GUWAHATI, January 17: Train services between Assam and other parts of the country came to a grinding halt with thousands of supporters of the All Bodo Students Union-Bodoland People’s Action Committee (ABSU-BPAC) combine resorting to picketing on railway tracks at different parts of lower Assam on Monday, demanding the creation of a separate state of Bodoland. Road traffic along the national highway in Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts was also disrupted as the picketeers came out in large numbers and blocked the route at various locations in response to a 24-hour rail and national highway blockade programme which began at 6 A.M. on Monday morning. Police arrested several Bodo leaders including Kokrajhar MP Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmutiary, ABSU president Urkhao Gwra Brahma and BPAC chairman Reo Rewa Narzary for picketing on railway tracks at Kokrajhar railway station. The two BSMC MLAs - Promila Rani Brahma and Hemendra Nath Brahma - were also arrested along with other picketeers. They were, however, released later. The NF railway authorities rescheduled several long distance trains while buses and trucks, though in very small numbers, were being escorted by security forces. Speaking to The Northeast Daily, the ABSU president termed the arrest of the peaceful picketeers as " unwarranted and provocative". He said that Monday's stir was a warning to the Union government that it would be forced to announce a long-drawn agitation programmes very soon if the government does not change its stand on the Bodoland issue. Brahma said that the next agitation programmes would be announced after a discussion with the leadership of the Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF) scheduled to be held at Kokrajhar. "We will launch a vigorous agitation by uniting all Bodo groups on a single platform to achieve our common goal of a separate Bodoland state," he added. The PDF has already announced that it was joining hands with the ABSU and other Bodo groups for launching a united statehood movement. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 17: In one way, Meghalaya chief minister BB Lyngdoh faces a similar situation as the Vatican leader Pope John Paul II does: the problem of succession to an ageing leadership. The issue of succession to the ailing Pope, 79, has been a matter of intense speculation among one billion Roman Catholics for quite some time now. The same thing is happening to forgetful, septuagenarian Brington Buhai. The similarity between the two, of course, just ends there. Lyngdoh hates a speculative press, especially when it relates to his leadership. Recently, he almost shooed away a journalist who asked him if he was considering to step down, as some of his party colleagues were pressing for it. "Who are they? Show me the men, please?" the chief minister snapped at the scribe. "We are doing well now. We have a coalition government that is doing so well," Lyngdoh claimed. However, this all 'feel-good' attitude of the chief minister is not shared by many of his colleagues which, of course, the little old man does not like to acknowledge. Nobody openly challenged his leadership, but his party colleagues and other members in the coalition often discussed the issue in private and shared their opinion with the media pleading anonymity. Lyngdoh dismissed this (demand for the change of leadership) as "wishful thinking of creating trouble." He advised the press to "write positively" about what the state government was doing and "not wasting time" on what others were talking about his leadership. But then, what made him to look for a deputy once again, if the coalition was running smoothly under his leadership? Was he under pressure to induct an acting chief minister or a deputy? Even during the previous Congress-United Democratic Party coalition which Lyngdoh headed, the omnipresent role of the deputy chief minister, DD Lapang, in running the government stirred a similar thinking especially in the UDP rank and file. But Lyngdoh was enjoying his 'father figure' status in the coalition, allowing his deputy, a Congress leader, to run the show much to the chagrin of the UDP. However, the 'Purno factor' abruptly shook him off this sweet somnolence. BB Lyngdoh has outlived his political career, many would say. Both the age and health are failing him. When he was younger and could push his way through, Lyngdoh was alleged to be a great manipulator responsible for making and unmaking many a governments. Notwithstanding this public perception, Lyngdoh as a leader in early eighties took, among others, two bold and important policy decisions – which could, if implemented earnestly, set out the state on a faster track of economic development. The first step he took was the amendment to the Land Transfer Act, facilitating investment on public enterprise by making land available for public good. The second initiative was about cadestral survey for better land management and its use in the development planning process. Both the positive initiatives met with strong political opposition, representing various 'vested interest' groups, especially in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. While the cadestral survey was almost completed in the Garo Hills, work in the Khasi Hills remained disrupted due to either non-cooperation of people or narrow political reasons. On several occasions, official surveyors were chased away by the villagers. And Lyngdoh had to submit to political compulsions. The problem of governance has been a bane in Meghalaya, which can be attributed to the state's inability to produce successive leadership. The archaic question of 'after Captain Sangma, who?' never found a satisfactory answer. All the senior leaders after late Sangma, served as a chief minister 'on deputation'. It's quite a mystery how Salseng C Marak, a gentle, soft-spoken man but unassuming as a leader, could manage to run the government for a full five-year term! The leadership issue has once again come to the fore, with UDP president EK Mawlong positioning himself as the deputy, and subsequently, the successor to Lyngdoh. But the moot question is, will the little master be ready to pass on the crown to Mawlong ? (Sanat Kumar Chakraborty; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 17: Filing of nominations to 28 assembly constituencies in Manipur began on Monday with issue of notification by governor Marwah. Nomination papers from prospective candidates for the 28 seats, spread across the outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency, would be accepted till January 24, chief electoral officer D S Poonia said. He said in view of the disturbed situation in the state an additional 11 officers had been designated as assistant returning officers for nine assembly constituencies for hill districts to accept nominations papers. Poonia said that another notification would be issued on January 27 for the remaining 32 assembly segments. Polling in two phase will be held on February 12 and 22, he said. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samata Party and Janata Dal (United) in Manipur have snapped ties with the Manipur State Congress for the coming assembly polls. BJP national secretary, P B Acharya announced here on Monday that the three parties along with the Kuki National Association had formed the Manipur Democratic Alliance which would contest all the 50 seats, talks were on with Nationalist Congress Party for adjustment of seats, he added. Former chief minister, R K Dorendra Singh will be the chairman of Manipur Democratic Alliance who is also the chief of election campaign of BJP. After hectic discussion for the last few days BJP was constraint to snap ties with MSCP and said all non-Congress and non-Communist parties were welcome to join the new front. R K Dorendra Singh asked the Chaoba Singh who is a minister of state in Vajpayee government to resign owning moral grand or to join Manipur Democratic Alliance. (United News of India; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 18: The ruling Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) has suffered a major setback prior to the assembly elections in February following the resignation of senior Kuki leader Chungkhokai Doungel from the primary membership of the MSCP, party sources said on Tuesday. Sources said Doungel, deputy chairman of the state Planning Board, quit the party on Monday along with his supporters. He did not give any reason for leaving the party. Sources said MSCP president and chief minister, W Nipamacha Singh had accepted the resignation of Doungel. Doungel had expressed displeasure with the MSCP leadership for not taking steps to declare the Sadar hills area into a full-fledged revenue district, a long-standing demand of the Kuki leaders of MSCP, sources said. Sources said most of the Kuki members of the MSCP were not happy with the ruling party because it had failed to fulfil the demand of the Kuki community by not declaring the Sadar hills area into a revenue district. Several MSCP leaders including former MLAs, R V Minthing, S Brajagopal Sharma, N Komol and Md Allauddin had some days ago left the party as they were not likely to get party tickets for the coming assembly elections. Meanwhile, Kuki Students' Organisation has decided to boycott functions connection with the ruling MSCP because the latter had failed to fulfil the demand of conversion of Sadar hills into a full fledged revenue district, a press release said. (Press Trust of India; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 18, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 18: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) , Samata Party and Janata Dal (United) in Manipur have snapped ties with the Manipur State Congress Party for the coming assembly polls. BJP national secretary PB Acharya announced here on Monday that the three parties along with the Kuki National Association had formed the Manipur Democratic Alliance which would contest all the 60 seats. Talks were on with Nationalist Congress Party for adjustment of seats, he added. Former chief minister RK Dorendra Singh will be the chairman of Manipur Democratic Alliance, who is also the chief of election campaign of BJP. After hectic discussions for the last few days, BJP was constrained to snap ties with MSCP and said all non-Congress and non-Communist parties were welcome to join the new front. RK Dorendra Singh asked T Chouba Singh who is a minister of state in Vajpayee government to resign owning moral ground or to join Manipur Democratic Alliance. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 19, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 19: The All India Congress Committee has appointed Congress Legislature Party deputy leader Birajit Sinha, as the chairman of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Steering Committee. Congress sources told newsmen here today that AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandez, in a fax message informed this to Sinha, also the chairman of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Sevadal. Sinha replaced Gopal Roy, who had earlier resigned from the president's post. Many Congress leaders, including Opposition leader and former chief minister Samir Ranjan Barman congratulated Sinha on his appointment. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 20, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 20: The ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has on Thursday denied media reports that the party had split with a large section of its workers revolting against the party leadership. AGP spokesman Moidul Islam Bora said here on Thursday that the party workers still reposed faith in their leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Only a very "negligible" section of the workers were a disgruntled lot, alleged Bora. Asserting the rebels' leader, former public works department minister Atul Bora, was suspended from the party for his anti-party activities, the spokesman said, his rebellion would have no consequence on the unity and integrity of AGP. Meanwhile, Atul Bora, former speaker Pulakesh Barua and AGP think-tank Krishna Gopal Bhattacharya on Wednesday opened an office of their proposed new outfit - Trinamool Gana Parishad here. Speaking to reporters here at the inaugural ceremony, the rebel leaders criticised the AGP leadership of being "out of track" and said they would take their supporters opinion on February eight next for forming a new party. They accused the AGP under the leadership of Mahanta of having distanced himself from the people which was reflected in the last two consecutive Lok Sabha elections when the party drew a blank both times. The AGP had earlier split in 1990 when the breakaway faction under the leadership of former home minister Bhrigu Kumar Phukan and Pulakesh Barua formed the Natun Asom Gana Parishad (NAGP). The two factions, however, reunited a year later. (Press Trust of India; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 21, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 20: The Karbi Students' Union has warned that it would launch an agitation soon if their demand for an autonomous state comprising the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills was not met soon. The recently concluded 24th general convention of the students body at Sarihajan in Golaghat district decided to launch a mass movement to press for the demand for an autonomous state as per the provision of the Constitution, KSU president Kamal Rongpi and central secretary Longsing Tokbi said in a release on Thursday. Delay, by both the central and state government in granting autonomy to the Karbi people, had frustrated a section of Karbi youths who were taking up arms, they said. The leaders pointed out that they would not support armed struggle and begin a vigorous mass campaign to mobilise the common people against militancy. The leaders also alleged that the state government had not taken any step to check militant activities by outfits like Karbi National Volunteers, Karbi Peoples' Front and National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills. (The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 21, 2000)

HAFLONG, January 20: A new political party, Hills Democratic Party, headed by Suraj Naiding as its president and Suonmang Changsen as general secretary was formed recently. The main aim of the newly formed party is to fight democratically for North Cachar Hills’ Autonomous Statehood and for immediate enhancement of the ratio for North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, out of the Hill Areas budget. A press release of the newly formed party revealed that, after implementation of the MoU (memorandum of understanding) along with abolition of common outlay budget for NC Hills and Karbi Anglong districts, the already financial crisis in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council had been further aggravated as the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is getting the lion’s share of Hill areas budget on the basis of 70:30 ratio while the strength of staff in all departments in both the districts it equal. The president of the newly formed political party Naiding who, till recently was a powerful member of the NC Hills ASDC and also an executive member of the ASDC ruled NC Hills Autonomous Council, was sacked by the ruling ASDC of North Cachar Hills. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 21, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 20: Senior Congress leader Naorem Tombi Singh has resigned from the party in protest against the party decision not to field candidate from Langthabal assembly constituency, party sources said today. Singh said in a statement here that he, along with his supporters, would join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and contest the forthcoming assembly elections from the Langthabal constituency on a NCP ticket. Five-party Secular Democratic Front (SDF) of which Congress is a constituent had earlier announced that it would field a common candidate from Manipur People’s Party in the Langthabal constituency. Singh, a former director of veterinary department, said Congress had "weakened" its stand by not fielding its candidate in the prestigious constituency where state assembly speaker Karam Babhudon Singh and MPP president Okram Joy Singh would try their luck. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 22, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 21: Tripura observed its 29th statehood-day on Friday with various functions and programmes all over the state. Tripura attained the status of a full-fledged state on this day along with Manipur and Meghalaya. The erstwhile princely kingdom merged with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949. Initially a part ‘C’ State, it became a centrally administered territory with the re-organisation of states in 1956. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 22, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 22: Ruling Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) and opposition Congress yesterday announced the lists of candidates for the February 12 first phase polls for the state Assembly. The state Congress unit president O Ibobi Singh, who released the list of candidates, said the party would contest all the 28 assembly seats in the first phase elections. Out of the 28, eight Congress nominees would be common candidates of Secular Democratic Front (SDF) of which the party is a constituent, Singh said. Former chief minister Rishang Keishing (Phungyar), former ministers T Devendra Singh (Jiribam), AS Arthur (Ukhrul), Jonathan (Karong), Thohrii (Mao), Daisin Panmei (Tamenglong), former advisor to chief minister Geikhangam (Nungba), former medical minister Chaltonlien Amo (Tipaimukh) and former state unit president, Phungzathang Tonsing (Churchandpur), would be SDF common candidates, he said. In the remaining 20 assembly constituencies, Congress and its other SDF partners — Manipur People’s Party, CPI, Janata Dal (Secular) and Revolutionary Party — would witness ‘friendly contest.’ (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 23, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 27: The Centre has directed the Assam government to hold Panchayat elections in the state before April this year and has warned that grants to local bodies under the Tenth Finance Commission (TFC) would not be released if the state failed to comply with its directive. Local body elections in Assam were due in 1997. In its Agenda report, that was discussed at the just concluded Shillong conference of the Prime Minister with the north eastern chief ministers, the ministry of home affairs has stated that Assam has not held the Panchayat polls despite "requests on several occasions to take steps to hold elections." The home ministry note says: "Despite clearance by the MHA as regards security aspects, the state (Assam) government has not indicated what steps it has taken and also about matching contributions etc." Local body grant for 1996-97 has been released to all the states without any condition but it was decided to make further releases on the basis of the state governments complying with the requirements such as conduct of local body elections, providing matching contributions etc. Among other states, grants have not been released to Assam due to non-compliance of the said requirements. Grants to local bodies in Assam under the Tenth Finance Commission for 1996-97 was Rs 3,689 lakh. The entire amount was released. In 1997-98, too, the grant for Assam was Rs 3,689 crore. But, due to non-compliance of the centre's conditions, Assam could avail of only Rs 922.22 lakh. Sadly enough, during 1998-99, no money has been released for local bodies in Assam under the Tenth Finance Commission. The reason: non-compliance of such a basic requirement as holding election to the Panchayat bodies. (Special Correspondent; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 28, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 27: Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Wednesday inaugurated the newly created Gohpur sub-division. Addressing a gathering on this occasion the chief minister said that the newly created sub-division would not only help in fulfilling peoples' hopes and aspirations but also bridge the gap between the states' administration and its people. He sought peoples' co-operation for the speedy development of the sub-division. The new sub-division comprises four mouzas – Gohpur, Kolongpar, Brahmajan and Helem. The speaker of the Assam Legislative assembly Ganesh Kutum in his presidential address expressed satisfaction and thanked the chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and the state government. He reiterated that with the creation of the sub-division the long cherished hopes and aspiration of the people of Gohpur have been fulfilled. Kutum said that he would continue his endeavour to establish Kanaklata recognition at the national level and also requested the government to set up a statue of the martyr at New Delhi. Earlier the chief minister inaugurated a twin bronze statue of martyr Kanaklata and Mukunda Kakoti at Borpukhuripar. The chief minister also inaugurated a road in the name of Kanaklata along with an old statue which had been shifted from the previous place and reinstalled at Borongabari. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; January 28, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 27: Three political fronts will be the main contenders in the two-phase Manipur assembly elections on February 12 and 22, party sources said on Tuesday. Sources said various political parties had formed different political fronts but most of the constituents would witness ‘friendly contests’ in several assembly segments. The five-party Secular Democratic Front (SDF) of Manipur People’s Party (MPP), Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Janata Dal (Secular) have agreed to field common candidates in 24 of the 60 assembly segments, sources said. However, in the rest of the assembly constituencies, the SDF constituents would put up their own candidates, they said. Of the 24 constituencies for which they had agreed to field common candidates, Congress would nominate 14 candidates, MPP five, CPI three and Janata Dal (Secular) two, sources said. The United Front formed by two ruling partners — Manipur State Congress Party and Federal Party of Manipur — have so far agreed to field common candidates only in two assembly segments — Nungba and Tipaimukh. FPM president and Manipur forest minister Gangmumei Kamei and party nominee Vanlal Nghak would contest from the two constituencies, sources said. They said both MSCP and FPM would put up their own candidates in most of the assembly segments both in hills and valley districts. The newly-formed four-party Manipur Democratic Alliance of BJP, Samata Party, Janata Dal (United) and Kuki National assembly did not agree to field common candidates in any of the 60 assembly segments, sources said. A BJP spokesman said MDA constituents were likely to field their own candidates in all 60 constituencies. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 28, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 28: In a surprise move, Meghalaya chief minister BB Lyngdoh today carried out a major reshuffle in his four-party coalition government by re-allocating the portfolios of eleven of the 31-member council of ministry. There had been a lot of speculations for the last one month over the possible induction of the Speaker EK Mawlong as a deputy chief minister and a possible minor reshuffle. Mawlong had told newsmen last month that the chief minister had offered him the post of deputy chief minister and that he had conveyed his acceptance as well. But his induction is yet to come through with more claimants demanding the post. Today’s move was unexpected since the portfolios of seven cabinet ministers including the chief minister and four ministers of state has been affected. All the four coalition partners in the ministry – the United Democratic Party (UDP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) have been touched in the re-allocation but the NCP appeared to be the main beneficiary. The chief minister himself has taken over charge of district council affairs but gave up finance in favour of A H Scott Lyngdoh, who earlier held the portfolio. HB Dan, divested of district council affairs, gets revenue in lieu. He will continue to hold other charges of parliamentary affairs and home guard and civil defence. Lotsing A Sangma, minister, belonging to NCP, which recently replaced the Congress in the coalition government, gained mining and geology. He will continue to hold other charges of planning and programme implementation. Another NCP minister to gain from today’s reshuffle, A L Hitler R Marak, received the additional portfolio of fisheries in addition to his charges of forest and environment. The reshuffle also effected changes in the portfolios of Brening A Sangma (NCP), A L Hek (BJP), P T Sawkmie (UDP) and Cyprian R Sangma (PDM) — all ministers of state. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 29, 2000)

KOHIMA, January 28: The 21-month-old SC Jamir Ministry in Nagaland was expanded on Friday with the reinduction of one minister and elevation of two other ministers of state to the cabinet rank. In an impressive swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Friday morning, governor OP Sharma administered the oath of secrecy to I Imkong, Sedem Khaming and B Phongshak Phom as cabinet ministers. Imkong, roads and bridges minister, had to resign on July 13 last year following a firing incident by his bodyguards in which two persons were killed. Khaming was the minister of state for irrigation and land reform, while Phom was the minister of state for excise and fire service. With the reinduction of Imkong, the strength of Jamir’s two-tier Ministry rose to 32 with 28 cabinet ministers and four ministers of state. When asked about the expansion, Jamir said it was needed to give equal representation to all the tribes in the state. Asked about Imkong’s reinduction, he said there was no case against him regarding the firing incident. The portfolios would be allocated by Friday evening, Jamir added. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 29, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 27: Barely three days after Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) held three-day talks here, both sides opened fire at each other near international border outpost in Dawki at about 1215 hours on Tuesday. However, no casualty or injury had been reported so far from either side in the firing, which continued for half-an-hour, police said here. Though there was no official statement as to what led to the firing between the two, it was learnt that some Bangladeshi nationals entered the Indian side clandestinely to carry boulders to their side. It is almost a routine affair, police said. Details were awaited. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 29, 2000)

DIBRUGARH, January 28: Flush with confidence from the recent Parliamentary poll outcome, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now setting its sights on 51 legislative assembly seats in the Brahmaputra Valley. Elections to the state assembly are due in the next 12 months, and the party this time wants to be a serious contender for gripping the reins of the state, said senior party leader, Kabindra Purkayastha. He said his party is in an advantageous position in 81 legislative assembly segments in Assam. Asked to explain his optimism, Purkayastha said this was the picture from last October’s general elections. He added that issues would change during the assembly elections, and that the party has already begun charting out its strategies for the same, when told that during the last general elections, the BJP’s trump card was the charismatic leadership led by Atal Behari Vajpayee. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 29, 2000)

KOKRAJHAR, January 29: Bodo political parties and organisations — the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), Bodo People’s Action Committee (BPAC) and the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) — today decided to launch a joint movement for achieving their goal of a separate Bodoland state. This was decided in a joint meeting of the ABSU, BPAC and the PDF held at Kokrajhar circuit house today. The meeting also decided to hold a joint rally at Judges’ Field on March 2. The meeting also urged the Union government to arrange for fresh political dialogue on the Bodoland issue immediately. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 30, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 30: Manipur chief minister W Nipamacha Singh and a predecessor RK Ranbir Singh figured in the list of candidates of Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) and Manipur People’s Party (MPP) respectively, report agencies. Speaker K Babudhon Singh and deputy chief minister L Chandramani Singh have also been nominated as MSCP candidates for the second phase of elections in 32 constituencies on February 22 next. Of the 32 seats, MSCP have put up candidates in 30 constituencies while MPP fielded its nominees for 19 seats. While MSCP shares power in Manipur with Federal Party, MPP is a constituent of Secular Democratic Front (SDF). The MPP list figured RK Ranbir Singh, former minister H Thoithoi Singh and party chief O Joy Singh, who are seeking election from Keishamthong, Konthoujam and Langthabal constituencies respectively. Although MPP is a partner of the SDF comprising Congress, CPI and Janata Dal (Secular), only three out of 32 constituencies in the second phase will witness support to MPP candidates from other partners. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 31, 2000)

KOHIMA, January 29: The Nagaland government today allocated the portfolios of the ministers who took oath as cabinet ministers and reshuffled the portfolios of five other ministers. A notification by cabinet Secretary RS Pandey said that newly inducted minister I Imkong has been given the portfolio of Industries and Commerce while elevated B Phongshak Phom has been given the portfolio of Excise and Fire Services and Sedem Khaming the charge of irrigation and flood control. The notification further said that Housing minister Kiyezhe Sema will hold additional charges of law and justice, parliamentary affairs minister Nillo Rengma will hold additional charges of information and public relations, higher and technical education minister T Chuba will take on the additional charges of land record while veterinary and animal husbandry minister KV Pusa will now hold the roads and bridges portfolio and information and public relation ministers T Sentichuba will oversee the portfolio of veterinary and animal husbandry. The minister of state for cooperative and jails will now hold additional charges of labour and employment, the notification added. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; January 31, 2000)

NSCN factions to boycott Manipur polls

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