Page 2 - Northeast India

Indian bus attacked in Bangladesh, alleges Tripura's transport minister

Tripura's Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury alleged that a bus on the way to Kolkata from Agartala was attacked in Bangladesh. The incident happened on Bishwa Road in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, he said. "A Sahyamoli Paribahan bus on the way from Tripura to Kolkata was attacked in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria Bishwa Road. The incident terrified Indian passengers on the bus. The bus was maintaining its lane when a truck intentionally hit it. At this point, an autorickshaw came in front of the bus, and the bus and the auto-rickshaw collided," Chowdhury said in a post on Facebook on Saturday, sharing photos of the bus. "Following this incident, locals started threatening Indian passengers on the bus. They also raised anti-India slogans and hurled expletives at the Indian passengers, giving them life threats. I strongly condemn the incident and urged the administration of the neighbouring country to ensure the safety of Indian passengers," he added. Buses operate between Kolka

Nagaland govt discusses state's investment potential with UK delegates

A roundtable discussion was held between the Nagaland government and a delegation from the UK on the state's growing opportunities and investment potential. The programme was held Saturday upon the arrival of the UK delegation for the Hornbill festival, a statement said. Discussions were held on partnerships in key sectors such as agritech and creative economy, it said. In his opening remarks, Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland Chairman Abu Metha emphasised the global significance of the Hornbill Festival as a venue for networking and collaboration. He noted Nagaland's transformation into a "land of opportunities" while retaining its rich identity as a land of festivals. Stressing the potential for agritech and the creative economy to drive economic growth, Metha underscored the importance of strategic collaborations with the United Kingdom to usher in a new era of sustainable development for the state. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron and Director of ...

UK's Chevening Scholarship to reserve 5 seats for Nagaland candidates

The Nagaland government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British High Commission to reserve five annual slots in the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for aspirants from the state. The MoU was signed by Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland Chairman Abu Metha and British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Andrew Fleming at the chief minister's official residence on Saturday, a statement said. The pact was inked in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and British High Commissioner Linda Cameron. The Chevening Scholarship provided by the UK government is aimed at nurturing exceptional individuals with leadership potential, the statement said. This collaboration will provide full funding for a one-year master's degree at any UK university, equipping scholars with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen fields, it said. Under the terms of the MoU, the Nagaland government would part-fund the reserved slots, enabling aspirants from the state to .

Indian Army conducts medical camps in Manipur, benefitting over 800 people

Over the two days, more than 813 people of all age groups benefited from the camps

Talks fail to resolve demand for rollback of seven districts in Manipur

The tripartite talks among the Centre, Manipur government and United Naga Council (UNC) held on Friday in Senapati district over the demand for the rollback of the seven districts created in 2016 did not yield any results, officials said. The UNC has been demanding the rollback of the creation of Kamjong, Pherzawl, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Noney and Jiribam. These districts were created during the previous Congress government led by O Ibobi Singh. "The discussions focussed on the issue of creation of seven districts by the Manipur government in December 2016," a joint statement issued by the representatives of the Centre, state government and the UNC said. "Representatives of the government of Manipur expressed inability to present a concrete proposal in view of certain difficulties. However, UNC expressed strong exceptions over non-submission of the concrete proposal and insisted that it be submitted in the next rounds of talks," it said. The meeting was held in a cordial

Be good neighbour, don't spread hatred: Manipur govt attacks Mizoram CM

The Manipur government on Friday night hit out at Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, asking him to show "better statesmanship" by being a "good neighbour" rather than stoking the fire of "hatred and division" through "unwarranted comments". In a statement, the state government said that India must be wary of the "greater agenda of carving a Kuki-Chin Christian nation" out of contiguous areas of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, played out over decades of meticulous planning. It said it will not allow fragmentation of Northeast India at the behest of foreign vested interests, or "secessionist interests as openly espoused by the Mizoram CM". "Mizoram CM reveals his democratic credentials by espousing imposition of President's Rule in Manipur while opposing boundary fencing of the Indo-Myanmar international border. He also calls for reunification of the Zo people. He also talks about possibility of armed militias in Manipur pointing their guns at Delhi and need for disarming, and sincere .

Army's 'Operation Sadbhavana' transforming remote villages in Arunachal

In the remote villages of Arunachal Pradesh, where the local tribals were once wary of the armed forces, the Indian Army has now become synonymous with hope and trust courtesy of its philanthropic efforts. From building schools, providing healthcare, developing sports infrastructure and addressing the locals' concerns, the army, under 'Operation Sadbhavana, is not only securing the borders but also working for people's welfare and easing their day-to-day struggles. In Bene village in the West Siang district of the state, more than 300 km from the capital Itanagar, the army installed fencing around a government school for the safety of the 50 children who study there. "We get continuous support from the army. The army has recently got the school fencing done. We have urged them to adopt our school," Principal of the government upper primary school Tumto Ete said. The school has eight rooms, smart classrooms and an alumni association, the principal said. Similarly, the Eastern Comma

Barring few incidents, Northeast free from law and order issue: Assam CM

ssam Chief Minister also proposed the establishment of tourism museums in New Delhi and Guwahati, which would play a crucial role in promoting Northeast India as a distinct tourism circuit

Kukis who fled Manipur will be sent back, talks to begin soon: Assam's KAAC

The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in Assam said it will facilitate the return of around 1,000 Kuki-Zo people who took shelter in the Singhason hills since the outbreak of violence in Manipur last year. Meetings will be held with different stakeholders on the issue to facilitate the return of the Kuki-Zos who have come here, KAAC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang said. "We are not going to forcefully evict them but will facilitate their return after discussions with various social and political organisations, including those from the Kuki community," he said. Ronghang said land rights would be given only to people who have lived in the Karbi Anglong district since its establishment or have been longstanding permanent residents. "Individuals migrating from outside the district, particularly those from Manipur, would not be granted land rights through our initiative of distributing land documents," he said on the sidelines of a land rights distribution programme

NDA MLAs call for operation against Kuki militants for killing 6 civilians

A meeting of MLAs of the ruling BJP-led NDA in Manipur adopted a resolution calling for a "mass operation" against the Kuki militants responsible for killing three women and three children in Jiribam district within seven days, a statement said. The meeting, held on Monday night, was attended by 27 MLAs. "To start Mass Operations against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children within 7 (seven) days," the statement said. "Declare the Kuki Militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children as an 'unlawful organisation' within 7 (seven) days," it added. It was resolved that the case be handed over to the NIA immediately. "The Centre to review the imposition of AFSPA as per the order dated November 14 with immediate effect," the statement said. If the resolutions taken are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA legislators will decide the further course of action in consultation with the

Manipur CM Biren Singh convenes NDA meeting to discuss developing situation

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has convened a meeting with ministers and MLAs of the ruling NDA here at 6 pm on Monday to review the "developing law and order situation in the state", officials said. The development comes amid the National People's Party (NPP), which has seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, withdrawing support from the BJP-led government, claiming that the N Biren Singh dispensation has "completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy" in the northeastern state. The withdrawal of support on Sunday, however, would not have any impact on the BJP government, as the saffron party enjoys a majority with its 32 MLAs. The saffron camp has also the support of five MLAs of the Naga People's Front (NPF) and six JD(U) legislators. Meanwhile, secretary to the chief minister, Ningthoujam Geoffrey, in a letter to the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), requested the influential body in Imphal Valley to "refrain from taking up any ...

Protestor killed during clash with security forces in Manipur's Jiribam

The offices of the Congress and BJP, and a house belonging to Jiribam's Independent MLA were ransacked by a group of agitators

Amit Shah to hold meeting to review security situation in Manipur today

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday hold a key meeting to review the security situation in Manipur and is expected to chalk out a strategy to handle the "volatile" situation in the northeastern state, sources said. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, among other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, they said. Shah also took stock of the security situation in Manipur on Sunday after cancelling his election rallies in Maharashtra. The situation in Manipur, which has been reeling from ethnic strife since May last year, has been volatile following protests and violence after the recovery of bodies of women and children. Shah will hold a key meeting and review the situation in Manipur on Monday. He is likely to give directions for handling the current "volatile" situation in the state, the sources said. Irate mobs set fire to the residences of three more BJP legislators, one of whom

Mob burns 4 more MLAs homes in Manipur, tries storming CM's ancestral house

According to police officials, 8 persons have been injured in the process of dispersal of the mob that targeted various houses and properties of public representatives in Imphal

Economic progress only long term solution for stability in NE: Meghalaya CM

Even as the situation in the Northeast has improved in the last 10 years, the long-term solution for peace and stability in the region is only through economic development, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Saturday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, Sangma asserted that there has been a "drastic reduction" in overall insurgency. "There are certain incidents and certain areas where slight problems are still there but at large if you look at the last 10 years things have really improved. There has been a drastic reduction in the overall insurgency in the different incidents taking place. So there has been a reduction," the National People's Party leader told PTI. While admitting that certain states have been "facing problems", he said that in the long run, the solution to peace and stability in the region is by creating necessary infrastructures and proper economic development. "So once economic development comes in, connectivity comes i

Protesters storm houses of 2 Manipur ministers, 3 MLAs over 3 persons death

Protesters stormed the residences of two ministers and three MLAs in Manipur's Imphal on Saturday, demanding justice for the murder of three persons in Jiribam district, police said. The mob attacks on legislators' houses prompted the Imphal West administration to impose prohibitory orders in the district for an indefinite period. According to an order issued by Imphal West District Magistrate Th Kirankumar, the curfew was imposed from 4.30 pm on Saturday. A mob stormed the residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan in Lamphel Sanakeithel area, a senior officer said. Lamphel Sanakeithel Development Authority's representative David told reporters, "Sapam assured us that the issues related to the killing of three persons will be discussed at a cabinet meeting and that the minister will tender his resignation if the government fails to honour the sentiment of the public." Protesters also stormed the house of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister L Susind

MHA directs security forces to restore peace and order in Manipur

All security forces deployed in Manipur have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in the state as the security scenario remained "fragile" in the past few days, the Union Home Ministry said Saturday. A fresh cycle of violence erupted in Manipur last Monday after 11 suspected militants, who allegedly attacked a police station and adjoining CRPF camp with sophisticated weapons in Manipur's Jiribam district, were killed in an exchange of fire. A day later, six civilians, including women and children were abducted by armed militants from the same district. "The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order," the ministry said on Saturday. The Home Ministry said strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. It said important ca

Protest erupts in Imphal valley after three bodies found in Jiribam

Hundreds of people protested in different parts of Imphal valley on Saturday after three bodies suspected to be of six persons missing were found from Jiribam district. The protesters mostly women blocked the main roads in Kwakeithel area in Imphal West district, Sagolband Tera in Imphal West district by burning tyres to prevent vehicular movement, police said. At Khwairamband market, the main market of Manipur, women vendors staged a protest rally against the killing even as huge security forces were deployed in Imphal, the police said. As news of the recovery of three bodies spread, business establishments and markets closed down. Locals also came out on the streets at Ningthoukhong in Bishnupur district and Lamlong in Imphal East district to stage protests against the killing. The state government has already declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Saturday. Three bodies of a woman and two children suspected to be of six persons missing from Jiribam district were found

Peace accord ushered new wave of growth in Bodoland, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the people from the Bodo community for eschewing violence and taking up the path of peace after the historic accord of 2020, asserting that the government is making steady efforts for bringing lasting peace in the Norhteast region. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the first Bodoland Mahotsav at the SAI Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here, the prime minister said that after the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord (in 2020), Bodoland witnessed a "new wave of growth". Hailing the entire Norhtheast as an "Astalakshmi" -- a reference to the eight states of the region -- Modi said the sun of 'vikas' (development) will rise from eastern India to lend new energy to the "Viksit Bharat" resolve. Modi said the Bodo Peace Accord not only benefitted the community, but also opened new avenues for many other accords in the region, as he emphasised that the government is trying to find "amicable solutions" to the border disputes between different ...

Northeast plays important role in dynamics of India's growth: Scindia

Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the North East Region has witnessed significant development in the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi