Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

UBI strike off: The ceasework strike launched by the employees of all branches of the United Bank of India since January 8 following a heavy monetary demand from one militant outfit has been called off with immediate effect. Informing this on Friday, the co-convenor of the United Forum of Bank Unions said that the ceasework programme earlier scheduled to be held on January 14 has also been called off. The decision to withdraw the cease work stir was taken after the outfit concerned conveyed that they have withdrawn the monetary demand, said the statement and added that branches of the United Bank of India will start normal transactions from Saturday. The United Forum of Bank Unions, on behalf of all the working employees of the Bank, also expressed its regret to the customers and general public for the closure of UBI branches. It also acknowledged the support extended by the fraternal trade unions of other banks, leading civil organisations, media and news agencies. Inspection drive of...

17 powerful bombs defused: Imphal, Dec. 12: Seventeen bombs were recovered from two busy Manipur roads during a search operation by security forces on Wednesday morning. The number is being pegged as the highest recovered by security forces in the militancy-ravaged state on a single day. The immediate spur of the search was the visit of the director general of Assam Rifles, Lt Gen. Paramjit Singh, to Manipur. Early this morning, troops of 34 Assam Rifles fanned out into Thoubal district for a routine search when they stumbled on three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the Imphal-Moreh road at Wangjing. The bomb squad of the police safely exploded the IEDs later in the day. The paramilitary force informed the police that they also recovered 14 IEDs laid by militants along Imphal-Ukhrul Road between Litan and Sangai and had destroyed them. Recovery of the explosives held up traffic for several hours on both the roads. “Had the IEDs exploded, they would have caused immense...