Road projects in North-East reviewed by Centre; Carrying of weapons by NSCN groups banned; Chief Minister of Manipur rejects alternative arrangement for Nagas; Bangladeshi linkman of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of
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    • February 4-10

    According to reports, a high level review by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways took place on the Prime Minister’s Special Package for road sector projects in North East India. Senior officials from several organisations took part in the proceedings, which was led by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr CP Joshi. 1

    In another development, according to reports, Chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group, Maj Gen (Rtd) N George, told representatives of three Naga groups – NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and GPRN/NSCN – that their members, including the identity cardholders, have been banned from carrying weapons during the period falling between February 7 till February 23. The Election Commission of India has issued the order in this regards. The order, in effect, comes into action soon after the filing of nominations, which ends on February 6. 2

    According to reports, in a severe jolt to the demand for ‘Alternative Arrangement’ of the Nagas in Manipur, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on February 6 rejected the demand saying that such arrangement within Manipur is not acceptable as it is not politically feasible. Chief Minister Ibobi said that the Manipur Government was prepared to extend all possible help to the ongoing Naga peace process between the Government of India and NSCN-IM. 3

    Reports noted that the Border Security Force (BSF) has nabbed a Bangladeshi linkman of militant outfits ULFA and NDFB near the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya on February 6. During preliminary questioning, the apprehended person confessed that he was facilitating the trans-border movements of ULFA and NDFB cadres. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, within days of China announcing its plan to construct three more hydroelectric projects on Brahmaputra River, India has cleared Tawang-II hydro power project paving its implementation. The 2500 MW hydro projects across various States have been accorded clearance by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of Ministry of Environment and Forest. The projects include 800 MW Tawang-II Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh and 520 MW Teesta-IV Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim. Both the projects are to be executed by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). 5

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