REGIONAL

KOHIMA : Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting Nagaland’s indigenous identity and customary laws and called for stronger implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) through the cooperation of all stakeholders. Speaking after inaugurating the Kohima Village Multipurpose Building here, Rio said the safeguards provided under Article 371A of the Constitution, a special provision for Nagas and the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, have enabled Nagas to preserve their customs, traditions and village governance system. He stressed that these protections must continue to be upheld to safeguard the state’s unique identity. The chief minister said village councils remain the competent authorities to certify who is indigenous to a village, adding that while non-locals may legally reside and work in Nagaland, they cannot be granted indigenous status. He urged village councils, landlords, employers, institutions and other stakeholders to ensure proper documentation of non-local residents to strengthen the implementation of the ILP and prevent misuse of indigenous certification. Rio also appealed for public cooperation in the 2027 Census, saying accurate population data is crucial for effective planning and equitable distribution of resources. Referring to past census exercises, he said inflated population figures had adversely affected development planning, particularly in sectors such as education and welfare, and urged civil society organisations, churches, village councils and citizens to ensure that the upcoming census reflects the state’s actual population. Defending Nagaland’s traditional village governance system, Rio said village councils should continue to function through selection and consensus rather than elections, arguing that the traditional system promotes unity while electoral contests could create divisions within villages. Describing the newly inaugurated multipurpose building as a symbol of unity and brotherhood, Rio said the facility belongs not only to Kohima Village but to all Nagas and would serve as a common venue for cultural, social and community activities. He commended the Kohima Village Council for successfully executing the project with financial assistance from the Centre and the state government and announced that additional funds would be provided to equip the building with furniture, sound systems and other amenities. The chief minister also encouraged young people to take advantage of government skill development, entrepreneurship and micro-financing schemes, saying financial support is available for trained entrepreneurs to start businesses. Highlighting the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), he said over 1.7 lakh beneficiaries have been enrolled, and the state has spent more than Rs 228 crore on cashless treatment, urging eligible citizens to make full use of the scheme. Earlier, Rio described the inauguration as a historic occasion for Kohima Village, saying the village has long been a centre of Naga history and has demonstrated unity and visionary leadership in creating a facility that would benefit people across the state. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : As part of a nationwide campaign by the Congress, Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Thursday criticised the central government’s education policy and demanded the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Addressing a press conference here, she held the Centre morally accountable for the recurring paper leaks across the country and the institutional failure of the education system. Expressing concern, Tirkey said the education system, upon which the future of millions of youth across the country depends, is currently “in the ICU.” She remarked that this system has been trapped in a “web of weaknesses, irregularities and corruption”. “NEET paper leak and the irregularities surrounding CBSE exams have completely shattered the credibility of the education system, posing a grave concern for the entire nation,” Tirkey said. She expressed resentment over how the uncertainty surrounding the NEET exam and repeated cancellations have taken a severe toll on the mental health of students nationwide. Tirkey termed the incidents of suicides by several students due to unbearable academic pressure as extremely heartbreaking. “Suicide notes left behind by these students expressed deep remorse, with many feeling they had disappointed or failed their parents. No student should ever face such a situation in the future, and no parent should have to endure the unbearable pain of losing a child,” she added. Tirkey emphasised that many poor and middle-class parents make ultimate sacrifices for their children’s education by selling their land, taking loans or mortgaging their gold jewellery. “On the other hand, students also work day and night, dedicating the most valuable years of their lives to their studies. Therefore, any negligence or manipulation regarding the future and lives of these meritorious students by the government or any authority is completely unacceptable,” she added. (Source: PTI)        

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Wednesday said he has met British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming and discussed with him a strategic roadmap to boost cooperation against the backdrop of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement. Among other issues, they also discussed the proposed Assam–UK Infrastructure Roundtable and UK–India Sovereign AI Partnership, the chief secretary said in a post on X.  “Delighted to meet Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India, alongside Haimanti Poddar, Senior Climate and Energy Adviser and Sustainable Mobility Policy Lead (India), UK FCDO. “In the context of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement coming into force on July 15, 2026, we discussed a strategic roadmap to strengthen Assam–UK cooperation across investment promotion, export growth, technology integration, infrastructure development and skills enhancement, leveraging Assam’s rapidly evolving economic ecosystem,” Kota said. The delegation presented the UK PACT-supported Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Need Assessment and Analysis Report for Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), which provides recommendations to strengthen grid reliability, accelerate renewable energy integration and support Assam’s clean energy transition, he added. “We also deliberated on the proposed Assam–UK Infrastructure Roundtable in Guwahati to facilitate partnerships in sustainable urbanisation, transport, flood resilience, climate-resilient infrastructure and project delivery, including potential engagement with UK Export Finance (UKEF),” the chief secretary said. He said that the discussions further explored opportunities under the proposed UK–India Sovereign AI Partnership, including trusted AI infrastructure, sovereign cloud capabilities, advanced computing and AI governance frameworks to support Assam’s digital transformation agenda. “The meeting reaffirmed our shared commitment to translating the opportunities emerging from the India–UK FTA into tangible outcomes through enhanced trade, investment, technology partnerships and institutional cooperation, supporting Assam’s long-term growth and global competitiveness,” Kota said. Commenting on the meeting, Fleming said it was a timely discussion since the UK-India FTA is due to come into force soon. “We discussed opportunities in a variety of sectors and sub-sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture-tech, AI, skilling, sports, MSMEs, climate and energy,” he added. (Source: PTI)

AGARTALA : Two organisations of surrendered militants in Tripura withdrew their call for an indefinite rail and road blockade on Wednesday after being assured by the government that their demands, including that for proper rehabilitation, would be looked into, police said. “Traffic movement on the national highway and railway service is normal since the morning after the withdrawal of the blockade. No untoward incident is reported so far,” police spokesperson Rajdeep Deb said. The Joint Action Rehabilitation Committee (JARC) and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) had announced the agitation after alleging that a large number of surrendered militants were yet to receive rehabilitation benefits despite laying down arms decades ago. They have been pressing for a nine-point charter of demands, including proper rehabilitation and withdrawal of pending cases against them. JARC working president Pasaram Reang said, “We had a detailed discussion with the senior government officials last night over our demands, and those were duly acknowledged. Therefore, both organisations have decided to withdraw the rail and road blockade.” Earlier this month, former militants belonging to the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) had withdrawn a similar rail and highway blockade call after receiving assurances from the chief minister. (Source: PTI)

GANGTOK : Torrential overnight rains triggered a series of landslides that blocked the Gyalshing–Legship road at multiple places on Wednesday and cut off the battered West Sikkim district headquarters from the rest of the state. Gyalshing recorded a staggering 95.2 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. Under the impact of the rains, tonnes of sludge and massive boulders came crashing onto the road, bringing traffic to a standstill. District Magistrate Tenzing Denzongpa said they received reports of the landslides around 9 pm on Tuesday. The most severely affected landslide occurred near Omchung, about two kilometres from Gyalshing town, he said. With the Gyalshing–Legship road blocked, excavators were pressed into service through the night as teams battled challenging conditions to clear the debris. Zilla Panchayat member Sagar Sharma said at least three landslides have struck the highway corridor, including a major slide near Omchung, another below the main slide zone and a third near Legship. “This road witnesses landslides every monsoon. The issue is repeatedly raised during DISHA Monitoring Committee meetings, but permanent restoration and mitigation measures are yet to materialise,” he said. The Gyalshing-Legship road serves as the district’s primary lifeline, carrying passengers, essential commodities and emergency services. With no viable alternative route available, the blockade has disrupted movement and heightened concerns among residents. (Source: PTI)

LIKABALI : The Lower Siang district administration has announced the temporary closure of the Garu–Likabali road stretch, including the ALB Road, from June 24 to 26 in view of restoration and maintenance works. According to an advisory issued by Lower Siang Deputy Commissioner Gobi Nyicyor, the road will remain closed to all vehicular traffic during the three-day period to facilitate the smooth execution of the works and ensure public safety. The administration has urged commuters, transport operators and the general public to take note of the closure and make alternative travel arrangements accordingly. However, vehicles engaged in medical emergencies and other essential services may be allowed to pass through the work zone in exceptional cases, subject to regulation and clearance by the on-duty traffic and field personnel. The advisory has come into immediate effect and will remain in force until June 26 unless modified by the competent authority. (DIPR)

NARI : A one-day awareness programme on non-farm livelihoods, focusing on UDYAM and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration, was organised at Lumpo Community Hall on Tuesday under the aegis of the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM), Department of Rural Development. The programme was conducted by the Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU), Ramle Banggo Block, with the objective of creating awareness among Self-Help Group (SHG) members and aspiring entrepreneurs about enterprise registration, food safety compliance and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Lower Siang Deputy Director of Industries Tarik Nyitan, who served as the resource person, delivered an informative session on the significance of UDYAM registration for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He explained the registration process and highlighted the benefits of formalisation, including access to government schemes, credit facilities, market linkages and other incentives available to registered enterprises. Participants were also sensitised on FSSAI registration, with emphasis on food safety standards, legal compliance and quality assurance for food-related businesses. The session encouraged entrepreneurs and SHG members to adopt best practices and take advantage of opportunities available under various government programmes. The programme was attended by Block Mission Manager B Boje, Block Coordinator (Non-Farm) Marjum Basar and Food Safety Assistant Nyape Dini. The awareness programme witnessed active participation from SHG members and community representatives, who interacted with the resource persons and sought clarifications on registration procedures and entrepreneurship opportunities. Organisers expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen non-farm livelihood activities, promote self-employment and encourage entrepreneurship in the region. (DIPR)

KOHIMA : Nagaland Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs K G Kenye on Tuesday cautioned that Naga society is gradually losing its collective voice and leadership, urging all sections of the people to build consensus on the Naga political issue before divisions deepen further. Addressing the first Annual General Session of the Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN) held under the theme “Progressive society through Unity,” here, Kenye said the Nagas were passing through a “very sensitive junction” in their history and cautioned that prolonged delays in resolving the political issue were weakening the fabric of society. “We are very, very close to a critical stage. Things have been dragging on for too long. The political aspect is not looking good,” he said. Kenye observed that no single organisation today commands the respect or obedience of all Nagas, resulting in a fragmented society. “We are losing grip on our society. There is no centre of control upon our people anymore. Be it Naga political groups, public organisations or even elected governments, we are losing control over what is happening around us,” he said, describing the situation as “frightening” and “alarming.” Stressing the need for consensus, he warned that a society without a common identity, leadership or guiding institution risked an uncertain future. The minister said the Tenyimi Union was created not on territorial lines but on shared ancestry, history and customary practices of the five Tenyimi tribes – Angami, Chakhesang, Pochury, Rengma and Zeliang, making it distinct from organisations formed on geographical considerations. “Our group is not born out of geography or territorial blocks. Ours is of ethnicity, ancestry and a shared common history,” he said. According to Kenye, the creation of the union was necessitated by the unique issues faced by the five Tenyimi tribes living within Nagaland’s administrative boundaries, which may not always be relevant to Tenyimi communities residing in neighbouring states. He clarified that the TUN was neither a cultural nor a political organisation but a platform to deliberate on issues affecting the Tenyimi people in Nagaland while maintaining cordial relations with other Naga communities. Kenye also urged the union’s leadership to exercise restraint and sensitivity in its functioning, cautioning against actions that could hurt sentiments or create misunderstandings among other Naga tribes. “Let us not overshadow or try to become too dominant over our other Naga communities. Let good sense, logic and balanced leadership guide our decisions,” he said. Also addressing the gathering, Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture Salhoutuonuo Kruse called on the Tenyimi community to strengthen unity, brotherhood and shared cultural values. She urged the younger generation to uphold the principles of character, compassion and service, while encouraging collaboration with other tribal and civil society organisations for the progress of all Nagas. (Source: PTI)