In an effort to increase voter turnout across the northeastern states, the Election Commission has launched various initiatives tailored to the local traditions and culture of the region.
All these put a big question mark on the security of the country's eastern frontier.
A mild earthquake, measuring 3.0 on the Richter Scale, was felt in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district and adjoining areas on Wednesday, officials said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here to discuss issues of mutual interests, a government official said on Tuesday.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) has elected Tikling Konyak as Acting Chairman for the Konyak region, according to a statement of the organisation.
Shah announced the much expected decision in three separate tweets when most of the political parties and NGOs have been demanding to repeal the AFSPA and the demand intensified after the security forces killed 14 people and injured 30 others in Mon district of Nagaland on December 4 and 5 last year.
Interestingly, the law was first introduced by the British to suppress the Quit India movement in 1942.
The Centre on Sunday constituted a high-level committee, headed by a secretary-rank officer, to examine the possibility of lifting the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Nagaland.
"We request all brothers and sisters of Nagaland to be patient and wait for the findings of the Army inquiry. We assure you that action will be taken in accordance with the law to secure justice for all..."
The proposition is clear: The army cannot and must not be deployed to fight citizens. If it is, then the protection afforded to its personnel by the AFSPA is essential. But it is unacceptable. Ergo, maintaining law and order and fighting the remnants of the insurgencies in the North-East must be the job of a state paramilitary force raised, trained, and equipped for the purpose
