Mohan Guruswamy | The importance of being Tibets 14th Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama (spiritual name: Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso), who was born on July 6, 1935, has been resident in India since 1959, and is the highest spiritual leader and most revered head of Tibetan Buddhism. When I had visited Tibet, it was common to see ordinary Tibetans discreetly wearing his medallion. It was also very common to see his pictures in most Tibetan-owned shops in Tibet, Yunnan and Qinghai. The Dalai Lamas ecclesiastical influence extends into Indias border areas such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh. Despite a historical political identity entwined with China, Tibet has traditionally looked towards India for moral and spiritual sustenance. Tibet has had a long history of struggle with China and the present Dalai Lama is not the first one to seek refuge in India. The British had an active policy to create a buffer against China in the form of an independent Tibet. The Chinese Amban (plenipotentiary) in Lhasa watched the Younghusband expeditions exertions in Tibet passively and one immediate consequence of this was an assertion of Tibets independence. After the establishment of the Republic of China with Sun Yat Sen as President on January 1, 1912, in April that year the 13 th Dalai Lama declared the end of Tibets relationship with China and expelled the Amban and all Chinese troops. Almost immediately after their civil war triumph in 1949, the Chinese Communists reasserted control over Tibet, which had by then enjoyed over four decades of independence. Since then, India has tried to head off the Tibet problem by accepting its annexation into the Peoples Republic of China. In the years since, the Chinese Communists tried to solve the Tibet problem by attempting to wipe out Tibetan nationalism and Buddhism with Maos Communism. It didnt succeed. This policy has now been replaced by the creeping Hanisation and massive doses of economic development. These too have worked only partially for the Chinese, but they seemed to do better with this than with the Maoist iron hand. Though Tibet is now relatively passive, it still remains a dry tinderbox and the Chinese dread the likelihood of any spark that may set off a fire. For India too, the policy has worked partially. Over 150,000 Tibetan refugees now live in India, and India has willy-nilly become the fulcrum of a worldwide struggle by the Tibetans to regain their nation. In short, the Tibet issue, though dormant now, is still very much alive and whether India likes it or not, it is being played out in its front yard. Central to this sustained struggle has been the international stature of the Dalai Lama, who has become the symbol of many ideals and images. The mix of new age spiritualism, ethics, ecological values and politics has won for the Dalai Lama many influential and wealthy Western adherents to Tibetan Buddhism and supporters of Tibets cause. Today, the tiny enclave of McLeodganj, a suburb of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, is a magnet that draws large numbers of young Westerners seeking a new meaning to and purpose in life. It draws top political personalities like Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and top Hollywood actors like Richard Gere and Uma Thurman. Both China and India must worry about a post-Dalai Lama period. Tibetans believe the Dalai Lama to be a living God. But he is also human and must die like all humans. He is now 88 years old, and time is certainly not on his side. As long as he is alive, he keeps the embers of Tibetan nationalism from conflagrating with the blanket of the new age Buddhism that he has woven. When this Dalai Lama is gone, the embers might just combust. The chosen leadership of the exiles will not go unchallenged. The Chinese Communists will almost certainly try to foist their own incarnation and will try to legitimise it with all the power available to them. It is unlikely that they will succeed, but it will certainly obfuscate the situation and preclude any future compromise on the issue of the spiritual leadership of the Tibetan Buddhists. While the spiritual leadership may be contested, it is almost inevitable that a new generation of Tibetan exiles will stake a claim for the temporal leadership of the Tibetan nationalist movement. If this is contested by the regency around the India-based incarnation, then we will almost certainly see a competition for the hearts and minds of young Tibetans and this will inevitably lead to more assertive postures as the different factions jockey for power. Such internal struggles often result in greater militancy, with India has its base. On the other hand, we may see a duality of leadership emerging among the Tibetan exiles, a spiritual leadership that tends to the soul and a militant leadership that leads the struggle for attainment of political goals. It is due to the Dalai Lamas foresight and sagacity that the contours of such a dual leadership is now emerging, with the second tallest Buddhist ecclesiastical figure, Ugen Thinley, the Karmapa (now in Germany), and the Sikyong (president) of the government-in-exile, Tempa Tshering. Both now enjoy much stature among migr Tibetan groups and within Tibet. From the Indian perspective, the rise of an alternate religious leader in the interim would well prevent the splintering of the Tibetan Buddhist movement. The young Karmapa might well provide this. Geographically and ethnically, much of Ladakh is an extension of the Tibetan Changthang, and the main language spoken is a Tibetan dialect. The Tawang tract in the other end was, till it was annexed by India in the early 1950s, under the temporal control of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa. We must not forget that the border dispute with China is in reality a border dispute with Tibet. It is another matter that if Tibet was truly independent, it would have been unable to assert its claims in the way that the Chinese did. The Chinese claims to Tawang and surrounding areas is largely based on a claim made by the present Dalai Lama in the late 1940s, when he wrote a letter to the government of newly independent India laying formal claim to it. Two decades from now, China will be an aging nation and hence it feels that it must make the best of the present opportunity. Its periodic aggressiveness with India has more to do with this, than any parcels of land. The transition of Tibetan leadership is a major consideration.

Northeast braces for downpours, IMD issues orange alert for Assam & Meghalaya

Guwahati: Northeast India braces for a week of wet weather as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts widespread rainfall across the region. While light to moderate showers are expected across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, some areas will see significantly heavier downpours, Weather Channel [] The post Northeast braces for downpours, IMD issues orange alert for Assam & Meghalaya appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue over south Peninsular India till May 23: IMD

Heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue over south Peninsular India till May 23: IMD Heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to continue over south Peninsular India till May 23 with extremely heavy falls during May 19-21, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Southwest Monsoon is very likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea, some parts of Southeast Bay of Bengal and Nicobar Islands around May 19, the IMD said. It further said that a cyclonic circulation lies over south interior Tamil Nadu and neighbourhood in low and mid-tropospheric levels. A trough runs from south Chhattisgarh to South Interior Karnataka and another trough runs from Marathwada to a cyclonic circulation over south interior Tamil Nadu in lower tropospheric levels. As per the IMD, under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) is likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe, Lakshadweep, south Karnataka and Isolated to scattered light/moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds (30-40 kmph) over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema during next 7 days. The IMD has also predicted isolated heavy rainfall very likely over Coastal Karnataka from May 19-22, South Interior Karnataka from May 21-22, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema on May 18 and Lakshadweep from May 18-21. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Kerala and Mahe on May 18 and 22 and South Interior Karnataka during May 18-20. Isolated extremely heavy rainfall also very likely over Tamil Nadu and Kerala during May 19-21, it added. Isolated light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds is very likely over Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh on May 18 and 19. Further, according to an IMD release, a cyclonic circulation lies over northeast Assam and the neighbourhood in lower tropospheric levels. The IMD said that under the influence of the cyclonic circulation, scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds very likely over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during the next seven days. Isolated heavy rainfall likely over Sikkim during May 18-20, Arunachal Pradesh on May 18-19, Assam and Meghalaya during May 18-20, Nagaland, Manipur on May 18. Isolated very heavy rainfall also likely over Meghalaya on May 19 and 20, it said. The IMD also said strong surface winds very likely to prevail in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan during the next five days. (ANI)

RTT Foundation and Arunachal Pradesh Education Department unite to boost exam results through better learning

RTT Foundation and Arunachal Pradesh Education Department unite to boost exam results through better learning VMPL New Delhi [India], May 18: The Board Examination results for the CBSE was declared a couple of days ago and Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a significant improvement in the number of children passing the Board Examinations in Classes X and XII this year as compared to performance in the previous academic year. The State's Class X percentage has increased from 39.71 per cent in 2023 to 49.75 per cent in 2024, marking a 10 per cent increase. Similarly, the performance in Class XII has risen from 61.17 per cent to 73.14 per cent, which is a commendable 12 per cent rise. This is the outcome of the extensive collaboration between Reach to Teach Foundation and the Department of Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh in rolling out and implementing the Comprehensive School Transformation Programme (CSTP) that covers Classes I to XII across all Government schools in the State. The CSTP has a specific Exams and Beyond toolkit that covers children from Class IX to XII. The toolkit's focus is entirely on improving performance in the Board Examinations through a combination of creating text books, learning outcome focused methodologies and extensive teacher support. The toolkit comprises of content creation and re-writing of textbooks interspersed with experiential and activity-based elements. These experiential elements are indexed to learning outcomes as defined by NCERT. To ensure that activities roll out in a standardized way across the entire State so that the learning outcomes are achieved, Reach to Teach Foundation has created detailed teacher Handbooks to support teachers to do this and created student Worksheets to create uniform understanding. Strategies have been devised in extensive consultation with teachers to provide emotional support to children as they prepare for examinations. To strengthen this end to end solutioning and ensure that desired outcomes are reached, there has been focused training of teachers and system officials linked to the implementation of the CSTP. Reach to Teach Foundation trained 824 teachers from Secondary and Senior Secondary Government Schools of the State to enable a strong support system for children as they prepared for their Board Examinations. On our request, the State graciously agreed to the setting up of District Task Forces who were given training to review and monitor the Board Examination initiatives at the District level. A total of 88 officials were sensitised and trained on their roles and responsibilities along with the essential reporting tools. Regarding the Class X and XII Board Exam results, Amjad Tak, Commissioner (Education), Government of Arunachal Pradesh stated, This marks a proud moment for Arunachal Pradesh. The State Cabinet set a goal and the students, teachers and education officials rose to the occasion to meet the same. I would like to commend the students for putting in the hard work, the teachers for guiding the students, and the District Task Forces who worked tirelessly to ensure the schools performed well. I would also like to acknowledge the Reach to Teach Foundation for their support to the Education Department through the development of the Exams and Beyond Toolkit and the training of teachers, as well as the District Task Forces. Their consistent collaboration with SCERT has been instrumental in the effective implementation of Board Exam initiatives across the State. Ratna Viswanathan, Chair of the Board, Reach to Teach Foundation said, The enthusiasm of all stakeholders at every level and the incredible buy-in by the State Education Department has been key to the performance of children in the Board Examinations this year. The State took us on as partners in the truest sense and together, we have co-created an inclusive space that has heard all voices before creating and curating a design that has worked. The Team at Reach to Teach Foundation has worked unflaggingly to deliver and will keep doing so. We look forward to a continued partnership and will keep working to ensure children learn joyfully and perform well. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

Heightened Patrols Safeguard Pakke Tiger Reserve

Heightened Patrols Safeguard Pakke Tiger Reserve Forest department personnel have intensified night patrolling in core zones and fringe areas of Pakke Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh's Pakke Kessang district, an official said on Saturday. The patrolling has been intensified following the interception of four unidentified persons collecting frogs at Takosinyi pond area, about 20 km from the range office on May 15, Range Forest officer of Rilloh Range, Talo Dibo said. Dibo, who led the patrolling team, said patrolling was carried out to curb illegal fishing, and hunting of wild birds and animals in the Rilloh Wildlife Range headquarters and also to generate awareness among the general public. As soon as the patrolling team arrived, the unidentified persons carrying a .22 rifle and a 12-bore SBBL gun fled deep into the forest. During the search, two local backpacks and two local machetes, three live cartridges of 12 bore SBBL gun inside the local backpack and one roasted Giant Black Squirrel were recovered, the official said. The team could not chase the hunters who took benefit of the darkness, he said. The hunters were equipped with firearms, the official added.

Arunachal: Health Department To Take Precautionary Steps To Prevent Spread Of Rabies

The health department of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to take all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of rabies in the state, officials said. The northeastern state this year reported four suspected rabies deaths. State Director of Health Services (DHS) Dr Riken Rina on Friday convened a meeting with various officers at his office to... The post Arunachal: Health Department To Take Precautionary Steps To Prevent Spread Of Rabies appeared first on Northeast Today .

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Arunachal Pradesh | China !

Lok Sabha Election 2024: , . 6 . . . ... .

Assam pip Arunachal Pradesh to reach last-eight in U20 Men's NFC

Arunachal: Inter-State Prostitution Racket Busted, 5 Govt Officials Among 21 Held

Arunachal Pradesh police have arrested 21 people, including government officers involved in an inter-state prostitution racket, in the past few days and rescued five minors in the age group between 10 and 15 years, a senior police official said on Wednesday. The arrested government officers include a deputy superintendent of police and a deputy director... The post Arunachal: Inter-State Prostitution Racket Busted, 5 Govt Officials Among 21 Held appeared first on Northeast Today .

Inter-state sex racket: Arunachal Police officer among 21 held, another minor girl rescued

Inter-state sex racket: Arunachal Police officer among 21 held, another minor girl rescued Itanagar: As inter-state prostitution racket continues to haunt Arunachal Pradesh, six more accused, including a state police official and three pimps, have been arrested and one more minor girl rescued from the clutches of the traffickers, police said on Wednesday. Police [] The post Inter-state sex racket: Arunachal Police officer among 21 held, another minor girl rescued appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Sex Racket Busted In Arunachal, Government Officers Among 21 Arrested

The Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested 21 people, including government officers, for their alleged involvement in an inter-state prostitution racket, and rescued five minors in the age group of 10-15 years, officials said on Wednesday.

Sex racket busted in Arunachal Pradesh, 8 government officials among 21 arrested

Arunachal Pradesh Police busted an inter-state sex trafficking ring in Itanagar, rescuing 5 minor girls from poor families in Dhemaji and Udalguri, Assam. 21 arrests made, including govt employees. Girls trafficked between 2020-2023, some as young as 8 years old, with 3 infected with STDs. Raids at Techi Rina aka Ania and Jamlo Tagung's residence-cum-brothel in Chimpu.

Sex racket busted in Arunachal, 8 govt officials among 21 arrested

Arunachal Pradesh Police busted an inter-state sex trafficking ring in Itanagar, rescuing 5 minor girls from poor families in Dhemaji and Udalguri, Assam. 21 arrests made, including govt employees. Girls trafficked between 2020-2023, some as young as 8 years old, with 3 infected with STDs. Raids at Techi Rina aka Ania and Jamlo Tagung's residence-cum-brothel in Chimpu.

Inter-state prostitution racket busted in Arunachal, five govt officers among 21 held

Inter-state prostitution racket busted in Arunachal, five govt officers among 21 held The Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested 21 people, including government officers, for their alleged involvement in an inter-state prostitution racket, and rescued five minors in the age group of 10-15 years, officials said on Wednesday. The arrested government officers include a deputy superintendent of police and a deputy director of health services, they said. The minors were being trafficked to the state from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two women (sisters) who run a beauty parlour in Itanagar, Capital Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohit Rajbir Singh said. Based on inputs that a prostitution ring involving minor girls is active at Chimpu, near here, the capital police team conducted a raid at the alleged brothel cum residence of two women on May 4 and rescued two minor girls. The minor girls revealed that they had been brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji, by two sisters, the SP said. After being trafficked to Itanagar they were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with the two other ladies, the SP said. The child welfare committee (CWC) was informed and based-on the complaint of the minor girls, a case was registered at the Itanagar women police station and an investigation was initiated. Consequently, it was learned that two more minor girls trafficked from Dhemaji were in the custody of a woman and were later rescued. All the women were arrested and they are currently in police custody, while the rescued minor girls are at shelter homes where they are receiving further medical and mental health care, he said. Police during investigation, arrested six more accused persons, including three pimps and three sexual assailants and recovered one more minor girl from a lodge at Zoo Road at Chimpu, near here on May 11 last, the SP said. The police team also learned that the accused persons have also trafficked one more minor girl, and the said girl is also a victim child sex trafficking ring. Accordingly, a raid was conducted at a hotel following which the accused persons were arrested. As many as 10 people involved in the prostitution racket have been arrested, while 11 customers, including five government officers, were arrested, Singh added.

Arunachal govt revokes 'unlawful' appointments in PHE department

Arunachal govt revokes 'unlawful' appointments in PHE department Amid protests from various organisations, the Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to cancel the ''illegal'' appointments of 20 people in the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply department (PHE&WS) in Changlang district. The state government has also approved an investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities by the special investigation cell (SIC) of the state police. An official order issued by PHE&WS secretary A K Singh on Tuesday stated that the appointments were made in violation of prescribed procedures and without sanctioned posts. Consequently, the state government has sanctioned the cancellation of these appointments, and the secretary has instructed the departments superintending engineer to promptly issue formal termination orders for the 20 staffers under Miao Circle. The irregularities came to light after the All Arunachal Pradesh Public Health Engineering Water Supply Department Workers Union (AAPPHE & WSDWU) had recently alleged that several illegal appointments were made in the department in Changlang and Longding districts of the state. The union had alleged that 25 persons were illegally appointed in the department, which was mostly made just before the assembly elections in March. Sources at the police department informed that the SIC has registered the FIR and is going to start the investigation. Expressing satisfaction over the development, AAPPHE & WSDWU, which has been spearheading the fight against the illegal appointments made in the department, has welcomed the decision to approve the SIC for investigation, and the cancellation of appointments. ''We hope the SIC will start the investigation at the earliest and punish the people involved in the illegal appointments. No one should be spared, including the officials involved in this massive job scam,'' union president Tadar Dawa said.

Arunachal govt cancels 'illegal' appointments in PHE department

Arunachal Pradesh government cancels 20 illegal appointments in the Public Health Engineering and Water Supply department over alleged irregularities by SIC, following protests.

Travel tips: Not only Uttarakhand, these 6 states are also the best option for rafting, adventure lovers should definitely visit once in their life.

Are you looking for adventure out of Uttarakhand and want to experience something unique amidst nature? So the rivers of these 5 states of the country are waiting for you. Here you can have such an experience of river rafting which will not only be worth the money but will also be the next level of adventure. Nestled in the dense forests of the Western Ghats, Karnataka's Kali River offers an exciting rafting experience amidst lush greenery and waterfalls. This river has grade III and IV rapids, which is a great experience for adventure lovers. The stretch from Dandeli to Kurundvad is the most popular for rafting, which offers challenging rapids and a tranquil environment together. Goa is not only known for its beaches, but you can also enjoy the thrill of rafting on the Mandovi and Valpoi rivers. This river flowing through the forest provides an opportunity to enjoy rafting as well as the surrounding natural beauty. The best time to enjoy rafting in Goa is monsoon. If you are looking for real adventure, then rafting on the Zanskar River can be a memorable experience for you. This place is one of the highest rafting places in the world. However, this rafting destination is suitable only for experienced rafters and the rafting season is open only for a few weeks in July and August. If you are in Sikkim then you can enjoy rafting on the Teesta River. The fast flow and challenging rapids of the Testa river thrill the rafting lovers. The rafting season here is between the months of October to February. In Kullu, surrounded by snow-covered peaks and lush green vegetation, you can enjoy rafting on the Beas River. Rafting in Kullu is good for both beginners and experienced-level rafters. The rafting season here is between April to October. You can also go rafting on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh. On this journey, you can enjoy the beautiful views of forests, rugged valleys, and tribal villages. (PC: Zee news)

Endangered Red Panda Spotted In Arunachals Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

An endangered species, Red panda was recently captured on camera in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS) located in the Singchung subdivision of the West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. This significant sighting, recorded through a camera trap installed by the Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with EWS, highlights the sanctuarys pivotal role in preserving biodiversity.... The post Endangered Red Panda Spotted In Arunachals Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary appeared first on Northeast Today .

Assam score big win over Tripura in Swami Vivekananda U20 Men's NFC

Assam score big win over Tripura in Swami Vivekananda U20 Men's NFC Assam moved to the top of Group G in the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men's National Football Championship, defeating Tripura, while Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh played out a goalless draw at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground. After the win on Monday, Assam has now garnered four points from two matches, and is at the top of Group G, followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, who are on two points apiece. Tripura trails the pack with a solitary point to their name, as per a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). *Assam demolish Tripura Assam 6 (Pintu Handique 34', 59', Nicodim Narjary 42', 45', Gwgwmsar Gayary 57', 86')beatTripura 0 Assam completed a 6-0 rout of Tripura as they moved to the top of Group G. The score was 3-0 in Assam's favour at half-time. Pintu Handique (34', 59'), Nicodim Narjary (42', 45'), and Gwgwmsar Gayary (57', 86') scored a brace each. It took Assam a little over half an hour to get going, when Narjary played a deft low cross to Handique, who slotted it in from close range. Narjary scored two in quick succession close to the half-time break. He had Ray Rajkumar to thank for both his goals, as the latter's pin-point crosses from the left flank handed the opportunities to Narjary, who, with two strikes, put his side 3-0 up at half-time. Tripura's miseries were doubled after the change of ends. Gayary and Handique scored two more, close to the hour mark, before the former put the final nail in the coffin with four minutes of regulation time left. A cross from the left by Ray Rajkumar caused some confusion inside the Tripura box, as Narjary ran onto the ball and scored. *Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh play out stalemate Arunachal Pradesh 0 drew with Madhya Pradesh 0 Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh played out a goalless draw in a match that saw two contrasting halves. Madhya Pradesh had more impetus in the first half, as they looked to make inroads near the Arunachal penalty area. Naganba Waikhom had a good effort early on in the second minute from a free-kick that was approximately 30 yards out. While the Madhya Pradesh defender belted his effort, Arunachal keeper Anant Shah collected it without much fuss. Shijagurumayum Jackson perhaps had the best chance of the match for Madhya Pradesh in the 24th minute, when he ran onto a low cross inside the six-yard box, but ended up skying it. Arunachal Pradesh changed their tempo in the second half, mounting incessant attacks on the opposition goal. Their perseverance almost paid off in injury time, when Tobom Langkam's free-kick from a potentially dangerous position was blocked. (ANI)

Cancel licenses of hotels, parlours involved in trafficking of girls: Arunachal womens body to govt

GUWAHATI: Days after the police had busted an interstate prostitution racket in Itanagar and arrested 15 people including two government engineers and a doctor, the Arunachal Pradesh Womens Welfare Society petitioned the state government, demanding the cancellation of licenses issued to hotels and beauty parlours which facilitated the illegal activities. In a representation submitted to Itanagar (Capital Region) district magistrate Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta, the organisation said that it was deeply concerned about the trafficking of minor girls for illegal activities. It said the situation called for immediate and decisive action to address the root causes and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals. We strongly advocate the immediate cancellation of licenses of hotels and beauty parlours found to be involved in facilitating illegal activities, particularly those related to the trafficking of minor girls. This swift action will serve as a deterrent and signal our zero-tolerance policy towards such reprehensible practices, the organisation wrote in the representation. It recommended the mandatory production of identity cards by all guests upon check-in at hotels, coupled with the submission of a daily guest entry log to the district administration and superintendent of police by the hotels for scrutiny and verification. The organisation said these measures would enhance oversight and accountability, deterring illicit activities and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals, particularly minor girls. Proper verification of beauty parlours and other parlour licenses ensures compliance with regulations and standards. Those parlours operating without licenses and may be engaging in such unscrupulous activities as prostitution must be immediately shut down, the organisation suggested. We emphasize the importance of enhancing security measures at all entry and exit points within the district. Heightened vigilance and stringent enforcement at these checkpoints are essential to intercepting and deterring individuals engaged in trafficking and other illegal activities, it further suggested. The police had busted the prostitution racket last week and rescued five minor girls. Four were trafficked from adjoining Assams Dhemaji district while one was a local. The four from Assam were driven into prostitution by the traffickers and pimps.

Cancel licenses of hotels, beauty parlours involved in trafficking minor girls: Arunachal NGO

Stringent measures needed to check the crime, the Arunachal Pradesh Womens Welfare Society said

Congress holding PM Modi responsible for Nehru's mistakes: Jaishankar on China issue

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticised Congress, holding PM Modi accountable for Nehru's mistakes regarding China. He highlighted Chinese aggression in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, emphasising historical context. Tensions escalated since the Galwan Valley clash, with troops amassed along the LAC. Jaishankar defended Indian forces and refuted misleading narratives by Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

Cong Holding PM Modi Responsible For Nehrus Mistakes: Jaishankar On China Issue

MUMBAI, May 13: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the Congress holds Prime Minister Narendra Modi accountable for the mistakes made by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru when making comments on China while believing the party has no culpability for the past acts. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp On Chinese belligerence in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, Jaishankar said Indian land was taken by China between 1958 and 1962, and some of it before 1958 as well. [] The post Cong Holding PM Modi Responsible For Nehrus Mistakes: Jaishankar On China Issue appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Charred memories of Manipur's ethnic conflict

CHENNAI: Dots, dashes, demarcations. These arbitrary thin lines that crisscross ocean and land, arguably teach us our first idea of global boundaries, during dreary geography classes. Dots, dashes, us vs them. Boundaries leak beyond maps, and spill into the world, brewing hateful divides. Hurtling past the boundaries of a map, Thangboilal Vaiphei and Andrew, like many citizens from Manipur, cross through National Highway 102B, to reach Churachandpur. The wobbly road of 102B is the only way for the Kuki-Zomi to enter Manipur, as the ethnic conflict between two communities Meitei and Kukis-Zomi continues...this journey includes a 20 hours road journey and a few hours in a flight, writes Manisha Mondal, a journalist, whose work was among the 100-odd images exhibited in ICSA on Saturday. Visuals of the two students in a shaky Tata Sumo braving the path, Andrew checking maps on his phone, and Vaiphei slurping up noodles are scattered across the walls. Capturing a burning, conflict-ridden Manipur, the exhibition features works by Manisha, journalists Rokibuz Zaman and Greeshma Kuthar, and photojournalist Aakash Hassan. A year after the ethnic conflict began, organisations in Tamil Nadu, including the Indian Christian Womens Movement, Dravidar Kazhagam, Poovulangin Nanbargal, All India Democratic Womens Association, and Neelam Cultural Centre stand in solidarity with Manipur and call for an end to the conflict. Official record says 223 people died, ,more than 60,000 people have been displaced, both internally and in other states whether Assam or Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, or Delhi or Calcutta, says Makepeace Sitlhou, journalist. According to writer-journalist Jeyarani, The country is divided into pieces based on caste and religion. The constitution that holds us together, should be the basis of all the decisions we make. Dr BR Ambedkar gave us the constitution but we are entering a situation where democracy lives on in the pages but not in society. The violence that Manipur is feeling should disturb the whole society. As Dr Aiswarya Rao,organiser,says, each visual in the exhibition delves into different themes, following the conditions of women, displacement, death, grief, andviolence. As the war continues, she underscores the importance of solidarity. Refugees and riots A woman praying with her hands clenched, another weaving her way through the forest to provide supplies, hundreds of women on the street in Imphal protesting the killing of two Meitei students each shot is a chilling glimpse of a state wreaked by violence, Protestors, agitators, instigators their role in this conflict is defined by who you ask their loved ones or the police, the exhibition reminds. In the US last year, Makepeace worked on an article delving into illegal migrants, crossing borders, and dangerous dunki routes. One interview lingered in her mind about a Punjabi man and his brothers who relocated to America after the Sikh massacre. After the 9/11 attacks, one of the mans brothers was first to be killed in a hate crime. A white man shot him at a gas station and said death to towel heads. It is so hard to digest to leaving your land and state-sponsored violence and then come to a land where you are targeted: What sense of security would you carry? Until we have a government that is willing to take accountability, we can only dream of a land that is safe and secure. On internal displacement, Greeshma shares her experience of reporting on the ground in Manipur and speaking to displaced communities in Chennai, We have to speak about this (issue) now because we dont know what will happen post the election. Because we have not spoken about this issue, it has dragged on for so long. In May (2023), it was a riot, how did it become a civil war?We need to think about how this happened. If we dont question anything, this will happen. Suganthi from AIDWA, A Arulmozhi, and Mathivadhani from Dravidar Kazhagam, advocate Papa Mohan, Rev Jacqueline Jothi from Church of South India and Vetriselvan, Poovulagin Nanbargal, were present. According to a release, the organisations call for the government to ensure that the ideologically and politically motivated violence is stopped and that the laws of the land are upheld. We ask that all victims and their families, be it Kuki or Meitei, be adequately compensated and cared for. We call for perpetrators of all crimes committed during the violence to be brought to book. From the rap by Sollisai Sistahs, and notes from Dhamma the Band to a satirical play, each performance echoed the thoughts of solidarity. The air was filled with the yearning for change, beyond dots, dashes, and demarcations.

Assam: Eight policemen hospitalized after consuming poisonous mushrooms in Dhemaji

Guwahati:At least eight Assam Police personnel fell severely ill after they ate some unknown wild mushrooms in Dhemaji. The incident occurred at the camp belonging to the 22nd APBn in Panbari, Dhemaji near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. The personnel experienced severe vomiting and dizziness following the mushroom ingestion. They received initial treatment at a local [] The post Assam: Eight policemen hospitalized after consuming poisonous mushrooms in Dhemaji appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

8 Assam Police personnel fall ill after consuming wild mushrooms

North Lakhimpur: At least eight Assam Police personnel fell ill after consuming wild mushrooms in Dhemaji district on Sunday, a senior officer said. The personnel belonging to the 22nd battalion were posted at Panbari near Gogamukh along the inter-state border with Arunachal Pradesh, he said. Also ReadLS polls: Over 60% votes polled in phase 3, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Assam: Massive IMFL consignment from Arunachal seized in Udalguri

Guwahati:A massive consignment of Indian-made foreign liquor was seized in Sikaridanga along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in the Udalguri district on Sunday. The consignment was seized from a truckcomingfrom the Tenga Valley in Arunachal Pradesh andwasheadedtowards Guwahati, Assam. Acting on a tip-off, a police team intercepted a truck bearing registration number AS01EC6245. On checking the [] The post Assam: Massive IMFL consignment from Arunachal seized in Udalguri appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

U20 mens football national: No winners on opening matchday in Group G

U20 mens football national: No winners on opening matchday in Group G Narainpur (Chhattisgarh): Tripura were held 2-2 by Arunachal Pradesh, while Madhya Pradesh and Assam played out a goalless draw in opening Group G fixtures of the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Mens National Football Championship at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground here on Saturday. [] The post U20 mens football national: No winners on opening matchday in Group G appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Cong's 'insult' to Prez Murmu after Ram temple visit may cost it dearly: PM

Cong's 'insult' to Prez Murmu after Ram temple visit may cost it dearly: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flayed the opposition INDIA bloc for ''insulting'' President Droupadi Murmu after her visit to Ayodhyas Ram temple, and asserted that the Congress will get fewer seats than the age of its shehzada. Addressing a poll rally at Chatra, Modi also said leaders of the alliance are planning to merge small parties post the Lok Sabha polls to attain opposition status. ''Congress will get fewer seats than the age of its 'shehzada','' the PM said, in an apparent reference to Rahul Gandhi, and added that the bloc has already accepted defeat. ''A statement by a big INDIA alliance leader that all small parties should merge with Congress after the elections shows their desperation,'' he said. Modi also asserted that NDA governments will be formed in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh where simultaneous assembly polls were underway, and asserted that the opposition will not get even 50 seats in LS polls. The mentality of the Congress is of the 18th century... after the President paid obeisance at the Ram temple, they talked about cleaning the temple... they insulted the President, Modi said. Tribals converted Ayodhya's Prince Ram into Maryada Purushottam Ram during the 14-year vanvas (exile); We worship tribals for this, but the JMM-Congress are not able to digest this respect,'' he said. The PM said peoples votes gave him an opportunity to serve the nation, and made a tribal woman president of the country. Your one vote will stop anti-national forces,'' he asserted. Modi also alleged that the INDIA bloc has plans to hand over the country's assets to Muslims, and the OBC/SC/ST reservations to the coalitions ''vote bank''. He said infiltration was on the rise in Jharkhand and that the infiltrators were grabbing the land of dalits and adivasis. ''Your vote will strengthen Modi's hand to wipe out such forces.'' Attacking the JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand, the PM said: ''We need to save our country from the JMM and Congress. You have seen how mounds of cash were recovered from the premises of a domestic help of a ministers personal secretary. You can imagine how corrupt these leaders are. ''Send these shameless leaders who looted Jharkhand to jail. I assure you that Modi can take action against them,'' he said. The PM said he was born in a poor family and did not want any poor child to sleep empty stomach, which is why he ensured ration to 80 crore people. He accused the Jharkhand government of preventing central ration supply from reaching the poor, and said it indulged in corruption in schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission. The only industry set up by the state government was of opium trade, as it wanted to destroy future generations for appeasement policies, alleged Modi. Criticising the JMM for ''not fulfilling its 5-lakh jobs'' promise, he said the regional party and Congress did not want the progress of tribal and poor children, but ''Modi wants to make your children doctors and engineers.

Congress insulted President Droupadi Murmu after Ram temple visit, will get fewer seats than age of its 'shehzada': PM Modi

Modi criticizes INDIA bloc for 'insulting' President Droupadi Murmu at Ayodhya's temple. Congress to win fewer seats than Rahul Gandhi's age. NDA governments predicted in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh.

Inter-state sex trafficking ring busted in Arunachal, doc & engineers arrested

GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh police have busted an inter-state prostitution racket involving minor girls and arrested 15 persons, including eight customers, a senior police official said. The arrested customers include two engineers and a doctor who are employed with the state government. Based on inputs, the police conducted raid at the alleged brothel-cum-residence in Itanagar and rescued three minor girls. The two minors were being trafficked from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two sisters who run a beauty parlour in Itanagar. The third minor, who is from Arunachal, was not forced into prostitution and has been reunited with her mother, police said. Medical tests indicate that three of the four children have a high viral load which may point to the presence of sexually-transmitted disease. Doctors can confirm it only after further tests are conducted, Superintendent of Police (Itanagar Capital) Rohit Rajbir Singh said. The arrested persons include four traffickers with two of them running a beauty parlour in Itanagar. They procure (bring) minor girls from poor families in Dhemaji on the pretext of getting them jobs at Itanagar. Once the girls are brought here, the two sisters with their network of pimps would look for suitable customers for sex with the minor victim girls, the police said in a statement. Once they find a probable customer looking for minor girls, they would share the photos of the victims on WhatsApp and fix the rate. The girls would be then driven to the customer or the customer would come to a place of his choosing, police said. The police added that the traffickers would keep the money and take the victims for shopping at regular intervals. The police have identified two hotels where the girls were sexually assaulted and written to the authority for the cancellation of their licences. Forced into prostitution After being trafficked to Itanagar, they were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with the other two women, said police. The two minors were being trafficked from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two sisters who run a beauty parlour in Itanagar. The third, who is from Arunachal, was not forced into prostitution and has been reunited with her mother.

Arunachal Pradesh arrests 15 people including six govt servants in connection with inter state sex racket

Arunachal Pradesh police arrested 15 people, including six government servants, in connection with an inter-state sex racket. The girls were trafficked from Dhemaji, Assam, to Itanagar by two sisters running a beauty parlour. The girls were rescued and are currently in police custody.

Arunachal: Police bust inter-state prostitution racket, rescues four minors

Arunachal Pradesh police have recently busted an inter-state prostitution racket and rescued four minors in the age group of 10 to 15 years, a senior police official said here on Friday.

K.C. Singh | Chinas Xi: Divide or intimidate & conquer

Chinas President Xi Jinping has at last begun his structured foreign travel after his stay-at-home posture during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This was partly due to a delayed Covid-19 surge in China as the movement restrictions were lifted, when the rest of the world had crossed peak infections. This week he began a six-day swirl through Europe, starting with France, and then mostly China-friendly nations such as Hungary. Serbia was included as it marked 25 years since the Nato forces mistakenly bombed the Chinese diplomatic premises in Belgrade in the late 1990s. This happens when the Chinese economic slowdown is now broadly accepted. The International Monetary Fund in its February 2024 report observed that economic growth this year shall be 4.6 per cent, down from 5.2 per cent the previous year. Even more worrisome for China should be their assessment of its drop to 3.4 per cent by 2028. This appears to be due to a combined effect of demographic shrinkage, Western sanctions on cutting-edge technology and restricted Western market access. President Xis distrust of the private sector and entrepreneurship probably makes a turnaround difficult. One obvious result is that talk about China catching up with the United States or even overtaking it has mellowed. In fact, it is generally accepted that even though the American economy is slowing, but at a lesser pace than Chinas, their gap is, if anything, widening. Analysts are speculating that when a rising power, desperate to catch up with the dominant hegemon, starts stalling, one of two things can happen. Its leadership may alter its aggressive behaviour towards the world, especially the neighbours, opting instead for diplomacy. Alternatively, it may get desperate and decide to use force to achieve its territorial objectives, realising its power-differential vis a vis its rivals will diminish over time. Obviously, no sudden change in Chinese strategic posture can be expected. China would not like its rivals to benefit from its perceived weakness. Its recent actions need to be viewed from this perspective. Before setting forth for Europe, China unveiled its third aircraft-carrier, the Fujian . A 80,000-tonne vessel with electromagnetic catapults, on a rough calculation, would enable it to carry 70-80 aircraft. China is planning to have six such vessels by 2035. This still leaves the combined naval power of the US and Japan way ahead. The US Navy, with carriers of the Nimitz and Ford class, has more experience, better aircraft and greater firepower. The Japanese, with considerable experience of using aircraft-carriers since the Second World War, have opted for flat-top vessels with the possibility of being used as carriers for vertical take-off and landing F-35s. Interestingly, the maiden voyage of the Fujian coincided with the May 8 Balikatan joint military exercise of the US and the Philippines. The Chinese have been muscling the Filipinos out of the Scarborough Shoal naval area. The Philippines had in 2016 got an award, under the UN Convention on the Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS), from the Permanent Court of Arbitration declaring the Chinese 9-dash line as illegal. China has nevertheless continued to thwart attempts by the Philippines to assert its sovereignty in that zone. Even the territorial dispute between India and China has not seen China relenting yet. In fact, China has been increasing settlements all along the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC). China also provocatively issued maps with habitations in Indias Arunachal Pradesh shown with Chinese names. Meanwhile, military-level talks have repeatedly faced a stalemate with China unwilling to withdraw forces from the Depsang Plains and Demchok. It is likely that China did not wish to hand the Narendra Modi government a win on the eve of crucial Lok Sabha elections. This assumption aligns with China now naming its next ambassador to India, after a gap of a year and a half. At the very least, China may be preparing to use the diplomatic route for testing the next Indian governments willingness to engage. The problem is that China wants access to the Indian market to continue, if not increase, while it stalls on territorial issues. India has repeatedly asserted that normalcy requires the post-Galwan territorial intrusions to be addressed. President Xis European sojourn is similarly planned to test and exploit the fissures, on the approach to China, within the European Union and between them and the United States. The visit comes after the China visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which seemed to display European differences. Further demonstrating that dissension has been Mr Scholzs unwillingness to join French President Emmanuel Macron in a joint meeting with President Xi. There are differences in the approach of France and Germany to taxing European imports of Chinese electric vehicles. While the Germans fear Chinese countermeasures against their automobile exports to China, the French want to protect their own manufacturers of smaller cars. The Sino-European theatre is being enacted against the background of two other events. One is the November presidential election in the United States. The growing possibility of the re-election of Donald Trump sends shudders down the European spine. It can mean the degrading of Nato, trade disputes with the US and Russias upper hand in ending the war in Ukraine on its own terms. The other factor is the commencement this week of Russian President Vladimir Putins next six-year term, with a more united Russia behind him. Regarding both these developments, China is a factor. While it has not transferred weapons to Russia, for its Ukraine campaign, it has kept Russia financially afloat by buying its oil and gas. It has also made available chips or other high-tech components crucial for the Russian armaments industry. China correctly surmises that a strategically divided and confused Europe is easy prey for its overtures. But China would have to alter its subsidies-based exports to satisfy Europe. It would also have to restore confidence regarding Chinese activities in illegally transferring high technology from European sources. While these larger forces are shadow boxing, India has been entrapped in an unnecessarily prolonged national election. A gap of almost a week between seven phases, many in the same state, cannot be justified on the grounds of security and expediency alone. No nation, and particularly one which aspires for Great Power status, can sign off from the world for well over a month while its leadership takes the low road to opportunistic and divisive electioneering.

Poll perfection: How EVMs have turned the tide

NEW DELHI : While announcing the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections schedule in March, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar used a verse to take a dig at the critics of electronic voting machines (EVMs), saying the poll authority is often at the receiving end of unfulfilled desires. Adhoori hasrato ka iljam har bar hum par lagana thik nahi, wafa khud se nahi hoti, khata EVM ki kehte ho, aur baad mein jab parinam aata hai toh uspe qayam bhi nahi rehte (it is not proper to blame the Election Commission for unfulfilled desires when one has not done his or her job properly; (you) put blame on EVM. And when the result is announced later, you dont stick to your claims), Kumar had said. He was referring to criticism of political parties, primarily the Opposition INDIA bloc, which often casts doubts on the functioning of EVMs. The introduction of machines in the electoral process in the country was first conceived 47 years ago as a solution to the problem and dominance of muscle power in the elections. The purpose was also to reduce the counting time, eliminate invalid voting, and get rid of bogus voting. Since then, it has been quite an eventful journey of EVMs as part of electoral reforms. Onus lies with EC to prove EVM reliability A prototype device was developed with collaboration of Electronic Corporations of India, Hyderabad. All parties were invited and a demonstration was made before their representatives in August 1980. Another PSU, Bharat Electronics Limited, was roped in for manufacturing of the polling appliances. A broad consensus led to the use of EVMs for the first time in a by-election held in Paravur assembly segment in Kerala in May 1982; about 50 machines were used. According to Leap of Faith: Journey of Indian Elections, a publication of EC, buoyed by the success of the experiment, the EVMs were brought in alongside ballot boxes in assembly polls later held in Nagaland, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar during 1982-83. However, a Supreme Court ruling derailed the plan of the Commission to launch EVMs nationally in all elections. In March, 1984 the SC set aside the election of Parur on the ground that use of EVM violated the provisions of Representation of the People Act, 1951 and other rules. It further stated that EVMs could not be introduced in absence of an enabling legislation. Subsequently, the Act was amended in 1989 and it took another nine years to build a general consensus and machines were employed in some constituencies in assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. The idea of weeding out ballot boxes, conceived 22 years ago, attained finality in 2004. A history was created as the Lok Sabha elections in that year were conducted only with EVMs in all 543 parliamentary constituencies. About 10.75 lakh EVMs were used. SC rejects all petitions seeking 100% verification of EVM votes with their VVPAT slips According to the commission, an unexpected trouble erupted, which threatened to undermine the consensus on the use of EVMs in 2009 soon after the results of the 15th general elections were announced. Some parties questioned the credibility of the machines. A representation to the Commission over machine manipulation made soon after 2009 Lok Sabha elections by retired bureaucrat Omesh Saigal stirred a controversy. I was particularly shocked with the Lok Sabha results in Delhi; Congress has won all seven seats. I wrote to the Election Commission about possible manipulation and then BJP leader LK Advani also wrote about machines, said Saigal who has served as chief secretary of Delhi. Subsequent to his letter on technological vulnerability of the polling devices, the Commission had to issue a press statement saying that it was amply satisfied about the non-tamperability and the fool-proof working of the EVMs. To boost credibility of the counting process, EC commenced the arrangements of Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in 2013, which allow a voter to satisfy himself that the candidate of his choice has been voted. In its second edition of Leap of Faith: Journey of Indian Elections published in September 2023, the EC said, With universalisation of the VVPAT machine in the 17th general elections, the EVM has registered its final victory. So far, not a single case of difference in the tally of votes between EVM and VVPAT has emerged. Digital initiatives in the last decade In August 1997, the Election Commission decided upon a nationwide programme for computerisation as part of comprehensive electoral roll management. The database of electoral lists now can be regularly updated while maintaining the integrity and continuity of data. In the last one decade especially, the commission has introduced various digital initiatives to facilitate voters and candidates. An overview. 2015 : The National Voter Service Portal (NVSP): Offers single window services to electors for registration of new voters, corrections, checking details of polling booths, constituencies or contact details of booth-level officers and electoral registration officers 2016 : Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System: The facility entails one-way electronic transmission of postal ballots to the service voters. Electors could register online on a dedicated portal https://www.servicevoter.eci.nic.in 2018 : ERONET (Electoral Roll Officers Network): All the 28 states and eight Union Territories share common infrastructure at national level. Acts as a backbone for data entered by citizens on NVSP or through Voter Helpline mobile app cVIGIL app: Facilitates the user to report to the authorities all Model Code of Conduct violations, expenditure limit on campaign, malpractices such as bribery and threat. The app allows the user to capture and transmit photo or video along with geo-tagging to pinpoint the location 2019 : Revamped version of National Voters Service Portal: A one-stop voter solution portal, available at https://www.nvsp.in New IT-based initiative for faster real-time trends and results on the counting day. Feature was launched ahead of the counting day in 2019 general elections. The Chief Electoral Officers, Returning Officers and District Election Officers in various states and UTs used this live feed for local displays on digital screens Voter Helpline app: Allows the voter to know about the election date, search the electoral roll, submit registration form, be informed about the candidates, know the estimated length of queue in booth on real-time basis and check the results Observer app: Allows general, police and expenditure observers to file all their statutory reports, keep track of complaints filed through cVIGIL app, know the location of flying squads and call them in case of need Voter Turnout app: Allows voters across the country to see the real-time availability of voter turnout during the election season in the country 2020 : Garuda app: Besides digital mapping of polling booths, it helps booth-level officers, and is particularly helpful in field verifications. Supporting documents and photos can be uploaded in digital form Candidate Nomination app: Allows the candidates to file their nomination papers online, digitise their affidavits and deposit security amount online 2021 : e-EPIC or digital voter identity cards: Provides ease of access to the EPIC (election photo identity card) in a secured manner. The e-EPIC could be downloaded on mobile and in a self printable form on a computer 2022 : Aadhaar-linking and authentication of EPIC. Programme to collect Aadhaar numbers of existing and prospective electors on voluntary basis Know Your Candidate app: Electors get to know about particulars and criminal antecedents, if any, of every candidate in the elections (as disclosed to the Returning Officer in ones nomination) 2023 : Saksham-ECI app: Previously called Persons with Disabilities (PwD) app, it has several additional features like Know Your Candidate, booth locator, grievance redress, request for assistance at the booth, request for pick and drop, audio/video on accessible elections on request, a booth-level officer reaches the applicants doorstep for delivery of electoral service

Arunachal film Sangi Gai to be screened at Cannes Film Festival 2024

Guwahati: In a major achievement for the whole of Northeast, a film Sangi Gai from Arunachal Pradesh will be screened at March du Film during the Cannes Film Festival-2024. The festival is happening from May 14 to 23, 2024 and will showcase selected films from around the globe. Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu took [] The post Arunachal film Sangi Gai to be screened at Cannes Film Festival 2024 appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Arunachal Pradesh: 3.1 magnitude quake hits Lower Subansiri

Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), May 8: An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 on the Richter Scale hit Lower Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh, at 4:55 am on Wednesday, said National Centre for Seismology. EQ of M: 3.1, On: 08/05/2024 04:55:37 IST, Lat: 27.59 N, Long: 93.91 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Lower Subansiri, Arunachal Pradesh, National Centre for Seismology posted on X. The post Arunachal Pradesh: 3.1 magnitude quake hits Lower Subansiri appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

BJP expels 28 leaders in Arunachal Pradesh for contesting Assembly polls against party nominees

These leaders had contested the Assembly polls on tickets of the National Peoples Party (NPP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Peoples Party of Arunachal, and as Independent nominees. The ruling BJP had fielded 60 candidates in all the Assembly seats in Arunachal, of which 10 were elected unopposed.

Arunachal Pradesh: Huge quantity of opium seized, nine Myanmar nationals among 11 arrested

ITANAGAR: Security forces in Arunachal Pradeshs Longding district have confiscated 1.757 kg of opium from the residence of NSCN-KYA member Azen Wangsu. The Military Intelligence ECIB and personnel from 24 Assam Rifles launched joint operations based on specific intelligence about the opiums presence. In the operation, a total of 11 individuals were apprehended, including nine [] The post Arunachal Pradesh: Huge quantity of opium seized, nine Myanmar nationals among 11 arrested appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Arunachal Pradesh BJP expels 28 members

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the BJP expelled 28 of its party members for a period of six years on Tuesday (May 07). The 28 BJP members were expelled by the party for their decision to run in elections against the officially endorsed party candidates in their respective assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Arunachal [] The post Arunachal Pradesh BJP expels 28 members appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

BJP expels 27 disgruntled leaders for contesting polls against party candidates in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal BJP expelled 27 leaders like Yeshi Tsewang, Wangdi Dorjee Khirmey for six years, contesting April 19 elections with NPP, NCP, PPA tickets.

Kiren Rijiju: Check LSS Congress Candidate From Arunachal West Lok Sabha Seat

BJP leader and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is a candidate from Arunachal West constituency of Arunachal Pradesh and challenged by Congress candidate Nabam Tuki. Rijiju is a sitting MP from Arunachal Pradeshand Minister of Earth Sciences andMinister ofFood Processing Industries in the ruling Modi government. He also served as a law minister from 2021 to 2023.

Arunachal BJP expels 28 party members for contesting against official candidates in polls

GUWAHATI: The Arunachal Pradesh BJP expelled 28 party members for contesting as independents against the party's official candidates in the state's Assembly and the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday. The disciplinary action against them was taken based on the recommendation of the partys disciplinary action committee. The following list of persons have contested election in their respective Assembly & Parliamentary constituencies against the official party candidates in the simultaneous Parliamentary & Assembly Election 2024. Consequent upon the recommendation of the State Disciplinary Action Committee, under the Chairmanship of Shri Tarh Tarak; the Party hereby expels them for a period of Six (6) Yearswith immediate effect, the expulsion order read. The 28 members had contested the polls on tickets of the National Peoples Party which Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma heads, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Peoples Party of Arunachal and as independent candidates. The Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the BJP-ruled state were held on April 19. The Assembly election results will be declared on June 2. The BJP had won 10 of the 60 Assembly seats uncontested. The parliamentary election was held in the two seats of Arunachal East and Arunachal West.

BRO Celebrates Diamond Jubilee, Embarks on Historic Shinkun La Tunnel Project

BRO Celebrates Diamond Jubilee, Embarks on Historic Shinkun La Tunnel Project The Border Roads Organisation marked its 65th Raising Day on Tuesday as Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane urged the BRO to infuse latest technology and techniques for faster completion of projects, saying automation and mechanisation will be key for it in the future. The defence ministry in a statement said the BRO will soon commence the construction on 4.10-km long Shinkun La Tunnel. Once completed, this tunnel will become the world's highest tunnel at 15,800 ft bypassing Mila Tunnel in China at 15,590 ft. An event was organised in New Delhi on the occasion, which was presided over by the defence secretary. In his address, he lauded the BRO for fulfilling its responsibilities successfully in inhospitable terrain and tough weather conditions. Aramane also recalled the valuable contribution of the BRO personnel in the relief and rescue efforts during the Silkyara tunnel collapse incident and the Sikkim floods. He said the organisation will play an important role in the Vibrant Villages Programme, which envisages comprehensive development of select border villages. Aramane termed the BRO an ''extremely crucial'' organisation which, through its infrastructure projects in the border areas, is playing a major role in the security of the country besides ensuring the socio-economic progress of the far-flung areas. He commended the BRO for completing the projects in a time-bound manner, exuding confidence that the 'Karmayogis' will continue to ensure border infrastructure development in a record time. Aramane urged the BRO to infuse latest technology and techniques for faster completion of projects through which human efforts will be reduced and utilised more efficiently. Automation and mechanisation will be key for the BRO in the future, he said. Director General, BRO, Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, extended greetings to all ranks of the organisation. He stated the BRO's pan-India presence reflects its commitment to national security, connectivity and development. Lt Gen Srinivasan added the tagline 'In the Silence of Our Great Mountains Work Speaks' speaks volumes of the organisation's dedication, perseverance and impact on the lives of the people residing in the remotest corners of the country. He exhorted all ranks to renew the pledge to continue 'Connecting Places Connecting People' and leaving a lasting legacy of progress, prosperity and unity. The event also witnessed the unveiling of a compendium on Sela Tunnel as well as some books, including, 'Oonchin Sadaken', 'Path Pradarshak' and 'Path Vikas' by the defence secretary, the ministry said in a statement. He gave away 'Excellence Awards' to the BRO personnel for the year 2023-24 and felicitated the women achievers of the organisation. The casual paid labourers, who worked in various projects such as Sela Tunnel as well as during Sikkim floods were also felicitated, it added. Raised with just two projects in 1960 -- Project Tusker (now Vartak) in the east and Project Beacon in the north, the BRO has today become a vibrant organisation with 18 projects operating in 11 states and three Union Territories. It has now established its credentials as the leading infra construction agency in the high-altitude and difficult snow-bound areas, the statement said. The BRO executes road construction and maintenance works at altitude ranging from 9,000 ft up to 19,000 ft along the northern and western frontiers, primarily to meet the strategic requirements of the armed forces. ''In over six decades, it has constructed over 62,214 kms of roads, 1,005 bridges, seven tunnels and 21 airfields in adverse climatic and geographical conditions along India's borders as well as in friendly countries, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, thus contributing towards the nations strategic objectives,'' the statement said. In 2023-24, the BRO completed a total of 125 infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,611 crore. This includes the construction of Sela Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh on Balipara-Chardwar-Tawang Road. The tunnel was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently from Itanagar virtually. The BRO accomplished the completion of two significant airfield projects namely Bagdogra and Barrackpore, marking yet another milestone in its journey of excellence. The foundation stone for Mudh Airfield Project was laid by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently. The BRO aims to complete the project within just two working seasons. Over the few years, the BRO has witnessed an ''exponential surge'' in budget expenditure, marking a remarkable leap forward in capabilities and impact. This increased budgetary support has empowered the organisation to undertake crucial projects, accelerate critical infrastructure development and enhance its operational readiness, the ministry said. ''The BRO has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality and inclusivity, offering key roles and opportunities to women. Officers like Col Ponung Doming is leading critical projects in eastern Ladakh. Assistant Executive Engineer (Civ) Nikita Chaudhary has played a pivotal role in successful completion of Sela Tunnel Project,'' it added.

Arunachal: Employees union alleges illegal appointments in PHE dept

Guwahati: The All Arunachal Pradesh Public Health Engineering & Water Supply Department Workers Union (AAPPHE&WSDWU) has raised concerns about potentially illegal appointments within the department. The union filed a written complaint with the Itanagar Special Investigation Cell Superintendent of Police on Monday (May 6, 2024), Arunachal Times reported. Armed with Right to Information (RTI) documents, [] The post Arunachal: Employees union alleges illegal appointments in PHE dept appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

OIL to explore geothermal potential in Arunachal Pradesh & Assam

GUWAHATI: In a bid to harness Indias geothermal energy potential, Oil India Limited (OIL) is reportedly set to embark on a collaborative venture with the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) to conduct comprehensive research studies on the extensive deep and shallow oil reserves in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with a specific focus [] The post OIL to explore geothermal potential in Arunachal Pradesh & Assam appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Arunachal Jobs : RGU Recruitment 2024

Applications are invited for recruitment of various administrative positions or jobs in RGU Arunachal Pradesh. Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) Arunachal Pradesh is inviting applications from eligible candidates for recruitment to the posts or jobs of Project Associate and Field / Laboratory Attendant for the DST, Govt. of India sponsored research project Influence of micro-level climatic [] The post Arunachal Jobs : RGU Recruitment 2024 appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

Indian National Congress (INC) Decries BJP-Led Government's Approach to China

Indian National Congress (INC) Decries BJP-Led Government's Approach to China The Congress on Monday targeted the Modi government on Chinese transgressions, and asked whether it has ''surrendered'' thousands of square kilometres in Depsang and Demchok to China or is it still trying to return to the status quo ante before May 5, 2020. On the fourth anniversary of the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops at Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh that culminated in the fatal engagement in Galwan on June 15, 2020 in which 20 soldiers were killed, the Congress also asked the prime minister when he will take responsibility for the ''abysmal failure'' of his China policy. ''Has anyone been held accountable for India's biggest strategic and intelligence lapse in several decades,'' AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh asked in a post on X. Posing questions to the prime minister, he asked, ''Do you still believe your 19 June 2020 statement, made after 20 of our soldiers gave their lives in Galwan, that 'Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai' (No one has entered India nor has anyone occupied any post)''. ''Has your government surrendered to Chinese control over thousands of square kilometres in Depsang and Demchok for the foreseeable future or are you still trying to return to the status quo ante before 5 May 2020,'' he asked. Taking on Modi, he charged that, ''The PM's clean chit to China four days later when he said 'Na koi hamari seema mein ghus aaya hai, na hi koi ghusa hua hai' was a profound insult to our fallen soldiers and became the legitimisation of Chinese control over 2,000 square kilometres of land in eastern Ladakh.'' Despite 21 rounds of military talks over four years, the situation remains unfavourable. Leh's Superintendent of Police has clearly shown that our troops were unable to reach 26 out of 65 patrolling points that they could access prior to May 5, 2020, Ramesh claimed. China's aggressive build up and intrusions are not restricted to Ladakh, he said, adding that along Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese continue to build forces and infrastructure that pose a direct threat to India's Siliguri Corridor, which connects northeast India with the rest of the country.

IMD Rainfall Alert: Good News! There will be heavy rain in these states for seven days; Know the weather conditions

IMD Rainfall Alert: According to the Meteorological Department, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura are going to receive light to moderate rain for the next seven days. IMD Rainfall Alert: Good news has emerged amid the ongoing heatwave across the country including North India. The Meteorological Department has predicted rain in many states [] The post IMD Rainfall Alert: Good News! There will be heavy rain in these states for seven days; Know the weather conditions first appeared on informalnewz .

Maharashtra gears up for tiger translocation to Sahyadri reserve in bid to revive numbers

The Maharashtra forest department is gearing up for translocation of a few tigers from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur to Sahyadri, the lone tiger reserve in the states western region. The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is one of only five tiger reserves in the country Kaval in Telangana, Kamlang in Arunachal Pradesh,Dampa [] The post Maharashtra gears up for tiger translocation to Sahyadri reserve in bid to revive numbers appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .

Talks with China on Track: Rajnath Singh Updates on Eastern Ladakh Border Situation

Talks with China on Track: Rajnath Singh Updates on Eastern Ladakh Border Situation As the military standoff between India and China drags on along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the talks between the two sides are going on well and indicated hope for a resolution of the lingering row. In an interview to PTI on Saturday, Singh also said that India has been developing infrastructure along the frontier with China at a rapid speed, asserting that the country's borders will remain safe. ''The talks are going on well,'' he said declining to elaborate further considering the sensitive nature of the dialogue process. Asked whether he was hopeful of a positive outcome and an end to the nearly four-year face-off between the two militaries, Singh shot back: ''If there was no hope, then why to have talks.'' ''They (the Chinese side) also have hope and that is why holding the talks,'' he said. The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020 and a full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved though the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points. The defence minister also took a potshot at the Congress for continuously targeting the government on the eastern Ladakh standoff. ''They (Congress) are questioning the bravery of Indian soldiers ... who are you demoralising? What is your intention? I can also go back to 1962 as well,'' he said. The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. The two sides held the last round of high-level military talks in February with an aim to resolve the row. Though there was no indication of a breakthrough at the 21st round of talks, both sides agreed to maintain ''peace and tranquillity'' on the ground and continue the communication on the way ahead. The next round of military talks is expected to be held soon. In January, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh is ''stable'' but ''sensitive'' and asserted that the Indian troops are maintaining a ''very high state'' of operational preparedness to effectively deal with any eventualities. Gen Pande also said that both India and China continue to hold talks at military and diplomatic levels with an aim to return to the ''status quo ante'' that existed in the middle of 2020. To resolve the face-off, the two countries are also holding diplomatic talks under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on IndiaChina border affairs. Following the Galwan Valley clashes, India has been majorly focusing on boosting its overall military capability along the frontier with China. The Army has significantly bolstered deployment of troops and weaponry along the nearly 3,500 km-long LAC, including in the Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh sectors, following the clashes. The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in several friction points, including on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

IMD Rainfall Alert: Good news! It is going to rain in these states including UP-Delhi; Note down the date

IMD Rainfall Alert: According to the Meteorological Department, it is going to rain in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura for the next five days. There is rain alert in UP and Delhi also. IMD Rainfall Alert: Amidst the ongoing heatwave in many states, the Meteorological Department has announced a good news. [] The post IMD Rainfall Alert: Good news! It is going to rain in these states including UP-Delhi; Note down the date first appeared on informalnewz .

Relief from Scorching Heat Expected as Rainfall Forecasted for UP and Bihar

Lucknow: Th e Meteorological Department has announced that relief from the scorching heat is on its way with the prediction of rainfall in many states, including UP and Bihar. The forecast indicates that the heat wave conditions in Eastern India will persist until May 5. However, there is good news for North-East India, with heavy to very heavy rain expected on May 5 and 6, along with a possibility of storms. Eastern UP may also experience rainfall between May 6 and 9. In the last 24 hours, heatwave conditions were observed in Gangetic West Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The highest temperature recorded was 46.2 degrees Celsius in the Nandyal area of Rayalaseema. Conversely, heavy rain was reported in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Tripura. The Meteorological Department has forecasted light to moderate rain in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura over the next five days. Additionally, warnings for rain, thunderstorms, and lightning have been issued for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh between May 3 and 5. In North-West India, light rain is expected in Western Rajasthan on May 3 and in Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab on May 4. Strong winds are also likely in Uttar Pradesh, Southern Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi on May 3 and 4. Furthermore, light to moderate rain is predicted in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand between May 6 and 9, with an alert for thunderstorms and lightning. In Delhi, the minimum temperature on Friday was recorded at 18.3 degrees Celsius, six degrees below normal. The relative humidity in the national capital was 34 percent at 8:30 am. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted strong winds during the day, with the maximum temperature expected to be around 38 degrees Celsius. Nepal Decides to Print New Rs 100 Currency Note with Controversial Map Yogi Adityanath Accuses Congress of Planning to Implement Jizya Tax Mansukh Mandaviya, BJP Candidate from Porbandar, Equates Party Workers to God

Arunachal Jobs : APPSC Recruitment 2024

Applications are invited for recruitment of 103 vacant positions or jobs in APPSC Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) is inviting applications from eligible candidates for recruitment to the posts or jobs of Junior Specialist (Allopathy) under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Name of post : Junior [] The post Arunachal Jobs : APPSC Recruitment 2024 appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

IMD Rainfall Update: There will be heavy rain with thunderstorm in these states for 5 days, know the weather condition in your state

Weather Update: Light to moderate rain with gusty winds at isolated places is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during the next 5 days. IM Weather Update: The Meteorological Department has given relief news amid the scorching heat. Strong winds are likely from Bay of Bengal to Northeast India [] The post IMD Rainfall Update: There will be heavy rain with thunderstorm in these states for 5 days, know the weather condition in your state first appeared on informalnewz .

Arunachal Pradesh PSC Announces Recruitment for 103 Junior Specialist Positions - Apply Now

The Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has released a notification for the recruitment of Junior Specialist Vacancies. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria and interested in the vacancy details can read the notification and apply online.

Naidu and alliance leaders responsible for hardships of welfare pensioners, says YSRC

Vijayawada: YSRC general-secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy has said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has put all the possible promises in the YSRC election manifesto but the Chandrababu alliance put all the impossible promises in its joint manifesto. Ramakrishna Reddy held Naidu and alliance leaders responsible for the present problems of elders in receiving social security pensions. Addressing the media on Thursday, he said that the people knew the manifesto announced by Chandrababu was a hoax and that the YSRC is acting as a responsible party in fashioning its manifesto. Ramakrishna Reddy asked why there were no photos of the BJP in the alliance joint manifesto and why did the BJP AP unit incharge refused to hold the manifesto at its release event. He recalled that the photos of PM Modi and BJP leaders were printed on the alliance manifesto in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh states. The BJP has understood that Chandrababu's manifesto promises cannot be implemented and hence it did not want to take any responsibility thereof. Ramakrishna Reddy said Chandrababu was spreading lies on the Land Titling Act which should be implemented by the BJP government at the Centre, and if there are any doubts about that Act, then Naidu should ask his alliance partner about the Act instead of accusing the YSRC and CM Jagan. He said Naidu did not understand what is happening and who formulated the Act and spread falsehood. Chandrababu alleged that through the Land Titling Act, all the land will be taken away by the government. If so, PM Modi should grab all the land and sell those after the Act is in force, according to the statement of Chandrababu. The YSRC leader asked the BJP state and national leaders to give clarity on Land Titling Act. On Nov 25, 2019, NITI Aayog has constituted a committee to draft the Model Act and the rules on Conclusive Land Tilting that includes six senior officers from across the country. He said the YSRC understood the financial situation of the state and announced only what can be implemented. He recalled that in 1999, the TD promised to provide one crore jobs to the unemployed youth in the undivided Andhra Pradesh but it deceived them. During Chandrababu's rule, two months before the elections, the pension was enhanced to `1000 but he failed to deliver it properly. Ramakrishna Reddy stated that the opposition alliance moved the court, complained to EC and stopped the volunteers from keeping the pensioners to various difficulties. Naidu and the alliance are responsible for the hardships being faced by the senior citizens and the disabled, he stressed. He said, The volunteer system will be totally removed and the TDs Janmabhoomi Committees will be back to show hell to the poor and marginalised if TD returns to power. Chandrababu is angry that people defeated TD in the 2019 elections and is ready to mess with the lives of the poor.

Seek votes on performance of govt instead of indulging in 'hate speeches': Kharge to PM Modi

NEW DELHI: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said when the elections are over, people will only remember him as the PM who indulged in divisive and communal speeches filled with lies to avoid an inevitable defeat. Kharge urged the prime minister to seek votes on the performance of his government over the last ten years instead of indulging in hate speeches. The Congress president made the remarks in a letter to Prime Minister Modi in which he rebutted the attack and charges levelled against his party in the PM's letter to NDA candidates after the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Modi has asked the BJP-led NDA candidates in the Lok Sabha polls to spread awareness among voters about the Congress's intention to snatch eservation from SC, ST and OBC communities and give it away to their vote bank. Modi govt 'snatching away' reservation by 'blindly' implementing privatisation: Rahul In a personal letter written to them, Modi also accused the Congress and its allies of having divisive and discriminatory motives, even though reservation on the basis of religion is unconstitutional. Writing to Modi, Kharge said, I saw the letter written by you to all the NDA candidates about what they need to communicate to the voters. From the tone and content of the letter it seems that there is a lot of desperation and worry in you which is leading you to use language that does not suit the office of the Prime Minister. The letter makes it look like the lies in your speeches are not having the effect you intended and now you want your candidates to amplify your lies. Repeating a lie a thousand times will not make it the truth, he said. The Congress chief said the voters are intelligent enough to read and understand by themselves what the Congress has written in its manifesto and what guarantees it has promised. Our guarantees are so simple and clear, that we don't have to explain it to them. For your benefit, I will reiterate them here, Kharge said in his letter and elaborated on the party's Yuva Nyay, Nari Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay. We have heard you and the Home Minister say that Congress is practising appeasement politics. The only appeasement policy that we have seen in the last 10 years is the appeasement of Chinese by you and your ministers. Even today, you refuse to call China as 'Ghuspaithiye', instead on June 19, 2020, you said 'Na Koi Ghusa Hai, Na Hi Koi Ghus Aaya hai', insulting the supreme sacrifice of 20 Indian soldiers in Galwan, the Congress chief said. Your public 'Clean Chit' to China, has weakened India's case and made it more belligerent. Even as tensions escalate due to repeated Chinese transgressions and construction of military infrastructure near LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Uttarakhand, the imports of Chinese goods to India has increased by 54. 76 per cent in the past 5 years alone and has crossed USD 101 billion in 2023-24, he said. Noting that the PM in his letter to NDA candidates had claimed that reservation will be taken away from SC, ST and OBC and given to the Congress' votebank, Kharge said, Our votebank is every Indian -- the poor, the marginalised, the women, the aspirational youth, the labour class, the Dalits and the Adivasis. Everyone knows it is the RSS and BJP who opposed reservations at every stage since 1947. Your leaders have openly spoken about it. You need to clarify why you are opposed to reservation to SCs, STs and OBCs on the basis of their population as per Article 16 of our Constitution, Kharge said. In your letter, you have said people's hard-earned money will be snatched and given away. I would like to take this opportunity to request you to direct your party to return the Rs 10 crore that were swindled from the poor Dalit farmers in Gujarat and given as electoral bonds to BJP, Kharge said. Kharge raises Congress poll pitch, says BJP misleading people He accused the BJP of amassing Rs 8,250 crore through the illegal and unconstitutional Electoral Bonds. He said Modi's letter lies that Congress wants to bring Inheritance Tax when it is a former BJP Finance Minister and BJP party leaders who have repeatedly mentioned they want Inheritance Tax. I see from your letter that you are worried by the low turnout of voters in the first two phases of the elections. It shows people are not enthusiastic about your policies or your campaign speeches. This is not because of the summer heat, but because the poor have been burnt by your policies, the Congress chief said. Kharge claimed the prime minister was not interested in talking about the ever widening inequality, unemployment and unprecedented price rise, that is affecting the people. You are not interested in talking about the increasing atrocities on women by your leaders, he said in his letter to Modi. The Congress' manifesto speaks of 'Nyay' and how it will bring growth for all sections of the society, Kharge said. It is better as the prime minister if you seek votes on the performance of your government over the last ten years instead of indulging in hate speeches. The Congress Party would like to challenge you or anyone you depute to debate with us on our manifesto and the points you have made, he said. As I mentioned in my earlier letter, when the elections are over, people will only remember you as the prime minister who indulged in divisive and communal speeches filled with lies to avoid an inevitable defeat, Kharge said.

India Braces for Extreme Weather: Heatwaves and Thunderstorms Predicted For These States

The weather department has issued warnings across India for extreme heat and thunderstorms over the next few days. In Gangetic West Bengal, a red alert has been issued for a severe heatwave lasting three days. Odisha faces a two-day heatwave alert. Meanwhile, East India has been placed under an orange alert for the next 3-5 days. IMD scientist Soma Sen anticipates a slight drop in temperatures starting from May 5 due to increased moisture. From May 4, South Peninsular India, including states like Telangana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, will experience thunderstorm activity. The IMD attributes the severe heatwave conditions to fewer thunderstorms in East and Northeast India. IMD's Rainfall Predictions: Thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall or snowfall are expected in several northeastern states over the next 5 days. Hailstorms were predicted over Sikkim on May 1. Heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya from May 1-2, and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from May 1-3. Very heavy rainfall is expected over Arunachal Pradesh on May 1-2, and over parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura on May 2. Rainfall or snowfall with thunderstorms and lightning are expected in northern regions from May 3-6, and over certain parts of North and West India from May 4-6. IMD's Heatwave Predictions: Maximum temperatures ranging from 44-47C will persist over Gangetic West Bengal, East Jharkhand, north Odisha, and Rayalaseema until May 3, followed by a decrease. Severe heatwave conditions are expected over various regions including Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and others on May 1, with a gradual reduction in intensity thereafter. Telangana, Interior Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam are expected to experience heatwave conditions for the next 4-5 days. Hot and humid weather is forecasted for Coast Karnataka, Kerala, and Mahe over the next 5 days. IMD's Maximum Temperature Predictions: Northwest India will see a rise in maximum temperatures by 4-6C in the next 24 hours. East India will experience no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next 48 hours, followed by a decrease of 2-3C. Central India is expected to witness a rise in maximum temperatures by 2-3C over the next 3 days. West India will see no significant change in maximum temperatures over the next 48 hours, followed by a rise of 2-3C. Make a plan to visit this beautiful place with your family in summer, the beauty is limitless How Coconut Water Can Keep You Cool and Hydrated During Summer How Summer Fruits Packed with Vitamin C Boost Your Nutrition

EC releases phase 1, 2 turnout data, Oppn seeks explanation for delay

NEW DELHI: After an 11-day delay since the first phase of voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) finally released the official overall turnout data for the completed phases on Tuesday. According to the ECI, the voter turnout in the first phase was recorded at 66.14 percent, while in the second phase, it slightly increased to 66.71 percent. This turnout was observed across 102 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) in the first phase and 88 PCs in the second phase. In comparison, the turnout in the first phase of the 2019 polls was 69.43 percent. The official data indicates that in the first phase, the voter turnout was 66.22 percent for males, 66.07 percent for females, and 31.32 percent for third-gender voters, resulting in an overall turnout of 66.14 percent. Voting for this phase took place on April 19. In the second phase, which occurred on April 26, the turnout was 66.99 percent for males, 66.42 percent for females, and 23.86 percent for third-gender voters, with an overall turnout of 66.71 percent. Bihar recorded the lowest voter turnout of 49.26 percent in the first phase, while Uttar Pradesh recorded the lowest turnout (55.19 percent) in the second phase. The EC highlighted that out of the 21 states and union territories that went to polls in the first phase, 11 recorded a higher turnout of women voters, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. In the second phase, where 13 states and UTs went to polls, six registered a higher women voter turnout, including Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and West Bengal. Explaining the delay in announcing the official data on voters turnout, ECI officials clarified that it could only be released after counting the postal ballots and adding them to the total EVM vote count. This includes postal ballots given to service voters, absentee voters, those above 85 years of age, persons with disabilities, those on essential services, and voters on election duty, a senior ECI official said. Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, questioned the delay in a post on X, stating, For the first time, even 11 days after the first phase of the polls and four days after the second phase, the final voter turnout has not been published by the ECI. In the past, the ECI used to publish the final voter turnout immediately after voting or within 24 hours. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said, Finally, ECI has released the final voter turnout figures for the first 2 phases, which are substantially higher than the initial figures. But why are the absolute numbers of voters in each Parliamentary constituency not provided?.

Weather Update: IMD Alerts For Heavy Rainfall In Assam, Meghalaya, Check 5-Day Forecast

IMD forecasted heavy rainfall and snowfall with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty wind over the area of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya

Lok Sabha polls: Rajnath Singh to file nomination from Lucknow today

Lok Sabha polls: Rajnath Singh to file nomination from Lucknow today Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will file his nomination papers on Monday from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow constituency for the Lok Sabha elections. Before the filing of nomination papers, Rajnath Singh will also hold a two-kilometer roadshow in the city. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also be present during the nomination. According to sources, Singh will go to the BJP office in Lucknow where he may participate in the roadshow for the nomination. On the way, he will also visit a temple. Lucknow will go to polls alongside 13 other constituencies on May 20 in the fifth phase of elections. Rajnath Singh in 2019 had defeated Samajwadi Party Poonam Shatrughan Sinha with over 6.3 lakh votes. He had defeated Congress candidate Rita Bahuguna Joshi by a margin of 2,72,749 votes in 2014. The first phase of voting for the seven-phased Lok Sabha election was held on April 19 in 102 constituencies across 21 states and UTs with over 62 per cent voter turnout. The second phase election was concluded on April 26. In the first phase, polling was held in Arunachal Pradesh (2 seats), Assam (5), Bihar (4), Chhattisgarh (1), Madhya Pradesh (6), Maharashtra (5), Manipur (2), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Rajasthan (12), Sikkim (1), Tamil Nadu (39), Tripura (1), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (5), West Bengal (3), Andaman and Nicobar (1), Jammu and Kashmir (1), Lakshadweep (1) and Puducherry (1). The second phase election was concluded on April 26. This phase saw polling on 88 Lok Sabha constituencies, including all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, six in Madhya Pradesh, three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one each in Tripura, Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. The third phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held on May 7. The 2024 general elections will be held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

WWF-Indias City Nature Challenge reaches Arunachal, Assam

HT Bureau GUWAHATI, April 27: WWF- India is inviting participants to submit photos of wild plants, animals and fungi from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh along with several Indian states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and New Delhi. The 9thedition of City Nature Challenge started from April 26 to 29. Out of 675 cities participating []

2nd Phase of LS Polls Witnesses 61 Per Cent Voter Turnout Amid EVM Glitches

NEW DELHI: The second phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections saw nearly 61 per cent voter turnout as people avoided venturing out of homes in the summer heat and voted largely in the morning and evening. Polling in the second phase covered 88 seats across 13 states and UTs amid complaints of EVM glitches and bogus voting in some states. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said polling remained largely peaceful though incidents of intimidation were reported from Manipur in the second phase too. The ECI data showed the highest voting percentage was recorded in Tripura which registered 79.25 per cent polling, followed by Manipur 77.32 per cent, while the turnout in Uttar Pradesh was at 54.85 per cent and Maharashtra at 56.63 per cent. Rajasthan registered 64.07 per cent, West Bengal 71.84 per cent, Assam 71.11 per cent, Bihar 55.08 per cent, Chhattisgarh 73.55 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 71.91 per cent, Karnataka 68.26 per cent, Kerala 65.78 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh 57.76 per cent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning urged people to cast their votes in record numbers and said a high voter turnout strengthens democracy. Stressing on the importance of each vote, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi issued impassioned appeals asking people to step out and exercise their franchise. After the end of polling, Modi in a tweet said, Phase Two has been too good! Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDAs good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and actor-turned-politician Arun Govil, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumars brother D.K. Suresh (Congress), and former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (JDS) are among the key candidates while BJPs Hema Malini, Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking a hat-trick of wins from their respective constituencies. Polling was held in all 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, 6 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and 1 seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. After Fridays phase, polling is over in Kerala, Rajasthan and Tripura. In the first phase on April 19, polling was completed in all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).

Robust Voter Turnout Marks Second Phase of Indian Parliamentary Elections

Robust Voter Turnout Marks Second Phase of Indian Parliamentary Elections Over 63 per cent polling was reported in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 88 seats across 13 states amid few complaints of EVM glitches and bogus voting in some states. Voters in some villages of Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, Rajasthan's Banswara and Maharashtra's Parbhani were boycotting the polls over various issues but were later persuaded by authorities to cast their franchise. Polling for the second stage of the seven-phase elections started at 7 am and ended at 6 pm. Several states experienced intense heat conditions. The first phase of polling was held on April 19 in 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories. The Election Commission (EC) said polling remained largely peaceful. The tentative figure at 8 pm of voter turnout was 63.50 per cent. It is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the EC said, adding voters reaching polling stations till the end of polling hour are allowed to cast their vote. The National Democratic alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections. Election Commission data showed the highest voting percentage was recorded in Tripura which registered 79.46 per cent polling, followed by Manipur at 77.32 while the turnout was in Uttar Pradesh at 54.85 per cent and Bihar 55.08 per cent. Polling was held in all 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, 8 seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, 6 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Bihar, 3 seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and 1 seat each in Manipur, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and actor-turned-politician Arun Govil, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's brother DK Suresh (Cong), and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy (JDS) are among the key candidates while BJP's Hema Malini, Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking a hat-trick of wins from their respective constituencies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning urged people to cast their votes in record numbers and said a high voter turnout strengthens democracy. Stressing on the importance of each vote, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi issued impassioned appeals asking people to step out and exercise their franchise in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election. After the end of polling, Modi in a tweet said, ''Phase Two has been too good! Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA's good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support.'' In Kerala, the turnout was 65.91 per cent. The election process, held amid tight security arrangements, was primarily incident free except for instances of bogus voting and breakdowns of electronic voting machines (EVMs) being reported in some booths of the state. Such incidents resulted in delaying the polling process in the affected booths. One person each reportedly died at Palakkad, Alappuzha and Malappuram after casting their vote and a polling agent died after collapsing at a booth in Kozhikode. Tripura East Lok Sabha constituency recorded a turnout of 79.46 per cent. Election officials said there were some complaints from a few booths but those were ''promptly addressed''. A jawan of the Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Force deployed on poll duty allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at a government school where he was stationed in Gariaband district under the Mahasamund seat in Chhattisgarh, where a voter turnout of 73.62 per cent was recorded. A polling booth at Sivni village in Balod district (Kanker seat) was decorated like a wedding 'mandap', with a display of rituals of traditional weddings. Several brides and grooms, dressed in their wedding finery, cast their votes at several polling booths. The EC said people from 46 villages in Bastar and Kanker seats cast their votes in a polling booth set up in their own village for the first time in a Lok Sabha election. In neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, there was a turnout of 57.88 per cent. An estimated 71.11 per cent of the 77,26,668 voters exercised their franchise in the five parliamentary constituencies of Assam that went to polls in this phase. In restive Manipur, where polling is being held under high presence of security personnel, the turnout was a significantly high 77.32 per cent. There were reports of intimidation by suspected militants, altercation between Congress workers and NPF supporters and damage of EVM at a polling station in the Tangkhul Naga-dominated hill district. At KK Leishi Phanit polling station in Ukhrul, irate voters destroyed an EVM and other items after alleged disturbances by armed miscreants. The overall voting percentage in Karnataka was 68.30. A case was booked against BJP MP and Bangalore South Candidate Tejasvi Surya for allegedly posting a video on a social media platform and soliciting votes on the grounds of religion, the Election Commission said. Another BJP leader CT Ravi was booked for allegedly promoting hatred and enmity between citizens through his social media post. Various restaurants in Bangalore were offering free dosas, laddu, coffee and other food items at discounted rates to customers who cast their vote. A private hospital assisted 41 inpatients cast their vote with the help of city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Green corridors were created for the ambulances across constituencies to ensure easy, hassle-free voting. Some EVMs were destroyed at a polling station in Indiganatha village in Chamarajanagara district of Karnataka during a clash between two groups of people over whether to vote or not. Officials said an FIR is being filed the Election Commission will take a call after getting a detailed report. A voter turnout of 57.83 per cent was recorded in eight constituencies in Maharashtra, while in Rajasthan, the turnout was 64.07 per cent. Incidents of confrontation between the supporters of the Congress candidate and an independent candidate were reported at a couple of places during polling in Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha constituency of Rajasthan. Police said they were looking into the complaints besides some about fake voting from some places. The by-election for the Bagidora assembly constituency in Banswara district was also held simultaneously on Friday and 76.66 per cent voting took place. A voter turnout of 54.85 per cent was recorded in the eight parliamentary constituencies of Uttar Pradesh. Senior citizens dominated the early hours of voting in Noida in the Gautam Buddh Nagar constituency. Some residents' welfare associations made arrangements for electric vehicles to ferry voters to and from the polling booths. In Bihar, the turnout was 55.08 per cent, 71.84 per cent in in West Bengal and 71.91 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir. The Lok Sabha polls are the first major electoral battle in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh -- on August 5, 2019. The Election Commission registered nearly 300 complaints in West Bengal, mostly related to EVM malfunctioning. After Friday's phase, polling is over in Kerala, Rajasthan and Tripura. In the first phase on April 19, polling was completed in all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1). The third phase of elections for 94 seats across 12 states and Union territories will be held on May 7. Counting will be done on June 4.

Himachal Pradesh: IMD predicts thunderstorms, rain in 10 districts during next 48 hours

Himachal Pradesh: IMD predicts thunderstorms, rain in 10 districts during next 48 hours The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted thunderstorms, hail and rainfall in 10 districts of the state during the next 48 hours. Thunderstorms with lightning, hail and strong wind (30-40kmph) are very likely at isolated places over Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una during the next 48 hours, said IMD Shimla. Meanwhile, severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over East and South Peninsular India during the next 5 days, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday. According to the IMD, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will likely prevail in many places over Gangetic West Bengal, in some parts of Odisha, and in isolated pockets over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the next 5 days. The IMD has also predicted a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds is likely to occur over the Western Himalayan region from April 26-29 and the plains of Northwest India from April 26-28 and adjoining Central India from April 26-27. IMD further said that fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) is very likely over Arunachal Pradesh and scattered to fairly widespread rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during April 26-30 2024. It added that isolated light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is very likely over Sikkim on April 28, 2024. It added that heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on April 28-30, 2024. (ANI)

Questioning the polls rain washes out play moments

The Surat and Arunachal Pradesh results are issues that call for debate where an election is made to seem free and fair despite people not having cast a single vote

Lok Sabha Election: | Khabron Ki Khabar

Lok Sabha Election: . (Second Phase Election) . . (Arunachal Pradesh) .

Rijiju's Chakma-Hajong resettlement comments spark controversy, Himanta Sarma denies talks

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarifies his statement, stating he never said Chakma-Hajong refugees should be settled in Assam, but rather across India due to their inability to get permanent resident certificates in Arunachal Pradesh. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma denies any discussions on resettling these refugees in Assam. Opposition parties seek clarification, with AJP criticizing the Citizenship Amendment Act's impact on indigenous rights.

Landslide Cuts Off Road Connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley

A massive landslide has washed away a major portion of a highway in Arunachal Pradesh, disrupting road connectivity with Dibang Valley, a district bordering China. The district experienced heavy landslides between Hunli and Anini on National Highway-313 due to heavy rainfall over the past few days, according to authorities. Videos showed a portion of the highway missing, making it impossible for vehicles to cross to the other side. This has posed challenges for locals and security forces who rely on the highway as a lifeline in this challenging terrain. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has deployed resources to repair the damaged sections of the highway. Currently, there is no shortage of food or other essential supplies. Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed his concern in an online post about the inconvenience caused to commuters due to the extensive damage on the highway between Hunli and Anini. He stated that instructions have been given to restore connectivity as quickly as possible, as the road is a vital link between Dibang Valley and the rest of the country. Now celebrate summer vacation abroad, travel will be very cheap 10 Crew Members Killed in Malaysian Military Helicopter Collision QS World University Rankings: India Emerges as Top Performer Among G-20 Nations

Portion of NH-313 caves in due to landslide in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANANAGAR: A portion of National Highway-313 caved in due to a landslide, triggered by incessant rain in Arunachal Pradesh for the past few days, disrupting traffic movement, an official said on Thursday. Surface communication to Dibang Valley district in the northeastern state snapped after a stretch of the vital highway, connecting Roing in lower Dibang Valley with Anini was damaged. The road between Hunli and Anini, the Dibang Valley district headquarters, was damaged due to the landslide on Wednesday night, he said. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rainfall washed away a portion of NH-313 highway in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibhang Valley. ANI pic.twitter.com/BsUUL59LVj The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) April 25, 2024 The district administration has deployed workers and adequate machinery to repair the road on a war footing. It will take a couple of days to restore traffic movement,Anini additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Dhurbajyoti Borah said. He, however, said that efforts were being made so that small vehicles could ply on the road by Thursday evening.

Highway along China border washed away after severe landslide in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Pema Khandu addresses the interruption caused by a landslide on National Highway-33 in Dibang Valley, bordering China. He promises that connectivity between Hunli and Anini towns will be restored as soon as possible.

Watch: Massive landslide hits Arunachal Pradesh

Watch Massive landslide hits Arunachal Pradesh

Watch: Arunachal Officials Cross Mountains, Rivers For Repolling In 8 Booths

Videos widely circulated online show polling officials in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh, not far from the Line of Actual Control with China, carrying bulky EVMs and other election materials, on their way to carry out repolling in eight areas.

Massive landslide in Arunachal Pradesh, road connectivity cut off

CM Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh addresses the disruption caused by a landslide on National Highway-33 in Dibang Valley near China. He assures quick restoration of connectivity between Hunli and Anini towns.

Massive landslide hits Arunachal Pradesh, highway linking China border washed away

Massive landslide hits Arunachal Pradesh highway linking China border washed away

Massive Landslide In Arunachal, Key District Bordering China Cut Off

A massive landslide in Arunachal Pradesh has cut off road connectivity with Dibang Valley, a district sharing its border with China.

Dangerous Trek: Women Cops Cross Bamboo Bridge On Arunachal River

In a video that captures both the difficult terrain of Arunachal Pradesh as well as the dangers that it poses, women cops were seen crossing a traditional bamboo bridge over the mighty Kameng river while returning after elections.

Apprehensions over declaration that Chakmas, Hajongs of Arunachal will be settled in Assam

Opposition parties including Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Congress leader have asked Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to clarify if there are plans to settle Chakma community from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam.

74 per cent turnout in Arunachal Pradesh repolling

74% voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh repolling due to EVM damage. BJP wins 10 seats unopposed. Lok Sabha polls turnout at 77.51%. Counting for both elections on June 2.

Lok Sabha Polls: 74% Voter Turnout Recorded In Arunachal Pradesh Repolling

An estimated 74 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the repolling at eight polling stations across four assembly constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh conducted on Wednesday amid elaborate security arrangements, an election official said.

Resettlement of refugees will alter demographic balance of Upper Assam dists: Forum

Guwahati, April 24: Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM) convenor Upamanyu Hazarika has expressed apprehension over Union minister Kiren Rijijus statement regarding resettlement of Chakmas and Hajongs (living in Arunachal Pradesh) in Assam post implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), while observing that such a development would have significant implications for the Upper Assam districts bordering [] The post Resettlement of refugees will alter demographic balance of Upper Assam dists: Forum appeared first on The Shillong Times .

IMD Rainfall Alert: There will be heavy rain in these states between 24-28 April, storm warning issued

IMD Rainfall Alert: According to the Meteorological Department, there will be light to moderate rain in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura between April 24-28. Know the weather condition of other states also IMD Rainfall Alert: There is severe heat in various parts of the country including North India. Heatwave situation persists in [] The post IMD Rainfall Alert: There will be heavy rain in these states between 24-28 April, storm warning issued first appeared on informalnewz .

Repolling underway in eight polling stations in Arunachal amid heavy security

Itanagar, April 24: Repolling at eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh is underway amid tight security on Wednesday, officials said. According to election officials, the voting is going on peacefully and over 50 per cent of voters have cast their ballots till noon. The Election Commission on Sunday declared, as void, the simultaneous elections (Lok [] The post Repolling underway in eight polling stations in Arunachal amid heavy security appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Repolling underway in four assembly seats in Arunachal

Repolling in Arunachal Pradesh's eight polling stations under strict security measures following violence and EVM damage during recent elections, with Election Commission overseeing the process. The voting period is from 6 AM to 2 PM.

Opposition expresses concerns over potential Chakma relocation to Assam, CM Sarma clarifies

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has affirmed that the central government has not held any discussions regarding the resettlement of Chakma and Hajong refugees in Assam. Rijiju, who represents Arunachal Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, has proposed relocating these refugees to Assam before they become eligible for Indian citizenship under the CAA.

Assam CM says no proposal to resettle Chakma Hajong in State

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma speaking at a conclave in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar on Saturday. (Image: DC) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma speaking at a conclave in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar on Saturday. (Image: DC) Guwahati: In what has triggered a major controversy union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that more than 67000 Chakma-Hajong refugees would be relocated from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam. However, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma immediately came before the media and clarified that there has been no such proposal to relocate Chakma-Hajong from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam. I dont know what Mr Kiren Rijiju said to media, there is no such proposal. Neither Chakma-Hajong leaders met me nor central government has ever contacted me on this issue. I have agreed to provide Permanent Residence Certificate to few hundered Assamese people living in Arunachal Pradesh. Realising the impact of it on ensuing Lok Sabha polling, Mr Sarma said that Mr Rijiju is not any authority on making such remarks. He may have said so for some political reasons, I will talk to him after the elections, said Mr Sarma visibly not happy over the development in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls. Asserting that Chakma Hajong refugees would be relocated outside the frontier state before being granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Mr Rijiju told reporters, They are staying in Arunachal Pradesh as guests. They are not entitled to get a permanent resident certificate (PRC) of citizenship in the frontier state, said Mr Rijiju said this in the presence of state home minister Bamang Felix and BJP MLA from Itanagar, Techi Kacho. Mr Rijiju went on saying, The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a blessing for Arunachal Pradesh. It is out of the purview of Arunachal Pradesh. The CAA grants citizenship to non-Muslim migrants Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from the three countries. So we will not grant them citizenship or permanent residents in Arunachal. He claimed, We are already in touch to the Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about the resettlement of Chakmas in Assam. It is a big issue. There is also resistance from local residents. He informed, We also initiated talk with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. But we dont want to make it public. We have been trying for their resettlement for the past three years. We are looking for suitable land for their resttlement. When we will get land we will tell them to leave the state. He reiterated, We have been working silently on the issue and and Assam government has been urged to identify an appropriate location for their relocation. In 1996, the Supreme Court directed the Centre and the Arunachal Pradesh governments to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajongs. Still, the state government has refused to accept the judgment and has refused to implement it. In August 2022, the Arunachal Pradesh government announced that it would no longer be issuing residence proof certificates to the Chakma and Hajong refugees in Changlang district following opposition by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU). As they do not have the proof of residence Chakmas and Hajongs are not Indian citizens and, therefore, are ineligible for official identification documents. The residential proof certificates which were issued by an extra assistant commissioner (EEAC) of Changlang district were also suspended from his service. On April 24, 2023, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu announced that after resolving the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute, he will resolve the Chakma Hajong problem by distributing them in different states of India as the Chakmas and Hajongs being refugees cannot be permanently settled in the state, which is protected as a tribal state under the Constitution of India. Meanwhile, several organisations in Assam including Asom Jatiya Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) has registered a strong opposition to the proposed resettlement of Chakma-Hajong in Assam.

Constitution can never be changed... Congress creating confusion: BJP candidate from Kota Om Birla

Constitution can never be changed... Congress creating confusion: BJP candidate from Kota Om Birla Lok Sabha Speaker and BJP candidate from Kota constituency for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Om Birla, slammed the Congress for spreading confusion within the Scheduled Castes by saying that the BJP wants to change the Constitution and curtail the rights of people. The BJP candidate assured that the Constitution can never be changed. Speaking to ANI here on Monday, Birla said, Prime Minister Modi has clearly said that the Constitution can never be changed. No one is going to be fooled. The Congress is trying to spread false things and create confusion within the Scheduled Castes... Replying to a query, he said, If someone has secured and protected the rights of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Dalits, then it has been done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi said on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government wants to change the Constitution and curtail the rights of people. Their (BJP) leaders are saying to everyone that they should get 400 seats and they will change the Constitution. On the other hand, Narendra Modi says - We will not change the Constitution. This is a conspiracy. The Constitution gives the right to equality to women, and the right to 'jal, Jungle' for Adivasis. This is the same Constitution for which the great men of the country sacrificed themselves. They want to change the Constitution because the PM only wants power. They want to weaken the rights of the people. They want to weaken the reservations, Priyanka Gandhi said at a rally in Rajnandgaon. Voting for Lok Sabha polls in Rajasthan is being held in two phases. Polling for 12 seats was held in the first phase on April 19 and voting for the remaining 13 seats will be contested in the second phase on April 26. The counting will take place on June 4. In 2019, the BJP registered a sweeping victory, winning 24 out of 25 seats. Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party's Hanuman Beniwal also won a seat. The first phase of voting for 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories was held on Friday with a voter turnout of nearly 64 per cent. In the first phase of LS polls, voting took place in the following states - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. Polling was also held in the following Union Territories - Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1 to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. (ANI)

RBI asks payment system operators to report high value, suspicious transactions during elections

The Election Commission has so far announced the schedule for holding General Elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim

Re-polling in Manipur peaceful, EC orders re-polling in eight Arunachal polling stations

Guwahati: Re-polling in 11 polling stations in Manipur passed off peacefully on Monday even as the Election Commission ordered re-polling in eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh. Brisk polling was recorded in the 11 polling stations falling under the Inner Manipur seat in the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley. Seven are under Imphal East and four are under Imphal West districts. The polling passed off peacefully. A voter turnout of 73.05 per cent was recorded till 3 pm, the states election department said. A large number of voters went out to cast their votes after the authorities had deployed adequate security personnel to the polling stations. Imphal East District Magistrate and Returning Officer Khumanthem Diana Devi said voting in the district was peaceful. Manipur | Festival of democracy under the shadow of ethnic conflict The voters are feeling safe and secure. They are happy that the EC has given this chance to them to cast their vote again. Adequate security arrangements were kept in place to make the voters feel safe and secure and the (election) process transparent and fair, she told journalists when polling was underway. During polling in the first phase on April 19, several incidents of gunfire, intimidations, destruction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and alleged booth capturing by the armed miscreants were reported from the Imphal Valley. Opposition Congress had demanded re-polling in 47 polling stations 36 under the Inner Manipur and 11 under the Outer Manipur seats. The EC, however, ordered re-polling in the 11 polling stations. The Outer Manipur seat partially went to polls on April 19. It has 28 Assembly segments and 15 went to polls. Polling in the remaining 13 will be held on April 26. Meanwhile, the EC ordered re-polling in the eight polling stations in Arunachal following violence and damage to EVMs during polling in the first phase. Arunachal Pradesh: East or West, BJP faces a tough test Re-polling will be held at the polling stations Sario in East Kameng district, Longte Loth in Kurung Kumey district, Dingser, Bogiya Siyum, Jimbari and Lengi in Upper Subansiri district and Bogne and Molom in Siang district. Simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held in the state on April 19.