REGIONAL

JOWAI : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday lauded the artisans of Meghalaya’s Larnai village whose GI-tagged black clay pottery inspired her to try and mould clay under their guidance. Sitharaman describes it as an enduring symbol of cultural heritage and a source of livelihood for local communities. Interacting with artisans at the village in West Jaintia Hills district, Sitharaman witnessed the traditional process of crafting the distinctive black clay pottery and tried her hand at shaping clay alongside the craftspeople. “This remarkable craft is not only a reflection of Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage but also an important source of livelihood for local artisans. Preserving and promoting such traditional skills is essential for sustaining rural economies and passing on invaluable knowledge to future generations,” she said. The Union minister also commended the artisans for keeping alive the centuries-old tradition despite changing times. “The dedication and craftsmanship displayed by the artisans of Larnai are truly inspiring. Their work deserves greater recognition and support so that this unique GI-tagged heritage can reach wider markets while continuing to empower local communities,” Sitharaman added. Later in the day, she visited the historic Nartiang Monoliths, one of the largest collections of megalithic monuments in the region, where she was briefed on the site’s archaeological and cultural significance. Sitharaman also inaugurated the newly developed Wahiajer Multi Sports Complex, including its football stadium, and said investments in modern sporting infrastructure would help nurture young talent while creating greater opportunities for youth participation and community development. Her engagements also included visits to the Shri Maa Jayantee Temple and the Nartiang heritage complex, where she said the Centre is focused on preserving Meghalaya’s cultural legacy while promoting tourism, traditional livelihoods and grassroots development. (Source: PTI)        

BHOIRYMBONG : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the Northeast has the potential to become India’s next engine of growth by leveraging its strengths in sustainable agriculture and premium organic produce. She also asserted that Meghalaya is uniquely positioned to lead because of the trust it commands in global markets. Inaugurating the Northeast’s largest organic spice processing plant of the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company Ltd here, Sitharaman said, “The future of agriculture increasingly belongs not to those who produce the most, but to those who produce the best — cleaner, more traceable, more trusted and more premium.” “When Meghalaya’s farmers rise, the Northeast rises. And when the Northeast rises, India’s growth acquires a new engine,” she said, congratulating the Meghalaya government, women collectives and entrepreneurs for driving the state’s organic farming movement forward. Emphasising Meghalaya’s competitive advantage, the finance minister said the state need not compete with large agricultural states in volume as the future increasingly belongs to trusted quality and trusted producers. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : As many as 115 people, including many minors, hailing from different parts of Assam, have been rescued from the clutches of a suspected human trafficking network in Bihar, and nine persons have been arrested, a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) official said here on Friday. He said all the victims have been brought back to Assam and are undergoing counselling. “The racket was targeting financially poor families in the state, especially along the Bhutan border in Assam. The victims were lured with the promise of government jobs,” the SSB official, who was part of the rescue operation, said. Many of the rescued victims, of whom 48 are females, are minors, he said. The official said some parents of the victims had approached the SSB, Tezpur, after they could not contact their children, taken by the traffickers. Coordinated operations conducted by multiple agencies, including the SSB and Bihar police, with the help of local intelligence network, led to the rescue from Samastipur district in the eastern state, the official said. He added that nine suspected traffickers have been arrested so far. “The victims have reached Assam and are currently undergoing counselling before heading back home,” the SSB official said. (Source: PTI)  

KOHIMA : The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on Friday launched the first phase of its statewide agitation, observing ‘Black Friday’ across its affiliated colleges to protest the government’s failure to begin the construction of the long-pending 100-bed girls’ hostel at Kohima Science College (Autonomous), Jotsoma. The agitation follows the expiry of an ultimatum served by the students’ body to the authorities. ANCSU alleged that despite repeated representations and appeals, the government had failed to take any concrete action on the issue. As part of the protest, black flags were hoisted at affiliated colleges across Nagaland to symbolise what the union described as the government’s “continued indifference” towards a crucial educational infrastructure project affecting the welfare, safety and academic prospects of female students. In a statement, ANCSU said the widespread participation of its affiliated and associate units reflected collective resentment of the student community over the delay in implementing the hostel project. The students’ body reiterated that its demand for the immediate construction and completion of the 100-bed girls’ hostel was “non-negotiable” and accused the government of forcing students to resort to democratic forms of protest through prolonged inaction. Warning of an escalation of the agitation, ANCSU said responsibility for any further developments would rest with the authorities concerned if the issue remains unresolved.   The students’ body demanded immediate and concrete action from the state government and directed its affiliated units to remain prepared for the next phase of agitation. It said a massive statewide protest rally would be launched in the coming days if its demand continues to be ignored. (Source: PTI)  

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow the northeastern states to have access to enhanced funds through externally aided projects, citing “exceptional track record and honest implementation of schemes and projects” in the region. He said that such projects, worth Rs 53,000 crore, are underway in Assam alone. “On behalf of Assam and our sister states in the northeast, I made a passionate appeal to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow our governments access to enhanced limits through Externally Aided Projects (EAP), keeping in view our exceptional track record and honest implementation of schemes and projects,” Sarma said on X. After attending a seminar on ‘Leveraging EAPS in North-Eastern States’ in Shillong, he said that over the past few years, these projects, backed by multilateral financial agencies, have empowered Assam to initiate multiple mega transformative projects, which were initially considered unviable due to the high cost of capital. Currently, such projects worth Rs 53,000 crore are underway in Assam alone, in sectors such as building bridges and embankments, hospitals, robotics, mega power and infrastructure projects, Sarma said. “Needless to say, Externally Aided Projects also bring in vibrant project management skills and global best practices into our government machinery,” he added. Sarma maintained that the inaugural session of the seminar was “an excellent platform to improve collaboration and planning in the implementation of such projects”. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), in a post on social media, said Sarma highlighted the transformative growth of Assam. Sarma cited the successful completion of the EAP-funded Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project in just three-and-a-half years. He also mentioned projects such as the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu in Guwahati and the ongoing Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge as examples of the state’s strong development momentum and effective utilisation of Externally Aided Projects, the CMO said. (Source: PTI)          

IMPHAL : Security forces have launched extensive search operations in at least four villages, where incidents of violence were reported recently, in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, police said on Thursday. At least thirty illegal bunkers were also destroyed during the operations on Wednesday at Leilon Vaiphei, Leilon Khunou, L Munlui and Konsakhul villages within the jurisdiction of the Leimakhong Police Station, a police statement said. Leilon Vaiphei is a Kuki-Zo village, where six Naga men were abducted on May 13, and their bodies were recovered near the village on June 10, an official said. Reports of firing were also reported from Leilon Munlui and Konsakhul in the last few months, he said. “During the operations, eleven 12-bore SBBLs (single-barreled breech-loading), 294 live rounds of ammunition for a 12-bore gun, two packages of gun powder, 34 empty cases of 12-bore ammunition, and six bulletproof vests were recovered,” the statement said. Thirty bunkers, outposts and strategic camp sites found in the vicinity of these villages were also dismantled during the operations, while four people were also detained for verification, it said. Security forces also destroyed an unauthorised check post and a bunker at S Nabil and Loilamkoi villages under the Churachandpur Police Station limits in Churachandpur district on Wednesday. The police had earlier said that the DGP was “personally overseeing operations in areas where there has been a spurt of killings and armed activities between communities in recent weeks”. Former chief minister N Biren Singh, in a post on X, welcomed the proactive security measures launched by newly appointed Manipur DGP Mukesh Singh. The former CM said, “It is particularly encouraging to see that, after a long gap, the DGP himself is personally supervising the combing operations against anti-social elements today. I truly appreciate his hands-on approach and commitment.” He also expressed confidence that with “the determined efforts of Mukesh Singh and the security forces, peace and normalcy will be restored in Manipur at the earliest”. He urged all sections of society to stand united and extend full support to the security forces. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : A mural of popular singer Zubeen Garg in Ganeshguri area of the city was covered with paint by the authorities as part of the beautification plan ahead of the proposed visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. However, following widespread criticism from the family and fans of Garg, who died by drowning in the sea in Singapore in September last year, it was decided that the picture would be painted again. The mural, titled ‘Comrade do not die,’ was painted by graffiti artist Marshall Baruah below the Ganeshguri flyover, and it was allegedly covered with paint by the Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC). Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg questioned the removal of the painting in a Facebook post, asking whether the singer’s image had made the city look ”unclean or was it not necessary”. She said that she was not angry or resentful about the removal, as emotional connections and bonding matter more but wondered whether wiping his image made the city look more beautiful. ”Zubeen is ‘immortal’ and will continue to live on in the minds, hearts and conscience of the people, irrespective of whether the mural is there or not,” she added. The artist and hordes of Zubeen’s fans reached the venue in the evening, with Baruah asserting that he will again paint his image on the wall. He claimed that the police prevented him from painting again and told him that he could do so after July 3. The Japanese Prime Minister is likely to visit Guwahati in early July. A tense situation prevailed at the venue as fans raised slogans of ‘Jai Zubeen-da’ and urged the artist to paint his image again. A discussion followed, and it was decided that Baruah would once again paint the singer’s image at the same spot. The artist began painting in the evening while fans kept a strict vigil at the venue. GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania claimed that no instruction was given to cover Zubeen’s image, but the direction was to clean the city. The police, however, refrained from commenting on the controversy. (Source: PTI)              

GUWAHATI : Drugs valued at Rs 14.5 crore have been seized and seven persons arrested from two districts of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday. The drugs were seized from Sribhumi and Nagaon districts in a series of operations, the chief minister said in a social media post. “Our war against drugs is absolute and unyielding. In a series of successful operations, @sribhumipolice and @nagaonpolice seized narcotics worth Rs 14.5 crore,” Sarma said in the post. The CM said the crackdown on drugs and peddlers will continue. (Source: PTI)

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the rescheduled medical entrance exam NEET-UG, to be held on June 21, and directed officials to ensure a free, fair and secure conduct of the test. Chairing a meeting, Sarma said stringent measures have been put in place to prevent any irregularities during the examination process. “Assam has always taken strict measures to ensure there are no loopholes in the entire process,” the chief minister said in a social media post after the meeting. He said military officials would transport question papers to examination centres, while CCTV surveillance would be installed at all venues. The centres will also be provided with round-the-clock police protection. As part of the security arrangements, prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be enforced within a 100-metre radius of examination centres. Candidates will undergo double-layer frisking, and mobile signal jammers will be installed at all venues. The review meeting was held via video conference with District Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and other senior district officials. The chief minister directed the District Commissioners and SSPs to jointly inspect all examination centres to assess security arrangements, infrastructure preparedness and examination-day logistics. He also instructed that a mandatory technical audit and dry run of CCTV systems, biometric devices and signal jammers be carried out at all centres well before the examination. Adequate publicity should be undertaken to create public awareness of the restrictions, and ensure that no person other than candidates approach the examination centres, Sarma said. Sarma also said that there should be adequate deployment of women police personnel at all examination centres. The CM stressed the importance of strict adherence to National Testing Agency (NTA) guidelines regarding candidate frisking. He said that double-layer frisking should be conducted firmly, professionally and courteously, ensuring candidates do not face inconvenience or discomfort while maintaining the highest vigilance against malpractice. Sarma also directed that a nodal officer be designated in each district for CCTV monitoring, and that random checks of its footage be carried out regularly. Regarding the security of question papers, he instructed that access to bank lockers where these are stored be strictly regulated. Visits by individuals should be permitted only under exceptional circumstances and with the prior approval of the district magistrate, he said. A senior police officer not below the rank of DSP will also be designated in each district to oversee the security and monitoring of such lockers. A control room will be established in the office of the Director of Medical Education, which will become operational from June 19, he said. The examination will be conducted across 87 centres located in 17 districts of the state. Sarma said candidates carrying valid admit cards would be allowed to travel free of cost on Assam State Transport buses on the examination day. “In today’s meeting, we have taken several measures to uphold the integrity of the NEET re-examination. There will be no compromise with the future of our students,” he asserted. A total of 43,319 candidates in the state have registered for the examination. The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into MBBS courses, was held on May 3 but was subsequently cancelled following allegations of irregularities. The nationwide re-examination is scheduled for June 21. (Source: PTI)    

GANGTOK : The first-ever video footage of a herd of the elusive Mishmi Takin have been recorded in the Tingda Reserve Forest of North Sikkim, marking one of the most significant confirmed sightings of the vulnerable species in the state in over two decades. According to a statement issued by the Forest and Environment Department on Wednesday, the rare sighting was made during a routine patrol in the Bakuchen area of the reserve forest, where officials documented a herd of eight Mishmi Takins (Budorcas taxicolor). “The footage documents a herd of eight individuals, representing the largest group of Takins ever recorded from this locality,” the department said. Often described as a “goat-antelope”, the Mishmi Takin is a large high-altitude ungulate native to the eastern Himalayas. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and is regarded as an important indicator of the health of alpine ecosystems. Known for their stocky build, shaggy coats and ability to survive in harsh mountain environments, Takins inhabit rugged terrain ranging from forested valleys to alpine meadows at elevations of up to 4,500 metres. Their skin secretes a natural oily substance that helps protect them from rain and extreme weather conditions. The department noted that Sikkim forms the westernmost edge of the Mishmi Takin’s global distribution range, making the latest documentation particularly significant for wildlife researchers and conservationists. “Historical records of the species in Sikkim are extremely limited. The present documentation therefore represents one of the most significant confirmed records of the Mishmi Takin in Sikkim in over two decades,” the statement said. Wildlife experts believe the presence of a healthy herd reflects the ecological integrity of the region’s mountain habitats and highlights the importance of preserving habitat connectivity across the Eastern Himalayas. Such transboundary ecological corridors are vital for the movement, genetic diversity and long-term survival of wide-ranging species, they said. The Forest and Environment Department attributed the sighting to sustained conservation efforts and habitat protection measures undertaken across the state’s fragile mountain ecosystems. “This remarkable sighting underscores the success of the department’s sustained conservation initiatives in protecting Sikkim’s mountain landscapes through integrated habitat management and protection,” the statement added. Officials said the footage is expected to provide valuable insights into the species’ distribution and population status in Sikkim. (Source: PTI)