June 1, 2026 10:36 pm
Facebook Twitter Youtube

ONLINE AGE

(Online version of the Arunachal Age newspaper)

Author name: OnlineAge

Latest News, National, Popular News, State News

Stay hydrated, take extra care during scorching heat: PM on ‘Mann Ki Baat’

/

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to stay hydrated in view of soaring temperatures across the country. In his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat, he said people should take extra precautions when stepping out in the sun. “With temperatures soaring across much of the country, it is important to take extra care. Stay hydrated. If you need to step out in the sun, do so cautiously and take necessary precautions,” he said. “Keep drinking water. Don’t forget the guidelines issued by various government departments in this regard either,” he said. Prime Minister Modi had on Wednesday last also urged citizens to take maximum precautions as the country is witnessing soaring temperatures, and said staying hydrated is key during such harsh weather. Modi also referred to the king of fruits, saying there is hardly a home where mangoes are not talked about in the summer season. He noted that every region has its own mango and its own aroma. “Hapus or alphonso of Maharashtra, Kesar of Gujarat – these are the lifeblood of ‘aamras’; Dussehri of Uttar Pradesh and Langra of Kashi. There are mangoes from Bihar, whose aroma can be smelt from far. Chausa, Malda – memories of people are tied to every name,” he said. The prime minister said if someone goes to South India, people will find other varieties like Banganapalli, Totapuri, Neelam, Malgova; there is Himsagar in Bengal; Suvarnarekha of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. “In other words, the place changes, and so does the mango’s form, colour, and taste…This journey of the mango is now reaching from villages to the global market,” he said. (Source: PTI)        

REGIONAL

Himanta calls on Rajnath, Jaishankar; seeks guidance for Assam’s progress

/

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Delhi, and discussed ways to make the state a leading player in the defence ecosystem and boost trade and tourism with the neighbouring countries. Sarma, during his meeting with Singh, also thanked him for participating in the Assembly election campaign in the state. “It is always enriching to meet Raksha Mantri Adarniya @rajnathsingh ji. He is a powerhouse of wisdom and knowledge. We have so much to learn from his vast experience as an excellent administrator, a dedicated public servant and a veteran karyakarta,” the CM said in a post on X. “During my meeting today, I thanked him for his impactful campaign run during Assam Elections and sought his blessings and guidance to position Assam as a major player in the defence scheme of things in the days ahead,” Sarma added. The chief minister’s office (CMO), also in a social media post, added that Sarma and Singh “discussed opportunities to strengthen Assam’s role in the nation’s defence ecosystem”. Posting about his meeting with Jaishankar on the micro-blogging site, Sarma said, “This morning, I had the pleasure to call on Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, @DrSJaishankar ji. His perspective on global affairs and how India is navigating current geopolitical headwinds is always enlightening.” “I thanked him for sharing his insights on further strengthening Bharat’s Act East Policy. We look forward to his guidance on how Assam can play a role in strengthening trade and tourism ties with neighbouring countries,” he added. (Source: PTI)    

National, REGIONAL

Another accused in Assam fisheries scam arrested in Odisha

/

GUWAHATI : Another accused in the alleged financial irregularities in Assam Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd has been apprehended in Odisha, marking the ninth arrest in the case, officials said on Sunday. They said Padma Kanta Hazarika was apprehended in Puri on Saturday and will be brought to Guwahati on a transit remand. “Ref. ACB PS Case No. 30/2023 registered in con with misappropriation of funds of Assam Fisheries Dev. Corporation Ltd. One key accused of the case namely Padma Kanta Hazarika, the then Project Director of the AFDCL has been arrested in Puri, Odisha by @DIR_VAC_ASSAM yesterday,” the Vigilance Department said in a post on X. “He was produced before the court in Puri last night by the team of @DIR_VAC_ASSAM and the court granted 4 days transit remand for bringing the accused person to Guwahati,” it added. Last week, at least eight government officials, including two from the Assam Civil Services (ACS) cadre, were arrested in the same case in connection with financial irregularities, the Vigilance Department said on Tuesday. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), in a statement, had said that the arrests were made from multiple locations, including Guwahati, Belsor (Nalbari), Gauripur (Dhubri) and Raha (Nagaon). Among those previously apprehended are ACS officers Anuradha Adhikary Sarma and Naren Chandra Basumatary, both former managing directors of the AFDCL, and two former executive engineers of the AFDCL — Jyotish Saikia and Birinchi Adhikary. Other AFDCL employees — Jyoti Prasad Saikia (then assistant executive engineer), Saburuddin Ahmed (then assistant engineer), Bhogirath Das (then project manager) and Rabindra Narayan Deka (then assistant technical officer) — have also been arrested. (Source: PTI)    

National, REGIONAL

Centre moves two CoBRA battalions to Manipur

/

NEW DELHI : The Centre has ordered deployment of two battalions of the CRPF’s jungle warfare unit CoBRA for operational duties in Manipur, official sources said on Sunday. The state administration and the Union government have been working to bring long-lasting peace in Manipur as more than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Officials told PTI that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved a proposal of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to deploy two CoBRA battalions in Manipur– battalion no 207 based in West Bengal and 210 located in Assam– for operational duties. “The two CoBRA battalions will undertake specific operations against the armed groups that undertake violence in Manipur,” an senior security officer said, adding the earmarked units will move in the state over the next few weeks. The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was raised by the CRPF in 2008-09 to tackle the menace of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) that was raging in multiple Indian states apart from insurgency in certain states of the north east. CoBRA has a total of ten battalions at present and they are mostly deployed in the anti-Naxal operations theatre. Each CoBRA battalion has a strength of about 1,000 commandos. The commandos of this battalion are credited by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with undertaking successful intelligence-based jungle warfare and guerilla tactics operations against Naxals leading to the end of Maoist violence from the country this March. Officials said that with the operations in the LWE theatre now being reduced to seeking and destroying hidden improvised explosive devices (IEDs) apart from general security of the area, it was planned by the CRPF to move two CoBRA units to Manipur where restoration of complete peace is a task in a “work in progress.” “There are other CoBRA and CRPF units that can serve the Naxal violence hit areas post the end of armed Naxalism in the country. “One or two CoBRA units may also move to Jammu and Kashmir for full fledged operations once a final decision is taken,” a second officer said. (Source: PTI)    

REGIONAL

Assam council of ministers to be expanded on June 5: Himanta

/

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said his ministry would be expanded with the swearing in of new ministers next week. Sarma was sworn in as the chief minister for the second consecutive term on May 12 by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union ministers, chief ministers of NDA-ruled states and other top dignitaries. Along with the chief minister, four other ministers had taken oath — the BJP’s Ajanta Neog and Rameswar Teli, Asom Gana Parishad’s Atul Bora and Bodoland People’s Front’s Charan Boro. “I am pleased to inform that the Council of Ministers of the Government of Assam will be expanded on June 5, 2026,” Sarma said in a post on X. He did not mention the number or names of new ministers to be inducted. The BJP-led NDA came to power for a third successive term in the state, bagging 102 out of the total 126 seats. The saffron party had secured 82 seats, and its allies AGP and BPF won 10 each in the April 9 elections. (Source: PTI)

Editorial

Delayed verdicts: SC spells out timeline for HCs

/

Invoking Article 142 of the Constitution with the aim of delivering “complete justice”, the Supreme Court has directed all high courts to curb delays in the pronouncement of judgments. The timeline spelt out for verdicts — within three months from the date of reserving the order — is a step in the right direction. The Court has yet again acknowledged a troubling reality: delayed judgments are not merely administrative lapses but a denial of justice itself. It was in the Anil Rai case (2001) that the SC observed the worrisome practice among HC judges of first reserving verdicts and then failing to pronounce judgments for months or even years — or delivering only operative parts of the verdict with a promise to provide detailed reasons later, which in some cases was not done. Litigants suffer when cases are “reserved for judgment” indefinitely. Undertrials continue to languish in jail despite hearings being completed, while victims and their families remain gripped by uncertainty. The Court’s insistence that bail orders be issued on the same day — or at the latest, the next day — is therefore both humane and constitutionally necessary. The SC’s focus on transparency is also welcome. By directing high courts to upload judgments within 24 hours and disclose timelines relating to reservation, pronouncement and uploading of verdicts, the judiciary is embracing greater accountability. Public confidence in courts depends not only on the quality of judgments but also on their timely delivery. The apex court would also do well to ensure that its own judges don’t err on this front. It’s lamentable that the SC has to repeatedly remind high courts to do the needful. The figures are stark: over 64 lakh cases are pending in HCs across the country (around three-fourths are more than a year old). The latest directions are an attempt to institutionalise discipline within the judicial process. At the same time, judicial delays cannot be viewed solely as the failure of individual judges. Timelines must be accompanied by broader reforms, including expedited judicial appointments, better technological support and efficient case management systems. (Source: The Tribune)

Latest News, Popular News, State News

BJP dismisses reports of Khandu’s resignation, warns legal action

/

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh BJP leaders on Saturday strongly dismissed reports circulating on social media and certain digital platforms claiming that Chief Minister Pema Khandu was stepping down from his post, describing them as “fake news” and warning of legal action against those responsible for spreading the misinformation. BJP spokesperson Tanya Agu said there was no truth whatsoever in the reports and asserted that Khandu continues to function as the Chief Minister with full authority and responsibility. “The news being circulated about Chief Minister Pema Khandu stepping down is entirely fake and misleading. We strongly condemn the spread of such false information,” Agu said. He further warned that an FIR would be lodged against the media channel that allegedly carried the fabricated report, adding that strict legal action would be initiated against those attempting to mislead the public. Joining the rebuttal, Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao also dismissed the claims as baseless and said there was no indication of any change in the state’s political leadership. “Pema Khandu continues to remain the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are completely unfounded,” Gao said. Referring to the speculation surrounding the alleged leadership change, the BJP MP remarked that any such development would not go unnoticed. “Delhi and Arunachal Pradesh are well connected. If there were any such development, we would certainly know about it. There is absolutely no truth in these rumours,” he said. Both leaders urged people not to fall prey to misinformation being circulated through social media and unverified platforms and appealed to citizens to rely on official government and party channels for authentic information. The clarification came after reports claiming that Khandu was preparing to resign began circulating online, triggering speculation in political circles. BJP leaders, however, dismissed the reports as completely baseless, reiterating that there has been no discussion or development regarding any change in leadership in the state. (Source: NewsFY)    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

Guv urges NABARD to deepen rural credit, livelihood support

/

ITANAGAR : National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Regional Office, Itanagar General Manager-cum-Officer-in-Charge SV Ranga Rao called on Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) at Lok Bhavan on Saturday and discussed measures to strengthen rural livelihoods and enhance economic opportunities for farming and rural communities across Arunachal Pradesh. During the meeting, the Governor underscored NABARD’s pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture and integrated rural development. He advised the institution to ensure the timely and uninterrupted flow of credit to the agriculture sector, small-scale enterprises, cottage and village industries, artisans and rural entrepreneurs, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the State’s economy. Referring to his recent interaction with women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Boleng, Parnaik observed that the women of Arunachal Pradesh are hardworking, resilient and enterprising. He said that with proper guidance, skill development and access to financial resources, they can emerge as key drivers of socio-economic transformation. He urged NABARD to continue supporting grassroots initiatives that empower women and strengthen rural livelihoods. Highlighting the importance of financial inclusion, the Governor stressed the need to strengthen microfinance institutions, SHGs and rural banking networks to ensure that financial services reach underserved and economically weaker sections of society. He said empowering rural communities, particularly women and youth, through accessible credit and livelihood opportunities is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable development in the State. Ranga Rao assured the Governor that NABARD would continue to work with dedication and commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly those belonging to rural and agrarian communities.    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

BJP workers ambassadors of development: Mein

/

ITANAGAR : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday said BJP workers are not just political functionaries but “ambassadors of service, development and social responsibility”. Addressing the valedictory session of the Deendayal Upadhyaya Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan 2026 for Siang Zone II at Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district, Mein said the training programme helped strengthen ideological clarity, organisational discipline and the spirit of service among party workers. He said the initiative, inspired by Upadhyaya’s philosophy of ‘Integral Humanism and Antyodaya’, reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to the welfare of the last person in society and the broader goal of national development. “The training programme served as a vital platform to strengthen ideological clarity, organisational discipline and the spirit of service among our dedicated workers,” he said in a social media post. Reflecting on the party’s ideological foundations, Mein said the BJP’s growth has been driven by an unwavering focus on national interest. “From the vision of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the sacrifices of countless workers to the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP’s journey has always been guided by the principle of ‘Nation First’,” he said. He said BJP workers have consistently demonstrated their commitment to public service. “Our karyakartas are not merely political workers; they are ambassadors of service, development and social responsibility,” he said, citing their contributions during natural disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic and various community welfare initiatives. The deputy CM said it would inspire renewed commitment to serving the nation with integrity, dedication and selflessness. He felicitated noted social workers from Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts for their contributions to society. (Source: PTI)    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

AAPYO demands fair probe into alleged custodial torture of Gumin Mize

/

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Youth Organization (AAPYO) has demanded immediate action against police personnel allegedly involved in the custodial torture of Arunachal Pradesh resident and anti-drug activist Gumin Mize. Addressing a press conference held at the Arunachal Press Club here on Saturday, AAPYO president Kipa Kanam informed that the organization had submitted a formal representation to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SP), North Lakhimpur district, Assam, seeking a fair and transparent inquiry into the alleged custodial violence. Kanam stated that the incident has triggered widespread concern across Arunachal Pradesh. He said that photographic evidence circulating on social media appears to be genuine, while medical reports reportedly confirm that Mize sustained serious physical injuries during his period in police custody. He further informed that members of AAPYO visited Mize at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun, after his release from judicial custody on May 27. According to Kanam, Mize suffered severe swelling and other visible injuries, which raise serious concerns about the treatment meted out to individuals under police custody. He alleged that the injuries point towards custodial violence and constitute a violation of fundamental human rights and the constitutional protections guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The AAPYO president said the organization has placed two key demands before the North Lakhimpur Police authorities. These include conducting a fair and transparent investigation into the matter and immediately suspending all police personnel allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of the inquiry. In addition, the organization has sought compensation of Rs 1 crore for Mize, citing the physical and mental trauma he allegedly endured while in custody. Expressing confidence in the authorities, Kanam urged them to take swift and appropriate action to ensure justice and uphold public trust in law enforcement institutions. “Mize has done excellent work over the past several years in the fight against drugs. He has facilitated the arrest of several individuals involved in drug peddling in Arunachal Pradesh as well as in Assam,” Kanam said. No official response from the North Lakhimpur Police had been received at the time of filing this report. Mize was arrested by Assam Police on May 20 from Itanagar in connection with a case registered in Assam’s Lakhimpur district. He was later granted interim bail by the District and Sessions Court, Lakhimpur, and was released from judicial custody on May 27.