12 additional  companies of forces will be deployed in Tripura
Twelve additional companies of security forces would be deployed in Tripura following the State Government's opposition to the Centre's decision to withdraw the Army and few companies of paramilitary forces from the State.This assurance was given by Union Home Minister L. K. Advani to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.Six training companies of CRPF would be immediately deployed while the Border Security Force (BSF) has been directed to mobilise six companies for counter-insurgency operations.

AR to shift from Aizawl
Assam Rifles will be shifted from downtown Aizawl after the completion of its new abode at Zokhawsang. This has been informed by State Chief Secretary H. V. Lalringa.The Union Home Ministry has instructed the Assam Rifles to continue developing the Zokhasang area which they had taken over from the State Government.The Mizoram Government has been asked by the Centre to draft a master plan on how the land, vacated by the Assam Rifles, would be utilised.

NGOs, Church to attend CFMG meeting
The ceasefire monitoring group (CFMG) constituted by the Centre in Nagaland, has decided to invite NGO and church representatives in its next monthly meeting for effective implementation of ground rules.In its last monthly meeting, CFMG resolved that formal invitation be accorded to the NGOs and churches ---- associated members of CFMG ---- so that they could attend the future meetings.On the proposal of opening monitoring mechanism at district level, the NSCN (IM) representatives sought more time to select their representatives for Tuensang.

KYO holds protest rally against May 29 incident

The Kohima Youth Organisation (KYO) took out a 'silent procession' in protest against the May 29 incident where one person was killed and two were injured in police firing.The procession, led by KYO president Vihouzhalie, originated from the Mission Compound and culminated at the Raj Bhavan, where they submitted a memorandum to Nagaland Governor O. P. Sharma demanding proper inquiry into the incident.

It may be mentioned that the State Government had already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident which would submit the report within three weeks. DM of Dimapur is enquiring the matter.

SPCC critical of SDF Government
The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) has accused the SDF Government of discrimination against those panchayats not controlled by the ruling party and demanded reversion to partyless panchayat as enshrined in the Sikkim Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.SPCC also chalked out a 12-point programme for genuine panchayat raj after reviewing implementation of the Panchayat Act in the State for over past six years.Among the 12-point programme, the SPCC proposed to strengthen the gram sabha by increasing its meeting from the existing two to at least six in a year.

Arunachal BJP official resigns
Vice-president of the Arunachal Pradesh unit of the BJP Minkir Lollen has resigned from his post and primary membership of the party against the central leadership's decision to strike an alliance with Arunachal Congress.Mr. Lollen alleged that the central leadership had ignored the state unit while deciding on the alliance.

Panchayat polls in Tripura on July 16, 19
The crucial three-tier panchayat election in Tripura will be held on July 16 and 19 as the five-year term of the present bodies expire in August.Announcing this, Panchayat Election Commissioner B. B. Senapati said that the election would be held for 82 seats in four zilla parishads, 299 seats in 23 panchayat samities and 5685 seats in 538 gram panchayats throughout the State, excluding the areas of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

Aizawl tense after PSO kills youth
Tension ran high at the outskirt of the Mizoram capital after an intoxicated policeman shot dead a youth in a restaurant.According to reports, Lalbiakdika, PSO to the Aizawl deputy commissioner, got involved in an altercation with Vawlalsroya (24) in a restaurant. In a feat of rage, the PSO allegedly drunk, shot at the youth who later died in the hospital.After committing the crime, Lalbiakdika surrendered before the authorities and confessed to the crime.

Eight ultras held in Manipur
At least eight activists of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Kuki National Front (KNF), Kuki National Army (KNA) and People's United Liberation Front (PULF) were apprehended by the security forces in Manipur recently.

50 injured in Tripura road accidents
At least 50 people were injured in two separate road accidents in West Tripura district recently. The first accident occurred when a Belonia-bound bus plunged into the river at Sonamura. Another accident took place near Bisalgarh.

Year of tree planting in Nagaland
The Nagaland Government has declared this year as the year of tree planting to stop deforestation and maintain the ecological balance, according to Nagaland Wasteland Development Minister Ruokuoneicha.Ruokuoneicha, who was inaugurating the tree plantation programme in the 29 battalion of Assam Rifles, appealed to all NGOs, government and non-government offices, to make concerted efforts and coordinate with the wasteland development department to maintain ecological and environmental balances of the State.

Deputy Inspector General of Assam Rifles P. Rajagopal said the security forces were also eager to help the department for greater development of the State. Col. Sandeep Kumar, commanding officer of the battalion, assured all help by planting more trees in the sinking zones and slip areas in and around Kohima town.

BSF repulses infiltration bid by extremists
Border Security Force Jawans successfully repulsed a gang of extremists which tried to enter India From Bangladesh at Ganganagar in Tripura's Dhalai district recently.The BSF sources said that about nine armed men suspected to be National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) or NSCN guerillas, tried to enter India. But some fishermen asked them about their identity. At this the militants started firing in the air.

Hearing gun shots, patrolling BSF jawans arrived at the spot and retaliated. The exchange of fire continued for nearly fifteen minutes, sources said adding the ultras were forced back deep inside Bangladesh.The jawans or the fishermen did not suffer any injury, sources said.The BSF jawans later recovered empty cartridges of AK series rifles, some diaries and bags from the spot.

Two teenagers raped
Two teenaged tribal sisters were allegedly gangraped by a group of dacoits at remote Dhalajhari village under Gandacherra police station recently.The police said that a group of dacoits raided the house of Denga Chakma at Dhalajhari village and looted his cash and other belongings, besides raping two of his teenaged daughters.

PCI panel to probe assault on scribes, newspaper owners
The Press Council of India (PCI) has appointed a fact-finding committee to probe assault and attacks on journalists, newspaper owners, newspaper vendors and also all incidents related to the distribution of newspapers.The committee would probe all such incidents which had taken place since January 1, 1997 and submit its report to the Press Council.

Nagaland Budget session from July 13
Nagaland Governor O. P. Sharma summoned the fifth session of the ninth Assembly on July 13.
During the session, the Budget for 1999-2000 would be presented by Chief Minister S. C. Jamir, holding the Finance portfolio.Earlier in March last, a vote on accounts was presented for four months.

Cong. will welcome trade route through Sikkim
The Congress will welcome the restoration of the overland trade route between India and China through Sikkim. This was stated by AICC general secretary Mani Shankar Aiyer, who was on a visit to the Himalayan State to attend the panchayati Raj convention organised by the SPCC.