REGIONAL

IMPHAL/ KANGPOKPI : Members of a women’s organisation staged a protest here on Friday demanding an immediate session of the Manipur assembly to discuss critical issues, including the prevailing law and order situation. Members of Imagi Meira, a women’s organisation, held the demonstration in front of the assembly complex. “We are seeking an assembly session to discuss several issues of the state, including the prevailing law and order situation and a resolution on Suspension of Operations (SoO),” Imagi Meira president Sujata Thokchom told reporters. She said members of the House, irrespective of their affiliation to the ruling or opposition parties, should come together for the session. “So far, no decision could be taken from the assembly to save the state,” she said. In Kangpokpi district, hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) staged a protest demanding the immediate release of pending funds through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) meant for the displaced people in the district. The protest was organised by the Kangpokpi District Internally Displaced Welfare Committee, which said thousands of people have been affected due to delays in the release of DBT assistance for July. In a statement, the committee said the DBT assistance is primarily used for paying school fees and admission charges of displaced children, purchasing essential food items and medicines, besides meeting other household expenses. It alleged that despite July coming to an end, no registered IDP in Kangpokpi district had received the month’s assistance. The committee urged the Manipur government to immediately release the pending DBT amount and continue providing monthly assistance until displaced families are safely resettled. It also demanded a fixed schedule for monthly disbursement of the aid. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : The toll in Assam floods has increased to 80 with two more fatalities, while eight districts and 2.12 lakh people remained affected, officials said on Friday. The state government has announced a six-month moratorium on repaying all types of loans availed by flood-affected people, while also demanding a support package from the Centre for the relief and rehabilitation of people ravaged by an unprecedented deluge. The officials said that both the latest deaths were reported from Sivasagar district. With these, the toll in this year’s deluge has mounted to 80. A total of 21 revenue circles and 437 villages in eight districts of Golaghat, Sivasagar, Biswanath, Charaideo, Kamrup (Metropolitan), Jorhat, Dhemaji and Nagaon continued to be affected by the floods. The number of impacted people was at 2,12,400, with Charaideo being the worst-hit with nearly 80,000 people affected, followed by Sivasagar (71,000) and Jorhat (40,000). The flood situation has improved since Wednesday, when seven districts and more than three lakh people were affected. The administration was operating 112 relief camps and relief distribution centres in four districts, taking care of 75,583 affected people at present. Multiple agencies such as the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Service, police and civil agencies are engaged in rescue and relief operations. Crop area of 17,198.09 hectares has been submerged across Assam, while embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure have also been damaged by flood waters. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a special meeting of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), attended by representatives from the RBI, NABARD, SBI and all other commercial banks, decided on a relief scheme for the customers who availed loans in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. “The SLBC decided that a moratorium of six months will be offered to all flood-affected people in these districts,” he added. Sarma further said that the tenure of loans availed by all flood-affected people can be extended from one year up to seven years in all banks, depending on the type of debt. He also said the state government placed its demand for a support package before the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which concluded its four-day tour of flood-devastated districts in Upper Assam on Wednesday. Sarma said the state government also demanded recognition of the Upper Assam floods as an “atypical, high-intensity, rapid-onset event” with flexible norms for damage assessment and assistance. (Source: PTI)        

GUWAHATI : Nearly 13,000 households in flood-affected areas of Assam still do not have any electricity connection, almost 11 days after several districts were ravaged by an unprecedented mud-filled deluge. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the administration is continuously evaluating the flood situation in Upper Assam and accordingly taking decisions to restore power connections in the households. “Consumers without electricity have declined by a further 30 per cent. As water levels recede, we are continuously assessing safety conditions and will restore more transformers to the grid wherever it is safe to do so,” he said in a post on X. The flood impact and power supply status report for Sivasagar electrical circle, prepared by Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) and shared by Sarma, showed that a total of 12,756 consumers are still affected or without electricity. The affected areas are Gaurisagar, Sivasagar, Nazira, Amguri and Demow, it added. On July 24, Sarma had said that around 40,000 households did not have electricity supply although power had been restored to 75 per cent connections. Heavy rains in Nagaland and Upper Assam districts wreaked havoc in three districts from wee hours on July 19. The flood situation in Assam remained grim on Thursday even as water receded from most parts of the state, with the death toll rising to 78 and over three lakh people continuing to reel under the deluge. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), however, forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms at isolated places across the state and neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland over the next three days, raising concerns for districts bordering the two states. (Source: PTI)  

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state has demanded a support package from the Centre for relief and rehabilitation of the people ravaged by an unprecedented flood. The state government placed its demand before the Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which concluded its four-day tour to flood-devastated districts of Upper Assam on Wednesday. “The floods this year has been on an unprecedented scale, leaving behind a trail of devastation which our Double Engine Govt will mitigate to sufferings of our people,” Sarma said in a post on X. He said that the state government has placed a demand for recognition of the Upper Assam floods as an “atypical, high-intensity, rapid-onset event” with flexible norms for damage assessment and assistance. It demanded a “dedicated Central support package” for Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat, covering relief, housing, infrastructure and livelihood restoration, Sarma said. He, however, did not mention how much money the state has asked from the Centre under the package. Assam also sought the establishment of a Northeast disaster risk reduction mechanism to strengthen regional coordination across all phases of disaster management covering Assam and seven neighbouring states, Sarma said. The flood situation in Assam remained grim on Thursday even as water receded from most parts of the state, with the death toll rising to 78 and over three lakh people continuing to reel under the deluge. Sarma said that the IMCT visited the state to undertake an on-ground assessment and review the ongoing relief, restoration and rehabilitation efforts as per assurances given by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “During the review, the team was apprised of the extensive damage caused to critical infrastructure, agriculture and livelihoods,” he added. To deal with the situation effectively, Assam sought relaxation of documentation and eligibility norms under Central and centrally-sponsored schemes to enable affected households to access hassle-free support, the CM said. Besides, a district-wise reconstruction plan for roads, bridges, schools, health, water and power infrastructure and a rapid multi-agency assessment and strengthening of breached embankments on hill-fed rivers before the next monsoon were also demanded from the Centre, he added. Lastly, the state requested convergence of disaster assistance with national programmes for housing, water, agriculture, health and social protection, along with targeted support for women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly, Sarma said. “We are confident that the team will keep the ground realities and our best interests in mind and communicate to the Centre accordingly,” he added. The Union Home Minister on Wednesday dialled the Assam Chief Minister to take stock of the flood situation, while the latter said that although floodwaters have receded, many are unable to return as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt. Shah, who called Sarma for the second time in seven days, assured him of all possible assistance from the Centre for relief and restoration efforts. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL : Security forces arrested two women in Manipur’s Imphal East district for their alleged involvement in the sale of arms and explosives, police said on Thursday. A woman cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba) was also apprehended from Khurai Heikhrumakhong area under the Porompat Police Station limits in the district on Wednesday, a police statement said. Two women were arrested from Shanta Bazar under the Andro Police Station on the same day, it said. They were accused of being involved in the “illegal procurement, transportation and sale of arms and explosives”, the statement said. A hand grenade the two had allegedly brought to Shanta Bazar to sell to a prospective buyer was seized from their possession, an officer said. Security forces also arrested a member of a youth organisation from his residence at Leimapokpam in Bishnupur district for allegedly extorting money from people, the police said. Three receipt books and documents containing the details of employees of the health department were seized from his possession, the statement added. Security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable localities across all districts of 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)      

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that though the floodwaters have receded from most of the affected areas, those hit were not able to return as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt. He said it was still difficult to reach some of the worst-hit areas as the roads have been blocked by the mud that came down with the waters from the adjoining hills of Nagaland. Addressing reporters after flagging off relief materials collected from state BJP workers, Sarma said, “The flood situation has improved as there has been no heavy rainfall after July 21. But the problem is that the damage has been so huge.” “People cannot return to their homes as their houses have either been damaged or filled with mud and silt. It is still difficult to reach some areas as roads have been blocked with mud that was carried down from the hills of Nagaland along with the water,” he said. The chief minister said the floods as a whole have subsided, and the situation will improve in days to come. “It is important now how we resolve the misery of our people,” Sarma said. To a query whether Assam will seek help from the global community, he said, “We do not need international aid. The central and state governments are competent to deal with the situation.” He said donations are coming in from various parts of the country, and detailed data will be released soon. The chief minister flagged off a BJP delegation carrying flood relief materials worth Rs 16 crore collected through contributions from party workers for the flood-affected people of Charaideo and Sivasagar districts, a party statement said. In addition to these two districts, the state BJP will also provide relief materials to the flood-affected people of Jorhat and Golaghat districts. State BJP president Dilip Saikia, several ministers, BJP MLAs and party workers were also present on the occasion. The relief materials include 1.8 lakh ‘mekhela chadors’ (traditional Assamese attire for women), 1.8 lakh children’s T-shirts, and 1.5 lakh mosquito nets. Speaking on the occasion, Sarma expressed gratitude to various organisations, NGOs, and individuals across Assam who have come forward to support the flood victims through different forms of assistance. He further said that following the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he will hold a meeting on Thursday with representatives of all banks operating in Assam to discuss special support measures for loans availed by flood-affected citizens. Meanwhile, NDA ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) also sent relief materials for the affected people in the eastern Assam districts. AGP president and state cabinet minister Atul Bora flagged off the vehicles carrying the materials from Guwahati. Senior party leaders, including MPs Phani Bhusan Choudhury and Birendra Prasad Baishya, vice-president Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjya and others, will oversee the relief distribution, an AGP statement said. (Source: PTI)    

IMPHAL : Manipur MP A Sharda Devi on Wednesday urged the Centre to expedite approval of various proposals submitted by the state government, with a special focus on the welfare and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs). She met Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi at Parliament House and discussed issues relating to the development of the state amid the prevailing socio-political situation. In a post on social media, the Rajya Sabha MP said she requested the Union minister to facilitate approval of the proposals and demands submitted by the Manipur government, stressing the need for timely intervention and enhanced support for communities affected by the ongoing crisis. The discussions focused particularly on the welfare and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, she said. Sharda Devi, who is also the state BJP president, said the Union minister assured her that the Ministry of Women and Child Development would extend all possible assistance to the people of Manipur and give due consideration to the requests raised during the meeting. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that the state has emerged as a “stellar model” in tiger conservation, and affirmed his government’s commitment to protect the big cats on International Tiger Day. He said anti-poaching measures and technology-driven surveillance, among others, have paid off for wildlife protection in the state. “On #InternationalTigerDay, we celebrate the remarkable success of India’s tiger conservation strategy, with Assam emerging as a stellar model of habitat management and wildlife protection,” Sarma said in a post on X. Through rigorous anti-poaching measures, active corridor preservation and tech-driven surveillance, Assam’s tiger population has steadily grown in the last few years, he claimed. Sarma said that a “standout milestone this year is the incredible transformation of the Nameri Tiger Reserve, which quadrupled its tiger count from 3 to 12”. “From Kaziranga and Manas to Orang and Nameri, our reserves stand proud as secure sanctuaries for the Royal Bengal Tiger. Let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting these apex predators and maintaining the ecological balance of our region,” the chief minister added. (Source: PTI)  

GUWAHATI : NDA constituent Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) MLA Rupam Chandra Roy on Wednesday questioned the BJP-led Assam government over the delay in granting Scheduled Tribe status to six communities of the state. Raising the matter in the Assembly during Zero Hour, the first-time MLA said the issue gets delayed every time the government report on granting ST status is discussed. “We want the granting of ST status to all six communities as soon as possible. I urge the government to do the needful in this direction without affecting the existing STs,” Roy said. Assam Tribal Affairs (Plain) Minister Ranoj Pegu said granting ST status to any community is purely a central subject and the state government has sent proposals in this direction on multiple occasions. “Unless the Registrar General of India gives a positive report and a bill is passed in Parliament, it cannot be done. The central government asked us for modalities in this matter and we have already submitted a report in the Assembly,” he added. In the meantime, the Assam government has reserved some seats for these communities in medical colleges run by the state, Pegu said. Assam’s Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai-Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribe communities have been demanding ST status for many years, while multiple assurances for granting the reservation are regularly offered by many senior BJP leaders and ministers. On July 14, during the ongoing Budget session, opposition Congress and Raijor Dal had staged a walkout from Assam Assembly over not giving Scheduled Tribe status to six indigenous communities of the state. Leader of the Opposition, Wajed Ali Choudhury, had raised the issue as Special Mention under Rule 301 and wanted to know when the ST status will be accorded to the communities. A Group of Ministers (GoM) of the state government had submitted an interim report with its recommendations on the demand for ST status to the Assembly in November last year. The report is yet to be sent to the Centre. The GoM report recommended a three-tier reservation classification of STs in the state so that the demand can be met without affecting the reservation of the existing tribal groups. If these communities are granted ST status, they will come under reservation for education and jobs. The GoM proposed the formation of a new category of ‘ST (Valley)’, and inclusion of Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes, and Koch-Rajbongshi (excluding undivided Goalpara) in it. For Moran, Motok and Koch-Rajbongshi (Goalpara), it said they can be included in ‘ST (Plains)’, and the existing communities in this category “do not have much opposition”, the report said. It said dialogue has to continue with all stakeholders for a “conclusive solution”, and the final nod has to be given by Parliament through a constitutional amendment. (Source: PTI)              

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that 13 infiltrators have been identified, and appropriate legal action was initiated against them. He, however, did not mention where the illegal migrants were detected. “Our Detect, Delete, Deport mechanism is underway to secure Assam’s interests. Thirteen individuals have been identified, and appropriate action has been taken to deal with them in accordance with law.” Sarma said in a post on X on Monday. He said the state government will firmly deal with all elements which are detrimental to Assam’s security. Nearly 2,100 illegal foreigners have been deported, expelled or sent back from Assam to various countries in the last 10 years, and 2,023 of them were from Bangladesh, the assembly was informed by the government recently. (Source: PTI)