REGIONAL

IMPHAL : Four militants belonging to various proscribed outfits were arrested in two districts of Manipur for their alleged involvement in extortion activities, a police statement said on Tuesday. Two active members of the banned SOREPA were apprehended from Nungoo Lamkhai area under the Sugnu Police Station limits in Kakching district on Monday, it said. A 21-year-old active cadre of the outlawed People’s Liberation Army was arrested from an abandoned house at New Lambulance in Imphal East district on the same day, the police said. A cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (MFL) was held from Langdum Lamkhai in Imphal East district, the statement said. 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 commenced export of dairy products on Tuesday as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off the first consignment of local brand ‘Purabi’ ice-cream to neighbouring Bhutan. The consignment of 5,627 litres of ice-cream will cater to major markets across Bhutan, including Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing and Wangdue, an official statement said. Products of the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited (WAMUL) are sold under the brand name ‘Purabi’ and marketed by North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL). The products are made using milk procured from dairy farmers across Assam through Purabi Dairy’s cooperative network. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitated the export by supporting NEDFL in completing the necessary processes, documentation and regulatory formalities, it said. Addressing reporters, Sarma said that over the past several years, the state government has undertaken numerous initiatives for the development of Assam’s dairy sector, the benefits of which are now gradually becoming visible. At present, Assam processes up to 2,50,000 litres of milk every day to produce various dairy products, he said. Describing the export of dairy products to Bhutan as an encouraging development for the dairy sector, the CM said that regular exports of dairy products to the neighbouring country would follow relentlessly. (Source: PTI)      

SHILLONG : Nearly 1.5 lakh electors in Meghalaya have been marked under the absent, shifted, dead and duplicate (ASDD) category during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari’s office said on Tuesday. According to the latest status report released by the CEO’s office, 1,49,656 electors, accounting for 6.37 per cent of the state’s total electorate of 23,49,645, fall under the ASDD category. The list includes 74,851 deceased electors, 28,826 absent voters, 37,914 shifted electors, 5,899 duplicate entries and 2,166 cases where enumeration forms were refused, according to an SIR status report issued by the CEO’s office. The statement came a day before the house-to-house distribution and digitisation exercise is scheduled to end. It said that the electors who fail to submit their verified forms before the deadline risk exclusion from the draft electoral roll, which will be published on August 5. The election authorities have urged electors to submit their completed enumeration forms to Booth Level Officers or through the online voter service portal. The report said 99.62 per cent of enumeration forms have been distributed across the state, while 22,78,071 forms, or 96.95 per cent, have already been digitised. However, 2,24,435 forms, representing 9.55 per cent of the total, are yet to be geographically mapped, with Ri-Bhoi recording the highest percentage of unmapped forms at 23.45 per cent, followed by South West Khasi Hills at 14.53 per cent. Ten of Meghalaya’s 12 districts have achieved 100 per cent distribution of Enumeration Forms, while East Khasi Hills continues to be the state’s largest electoral district with 6,32,146 electors, senior election officials said. (Source: PTI)  

SHILLONG : The Meghalaya High Court has observed that moral objection by church elders and locals cannot be a ground to deny the operation of a legally licensed liquor outlet that complies with the state’s Excise Rules. While hearing a petition by the owner of the shop, Justice HS Thangkhiew directed the authorities to permit the owner to operate the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) retail outlet at Danakgre in West Garo Hills district. In its order issued on Monday, the high court held that she had fulfilled all statutory requirements for shifting the shop from Jengjal market. The petitioner had obtained a no-objection certificate from the local ‘Nokma’ or village head, secured permission from the Excise Department to shift the outlet in January 2025 and possessed a valid licence. However, she alleged in her petition that the Superintendent of Excise directed her to close the shop following objections from local church leaders and members of a development committee. The court noted that official inquiries found no violation of the Meghalaya Excise Act and Rules and confirmed that the outlet was situated beyond the mandatory 200-metre distance from places of worship, educational institutions and hospitals. It held that the objections raised by the respondents were based “on moral grounds, rather than legal or other substantial grounds” that would justify revoking the licence or preventing the shop from operating. The court also took note of official reports stating that another licensed restaurant-cum-bar was operating about 105 metres away from the petitioner’s outlet and that illegal liquor sales were rampant in the area, observing that the presence of a legal retail outlet could help curb bootlegging. While reiterating that there is no fundamental right to trade in liquor, the court said that once a licence is granted in accordance with the law, it creates a legal right that cannot be taken away except through due process. Holding that the petitioner’s licence and permissions were valid and that the objections lacked legal merit, the court directed the authorities to allow her to operate the liquor outlet at the relocated site. (Source: PTI)            

SHILLONG : Marking 11 years since Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s final lecture at the institute, IIM Shillong on Monday unveiled a life-size bronze statue of the former President, honouring his enduring legacy of education, innovation and ethical leadership. The eight-foot bronze statue was unveiled on Kalam’s 11th death anniversary in the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Shishir Kumar Bajoria, board members Atul Kulkarni and Nitin Sharma, director Arun Mohan Sherry, chief administrative officer Col. Dinesh Adhikari (Retd), along with faculty members, staff and students. Kalam had visited IIM Shillong on July 27, 2015, to deliver a lecture titled ‘How to Make Our Planet More Liveable’ when he collapsed while addressing students and later died. His final message, which stressed innovation, environmental responsibility, ethical leadership and the role of young people in building a sustainable future, continues to guide the institute. The programme concluded with floral tributes to Kalam, reaffirming IIM Shillong’s commitment to carrying forward his vision of nurturing enlightened leaders and building a more sustainable, peaceful and inclusive world. (Source: PTI)    

GANGTOK : A four-day march from North Sikkim demanding the scrapping of some hydel power projects on the Teesta river concluded in West Bengal’s Kalimpong on Monday with participants advocating sustainable development that balances infrastructure with ecological conservation in the Himalayan region. The “Teesta Matters to Me” foot march organised by the green group Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) began on July 24 from Phidang village in North Sikkim Dzongu and ended at the confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers in Kalimpong with traditional prayers by Lepcha shamans. Traversing through North and South Sikkim participants of the march interacted with local communities while advocating sustainable development that balances infrastructure with ecological conservation. ACT, led primarily by members of the indigenous Lepcha community, was formed to oppose mega hydropower projects in the ecologically and culturally sensitive Dzongu region in North Sikkim and the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. Reiterating its core demands during the march, ACT called for the scrapping of NHPC’s proposed 520 MW Teesta Stage IV project and the 280 MW Panan Hydroelectric Project in Dzongu. The organisation also sought an immediate halt to construction activities along the Teesta-Rongyong river stretch and urged the government to declare the area a river sanctuary, citing its rich biodiversity and significance as a butterfly hotspot. Additionally, ACT also demanded fresh Environmental Impact Assessments for all five existing hydropower projects along the Teesta in Sikkim. “The foot march is intended to amplify the voices of communities living along the Teesta basin, many of whom have for long expressed concerns over ecological degradation, disaster risks and the long-term impacts of dam construction on the river and its surrounding habitats,” said ACT general secretary Gyatso Lepcha. (Source: PTI)       Assam floods: Rahul Gandhi calls for robust system prioritising scientific prevention New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) In the wake of devastating floods in Assam, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday called for establishing a robust system that prioritises scientific prevention, early warning mechanisms and rehabilitation, so that people do not have to face such tragedies year after year.   The death toll in this year’s floods in Assam climbed to 68 while over 5.24 lakh people remained affected across five districts despite an overall improvement in the situation, officials said on Monday.   In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “The news of the loss of lives in the devastating floods in Assam is deeply saddening. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. My deepest sympathies are with the lakhs of people affected by this disaster.” It is expected that the state and central governments will spare no effort in the relief and rescue operations for the affected people, the Congress leader said.   Floods occur every year, causing immense loss of life and property and uprooting many families, Gandhi pointed out.   “The time has come for us to establish a robust and permanent system to tackle the flood menace. A system that prioritises scientific prevention, early warning mechanisms, strong infrastructure and rehabilitation — so that people do not have to face such tragedies year after year,” Gandhi said.   Altogether 354 relief camps and aid distribution centres were operating in four districts, taking care of 37,724 displaced people, according to officials.   Multiple agencies, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Service and police, were engaged in the rescue and relief operations, they added.   Embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure suffered damage in various districts of the state.  

IMPHAL : Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday said national security is a collective responsibility and called upon citizens to strengthen peace and harmony as India advances to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Bhalla made the remarks during the observance of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Imphal, where he, along with Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, paid heartfelt tributes to slain soldiers. Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorates India’s historic victory in the Kargil War and celebrates the spirit that safeguarded the nation’s sovereignty. In his address, the governor paid tributes to the brave soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces, who have, across generations, defended the nation against external aggression with unwavering courage and selfless devotion. Highlighting Manipur’s rich legacy of service in the Indian Armed Forces, Bhalla encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from the nation’s brave soldiers and dedicate themselves to serving the country with discipline, commitment and patriotism. “National security is a collective responsibility,” the governor said, urging citizens to “strengthen peace, harmony and national integration as India advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047”. Bhalla recalled the valour of the Kargil heroes and acknowledged the sacrifices made by the country’s armed forces in safeguarding India’s sovereignty, including their recent role in Operation Sindoor. He said that their service continues to inspire the nation and paid “homage to the ‘Veer Naris’ (war widows) and ‘Veer Matas’ (women who lost their sons in conflict), whose strength, resilience and sacrifices remain an enduring source of inspiration for the country”. Bhalla said Kargil Vijay Diwas stands as an enduring symbol of patriotism, sacrifice and national pride, and urged everyone to honour the martyrs and their families. Delivering his speech, the chief minister stated that Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed across the nation, including Manipur, to commemorate India’s victory in the 1999 war and maintained that the victory was made possible through the courage, valour and unwavering determination of the Indian Armed Forces. Singh recalled that during the war, the Indian Army launched Operation Vijay, which lasted for 78 days. The operation claimed the lives of around 527 soldiers, including five bravehearts from Manipur. The chief minister appealed to the people of the state to work together with a sense of shared responsibility and collective commitment towards building a stronger and more developed nation. (Source: PTI)    

AGARTALA : Senior Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman on Sunday emphasised the party’s demand for a judicial inquiry into the unnatural death of DGP Anurag Dhankar in order to clear “many doubts” regarding the top police officer’s demise. A three-member team headed by West Tripura SP Namit Pathak has been constituted to probe into the death of Dhankar. Dhankar, who had led the CBI probe into the alleged Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud involving diamantaire Nirav Modi and the reinvestigation into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was found hanging in the washroom attached to his chamber at the state police headquarters here on July 20. “From day one, we have been demanding a judicial probe by a sitting judge of High Court of Tripura into the unnatural death of the DGP, keeping in mind the circumstances leading to the recovery of his body,” he told a press conference at the Congress Bhavan here. “The condition in which we saw his body at the morgue was as if he was in deep sleep without any visible wounds generally found in such cases. We strongly believe that a team led by an SP-rank officer cannot clear many doubts surrounding the incident. That is why we want a judicial inquiry into the unnatural death,” Roy Barman said. Terming the state government’s move to investigate the case by a three-member team led by Pathak “an eyewash”, the Congress MLA also claimed that the “honest DGP was heckled over some issues days before his death”. “The people of the state are also upset over the role of our high court. When the legislature, bureaucracy and media succumb, it is the judiciary that comes out and stands for the cause of people’s rights. “Unfortunately, we have not seen the high court take any suo motu cognisance in many incidents in the state since former Chief Justice Deepak Kumar Gupta’s tenure ended,” he said. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday to enquire about the flood situation in Assam, a day after the former chief minister reviewed aid efforts at relief camps in deluge-hit areas of the state. This was Modi’s second call in two days to take stock of the natural calamity ravaging the northeastern state. He dialled Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday and offered full support to the state government in dealing with the deluge. Sonowal, in a post on X, said he received a call from the prime minister, who took stock of the flood situation in Assam. “I am currently in Dibrugarh, visiting the affected areas, assessing the ground situation and standing with our affected brothers and sisters,” he said in the post. He went on to add that PM Modi has always held Assam close to his heart, and an inter-ministerial team reached the state on Saturday and is moving to the affected districts. “The Modi Government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Assam and has assured all necessary support for relief and rehabilitation. I extend my deepest gratitude to PM Modi ji for his constant concern and unwavering support,” Sonowal added. The flood situation in Assam improved on Sunday as water levels receded in most affected areas that did not receive overnight rainfall, even as over 6.5 lakh people remained affected in six districts and 66 people lost their lives in this year’s deluge. (Source: PTI)