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Manmohan seeks Myanmar's help
in dealing with N-E insurgency

What is India News Service, Tuesday, 26 October 2004, 2000 hrs IST


After Bhutan, it is now Myanmar's turn to offer hope. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spent a good part of Monday in the company of Myanmar's top leader Gen Than Shwe, a significant meeting in light of New Delhi's efforts to get Yangon to address India's urgent concerns over North-East insurgents finding sanctuary across the border in Myanmar.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said Gen Than assured Dr Singh that his country would not permit any anti-India activity from its soil. He also said whenever such activity is noticed, Myanmar "would not hesitate to take action''. This is yet another important commitment after Bhutan's gesture to help India curb insurgency in the North-East. During his visit to India in December 2003, Myanmar's Foreign Minister U Win Aung had assured his Government would cooperate with the Indian Government on this issue: "We will flush out Indian insurgent camps, if any, in our country.''

Rio for referendum on issue of 'Nagalim':  Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called for a referendum in states adjoining Nagaland. This is aimed at enabling the high Naga population in these states to decide whether it wants to be part of the proposed Greater Nagaland. Rio's statement is sure to raise a storm, given the sensitivities of other north-eastern states.

Second round of AP govt, Naxals talks soon: Emissary of the naxalites P Varavara Rao said there were no hurdles and the talks would focus on encounter killings and land distribution this time.

CBI finds huge \91donations\92 to Taj Corridor scam accused: The CBI on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that huge cash donations were made to the accounts of the accused persons in the Rs 175 crore Taj Heritage Corridor scam.

Mufti says no Central probe into attack: The J&K chief minister said Omar Abdullah was being \91irresponsible\92 in alleging that the government was trying to assassinate him.

'India facing newer and non-conventional threats': Observing that India was facing newer and non-conventional threats, PM Manmohan Singh asked the armed forces to rise to the challenges by carrying out broader reforms.

SC declines to stay transfer of TN Governor: The Supreme Court declined to pass any interim order on Tamil Nadu\92s suit, seeking to restrain the Centre from transferring Governor S. Ramamohan Rao to any other state without the consent of state government.

ISI bid to pit Muslims against Christians in NE: In what is reportedly a grand design of the Pakistan-based ISI, which has been aiding and abetting all North-East militant groups by supplying arms and other materials by using its base in Bangladesh and Myanmar in particular, it is now trying to pit Muslims against the Christians.
 
States

NCP defers decision on Congress proposal: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday deferred its decision on the Congress proposal regarding government formation in Maharashtra in an apparent effort to extract a better deal from its ally.

Crimes against women on the rise in UP: Lack of adequate support systems for women and a patriarchal society, where girls are fed on a staple diet of gender differences, are cited as some of the reasons.

Mulayam suspends DM, 2 SPs: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav took action against 26 senior officers.

Old Goa fire a warning for heritage sites: The fire services say modern fire protection equipment needs to be installed at heritage sites and this could be done without compromising on aesthetics.


Neighbours

Pak's new K-formula?: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday suggested India and Pakistan consider the option of identifying some "regions" of Kashmir on both sides of Line of Control, demilitarise them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under UN mandate.

Overall:

PM spoke to Myanmar leader: Manmohan Singh impressed upon the visiting general that insurgents must be curbed.