AGARTALA, March 17: In a real show of prompt action in the wake of a case filed in the civil court here, the AICC dissolved the Tripura Pradesh Congress Steering Committee on Thursday night and appointed its chairman Birajit Sinha as the president of a full-fledged PCC. Thus the AICC avoided all embarrassment following the court case. In the new PCC, Sinha finds along with him the whole lot of dissolved steering committee executives and members. One Debdas Dey had filed a case in the civil court challenging the formation of PCC Steering Committee headed by Congress MLA Birajit Sinha. Dey maintained that there is no provision for any 'steering committee' in the party constitution and as such the formation of the steering committee is illegal. He also sought an injunction on the membership drive of the steering committee. The court also served a showcause notice returnable within 18 days to the AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes, Congress MLA Birajit Sinha and Steering Committee chairman and former PCC president Gopal Roy. Following the case, the AICC took the easiest way out. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 18, 2000)

MOKOKCHUNG, March 18: A powerful public organisation in Nagaland has resolved to sever ties with Naga Hoho, the apex tribal council, for the time being and demanded restoration of the Article 371(A) in the state in view of setting up of the Constitution Review Committee. Under the Article 371(A), a special status had been accorded to Nagaland during formation of the state as an integral part of India in 1963. Tuensang-Mon Public Organisation (TMPO), comprising over half-a-dozen Naga tribes, in its recent general convention at Longleng decided to withdraw its affiliation from the Hoho charging the latter with being inefficient and ineffective. The Naga Hoho, which is holding its 7th general conference at Tangkhul Naga tribe-inhabited Ukhrul in Manipur in April, has been initiating unification of all Naga tribes in the region, particularly among different warring factions of Naga undergrounds. The two resolutions adopted by TMPO assume far-reaching significance. With the passing of two significant resolutions, it seems the Nagas are divided on the question of integration of Naga-inhabited areas. Besides, the known stands of Naga underground outfits many Naga overground organisations have been veering round the idea of a 'greater Nagalim'. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 19, 2000)

HAILAKANDI, March 18: The United Manipuri Association of Assam has demanded the creation of a separate Manipuri autonomous council to serve the greater interest of the Manipuri people of the state. This demand was raised at the 8th annual conference of the association held recently at Chengbil, Lala. The two-day programme started with a meeting held under the presidentship of Joykumar Singha. The meeting was addressed by KN Chand, L Raghumani Singha, K Santi Singha, Bimala Sarma among others. The meeting demanded the starting of Manipuri programmes from Silchar Doordarshan Kendra, increasing the duration of Manipuri programmes from AIR Silchar, reconsideration of some decisions of the Education department of Assam government. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 19, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 24: Meghalaya opposition's bid to bring a censure motion against the social welfare minister, AK Sangma today fell flat when Chief Minister E K Mawlong clarified that his government has not made any attempt to subvert the authority of the legislature. The opposition ground was that the minister had committed breach of privilege of the house by publishing the Meghalaya Dowry Prohibition (Powers and functions of the Dowry Prohibition Officers) Rules, 1999, in the Gazette on February 3 last without first securing approval of the Assembly. Mawlong silenced the opposition by contending that the rules do not require prior approval of the house and was accordingly notified in the Gazette of Meghalaya. The rules, approved by the state cabinet on December 1 last year was laid in the house on December 20, he said in a suo motu statement in the house today. However, a select committee was constituted to go into the Rules as some members expressed concern abut the same. The Chief Minister, however, agreed that if the house chooses to amend the rules on the basis of the recommendations of the Select Committee, the same would be considered by the government. Any scent of victory, if smelled by the opposition, evaporated after the Chief Minister's statement and they preferred not to press the censure motion. They realised belatedly that they were dealing with Mawlong, a former speaker of long-standing and who is well conversant with the rules and procedures of the House. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 25, 2000)

AIZAWL, March 24: The majority MNF has decided to move a resolution in the state Legislative Assembly for the removal of the deputy speaker belonging to the opposition MPC in a bid to place one of its senior members in his seat. The deputy speaker has said to pre-empt this, he may have to resign from the post. The ruling party's move came within four months of the MNF breaking its year-old alliance with the MPC. The MNF made its intentions clear on Thursday when state parliamentary affairs minister F Malsawma informed speaker R Lalawia the party's plan to move a resolution seeking the ouster of deputy speaker Vanlalhana from the post under Article 179 of the Constitution. Under the provisions of the Article the deputy speaker can be removed from his post if a resolution is passed 14 days after informing the speaker about the move in the state Assembly by a simple majority. IN the 40-member Assembly while the MNF has 22 members, the opposition MPC and the Congress have 12 and five members respectively. One Independent is supporting the ruling MNF. The state parliamentary affairs minister told United News of India that since the deputy speaker was not a member of the ruling alliance any more, he had to vacate the seat. Defending his party's stand he said the principles and practices of Mizoram politics were clear and in the past too, the posts of speaker and deputy speaker were held by members of the ruling party only. Terming the MNF members as an "arrogant lot", senior MPC leader and leader of the opposition Lalhmingthanga said his party would meet this evening to decide on the course of action. The Congress, however, felt that except for the resignation, the options before Vanlahana and the MPC were limited. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 25, 2000)

SHILLONG, March 25: Meghalaya Chief Minister EK Mawlong today said that he and his counterpart in Assam, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, would jointly visit some inter-state border areas next month. Speaking at a function organised by the Mawprem Dorbar Shnong (local council) here, Mawlong said Mahanta had invited him for a meeting to discuss the long-standing border problem between the two states. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 26, 2000)

AGARTALA, March 24: The bickerings among the Trinamool Congress unit divided between two lobbies belonging to its steering committee president Sudhir Ranjan Majumdar and convenor Ratan Chakrabarty have taken a new turn with the central leadership going ahead with the formation of a Pradesh Trinamool Congress in Tripura. The central leadership's decision apparently gives the Ratan Chakrabarty lobby an edge over Sudhir Ranjan Majumdar group. Recently, Ratan Chakrabarty, in a press conference here, said that the all India general secretary of the party Mukul Roy had asked him and Majumdar to take steps for formation of a Trinamool Pradesh Congress here. However, Sudhir Ranjan Majumdar denied any such move on the part of the Trinamool central leadership bringing into fore the naked internecine squabbles among the party leaders. After Majumdar's statements Ratan Chakrabarty's right-hand man Subal Bhowmik left for Calcutta and joined another leader Asish Saha there. Both Bhowmik and Saha met Trinamool Congress general secretary Mukul Roy and Jayanta Bhattacharjee and alleged that Majumdar's dictator-like functioning and attitude was ruining the party prospect in Tripura. "If he (Majumdar) is allowed to function in this style, then take it for sure there will be no Trinamool worker left in the state; they will prefer to join their old party Congress en masse instead," they observed. "Workers are demoralised and Majumdar is acting alone with some of his companions," they said. Both the leaders stressed on the need of forming a Trinamool Pradesh Congress at the earliest so that democratic functioning begins in the party. Both Saha and Bhowmik also visited Delhi and apprised party president Mamata Banerjee of the present situation and Majumdar's activities. She also preferred a Trinamool Pradesh Congress in Tripura as son as possible. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 26, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 26: Prominent state leader and former state home minister Bhrigu Kumar Phukan today joined the Asom Jatiya Sanmilan formally with a promise to try and evolve a joint regional platform to fulfil regional aspiration. Immediately after joining the party, he was elected its president. Phukan a one time core leader of the Asom Gana Parishad and now an opponent of Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, joined the two-year-old Sanmilan during its day-long convention held at the capital's district library auditorium Sunday. The party's slogans : "Save Regionalism, Save Assam." Addressing hundreds of delegates from all over the state who had assembled here, newly elected president called upon party workers to lend him support in strengthening the party for the sake of the greater Assamese nation. "We have lost a lot of time but we should not let it happen again," Phukan urged. Phukan who represents the Jalukbari constituency in the present Assembly, promised the people of the state that he would try to unite regional parties into a joint platform and not betray their trust. He promised to try and restore peace in the state, bring development, fight corruption and initiate dialogue with disgruntled people to solve problems, among others. He said the state, which has already been emaciated, is faced with fresh crises, especially the one linked to different ethnic demands. He said the greater Assamese culture incorporates the distinct identities of the different ethnic groups in the state, but divisions have cropped up with solutions being sought, not in greater unity but in attempts to break away. He said attempts to politically divide the people will be opposed tooth and nail. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 27, 2000)

TURA, March 25: The ruling Congress Party in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), the last bastion of the party in Garo Hills, has been reduced to a minority with two of its members (MDCs) withdrawing support to the present Executives Committee (EC) headed by Winsang Sangma on Friday. Two MDCs, Billykid Sangma of Tura constituency and Mahamsing Sangma of Williamnagar constituency withdrew their support to the present EC by forwarding their letters to both the CEM and the chairman of the council. The ruling party had a combined strength of 15 members in a house of 30 while the opposition combine led by the NCP had 13 excluding the chairman and the nominated member whose case is presently pending with the High Court. The party position of the ruling side, prior to the withdrawal of support by two of their colleagues, was Congress -11, United Democratic Party (UDP)-1, Independents (Ind)-2, and Garo National Council (GNC)-1 with the total being 15. The opposition position prior to these developments was NCP-11 (with two Independents having joined them) and UDP 3, which make a total, including the chairman while excluding the nominated member, of 14. Now the CEM and his EC are expected to step down anytime after being reduced to a minority. While the two MDCs have not officially joined the opposition yet the latter has claimed that they are on its side. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 27, 2000)

AIZAWL, March 26: A new deputy speaker would be elected in the Mizoram Assembly in the wake of deputy speaker Vanlalhlana putting in his papers following the ruling MNF Legislature Party's decision to remove him. "Once Vanlalhlana has decided to resign a new deputy speaker has to be elected," speaker Lalawia told Press Trust of India here on Sunday. Vanlalhlana resigned on Saturday even as the MNF resolution to remove him was pending. The ruling MNF legislature on March 22 had decided to remove the deputy speaker and submitted a resolution to this effect on the next day. The March 23 MNF resolution was to be taken up on April 10. A first time MLA, elected to the post on December 10, 1998, Vanlalhlana had to be removed after MNF and has party Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) snapped ties on December 9, 1999 over rift on forging alliance in village council polls. (Press Trust of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 27, 2000)

GUWAHATI, March 29 : The UPPA president and state irrigation minister, Abdul Muhib Mazumdar, has said that in view of the changing political scenario, the Jamiat Ulema-E-Hind and some other non-political organisations have suggested that minority political parties should forge a common front. Referring to a news item 'Jamiat, UPPA, UMF converge in new front' published in Tuesday's edition of The Northeast Daily, he clarified that the Jamiat is a non-political organisation of religious leaders, and as such it won't be a part of the new front to be formed by July. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; March 30, 2000)

TURA, March 30: The no-confidence motion tabled in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) against the Congress-led executive committee headed by Winsang Sangma, by the NCP-led opposition was passed on Wednesday by a voice vote in the house in spite of the absence of the ruling party. The turn of events took place on Tuesday when the no-confidence motion was to be taken up. As the chairman gave the permission for a debate on the issue, the CEM Sangma objected to the motion on the grounds that the matter was pending with the High Court. He pointed out that the court had passed a stay order on a similar motion in December last year in which it stated that, "In the interim, it is ordered that the resolution passed on 1.12.1999 at 2 pm carrying a motion of no-confidence against the executive committee of the Garo Hills District Council shall remain suspended and not be given effect to until further orders." Sangma had staged a walkout from the house along with the rest of his colleagues resulting in the adjournment of the house to the next day. When the house met on Wednesday morning only the opposition turned up while the ruling party stayed away on the grounds that the process of completion of the trust motion, which was earlier taken up, is still pending with the court. In spite of the absence of the ruling side, the opposition was given the permission to move the no-trust motion by the chairman. The motion was carried by a voice vote of 15 MDCs in favour of the no-trust motion and none against. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 31, 2000)

ITANAGAR, March 28: Arunachal Pradesh Assembly on Monday rejected a private member resolution moved by Wangki Lowang of the NCP demanding union territory status for Tirap and Changlang districts by voice vote. The house deliberated on the issue for three and a half hours before it was put to vote by speaker Tamiyo Taga. All 12 members from both the districts, including several members of Mithi cabinet, supported the private member resolution stating that it is based on popular public demand. They said both Tirap and Changlang were the most neglected areas of the state and had been deprived by the previous government. There was no representation in government jobs from these two districts compared to other districts, they alleged. The resolution pleaded that union territory status be granted to both Tirap and Changlang so that it could develop economically along with other areas of the state. Chief Minister Mukut Mithi said granting of union territory status to an area was a central government subject. Although the demand is genuine the state Assembly has nothing to do with it, he said. Mithi said the state government was according priority to all-round development of both Tirap and Changlang and had announced some economic packages for the two districts. He saw no reason for demanding a separate union territory status in view of the concern shown by the present government for the economic development of the area. Congress member Nyato Regia participating in the discussion, said he was not in favour of dividing the state. Land Management and Information and Public Relations minister Takam Sanjoy said the demand was genuine and constitutional. Revenue minister T C Teli said elected representatives from both Tirap and Changlang were equal partners of the state government and represented the house in the capacity of speaker and cabinet ministers. Both the districts have some of the best schools like Rama Krishna Mission and Sarada Mission and all the wood-based industries are located in these two districts, he said. Former speaker and Agriculture minister Tako Dabi said such a resolution should not have been brought before the house for discussion by the business advisory committee. The speaker had to extend the time of the house for the fourth time on Monday to complete the day's proceedings as almost all the members participated in the private member resolution. (United News of India; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; March 31, 2000)