IMPHAL, July 18 - In protest against the killing of excise superintendent T Babumacha by the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) members, hundreds of protesters on Saturday last staged a mass rally here. The rally was, however, stopped by the police at Khwai Nagamapal. Later, the rallyists organised a meeting at Khurai Lamlong Bazar. Babumacha was kidnapped and killed by PREPAK activists on July 8 at Takyelpat about three km west of Imphal town. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; July 19, 1999)

IMPHAL, July 21 - In a major firing incident, three activists of the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) were killed at Sugunu, in the Chandel district. It is likely to be a faction fight between the ultra groups, sources said. Police said, the incident took place at around 8 pm on Monday on the road near Khongnang Pheisabi, which is about one-and-a-half kilometre south of Sugunu police station. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; July 22, 1999)

GUWAHATI, July 21 - While anti-insurgency operations under the Unified Command is focussed on curbing activities of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) and Bodoland Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), several militant outfits have geared up their activities in two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar capitalising on alleged laxity on part of the State Government to step up operations against them. Sources in Karbi Anglong said geared-up activities of Karbi National Volunteers (KNV) and Karbi People's Force (KPF) in the district and that of Dima Halong Dougah (DHD) particularly in North Cachar Hills had raised alarm in both the autonomous district councils ruled by the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC). The KPF and KNV merged recently to form United People's Democratic Solidarity. This new amalgamated outfit in operating with its head office in Kohima in Nagaland as they are issuing press statements from the Nagaland capital. This points to the outfit's close links with the NSCN. On the other hand DHD is known as a frontal outfit of the NSCN in North Cachar Hill district. This has been confirmed several times from the documents and weapons seized from arrested DHD cadres. The people is the NC Hills are fast losing their patience over the growing activities of the DHD. Recently, the top leader of the outfit, Bijoy Naiding was severely beaten up by villagers before he was rescued by the Army. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; July 22, 1999)

IMPHAL, July 22: At least five civilians were killed and three others injured in an encounter between CRPF and suspected insurgents at Churachandpur Bazar area in Churachandpur district of Manipur on Wednesday morning. Official sources said that the suspected insurgents opened fire at the 81st battalion of CRPF personnel when they were shopping at Churachandpur Bazar in front of the police station. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; July 23, 1999). The communication and publicity wing of the Revolutionary People's Front later alleged that after the insurgent fled, the CRPF personals opened fire on local people killing five people including a ten -year old boy. More than 5,000 people including students and women took a protest rally at Churchandpur Bazar later that day. However, the protesters were beaten up by the CRPF personnel injuring 20 people in the bargain, the RPF publicity secretary Lily Leima said. (Lily Leima; RPF; July 22, 1999)