REGIONAL

KOHIMA : A study by Nagaland University has highlighted how indigenous knowledge sustains terrace farming among Angami Nagas, with the institute saying the findings would help support national efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture. The central university, in a release, said the use of ecological indicators for agricultural planning and the deep integration of farming with cultural traditions of the community have also been found in the new research. “A Nagaland University study has generated new insights into how traditional knowledge continues to guide and facilitate terrace farming among the Angami Naga population. It presents significant lessons in sustainable agriculture and food security,” it said. The findings of the study will also support national efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture, the university said. Furthermore, the results of this study may also help implement development policies and projects that would otherwise hinder indigenous people from using their culturally sensitive agricultural methods. The findings of the study, published in the Sage journal, are based on doctoral research work conducted by Ketekhoto Neihu under the supervision of Srikanth Yamsani, Assistant Professor at the Tribal Research Centre, Department of Sociology. Commenting on the research finding, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, said, “The study highlights how traditional wisdom continues to sustain agricultural productivity, ecological balance and community resilience in the hill landscapes of Nagaland.” The findings showed that the sustainability of Angami terrace cultivation rests on the harmonious integration of ecological practices, social cooperation and cultural traditions, he added. “At a time when the world is seeking sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural solutions, such research underscores the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems and the importance of documenting, preserving and learning from them,” Patnaik said. Unlike previous studies, which focused on the technicalities of terrace farming, the present study goes deeper into the underlying social, cultural and ecological knowledge system that supports the practice. “The study provides valuable insights into the sophisticated methods of soil and water management developed by the Angami community over generations, the use of ecological indicators in agricultural planning, and the deep cultural values embedded within farming practices,” Patnaik said. It demonstrated that indigenous knowledge is not merely a legacy of the past but a living system that contributes significantly to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, he added. Talking about the significance of the research, lead researcher Srikanth Yamsani said, “Our study found that the Angami Naga population continues to practice farming in close association with cycles and signs of nature. Farmers plant, transplant, and harvest using clues like plant bloom times, bird habits and insects.” While these forms of agricultural practice are still strong, it is important to point out the new challenges being faced by farmers, such as changing patterns of rainfall and climate variability, he added. Northeast India has diverse farming practices due to its varied agro-climatic zones and indigenous traditions that are deeply rooted in society. (Source: PTI)          

SHILLONG : The northeast region is “daring to dream” in shaping its growth story, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said here on Monday and announced that in the next few years, eight new five-star hotels are set to be opened in his state. In his address at a summit, he also underlined that time is “crucial” for the northeast, and “we just need to connect dots”. Sangma said the northeast today has the political will, policy and thought process to grow, and its states are “daring to dream”. “Earlier, we didn’t dare to dream, but now we are, and that’s a confidence we wish to convey to the investors looking to invest in our region,” he said. The ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’ is being hosted from June 15-16 at Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and several other dignitaries were also present on the dais. “In the last eight years, our (state) budget has grown twice as much. And, I am confident that by 2028-2029, it will grow to thrice of what the volume was eight years ago,” Sangma said in his address. “Our capital expenditure, the expenditure on infrastructure and investment we do, it has grown six times in the last eight years,” he said. In Meghalaya, today the state is doing something that “we had not even thought of earlier”, Sangma emphasised. In this country, “the biggest dedicated football stadium is being built in Meghalaya, with a capacity of 40,000, and worth about Rs 800 crore investment, a FIFA-certified football stadium, which can host any international-level game,” the Meghalaya chief minister said. He said Meghalaya is going to host the National Games next year. “We are making full preparations for it.” Sangma pointed to the several buildings and other infrastructure projects which are underway in the state. “Our new assembly building is ready, our new secretariat building is getting built, and perhaps in a year or year and a half, we will be able to start our administrative work from there,” Sangma said. “Meghalaya earlier didn’t have a single five-star hotel. In the last five years, we have started two five-star hotels. And, you will be happy to learn that in the next three-four years, eight new five stars are set to be opened, their agreements signed, and work had started on four of them,” he added. The local airport in Shillong was built but closed, it has opened again, and big commercial operations will be able to start from it in the next 1-1.5 years, Sangma said. Before the inaugural session, Gadkari, the Union minister for road, transport and highways, also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies at the summit venue. (Source: PTI)    

SHILLONG : A mega two-day summit shining a spotlight on the growth potential of the eight northeastern states began here on Monday, in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and chief ministers of Meghalaya and Nagaland. Before the inaugural session, Gadkari, the Union minister for road, transport and highways, also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies for the summit hosted at Lariti Performing Centre here. In his address, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed described the ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’, a first-of-its-kind event and a “historic moment” for the region. He underlined the growth of road and other infrastructure in Meghalaya and said the northeast, which earlier was seen as a “far away” and “peripheral place”, is now seen as a “hub for prosperity” and region with a potential for growth. Ahammed asserted that the central government’s focus on the northeast is “visible and palpable”. “The northeast is no more the periphery, but the pole of India’s future and growth,” he added. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and several other dignitaries were also present on the dais. (Source: PTI)    

SHILLONG : Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday announced a slew of road projects for the northeast region and said infrastructure development here will serve as the “growth engine”. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’, being hosted on June 15-16 at the Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong. Gadkari emphasised the central government’s commitment to the region’s development. “We’re committed to ensuring progress of the northeast region, equivalent to other states,” he said. Announcing a series of road infrastructure projects, the minister for road, transport and highways said, “Infrastructure development in northeast will serve as growth engine for the region.” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, along with several other dignitaries, were present on the dais. Speaking on the occasion, Sangma said, “Earlier, we didn’t dare to dream, but now we are, and that’s a confidence we wish to convey to the investors looking to invest in our region.” The mega summit aims to shine a spotlight on the growth potential of the eight northeastern states. Earlier in the day, Gadkari also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies for the summit hosted at Lariti Performing Centre here. Ahead of the inaugural session, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed described the summit as a first-of-its-kind event and a “historic moment” for the region. “The northeast is no more the periphery, but the pole of India’s future and growth,” he added. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL : At least three persons were injured in an exchange of fire between two groups in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Monday, officials said. The firing took place near Leilon Vaiphei village around 6 am when armed persons belonging to two tribal communities exchanged fire in the Kuki-majority district, they said. The injured, all belonging to the Kuki community, were brought to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for treatment by security forces. They were identified as Genlenmang Vaiphei (18), Lunliandaw Vaiphei (20) and Paogou Lal (18), officials said. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the hospital complex with additional deployment of central forces. (Source: PTI)    

AGARTALA : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said the state government is considering amalgamating some schools and handing them over to reputed organisations such as the Ramakrishna Mission to improve the quality of education. The NITI Aayog, in a recent report, pointed to a shortage of more than 8,000 teachers in government-run schools in the northeastern state. “We are planning to merge some schools and entrust their management to organisations or societies like the Ramakrishna Mission so that students receive quality education,” Saha told reporters. He said many students, particularly in tribal areas, prefer English-medium institutions, leading to lower enrolment in government-run schools. “We are trying to create an environment in government schools comparable to that of private institutions to attract more students. The government is spending more than private schools,” he said. Most government schools in Tripura are Bengali-medium, while a majority of private schools offer English-medium education. In 2021, the state government converted 125 schools into Vidyajyoti Schools under the CBSE curriculum to improve educational standards. The chief minister also said the dropout rate in the state has been steadily declining and highlighted the government’s efforts to encourage girls to continue their education. Describing child marriage as a major social concern, Saha said the government has launched several initiatives to keep girls in school and help them become self-reliant. As part of those efforts, the state has expanded its bicycle distribution programme for class 9 girls by removing the family income ceiling, making more students eligible for the benefit, he said. Saha said around 41,800 class 9 girl students across Tripura are being provided free bicycles during the current financial year. (Source: PTI)    

DIBRUGARH : A total of 10 suspected drug traffickers have been arrested and several incriminating items, including contraband goods, seized in a major operation in Dibrugarh district of Assam, police said on Monday. According to Dibrugarh Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip, heroin, cash, vehicles, mobile phone and gold have been seized in the operation carried out on Sunday in Harijan Colony in Kalibari area near Dibrugarh Town railway station. “Acting on a tip-off, multiple police teams launched coordinated raids at several abandoned railway colony quarters and other locations in a crackdown on an organised drug trafficking network operating in the heart of the town,” he added. A total of 10 people have been arrested and are being interrogated, while several additional names have surfaced during questioning and efforts are underway to apprehend others allegedly linked to the network, the officer said. “During the operation, police seized 79.55 gm of suspected heroin concealed in eight containers. Police also seized a mobile handset along with a SIM card,” he added. A large number of syringes allegedly used for drug consumption and distribution were also seized, the SP said. “These included 40 packets containing six insulin syringes each, taking the total to 240 syringes, besides six packets containing 10 high-tech insulin syringes each, amounting to another 60 syringes,” he added. Dilip said police further seized cash amounting to Rs 4,92,710, suspected to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade. “Four vehicles were also confiscated during the operation. In addition, police seized several ornaments suspected to have been purchased from the proceeds of narcotics trafficking. The seized valuables include two pairs of gold earrings, a gold chain, a gold finger ring and a 5 gm silver coin,” he added. Investigators are examining the source of the seized narcotics, the financial transactions involved and the wider distribution network operating in the region, the SP said. “The operation is being viewed as one of the most significant anti-drug crackdowns in Dibrugarh in recent years. An organised drug syndicate had allegedly been operating from abandoned railway quarters near the old railway station for a prolonged period,” he added. While the operation resulted in major seizures and multiple arrests, the alleged kingpin of the network is reported to have escaped and remains at large, Dilip said. “A letter has already been issued to DRM Tinsukia for eviction of illegally settled people on railway land,” he added. Dilip said the investigation is continuing, and further arrests and seizures are expected in the coming days as police intensify their crackdown on drug trafficking in the district. (Source: PTI)