Baksa (Assam), Mar 16 : Authorities in Assam construct all weather roads in rural areas under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) which provides employment for locals and also ensures better infrastructure in the region.

The developmental projects executed under the PMGSY have been much appreciated by the people of Batbari in Tukrakuchi region of Baksa district of Assam. This area bordering Bhutan in the northwest, falls under the Bodoland Territorial Council of Assam.

Jorhat (Assam), Mar 15 : Theatre artists have staged two plays at Jorhat in Assam to spread the message of peace.

The plays, one in Assamese and the other in Hindi, are based on insurgency and other problems posing obstacles to the state''s progress.

The plays focus on how the state is at a loss because of the absence of investment in a climate of insecurity and lawlessness.

"It was really touching because the play was based on violence caused by militants. The play gave the message of peace and harmony," said B. Arup, a resident.

Guwahati, Mar. 9 : In a bid to gather support against violence in the state, militancy affected families gathered in Guwahati have launched a program called, `Sankalp'.

So far, more than 10,000 people have died and 6000 families have been seriously affected by militancy and violence in Assam.

`Sankalp' was held is association of a project called `Aashwas', which was initiated by the Assam police to help children affected by militancy.

An art exhibition was also held where those affected shared their thoughts about militancy.

Guwahati, Mar 7 : Unfavorable weather conditions for tea plantations coupled with global slowdown have badly affected tea exports of Assam.

Statistics say that India, the second-largest tea producer in the world experienced a slump by 25 per cent in January 2009.

Indranil Sharma, a tea garden owner in Guwahati said that apart from the slowdown in exports, even the weather is playing havoc this season.

Owing to scanty rainfall the soil has literally dried up. Though dry spells are common in Assam but this year the spell is there for a longer period.

Baksa (Assam), Mar 7 : People of Barpeta district have expressed hope that the national highway connecting Pathsala town in Assam to Bhutan border would be a road to their prosperity.

The National highway 151 will connect Pathsala town of Barpeta district to Bhutan Border passing through Baksa district.

The locals are eagerly waiting for completion of the road. They believe it would change their fortunes.

Guwahati, Mar 6 : Forty-five cadres of various militant groups from northeast recently laid down their arms in Assam''s Kamrup District.

They included 32 cadres of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) along with 13 other cadres from the Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), the Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) and the Peoples Revolutionary Front of Meghalaya laid down their arms before the Army.

The surrendered militants have expressed a desire to live a peaceful life and end destructive activities.