Heavy rains, mudslides disrupt NH29; suspension bridge washed away in Nagaland
Landslides along the Mhainamtsii-Pimla road, an alternate route to Kohima, further disrupted vehicular movement
'The extra mile': Bad weather leads PM Modi to visit Churchandpur by road from Imphal
IMPHAL: When a rainy struck Manipur on Saturday, the odds were that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not make it to the Kuki heartland of Churachandpur, but he did. PM Modi, perhaps, unwittingly did what Vajpayee had resorted to on a rainy October afternoon in 2003 in Nagaland. When Vajpayees helicopter could not take off from Nagalands commercial hub Dimapur to the state capital Kohima due to inclement weather, he took the bumpy ride to Kohima by highway. Ditto. PM Modi faced bad weather and hence, took the road from Imphal to Churachandpur, located about 60 km from the Imphal airport, in southern Manipur. Vajpayee had travelled a little more -- 75 km. In his first visit to ethnic conflict-hit Manipur, PM Modi appeals to all organisations to choose 'path of peace' We thought he might not come now that the weather was bad, said Daniel Haokip, a Churachandpur resident who was in the audience. It has been nearly four decades since a PM visited Churachandpur. The excitement among the locals was palpable. As he arrived, hundreds of people stood by the roadside with the Indian tri-colour to welcome him. Modiji, shouted a bystander while children were almost hysterical, shouting the PMs name. The festooning that was arranged and a new slick road -- from the helipad to the Peace Ground in Churachandpur did not have much use then. As PM made his way to the secure stage decked up for him and state governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the attendance surprised many. In Imphal too, only two were seated on the dais. There was no politician. 'Face-saving farce, grave insult to people': Congress slams PM Modi's '3-hour pit stop' to violence-hit Manipur A school boy presented PM Modi with a straw hat with feathers on it that the PM donned as he chatted with the kids. A girl presented him with another gift, but the namastes from the children seemed more heart-warming. Northeasts tribals usually shake hands in greetings. PM Modi took the same road back to Imphal, and during the speech, he expressed how overwhelmed he was with the reception on the way. People who went to listen to him had a harrowing time navigating a 50-metre muddy and slippery stretch inside the Kangla Fort. Water had seeped into the place where the crowd was seated. Despite protests from the Opposition and a womens group, the atmosphere at the Kangla Fort was of anticipation and earnestness. After the PM left, the members of the womens group took out a protest march but were stopped on the way by security personnel.
Nagaland pre-service teachers raises alarm over recruitment irregularities, demands immediate action
KOHIMA, Sept 9: An association of pre-service teachers in Nagaland on Tuesday raised concerns over the alleged irregularities and lack of transparency in the recruitment of primary teachers in the state. The All Nagaland Pre-Service Teachers Association (ANPSTA) alleged that over the past decade, more than 1,000 primary teacher posts remained unadvertised, though appointments have []
Nagaland teachers agitation enters second day
KOHIMA, Sept 9: The indefinite stir of the Nagaland RMSA-2016 Teachers Association (NRMSATA-2016) entered the second day on Tuesday as the agitators continued their sit-in demanding that the government resolve their pending service-related issues. The agitation, which began on Monday, has seen the participation of a large number of teachers from 133 government schools across []
Nagaland RMSA-2016 teachers launch protest demanding equal pay for equal work
KOHIMA, Sept 8: Over 350 teachers under the banner of the Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSATA)-2016 on Monday launched an indefinite sit-in outside the Directorate of School Education in Kohima, urging the state government to resolve their demands without delay. NRMSATA-2016 spokesperson Renbemo L. Patton said the agitation was triggered by the state governments alleged []
Smuggled foreign-origin cigarettes seized in Nagaland
KOHIMA, Sept 6: In a significant breakthrough against illegal trade, smuggled foreign-origin cigarettes valued at Rs 1.29 crore were seized in Nagalands Peren district, officials said on Saturday. A team of the Assam Rifles and the Nagaland Police intercepted a truck carrying a large consignment of foreign-origin cigarettes illegally in the Tening area on Friday, []
Nagalands ruling NDPP to discuss proposal for merger with NPF
KOHIMA, Sept 5: Nagalands ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Friday said it will soon deliberate on a proposal for a possible merger with the Naga Peoples Front (NPF). In a statement issued by NDPPs media and communication committee, the party, however, clarified that no decision has been taken yet, and dismissed reports suggesting []
Nagaland assembly passes bills on state finance commission, flood plain zoning
KOHIMA, Sept 4: The Nagaland assembly on Thursday passed two bills pertaining to the state finance commission and zoning of flood plains of rivers. The Nagaland State Finance Commission Bill, 2025 and The Nagaland Flood Plain Zoning Bill, 2025 were introduced by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the finance portfolio, on the first []
Safe on paper but unsafe in life: What NARI 2025 reveals about Indias cities
The NARI 2025 report, covering 12,770 women across 31 cities, paints a mixed picture of safety in urban India. While Mumbai, Kohima and Visakhapatnam rank among the safest, cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Patna fall at the bottom. Six in ten women reported feeling safe, but 40 per cent admitted they do not. Harassment remains underreported, trust in authorities is low, and night-time mobility is fraught with fear. The findings stress that safety goes beyond crime numbers and touches every part of womens lives.
4 NE cities among 7 safest for women in India; Ranchi, Srinagar get lowest scores: NARI survey
A recent survey across 31 major Indian cities reveals significant disparities in women's safety. Kohima, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar lead as the safest, while Ranchi and Srinagar lag behind. The 'NARI 2025' index highlights that a considerable percentage of women feel unsafe, particularly at night, with harassment prevalent in neighborhoods and transport, and a majority of incidents going unreported.
Womens Safety Report : Fear runs deeper than nos
NEW DELHI: The NARI 2025 National Annual Report and Index on Womens Safety, released by the National Commission for Women, offers the telling reality of the urban safety landscape. The survey covered 12,770 women across 31 cities and yielded a national safety score of 65%, which implies that four in 10 women (40%) consider themselves unsafe despite government assurances. Around 60% of women reported feeling safe, while 40% admitted they felt not-so-safe or outright unsafe. The anxieties deepen among younger women: while public harassment was reported by 7% of all respondents in 2024, the figure rose to 14% for those under 24, indicating that students and young professionals are disproportionately targeted in educational and recreational spaces. The report shows low levels of faith in redressal mechanism. Only one in three victims of harassment filed a formal complaint, and confidence in the system is strikingly weak: 75% of women said they did not believe authorities would resolve their complaints. Even when incidents are reported, only 22% are formally registered, and action is taken in a mere 16% of those cases, highlighting a pervasive cycle of silence. Harassment hotspots reveal vulnerabilities, with 38% of cases occurring within neighbourhoods and 29% in public transport systems. Workplace safety presents a paradoxical picture. A large majority91%described their office environment as safe, but nearly half of the respondents admitted they were unaware whether their organisation had implemented the mandated Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) mechanism. Among those who were aware, most found it effective, suggesting that awareness is as critical as legislation itself. The report stresses that womens safety cannot be reduced to physical protection alone but must include psychological, financial, and digital security that collectively shape womens access to mobility, opportunity, and dignity. It frames safety as a developmental issue rather than a law-and-order question. The sense of safety also varies with time and place. Women reported relative comfort in offices and campuses during the day, but confidence collapsed after dark, where poor street lighting and unreliable public transport left them exposed. City-level disparities are equally stark: Kohima, Visakhapatnam, and Bhubaneswar topped the index, followed closely by Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, and Mumbai, where women expressed relatively higher perceptions of safety. In contrast, Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar, and Ranchi occupied the bottom ranks. Ranchi recorded 44% feeling unsafe, while in Delhi and Faridabad the figure was around 42%. The numbers show a fractured urban landscape where geography shapes womens fears as much as governance.
Mumbai, Kohima Safest For Women; Patna, Jaipur, Delhi Least Safe: Report
Kohima, Bhubaneswar, and Mumbai have emerged as the safest cities in the country for women, while Kolkata, Srinagar and Ranchi were ranked the lowest, according to the National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety 2025.'
Mumbai, Kohima safest for women; Patna, Jaipur, Delhi least safe: NARI report
The nationwide index released based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities, placed the national safety score at 65%, categorising cities as much above, above, below or much below this benchmark
NEW DELHI: Kohima, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar and Mumbai have emerged as the safest cities in the country for women, while Patna, Jaipur, Faridabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Srinagar and Ranchi were ranked the lowest, according to the National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025. The nationwide index released on Thursday, based on a survey of 12,770 women across 31 cities, placed the national safety score at 65 per cent, categorising cities as much above, above, at, elow or much below this benchmark. Kohima and other top-ranked cities were associated with stronger gender equity, civic participation, policing and women-friendly infrastructure. At the other end of the spectrum, cities like Patna and Jaipur fared poorly due to weak institutional responsiveness, patriarchal norms and gaps in urban infrastructure. Kohima, Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Gangtok, Itanagar, Mumbai lead national safety rankings, often correlating with higher gender equity, infrastructure, policing, or civic participation while Ranchi, Srinagar, Kolkata, Delhi, Faridabad, Patna, and Jaipur scored lowest, correlating with poorer infrastructure, patriarchal norms, or weaker institutional responsiveness, the report said. Overall, six in ten women surveyed felt safe in their city, but 40 per cent still considered themselves ot so safe or unsafe. The study revealed sharp drops in perceptions of safety at night, particularly in public transport and recreational spaces. Educational institutions (86 per cent safe) especially in daylight, but safety perceptions fall sharply at night or off-campus. About 91 per cent of women reported safety, yet about half were unclear if their workplace had a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy; those with such policies generally rated them as effective. Only one-fourth of women said they trusted authorities to act effectively on safety complaints. While 69 per cent said current safety efforts were somewhat adequate, over 30 per cent noted significant gaps or failures; only 65 per cent perceived real improvement over the years 2023-2024. Seven per cent of women said they experienced harassment in public spaces in 2024, with the figure doubling to 14 per cent among those under 24. Neighbourhoods (38 per cent) and public transport (29 per cent) were most often flagged as harassment hotspots. Yet, only one in three victims came forward to report the incidents. The report stressed that official crime data alone cannot reflect women's lived reality. Two out of three women do not report harassment, meaning NCRB misses the bulk of incidents, the study said, calling for integration of crime data with perception-based surveys like NARI. Launching the report, National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said safety cannot be seen merely as a law-and-order issue but as one that affects every aspect of a woman's life whether it is her education, health, work opportunities and freedom of movement. She added that when women feel unsafe, hey limit themselves, and women limiting themselves is not only for their own development, but also for the development of the country. She emphasised that a safe environment was crucial for building a developed and inclusive India, pointing to four dimensions of women's security of physical, psychological, financial and digital nature. It is our responsibility to protect women not just from crimes on the streets but also from cybercrimes, economic discrimination and mental harassment, Rahatkar noted. Highlighting positive measures, she praised the growing presence of women police officers and female drivers in public transport as effective confidence-building steps. In many Union Territories, 33 per cent of police personnel are now women, and this has made a decisive difference in building trust, she said. She also lauded initiatives such as women's helplines, CCTV coverage in smart cities, and improved safety networks at railway stations and bus depots. At the same time, Rahatkar urged society at large to share responsibility. We often blame the system, but we must also ask what we have done. Whether it is using helplines, supporting awareness drives, or simply keeping public toilets clean, society's role is equally important, she said. The NARI index has been conceived by The NorthCap University and Jindal Global Law School and is published by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA).
Ajay Kumar Bhalla sworn in as Nagaland Governor; vows to uphold legacy of late La Ganesan
GUWAHATI: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla was on Monday sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Nagaland. He was administered the oath of office by Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar at the Raj Bhawan in Kohima. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and ministers were among dignitaries present. Bhalla was given the additional charge of Nagaland following the demise of incumbent Governor La Ganesan . Addressing the people of the state, Bhalla said he had assumed the office of the Governor with a profound sense of duty and immense humility. I am deeply mindful of the trust reposed on me by our countrys leadership led by the President of India and the Prime Minister. This appointment is not merely an opportunity to serve, but a sacred responsibility bestowed upon me to work for the welfare of the people of Nagaland and for the progress of our great nation, he stated. Stating that the sudden demise of Ganesan has left a void that is deeply felt across the state and the country, Bhalla said Ganesan was a peoples Governor who demystified the Raj Bhavan, throwing its doors open to the common citizen, and served with a rare blend of dedication, selflessness and empathy. He has set a benchmark of public service that I can only aspire to follow. While his are very big shoes to fill, I assure that I will strive to uphold the highest traditions of this honoured position and to live up to the expectations of the people, the Governor said. He said Nagaland, with its rich cultural diversity, scenic beauty and resilience of the people, has always fascinated him. As we look to the future, we must build on the foundations laid by those before us. Nagaland is brimming with immense potential. The entrepreneurial spirit of our youth, the unique traditions of organic farming and horticulture, the untapped possibilities in tourism, and the rich heritage of art and crafts present a formidable opportunity for sustainable and inclusive growth, he said.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla To Be Sworn In As Nagaland Governor On Aug 25
Kohima, Aug 22: Ajay Kumar Bhalla will be sworn in as the new governor of Nagaland on Monday, an official said. Bhalla the governor of Manipur has been given additional charge of Nagaland following the death of La Ganesan on August 15 at a Chennai hospital, the official said. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, on Monday, according to an official invitation. Welcoming Bhalla on behalf of the people of Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said [] The post Ajay Kumar Bhalla To Be Sworn In As Nagaland Governor On Aug 25 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Bomb scare in city leads to seizure of cannabis
By Our Reporter SHILLONG, July 18: An abandoned bag at Polo Market on Friday afternoon caused panic among the public. The police cordoned off the area after a black bag was found abandoned at Polo Market at around 2 pm. A man identified as Nijimu Fithu (24), resident of Kenuozou Colony, Kohima Sadar, Nagaland, arrived [] The post Bomb scare in city leads to seizure of cannabis appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Abandoned bag found in Polo Bazar contains ganja
Shillong, July 18: A black bag found abandoned at Polo Bazar on Friday at around 2 pm. Shortly after its discovery, a man identified as Nijimu Fithu (24), a resident of Kenuozou Colony, Kohima Sadar, Nagaland arrived at the scene and claimed ownership of the bag. Despite his claim, the Bomb Disposal Team followed standard [] The post Abandoned bag found in Polo Bazar contains ganja appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Nagaland tribes demand review, reallocation of job quotas
Organizations protested in Kohima, Nagaland, urging a review of the state's job reservation policy, which has been in place since 1977. The 5-Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy demanded either the policy's abolishment or the reallocation of unfilled reserved positions to the Ao, Angami, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi tribes.
Three dead, flight operation suspended as heavy rain wreaks havoc across Nagaland
JULY: Three people died, flight operations were suspended and vehicular movement was disrupted on National Highway 29 as incessant rain for the past few days caused flooding across Nagaland, officials said on Monday. Three persons, including a woman, were electrocuted to death in their homes in Dimapur, where floodwaters entered residential areas, while people were seen wading through chest-deep water, they said. The tragic incidents occurred over the weekend in Burma Camp and Kuda Village, the officials said. Flight operations at Dimapur Airport were completely suspended on Sunday after heavy rain inundated the runway and parking areas, an Airport Authority of India official said here. Multiple flights, including those of IndiGo and Air India Express, were cancelled, and passengers were advised to seek updates directly from airlines, he said. The crucial National Highway 29, connecting Dimapur with Kohima, also bore the brunt of the deluge. Landslides triggered by heavy rain have blocked sections of the four-lane highway, severely affecting vehicular movement and posing risks to commuters, the officials said. Dimapur, Kohima and Niuland were the most affected districts with reports of submerged bridges, extensive damage to homes, fisheries, and paddy fields, raising fears of food insecurity, they said. In Niuland district, as many as 70 villages have been affected by the deluge. Floodwaters rose as high as three feet in Half-Nagarjan in Dimapur, forcing residents to use boats and even swim. The district authorities said 52 people were rescued from severely inundated areas as part of ongoing evacuation operations. No fresh rainfall since last night has allowed water levels to gradually recede. However, officials remain on alert as more rain is expected in the coming days, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Dr Tinojongshi Chang told PTI. The DC also stated that the local administration and the District Disaster Management Authority will hold a coordination meeting during the day to assess the situation as the IMD has forecast heavy rain for the week. As monsoon rain continues to batter the region, state authorities and disaster management agencies are on high alert, with citizens urged to avoid flood-prone zones and remain vigilant.
NPP can become voice of NE region: Conrad
Kohima, June 28: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma asserted that his party NPP can become the voice the Northeast has waited for if party workers remain rooted, practical and connected. He lamented that the region has long lacked a unified political voice and is often underrepresented in national decision-making. The National Peoples Party (NPP) president [] The post NPP can become voice of NE region: Conrad appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Next Stop Aizawl, Kohima: Railways Shifts Focus To Northeast After Linking Srinagar & Rameswaram
The last time a north-eastern capital received railway connectivity was in 2016, when trains reached Tripuras Agartala through Broad Gauge
Trinity College London honours local teachers
SHILLONG, June 3: In a vibrant celebration of educational innovation, Trinity College London on Tuesday felicitated dedicated local teachers for their pivotal role in nurturing music, performance, communication and 21st-century skills among young learners. The felicitation events, held in Dimapur, Kohima, Guwahati, and culminating in Shillong at the Taj Vivanta, underscored a shared commitment to [] The post Trinity College London honours local teachers appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Torrential rains trigger fatal landslides, chaos across Northeast
GUWAHATI: Torrential monsoon rains wreaked havoc across parts of the Northeast on Friday, claiming two lives and prompting multiple state governments to issue advisories, close educational institutions and activate emergency protocols. A retaining wall collapsed in the Thuampui locality of Mizorams capital Aizawl on Friday morning, killing one person and injuring another. The injured individual was admitted to a hospital. Locals said the rains disrupted vehicular traffic in the area. Mizoram has been experiencing continuous downpours over the past few days, forcing the state government to announce a temporary closure of all educational institutes. They remained shut on Thursday and Friday. In neighbouring Nagaland, a 25-year-old truck driver from Assam was killed when a rock fell on his vehicle on the Dimapur-Kohima road on Friday morning. In Assam, several localities in Guwahati were inundated, bringing normal life to a standstill. With the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the region on Friday and Saturday, several states issued precautionary advisories for the public. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) warned that continued rainfall could worsen waterlogging and increase the risk of tree falls and landslides in vulnerable areas. The city authorities are closely monitoring the situation and emergency response systems are being kept on alert. In view of the situation, ASDMA requests all the people of the state, especially Guwahati city dwellers, to take all necessary precautions and remain vigilant, the ASDMA said in its advisory. It urged commuters and long-distance travellers to avoid unnecessary movement during periods of intense rainfall. Residents living in low-lying and hillside areas were advised to stay alert for any signs of flooding or landslides. In a similar advisory, the Manipur government urged citizens to stay informed and keep updated with the latest weather forecasts and warnings issued by local, state, and national authorities. It further asked people to ignore rumours and remain calm. Reinforce old doors and windows and secure loose objects in your houses. Prepare an emergency kit with essential items such as non-perishable foods, water, torch lights, first aid supplies, medicines for safety and survival. Stay away from flood and landslide-prone areas, rivers, and streams, the advisory read.
Earliest monsoon onset in Maharashtra in 35 years
The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra on Sunday, making it the earliest onset of the annual rainfall season over the state in 35 years, according to the India Meteorological Department. The monsoon is expected to advance to Mumbai and some other parts over the next three days. The monsoon advanced into some more parts of the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, entire Goa, parts of Maharashtra, north Bay of Bengal, and parts of Mizoram, parts of Manipur and Nagaland on Sunday. The northern limit of monsoon passes through Devgad, Belagavi, Haveri, Mandya, Dharmapuri, Chennai, Aizawl and Kohima. Conditions are favorable for further advance into some more parts of central Arabian Sea, more parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Karnataka including Bengaluru, some parts of Andhra Pradesh, remaining parts of Tamil Nadu, more parts of west-central and North Bay of Bengal and some more parts of North Eastern states during next three days. The southwest monsoon hit Kerala on Saturday, marking its earliest arrival over the Indian mainland since 2009.
