REGIONAL

GANGTOK : Sikkim has achieved 100 per cent distribution of enumeration forms (EF) to eligible voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Raj Singh Yadav said on Wednesday. “We have achieved 100 per cent distribution of EFs in Sikkim, way ahead of the deadline,” he told reporters here. Yadav urged all eligible voters to make timely submission of filled EFs for the preparation of the draft electoral roll in Sikkim. Yadav, however, said that distribution alone does not guarantee inclusion in the draft electoral roll as the electors who have received the forms must ensure that they are duly filled and submitted to their respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs) on or before June 28, the prescribed deadline for submission. He said that electors who fail to submit their forms by the deadline would not be included in the draft electoral roll, as no submissions would be entertained thereafter. The CEO said that once forms are submitted, BLOs will record their receipt through the BLO App, following which the forms will be digitised and processed. He urged all electors to cooperate with the election machinery and complete the process within the prescribed timeline. Referring to grievances received regarding BLOs not visiting certain voters, Yadav clarified that BLOs can visit only within their designated polling areas and voter addresses. He said that in cases where a voter’s present residence differs from the address recorded in the electoral roll, it becomes the responsibility of the elector to contact the concerned BLO and submit the form in the constituency where he or she is registered. Addressing the issue of floating population, the CEO reiterated that voters must coordinate with their respective BLOs in their registered constituencies to obtain and submit the forms. While distribution has reached full completion, Yadav expressed concern over the pace of digitisation, which remains below expectations in several areas. The district-wise digitisation progress currently stands at 48 per cent in Mangan, 38 per cent in Gangtok, 37 per cent in Namchi, 35 per cent in Gyalshing, 34 per cent in Soreng and 31 per cent in Pakyong, the lowest among all districts. PTI              

KOHIMA : Union minister Pabitra Margherita on Tuesday said the Narendra Modi-led government considers the Northeast as the country’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and has prioritised the region’s development through sustained investments in infrastructure, connectivity and welfare programmes over the past 12 years. Addressing a press conference at the BJP Nagaland state headquarters here to mark 12 years of the NDA government, Margherita said the region has witnessed unprecedented attention under Modi, who has repeatedly described the region as a key driver of India’s growth story. Margherita, the minister of state for external affairs and textiles, said the Centre’s commitment to the Northeast is reflected in improved connectivity, expanded welfare coverage and increased financial support to the region. According to him, the region has recorded significant progress in road, rail, air and digital connectivity, alongside investments in healthcare, education, tourism and entrepreneurship. Turning to Nagaland, Margherita said the state has been a major beneficiary of the Centre’s development initiatives and welfare schemes. He highlighted investments in infrastructure, tourism, handloom and handicrafts, as well as enhanced fiscal support to the state. Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), he said 17 road projects worth about Rs 900 crore and 146 infrastructure projects valued at nearly Rs 1,489 crore have been approved for the state since the scheme’s inception. The minister also pointed to the role of the ministry of textiles in supporting the Handloom and Handicrafts Complex at Kisama Heritage Village, which serves as a platform for local artisans and weavers to showcase and market their products. Margherita said the Centre is working to connect artisans from Nagaland to national and international markets through digital platforms and major textile exhibitions such as Bharat Tex. He noted that traditional Naga handloom products have gained visibility at national events, creating new opportunities for local weavers and entrepreneurs. Highlighting the state’s tourism potential, he said the state’s rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, cuisine and natural landscapes place it in a strong position to attract investment and visitors. He added that the Centre and state government are working together to promote tourism and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. Referring to the Hornbill Festival, he said the event has evolved into a major attraction that draws visitors from across the country and abroad. He added that digital marketing platforms introduced by the Centre are helping artisans and weavers from remote areas access wider markets. On financial assistance, Margherita said tax devolution to Nagaland increased from Rs 5,405 crore during 2004-2014 to more than Rs 59,327 crore since 2014. He said grants and other forms of central support have also risen substantially, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to the state’s development. He further noted that Kohima’s inclusion under the Smart City Mission and investments in connectivity projects are contributing to urban development and economic growth in the state. The minister further outlined the impact of flagship welfare schemes in the state. He said more than 4.13 lakh Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in the state, over 7.7 lakh Ayushman Bharat cards issued, and more than 1.22 lakh LPG connections provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. He added that over 3.42 lakh rural households have received tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission.   According to Margherita, around 14 lakh beneficiaries in the state are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, while more than 1.8 lakh farmers have benefited from assistance under PM-KISAN. He maintained that the development witnessed in Nagaland over the past decade reflects the Centre’s broader vision for the Northeast as India’s ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and growth engine. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the state’s progress through continued investments in infrastructure, welfare and economic development. “The government of India will continue to work closely with the people of Nagaland to unlock the state’s full potential and ensure inclusive growth,” Margherita said. (Source: PTI)  

BARPETA : Assam Police has detained three boys for allegedly raping and murdering a 10-year-old girl in Barpeta district, an official said on Tuesday. The incident took place in the district’s Baghbar area on Monday, when the victim was returning from school, he said. Barpeta additional superintendent of police (ASP) Sameeran Baishya said the girl was returning home from school early as she was feeling unwell. “On the way, the accused dragged her into a jute field and gangraped her. Then they strangled her to death at the spot and left the body in the field,” he said. When the girl did not return home till evening, the family informed police and the body was recovered from the field by a police team later in the night. “The three boys have been detained after initial investigation,” the ASP said. “Further investigation is on, and more details will be shared later,” Baishya added. (Source: PTI)    

NAGAON : For most teenagers, school textbooks are unlikely places to find personal memories. But for Assam’s Giban Saikia, a chapter in his Class 10 textbook opened a window to a forgotten chapter of his life, which depicts the rescue story of an orphaned civet cub and how it was raised as a family member. A civet is a small and mostly nocturnal mammal native to tropical Asia and Africa, especially the tropical forests. The memories came rushing back to young Giban of central Assam’s Nagaon district as he read through ‘Baby Bhakat’, a chapter in his English textbook. Recalling the incident, Giban’s father Dharani Saikia said, “It was in 2009. I received information that a 10-day-old cub of a civet (locally called ‘Jahamal’) had fallen down from its nest on the premises of a neighbour’s house. As there was no one to look after it, I decided to bring the animal home.” Saikia is known for his love for nature and wildlife in Kampur area of the district, and he is approached by people in such matters. Initially unsure on what to feed the cub, Saikia’s wife Anjali decided to raise it on her own milk along with Giban, who was a six-month-old infant back then. The cub, whom they named ‘Bhakat’, grew up with Giban and his elder brother Pulin – eating, playing and even sleeping with them. After spending about eight months with the Saikia family, ‘Bhakat’ suddenly disappeared from the household. The civet cub’s stay with the Saikia family was documented by photojournalist Rommel Shunmugam, which found its way into the CBSE English textbook for Class 10. The chapter, ‘Baby Bhakat’, has been included since the 2024-25 session. “We hope that this will inspire young students to love nature and wildlife, and help in whatever way they can,” Saikia said. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA : A study by Nagaland University has highlighted how indigenous knowledge sustains terrace farming among Angami Nagas, with the institute saying the findings would help support national efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture. The central university, in a release, said the use of ecological indicators for agricultural planning and the deep integration of farming with cultural traditions of the community have also been found in the new research. “A Nagaland University study has generated new insights into how traditional knowledge continues to guide and facilitate terrace farming among the Angami Naga population. It presents significant lessons in sustainable agriculture and food security,” it said. The findings of the study will also support national efforts towards food security and sustainable agriculture, the university said. Furthermore, the results of this study may also help implement development policies and projects that would otherwise hinder indigenous people from using their culturally sensitive agricultural methods. The findings of the study, published in the Sage journal, are based on doctoral research work conducted by Ketekhoto Neihu under the supervision of Srikanth Yamsani, Assistant Professor at the Tribal Research Centre, Department of Sociology. Commenting on the research finding, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, said, “The study highlights how traditional wisdom continues to sustain agricultural productivity, ecological balance and community resilience in the hill landscapes of Nagaland.” The findings showed that the sustainability of Angami terrace cultivation rests on the harmonious integration of ecological practices, social cooperation and cultural traditions, he added. “At a time when the world is seeking sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural solutions, such research underscores the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems and the importance of documenting, preserving and learning from them,” Patnaik said. Unlike previous studies, which focused on the technicalities of terrace farming, the present study goes deeper into the underlying social, cultural and ecological knowledge system that supports the practice. “The study provides valuable insights into the sophisticated methods of soil and water management developed by the Angami community over generations, the use of ecological indicators in agricultural planning, and the deep cultural values embedded within farming practices,” Patnaik said. It demonstrated that indigenous knowledge is not merely a legacy of the past but a living system that contributes significantly to sustainable development and environmental stewardship, he added. Talking about the significance of the research, lead researcher Srikanth Yamsani said, “Our study found that the Angami Naga population continues to practice farming in close association with cycles and signs of nature. Farmers plant, transplant, and harvest using clues like plant bloom times, bird habits and insects.” While these forms of agricultural practice are still strong, it is important to point out the new challenges being faced by farmers, such as changing patterns of rainfall and climate variability, he added. Northeast India has diverse farming practices due to its varied agro-climatic zones and indigenous traditions that are deeply rooted in society. (Source: PTI)          

SHILLONG : The northeast region is “daring to dream” in shaping its growth story, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said here on Monday and announced that in the next few years, eight new five-star hotels are set to be opened in his state. In his address at a summit, he also underlined that time is “crucial” for the northeast, and “we just need to connect dots”. Sangma said the northeast today has the political will, policy and thought process to grow, and its states are “daring to dream”. “Earlier, we didn’t dare to dream, but now we are, and that’s a confidence we wish to convey to the investors looking to invest in our region,” he said. The ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’ is being hosted from June 15-16 at Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and several other dignitaries were also present on the dais. “In the last eight years, our (state) budget has grown twice as much. And, I am confident that by 2028-2029, it will grow to thrice of what the volume was eight years ago,” Sangma said in his address. “Our capital expenditure, the expenditure on infrastructure and investment we do, it has grown six times in the last eight years,” he said. In Meghalaya, today the state is doing something that “we had not even thought of earlier”, Sangma emphasised. In this country, “the biggest dedicated football stadium is being built in Meghalaya, with a capacity of 40,000, and worth about Rs 800 crore investment, a FIFA-certified football stadium, which can host any international-level game,” the Meghalaya chief minister said. He said Meghalaya is going to host the National Games next year. “We are making full preparations for it.” Sangma pointed to the several buildings and other infrastructure projects which are underway in the state. “Our new assembly building is ready, our new secretariat building is getting built, and perhaps in a year or year and a half, we will be able to start our administrative work from there,” Sangma said. “Meghalaya earlier didn’t have a single five-star hotel. In the last five years, we have started two five-star hotels. And, you will be happy to learn that in the next three-four years, eight new five stars are set to be opened, their agreements signed, and work had started on four of them,” he added. The local airport in Shillong was built but closed, it has opened again, and big commercial operations will be able to start from it in the next 1-1.5 years, Sangma said. Before the inaugural session, Gadkari, the Union minister for road, transport and highways, also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies at the summit venue. (Source: PTI)    

SHILLONG : A mega two-day summit shining a spotlight on the growth potential of the eight northeastern states began here on Monday, in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and chief ministers of Meghalaya and Nagaland. Before the inaugural session, Gadkari, the Union minister for road, transport and highways, also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies for the summit hosted at Lariti Performing Centre here. In his address, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed described the ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’, a first-of-its-kind event and a “historic moment” for the region. He underlined the growth of road and other infrastructure in Meghalaya and said the northeast, which earlier was seen as a “far away” and “peripheral place”, is now seen as a “hub for prosperity” and region with a potential for growth. Ahammed asserted that the central government’s focus on the northeast is “visible and palpable”. “The northeast is no more the periphery, but the pole of India’s future and growth,” he added. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and several other dignitaries were also present on the dais. (Source: PTI)    

SHILLONG : Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday announced a slew of road projects for the northeast region and said infrastructure development here will serve as the “growth engine”. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the ‘North East India Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition 2026’, being hosted on June 15-16 at the Lariti Performing Centre in Shillong. Gadkari emphasised the central government’s commitment to the region’s development. “We’re committed to ensuring progress of the northeast region, equivalent to other states,” he said. Announcing a series of road infrastructure projects, the minister for road, transport and highways said, “Infrastructure development in northeast will serve as growth engine for the region.” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, along with several other dignitaries, were present on the dais. Speaking on the occasion, Sangma said, “Earlier, we didn’t dare to dream, but now we are, and that’s a confidence we wish to convey to the investors looking to invest in our region.” The mega summit aims to shine a spotlight on the growth potential of the eight northeastern states. Earlier in the day, Gadkari also attended a CEO roundtable and inaugurated an exhibition by various companies for the summit hosted at Lariti Performing Centre here. Ahead of the inaugural session, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Shakil P Ahammed described the summit as a first-of-its-kind event and a “historic moment” for the region. “The northeast is no more the periphery, but the pole of India’s future and growth,” he added. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL : At least three persons were injured in an exchange of fire between two groups in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Monday, officials said. The firing took place near Leilon Vaiphei village around 6 am when armed persons belonging to two tribal communities exchanged fire in the Kuki-majority district, they said. The injured, all belonging to the Kuki community, were brought to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for treatment by security forces. They were identified as Genlenmang Vaiphei (18), Lunliandaw Vaiphei (20) and Paogou Lal (18), officials said. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the hospital complex with additional deployment of central forces. (Source: PTI)    

AGARTALA : Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said the state government is considering amalgamating some schools and handing them over to reputed organisations such as the Ramakrishna Mission to improve the quality of education. The NITI Aayog, in a recent report, pointed to a shortage of more than 8,000 teachers in government-run schools in the northeastern state. “We are planning to merge some schools and entrust their management to organisations or societies like the Ramakrishna Mission so that students receive quality education,” Saha told reporters. He said many students, particularly in tribal areas, prefer English-medium institutions, leading to lower enrolment in government-run schools. “We are trying to create an environment in government schools comparable to that of private institutions to attract more students. The government is spending more than private schools,” he said. Most government schools in Tripura are Bengali-medium, while a majority of private schools offer English-medium education. In 2021, the state government converted 125 schools into Vidyajyoti Schools under the CBSE curriculum to improve educational standards. The chief minister also said the dropout rate in the state has been steadily declining and highlighted the government’s efforts to encourage girls to continue their education. Describing child marriage as a major social concern, Saha said the government has launched several initiatives to keep girls in school and help them become self-reliant. As part of those efforts, the state has expanded its bicycle distribution programme for class 9 girls by removing the family income ceiling, making more students eligible for the benefit, he said. Saha said around 41,800 class 9 girl students across Tripura are being provided free bicycles during the current financial year. (Source: PTI)