Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Maoists eye India's northeast: New Delhi, May 1: Indian intelligence and security agencies are worried over the efforts of Maoist rebels to set up bases in the already restive northeast, which has now overtaken Jammu and Kashmir in militancy-related violence. Security experts are analyzing the possible ramifications of the move. Following inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, the Interior Ministry sounded a red alert to the region's seven states directing them to put their police and central paramilitary forces on high alert, said a top IB official, who declined to be named. The official said agencies are worried because the presence of Maoist rebels would further complicate the situation in the region, already under the grip of a severe armed conflict. Intelligence inputs sent to the federal Interior Ministry suggest Maoist rebels have supported the issue of scheduled tribe status in Assam that would grant the state's residents greater access to educational and employment o...

Peace prayers, festivity mark celebrations: Guwahati, Dec 25: Thousands of Christians in India's northeast joined a midnight mass in churches across the region to pray for peace and well being of the human race. With church bells echoing across the hills and dales of the region, and throngs of people packing churches to join in festive prayer and song in celebration of Jesus' birth, the northeast was drowned in yuletide passion. "Christmas is the day when people tend to forgive and forget everything and simply rejoice. This is also the day when people pray for peace and prosperity of the state, the nation, and for the entire human race at large," Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop of Guwahati said. Worshippers across the region lit candles, sang carols and organized festive feasts to celebrate Christmas. "We organised a small Christmas breakfast for the less fortunate, the homeless, distressed and lonely, for whom the festive season would otherwise be miserable,...

Villagers flee crossfire: Imphal, Dec. 25: Neneng Haokip, 19, had returned home to Dingpi village in Manipur’s Thoubal district to celebrate Christmas with her family members. However, the 19-year-old student was shocked when she found that her family members had fled their village to escape the crossfire between militants and security forces. “My family did not inform me that they were leaving the village. When I went there I was told by those who had stayed behind that my family had fled to Moreh. I then went to the border town and finally met my parents at Sugnu in Thoubal district,” she said. Not just Haokip’s family, nearly 500 villagers have reportedly fled the area after security forces launched a massive operation on November 18 to flush out militants of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). All the villagers in this tribal belt belong to the Kuki community and are Christians. The security forces are inching forward towards the Indo-Myanmar border via New Somtal Road. Th...