REGIONAL

GUWAHATI, OCT 15: Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi on Thursday called off his 13-day sit-in after two Assam ministers assured him that CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had agreed to his demands for adequate compensation for the flood-affected people of four districts. The move came after state cabinet ministers Keshab Mahanta and Pijush Hazarika met Gogoi at the protest site outside the assembly. Gogoi had started the sit-in on October 2, demanding adequate compensation for flood-hit people of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts of Upper Assam. The MLA had submitted a memorandum to the government demanding that the affected families of these four districts be given a one-time interim assistance of Rs 15,000, and an additional Rs 10,000 for flood-hit people of Sivasagar and Charaideo. He had been demanding a CBI inquiry into the causes of the flood. “We have been deputed by the chief minister to discuss the matter with Gogoi and convey certain measures taken by the government to him,” Mahanta said. He also said, “Providing Rs 15,000 as an interim financial assistance to each of the 3,068 families will require over Rs 4.60 crore, and the government has agreed to pay the amount to the families listed by the Raijor Dal.” The chief minister decided that a high-level inquiry would be instituted and that the committee details would be announced soon, Mahanta said. On the demand for payment of an additional Rs 10,000, the minister said that a survey would be conducted and a decision would be taken accordingly. Gogoi said the government had already initiated the process of assisting 57,000 families and the issue of the pending Rs 15,000 payment has now been resolved. The Raijor Dal MLA claimed that several flood-affected families, particularly those in Sivasagar, were not covered by the initial survey, but the government had agreed to prepare another list after conducting fresh surveys to identify those left out of the previous assessment. During the meeting, Gogoi urged the government to double the financial assistance provided under the Orunodoi scheme for flood-affected families and called for government housing for people whose houses had been destroyed. The MLA said he had asked for a CBI inquiry into the deaths and other issues linked to the floods, and the state government announced a high-level inquiry by an expert committee. Gogoi also urged his party workers protesting in Sivasagar and Charaideo to call off their stir. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL, OCT 15: Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Thursday said government efforts and security measures alone could not end the ethnic violence in the state unless people developed mutual understanding and resolved their differences through dialogue. Konthoujam made the remarks while visiting 84 BSF personnel admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal with suspected food poisoning. Asked about killings allegedly carried out by militants in the state, he said, “When the general people do not have humanity, then nobody can stop killing each other. We should understand that. “We should be a civilised society. The government cannot do everything, even though it is trying its best to control the violence. Everything should come to an understanding. Killing will never solve any problem. We should talk to each other, and all differences should be resolved through dialogue,” he said. The minister said the government was working to initiate dialogue, but stressed that society and the people also had a role to play in restoring peace. “Security alone cannot solve the problem. We, the society and the people, should also try to restrain any kind of anger,” he said. Asked whether militants covered under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact could be arrested, Konthoujam said anyone involved in serious crimes could be taken into custody. On the condition of the BSF personnel admitted to RIMS, he said they began vomiting after eating ‘puri-sabji’ for breakfast around 8.30 am. Their blood pressure dropped, and a total of 84 personnel were admitted to the hospital, he said, adding that all were stable except one, who remained under observation. Konthoujam praised RIMS doctors and staff for providing care to the personnel. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL, OCT 15: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Thursday said the resumption of free movement along NH-2 has boosted the state’s economy, which was severely affected by the crisis that erupted in May 2023. Singh made the remarks while attending the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan at Tadubi local ground in Senapati district. Addressing the gathering, Singh said he had personally decided to attend the programme at Tadubi following the demise of former MLA N Kayisii in 2025. He said the crisis that erupted on May 3, 2023, had severely affected the state’s economy, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of around Rs 1,200 crore in GST collections between 2023 and 2026. Singh said bandhs and blockades had adversely affected daily-wage earners and students across the state, adding that differences among communities could be resolved through dialogue. He also lauded the people of Maram, Tadubi and Mao in Senapati district for their cooperation in restoring free movement along NH-2, which connects Imphal to Guwahati via Dimapur. Public transport services along the highway in Manipur resumed on August 21. Singh said all communities in the state must work collectively towards achieving a common goal. Speaking about development initiatives, the chief minister said his government had earmarked around Rs 10 crore in the budget for each Assembly constituency for the construction of inter-village roads (IVRs). He said a medical college had been established in Churachandpur district during the previous term of the government to ensure equitable development across the hill districts, adding that another medical college would be established in Senapati district. Expressing concern over the growing reluctance among Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis to identify themselves as Manipuris, Singh urged people to work towards peace and harmony. He said people must first identify themselves as Indians and, second, as Manipuris. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the country, Singh said India was the world’s 11th-largest economy before Modi assumed office. He added that India had since risen to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. Singh also said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan was being organised across the country to mark Modi’s 25 years of public service and carry forward the spirit of public service and good governance. (Source: PTI)      

IMPHAL, OCT 14: A group of people, mainly youths, on Wednesday staged a rally towards the BJP office in Manipur, protesting the sexual harassment allegations against Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. Holding placards reading “A decent leader we support”, the protesters raised slogans against the saffron party and condemned the allegations against Akoijam, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor. The demonstrators attempted to enter the state BJP office, located less than 100 metres from Lok Bhavan, but were stopped by police personnel. “We strongly denounce the allegations against Akoijam. The youth stands for Akoijam. He is being targeted by the BJP because he stood for Manipur. To suppress him is to suppress the state. Do not politicise the issue,” a protester said. The rally came a day after several women MPs, including Manipur BJP president and Rajya Sabha member A Sharda Devi, submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention in the sexual harassment allegations against Akoijam. In a social media post on Wednesday, Sharda Devi said she had met President Murmu along with fellow BJP women MPs and submitted the memorandum seeking intervention in the matter. “We sought action through due process and protection for complainants,” she said. JNU on October 9 dismissed professor Akoijam, also a Congress MP, over sexual harassment complaints against him, an official order said, even as he termed his dismissal a “witch hunt” and questioned whether due process was followed. (Source: PTI)  

GUWAHATI, OCT 14: Sikkim-based Medhavi Skills University (MSU) on Wednesday said it has joined hands with the Regional Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDSDE) in Assam, enabling the varsity to work with industry partners in identifying workforce requirements. The university has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the RDSDE, an organisation under the Directorate General of Training (DGT) of the Union Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), to implement the ‘Flexi-MoU’ programmes, MSU said in a statement. “With this, MSU becomes the only university in India to have an active MoU with DGT under the scheme,” it said. The ‘Flexi-MoU’ framework enables MSU to work with industry partners to identify workforce requirements, develop customised curricula and deliver training through a learn-and-earn approach combining classroom instruction, practical learning and on-the-job training, along with monthly stipends, the statement said. “Successful trainees will receive the National Trade Certificate (e-NTC) from DGT, creating a structured pathway to employment. The initiative will initially focus on manufacturing trades, with scope for expansion into other sectors based on industry needs,” it said. Commenting on the development, RDSDE Deputy Director Rohan Ramrao Patil said the scheme enables greater industry participation in skill development by supporting training that responds to emerging workforce requirements. Such collaborations can strengthen practical learning, improve the relevance of vocational training and contribute to developing a skilled workforce for India’s growth, he said. MSU Founder and Chancellor Pravesh Dudani said, “The future of education lies in how effectively it prepares people for the world of work. This collaboration brings industry requirements directly into training, helping young people acquire relevant skills, practical experience and recognised qualifications.” (Source: PTI)          

KOHIMA, OCT 13: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the upcoming Hornbill Festival and assured officials that access to the venue would be ensured despite concerns over a national highway stretch damaged by a major landslide in August. After a meeting of a high-powered committee at Kisama Heritage Village, the chief minister said all departments concerned have submitted their preparedness reports and “we are committed to ensuring the 27th edition of the festival is flawless, and our guests feel comfortable”. The Hornbill Festival, held in December, is Nagaland’s annual cultural festival that showcases the state’s traditions, heritage and cultural diversity, thereby promoting tourism. Addressing concerns over the condition of roads leading to Kisama, Rio assured reporters that access to the festival venue would be maintained. He said he would convene another meeting to examine the matter in detail. A major landslide triggered by incessant rainfall on August 13 damaged a stretch of National Highway-29 between Kisama and Phesama. The incident prompted calls for expedited restoration, slope stabilisation and improved drainage. In September, the Kohima District Disaster Management Authority was informed that the sinking section of the road at Phesama was expected to be made motorable by the latter part of November. On the proposed public-private partnership (PPP) model for the development of Kisama Heritage Village, Rio said tender documents were being prepared. Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along said more consultative meetings would be held as preparations for the festival continued. (Source: PTI)    

IMPHAL, OCT 13: Thirteen people, including a juvenile, were held in Manipur for allegedly circulating sexually explicit content on social media and monetising it, police said on Tuesday. An FIR was registered at Moirang police station in Bishnupur district after information was received that administrators and users of multiple Telegram channels were allegedly circulating, trading and monetising non-consensual sexually explicit videos and photographs of local women, including child sexual abuse material, they said. Police said they launched an investigation, codenamed ‘Operation Dignity’, and arrested 12 people and detained a juvenile. The arrests were made in Bishnupur, Imphal West and Kakching districts, police said. Police said they seized a total of 14 mobile phones in the operation. An investigation is underway to identify the wider network, trace financial transactions and establish whether there are additional victims, they said. (Source: PTI)  

SHILLONG, OCT 13: Norway’s Ambassador to India, May Elin Stener has praised Meghalaya’s natural beauty, including its waterfalls, caves and lush landscapes. Stener recently spent a weekend in Shillong with her family. Sharing her experience on her social media handle, Stener described the weekend as memorable and highlighted the natural wonders that make Meghalaya a distinctive destination. “Spent a memorable weekend in Shillong with family, discovering the natural wonders of Meghalaya. With waterfalls, caves and lush landscapes, this beautiful state showcases the remarkable diversity and richness,” she wrote. Her visit comes as Meghalaya continues to draw attention for its scenic landscapes, biodiversity and unique natural attractions, which have helped strengthen its appeal as a tourism destination. Shillong, known for its rolling hills, pine forests and pleasant climate, serves as a gateway to several of the state’s popular tourist destinations, including the waterfalls and limestone caves in the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. (Source: PTI)