"We supported this government so that the policy followed by the earlier NDA government should be changed... but our support should not be taken for granted," CPM leader Basudeb Acharia said in the Lok Sabha.

Participating in a debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address, the Left leader questioned whether India's national interest is protected by supporting the US stand on Iran. "Is it not contrary to the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP)," he said, asking whether India was following an independent foreign policy.

Acharia wondered whether the NCMP was only to form the government to be later forgotten for pursuing own policies. The CPM leader was also scathing in his criticism of the government on airport privatisation as also its move on FDI in single brand retail which, he said, would impact small retailers. (PTI)

A Bench of Justice A R Lakshmanan and Justice Dalveer Bhandari asked the respondents to reply to the notices on the PIL by D K Thakur filed in 2004.The apex court had earlier issued notices to the Centre, the Election Commission and the Press Council of India. (PTI)

Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be questioned in connection with the arrest of disgraced police officer Daya Nayak, police officials said here Monday.The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Nayak - accused of amassing wealth by corrupt means - here earlier Monday.

The ACB is slated to record Amitabh's statement as he was reportedly present at the inauguration of a Rs.10-million school set up by Nayak.Nayak established the school in his native village Yennehole in Udupi district of Karnataka in 2000, officials said. Nayak reportedly killed over 83 members of the underworld in separate incidents during his posting in the Crime Branch. (IANS)

Over 60,000 chickens were slaughtered in Surat, Uchchaal and other areas of Gujarat which are near Navapur taluka of Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district while various states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal, banned inflow of poultry and poultry products.

As the bird flu scare spread across the country, government today banned retail sale of Tamiflu, most potent drug against the disease, saying the step was necessary in view of general tendency to use the drug as precaution even when it is unnecessary.

About 70 chickens died at a hatchery in Hoogly district of West Bengal but authorities ruled out oubtreak of avian flu.A day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said nine lakh chickens would be culled, the exercise failed to gather pace due to inadequate number of machines and manpower to dig pits for burying birds with suspected bird flu, Minister for Animal Husbandry Anees Ahmed said.He, however, said steps were being taken to speed up the process.

In a reassuring sign, there were no fresh human cases of suspected avian flu in Navapur and the condition of two persons--a woman and her son--who were admitted to hospital here with symptoms of the disease was stated to be be stable.Prinicipal secretary of Maharashtra Animal Husbandry department Uttam Khobragade told reporters that culling of chickens in Navapur was nearing completion and remaining 1.25 lakh chickens would be culled by Tuesday afternoon.He said there were around seven to eight lakh chickens in the 11 affected poultry farms in the area of which only 1.25 lakh were yet to be culled.

New Delhi: Observing that no confirmed case of human Avian Influenza has been detected, Government on Monday told the Lok Sabha that there is no cause for panic over the outbreak of bird flu in a Maharashtra district and a close watch was being kept on the situation. "There is no cause for panic. Government is keeping a close watch on the situation. Other states have also been alerted to remain vigilant," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said making a suo motu statement.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, who also made a statement on the bird flu outbreak in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, said "as on date there is no confirmed case of human Avian Influenza" and the situation was "under control".

Giving details of the steps taken to contain the infection, government said a Task Force under the Chairmanship of Health Secretary has been constituted to ensure availability of drugs and vaccines for managing the disease. This task force has decided to procure adequate courses of ‘Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)’ drugs and 10,000 personnel protective equipment, Ramadoss said.

Noting that a series of strategic actions have been initiated immediately on confirmation of Avian Influenza, Pawar said the government has banned movement of poultry or its products in infected areas, closed poultry, egg markets and shops and destroyed affected birds followed by proper disposal. (PTI)

Srinagar: In a blow to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's initiative to broaden the dialogue spectrum to resolve Kashmir issue, moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference on Monday rejected his invitation for a round table conference on February 25 saying the time was not ripe for such a meet.

After a three-hour-long meeting of Hurriyat’s Executive Council, Working Committee and General Council here, its Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told reporters that the members had unanimously decided not to attend the conference as they felt it would "harm" the dialogue process between the Centre and the separatist amalgam and "is bound to create confusion".

Apparently peeved over the Centre’s move to invite other seperatists groups, the Mirwaiz said, "it will be only noise in the crowd and no discussions will take place."

The rejection of Hurriyat to attend the round table conference had left the Centre banking on little-known separatist leaders like Hashim Qureshi as a face saving. Pro-Pakistan hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was the first to spurn the offer for talks which was followed by separatist leader Shahbir Shah and JKLF Chief Yaseen Malik, who had held talks with the Prime Minister last week only.

Among the voices at Monday’s Hurriyat meet, only leaders from the Kashmir Salvation Front had opined for attending the conference saying that the amalgam should not shy away from the talks.The Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat was not against the government holding of talks with "other people" of Jammu and Kashmir but felt that the proposed meet was "without agenda".

The Mirwaiz said the grouping was of the opinion that time was not ripe for holding of such a conference as the talks between the "three parties" (India, Pakistan and Kashmiris) have not made any headway or a breakthrough. "When time comes, such a conference is imperative and that meeting should include the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir across the Line of Control apart from Indians and Pakistanis," he said.

He said the Hurriyat during first round of talks with the Prime Minister had presented some suggestions to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, he alleged, the government has neither taken any "worthwhile" step in this regard nor taken forward the dialogue process. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Indian parliament Monday expressed its concern over incidents of alleged religious insensitivity even as the government said it had written to Danish authorities on the caricatures of Prophet Mohammed appearing in a Denmark newspaper. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had written to the Danish government in December expressing his concern over the controversial cartoons, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters in parliament.

According to Dasmunsi, the Danish government shared Manmohan Singh’s view that sentiments of all religions should be respected, but it also said it could not influence the media’s freedom of expression. "The Indian government appreciates the country’s media which always takes care in respecting religious sentiments. I think Denmark should learn from India how to respect sentiments of every religion," he said.

Condemning the caricatures of Prophet Mohammed as well as some paintings allegedly denigrating Mother India and Hindu gods, parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha cutting across party lines urged the government to curb such "insensitivity" with stern action.

Raising the issue in the upper house of parliament, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former central minister Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded action against Uttar Pradesh minister Haji Yaqoob Qureshi, who had last week announced an award of Rs.510 million for anyone beheading the Danish cartoonist for caricaturing the prophet.Shahid Siddiqui of the Samajwadi Party said neither his party nor the government had approved the minister’s statement. (IANS)

The petition challenged the award of the contract for the airport modernisation plans to two companies on the ground that "the bid evaluation process was vitiated by mala fides".

The government had earlier this month approved the selection of GMR-Fraport (Frankfurt) and GVK-South African Airports consortia for the modernisation of the Delhi and Mumbai airports. After losing out in the bidding process, Reliance Airport had challenged the move in the Delhi High Court.(IANS)

"The accused are Swami Lodhi, his gunman, Basantram Rajput and a couple of others. A jeep has been seized and the gunman detained," Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Rai said. As per the complaint filed by local resident Yogendra Jain, Swami Lodhi had purchased land from Mr Jain and the sale was registered on Monday.

While Mr Jain, Swami Lodhi and his associates were returning, the accused decamped at a crossing with a suitcase containing the money. (PTI)

New Delhi: India and France Monday signed a declaration, seen as a prelude to a larger pact on civil nuclear cooperation that will help the former access international technology and fuel denied to it for over three decades.

The two sides, at the end talks between visiting French President Jacques Chirac and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also signed a defence pact, that includes the joint manufacture of military hardware, and seven other bilateral documents spanning cooperation in diverse fields like space, tourism, education, culture and civil aviation.

They also agreed to double bilateral trade and increase flow of French investment into India despite differences over a takeover bid for European steal major Arcelor by an Indian-born steel-magnate.

Paris’ support - France was the only country that supported India after its nuclear tests in 1998 - for New Delhi’s quest for international cooperation in developing its civil nuclear industry is significant coming as it does less than a fortnight before US President George Bush’s visit here March.

A joint statement issued after the talks described the declaration on the development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes as an "important step forward" towards concluding a bilateral agreement in this area. This declaration could be a prelude to a formal pact providing India access to nuclear technology and fuel from France - a key member of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group and a leading producer of nuclear electricity.

But the success of such an agreement would depend on India’s separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities - an issue that has sharply polarized the strategic community over fears that New Delhi would be compromising its strategic programme under American pressure.

"India’s access to civilian-nuclear technology ... is indeed necessary in order to drive and fuel India’s economic development," Chirac told reporters at a joint press interaction with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House.

"Our support to India is principled support.... India must be allowed to achieve its necessary economic development without facing the strangleholds of economic and energy constraints," he said.

"This is necessary for driving the country’s economic development without polluting the atmosphere with greenhouse emissions," he stressed. (IANS)

"cMango will help us to strengthen its capabilities in the technology infrastructure services and remote management services business. The acquisition includes earn-outs based on achieving targeted financial metrics over a two-year period," Wipro president Suresh Vaswani said.

This is the third acquisition the IT bellwether has made in the past two months.(IANS)

Jodhpur: A local court on Monday ordered framing of charges against Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and three heroines in a case relating to the alleged poaching of two black bucks in Kakani in the district in 1998. Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit adjounred the case till February 27 (rpt February 27) asking all the five and another accused to appear before the court for hearing the charges.

The court said in its order that there was prima facie evidence against the six accused - Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and a Jodhpur resident Dushyant, Public Prosecutor N K Sankhla said. It directed framing of charges against Salman under section 148 of the Indian Penal Code relating to joining assembly with a deadly weapon, the Wildlife Protection Act and the Arms Act. 

Charges against the remaining accused would be framed under section 147 of IPC relating to unlawful assembly and under provisions of the Wildlfe Protection Act and section 149 (every member of unlawful assembly liable for prosecution for common offence).

Earlier in the day, the Public Prosecutor submitted that the accused was using "delay tactics" by filing a petition for exemption from personal appearance. He asked the court to dismiss the bail granted to Salman earlier and issue a warrant for his arrest, Sankhla said.

During the filming of ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, a case was lodged by the Rajasthan Forest Department against Salman and the other five on allegations that two black bucks were killed at Kakani in Luni block of the district on October 1 and 2, 1998. Police filed a chargesheet in the case in 2000. (PTI)

The Chief Minister, however, said that the next step of his Government would depend on the decision of the Central government "whether it accepts or rejects the HNLC's talks offer".Appreciating the decision of the banned outfit to sit for talks, he said that the government was committed to play a constructive role on this issue and would request the Centre to consider the banned outfit's offer. "It is only after the meeting with Rev Basiawmoit on Monday that the letter submitted by the HNLC to the Prime Minister came to the notice of the government," he said.

The government also decided to increase financial aide to surrendered rebels from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1,50,000 under the rehabilitation package.Meanwhile, Rev Basiawmoit said that the HNLC wanted the state government to remind the Centre on the peace talks offer. "The HNLC is ready to sit for a tripartite talks involving the Centre, the State and the outfit", he added.

Police said Das was taken to Guwahati and on Sunday evening, the abductors called up his parents at Siliguri and demanded Rs 80 lakh for his release.The miscreants on Monday negotiated with his parents and the ransom amount came down to Rs 50 lakh.

In another incident on Monday, a robber was injured in an encounter with police in a village in West Khasi Hills.Police said a group of six robbers confronted a police team at Sonapahar in West Khasi Hills, which led to an exchange of fire. In the encounter, a robber identified as Athony Rongrin suffered bullet injury, while others managed to escape.

According to sources, both Bhatti and Singh left Assam Auto Agency office at 10 am to deposit the money in the bank. The miscreants attacked them as they reached the bank and snatched the bag containing the money.Soon after receiving the information, Laitumkhrah police rushed to the spot, but the miscreants could not be traced. Police investigation is on.The injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.

SHILLONG: Meghalaya border bleeds profusely and regularly. Be it for the crime perpetrated by militants, Bangladeshi miscreants, BDR personnel or for business rivalry, the State's remote areas bordering Bangladesh always suffer from such activities which take toll on human lives.The latest victim is the Superintendent of Land Customs Station at Bholaganj, Mr JC Das, who was found killed and buried along the Indo-Bangla border.

In the past, those who were posted in the border had to face similar harassment and hardship. Take the case of Dr P Bezbaruah, who was abducted by militants from Garo Hills in 2002 and also the two Customs officials - Mr Mahanta and Mr LH Faihriem - who were abducted in 2003, but later released by the militants. Police could not rescue them though they tried their level best.Even an IFS officer Mrs Satyan had once been abducted by the militants from Garo Hills.

It was not too long ago, when three foresters from Meghalaya were taken away by the Bangladesh Rifles personnel for illegally entering into its territory.It took a long time for the release of three foresters - Mr Moses Lyngdoh, Mr Woldis Swer and Mr Ram Pohlong - who were guarding the Narpuh Block 1 Reserve Forest under Jaliakhola in Jaintia Hills. The area is adjacent to Indo-Bangladesh border.

The BDR took them into custody for entering into Bangladesh territory taking a short cut on December 1 last year. The Central government had to intervene to get them released.It was early part of last year that a 30-member criminal gang from Bangladesh entered the State and barged into the house of a coal dealer in Mahendraganj. The criminal gang decamped with a TV set, jewelleries and many household items, besides cash in Indian currency.

On another occasion, a group of Bangladeshi dacoits came to Mahendraganj and looted Rs 60,000 from the residence of a coal trader.Deputy Commissioner Customs (Preventive) GM Kamei said that the senior Customs officials would meet the police higher ups to discuss the need for having better security cover for the Customs officials posted in remote border areas of Meghalaya.

At Bholaganj, there is only an infiltration check gate set up by the State police with only one Sub-Inspector and a constable to man the area.Even though the Customs officials are blaming lack of security for the abduction and murder, the BSF, however, denied any security lapse on its part as far as the death of the Customs officials were concerned.

"We do not find any security lapse on our part and enough BSF personnel are posted in Bholaganj", the Inspector General of BSF, Mr SC Shrivastava, told The Shillong Times.

Mr Shrivastava said a company of BSF personnel was guarding four to five km stretch of border area and "the strength is sufficient to man this area", he added."Though the demand to man the border 24 hours is not logical, our men are guarding the border maintaining constant vigil. They are even patrolling on bicycles and motor cycles", the BSF official said.He ruled out the possibility of either the Bangladeshi or the BDR being involved in the case. "The dead body was found inside the Indian territory", Mr Shrivastava said.

The Meghalaya DGP, Mr WR Marbaniang said investigation was on to trace the killers.

SHILLONG: Accepting the defeat for the second time in Lok Sabha elections for two consecutive terms, Congress candidate and former Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, on Monday said misinformation regarding MBOSE spread by his rival and nine time MP, Mr Purno A Sangma, helped the latter to ride on the Garo sentiments and win the by-poll.

Breaking his silence a day after the election result, Dr Sangma said: "truth suffered due to misinformation"."The truth is that there is no attempt to bifurcate the education board. But the NCP leader has been campaigning that the State government has bifurcated MBOSE", Dr Sangma told The Shillong Times over phone from Tura.

"For Mr Purno Sangma, MBOSE is still an issue; but for me, personally, MBOSE is not an issue." Dr Sangma said his rival went all out misinforming the people of Garo Hills about the status of MBOSE in Garo Hills. "He spread this information saying that the Tura office ceased to function. The truth is that MBOSE chairman and other officers in Garo Hills are functioning normally", Dr Sangma said. 

Dr Sangma alleged that Mr Purno Sangma played with the sentiments of the people. "By indulging in such practices, he took the people for a ride and misused their innocence", the defeated leader said.

"To dilute the issue of development in Garo Hills, Mr Purno brought forth the MBOSE issue and thereby diverted the attention of the innocent people", Dr Sangma said.

"Besides indulging in personal attack, Mr Purno Sangma is also misusing the GSU to create fear psychosis among the people", Dr Sangma said, raising questions on Mr Purno Sangma's contribution to the development of Garo Hills when he was at the helm of power as the Meghalaya Chief Minister and later as the Union Minister and the Lok Sabha Speaker.

"This is nothing but hit and run politics as one can fool some people all the time but one cannot fool all the people all the time. This will prove boomerang for Mr Purno Sangma. He would be exposed and this would have a negative bearing on his political career", Dr Sangma predicted.

"I tried to tell the truth when I raised the issue of development. Those who came to know the truth voted for the Congress, while those who are yet to know the truth or don't want to accept the truth voted for the NCP", he said.

It is not easy for the truth to reach every nook and corner of Garo Hills but the truth will percolate to the grassroots, said Dr Mukul, who aspires to serve the people and respond to their needs. He thanked his supporters and all his partymen, who worked for him during the election.

"Congress is a disciplined party, we have accepted the verdict of the people. Purno may be representing Garo Hills, but we will work together for the development of the State", Mr Lapang told reporters.

Earlier he made an anlaysis of Tura by-election results together with some of his Cabinet colleagues. 

Meanwhile, the NCP working president Dr WR Kharlukhi said that the mandate was very clear that people of Garo Hills rejected the Congress leadership. Despite intensive campaign by the Chief Minister, the Congress lost badly in Garo Hills, he said.

According to this NCP leader, by 2008, the Congress would be a spent force in Meghalaya. "Mr Lapang, who is also the chairman of the North East Congress Co-ordination Committee (NECCC), will have to work hard for his party as the elections in Assam is due shortly and the indication is that the Congress will suffer its worst electoral defeat", Dr Kharlukhi added.

SHILLONG: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM), Mr HS Shylla, on Monday said that the KSU was making a political issue out of the proposed uranium project at Domiasiat for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State. "The reason for the KSU opposing the proposed uranium mining in West Khasi Hills, I don't believe, is because of probable health hazards that the Union fears. But it is just making a political issue out of it", Mr Shylla said.

The District Council CEM said the KSU had its own political ambition and it was obvious that the opposition to the proposed uranium project was for gaining political mileage by creating "an issue out of non-issue". Mr Shylla made it clear that the KHADC was still examining the matter before taking any decision for the interest of the people.

The CEM felt the NGOs' opposition to the multi-crore uranium project was hasty and without having any in-depth study of the project that had enough potential to increase the State's revenue, enhance employment opportunities, besides offering other benefits to the State.

"The project has to be thoroughly examined", Mr Shylla said adding: "if the project does not create health hazards, the people should rather take pride in welcoming uranium mining and contribute to the nuclear strength of the country".

The mining issue has created a division among the Khasi students. While the KSU expressed strong opposition to the project, the West Khasi Hills Students Union welcomed the project.

Similar incidents had taken place in the past too which indicated the involvement of robbers from Bangladesh, sources said.

SHILLONG: Alarmed by the spread of bird flu in western India, the State government here engaged itself in serious thoughts to tackle the situation. Contingency plans range from having a rapid response team at district level, with the one at the State level in the helm of power, to setting up of check posts at every entry point to inspect the poultry enroute local market.

The State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department has been put on high alert as instructed to equip itself to face any eventuality.In an immediate action, the officials of the State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary department on Monday inspected chicken at different parts of the city, including Iewduh and Happy Valley markets.

The official team comprising Disease Investigation Officer and Assistant Research Officer of the East Khasi Hills District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary visited Iewduh and Happy Valley market and inspected local poultry for stalk taking before proposing any preventive steps against the disease.

Director of State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Dr D Khonglah said the district office here took immediate step to check the local poultry available in the city market following an instruction issued to the District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary officers of all the seven districts for inspection of poultry reaching the market. There were also instructions to make temporary check posts at every entry point for checking the poultry.

"After the detection bird flu in India, the department was put on a high alert to tackle the problem. Though there is no trace of bird flu in the State and no report has been received from any neighbouring states as yet, the department has taken necessary steps to constitute a State-level Task Force to tackle any situation, while the district level officers were asked to prepare immediate contingency plan to tackle problem, if arises", Dr Khonglah said. The Director also requested the State 

government to approve the proposal for installation on toll free telephone at the Directorate to facilitate immediate response to any outbreak of poultry disease in any part of the State.A rapid response team at the State level has been constituted to deal with an emergency situation arising from livestock and poultry diseases. Dr Khonglah said similar instruction was issued to the district Animal Husbandry & Veterinary officers to constitute a rapid response team at the district level.He said with regard to procurement of protective kits and equipment like fogging machines etc, the department was working out an expenditure plan and following up some schemes to be submitted to the government for necessary action.

Dr Khonglah said that the department was active all along to ensure that diseased poultry did not reach the market for sale. "We'd collected 165 samples from various poultry farms in the State and got these checked in High Security Animal Disease Laboratory at Bhopal last year. Report was negative," he said. Awareness campaign and seminar on bird flu, involving scientists from the ICAR, State Forest & Health Department, was organised. Similar awareness campaigns were held in all the district headquaters in the State, he said.

SHILLONG : The recent claims by Chief Minister DD Lapang and his Deputy Dr Donkupar Roy that the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB) has made profit during the tenure of its present Chairman P J Bazeley seems untenable as far as records available with The Shillong Times.

As per the MeSEB Annual Financial Statement for the year 2004-2005, the net surplus and deficit under the revised estimate at the end of the financial year 2003-2004 was shown as incurring loss of Rs 22.60 crore and in the Annual Financial Statement for the year 2005-2006, the net surplus and deficit under revised estimate at the end of financial year 2004-2005 indicated a loss of Rs 13.57 crore.

In the report submitted by the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) on financial restructuring and regulatory issues, it was stated at Clause 6.1 para 1 that "audited figures of profit and loss account for financial year 2004-2005 also show a minor profit of Rs 2.10 crore during the year". The PFC further mentioned that the temporary reprieve was purely due to prior credits accounted.

It may be mentioned that both Mr Lapang and Mr Roy recently told reporters that after Mr Bazeley took over as Chairman of MeSEB, the Board made a profit of Rs 2 crore in 2003 and Rs 3 crore in 2004.The profit figure, according to the Chief Minister, crossed the magical Rs 11 crore in 2005.

However, the claim by the Chief Minister was contrary to figures indicated in the annual financial statement of the Board and the profit claimed was actually a misrepresentation of financial facts because the payment received from Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) for old outstanding dues had been claimed as "income".

Although it is shown that during 2004-2005, MeSEB made a profit of Rs 2.10 crore, a further loss of Rs 177.70 crore was projected during 2005-2006 in the PFC report at Clause 6.9 page 32 after implementation of the Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP). As per the PFC recommendation on FRP, the state government has to clear all outstanding dues of the government departments before corporatisation of MeSEB.

Further, as per Clause 6.1, page 17 of the PFC recommendation on FRP, a cash support of Rs 3587 crore was to be paid by the state government in a phased manner before corporatisation of MeSEB in order to enable the newly-constituted Power Corporation to break even till 2012. An amount of Rs 51.37 crore was also needed to be paid by the state government within the current year to the proposed corporation.

If the Chief Minister's claim was to be believed, then the correct net surplus or deficit during 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 had to be made known as also the authority who audited the accounts. It is also contradictory to state that there would be a deficit of Rs 177 crore in 2005-2006 when just in 2004-2005, there was a profit of Rs 2.10 crore.

The question that arises now is whether the state government can clear all the outstanding dues of around Rs 50 crore before corporatisation of MeSEB by June 2006 and whether it is in a position to support a cash flow of Rs 51.37 crore to the proposed Corporation by the same period. Given the current financial status of the State Government, it is more than impossible for it to provide cash support of Rs 3587 crore to the proposed Corporation by June this year.

Shillong: The MeSEB Engineers' Association (MEA) said that it was opposed to corporatisation of the power board but reiterated that the process should be clear and transparent even as it demanded rectification of the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) report prior to corporatisation.

Informing this, MEA president W S Kynjing said that a meeting was held here on Monday between the Association's leaders and officials of Power Finance Corporatisation (PFC) in which several points were raised regarding the corporatisation issue including anomalies in the PFC report.

"The MEA wants to put on record that it is not against corporatisation of MeSEB. This has been our stand since December 2003. During a meeting with the PFC, the Association has reiterated that the process of corporatisation should be clear and transparent and its members should always be taken into confidence"

Acording to Mr Kynjing, the meeting was arranged by the MeSEB management to scrutinise the reports on service rules and regulations, eligibility criteria, organisational structure, training and capacity building and redeployment strategies. Among the highlights of the discussion, the engineers' body stressed that the transition period for corporatisation should be one or two years and that within such period, any temporary arangement should not become part of the main objective of rules and regulations of the proposed power Corporation.

The MEA also emphasised that the superannuating age fixed for Directors and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) should be the same for all engineers. It impressed upon the PFC the importance of service rules and regulations and sought the removal of all glaring defects appearing in the existing service rules.

"All anomalies particularly disparity among equivalent posts of all diferent services of the Board with regards to eligibility criteria of minimum years of service for promotion should be rectified" Mr Kynjing said adding that the Association insisted for continuance of pension benefits to existing employees and that the same should be clearly spelt out in the new service rules and pension rules.

The Association also strongly felt that the posts of Directors for technical, generation projects and finance should be appointed by promotion from within the Board. It also said that anomalies in the PFC report should be corrected at this stage adding that it would not accept the PFC's view for amending the same after corporatisation.

Shillong: The recent installation of static meters in most houses by the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB) has attracted severe criticism from most consumers in the State with complaints that electricity bills had gone up drastically even as most people were in the dark over the action.

The new static meters which had been installed in most houses having electricity connection since the last six months had led to drastic increase in power bills. According to some sources, meter rent of Rs 6 per kilowatt was being charged from consumers every month resulting in double increase of electricity bill for consumers.

Meanwhile, the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong (SRS) in a belated move has urged upon all houseowners not to allow the MeSEB to install the new static meters in their houses without permission by the concerned Rangbah Shnongs.

In a statement issued here, the SRS said that the Executive Committee meeting of the local headmen's body had taken the decision after several complaints received from electricity consumers. It also expressed its outrage over the "clandestine" installation of such meters without the information and consent of consumers.

"The SRS feels that the MeSEB should not forcefully resort to such action without prior information of the people or citing the reason for doing so" the SRS statement said adding that the action by the power board was objectionable.

The SRS also instructed all the Rangbah Shnongs to be "vigilant"on the issue and not to allow any unauthorised installation of new meters without taking the Durbar Shnongs into confidence. It also said that the matter would be taken up with the MeSEB and the State Government.

Shillong: The KHNAM has reacted strongly to the recent demand by a section of Garo headmen from villages under Jirang and Nongpoh constituencies for official recognition by the Syiem of Mylliem.

In a letter to KHADC Chief Executive Member H S Shylla, the party's General Secretary Mr Erwin K Syiem Sutnga said that the demand for official recognition by the 54 Garo headmen was against the prevailing traditional practices and customary laws of the Khasi-Jaintia people.

"The protection granted by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India is for the Khasi-Jaintia community within the confines of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. The Garos can not claim protection under the KHADC because as per para 1 and 2 of the Sixth Schedule, the Council should cater to the welfare of those tribe indigenous to that autonomous district" the KHNAM letter said.

The KHNAM also said that since KHADC was created to protect the rights of the indigenous tribals of Khasi Hills, the Garo community therefore could not claim the protection mandated therein. It also termed the demand for recognition by the Ri-Bhoi Achick Headmen Association (RBAHA) as "illegal" and "ultra vires" of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

While urging the CEM to direct the Syiem of Mylliem not to issue any 'Sanad' to the concerned Garo headmen, the KHNAM also questioned settlement by outsiders including Garos on Raid land stating that steps should be taken to regain back these lands which rightfully belonged to Khasi people.

In a letter addressed to the Union Minister, Mr Shullai said that having no other options open to the consumers of BSNL CellOne in Meghalaya, he was compelled to seek the intervention of the Minister for redressal to the grave situation arising out of the sudden and unwarranted disconnection of about 12,000 CellOne connections in Meghalaya. "Apparently, there is no good reason for the perpetration of such an act by the BSNL authorities in Meghalaya. Indeed, the action is not the consequence of any non-payment of bills and therefore highly deplorable and also the violation of the bonafide rights and interests of the consumers," Mr Shullai said.He urged the minister to look into the matter and make necessary orders to alleviate the sufferings of the consumers at large.

Shillong: Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills D P Wahlang, who is also the Chairman of District Water and Sanitation Campaign, East Khasi Hills, said that the concept of sanitation, which was earlier limited to disposal of human excreta by cesspool, open ditches, pit latrines, bucket system, now has a comprehensive concept, which includes liquid and solid waste disposal, food hygienic, personal, domestic as well as environmental hygiene.

Addressing the two-day sensitisation workshop on Total Sanitation Campaign, which was inaugurated on Monday at the East Khasi Hills DC's conference hall here, Mr Wahlang said that in view of the above facts, the campaign is focusing on community-led and people centred initiatives and emphasizes more on information, education, and communication, human resource development, capacity development activities to increase awareness among the rural people and to generate demand for sanitary facilities.

Stating that children play and effective role in absorbing and popularising new ideas and concepts, this programme intends to tap their potential as the most persuasive advocates of good sanitation practices in their own households and in schools.

Mr Wahlang also informed that to add vigour to the TSC implementation, the Government of India has separately launched an award scheme called 'Nirman Gram Puraskar' under which cash incentive will be given to gram panchayats, blocks and districts, who achieve 100 percent sanitation coverage in terms of individual households, school sanitation coverage, free from open defecation, dry latrines and manual scavenging and clean environment maintenance. Cash incentive will also be given to individuals and organisations who have been the driving force for effecting full sanitation coverage in the respective geographical area.

Earlier, PHE Minister H D R Lyngdoh in his inaugural speech said that sanitation is a very sensitive and crucial subject which needs to be addressed right to the grass roots level adding that in rural areas, there is an urgent need to create awareness programmes regarding the improvement of sanitation.

Mr Lyngdoh also felt the need that awareness programmes should be held in the block and village levels to educate people about the need of having proper sanitation while he expressed hope that this workshop would enhance the concerned officers to take responsibility of reaching out to the general masses, particularly in the rural areas.

Principal Secretary PHE J M Mauskar, in his brief speech, said that the total sanitation campaign is an all India programme, which was started in 1999. For the successful implementation of the programme, he stressed on the need of coordination between the officers, the Rangbah Shnongs and the NGOs.

The purpose of organising the workshop is to let all the designated officers involved in the successful implementation of the campaign, to be aware of the goals, responsibilities and the manner in which the project will be implemented including the forming, interaction and working with the different committee at village, school and anganwadi levels. Besides implementation of the project at these levels, the workshop will also deliberate on selection and setting up of four alternative delivery mechanisms (Production centres-cum-rural sanitation marts) within the district, section and construction of low cost demonstration latrines.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Commissioner Secretary PHE C D Kynjing, Chief Engineer PHE T G Abraham, Additional Chief Engineer PHE Sanitation H Prasad, Project Director DRDA R M Kurbah.

In a statement issued here, the organisation urged the militants to set him free on humanitarian ground while it said that the reason why he is abducted is not what concerned the organisation. "But we are mentally perturbed as to why a spiritual leader like him can be "arrested", the organisation said, adding that such act would invite a sense of insecurity among the church leaders.

The organisation also appealed to all sections of the community to condemn such act so that similar cases can be averted in future.

Among the leaders of Seng Khasi who attended the meet were Mr S P Lyngdoh, Mr D Suiam, Mrs Khasimon Phanbuh, Mrs Mira Dkhar and Mrs Ibi Synrem. A group of young Khasi dancers from Snap Paka Institute also took part at the cultural programme held during the meet.

Mr Suiam delivered a lecture on "Khasis and Their Concept of God" in which he dwelt upon the history and tradition of Khasi traditional belief. The conference was organised by the International Center for Cultural Studies (ICCS), Bensalem, United States in which the theme was 'Spirituality Beyond Religions'.

The meet was also attended by indigenous tribes from Latvia, France, Guatemala, El Salvador, Canada, United States, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Belgium, Trinidad and Tobago, Israel, Bangladesh, Palestine and India. The tribes who took part at the conference were those holding to their own traditional religion.

Shillong: Trade Minister Martle Mukhim on Monday said that establishment of coir industries in the region is not limited to employment generation or income generation but it also has the potential to reduce to a great extent environmental degration.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the one day Seminar-cum-workshop on Application of Coir Geo-Textile held at the Shillong Club, Mr Mukhim said that as the State is always exposed to natural calamities like floods, landslides, soil erosion and one of the solutions to the problem is the application of coir geo-textiles by way of planting jute and other similar vegetation in the hilly mountainous areas.

Further, Mr Mukhim said that coir geo-textile is a natural bio-degradable material which has been successfully used by western developed countries as a bio-engineering material.

Meanwhile, he informed, "there are various schemes of developmental agencies including that of coir board which could provide financial assistance for setting up necessary infrastructural facilities to manufacture of coir and coir products," Mr Mukhim said.He also informed that Coir Board is all set to provide necessary training with stipend to people who are interested in the application of Coir Geo-Textile.

"Coir Geo-Textile has immense potential in the process of providing employment oppurtunities to the people of the State especially women," Mr Mukhim said.

It may be mentioned that the workshop was organised by the Coir Board, a statutory body under the Ministry of Agri and Rural Industries, Government of India, in collaboration with a voluntary organisation Barnardi Gramya Unnayan Samity (BGUS).

The Indian Society of Citriculture established in 1983 and functional at New Delhi was brought to National Research Centre for Citrus in 1997, the year when the first edition of National Symposium on Citriculture organised at Nagpur. Thereafter, the Society organised an international symposium on citriculture in 1993, which was merged by participation of as many as 9 frontline citrus growing countries.

Indian Society of Citriculture preferred this venue over many other promising venues considering the stature of NE Region as the natural home of citrus. It is the region where from citrus dispersed to many other places, which are today considered to guide the world trade of citrus.

In this symposium, the best citrus expertise available in the country are expected to deliberate on various evasive issues of citriculture to be covered under 6 exclusive sessions. The seminar will also deliberate on the problems of citrus industry and prepare a blue print of the future plans to anchor citrus industry of north eastern region on its past illustrious and footing.

Among the list of 15 organsiations de-recognised by the State Labour Department (ST Feb10), the name of MTDC Employees Union was erroneously mentioned in the list instead of MIDC Union . The MTDC union is a recognised body. The error is regreted.

(Continuing from Monday's edition) Trade potentialities of North- East India : We project the significant trade potentialities of NEI, as below:

A. Mineral resources- The NEI is rich of its mineral resources. Some were unveiled, and extended, but some are yet to be.

(i) Crude Oil- The oil fields of Upper Assam produce crude oil in abundance. These are, however, not adequate to feed the four oil refineries of Assam, namely; Digboi, Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Numaligarh. Substantial quantities of such oils have to be imported to feed the Bongaigaon refinery.

Crude products and bye- products- (a) Petroleum and Petroleum products- The four oil refineries of Assam produce Petroleum, Diesel, Kerosene Oil, Aviation Turbine Fuel, Paraffin Wax, Lubricants besides other derivatives to float in the commercial market. Calcined Petroleum Cokes are manufactured from Raw Petroleum Cokes, which have the extensive commercial markets.

(b) Petro-chemical products- A number of the oil refineries of Assam make out Petro-Chemical products out of the derivatives. Those are Polyester Staple Fibre (PSF), Dymethyle Tetrapithiate (DMT), Acryline fibre etc.

(ii) Coal- The Ledo and Margherita areas of Assam are full of coal mines. The coal- fields of Garo Garo Hills and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya produced abundant coal. These have wide market in an out side the Indian Territory.(iii) Lime Stone- Lime -stones, extracted from the ores in Assam, Meghalaya and other States are having good commercial markets. Agricultural products- The NEI is a granary of agricultural products. The cultivation being carried on in old methods, The area is lagging behind for lack of application of modern devices and technologies in agriculture.

(i) Raw Jute- Assam and some parts of Meghalaya produce huge quantities of raw jute. The area is in dearth of standard jute mills for which the raw jute is moved outside NEI for manufacturing and commercial activities.

(ii) Tea- Assam occupied a notable stature in qualitative and quantitative production of tea with extensive global market. Though there has been some recent set backs, the trend can be well elevated.

[Tea is a traditional item of entertainment by the people NEI, Assam in particular, when playing host.]

(iii) Rice and cereals- NEI produces rice (other than Basmati rice) in abundance, the production of different types of cereals is also equally encouraging here. Rice and cereals have also good market in and outside the country.

(iv) Ginger and spices- NEI produces ginger and various types of spices, which have wide market in and outside the country .

(v) Fruits- Different parts of NEI produce different types of fruits. Banana, orange, pineapples, jack fruits, papaya, psidium guava, plum. black plum etc. are included in such types of fruits.

(vi) Fruit juice, jam and jelly- Fruit processing units of NEI produce fruit juice, jam and jelly. Such processed fruit products have good market in and out of country.

(vii) Sugarcane and gur- The cultivation of sugarcane is very much there in NEI. Gur is a processed product of sugarcane and it has a good market.

(vii) Betel nuts and supari- Betel nuts are produced in abundance in the NEI, which are converted into supari for use as a chewing item after food. This has wide markets.

[Betel nuts and betel leaves are the customary items for entertainment in NEI, when playing host].

C. (i) Forest products- NEI is full of forests. The precious trees of different types are used for

manufacture of furniture, decorative items. Timber Is used as building materials, construction of bridges and in many other aspects. Though a heavy set back took place consequent upon deforestation in this region. It has now an improving trend.

(ii) Boulders, stones- Boulders are extracted from the hilly rocks out of which stones, stone chips are processed. These are used for various construction works besides roads, bridges and buildings. these commodities have wide market in and out side the country.

(iii) Sand- sand is collected from the river beaches and these are equally utilised for the above purposes.

(ii) Boulders, stones -Boulders are extracted from the hilly

(iv) Animals- Forests of NEI are full of wild animals like, tigers, elephants, cows, buffaloes, jackals, besides monkeys and birds of different types. The one-horned rhinoceroses, a rare animal, found in Assam. There are different types of poisonous snakes in the forests of Assam. Deer of various species are available in the forests and hill areas. The animals of the NEI are attractive in the zoos.

(v)Bamboo- It is an important agricultural and forest product of NEI. It is used in the construction of houses, bridges. Bamboo is, on the other hand, an important ingredient for the manufacture of paper besides being used for manufacturing the household utensils and decorative articles.

(vi) Cane- Cane is one of the forest products of NEI. The cane furniture and other decorative items, manufactured in NEI, are very much attractive.

D. Items of bell metal and brass- A few places of NEI are famous for the items of bell metal and brass, the items of cottage industry. The original culture was to use the manufactured utensils for dining, worshipping and decorating purposes. The traditional 'Sarai' and hand woven designed 'Gamocha' are the symbols of Assamese culture and showing honour.

E. Textile and silk clothes- Handloom clothes and silk woven clothes of different types are manufactured in abundance in the NEI. Each state maintains its independent entity in the matter of wearing such traditional clothes, garments, shawls etc., woven out.

F. Paper Mills and Paper products- The NEI has immense potentiality for manufacture of paper with the ingredients available here. The paper mills of NEI produce qualitative and quantitative paper, which have good demand in and out side the NEI.

Assam is famous for its eri, muga and pat clothes. The unique varieties of such clothes have a wide demand in the international market.

Tradition, culture and heritage- The tradition, culture, and heritage of NEI are unique and unparallel. Each state maintains its own entity in tradition, culture and heritage. The people of this area are simple, well behaved and hospitable. The regional songs, dances, theatrical performances and other cultural activities of the people in each state maintain independent entity with separate bearing.

Trade potentialities In Bangladesh

It is a happy augury that the exchange of trade activities has been introduced between NEI and Bangladesh formally or informally. Some of the items exported by Bangladesh to the NEI are, as below:

(i) Hilsa Fish- The Hilsa fish of Padma river of Bangladesh is a very delicious food item. Such fishes are exported to NEI in abundance.

(ii)Fresh Fish- Its people export fresh fishes of different varieties for consumption outside the country.

(iii) Dried Fish- Dried fishes are the edible item for a section of people of plain areas, but mostly for the people of the hilly areas of NEI. The Bangladesh dried fishes are popular food items.

(iv) Ginger and chilies- ginger and chilies are as well exported to NEI, but the quantum of such export is not heavy.

(v) Textiles- Textile clothes of various designs, produced in Bangladesh has a good demand to the people of NEI. The clothes of Dhakeswari mill, Murshidabad of pre-independent period had wide recognition by the old generation of NEI.

In addition to the above, The following manufactured and produced goods of Bangladesh are acceptable in NEI markets:

(i) electronic items (ii) Jute (iii) plastic products (iv) spices (v) beverages (vi) palm oil (vii) cosmetics and toiletries (viii) transport equipment (ix) melamine tableware/ kitchen ware (x) textile fabrics (xi) potato chips (xii) footwear (xiii) dry cell battery (xiv) automobile battery (xv) artificial flowers (xvi)UPS (xvii) jute carpets (xviii) ceramic tableware.

1.Agrlcultural and commercial activities-(i) Rice- The fourth largest producer of rice in SEA. It also exports rice. (ii)Maize- The country produces maize. (iii) Cotton- Cotton is produced in this country.(iv) Sugarcane -It is also produced at large here. (v) Jute -It is the second largest producer of jute.

2. Forests Products-

(i) Wood- It is famous for its good quality of teak wood, which is largely exported. Mahogany, Bamboo, Cincona bark, Sandal, Mango, Sal are the other forest products of SEA, which are exported.

3.Fisheries- 10 Fishes- It produces fishes in abundance.

4. Minerals and power resources-

(i) Tin- It is important for Tin. (ii) Iron ore- It is a producer of moderate quantity of iron ore. (iii) It is an important petroleum producer. (iv) There are many coal- fields in this country.

5. Manufacturing industries-(i) Paper industry- There are numbers of paper industries in this country. (ii) Sugar industry- It is also famous for its sugar industries. (To be concluded)

Sir,

Mr HS Shylla has won again. The Supreme Court has supported his views regarding marriages. It was just three months back that all NGOs wrote him off. Everyone was up in arms against him. But how were we to know at that point of time that the Supreme Court would give the same direction making the registration of marriage mandatory throughout the country just as HS Shylla was trying to make the same happen within his jurisdiction here in the Khasi Hills? Now it is our earnest hope that our Governor will not delay in giving his assent regardless of kind of pressure or protest from any political parties or NGOs.

Again, let us not forget the fact that all high decibel noises of these NGOs are all motivated. Why should we as Khasis even listen to these so-called "NGOs" who speak for us without our consent? When someone wants to do something good for our society, what harm is there if we just let him try and hope for the best because if something good comes out it will benefit out own Khasi society and even if he fails, we still have nothing to loss.

We were really shocked to see even some churches coming out and pointing fingers and putting a stop to the Bill introduced by Mr Shylla. Now, when the Church stands up against someone, that someone always becomes the 'sinner' in our ignorant society so it was not a religious crusade either for Mr Shylla. But with all due respect, may I request all these Churches, some of whom have been here preaching morality and goodness for the last hundred years, to let this Act come through to make the Khasi people practise a one-family life which comprises of one father, one mother and their own children.

We know that this Bill was introduced to strengthen the very fabrics of the society. Let us admit the fact that we can make our life more pleasant and the lives of our children more secure with a higher moral standard of living within a family they can call their own basking in the love of both their parents within the four-walls of their own home. Isn't that what we all wish to see?

Once the social problem is tackled by a simple law of marriage registration, then the moral responsibilities of all the religious organisations whose mission is to teach their flocks to walk in the righteous paths will fall in and can be accomplished very easily. Thus, this Bill which was introduced by Mr Shylla, is a Bill which is long overdue, but surprisingly, no CEM in the last fifty years had ever cared to realise that the district council is also duty-bound to safeguard the social security of the Khasi tribe. This Act will surely make each and everyone of us accountable for our own deeds- be it moral or immoral. Let us learn to live as members of the same Khasi society supporting one another in building a strong community without letting politics, religion, or any other NGO obstacles come in between us. Let us be proud of ourselves that we have in Mr Shylla a true Khasi statesman who has earned our respect and trust by his own accomplishments.

Yours etc,
Mrs Shisha Kharbuli
Via e-mail

Addressing a massive public rally here virtually launching the party's electioneering for the Assam Assembly polls due in couple of months, the BJP leader cautioned the Congress Governments both in Assam and at the Centre for continuing to ignore the alarming problem in order to protect its 'appease minority' policy keeping and eye on the minority vote bank in Assam.

The BJP president vowed to oppose inside out against the UPA Government's bid to bring about an 'Assam specific' amendment to the Foreigners Act putting the onus of the police to prove before the tribunal that a person was a foreigner. He termed it an attempt to appease minorities by the country ignoring the threat posed by the illegal migration from Bangladesh.BJP general secretary in charge of Assam affairs, Promod Mahajan while addressing the rally echoed his president in making statements on problem of infiltration from Bangladesh.

In reference to the amendment intended to the Foreigners Act, he wanted to know why there should be two sets of law - one for Assam and another for the rest of the country - for the same purpose of detection and deportation of illegal migrants.The BJP leaders flayed Congress-led UPA government's policy to have dialogue with militant outfits while the latter were still holding the gun citing examples of ULFA in Assam and Maoist militants from Andhra Pradesh.

"Such a policy to hold talks with ultras who are yet to shun violence is dangerous and has set bad precedence. The previous BJP-led NDA regime had decided to hold talks with Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) of Assam only after the latter had agreed to shun violence.

The peace talks led to Bodo Peace Accord and formation of Bodoland Autonomous District Council in the state," they said.The BJP President raised alarm over increased efforts by Christian missionaries to facilitate religious conversion especially people from backward communities in the country. `We welcome all welfare activities of missionaries but not their efforts for religious conversion. The country needs a suitable new Act to deal with religious conversion', he said.

NESO President Sammujjal Bhattacharyya and General Secretary N S N Lotha, in a statement here, took strong exception to the service of Aircel and alleged that the Aircel subscribers of the state were facing problem for the last two months due to frequent network failure. ''This is absolutely deceptive as the network congestion problem is being faced by only Aircel customers,'' the statement stated. (UNI)

Imphal: Seventeen civil society organisations of Manipur on Sunday condemned the killing of Ajit Mahanta and Dhaneswar Puma by security forces in Assam. The condemnations came during a joint meeting held at the head office of the All Manipur Students Union in Imphal.

A joint statement issued after the meeting, said the barbarous and heinous crime of the security forces on innocent citizens of Assam exposes the vicious nature of suppression of democracy in the North East and violation on rights to life and dignity of the people.

The statement said that Dhaneswar Puma of the Tiwa community and Ajit Mahanta of Kakopathar were picked up by security personnel on February 2 and February 5 respectively and mercilessly tortured and killed in custody by the security forces. Anata Neog was also killed by the Army at Makum.

The meeting also strongly condemned the indiscriminate police firing on the public rally protesting agaisnt the killing of Ajit Mahanta, Dhaneswar Puma on February 10 at Kakopathar and Makum town resulting in the death of fourteen civilians.The Governemnt of Assam should take moral responsibility for acting as cowardly agent of the Indian "colonial regime" and should be taught a severe lesson by the Assamese people.

The organisations which attended the meeting included United Peoples Front, Ethno Heritage Council, National Identity Protection Committee, Threatened Indigenous Peoples Society, Tami Chingmi, Nupi Samaj, Macha Leima, All Manipur Students Union,Democratic Students Alliance, Manipuri Students Federation, Manipur Forward Youth Front. (NNN)

New Delhi: Jnanpeeth award winning Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who has been mediating between the Centre and banned outfit ULFA, has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting the withdrawal of Army from Assam to help carry forward the ongoing peace process.

Goswami, a member of the ULFA-selected Peoples Consultative Group, which had two rounds of peace talks with the Government, including one with the Prime Minister, in her letter apprised Singh about the prevailing situation in Upper Assam where eight people were killed in police firing and one in alleged Army custody. "I humbly request you to kindly consider the removal of the security forces from the affected areas to ease the prevailing tension. I sincerely believe that such a step would help us to carry forward the peace process towards a positive end," Goswami said in her letter which she sent on Saturday. (PTI)

New Delhi: Weeks after assuring the Naga militant outfit NSCN(IM) of "new initiative" at the recently held talks in Bangkok, the Centre is "determined" to find a solution to the vexed issue within the tenure of the UPA Government.

"The Government is quite positive and determined to find a solution," Union Minister Oscar Fernandes who has been holding talks with NSCN (IM) said while replying to a question on whether a mutually acceptable solution could be found during the tenure of the UPA Government.

"I would not venture to say when we will be able to find a solution. But I will be bold enough to say that we will be able to find a solution," he told PTI here.

Refusing to share details about the "new initiatives", mentioned in the joint statement issued on Jan 31 after the the extended four-day dialogue with NSCN(IM) leadership in Bangkok, he said piecemeal action and reaction will not help in the contouring of the discussions.

"That is only we to know what are the new initiatives we are taking," he said.

Asked to comment on contentious issues from where the discussions are not moving forward, he said the continuation of dialogue shows that there are some progress in the talks. "I will not be able to get into the details. But the very fact that we have continued to talk shows that there is some progress," he said.

On whether Government will take up the issue of integration of Naga dominated areas, as demanded by the rebels, with state governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, Fernandes declined to comment saying "our purpose is to reach a solution, not to have hurdles in between." (PTI)

Kohima: The Nagaland Government on Sunday condemned NSCN(K)'s allegation that NSCN(IM) cadres had attacked their Athibung camp wearing Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) uniform.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) M V Chakhesang, in a statement here, said the NSCN(K) alleged that its Naga army mobile party was attacked by its rival faction in Athibung area in IRB uniform on February two last and that Nagaland Police had allowed the NSCN(IM) to use the uniform.

Terming the allegations as ''baseless and unfounded,'' Mr Chakhesang said, it was intended to malign the police and the Director General of Police. He clarified that the use of the IRB uniform was allowed only for Nagaland Police personnel.

Maintaining that the uniforms were bought through specific orders, the IGP said it could not be held responsible if unauthorised individuals got the same illegaly. (UNI)