REGIONAL

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday alleged that vested interests were attempting to derail the government’s efforts to restore peace in the ethnic violence-hit state. Addressing a one-day BJP Mandal-level political workers’ conference in Lilong constituency of Thoubal district, Singh said his foremost priority after assuming office was to reunite the people of Manipur after nearly three years of ethnic strife. The CM said he had twice visited Jiribam district, bordering Assam, where he met internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltered at various relief camps and interacted with families of victims from both the Meitei and Hmar communities, according to an official statement. During his second visit by road, Singh said he met members of the Kuki, Hmar, Paite, Meitei, Meitei Muslim and Rongmei Naga communities, and noted that people from these communities were now living peacefully alongside one another in the district. However, he said the peace process suffered a setback following the recent bomb blast at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, in which two children were killed. He alleged that certain vested interests did not want peace to return to the state and were trying to obstruct the government’s initiatives. “Such ill-intentioned people cannot continue to disrupt the lives of common citizens indefinitely. Honesty and sincerity will ultimately prevail. God will not forgive them,” he said. Referring to concerns expressed by supporters over his visits to sensitive and violence-prone areas, Singh said he remained committed to restoring peace and normalcy despite the risks. “Every person is born and is destined to die one day,” he said, reaffirming his resolve to continue outreach efforts across the state. Singh also paid tribute to former Manipur chief minister Mohammed Alimuddin, who represented the Lilong Assembly constituency, praising his courage, determination and commitment to the people. Later, in a social media post, Singh said the BJP’s strength lay in its committed grassroots workers and expressed confidence that the conference would further strengthen the organisation. (Source: PTI)        

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the successful launch of India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, Vikram-1, was a “new pinnacle for India’s space industry and the limits of entrepreneurial possibilities”. Congratulating the team of Skyroot Aerospace, which was behind the development of the rocket, he said for “New India’s” innovators, investors and entrepreneurs, “sky is not the limit, deep space is”. In its maiden voyage, the four-stage, seven-storey-tall Vikram-1 deployed its primary payloads — technology demonstrators from Grahaa Space, Cosmoserve, DCubed, and Skyroot’s SCOPE — into a 450 km Low Earth Orbit. It also successfully deployed a micro-art payload, an 18-karat gold rocket and a handwritten postcard from Prime Minister Narendra Modi bearing the message “Vande Mataram”, along with postcards from engineers, scientists, and Indian astronauts. In his congratulatory message on X, Sarma said, “The launch of Vikram-1 represents a new pinnacle both for India’s space industry and the limits of entrepreneurial possibilities. My compliments to the entire @SkyrootA team as they launch India’s first private orbital launch vehicle.” The achievement reaffirms that in a “New India and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, the sky is not the limit, deep space is for our innovators, investors and entrepreneurs”, the Assam chief minister said. He said the launch was significant for several reasons, including being the country’s first all-carbon composite orbital rocket, powered by a 3D-printed engine and is a fitting tribute to the pioneers in the field. Stressing that Vikram-1 is significant for many reasons, the CM said it is India’s first all-carbon composite orbital rocket, powered by a 3D-printed engine. “Beyond enabling commercially viable satellite launches by the private sector, the mission is also testing technologies that could contribute to tackling the challenge of space debris,” he said. Pointing out that the launch happened exactly 46 years after the launch of India’s pioneering SLV-3, Sarma said it makes a fitting tribute to the generations of scientists and engineers. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA : Nagaland Police has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for credible information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for the July 13 IED blast in Chumoukedima district. An Assam Rifles jawan was killed, and five others — four security personnel and a civilian — were injured in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast along Chümoukedima (A) village–Shokhuvi road in Nagaland’s Chümoukedima district on July 13. A public notice issued by Commissioner of Police Dimapur, Aotula T Imchen, said the Dimapur Police Commissionerate is carrying out an intensive investigation to identify and apprehend all persons involved in planning, facilitating, executing or aiding what it described as a “heinous terrorist act.” The reward would be granted for credible information leading to: identification or arrest of the perpetrators or their associates; identification of persons involved in planning, financing, harbouring, transporting or facilitating the offence; recovery of explosives, explosive components, weapons, communication devices, vehicles or any other incriminating material connected with the case; and discovery of any hideout, safe house or logistical support network linked to the offenders. Police have appealed to members of the public to share any information related to the case, however, insignificant it may appear, by contacting 7085055003 or 7085055011, both of which are also available on WhatsApp. The Dimapur Police Commissionerate assured that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential and protected in accordance with the law, while anonymous information would also be accepted. It said the reward would be released only after verification that the information had materially contributed to the detection of the case, recovery of evidence or apprehension of the offenders, subject to approval by the competent authority. The police further urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, assuring that all information received would be acted upon promptly and discreetly in the interest of public safety and national security. (Source: PTI)      

GUWAHATI : Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Saturday discussed with stakeholders associated with the tourism sector in Kaziranga National Park, inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, to chart a sustainable conservation and tourism roadmap. The participants at the meeting also deliberated on preparations for the next wildlife tourism season, an official statement said. The meeting was attended by representatives from the tourism industry, local stakeholders and officials of the Forest Department. The discussed measures aimed at improving visitor facilities, strengthening wildlife conservation and enhancing coordination among all agencies involved in the management of Kaziranga, an official statement said. Addressing the media after the meeting, the minister said the objective of the consultation was to prepare well in advance for the next tourism season by incorporating practical suggestions from all stakeholders. He requested the stakeholders to submit their recommendations in writing to his department within the next 10 days so that they could be examined and incorporated into the action plan. “I will return to Kaziranga to review the recommendations and finalise our roadmap for the coming tourism season,” he said. Baruah said that his previous experience as the state’s tourism minister has given him a close understanding of Kaziranga’s strengths as well as the challenges faced by the tourism sector. He said the Forest Department would work in close consultation with stakeholders to identify priority interventions for conservation, visitor management and tourism development. Highlighting the importance of institutional coordination, Baruah said the Forest and Tourism departments would work together to ensure balanced development while safeguarding the ecological integrity of KNP. Referring to experiences from other wildlife destinations in the country, he said there is considerable scope to increase tourism revenue through better facilities, including quality accommodation for different categories of visitors, without compromising environmental safeguards. The minister added that increased revenue generated through responsible tourism would directly support wildlife conservation, habitat management and other developmental works within protected areas. On the issue of year-round tourism, Baruah said that tourism activities inside the core area of KNP cannot continue throughout the year due to ecological requirements, including the annual flood cycle that sustains the Park’s unique biodiversity. However, the department would explore options for promoting tourism-related activities during the off-season so that local stakeholders, including hotels and tourism service providers, could sustain their livelihoods throughout the year without affecting wildlife conservation, the minister added. The park is not just about one-horned rhinos and tigers but is also home to elephants, wild water buffalo, and several bird species. Ganges River Dolphins are also found in the rivers that crisscross the park. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that he held discussions with ‘Dhurandhar’ director Aditya Dhar for a movie on legendary Ahom general Lachit Borphukan. Sarma asserted that a grand-scale Hindi film on Borphukan will further encapsulate him and his heroics at the national and international level. “The movie ‘Dhurandhar’ was a big hit. Aditya Dhar was the director and he is among the best known names among his contemporaries,” the CM said during a Facebook Live on Thursday evening. Borphukan was a legendary army commander of the Ahom kingdom (1228-1826), and is known for his leadership in the 1671 ‘Battle of Saraighat’, which thwarted a drawn-out attempt by the Mughal force to take back Assam. Sarma said he has already spoken to Dhar for a film on Borphukan for a pan-India audience, and the National Award winning filmmaker has told him he will meet the chief minister in August to take the discussion forward. “I think if our government can produce a film on Lachit Borphukan, we can make his heroics known globally. And, it will be a special achievement for us,” Sarma asserted. The state government’s budget for 2026-27, which was laid in the assembly on July 10, has proposed films on the lives of Borphukan and freedom fighter Kushal Konwar. (Source: PTI)    

TEZPUR : Three human trafficking victims, including a minor, were rescued from a prostitution network in West Bengal by a joint police team of both states, a police officer said here on Friday. Sonitpur Senior Superintendent of Police Barun Purkayastha said that all three victims were females and one belonged to this district. The other two, including the minor girl, were from neighbouring districts. Purkayastha said that the trio was lured with the promise of jobs and taken to Siliguri in a neighbouring state, where they were forced into prostitution. “The rescue operation was carried out with the help of West Bengal police by our team. The victims have been brought back safely,” he said. Police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest those involved in the trafficking racket. “Efforts are also on to find out if more people are linked to the network. Further investigation is going on,” the police officer added. (Source: PTI)    

GANGTOK : Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang launched ‘CM-SAATHI’, a major education initiative aimed at providing free, high-quality coaching and academic support to students preparing for national-level entrance examinations such as JEE and NEET. Developed in collaboration with the Government of India’s SATHEE initiative, the programme will offer expert video lectures, study materials, mock tests, practice questions, doubt-solving support and technology-enabled learning to students across Sikkim, an official release said on Friday. The chief minister said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that no student is denied opportunities because of financial constraints. “CM-SAATHI will provide free, world-class coaching and academic support for JEE and NEET aspirants and ensure that quality coaching reaches the homes and schools of our students, regardless of their financial background,” Tamang said on Thursday after launching the CM-SAATHI initiative. The programme is expected to benefit more than 2,000 students from over 40 government and private schools across Sikkim. The initiative will also strengthen the capabilities of science and mathematics teachers through collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Tamang said he has requested the Ministry of Education to explore extending similar support to other competitive examinations, including CUET, CLAT, NDA and UPSC Foundation programmes, so that students from diverse academic streams can benefit. “CM-SAATHI is more than a programme; it is an investment in the aspirations of our youth and the bright future of Sikkim,” he said. The chief minister urged students to “dream big, remain disciplined, and make the most of this opportunity. He also called upon principals, teachers and parents to actively guide and motivate students as they prepare for higher education and competitive examinations. The chief minister thanked the Ministry of Education, Government of India, IIT Kanpur, the SATHEE team and officials of the state Education Department for their support in implementing the initiative. State officials said CM-SAATHI is expected to significantly expand access to quality competitive-exam preparation in Sikkim and help nurture a new generation of doctors, engineers, scientists, innovators and leaders. (Source: PTI)    

AGARTALA : The Congress on Thursday demanded that teachers of government-run schools be excluded from the census exercise in Tripura and instead contractual staffers be engaged in the enumeration process. In a letter to Chief Minister Manik Saha, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Asish Kumar Saha said the state government often speaks about improving education, but schools are facing a shortage of teachers. “Currently, around 18,000 posts of teachers at different levels remain vacant across various wings of the education department while over 450 government schools are running with a single teacher (according to NITI Aayog findings). The growing pressure on teachers due to staff shortages adversely affects the quality of education,” he said. Saha said teachers should primarily focus on teaching students, but they are “frequently engaged in government administrative work”. “As a result, students, parents, and the education system are suffering,” the Congress leader claimed. “In view of the present situation, we reiterate our demand to exclude government teachers from the census process and engage contractual staffers from the pool of educated youths to conduct the important exercise,” he said. The first phase of the census – house listing and house enumeration – is set to be carried out from August 1 to 30 in the state. Additionally, teachers may be relieved from the responsibility of booth level officers (BLOs) to ensure quality education in the state, he wrote. Saha also voiced concern over the Supreme Court’s recent verdict mandating a BEd degree for in-service government teachers. “If the ruling is implemented, around 10,000 government teachers will be affected in the northeastern state where teacher shortage is already a serious concern. I suggest taking up the issue with the Centre for an amicable solution to the problem,” he said. Saha also demanded immediate recruitment of teachers by following a transparent recruitment drive to address the acute shortage of teachers in government schools. (Source: PTI)      

IMPHAL : Security forces arrested seven people for allegedly possessing illegal firearms in Manipur’s hill and valley districts, police said on Thursday. During an operation based on specific input, security forces apprehended four residents of Sikibung Village in Ukhrul district on Tuesday, a police statement said. They were arrested during the operation conducted to nab the perpetrators of the July 6 ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy, which killed two of its personnel in the district. Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed when suspected militants fired at the convoy at Shangshak near Nungshang Khong, about 17 km from the Ukhrul district headquarters, and three persons were detained in connection with it. “Two SBBL guns, live SBBL cartridges and a wireless communication set were seized from the possession of the four arrested people,” the police said. Security forces also apprehended an active cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party-MC (Progressive) on Wednesday from Khurai Ahongei in Imphal East district on charges of illegal firearm possession. Two persons, hailing from Khurai Lairikyengbam in Imphal East district, were arrested on Wednesday from their locality, the police said. One pistol along with two magazines and 11 live rounds of bullets were recovered from their possession, the statement added. Security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable localities across Manipur since ethnic violence broke out three years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. (Source: PTI)