision to invite Congress, which emerged as the single-largest party after the recent polls, to form the government was attacked by the rival alliance which moved the Supreme Court against it. The apex court, however, refused to intervene in the issue at that stage.

The postponement of the Speaker's election, which would have been a clear indicator of the strength of the Lapang ministry on the floor of the House, drew flak from MPA.

NCP leader PA Sangma, architect of the MPA, has asked Lapang to resign gracefully. Meanwhile, MPA's chief ministerial candidate and United Democratic Party (UDP) president Donkupar Roy said Congress had approached the the alliance for support.

"We told them it was too late. The MPA members are committed to stay united and give a stable and corruption-free government for five years," Roy said, adding the alliance was hopeful of more votes, other than those in the MPA camp.

Besides 14 NCP MLAs, MPA has legislators from UDP, two from Hill State People's Democratic Party, one each from BJP and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, besides two Independents.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

'Rebels kill six Indian soldiers'


A separatist group in the Indian state of Manipur claims their fighters have killed at least six Indian soldiers in an attack on an outpost.

The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur told the BBC its fighters used heavy mortars and even light artillery during the assault.

UNLF spokesman Tombi Singh said they targeted a camp of the 24th Battalion Assam Rifles at Minou on Saturday.

But the Indian military said the attack had been repulsed without casualties.

Minou is located in Chandel district on the north-eastern state of Manipur's border with Burma.

"Two of the seven quarters in the Assam Rifles were burnt down after they caught fire following our mortar assault," Mr Singh claimed.

"We also know the six dead soldiers have been taken to [Manipur's state capital] Imphal by helicopters."

'Beaten back'

Mr Singh said the 293rd battalion of the UNLF had carried out the attack on the Assam Rifles outpost.

But military spokesman Rajeev Mishra said the fight had left a few soldiers with only minor injuries, adding: "The attack was successfully beaten back."

Manipur police, however, said at least one Assam Rifles soldier was killed and seven others were injured.

More than 100 UNLF rebels were said to have been involved in the attack on the Assam Rifles outpost.

Indian spy convict 'faces death'


Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has reportedly signed the death warrant for an Indian man who was convicted of spying and carrying out bomb blasts.
A Lahore jail official said Sarabjit Singh would be executed on 1 April.

He says he is a poor farmer and victim of mistaken identity who strayed drunk from his border village into Pakistan.

The human rights minister of Pakistan, Ansar Burney, told the BBC he was not aware of any death warrant being signed by the president.

Mr Musharraf rejected Mr Singh's mercy petition earlier this month, a day after another Indian man, Kashmir Singh, was released following 35 years on death row in Pakistan for alleged spying.

Sarabjit Singh was convicted in 1991 of spying and carrying out four bombings which killed 14 people the year before in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Faisalabad.

Political pressure

Pakistani officials say he was arrested while trying to slip back into India.

Two years ago, Pakistan's Supreme Court rejected Mr Singh's attempt to have his death sentence overturned.

The case has received wide publicity in India and the government has come under intense political pressure to intervene.

In 2005, former Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh asked for Mr Singh to be pardoned on humanitarian grounds.

India and Pakistan have jailed hundreds of each other's soldiers and civilians over years of hostility.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Four killed, 53 injured in Assam blast

At least four persons were killed and 53 others, including four Assam police personnel, injured in a grenade attack by suspected ULFA militants at a tribal function in a village in Upper Assam, police said on Sunday.

Official sources said the bomb exploded in an open field on Saturday night where a local festival Ali-Aie-Lrigang (Lrigang) was being celebrated near the telephone exchange at Jonai.

More than 1,500 people had gathered at the venue for the cultural festival, sources said.

The injured have been rushed to Assam Medical College hospital in Dibrugarh, they said.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

line of fire - north east india



manipur - indian reserve battalion (IRB)


weekla market at vairengte - mizoram

ao women - naga tribe

sema - a naga tribe women

mizo girls






mizo dress


arunachal pradesh




arunachal pradesh




arunachal pradesh





aruchanachal pradesh






aizawl night view

Three engineers among five kidnapped in Assam

Three engineers working with a road construction company engaged in the Mahasark East-West Corridor work were among five persons abducted by militants in central Assam's North Cachar district, official sources said on Thursday.

The project manager, his deputy, an engineer of P L Valecha Engineering Company along with the driver of their vehicle and PSO were abducted last night at a place between Mandardisa and Hatikhali, when they were travelling in a car.

The company informed the police about the abduction today, the sources said.

Those kidnapped are project manager Umesh Sarma, deputy project manager Jagaprasad Deka, engineer Dhrubajyoti Choudhury and the PSO and driver, whose names are yet to be confirmed.

Congress will be defeated during floor test: Sangma

Not being happy with the Supreme Court's refusal to interfere with Governor's decision to swear in a Congress-led Government, NCP leader PA Sangma on Thursday expressed confidence that the Congress will be defeated during the floor test in the Meghalaya assembly.

"We are dissatisfied by the Supreme Court's verdict, but we are not perturbed. Congress will be defeated by the members of MPA," Sangma told PTI.

However, he said the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) accepts the Supreme Court verdict, declining to interfere with Governor S S Sidhu's decision.

Petitioner for the MPA, Sangma's son and NCP MLA Conrad Sangma said the court had issued a notice to the governor asking him to explain the consequences that led to his decision to invite the Congress to form the government despite it being in the minority.

"We had also asked to prepone the trial test in the assembly, but the court said issuing of notices to all concerned will take time and ultimately the purpose of the exercise would be futile as it will exceed the time given by the governor. So the court sustained the time frame of ten days to the Congress to prove its majority," Conrad said.

Accepting the verdict, Conrad however maintained that the MPA will remain united come what may. "We have decided to campaign for the elections to the Baghmara seat unitedly. The fight will be against the Congress. We will rout them," he said.

Independent MLA and MPA member Manas Choudhury said, "The induction of the independent MLAs in the cabinet by the Congress is a ploy to lure the members of the MPA. But our members will not step in the trap. We are united and we will remain so."

The KHANM and HSPDP members also reiterated their commitment to kep the MPA united.

Meanwhile, the MPA has elected its candidate for the post of the speaker in the eighth Meghalaya assembly. UDP MLA Bindu Lalong will be the MPA's candidate in the election to the speaker slated for March 18.

The NCP, however, was given the edge in the elections to the Rajya Sabha. Former chairman of the Tura Municipal Board and veteran NCP leader Thomas A Sangma will be the MPA's candidate for the March 26 Rajya Sabha elections.

Neiphiu Rio sworn in as Nagaland CM

Neiphiu Rio was sworn in as Nagaland’s chief minister on Wednesday evening, 24 hours after the Union Cabinet decided to revoke President’s Rule imposed in January. Governor K Shankaranarayanan also administered oath of office to 11 others in the new Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) ministry following a communiqué from Rashtrapati Bhavan on revocation of PR.

The two-month, PR-induced break notwithstanding, this is the second straight term for both DAN and Rio, whose Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) party leads the coalition of 34 legislators including two each of BJP and NCP and four Independents. The NPF bagged 26 seats in the 60-member House while the Congress bagged 23.

“This election has shown that the people of Nagaland are with us,” Rio said in Kohima after the swearing-in. “The onus is now on us to live up to the hopes and aspirations of the Naga people.”

Though there were apprehensions in the DAN camp earlier that PR might be extended, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee’s decision on Tuesday to sit in the Opposition erased doubts. Later in the day, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, met to revoke PR.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission also issued a notification for constitution of the 11th Nagaland Assembly comprising 59 newly elected legislators. Result of Surohoto constituency under Zunheboto district is still awaited as EC rescheduled re-poll at a polling station there.

Swearing-in of Meghalaya cabinet today

The cabinet ministers of the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance will be sworn in on Wednesday at the Raj Bhavan even as the Supreme Court's hearing on a case, filed by the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance, is expected later in the day.

Congress spokesperson and MLA Mukul Sangma confirmed that the oath taking ceremony will be held today. He however, declined to disclose names of the ministers who would be sworn in.

He indicated that the three independents, who joined the alliance yesterday taking the tally to 28, would be allotted cabinet berths.

While Chief Minister D D Lapang is facing a stiff deadline of 10 days to prove majority, the newly-formed MUA is still three short of the magic number.

The MPA has termed the forming of the MUA as a ploy to deceive the people and the elected members of the Assembly.

"It is a desperate bid to deceive the people. But anyway they are still three short, the MPA spokesperson, B Lalong, said.

MPA had filed a petition in the SC yesterday challenging the Governor's decision to call the Congress to form the government even though it was in the minority.

The apex court is likely to take up the hearing later in the day.

President's rule revoked in Nagaland

The President's Rule imposed in Nagaland over two months ago was revoked on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of the next government.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this morning.

President's Rule was imposed in the state on January three.

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland has staked claim to form the government on March nine with unconditional support of four independents.

Two MLAs each from BJP and NCP and four independents today have reposed their faith and support in the DAN. They said they had voluntarily joined the alliance as per the pre-poll understanding.

The Congress has decided not to stake claim to form the government in the state but sit in the opposition. The party has re-elected I Imkong as leader of its legislature wing.

The CLP meeting held yesterday decided that Congress, which secured 23 seats, eight short of majority in the 60-member assembly, would sit in Opposition at this juncture.

The Congress' hopes of making a last-ditch effort to stake claim for power was dashed after four independents and two NCP legislators yesterday extended support to the leadership of former chief minister and NPF leader Neiphiu Rio.

The NPF-led DAN paraded 33 MLAs, including four independents, before Governor K Shankararaynan on Sunday while staking claim to form the government.

EC issues notification for constitution of Nagaland assembly

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued a notification for constitution of the 11th Nagaland assembly comprising 59 newly-elected legislators.

The EC in a gazette notification constituted the assembly and the same was forwarded to the governor, K Sankaranarayanan, Chief Electoral Officer CJ Ponraj told PTI.

The NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland is all set to form the government for the second consecutive term in the state.

As per the constitutional norms, present assembly, which is under suspended animation following imposition of central rule, should be dissolved by the President on recommendation of the Governor.

After having satisfied that a stable government could be formed, the governor would recommend to the President for revocation of the central rule, which was imposed in Nagaland on January 3.

As per norms, after revocation of the President's rule, the leader of the largest party or group is appointed as the Chief Minister and swearing-in of ministers is done.

Rio along with 33 supporters had requested the Governor on Sunday to complete all the formalities by Tuesday.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Congress will lose floor test in Meghalaya: Sangma

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Purno Agitok Sangma on Tuesday dared the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Meghalaya DD Lapang to prove his majority in the floor of the assembly.

"No money can help the Congress to get the required numbers in the floor of the house," Sangma told IANS by telephone.

Lapang was Monday sworn-in as chief minister by Governor S.S. Sidhu despite a combine of assorted parties claiming a strength of 31 in the 60-member legislature.

The governor had given 10 days to Lapang to prove his majority on the floor of the house. The Congress party has 25 legislators.

The tug of war began after Sangma came up with sort of a masterstroke halting what looked like a smooth sailing for the Congress. He struck a power sharing deal with the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the two parties have managed to bring in all elected members belonging to regional parties and two independents into their fold.

They hastily formed the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) headed by UDP leader Donkupar Roy. Apart from 14 members from the NCP and 11 from the UDP, the MPA alliance has with it two members from the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP), and one each from the Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakening Movement and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The alliance has two independent legislators in its fold.

"We paraded all the 31 legislators before the governor on Monday, but to no avail. But then everything would be proved during the trial of strength in the house," Sangma said.

MPA sources said they would file a writ petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday challenging the governor's decision to invite Lapang to form the government.

In the last assembly, the UDP was a partner in the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. There was, however, no pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the UDP.

Political instability is the hallmark of Meghalaya - the state has seen six different governments with varied combinations of political parties, resulting in four chief ministers in a span of five years between 1998 and the last assembly elections in 2003.

There were just two occasions when a chief minister was able to complete a full five-year term since Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972.

No majority but Lapang sworn in as CM

Heartland politics of the Bihar-Jharkhand brand was played out in culturally antipodal Meghalaya on Monday with acting governor SS Sidhu “overlooking” the numerically eligible Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) to invite DD Lapang of the Congress to form the government.

Congress emerged the single largest party in Meghalaya by bagging 25 of the 59 seats in which Assembly elections were conducted on March 3. The MPA had a total of 31 legislators — 14 of the Nationalist Congress Party, 11 of the United Democratic Party, two of HSPDP, one of KHNAM and two Independents.

“This is murder of democracy,” said NCP general secretary Purno Agitok Sangma after Sidhu invited Lapang to form the governor with the rider to prove majority on the floor of the House within 10 days. Lapang was subsequently sworn in as chief minister at 6.30 pm. The MPA expectedly boycotted the ceremony to protest the governor’s “display of partisan politics”.

Later, Lapang expressed confidence that his party would pass the floor test. “This is unconstitutional since we had twice in three days met the governor in full strength,” MPA Legislature Party leader and UDP president Donkupar Roy told HT from Shillong. “The Congress has obviously been given time to indulge in horse-trading, but this government will not last long because we have committed support from all the MPA constituents.” He added the MPA would go to court against installation of the Lapang government.

Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri said Monday’s development was somewhat reminiscent of former Bihar governor VC Pande, who in March 2000 had invited the NDA to form the government despite trailing the RJD by a vote in a hung Assembly. Jharkhand governor Syed Sibte Razi had later refused to invite the BJP to form the government despite the latter parading 41 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly.

DAN apprehensive

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) apprehended the UPA government might pressure governor K Shankaranayanan to keep the Assembly in suspended animation by extending President’s Rule. “We are familiar with what Buta Singh tried to do in Bihar three years ago,” said a senior leader of the Nagaland People’s Front, the single largest party with 26 seats in the 60-member House.

With the support of four Independents and two each from BJP and NCP, the DAN has 34 legislators compared to 23 of the Congress in Nagaland. However, it cannot form the government unless the governor recommends revocation of PR imposed in January.

Tripura CM takes oath

The sixth CPI(M)-led left front ministry assumed office in Tripura on Monday. Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahaya administered swearing in ceremony of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and 11 ministers at Raj Bhavan on Monday afternoon.

Left Front assumes office in Tripura for fourth term

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front that stormed back to power in Tripura assumed office Monday for the fourth term in a row, with the veteran Manik Sarkar at the helm as chief minister.

Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahaya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 59-year-old Marxist leader and 11 others at a function at the Raj Bhavan here.

Sarkar, who first become the chief minister March 11, 1998, scripted history in Tripura by becoming the chief executive for a record third term. His predecessors - Sachindra Lal Singh (1963-1972) and Nripen Chakraborty (1978-1988) - held two terms each heading the Congress and Left Front government respectively.

A CPI-M politburo member, Sarkar retained his Dhanpur seat in west Tripura, defeating his Congress rival Shah Alam by 2,918 votes.

Besides Sarkar, the others who took oath Monday are Anil Sarkar, Badal Chowdhury, Aghore Debbarma, Tapan Chakraborty, Manik Dey, Jitendra Chowdhury, Khagendra Jamatia, Sahid Chowdhury, Bijita Nath, Joy Gobinda Deb Roy and Manindra Reang.

There were two first timers in Sarkar's council of ministers-- Bijita Nath, the lone woman minister in the 12-member council of ministers, and Joy Gobinda Debroy.

CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat, his wife and Politburo member Brinda Karat, state committee secretary Baidyanath Majumder, senior party leaders and top officials attended the 40-minute function.

The opposition Congress-Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) alliance boycotted the swearing-in-ceremony, alleging "widespread post poll violence in various parts of the state".

"We shall continue our efforts to uplift the standard of living of the people, specially those living below the poverty line and make Tripura a model state in the country," Sarkar told journalists after the swearing in ceremony.

The Left Front has been in power in Tripura since 1978, barring one term, 1988-1993.

The CPI-M-led Left Front Friday pulled off an emphatic victory, winning 49 seats in the 60-member legislature and routing the main opposition Congress, which secured only 10 seats while its poll partner INPT bagged only one seat.

In the assembly election in 2003, the Left Front won in 41 seats followed by the Congress (13) and its ally INPT (six).

Three women, the highest number so far, have been elected to the 10th Tripura assembly - all belonging to the CPI-M. The 60-member house will see 15 new faces, of which 12 are from the Left Front.

The CPI-M lost two seats - Kamalpur in Dhalai district and Badarghat in West Tripura district - as Left Front ally Forward Bloc cut into its vote share. It fielded its own candidates in 12 constituencies for the first time following a dispute with the dominant partner over seat sharing.

Congress candidates in Kamalpur and Badarghat defeated state Handloom and Handicrafts Minister Bijoy Laxmi Sinha and legislator Subrata Chakraboty respectively after Forward Bloc candidates cornered a chunk of CPI-M votes.

The Left Front secured over 51.18 percent votes while the Congress-INPT alliance got 42 percent.

Of the 20 seats reserved for tribals, 19 were bagged by the CPI-M while one went to INPT. The Left party won all the seven seats reserved for Scheduled Castes.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

DAN stakes claim to form next Nagaland government

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland with 34 members, including four independents, met the Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayanan on Sunday evening and formally staked claim to form the next government in the state.

After electing Neiphiu Rio as the DAN legislature party leader, the MLAs of NPF (26), BJP (2) and NCP (2), accompanied by Lok Sabha MP of NPF W Koniyak, met the governor.

The four independents told the Governor that they have formed a group and would extend support to Rio as the DAN legislature party leader besides extending individual support.

The result of one more seat Suruhuto is awaited as repolling will be held there tomorrow, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said.

ULFA-triggered blasts rock Assam, 23 injured

At least 23 people were injured, six of them seriously, as a series of ULFA-triggered bomb blasts ripped apart two commercial centres in Assam even as a powerful IED and another bomb were recovered and defused.
A bomb kept under a truck exploded at Barua Market of Fancy Bazar in Guwahati, the main commercial hub of the northeastern region, at around 1:30 pm, police said.

The site of the blast was where goods are loaded and unloaded from trucks for despatch to different markets of the region.

Four persons received minor injuries due to the blast. The second attack took place half an hour later at GNB Road of Tinsukia town in upper Assam in which 19 people were injured, six of them seriously.

The area was immediately cordoned off and the injured rushed to a hospital. A 2.5 kg bomb was recovered by the army from near the spot later by the army.

On the other hand, the army recovered the IED, weighing 12 kg, from Tangini village of Darrang district. Both the IED and the bomb were defused, police said.

Sources said the ULFA has stepped up its subversive activities in the run-up to its foundation day on April 7.

DAN all set to form govt in Nagaland

The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) on Saturday, emerged as frontrunner to form the government in the state with the conglomerate bagging 29 of the 57 seats, results for which were declared, and needing just two more to reach the required number.

The Nagaland People's Front (NPF), which heads the DAN, won 25 seats while its opponent Congress bagged 22. NCP and BJP secured two seats each.

NPF, BJP, JD-U and NCP forged a pre-poll alliance but contested the elections on separate manifestos.

Six Independents also won from their respective constituencies.

Analysts said the three seats, where counting was not held, are NPF strongholds.

Among NPF winners were its president Shurhozelie, who retained his Northern Angami seat for the sixth time.

Former chief minister and NPF candidate Neiphiu Rio won from Northern Angami II seat defeating his Congress rival Sevetso by over 10,000 votes. Rio retained the seat for the fifth time.

Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanlilie Peseyie won from Western Angami seat. Former home minister Thenucho lost the the Chazouba seat to Independent Chotisuh Sazo.

Prominent Congress winners were former chief minister K L Chishi, former CLP leader I Imkong and C Apok Jamir, son of Goa Governor S C Jamir.

Nagaland was brought under President's Rule recently in the wake of the fluid political situation and the state assembly was subsequently dissolved. Counting of votes for three assembly segments under Zunheboto district would begin tomorrow with repoll held there today under tight security

Meghalaya Progressive Alliance parades 31 MLAs

Thirty- one MLAs of the 60-member house in Meghalaya were on Saturday paraded before Governor S S Sidhu by the newly formed Meghalaya Progressive Alliance, comprising the NCP and UDP, which staked claim to form the next government.

The MLAs led by UDP President Donkupar Roy, the chief ministerial candidate of the MPA, called on the Governor in Raj Bhavan to stake claim.

The MPA comprised UDP (11), NCP (14), Hills State Democratic Party (HSDP) (2), Khun Hynnieutrip National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) (1), BJP (1) and two independents.

Left Front government in Tripura assumes office on Monday

A Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front government headed by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar is to assume office for the fourth consecutive term on Monday.

Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahaya would administer the oath of office and secrecy to the 59-year-old Marxist leader and his council of ministers at a function at the Raj Bhavan in Agartala, an official said.

"Sarkar resigned on Friday night and I have asked him to continue in office till the alternative arrangement was made," Sahaya told IANS.

CPI-M-led Left Front on Friday pulled off an emphatic victory for a fourth consecutive term, winning 49 seats in the 60-member legislature and routing the main opposition Congress, which secured only 10 seats while. Its poll partner Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) bagged only one seat.

In the previous assembly election in 2003, the Left Front won in 41 seats followed by the Congress with 13 and its ally INPT with six.

The Left Front has been in power in Tripura since 1978, barring one term (1988-1993).

Cong ahead in Nagaland

The Congress was on Saturday ahead in Nagaland winning 11 seats and leading in 10 in the 60-member Assembly, while rival Nagaland People's Front won three seats and was ahead in 15. The BJP was leading in two seats, the NCP in two and Independents in three.

The NPF headed the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government before imposition of President's Rule. The NPF, BJP, JD(U) and the NCP forged a pre-poll alliance, but were contesting on separate manifestos.

Prominent winners for the NPF were its president Shurehozelie who retained the Northern Angami I seat for the sixth consecutive time.

Congress winners were former chief minister KL Chishi from Dimapur-I and youth Congress leader and Goa governor SC Jamir's son C Apok Jamir from Mokokchung Town seat.

Polling for the 60-member assembly was held on March five. Counting of votes for three assembly segments under Zunheboto district would begin on Sunday with repoll held there on Saturday amid tight security. Elections were held under President's rule for the fourth time in the state.

Congress, DAN claim to form next Govt in Nagaland

On the eve of counting of votes on Saturday, Congress and NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) on Friday exuded confidence, with both claiming they would muster a working majority to form the next government in the state.

CLP Leader I Imkong told newsmen that Congress was hopeful of winning a simple majority and forming the government but in the event of a fractured mandate, the party would seek support from NCP, RJD and Independents.

On the other hand, exuding confidence that the four-party DAN would clinch majority with NPF emerging as the single largest party, former chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that it would seek support from like-minded parties and Independents in case the alliance failed to reach the magic figure of 31 in the 60 member house.

Counting of votes will be taken up on Saturday in 12 centres across the state for which elaborate arrangements have been made by the authorities.

Mixed fortunes for Congress in state polls

Congress emerged on Friday as the single largest party after elections in Meghalaya in the country's remote northeast, but failed to dislodge their communist rivals in Tripura, officials said.

The troubled northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland normally lack political weight nationally, but, with a national poll due by early 2009 and speculation about an early election, the contests are being seen as a test of the ruling party's popularity.

The rival Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in the states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh defeated Congress last December.

The northeastern elections were marked by an unusually high voter turnout that analysts linked to increasing political awareness among women and young people.

"People saw a way to bring about changes by participating in democratic process and understood the futility of violence," said BG Verghese, a visiting professor with the New Delhi based Centre for Policy Research.

"The younger generations are aware that they can change things democratically and their large numbers in voters lists have added to a high polling percentage."

Congress emerged as the single largest party in Meghalaya, where it has headed a coalition over the past five years. It is expected to make another bid for power after sewing together an alliance.

In Tripura, Indian communists retained power for a fourth straight term. The communists shore up the Congress-led coalition at the centre, but the two are rivals at the state level.

Results from Nagaland are expected on Saturday.

India's northeast, encircled by China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan, is home to more than 200 ethnic and tribal groups and has been beset by dozens of separatist and tribal insurgencies since India gained independence from Britain in 1947.

Tribespeople for years accused New Delhi of taking away the region's mineral resources, giving them nothing in return.

The disaffection has also been reflected in the local population's limited participation in elections.

Left sweeps Tripura, Meghalaya hung

The Left Front in Tripura swept the Assembly elections for the fourth successive term while Meghalaya, typical of its political history, got a hung House after results were declared on Friday. Nagaland will know its poll results on Saturday.

The CPM and its allies won 49 of the 60 seats in Tripura, eight more than in 2003. The Congress and its ally, the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra, could manage only 11, down from 19 in the previous election.

The Forward Bloc made an exit from the left front over seat sharing when it failed to use pressure tactics after its 12 nominees lost. Candidates of smaller parties and independents lost their security deposit.

While Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will take fresh guard by Monday, the fractured verdict in Meghalaya could delay the formation of the new government.

In Meghalaya, the Congress bagged 25 in the 60-seat House, six less than the magic number. Election to one seat has been deferred to March 22. The NCP, which relied heavily on Purno A Sangma's charisma, ended with 14 seats, while the regional United Democratic Party improved its past performance to win 11 seats.

In case of a Congress alliance with UDP, DD Lapang is likely to carry on as the chief minister.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Moderate to brisk turnout in Nagaland

Moderate to brisk turnout was reported, amidst stray incidents of violence, in the first three hours of polling in the Nagaland assembly elections for its 60-member house, election office in Kohima said.

Despite chilly weather and rains in the morning, a large number of voters were seen queuing before polling stations throughout the state to seal the fate of 218 candidates.

Minor incidents of clashes, chasing of voters, snatching of electronic voting machines (EVMs) were reported from Mokukchung, Zunheboto and Okha districts, police said.

Situation in all these areas were brought under control, they said, adding that the overall situation was peaceful in the state that went into polls under President's Rule.

Voting at some polling booths in Zunheboto district could not be held till 11 am due to non-arrival of polling officials because of shortage of vehicles.

Officials said the returning officer had been asked to file detail reports as to why polling could not be arranged in those remote areas.

In certain polling stations in remote villages, the exercise got delayed by an hour due to technical and logistic problems, district administration officials said.

Reports of disturbances and damage of EVMs were received from two polling stations under Koridang assembly segment in Mokokchung district, which was marred by large-scale pre-poll violence. Polling resumed with replacement of EVMs and additional deployment of security personnel.

Three injured in Assam blast

Two men and a seven-year-old boy were injured in a bomb blast on a bridge in Assam's Sibsagar town on Tuesday afternoon.

The police said the bomb, kept in a motorcycle, had gone off around 4 pm on a bridge over the Dikhow river injuring three persons.

The condition of a man and the boy is stated to be critical. They were shifted to Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh.

Senior police officers have rushed to the spot and the entire area has been cordoned off, sources said.

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