REGIONAL

JOWAI : A waterfall in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district has been named after Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. It was christened ‘Sniawbhalang Dhar Waterfalls’ during a programme at Amtharonh Pdeng Thangchap in the Amlarem subdivision on Sunday, with Dhar laying the foundation stone for a tourism project. According to the organisers, the site was donated by Raid Buam in recognition of the deputy chief minister’s role in resolving issues related to the management of the Krangshuri tourist spot and for his contributions to the development of the area. Raid Buam, a traditional administrative territory and community managing natural resources, also felicitated Dhar during the programme. The development comes nearly six years after the inauguration of the ‘Sanbor Shullai Road’ in Shillong, the first road in Meghalaya to be named after a sitting legislator. During the programme, Dhar also laid the foundation stone for an afforestation initiative under the Regeneration Meghalaya Project, under which 20 lakh saplings will be planted in the Raid Buam forest. Addressing the gathering, the deputy chief minister said he would revisit the area to expedite tourism development projects. He said the state government has promoted around 5,000 homestays, besides hotels, to strengthen Meghalaya’s tourism sector, adding that the state is steadily emerging as a preferred travel destination. Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh, SP Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, Amlarem SDO Vevotolu Kezo, and Raid Buam office-bearers attended the programme. (Source: PTI)    

AGARTALA : The body of Tripura DGP Anurag Dhankar, who was found hanging in his washroom in the police headquarters here a day before, was flown to Delhi by an air ambulance on Tuesday, an official said. His last rites are scheduled to take place in his native village of Baraut in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. Tripura Governor N Indrasena Reddy, Chief Minister Manik Saha, Chief Secretary J K Sinha and senior officials offered floral tributes to the mortal remains of the DGP at the Civil Secretariat here. The decorated IPS officer was also accorded a gun salute at the police headquarters. Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said a case of unnatural death has been registered and an investigation is underway. “We will investigate the case as per law,” he said. However, the chief minister refused to make any comment on the opposition’s demand for a probe under the supervision of the chief justice of the Tripura High Court. Saha described Dhankar’s death as an irreparable loss not only for his family but also for the northeastern state. “I am speechless. The loss is irreparable not only for his family but also for our state… We used to have cordial talks. Under his leadership, law and order had improved significantly,” he said. “After attending the passing out parade of police constables at R K Nagar Police Training Institute in West Tripura on July 18, we had tea together. His wife also joined us. We had a cordial discussion but never thought this would be my last meeting with the DGP,” the CM said. DIG, Range, Ratiranjan Dhar said Dhankar’s body was flown to Delhi by an air ambulance and from the national capital, it would be taken to his native place for last rites. Officiating DGP G S Rao said a three-member team headed by Inspector General (IG), Law and Order, Manchak Ipper escorted the mortal remains of the DGP. Opposition parties CPI(M) and the Congress demanded an impartial probe into the circumstances leading to the death of the police officer, who served the northeastern state for around 18 years in various positions. The 1994-batch IPS officer, who led the CBI probe into the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud case involving Nirav Modi and the reinvestigation of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, was 60, and is survived by his wife and son, who lives in Canada. Dhankar, who was elevated to the post of DGP from Additional DGP in May 2025, was due to retire in 11 months. As a mark of respect to the departed soul, the state observed a day-long mourning on Tuesday. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : The Indian Army has been deployed to evacuate people stranded in several districts of Upper Assam due to floods, with the condition deteriorating amid incessant rain across many parts of the state, the chief minister’s office said on Monday. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said four of his cabinet colleagues are on the ground and monitoring the rescue and relief operations. “In Sivasagar, 510 people have been safely rescued so far by SDRF and Fire & Emergency Services. Rescue efforts continue with additional boats and Army helicopters deployed to reach inaccessible areas,” the CMO said in a social media post. In Charaideo, NDRF, SDRF and Indian Army teams have been deployed across the worst-hit areas, while relief measures are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents, it added. On Sunday night, Sarma had said the state government requested the Army and Air Force to be on standby to assist the local administration in evacuating flood victims from several districts affected by the deluge. “Flood-fighting work is continuing across vulnerable stretches in Jorhat, Charaideo and Sivasagar. Sand-filled bags are being laid along the Dikhow embankment, geobags are being used to reinforce the Disang riverbank and flood-fighting work is underway at the Jhanji embankment in Norakonwar Bailung Gaon,” the CMO said. It said the Jhanji River is on a receding trend with the water level falling by 0.04 metres since the morning reading. “Flood-fighting work is underway along the right bank of the Jhanji embankment at Norakonwar Bailung Gaon under Hatighuli Gaon Panchayat, under the Sivasagar Water Resources Division, to reinforce the vulnerable stretch,” the CMO said. Sarma said unprecedented rainfall over the last few days has aggravated the flood situation in Sivasagar and neighbouring districts. “We remain committed to offer all sorts of assistance to the affected… Rescue efforts are underway and are being monitored by our ministerial team that has been entrusted to be on the ground to ensure swift relief efforts,” he added. Sarma had said on Sunday that he directed his ministerial colleagues Ajanta Neog, Bimal Borah, Keshab Mahanta and Susanta Borgohain to immediately reach the affected areas to supervise relief efforts and ensure that every affected family receives timely assistance. Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises Minister Borah said that he reached Sivasagar early this morning to review the flood situation with the district commissioners of Sivasagar and Charaideo, wherein rescue operations are in full swing. “I visited Serekapora in Sivasagar district to review the prevailing flood situation and assess the ongoing relief and rescue efforts on the ground,” he added. Borah said the Assam government is mobilising all available resources to ensure timely rescue, relief, rehabilitation and essential services. “We stand firmly with our people and will do everything possible to overcome this challenge together,” he added. Water Resources Minister Borgohain said that due to the flood situation in Lonporiya and nearby villages under Bokota-Lakuwa mandal of Demow constituency, the administration is carrying out rescue operations for the affected people. “Rescue operations will continue in other nearby flood-affected villages, and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the affected families,” he added. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Mahanta said that to assess the latest flood situation in Upper Assam and monitor the ongoing rescue and relief operation on the ground, he visited Jorhat and Sivasagar this morning. “Took stock of the prevailing situation at Teok & interacted with flood-hit local public,” he said in a post on X. According to the daily flood report of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one person has lost his life in Sivasagar due to the deluge. With the latest death, the total number of fatalities in this year’s flood has increased to five. ASDMA further said that more than 57,100 people have been affected by the floods in Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts. (Source: PTI)            

GANGTOK : At least 12 workers were trapped inside an under-construction road tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district after a landslide blocked its entrance on Monday afternoon, police said. The landslide also triggered a suspected gas leak inside the Samardung tunnel, they said. The gas is believed to be naturally emanating from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide, they added. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), SDRF, police and the Fire and Emergency Services are carrying out the rescue operation, a police officer said. “Rescue operations are underway, but the operation has been complicated by the presence of gas inside the tunnel. Several rescue personnel experienced dizziness and lost consciousness while attempting to reach the trapped workers,” he said. “Ambulances have been kept on standby, while rescuers equipped with gas masks are trying to reach the trapped workers inside the tunnel,” he added. The tunnel is being constructed as part of a highway project, officials said. (Source: PTI)    

IMPHAL : A man was shot dead and his wife grievously injured after unidentified assailants attacked them at their residence in Manipur’s Imphal East district in the early hours of Monday, police said. According to police, the incident took place at Keirao Wangkhem locality around 2.30 am when the assailants entered their house and attacked the couple with a firearm and a sharp-edged weapon. While N Thambou (52) died on the spot, his wife, N Keinatombi Devi (53), sustained grievous injuries and was referred to Shija Hospitals in a critical condition, police added. The body of the deceased has been kept at the JNIMS Mortuary for post-mortem examination. The reason behind the attack is yet to be ascertained. Further investigation is in progress, police added. (Source: PTI)                

DIPHU : Recent excavations in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district have revealed a remarkable collection of ancient stone sculptures and inscriptions, shedding new light on the state’s rich archaeological heritage. The diggers and excavators found the rare items at Sarthe Rongphar village, located in Phuloni area of the central Assam district, showcasing the area’s importance in unearthing the past legacy. Archaeologists and local villagers working around two centuries-old ponds have uncovered an array of artefacts, including intricately carved images of dancing figures, deities, Shiva lingams, temple fragments and a striking depiction of Lord Ganesha etched onto a large rock. “During a recent visit to Sarthe Rongphar village, I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable yet little-known chapter of Assam’s archaeological heritage. Excavations around two ancient village ponds have unearthed an impressive collection of stone sculptures and inscriptions,” Karbi Anglong District Commissioner Aranyak Saikia told PTI. Experts believe many of these artefacts date back to the 10th-12th centuries, though local traditions link them to the era of the Mahabharata and the fabled Ashwamedha Yajna, he added. “Although locals link them to the period of the Mahabharata, historically it appears more likely that they were constructed during the Ahom period. However, clear records are lacking,” he added. What intrigued most was the villagers’ observation that the water level of the pond remains constant, regardless of season, he said. “Several of these priceless finds have been preserved at the Hojai Archaeological Museum and the district museum in Diphu,” Saikia said. He, however, has acknowledged that most of these relics have been in a dilapidated state, but the administration has now taken necessary steps to preserve them. “Several remnants are still scattered around the village. We have noticed that some items have even found their way into everyday household use of the locals,” Saikia said. These discoveries are not isolated as the broader Phuloni-Dokmoka-Howraghat region is home to numerous similar archaeological sites, a testament to its historical significance during the rule of the Kachari and Dabok dynasties. “Among the most notable landmarks is the Mahamaya Hill in Dokmoka, where the remnants of an 11th-12th century stone temple still stand, despite suffering damage during the devastating earthquakes of 1897 and 1950,” the DC said. He further said that other significant sites include Buragohain Than, which has yielded ancient idols of Shiva and Parvati; and Bargonga, where rare Gupta-era Shiva sculptures and rock inscriptions have been discovered. “Together, these monuments reveal a flourishing religious and artistic tradition that once shaped the cultural landscape of Karbi Anglong,” Saikia stressed. Heritage experts and locals alike are calling for greater documentation, conservation and public awareness of these sites to ensure that this unique chapter of Assam’s history is preserved for future generations. The DC said, “These are the kinds of discoveries that make field visits so rewarding. Beneath its hills and villages lie stories, traditions and remnants of a past that often receive little attention.” “It is important that we learn about these places, document them and preserve them, because they represent a history that extends far beyond the narratives we commonly discuss,” he said. Last month, the Karbi Anglong district administration said it was considering contacting experts from the Institute of Tai Studies and Research (ITSAR) to decode two rare Tai manuscripts as well as including the treasure in the central government’s ‘Gyan Bharatam’ scheme. A trove of rare manuscripts in the district, believed to hold unknown secrets from the medieval-period, is likely to provide an understanding of the region’s history, culture and indigenous knowledge once the scripts are decoded. The fragile folios, preserved in two museums in Karbi Anglong, have survived the ravages of time but remain unread, drawing interest from historians and linguists eager to unlock the mysteries inked on palm leaves and copper plates. Out of these, the two Tai manuscripts, containing 67 and 158 folios of palm leaves, are preserved at the district museum in Diphu, the headquarters of Karbi Anglong. These have been engraved by stone, not inked. The copper manuscript, which has three folios, one ring and an elephant symbol, is kept at Nothengpi Karbi Heritage Museum. It is in the Sanskrit language, but the script is in Assamese. (Source: PTI)              

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)