The Karbi militant group had recently sent feelers to KHNAM general secretary Erwin K Syiem Sutnga expressing its interest to hold parleys with Khasi political leaders to bring an end to the current hostility between the two ethnic communities.

"We have received communications from the UPDS leadership that they want to hold talk on this issue and we will reciprocate their offer through our emissaries," Mr Sutnga told a press conference here on Monday, adding that he expected to get more details on the issue from the UPDS leaders on Wednesday.

In a letter to Mr Sutnga, the UPDS declared and "recognised" Khasi people living in the two Blocks as "the sons of the soil of Karbi Anglong". It also said that the political leaders of Karbi Anglong had neglected the Khasi community since the past several years.

"The UPDS appeals to the political leaders to realise their past narrow political thinking and to take into confidence the Khasi people in the process of building anew the social system in Karbi Anglong," the outfit's letter stated.

Further, the Karbi militant outfit said that the Khasis of Karbi Anglong "should be allowed to exercise their fundamental right in political system," emphasising on the need of giving representation to Khasis in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) by nominating one from the community as MDC.

The outfit also urged all the political leaders of both Karbi Anglong and Meghalaya to "refrain from politicising the issue of Blocks I and II for their narrow political gains".

Meanwhile, reacting to the talk offer from the UPDS on the issue of security of Khasi people in the two Blocks, Mr Sutnga termed it as the first step to peace. He said that his party would soon meet to appoint an official negotiator to hold direct talk with the UPDS on the issue of security of Khasi villagers in the two disputed Blocks.

"We will go forward and start the process of negotiation in order to pave the way for peace," he said, adding that the question of UPDS having two factions is an internal matter of the Karbi outfit. He maintained that the KHNAM is interested to start the talk process since the UPDS leadership itself had expressed willingness to discuss the issue.

Further, Mr Sutnga made it clear that his party had proposed that the UPDS should first stop all acts of intimidation, threats and extortion in Khasi villages under Blocks I and II and allow the rule of law to function. He also said that both sides should form a coordination committee to take up matters concerning, "understanding, and cooperation".

The KHNAM leader also said that his party wanted the UPDS to allow infrastructural development works in all villages both under Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and Meghalaya. He also proposed "free political activity of the KHNAM, KAPP and ASDC in the two Blocks".

SHILLONG: A taxi driver from Mawlai Umthlong was arrested on Monday for insulting a police personnel at Nongmynsong on January 25. According to the police, the taxi driver threw a summon slip after tearing it in front of the police personnel. The summon slip was given to the driver for violating traffic rules.

JOWAI: Several truck drivers among about a thousand people infuriated over extortion by police on the highways on Monday staged a road blockade for more than nine hours at 8th Mile in Jaintia Hills.

The incident occurred after two truck drivers -- Rispal Singh and Ratan Sing - taking ONGC's pipes to Agartala from Guwahati, were "robbed of Rs 10,000" by police personnel patrolling on national highway 44 at 8th Mile at around 5.40 am on Monday.

According to Rispal Singh, owner of both the trucks, police roughed up the duo when they refused to pay the money. Speaking to The Shillong Times, Rispal said that they blocked the road with their trucks because they had no money left to proceed further. They were supported by all the truck drivers besides hundreds of people of the area, creating a huge traffic jam on the highway.

It took several hours for the police to clear the road blockade. The truck drivers demanded H Nongpluh, Suprintendent of Police of Jowai, to give their money back and also to register a case against the erring cops.

The truck drivers withdrew the blockade only after the SP of Jowai agreed to pay back the "snatched" money and that disciplinary action would be taken against Sub-Inspector B Wansweth, who led the patrolling party with three others -- L Wanswett from Special Investigation Branch, constable K Suchiang, constable K Khongwir and constable T Meborn.

However, Mr Nongpluh said that the giving the money to the drivers did not necessarily prove the extortion charges. "The money was given only to disperse the angry crowd," he said. He said that a departmental inquiry would be ordered in this connection.

SHILLONG: A stretch of road, 12 km long, in the remote West Khasi Hills district of the State remains incomplete even though the construction started 37 years ago! 

The road under reference is at Mawpud village under the Langrin constituency, and is yet to see the light of the day in spite of repeated tall promises made by the politicians during successive elections.

The lack of responsibility on the part of the politicians, especially those who were elected from the rural areas, to work for the well-being of the common people, has raised questions about the future of the State. The recent loopholes can be seen with regard to the continuous delay in completing the construction of the 12-km stretch of road at Mawpud village.

Speaking to a group of reporters during their recent visit to this village, the Sordar of Mawpud village, Mr K Mawlei said that the initial construction of the road was started when Bakstar Wanniang, now no more, was the MLA in the year 1970.

"Since his time, the construction was stopped and no other MLA after him took interest in this matter, despite the promises every time the political leaders made before elections that the road will be completed," Mr Mawlei lamented.

He further said that the road might suffer serious damage, especially during monsoon season, because the bridge over the Kynsain river has not yet been completed.

"From time to time the people of Mawpud village and its adjoining villages had requested the contractors concerned to complete the construction of the bridge in time as it caused undue hardship to the people of this area," Mr Mawlei said. He said that the contractors concerned were yet to react to this request as the construction was still going on at a snail's pace.

SHILLONG: Chief Minister JD Rymbai will seek more plan allocation for this year during his meeting with the members of the Planning Commission in Delhi during March first week. Speaking to The Shillong Times on Monday, Mr Rymbai said that the State government was contemplating to ask for more fund allocation to the State in the annual plan.

In 2006, Meghalaya's annual plan was fixed at Rs 900 crore. However, for 2007, with the emphasis on Power, Education, and Agriculture as priority areas, the State has to seek additional funds from the Centre.

"I will meet the government officials in February to discuss in details about the fund allocation," Mr Rymbai said.

He said with Meghalaya declaring 2007 as the Year of the Farmer, the State government has to find out additional funds for the implementation of various programmes related to the Year of the Farmer. Other priorities are improvement in the field of power sector and education.

Moreover with the starting of the 11th five-year plan in April, the State government has to accelerate development to be at par with the rest of the States in terms of growth rate. On Garo Hills, Mr Rymbai said that the government was looking into the implementation of PWD schemes.

SHILLONG: A ritual with a difference was carried out on Monday by Mr and Mrs S Chaudhuri of Rilbong here. Unlike the run-of-the-mill rituals, this ritual was in honour of a dog belonging to the family, which has a tradition of loving and cherishing dogs as their own children.

It may be mentioned here that the dog under reference, a Dalmatian named Libi, died in the couple's residence in the wee hours of Saturday morning. On Monday, the family invited dog lovers, close friends, and relatives for a puja and lunch.

Libi, who was the second Dalmatian that the childless couple lost, was brought from Chandigarh in 1996. She was procured to provide companionship for another Dalmatian of the Chaudhuri family - Lobo, who was procured from Shillong in 1995. Lobo died in 2003.

Being childless, the family took care of the dogs as their own children.

"They were like our own children and we are pained over their loss," Mr S Chaudhuri said.

Libi lived for eleven years and the "love and affection that we got was unbelievable," he said.

Once we own a dog we have to face the fact that a dog's life is short compared to human beings. We have to be ready to face this eventuality before our own eyes, said the dog lover couple.

Mrs Chaudhuri added, "it is difficult to recover from this loss."

Monday's puja, a tribute to the departed dear one, saw the participation of dog lovers, close friends, and relatives at the couple's residence at Rilbong.

In 2002, a Dalmatian puppy issue named Eddie from Lobo and Libi was given to Cricketer Saurav Ganguly.

The childless family at present has a female Dalmatian, Livesy, a puppy they retained from the fifth litter of Lobo and Libi in 2002.

The couple is planning to procure one male Dalmatian puppy from Kolkata to give company to the female Dalmatian.

It is worth mentioning here that the Chaudhuri family also made a documentary based on their love for Lobo and Libi entitled Mother's Love.

Shillong: The Dorbar Shnong of Mawkynroh Umshing has clarified that a general meeting of the Dorbar Shnong held on March 13, 2004 had elected Mr Poland Sohphoh as its general secretary.

Reacting to news reports, which appeared in a section of the Press, the Rangbah Shnong said that the reported arrest of Mr Sohphoh from his residence on December 21 was "absolutely false and baseless," adding "the mention of his official designation as Assistant Superintendent Enforcement Wing of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Shillong is not at all connected as far as his responsibility to the Dorbar Shnong is concerned."

SHILLONG: The Central Executive Committee of KHNAM held here recently constituted the Central Election Committee (CEC) for screening and selection of candidates who would contest from the Party in the 2008 Assembly elections. The members of the newly constituted body are Mr Mebansan Lyndem (Chairman), Mr Embhah B Syiemlieh (Secretary) and three other members.

Meanwhile, the Annual Convention of the KHNAM Umroi Constituency Committee and KHNAM Ri Bhoi General Council will be held at Mawlasnai on Feb 2 from 9 am.

Shillong: The Mawkyrwat Sub-Divisional Officers' Welfare Association and Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation will organise a two-day beach festival at Ranikor on February 23 and 24. The two-day festival is aimed at promoting Ranikor as a tourist destination both within and outside the State. Activities like boat riding, trekking, kite flying swimming and performance by live band will be part of the festival. The main attraction of the festival will be camping along the river bank in huts and tents on the night of February 23. Spending the night in the open cool breeze along the river bank marked by music, dance and cultural programmes is expected to give a unique and soothing experience to the participants, the organisers said.

Let me tell you the antecedence of how Bollywood superhit film on Gandhigiri ---- Laage Raho Munnabhai got its name. It was originally titled Munnabhai meets Gandhi. The director of the film cursorily asked the chaiwala what he thought of it. Replied the chaiwala "Boss yeh Gandhi kaun hai?" It is not only the chaiwala, prior to Munnabhai made Gandhi fashionable, for many he was just the strange guy who won India its freedom, for Gen Next he was a mere chapter to mug in the history book, the kids linked him to a chutti and not a few are totally blank about him. And we call ourselves the land of Gandhi!

The tragedy of India is that it took a reel tapori Munnabhai and his sidekick Circuit to repackage Gandhi, reinvent his ideology and values as Gandhigiri and resell them to fellow Indians as the best thing that ever happened. Look how our netagan, who till yesterday ritually remembered Gandhi are today falling over themselves to be the first-past-the-post in everything Gandhian. The Congress which never tires of yelling that it has proprietial rights on the Father of the Nation has organized a two-day jamboree (29-30 January) on Gandhian philosophy in the 21st Century to commemorate 100 years of Satyagraha. Leaders from the world over will pontificate on Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment. Others too are not far behind.

Do they really mean it? Forget it. All riding the crest of popularity of Gandhigiri to reap a political harvest. Today, 30 January, (Gandhi's Martyrdom) at the crack of dawn a smattering of leaders led us to Rajghat---the Samadhi of freedom. With beatific smiles even as they inwardly cursed the time wasted. Respectfully offered flower petals. Folded their hands. Observed two minutes' silence. Caught the eyes of the TV cameras. Duty performed, they rushed back to their heavily securitised cars. Heading to their next destination. To go through the ritual again. The aam aadmi meanwhile patiently await their turn at Rajghat to pay their sincere homage. Opportunity comes only when the security barricades are removed.

Look around and one sees how far removed we are from Bapu's vision of India, post-Independence, his ideas of simple living and high thinking, his sense of right and wrong and his value system. If ahimsa, or call it soul force, cast a Mahatma's halo around him universally, himsa has become the universal truth for our society. Wherein Gandhi's teachings have been reduced to mere straws that fly about in the election wind, courtesy our parochial leaders. Pious platitudes and inane speeches to paint a halo round their heads. The fire and zeal across the nation to come out in response to Gandhi's "do-or-die" slogan died an early death. Replaced by a rent-a-crowed brought by chartered buses to election rallies. Might is right, after all.

In our days of slavery, we had come to believe that independence was the panacea for all ills--- social, economic and political. For that we paid the supreme price of India's partition. But we have not yet learnt that the three Cs (crime, corruption and communalism) can be highly damaging for unity even if it gets one the vote banks. If the widening communal divide mirrors the deep crevices in national consensus and our secular image, the depredations of criminals and mafia dons provide proof that our social polity is now gripped by cancerous tentacles. What has been left in its wake are moral degradation and decadence. And the game goes on.

And, what should one say about India's credentials. Which have been dissected, butchered and roasted to suit political convenience and tactics. Unfortunately, the secularism advocated by the founding fathers has got greatly diluted to mere "ism" and slogans. Carrying it to such absurd limits that the singing of the melodious national song Vande Mataram turned behsura in the hands of our political drumbeaters. Recall, when the Government passed an order making its singing in schools compulsory, the Muslims clerics opposed it on the ground that it was anti-Islamic. Clearly, a day is not far when Mahatma Gandhi's call for Ram Rajya will be dissected and debunked as the outpourings of a rabid Hindu fundamentalist. This is the secular reality of India's "420 secularism".

With elections to three State Assemblies around the corner see how populist promises are being doled out in the fervent belief that it will bring in the votes. Minority appeasement is the latest vote-catcher now rechristened as "humanism". Asserted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, "A commitment to equity is not appeasement. It is a mark of one's commitment to humanism." (Sic) He was speaking at a function to commemorate Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Arguably, what about equality for all? Are doles, jobs, subsidies now going to be given according to our surname and the religion we practice? What about enforcing humanism to the vast majority of poor for whom roti exists only in the neon lights of Mcdonalds. Who should they turn to for succor? Where should they go?

Bringing things to such a ludicrous pass that Gandhi seems an alien from a different planet. Pointedly brought home by an Gandhian: "Gandhi was considered a saint, Rajghat is more about spirituality and Indians today are more bothered about survival". Why do people find it difficult to relate to Gandhi or follow "Gandhigiri"? Bluntly because Gandhi was a person too good and saintly to be true, a living God. He practiced what he preached. While we are mere mortals who revel in preaching only, with all our weakness, foibles, complex et al.

Could one imagine the Father of the Nation manipulating the system to achieve his goals? Grooming one of his sons as his heir apparent. Never. Its just that the people are not ready to take on his perpetrators wholeheartedly. Why? One, because we have tended to become immoral, unethical and even corrupt ourselves. As long as we get what we want, who cares a damn for others. Two, with abject poverty around, who has time for Gandhi. The struggle for roti, kapada aur makan is what matters. Besides, it is so easy to be complacent than retaliate. Gripped as we are in the tentacles of ki pharak painda hai (what difference does it make) attitude.

Where are the Gandhian leaders. Genuine leaders of the people and genuinely from the people. "Let them not arrogate to themselves greater knowledge than those who have unrivalled experience but do not happen to occupy their chair," said Gandhi. Today, it is a kissa kursi ka and paisa pakro gaddi rakho every day. Politicians are only for themselves. Good governance be damned. Political survival alone matters. Their hierarchy of status gauged by the gun-totting commandos surrounding them. Funny isn't it that our leaders need strong protection from the aam aadmi they are supposed to represent and serve.

Look at the irony. Today, the Supreme Court is adjudicating on what defines political morality. Given that for the first time in history, a Union Cabinet Minister is behind bars for allegedly murdering his private secretary, another forced to resign in the Volcker-probed oil-for-food scam and five tainted Ministers adorn the Treasury Benches in Parliament. What to say of the innumerable criminal netas who strut around the corridors of power in their 'bullet-proof' jacket of MLA and MP-ship.

But such is the nasha of power that our netagan distressingly justify their wrong by asserting that the law will take its own course. But what they leave unsaid is more important than what they say. To hell with the rule of law, we are above the law and will rule by law. Rules will be changed and the Constitution amended if it does not suit them. See how they amended the Office of Profit Bill to save 44 MPs, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi, from being disqualified for holding offices of profit. Never mind that it went wholly against the spirit of the Constitution, turned Article 102 on its head and subverted the legal and parliamentary system.

Gandhi's whole life was devoted to a search for truth. "I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be shuttered. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about freely. I refuse to be blown off my feet by any. Mine is not a religion of the prison house. It has room for the least of God's creations. But it is proof against insolent pride of race, religion or colour," he said in his autobiography "Experiments with Truth". His life was his message. Like the three monkeys on his desk--- each with its own message. Speak no evil, hear no evil, and see no evil. Today apes and parrots have replaced the monkeys. They speak no truth, hear no truth and see no truth.

Bapu had said, "Ministers should not live as 'sahib log' or use private work facilities provided by the Government for official duties." Nothing could be farther from the truth today. Yesterday's princes have been replaced by Ministers, and MPs, who see themselves as winners. For there are no rules of the game. You make your own rules. The doctors of all trades. Experts in doctoring facts. At various election rallies, our netagan emphasis a return to Gandhian values. "Our life styles must change. Vulgar, conspicuous consumption must go. Simplicity, efficiency and commitment to national goals hold the key to self reliance!" Welcome brave words which taunt the five star culture reality of today.

In the final analysis what should one say of a polity that swears in the name of Mahatma Gandhi but doesn't heed him. "Today I am your leader but tomorrow you may have to put me behind the bars because I will criticize you, if you do not bring about Ramrajya," he said. We did not put him behind bars. Instead, we murdered him--- and continue to do so daily. Our experiments with untruth! ---- INFA

The Assembly polls next month in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur are crucial for all and more so for the Sonia Congress, presently ruling the three States. The party is fighting two major handicaps: anti-incumbency and intense infighting in the State units over ticket distribution. Ticket-seekers are up in arms against ticket-distributors. Punjab is worse hit. The Amarinder Singh-led Government, which is fighting a tough battle against a resurgent Akali Dal (Badal) in alliance with the BJP, is facing protests and alienation by those denied party nominations. Allegations of denial of tickets to some long-time party workers even forced the High Command to re-consider the list and make some changes. Despite this, resentment continues among the party workers.

Some State Congress leaders and workers have even come out publicly against the Amarinder Singh Government to state that not enough has been done for development during its first four years in office. The critics of the Government in the party however concede that the Chief Minister has tried to make up for the lapse during the last one year and enabled the Congress to retrieve the lost ground. Amarinder Singh, on his part, has claimed that the Congress was "very sure of winning atleast 70 seats in the 117-member Assembly." The party's task has been made easier on two counts. First, Uma Bhart is fielding her candidates in all the constituencies which the BJP is fighting. Second, Mayawati's BSP has failed to consolidate its Dalit votes in Punjab, following Kanshi Ram's death. Meanwhile, the Congress has drawn up hectic election campaign schedules ahead of the February 13 Assembly poll.

Infighting in the State Congress over the ticket distribution for the Assembly poll in Uttarakhand on February 21 has affected the prospects of the Congress retaining power in the hill State. A major problem has been created by some 300 "lal batti wallah" State leaders with flashing red sirens on their "official" cars and holding ranks equivalent to Ministers of State or heads of various State Boards and Corporations. The Congress' return to power is also threatened by intense factional fight between Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari and State chief Harish Rawat. All the "lal-batti-wallahs denied tickets are expected to further spoil the party's chances. Added to this is N.D. Tiwari's decision not to contest the election. His absence from the scene may cost the Congress a large part of the Brahmin votes in the Kumaon region. The support of K.C. Pant and his wife is already with the BJP.

Even as the main Opposition parties in U.P., the BJP, BSP and the Congress, have stepped up their offensive against the Mulayam Singh Government, the Chief Minister is making stout efforts to gain popularity and retain power. Hitherto identified with the epithet of "Maulana", he has now tried to don a new hat, that of a "Mahant". He took a dip in the Ganga at the Sangam during the Ardh Kumbh last week and paid an obeisance to the saints. The latter, showered blessings on the Chief Minister and wished him another full term on U.P.'s throne. They even called him "mahant and protector" of the saints and sadhus. At the same time, Mulayam Singh has been using every opportunity to appease the Muslims. A day after the Union Minority Affairs Minister, A.R. Antulay blamed his own Congress for the plight of the Muslims at a convention in Aligarh, Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party pounced on the statement to accuse the Congress of anti-Muslim bias.

Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has generated a lot of goodwill and hope for a great future for the State's development at a three-day "Global Meet for a Resurgent Bihar" at Patna last week. The meet was at once successful and holds out promise for the future. The Chief Minister claimed in the presence of a large number of NRIs: "Now the people are working. They are not making excuses. On the law and order front, fear has disappeared." This has created an atmosphere for investment in the State by the NRIs and the multi-national companies, some of which were represented at the global meet. Bihar has a significant and flourishing non-resident community in the US, UK, Mauritius and the Caribbean. From this point of view, the Global Meet marks a new beginning for the State under the youthful leadership of Nitish Kumar.

Politics in Gujarat hots up, thanks to Narendra Modi and his Government's achievements on the development front. Modi's determined efforts led to the completion of the prolonged and controversial Sardar Sarovar Narmada project, which was dedicated to the Nation last week. It will generate 1450 MW power and would provide massive irrigation facilities to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. This achievement of the Hindu icon Modi and the BJP has led the Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi to visit the State and fire her first salvo for the Assembly poll later in the year. She addressed a massive rally at Devgadhbaria (Dahod) last week, targeting the tribals and their 26 reserved seats in the Assembly and 20 other constituencies which they dominate. Emboldened by the success of the rally, Sonia Gandhi is now planning three other rallies across the State in the next few weeks.

As many as 19 States, except those ruled by the Left parties in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, have agreed to the provisions of the proposed Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority Bill (PFRDA). In fact, most of them, including those ruled by the BJP, are getting impatient to get the Bill passed quickly. Rajasthan's Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje even gave an ultimatum to the Centre at a meeting in New Delhi on Monday, that if the Centre was unable to have a legislation on pension reforms before March 31 this year, the State would enact its own law. Prime Minister Manmohan has, however, advised the Chief Ministers to look at the other dimension of the pension reforms---the unavailability of pension instruments for the common man at large. One major objective of the PFRDA Bill is to put in place the delivery mechanism for various pension schemes.

Politics prevails over economics. This is the message coming once more from Maharashtra. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has missed the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting at Davos from January 24 to 28 because of the civic elections in the State and more especially the Bombay Municipal Corporation poll on February 1. Maharashtra was the only State this year to be invited to the WEF meet. The Chief Minister's last-minute withdrawal is all the more unfortunate as the State had waited 12 years to get a call from the WEF. (INFA)

Sir,

What game the Meghalaya Congress is playing beyond anybody's understanding. For a layman like us, it seems that the MPCC president has no voice, no decision and no policy of his own. He has become only a rubber stamp of the AICC. If AICC is to announce the 'secret ballot' result, then what is the point of having the MPCC president. Surprisingly, Mr OL Nongtdu blamed media persons for the prevailing crisis in CLP. Reasons best known to him. The question is, has Mr Nongtdu proved himself to be an able leader? If he is really an able leader, why has he failed in all respects to control his partymen, who are raising leadership issue time and again, be it in District Council or in the State Legislature. Therefore, a leader like him should step down.

As the president of the Party he should concentrate and spend more time in bringing unity among the Congressmen, to work for overall development of the State rather than wasting time critizing the media.

Last but not the least, refer to the news items "Rymbai, Lapang summoned" (ST, Jan 22) and " No time for Sonia to meet Rymbai, Lapang" (ST, Jan 23), if this is the case, where does the State of Meghalaya stand? It shows that the AICC is least bothered about the State of Meghalaya.

Yours etc.,
Cecilia Rani.
Shillong-4

Sir,

Till some years back Shillongites boasted a lot for their men and machinery who could enlighten their life with uninterrupted power supply as no other capitals could match the feat. But of late it seems that MeSEB has leveled its counterparts only to be on the negative end of the performance scale.

Inadequate power production and load-shedding could be well understand to be synonymous. But there is a feeling that the next few months are crucial for the student fraternity. Load-shedding does not at all hampers the students concerned at day hours but it will be great if the night shift is spared for there are a great proportion of kids who are night birds and who value the late hours a lot.

My agony may reflect a personal emotion but it bears no grudge. I'm optimistic that the problem will be addressed by the authorities concerned as there are just few nights left for the examinations.

Yours etc.,
Shyam Kumar Singha
Shillong-4

Agartala: Shillong will host a high-level meeting of Department of Telecommunication (DOT) to chalk out a detailed plan for overall development of telecommunication sector in North Eastern states.

All Chief Secretaries of NE states were invited to help DOT authorities in formulating ambitious plan for the region that has not achieve significant improvement in the field of Information Technology (IT). The Secretary of DOT along with top officials of three telecom circles of BSNL in NE states will be also present in the meeting, said Chief General Manager (NE-I) AK Gupta at a press conference here on Monday.

Gupta, who is on a two-day visit to review the progress of the development of BSNL in Tripura, also said the DOT has announced that the 2007 will be the year of NE - to give further boost to IT sector in the region.

"That means lot of developments will be made in the region during the year," he informed adding that the meeting

The overall teledensity in the region stands at six per cent, well below the national figure of 15 per cent. Revealing the future plan, he said 27 new base stations will be set up in Tripura to increase the connections.

The BSNL will be adding 75000 lines by introducing 168 BTS and efforts will be made to reach BSNL mobile service to all villages with population 1000 and above", CGM said.

Similarly, plans have been drawn to improve WLL and land line services as well broadband service in the State, he added.

IANS adds: Public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has closed down a telecommunication station along Tripura's border with Bangladesh as mobile networks were aiding militants and smugglers.

"Recently Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials had visited the border areas of Tripura to examine the mobile signals and asked to block both the Indian and Bangladeshi mobile signals along the 10 km border," Gupta said.

He said the Central Home Ministry had asked them to close down one of their stations at Mohanpur in West Tripura to prevent mobile signals from across the border.

"We are helpless, it is not possible for us to block the Bangladeshi mobile signals as the mechanism is not available with us," Gupta pointed out.

Signals of various Bangladeshi mobile networks, including GrameenPhone, are available deep in bordering areas in Tripura.

"The Union Home and Defence Ministries are not allowing BSNL to set up BTS (Base Terminal Stations) within 10 km of the international border," he said. "The only exception is in the case of Agartala, where the BTS were allowed due to public and political pressure."

Agartala is just two kilometres from the international border with Bangladesh.

According to Gupta, only 11 of the State's 40 block areas were given mobile network facilities, as the Indian Government is not allowing the services in the remaining blocks owing to their proximity to the international border.

Guwahati: A dozen Myanmarese soldiers and three militants died in fresh fighting when Myanmar launched a massive military crackdown to evict anti-India guerrillas from its soil, a rebel leader said here on Monday.

A spokesman of the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) said Myanmar's military junta had burnt down the outfit's general headquarters and two other camps in that country's northern Sagaing Division.

"Heavy fighting is going on with a brigade (3,000 personnel) of the Myanmarese Army with mortars and rocket launchers in a massive assault on our cadres since the weekend," AZ Jami, a senior NSCN-K leader, told IANS by telephone.

The NSCN(K), fighting for an independent homeland for the Naga tribe of Nagaland, has at least 50 camps with 5,000 guerrilla fighters entrenched in fortified bunkers in the Sagaing Division.

"We have lost three of our cadres and as many wounded in the attacks. In retaliatory strikes, our boys killed more than 12 Myanmarese soldiers and injured many more," the rebel leader said.

"About 60 of our cadres who were at the general headquarters during the raid managed to flee," he added.

Myanmar's offensive comes a week after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Yangon and sought the country's help in cracking down on rebels from troubled North East who are seeking refuge across the border.

"The offensive by the military junta has the backing of the Indian government with most of the weapons used in the operation supplied by New Delhi," another rebel leader said.

Mukherjee's visit came after reports from Indian security officials that hundreds of rebels from Asom have fled to Myanmar since New Delhi launched a military operation against the guerrillas earlier this month.

The Asom Government blamed rebels from the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for a recent wave of violence in the state that killed 86 people, 61 of them Hindi-speaking migrant workers. There has been no immediate confirmation of the military offensive from Myanmar. (IANS)

Imphal: Electioneering for the ninth Assembly poll in Manipur was picking up, so also election-related crimes. Election would be held in three phases on February 8, 14 and 23 next. Police said one death in election-related incident had been reported so far.

One Y Gopen of Lamsang was shot dead by the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) ulras and a house of a relative of a candidate was burnt on January 26 at Leimapokpam of Bishenpur district.

The Joint Action Committee, formed against the killing of Gopen, said it was wrong for the PREPAK to kill Gopen and demanded action against those involved. The JAC would start a stir if actions were not taken on the matter by the Government, it said.

Several organisations had asked the PREPAK to clarify the reason behind the killing one M Bharatngamba of Imphal on January seven last by suspected PREPAK cadres.

Meanwhile, political parties were fanning out to the nook and crany of the State to woo the electorate. Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar and Handique were campaigning in the State.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party President Sonia Gandhi might also campaign in the State. Secretary Bopana said the Congress had fielded candidates in all the 60 Assembly constituencies and was expecting absolute majority.

Congress observers and Central leaders will be stationed in the State until the elections were over. (UNI)

Guwahati: The disabled people in Arunachal Pradesh are all set to take the political plunge in the next Assembly polls after being deprived of their rights repeatedly by the State Government.

Tami Tamiang, an Arunachal-based activist for people with disabilities, said the disabled people were planning to put up candidates for all the Assembly constituencies of the State for the next elections in Arunachal Pradesh in 2009.

Speaking at the North East level regional workshop on 'Disability and Law: Issues and Challenges' here, organised by the Disability Law Unit-NE, he said ''unless there are people with disabilities at the top decision making positions, whether it be the political front or the bureaucracy, the disabled people cannot hope to get their demands fulfilled.''

Another disabled people's rights activist of the State Sunil Mao, speaking on the condition of the disabled people said, the State had formed the committees after the act for the people with disabilities was passed by the Parliament. But the State Coordination Committee had met only once since it was constituted 10 years back, while the executive committee never sat since its formation.

He further said the State Government started the process of identifying jobs for the disabled in 2006 only after a Court ruling directed it to do so. Mr Mao blamed insensitive attitude of the Government, lack of coordination among the different agencies and Government bodies and lack of resources for the disabled people being deprived even after an act of Parliament ensures them of equal rights. (UNI)