IMPHAL, February 17: Normal life was partially affected in the state on Thursday following the 36-hour Manipur bandh called by a newly-formed students body to press its demand for release of a senior leader of All Manipur Students Union (AMSU). Official sources said the AMSU-sponsored four-day national highway blockade which began on Thursday on the same issue – the release of AMSU finance secretary Chandreshore Sharma – also affected the movement of vehicles along the national highways in the state. Sources said attendance in government offices was normal though markets at some places in Imphal and greater Imphal areas remained closed in view of the bandh which began at 7 am this morning. The bandh call has been given by the Committee for Joint Students Union. Sources said Sharma had been arrested earlier by police in connection with AMSU’s alleged links with underground outfits and was now in jail. AMSU has strongly denied the charges and said some agencies were trying to ‘destroy the students body’. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 18, 2000)

JORHAT, February 18: Defying ULFA’s boycott call, people of the world’s largest river island today came out in thousands to exercise their franchise in the by-poll to the Majuli Legislative Assembly constituency. At least 73 per cent voters out of the electorate of 91,449 of the constituency cast their votes in an incident-free polling. There are reports of at least 90 per cent polling in several Mishing-dominated areas of the island. Voters’ turnout assumed significance going by the fact that the island was once a hotbed of militant activities. Noted social worker Sanjoy Ghose was abducted and subsequently killed by militants in the island in 1997. Fate of five candidates —Jogeswar Pegu (AGP), Rajib Lochan Pegu (Congress), Durgeswar Doley (BJP), Mal Chandra Pegu (NCP) and Purushottam Doley (Asom Gana Mancha) would be decided in today’s poll. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 19, 2000)

IMPHAL, February 19: About 90 per cent of votes were cast during the repolling at 35 polling stations in Manipur today, official sources said. The sources said 95 per cent polling was reported from Chandel district, 90 per cent from Senapati district, 93per cent from Tamenglong district and 78 per cent from Ukhrul district. No major poll-related violence was reported from any of the 35 polling stations, they said. The Election Commission had ordered repolling at 101 polling stations following disturbance and disruption in the first phase state Assembly polls on February 12. While repolling was today held at 35 polling stations spread over Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel districts, the repoll at 28 polling stations of Thanlon, Singhat and Churachandpur Assembly constituencies will be held on February 25 and at 38 polling stations of Henglep constituency on March 8 next. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 19, 2000)

DIPHU, February 19: The 61-hour ‘Karbi Anglong district bandh’ in central Assam, called by the militant United People's Democratic Solidarity, began today ‘evoking only partial response’, according to official sources. No untoward incident has been reported so far. Sources said the day being a state holiday, all government and private offices, banks and educational institutions remained closed. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 19, 2000)

SHILLONG, February 20: The move to revive the issue of Instrument of Accession received a shot in the arm on Saturday with a public rally demanding that the instrument be incorporated in the constitution of India so that the customary rights and practices and tribal heritage of the Khasis find identity and legal status. A resolution to this effect was adopted at a statewide public rally organised in the city on Saturday to discuss the aftermath of the three-year-old ‘total timber ban’ imposed by the Supreme Court. The Instrument of Accession signed by the 25 ‘Khasi states’ and the government of India during 1947-48 was never fully implemented for which the traditional institutions like the ‘Syiemships’, ‘Doloiships’, etc., lost their powers, the speakers at the rally said. Several speakers contended that the customary rights and practices of the ‘Hynniewtrep’ people have been seriously affected by the different Acts and rules of the state and central governments. Prominent among those who spoke at the rally organised by the Meghalaya Land and Forest Owners’ Association (MLFOA), were the president of the Hill state People’s Democratic Party, Hopingstone Lyngdoh, John Kharshiing, adviser, MLFOA, Phidelia Toi and others. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 22, 2000)

IMPHAL, February 22— At least four people including three security-men were killed during the second and final phase of polls to Manipur Assembly as over 80 per cent of 6,82,000 electorate exercised their franchise. At least three security personnel of Indian Reserve Battalion and nine others, including MSCP candidate for Khundrakpam constituency L. Lala, were injured in an ambush while one person was knocked down and killed by the Bishenpur district deputy commissioner’s car. Unidentified armed youths snatched away arms and ammunition from Lala’s escorts after the ambush. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 23, 2000)

IMPHAL, February 22: The All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) today called off the 18-hour public curfew following the release of its finance secretary, Chandreswar Sharma, an AMSU spokesman said. The spokesman said Sharma was released late last night and following his release AMSU had called off their proposed 18-hour public curfew today. Official sources said Sharma was released late last night but the terms of his release were not divulged. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 23, 2000)

AIZAWL, February 24: The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Wednesday suspended seven members of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), who recently joined the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF). These leaders were suspended indefinitely on the advise of the president of Chakma District Congress Committee, party sources said. The MNF gained majority in the CADC after these seven leaders changed sides. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 25, 2000)

KAMALABARI, February 25: Jogeswar Doley of the AGP was declared elected to the state Assembly from the Majuli (ST) seat today. The bye-election to the seat, which fell vacant due to the death of AGP MLA Karuna Dutta, was held on February 18. Of the total 91,449 voters, 70,490 exercised their franchise in the largest river island on February 18. Of the votes polled, 69,752 were found valid. According to the figures available with the district election authorities here Jogeswar Doley polled 22,981 votes in his favour, while Raj Lochan Pegu (Cong) polled 17,893 votes, Durgeswar Doley of the BJP—17,048 votes, Malchandra Pegu of the NCP—339 votes and Purusottam Doley of the Asom Gana Mancha —11,891 votes. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 26, 2000)

KOHIMA, February 25: Dimasa tribes of the region have intensified their demand for a separate state ‘Dimaraji’ bringing the contiguous Dimasa-inhabited areas under one administrative set-up by submitting a fresh memorandum to the Centre. A five-member delegation of All Dimasa Students Union (ADSU) and Dimaraji Revival Demand Committee (DRDC) recently met the Union Home minister, LK Advani, and submitted a memorandum in support of their demands for a separate state. A joint press release issued by ADSU and DRDC, received here, said the delegation told the central leadership that the Dimaraji should be carved out incorporating Dimasa-inhabited areas on the south bank of Brahmaputra and in the Barak valley which formed their ancient home land in the province of Raja Govind Chandra Hasnu and Senapati Tularam Hasnu. They said the Dimasas have been spearheading a peaceful democratic movement since 1991. The Dimasas also demanded a separate member of Parliament (MP) from their area, saying not a single representative has been sent to Lok Sabha from the NC Hills district of Assam so far. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 26, 2000)

IMPHAL, February 25: The ruling Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) candidate and speaker of the state Assembly Karam Babudhon Singh became the first major casualty of Manipur Assembly elections, results of which are slowly pouring in as counting progresses in various constituencies. K Babudhon Singh was defeated by his nearest rival Manipur People’s Party (MPP) candidate and its president Okam Joy Singh by a margin of 207 votes. O Joy Singh secured 6,670 votes while Babudhon Singh got 6,463. MPP wrests the seat from MSCP. Results received from some other constituencies till 6 pm are as follows:
In Sekmai (SC) constituency, BJP candidate Khwairakpam Chandra was elected defeating his nearest Manipur State Congress Party rival Ningthoujam Biren. Chandra secured 5,732 votes while Biren got 5,594 votes. Congress nominee Mayenobam Manihar Singh was declared elected from Wabgai constituency defeating the Manipur People’s Party candidate Abdul Salam. Singh, who wrested the seat from MPP, secured 6,251 votes while Salam got 4,063. Samata Party Manipur unit president Basanta Kumar Wangkhem was elected from Kshetrigao constituency defeating MSCP nominee Md Muhamuddin Shah. Samata wrests the seat from MSCP. Wanghkhem secured 10,602 votes while Shah got 7,249. L Jonathan of Congress was declared elected from Karong constituency defeating his nearest rival PS Henry Paotei of Federal Party of Manipur by a margin of 1,645 votes. Congress wrests the seat from Samata Party. Md Alaudin of NCP was declared elected from Liong constituency defeating his nearest rival Maneruddin Sheikh of Congress by a margin of 176 votes. NCP wrests the seat from MSCP. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 26, 2000)

GUWAHATI, February 24: Asom Gana Sangram Parishad (AGSP) and Jatiyasanmilan have decided to constitute a political platform — Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) to unite all regional parties except Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) of the state. The decision was taken at a joint high level meeting of the parties held here yesterday. A six-member committee has been constituted to initiate discussions with the regional parties of the state. According to party sources, the RDA will be launched here on March 31 with an aim to create a strong regional force and to find an alternative of the AGP. The sources pointed out that the AGP politics has become ‘family oriented’ and the leadership is alienated from the grassroots level workers. "In view of the prevailing situation a strong regional force is essential to highlight the demands of the people of the state," the sources said, adding that the new platform will also bring all ethnic people under one umbrella and try to resolve their demands. They also alleged that law and order situation of the state is deteriorating day by day due to inaction of the state government and urged the people to launch a movement in this regard. Former PWD minister, Atul Bora and the former state Assembly Speaker Pulakesh Barua have already floated — Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP) to remove chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta from power. When asked whether RDA would forge any alliance with any national party, the sources parried the question saying that it is yet to take any decision in this regard. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 26, 2000)

IMPHAL, February 26— Ruling United Front, comprising Manipur state Congress Party (MSCP) and Federal Party of Manipur (FPM), today emerged as the single largest group securing 25 of the 53 seats results of which were declared so far, report agencies. While the UF secured 25 seats— MSCP 20 and FPM 5, Congress-led Secular Democratic Front got 15 seats with Congress alone getting 10 followed by another SDF constituent, Manipur People’s Party securing 4 seats. The Manipur Democratic Alliance comprising BJP (6 seats) and Samata Party (I) has bagged 7 seats followed by Nationalist Congress Party (4), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Independents — one each. Counting of votes for Henglep and Tipaimukh constituencies would be taken after repoll at 38 polling stations in Henglep and election to Tipaimukh (earlier adjourned following the killing of a candidate) on March 8 next, the sources added. Prominent among those who won were chief minister W Nipamacha Singh, deputy chief minister L Chandramani Singh, PHED minister H Bidur Singh, industry minister Y Jiten Singh, finance minister H Loken Singh, Former chief ministers Rishang Keishing (Congress) and RK Dorendra Singh (BJP). (Agencies; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; February 27, 2000)