REGIONAL

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday attended BJP MLA Vungazagin Valte’s last rites in Churachandpur district and said his deepest regret was not being by the side of the late leader when he was assaulted by a mob in the state capital. Singh took a chopper to visit the Kuki-Zomi majority district, amidst protests by Kuki groups. At least six Kuki organisations boycotted Singh’s visit to the Kuki-Zo majority district, demanding a permanent resolution to the simmering ethnic conflict in the state. “Today, I had a meeting with the Union home minister (through virtual). That’s why I didn’t come by road,” the chief minister said. Describing Valte as a “very calm person”, Singh said, “When I was first elected (in 2017) and became Speaker, he was one of my best friends.” “I still remember that particular incident of May 4 (2023). We were all together discussing how to control the violence… if I were with him on that particular evening, that incident would have never taken place,” Singh said. He went on to say that on the evening of May 3, “deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen said she wanted to go back to Kangpokpi. I persuaded her to stay back, citing mob violence. She was sent back with full security at 2 am the following day”. “Today, I came here to pay my last respects to my friend Pu Valte. To be able to attend it is a huge honour for me. Valte’s family is like my family. His friends and close ones are my friends too. I will always extend any support to all of them,” Singh added. Valte, a three-time legislator from Thanlon constituency, will be buried at a cemetery in Dorcas Veng village in Churachandpur district at around 1.30 pm, according to a Zomi Council statement issued on Friday. The body of the 61-year-old BJP leader belonging to the Zomi community has been kept in Churachandpur District Hospital since it was brought from Delhi in February. Valte had been battling serious injuries he had sustained during a mob attack in Imphal’s Nagamapal area when ethnic violence broke out in May 2023, and went to Delhi for medical treatment. After nearly two years of treatment there, Valte returned home to Churachandpur, accompanied by his wife, in April last year. On February 7, his health condition suddenly worsened, and he was taken to the national capital the next day via an air ambulance. He died at a private hospital in Gurugram on February 20. Following his death, Zomi frontal organisations formed the Zomi Coordination Committee (ZCC) to oversee matters related to the late legislator, including engagement with the Centre, the state government, and other authorities on issues of justice and accountability, causing the delay in the burial, sources in the community said. The ZCC recently resolved to hand over Valte’s mortal remains to his family to enable them to perform his final rites, they said. The ZCC’s demands included a time-bound investigation by the NIA or CBI into the attack on the MLA leading to his death, and the grant of Union Territory status with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo majority areas of Manipur, which he perceived as the only way towards the development of the community on par with others, sources said. Valte had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi explaining the importance and the need for a separate administration. At least 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since May 2023 due to ethnic violence in Manipur between the valley-based Meiteis and the Kukis who live in the hill districts. Following continued ethic clashes and the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the state was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025. It was lifted nearly a year later, on February 4. (Source: PTI)    

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday said people desire an end to the prolonged crisis in the state. Speaking at an event here, Singh said he was encouraged to see that Churachandpur district was no longer affected by the disruptions witnessed during the height of the crisis. “Dialogue is the only way forward to restore lasting peace in the state,” he said. Stressing that development cannot take place without peace, Singh said the people of Manipur desire an end to the prolonged crisis and wish to move forward together. He, however, observed that a few individuals continue to benefit from the prevailing chaotic situation and therefore do not want peace to return. Singh urged people not to allow people with such vested interests to derail the collective efforts towards restoring peace and ensuring the state’s progress and asserted that those disrupting peace will be identified and action taken against them. The chief minister said the crisis has hit hard the state’s economy and government’s revenue collection. He added that younger generations and poor people were the ones who suffered the most during the crisis and that students also faced a lot of hardship due to the unrest in the state. Earlier in the day, the CM visited Churachandpur and attended the last rites of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who died earlier this year after sustaining serious injuries in a mob attack in Imphal in 2023. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis in Manipur since May 2023. (Source: PTI)      

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Friday said his government remains committed to conserving and promoting the state’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Singh made the remarks after attending the 34th meeting of the Kangla Board along with Arts and Culture Minister Kh Loken Singh and other board officials. In a post on social media, the chief minister said the meeting focused on development initiatives within Kangla Fort while ensuring the preservation of its historical and cultural significance. “The government remains steadfast in its commitment to conserving and promoting Manipur’s rich heritage for the benefit of future generations,” he added. Kangla Board is the governing body responsible for the administration, control, and preservation of the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, which served as the ancient political and cultural centre of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : An estate in Assam’s Tinsukia district has created history by producing and launching India’s first-ever commercially manufactured ‘Matcha’ tea, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday. Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in the Upper Assam district has successfully produced and launched ‘Matcha’ tea, with the lot selling at the Gauhati Tea Auction for Rs 3,000. “Your favourite Matcha brew, will now be produced in Assam. Furthering our glorious tea legacy, Assam becomes the first State in India to commercially produce Matcha tea at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Tinsukia,” Sarma said in a post on X. The diversification of the viral drink will help strengthen brand Assam Tea in the global markets, he said. “This has been made possible due to the strong India-Japan ties and our collaboration in various fields, and has fetched a handsome price at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre,” the CM said. Mrityunjay Jalan, the director of the tea estate, said it has spent the past decade collaborating closely with Japanese tea manufacturers, agronomists, equipment suppliers, and tea experts to bring this vision to life. “By establishing a fully automated, state-of-the-art Japanese tea manufacturing facility on its estate, Chota Tingrai has successfully bridged traditional Assam tea heritage with authentic Japanese expertise,” he said. ‘Matcha’ is a highly sought-after, premium green tea product primarily manufactured in Japan, China, and Vietnam, which is currently facing global shortage due to skyrocketing demand, officials said. Assam is globally celebrated for its rich and robust black teas, and the introduction of high-quality specialty teas like ‘Matcha’ marks a monumental shift, they said. Jalan said the development adds a valuable new dimension to Assam’s tea portfolio, opening lucrative new export opportunities and strengthening India’s position in the global specialty tea market. “We have been working with tea experts from Japan for the past decade to introduce the highest quality of green tea to the Indian market,” he said. Jalan said they have successfully sold whole-leaf green tea grades for the past 10 years, but the “launch of authentic Indian ‘Matcha’ is a milestone we are incredibly proud of”. It is the result of a dedicated partnership with our Japanese counterparts, and ”we are confident that ‘Matcha’ from Chota Tingrai will soon find a home in both Indian and international households”, he added. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA : Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen on Friday said climate change is disrupting the state’s traditional agricultural calendar, making it imperative to adopt climate-smart technologies and renewable energy to secure rural livelihoods. Addressing the inauguration of the ‘Women-led enterprises for a climate-smart Nagaland’ trade facilitation fair here, Imchen said erratic rainfall has significantly altered the state’s farming cycle. He noted that sowing, which traditionally began in early April, is now being delayed until June, often resulting in crop losses due to inadequate rainfall. Calling for an urgent transition to a low-carbon economy, he stressed that renewable energy — particularly solar power — must become an integral part of rural enterprises to help communities adapt to changing climatic conditions while improving productivity and incomes. Imchen also said that although the self-help group (SHG) movement has empowered thousands of rural women, many entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in accessing modern technology, institutional finance, markets, and business support. “It is a collective governance and societal responsibility to build an enabling ecosystem capable of translating local skills and resources into viable, self-sustaining businesses,” he said. The fair, organised by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) in partnership with the SELCO Foundation, showcases 19 exhibition stalls featuring clean-energy technologies and financing solutions for sectors such as weaving, horticulture, piggery, bamboo, and food processing. Imchen said decentralised solar-powered equipment, including dryers, grinders, and cold storage units, can help reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, lower production costs, and generate employment in rural areas. (Source: PTI)  

MORIGAON : The Assam government will undertake a massive drive to plant 1 crore saplings across the state between August 10 and 14 as part of the Independence Day celebrations, Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said on Thursday. Baruah made the announcement after participating in a plantation programme at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to mark the 77th Van Mahotsav. He, along with local residents, forest officials and others, planted 77 saplings on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the minister said the plantation campaign would be carried out under the ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’, with around 10 lakh students from class 9 onwards, including those pursuing higher, engineering and medical education, participating in the drive. “Each participating student will plant 10 saplings, taking the total target to 1 crore saplings across the state,” Baruah said. To ensure the survival of the saplings, each student will be assisted by a job card holder under the VB-GRAM-G scheme. “Job card holders will receive an incentive of Rs 1,500, equivalent to five days’ wages, in instalments, provided at least 50 per cent of the saplings survive. This will not only improve the survival rate of the saplings but also generate livelihood opportunities for rural workers,” he said. Students who successfully maintain the saplings by uploading geo-tagged photographs will be awarded the ‘Briksha Bandhu’ certificate in recognition of their contribution to environmental conservation, he added. Baruah also announced the launch of the ‘Phalbari’ initiative, under which 1 crore indigenous fruit saplings will be distributed across the state from April next year. The initiative aims to revive traditional fruit species such as mango, jackfruit, leteku (Burmese grape), paniyal (Indian coffee plum), kordoi (star fruit), and kaji nemu (lemon). “Nursery development for the programme will begin in October this year. Besides strengthening biodiversity, the initiative is expected to improve long-term food and nutritional security in the state,” he said. The minister further announced that every forest range in Assam will establish a ‘Janmadin Seuj Shopath’, which will be inaugurated on July 7, the concluding day of Van Mahotsav. Under the initiative, people will be encouraged to celebrate their birthdays by planting a tree and taking a pledge to protect the environment. An online portal will also be launched to facilitate advance booking of saplings. Baruah also unveiled a ‘Char-Chapori’ Greening Initiative aimed at restoring the barren char and chapori areas along the Brahmaputra. “As a pilot project, seed balls will be aerially dispersed using drones in selected char areas. Based on the outcome, the programme will be expanded across the state,” he said. The minister said the state government’s crackdown on illegal sawmills was continuing. “Between 40 and 60 illegal sawmills are being dismantled every day based on departmental action and public inputs,” he said. Baruah said all Range Officers and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) had been directed to ensure the complete elimination of illegal sawmills within their jurisdictions and warned that officials would be held personally accountable if such operations continued. (Source: PTI)          

GUWAHATI : Assam’s flood situation showed no signs of improvement on Wednesday, with the deluge affecting 46,000 people in six districts of the state and Dhemaji being the worst-hit, according to an official bulletin. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said on Tuesday night that one woman died in floodwaters in Sissiborgaon in Dhemaji district, the first casualty in the deluge this year. Two major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, were flowing above the danger level, with damage to infrastructure reported in various parts of the state. Crop land of more than 3,809 hectares remained under floodwaters, the bulletin said. The ASDMA said 46,938 people in 10 revenue circles and 221 villages of Dhemaji, Nalbari, Dibrugarh, Chirang, Lakhimpur and Biswanath are reeling under floodwaters. Dhemaji is the worst-hit with 45,841 people affected by the deluge. More than 450 displaced people took shelter in four relief camps, while another six relief distribution centres were also operational. Over 88,000 animals have been affected, the bulletin added. (Source: PTI)