Bangla Sahitya Sabhas 2nd convention in Silchar from today

House, storage facility gutted in Silchar fire

Massive fire engulfs wedding hall warehouse in Silchar

HT Digital GUWAHATI, Jan 16: A devastating fire broke out on Thursday morning at Sadarghat in Silchar, completely engulfing the warehouse of Milan Mandir, a prominent luxury wedding hall, as reported in a news bulletin. The incident caused extensive damage, estimated at several lakhs of rupees, and left the structure reduced to ashes. The blaze, []

Five held with contraband worth more than Rs 3 crore in Assam

Guwahati: Five suspected peddlers have been arrested and contraband worth over Rs 3 crore seized in separate operations in Assam's Cachar district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. One operation was conducted at Silchar Bypass and the other at Sonai, he said. Carrying forward our anti-narcotics ops, @cacharpolice carried out 2 operations, Sarma posted on X. During the operation at Silchar Bypass, two persons were arrested with 88 grams of heroin worth Rs 60 lakh, he said. In the other operation in Sonai, three persons were held and 9,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 3 crore recovered from them. Yaba tablets are illegal in India, a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

Guwahati Diary| Assam 4th in NY Times must-visit places

Assam 4th in NY Times must visit places The state has been ranked 4th on The New York Times list of 52 Places to Visit in 2025. The New York Times report cited Assams attractions Charaideo Moidams, Kaziranga National Park, Rang Ghar, tea gardens etc. The one-horned rhino fame Kaziranga National Park and Charaideo Moidams have already made it to UNESCO World Heritage list. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X, Visiting #AwesomeAssam wont just bring you closer to nature, it will bring you closer to your inner self. Still undecided on your visit to Assam? Check @nytimes list of 52 Places to Go and pack your bags ASAP!. Kaziranga marks Poris bday with celebration The first birthday of Pori, the youngest member of Kazirangas family of elephants, was celebrated in a grand manner recently. The day began with a general health checkup of the elephants by a team of vets, followed by a special treat of seasonal fruits banana, sugarcane, oranges and apples. Kaziranga has 65 departmental elephants and 39 private elephants. The private elephants are engaged in tourism at the national park. Pori was a bit shy and largely stood close to her watchful mother Bhadoi. Her playmate Gadapani, a 2-year-old male elephant calf, was all playful and curious about the fruit treats. The visitors enjoyed the celebration, an official statement said. Public help sought to mitigate pothole menace The Assam government wants to deal with the problem of potholes with cooperation from public. CM Sarma said the problem could be mitigated through an app with public support. He wants officials to develop an app so people can draw the governments attention to potholes for quick solution. If you come across a pothole, you can take a photo and upload it on the app. The public works department will attend to it, Sarma said. He said he asked his officers to develop the app, adding initially, it will be for Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Silchar. Prasanta mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com

Assam mining tragedy: Rescue operations on for 4th day, CIL brings heavy-duty pump from Maharashtra

UMRANGSO: Rescue operations by multiple state and central agencies continued for the fourth day on Thursday to locate trapped miners inside an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Dima Hasao district of Assam, officials said. The search operations resumed early in the morning after the dewatering exercise all night and the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) has gone inside the flooded shaft, a senior official of Assam Police told PTI. So far, nothing has been detected by the ROV. It is trying very hard to locate the trapped miner despite the extremely hostile and difficult situation. The water inside is totally blackened and it is creating problems in finding anything, he added. Additionally, four deep divers from the Navy also went inside the flooded shaft to find the trapped miners, the official said. A united effort is being made by the Navy, Army, NDRF, SDRF, ONGC, Coal India and district administration to trace the workers trapped inside. The labourers were on Monday trapped inside the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry in Umrangso area, around 250 km from Guwahati, after a sudden gush of water flooded the site. According to employees of the quarry, there were around 15 workers inside the illegal mine when water breached one of the walls and flooded the entire shaft and tunnels. We were told by the miners that nine were missing and the rest escaped the tragedy. Out of them, one body was retrieved yesterday, the official said. He said that Coal India has flown in a heavy pressure pump with a capacity of 500 gallons per minute from Maharashtra and it has reached Silchar airport in neighbouring Cachar district. One Mi-17 chopper will transport the pump parts in 2-3 sorties and then it will be assembled here at the site. Already 5-6 pumps are working, but heavy siltation in water is creating problems for the pumps. We now need heavy submersible pumps and it is being arranged, the official said. He confirmed that it was a complete rat-hole mine, which is totally illegal after a ban by the authorities concerned. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned rat-hole mining in 2014. However, coal is still extracted by this dangerous method in the Northeast. The shaft itself is 310 feet deep. Multiple channels were carved out through rat-hole technique from the shaft. We assume that a wall of one of the channels was breached and the entire shaft was flooded, an expert monitoring the rescue operations told PTI. There is also a possibility that one of the channels reached an unused nearby mine that was already flooded. Another possibility is one channel might have reached an underground reservoir and water gushed in suddenly. All these are probable theories, which we cannot confirm at this moment, the expert added. The body of one of the nine missing workers was recovered by Army divers on Wednesday. They located the body, identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Udaypur district of Nepal, 85 feet below the surface.

Manipur: Sit-in protest over poor road conditions of Imphal-Silchar highway

Imphal: A large number of protestors staged a sit-in in the middle of the National Highway 37 at Sagolband, a critical link between south Assam and Manipur. The NH 37 is in a state of disrepair in various portions, including the Imphal West district, causing congestion, accidents, and breakdowns. The Meira Paibis the womens [] The post Manipur: Sit-in protest over poor road conditions of Imphal-Silchar highway appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Eight held for Gangrape at Guwahati Temple during Raas Mahotsav

Silchar: Police have arrested eight individuals in connection with the alleged gangrape of a girl at a Durga temple in Guwahati during the Raas Mahotsav on November 17. The victim remains unidentified, and authorities are intensifying efforts to locate her, said Padmanabh Baruah, DCP, Guwahati West. The perpetrators, aged 18 to 23, reportedly filmed the assault and shared it on social media, with the video surfacing three weeks later. The arrested include Robin Das, Kuldeep Nath (23), Bijoy Rabha (22), Pinku Das (18), Gagan Das (21), Saurav Boro (20), Mrinal Rabha (19), and Dipankar Mukhiya (21). Police continue searching for the ninth suspect. The arrests began after Dharmendra Kalita, officer-in-charge of Gorchuk Police Station, received the video via WhatsApp early Friday. Raids in areas like Boragaon, Noonmati, and Jalukbari led to the detention of the suspects. During interrogation, the accused admitted to gangraping the girl while intoxicated and recording the act. Locals have criticised authorities for neglecting reports of substance abuse near the temple, claiming stricter action could have prevented the incident. Police have urged the public to avoid sharing the video, warning of legal consequences for forwarding it.

Hotels in Assam's Barak Valley not to host Bangladesh nationals till attacks on Hindus stop

GUWAHATI: Hotels in Barak Valley of Assam have announced they would not host any Bangladesh national till attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country stop. Barak Valley, which comprises three districts of Cachar, Sribhumi (formerly Karimganj) and Hailakandi, shares a 129-km-long border with Bangladesh's Sylhet region. The situation of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh is concerning. We cannot accept this in any way. We have, therefore, decided to stop hosting any national from that country in all the three districts of Barak Valley until the situation improves and atrocities on the Hindus stop. This is our form of protest, Barak Valley Hotel and Restaurant Association president Babul Rai told reporters on Friday. The people of Bangladesh must ensure that stability returns to the country. Only if the situation improves, we can reconsider our decision, Rai added. A few days ago, Bajrang Dal had asked organisers of an ongoing global expo in Silchar to close down two stalls selling Bangladeshi products as a protest against atrocities on Hindus in the neighbouring country. Their demand was accepted. Bajrang Dal protestors had also gone to the Bangladesh Visa Centre in Silchar and demanded that the name 'Bangladesh' be removed from the signboard. There have been widespread protests in all the three districts of Barak Valley against the alleged atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh and arrest of Hindu monk Chinmaya Krishna Das.

Yaba tablets worth Rs 36 crore seized, 1 arrested in Assam

Guwahati: Yaba tablets worth Rs 36 crore were seized in Assam's Silchar on Monday and one person was arrested, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Acting on credible intelligence, @cacharpolice conducted a special operation in Silchar today, intercepting two vehicles and apprehending an individual, Sarma posted on X. The search led to the recovery of 12 packets containing 1,20,000 Yaba tablets, valued at Rs 36 crore, he said. Kudos to @assampolice for their relentless dedication to the #AssamAgainstDrugs campaign! the CM added. Yaba tablets are illegal in India as they contain methamphetamine, a Schedule II substance under the Controlled Substances Act.

BJP can win many minority seats if campaigns aggressive: Himanta

Guwahati: Claiming that BJP got 30,000-40,000 votes in every minority seat during the last Lok Sabha polls in Assam due to beneficiary schemes, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the ruling party will be able to win many constituencies if it campaigns aggressively in those places. In an interaction with media after visiting a bridge construction site here, Sarma said that BJP has not been able to win seats from minority dominated areas because it has not sought votes aggressively. We did not approach them very aggressively and did not get votes. If we decide to seek votes aggressively (in minority areas), I believe we will be able to win a lot of constituencies, he said. The chief minister stressed that analysis of the Lok Sabha election earlier this year showed that BJP received 30,000-40,000 votes in every minority constituency. Even where there are 100 per cent minority voters, we got a similar number of votes which we did not get earlier, he added. Sarma credited the reason for receiving such a considerable number of votes to beneficiary schemes such as 'Orunodoi', a cash transfer scheme to empower women of poor families, and 'Nijut Moina' under which financial assistance is provided to female students. Now, we will give Rs 10,000 to each women Self Help Groups (SHGs). Around 30 lakh women are associated with SHGs, including seven lakh minority women. The minority community people are also benefitted from the schemes initiated by the Assam government, he added. At the same time, the BJP or NDA government in Assam will not indulge in appeasement, Sarma asserted. That is why people are evicted also from encroached VGR (village grazing reserve), PGR (professional grazing reserve). Assamese people were evicted from Silsako (in Guwahati) because we have been following a uniform policy. We have evicted people from Kaziranga to clear encroachment too, he added. The CM, however, said the government will continue to carry out developmental works for all people like building hospitals, providing ambulance services and distributing schemes equally. We have not neglected anyone in this aspect. That is why we have an equal number of beneficiaries in both majority and minority areas, he added. In the recently held bypoll for assembly, BJP snatched the Muslim-dominated Samaguri seat, which was being represented by Congress for five consecutive terms. The Assam CM had earlier repeatedly said the BJP would not need the votes of 'Miya' people of Char areas (riverine vegetative islands) for the next 10 years till they reform themselves by shunning old practices like child marriage. Softening his stand prior to Lok Sabha elections, Sarma in February this year said that he would not seek 'Miya' votes for the next two years as lots of welfare works like a drive against child marriage and encroachment need to be completed before that. In March during an election campaign meeting, he further diluted his stand and exuded confidence that girls, women and youths from the 'Miya' community would vote for the BJP due to the good work done to uplift these sections of the minority population. When asked about cabinet reshuffle, Sarma said, We have to induct one minister from the Barak valley. When we will take up the matter, one or two more names may crop up. However, we urgently need to have one minister from Barak valley. Lok Sabha MP from Silchar Parimal Suklabaidya was the only minister in Sarma's cabinet from Barak valley, prior to his election to parliament. He was the Excise, Transport and Fisheries Minister. Once I visit Delhi, the picture will be clear whether only one new face will be included in the cabinet or a reshuffle should take place. The local leaders in Assam are of the view that we should wrap up the matter by inducting one minister and stop the rumour in the election year, Sarma said. Giving an update about the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge over Brahmaputra, the CM said the work is progressing well and the government plans to dedicate it to the people after July 2025. The bridge will be free to use for all categories of vehicles, except trucks and commercial buses, he added. The construction work of the Rs 2,608-crore six-lane road bridge over Brahmaputra began in March 2020. The project was estimated to be completed within four years. The foundation stone of this bridge in Guwahati was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019. Sarma also said PM Modi during his proposed visit in February next year is likely to lay the foundation stone for a ring road surrounding the state capital and another bridge over Brahmaputra connecting Narengi with Kuruwa.

Autopsy reports of 3 more victims of Jiribam killings show multiple bullet wounds, brutal injuries

Imphal :The autopsy reports of the remaining three victims of the Jiribam killings showed brutal injuries, multiple bullet wounds and severe trauma, officials said on Wednesday. The post-mortem reports of two women and a child were released earlier. Three women and three children were abducted from Borobekra area in Jiribam district of Manipur by suspected Kuki militants after a gunfight with security forces on November 17. Their bodies were found in Jiri river in Jiribam district, and the nearby Barak river in Assam's Cachar over the next few days. Laishram Lamnganba, a 10-month-old infant, suffered a bullet injury to the left knee joint and had both eyeballs missing, officials said, quoting the report of the post-mortem examination conducted at the Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam's Cachar district. The report said there were multiple lacerations including wounds over the front chest wall, blunt weapon injury over the right lower jaw to the chin and back of the head, hard blunt trauma over the right shoulder fracturing the head of the humerus and wound on the left loin. His body was brought at Silchar Medical College and Hospital on November 17 and approximate time of death was 3 to 5 days before that, as per the report. Lamnganba's aunt, 31-year-old Telem Thoibi, sustained three gunshot wounds to the chest and one to the abdomen. Her skull was crushed with a blunt object, causing severe fractures and loss of brain matter. Her eyes were dislodged out of the socket and left and right forearm were severely damaged by blunt trauma, the officials said quoting the report, adding vaginal smear showed absence of spermatozoa. Thoibi's eight-year-old daughter, Telem Thajamanbi Devi, also died from a fatal bullet wound. Vaginal swaps were collected and showed negative for spermatozoa, the officials said. Her body was brought to SMCH on November 17 and approximate time of death was 3 to 5 days before it. Opinions regarding cause of death is kept pending till receipt of chemical analysis report of visceras from Directorate of Forensic Sciences in Guwahati. The autopsy reports also included details of two elderly men killed during the attack on November 11 by suspected Kuki militants. Their bodies were found in a charred state on November 12. Maibam Kesho Meitei (72) suffered blunt trauma, burns, and missing body parts, while Laishram Baren Meitei (64) was found severely charred, the reports said. The autopsy reports of the three other persons, including a child and two women, revealed multiple bullet injuries and lacerations on various parts of their bodies, officials had said on Sunday. The report of three-year-old Chingkheinganba Singh showed that his right eye was missing and he had a bullet wound in the skull, they said. The report also detailed the injuries sustained by his mother, L Heitonbi Devi (25), who had hree bullet wounds in the chest and one in the buttock, officials said. The child's grandmother, Y Rani Devi (60), suffered five bullet wounds -- one in the skull, two in the chest, one in the abdomen, and one in an arm, officials said. The six persons belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants that resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11. More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.

Manipur violence: Autopsy of kidnapped infant reveals multiple gunshot wounds, missing eyeball

Chilling details have emerged from the autopsy report of six members of a family whose bodies were recovered from the Barak river in Manipurs Jiribam district, revealing horrifying injuries, including missing eyeballs and multiple gunshot wounds. The victims, identified as members of a Meitei family, were allegedly kidnapped and killed by Kuki-Zo militants. Among them was a 10-month-old boy, Laishram Lamnganba, whose body was found in a state of thawing with both eyeballs missing, a chopping wound, and dislocation of the head, according to the autopsy conducted at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The infant's body, dressed in a T-shirt and vest, was reportedly decomposed when it arrived at the mortuary on November 17. An eight-year-old girl, Telen Thajanganbi, sustained multiple bullet wounds, including severe abdominal injuries, the report stated. Another victim, a 31-year-old woman named Telem Thoibi, suffered crushing injuries to her scalp, fractured skull bones, and missing cranial membranes, in addition to gunshot wounds. The autopsy details of the woman, girl, and infant were disclosed on Wednesday, days after the reports for three other family members were released. Two days back, the autopsy reports revealed that the bodies of Chingkhei Nganba Singh (3), his mother Laishram Heitombi Devi (25), and his grandmother Yurembam Rani Devi (60) bore multiple penetrating and lacerated injuries. The report of Chingkheinganba Singh showed that his right eye was missing, and he had a bullet wound in the skull.

NIA launches probe into three recent cases of violence in Manipur

NEW DELHI: With approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has re-registered three FIRs related to recent incidents of violence and initiated an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice, officials said on Tuesday. The MHAs decision to transfer the cases to the NIA was taken in light of the gravity of the offences and escalating violence in the strife-torn region. The move aims to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the brutal attacks, officials added. The anti-terror probe agency re-registered the cases on November 13. The first case pertains to a November 11 incident originally registered at Borobekra Police Station. Unidentified militants attacked the area, setting several houses ablaze and killing two civilians. The militants later abducted and murdered six individuals, including three women and three children. A group of unknown armed militants fired at Borobekra Police Station, along with houses and shops in Jakuradhor Karong, and set them on fire, a senior NIA official said. The police and CRPF personnel retaliated, leading to a heavy exchange of fire. During subsequent search operations, two bodies were recovered from the burnt houses. The NIA has re-registered the case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Arms Act, 1959. Manipur violence: Autopsy reports reveal disturbing details of family kidnapped and killed The second case involves an attack on November 11, where armed militants targeted a CRPF post near Jakuradhor Karong and Borobekra police stations in Jiribam. A CRPF constable sustained bullet injuries and was evacuated to Silchar for treatment. Following a search operation, security forces recovered the bodies of unidentified militants along with arms and ammunition in the vicinity of the attack. The third case concerns the horrific murder of a 31-year-old woman, Zosangkim, on November 7. Armed militants allegedly raped and burnt her alive at her residence in Jiribam. The victim, the mother of three, was the wife of Ngurthansang from Jairolpokpi (Zairawn). NIA teams visited the crime scenes on November 21 and 22 to gather evidence and begin their investigation. The process of transferring case documents from local police to the NIA is currently underway, officials said. 'Writing on wall, but is HM Shah reading it?': Congress' dig over MLAs 'skipping' NDA meet in Manipur

Manipur killings: Autopsy reports reveal disturbing details

GUWAHATI: Autopsy reports of two women and a child from Manipur's Jiribam district, who were allegedly killed by 'Kuki militants' after being abducted, have revealed chilling details. Six persons, three women and three children were reported missing following the November 11 gunfight in the Borobekra subdivision of Jiribam, during which CRPF and police personnel gunned down 10 armed militants. The bodies of the six missing persons were recovered on three separate days from areas near the Manipur-Assam border and sent to Assam's Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination. Autopsy reports revealed that the bodies of Chingkhei Nganba Singh (3), his mother Laishram Heitombi Devi (25), and his grandmother Yurembam Rani Devi (60) bore multiple penetrating and lacerated injuries. According to the childs autopsy, he had a bullet wound to the skull. Lacerated injury, 4cm X 3cm, muscle deep, present over the right anterior chest wall the report noted, indicating stab wounds. The bodies of his mother and grandmother had four and five bullet wounds, respectively. The autopsy reports for the other three victims are still awaited. Explainer | Why Manipur is back on the edge The killings of the six, all from the Meitei community, triggered widespread protests across the Imphal Valley. Irate mobs set fire to, vandalised, and looted the homes of more than a dozen ministers and MLAs. Protestors expressed their anger at the lawmakers, accusing them of failing to curb the escalating violence. In response, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assured that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice. At a recent meeting, NDA MLAs adopted a resolution urging the central government to declare the Kuki militants responsible for the killings as an unlawful organisation. In connection with the attacks on legislators' homes, police have arrested seven more individuals, bringing the total number of arrests over the past few days to 39. Meanwhile, all educational institutions in the state are set to reopen on Monday. Normal classes will resume for all schools in the state government, government-aided, private, and central schoolson November 25, a government order said. 'Writing on wall, but is HM Shah reading it?': Congress' dig over MLAs 'skipping' NDA meet in Manipur

Manipur: Last rites of 9 victims amid tight security

GUWAHATI: The last rites of nine Meiteis, including three women and an equal number of children killed in three separate incidents in Jiribam district of Manipur recently, were performed on Friday after the bodies were brought from Assams Silchar Medical College and Hospital. Escorted by cops, two trucks carried the bodies to Jiribam. Sources said that family members and village representatives of the deceased had gone to collect the bodies. Later, the last rites were performed in the presence of grieving family members, relatives and locals. The three women and the children, including an eight-month-old, were reported missing after November 11 gunfight in Jiribam in which security forces killed 10 militants. Kuki-Zo organisations claimed they were village volunteers. The bodies of the six women and children were recovered from Assam-Manipur border and taken to Silchar hospital for post-mortem. Their killings had triggered widespread protests in Imphal valley. Irate mobs had attacked houses of ministers and MLAs for failing to check violence and protect the lives of people.

Bodies of nine Meiteis killed in Manipur's Jiribam brought from Assam hospital; last rites performed

GUWAHATI: The last rites of nine Meiteis, including three women and three children killed in three different incidents in the Jiribam district of Manipur recently, were performed on Friday after the bodies were brought from Assams Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH). Escorted by the police, two trucks carried the bodies to Jiribam. Official sources said family members and village representatives of the deceased had gone to collect the bodies. Later, the last rites were performed in the presence of grieving family members, relatives and locals. The three women and the three children, including an eight-month-old, were reported missing after the November 11 gunfight in the Borobekra subdivision of Jiribam in which the personnel of Central Reserve Police Force and the police gunned down 10 armed militants. Kuki-Zo organisations claimed they were village volunteers. The bodies of the six women and children were recovered from three different places near the Assam-Manipur interstate border on three different days and taken to the SMCH for post-mortem examinations. Their killings had triggered widespread protests in the Imphal valley earlier this week with Meitei organisations alleging that the persons were abducted and killed by Kuki militants. Irate mobs had attacked the houses of ministers and MLAs for failing to check the escalating violence and protect the lives of innocent people. Later, Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured that those involved in the killing of the six would be brought to justice. At a meeting convened by him on Monday, the NDA MLAs had adopted a resolution to urge the Centre to declare the Kuki militants responsible for these killings as an unlawful organisation. The three other bodies were of two elderly men and a youngster. The charred bodies of the elderly duo were found a day after the November 11 gunfight. The youngster was killed allegedly in police firing when a mob had gone on the rampage on the streets of Jiribam town last Sunday night and attacked the offices of BJP and Congress. The state government has already ordered a probe into the incident. Meanwhile the ethnic violence in Manipur has claimed 258 lives since May last year, the state government's Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh said on Friday. He said that the state would get around 90 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), over and above the 198 companies that are already in Manipur. The total number of deaths is 258 including militants, Singh while addressing a press conference after holding a security review meeting here. The security advisor said that 32 people were arrested in connection with vandalism and torching of properties of ministers and MLAs while around 3,000 looted weapons have been recovered.

Bodies Of Meitei Infant, 5 Hostages Of Same Family Killed By Kuki Militants In Manipur Brought Home

The bodies of six people from the same family and two senior citizens from the Meitei community who were killed in a terror attack by Kuki militants were brought home today in Manipur's Jiribam from a hospital in neighbouring Assam's Silchar.

Manipur CM blames Congress for crisis after Chidambaram's controversial remarks

GUWAHATI: An X post of Congress leader P Chidambaram created brouhaha in Manipur on Tuesday with Chief Minister N Biren Singh blaming the party for the ongoing crisis in the state. The Congress distanced itself from Chidambarams post, now deleted, calling it his personal remarks. Chidambaram said, Rushing 5,000 MORE central armed police jawans is not the answer to the Manipur crisis. It is more wisdom: acknowledging that Mr Biren Singh, the chief minister, is the cause of the crisis and removing him immediately. He further stated, It is more understanding: that the Meitei, the Kuki-Zo and the Naga can live together in one state only if they have genuine regional autonomy. It is more statesmanship: for the Hon'ble PM to give up his obstinacy, visit Manipur, and speak to the people of Manipur with humility and learn first hand their grievances and aspirations. The chief minister wasted no time in hitting back. He (Chidambaram) is the root cause of the Manipur crisis and the Congress is the creator of what we are seeing in the state today. When he was the Union home minister during the then Congress government and O Ibobi was the chief minister here, they brought a Myanmarese foreigner Thanglianpau Guite, who himself admitted in one of the interviews that he contested an MP election in Myanmar. That person is the chairman of Zomi Revolutionary Army which is banned in Myanmar, Singh said. Showing a photo featuring Chidambaram with Guite, Singh claimed that the Congress never cared for the Northeast and its indigenous people. The present crisis is not an ethnic conflict. It is the problem of illegal migration of people from Myanmar and drug smuggling. They are trying to dominate the indigenous population of Manipur and entire Northeast, Singh said. He alleged Chidambaram as the home minister allowed these foreigners to enter India and sign suspension of operations agreement. Whatever we are seeing in Manipur today is the creation of the Congress. They cannot wash their hands off the crisis, Singh further stated. 'Writing on wall, but is HM Shah reading it?': Congress' dig over MLAs 'skipping' NDA meet in Manipur Congress distances itself The Congress was alarmed by Chidambarams statement that Meiteis, Kuki-Zos and Nagas can live together in one state only if they have genuine regional autonomy. Ibobi said the Congress state leadership contacted party chief Mallikarjun Kharge immediately after reading Chidambarams statement. I told Kharge Ji it could be his (Chidambarams) personal views but this will create a lot of misunderstanding in Manipur. After Kharge Ji spoke to Chidambaram Ji, he deleted the post, the former CM said, adding, I will speak to him (Chidambaram) and tell him to not make such comment on Manipur. Coffin rally Hundreds of Kuki-Zo tribals took out a rally in Churachandpur on Tuesday, carrying empty coffins in solidarity with the 10 village Volunteers killed by the CRPF and the police in a gunfight in Jiribam district on November 11. Kuki-Zo organisation Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum had stated earlier that a decision was made to not perform the last rites till the reports of the post-mortem, conducted in Assams Silchar Medical College and Hospital, are handed over to the families. Forces given free hand, asked to focus on intel-based operations in Manipur

Autopsy Of 5 Bodies Of Missing 6 From Manipur Done, 6th Body Found Floating In Assam

The postmortem examination of five bodies of the six missing people of Manipur's Jiribam district has been completed at a state-run hospital in Assam's Silchar town, officials said on Monday.

Protester killed in firing during clash with security forces in Manipur's Jiribam

IMPHAL: A protester was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties in Manipur's Jiribam district, police said on Monday. Police confirmed that one person was killed in firing but said it was not immediately clear who opened fire, while eyewitnesses claimed the firing came from the direction of the security forces. The incident took place late on Sunday night when agitators were vandalising properties at Babupara in the Jiribam police station area to protest the killing of women and children abducted by militants. One person was killed in firing; it was not immediately clear who opened fire, a police officer said. The deceased has been identified as K Athouba, who was in his twenties, he said. The offices of the Congress and BJP, and a house belonging to Jiribam's Independent MLA were ransacked by a group of agitators. They brought furniture, paper and other things out of the properties and made a bonfire out of them in front of the buildings, officials said. Earlier on Sunday, the body of another man, whose identity was yet to be ascertained, was found near Jiribam town and it was kept in the district hospital. Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in Imphal Valley, where curfew remained enforced and internet services suspended after agitators vandalised and set ablaze properties belonging to several ministers and legislators. Senior police officers deployed in Manipur's Jiribam as search continues for six missing persons Markets and business establishments, barring pharmacies, remained closed, while public transport was off the roads but a few private vehicles were seen on the roads. Security forces have intensified patrolling in parts of Imphal and increased deployment at many of the residences of legislators as well as all major roads leading to the secretariat, state BJP headquarters and Raj Bhavan. The National People's Party (NPP), which has seven MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led government, claiming that the N Biren Singh dispensation has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy in the northeastern state. The withdrawal of support, however, would not have any impact on the BJP government, as the saffron party enjoys a majority with its 32 MLAs. The saffron camp has also the support of five MLAs of the Naga People's Front (NPF) and six JD(U) legislators. Manipur has seen a fresh wave of protests after six people went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam on Monday, following a gunfight between armed men and security forces that resulted in the deaths of 10 Kuki youths. On Sunday, the bodies of two persons, believed to be among the six missing people from Jiribam, were found floating in the Barak River in neighbouring Cachar district of Assam. Two days ago, the bodies of three persons, also from the same group, were found floating in the Jiri River in Jiribam and brought to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations. According to senior police officer officers of Assam, bodies of five missing persons have been found so far. A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley on Sunday, while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of three BJP legislators, one of whom is a senior minister, and a Congress MLA in various districts of Imphal Valley where an indefinite curfew has been clamped. The properties of three other state ministers and six MLAs were attacked earlier on Saturday. Security forces also foiled the attempt of the agitators to storm the ancestral residence of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday evening. Curfew was imposed for an indefinite period in Imphal East and West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts of Imphal Valley due to developing law and order situation, he said. The state administration suspended internet services in seven districts. More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year. The ethnically diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by the clashes in Imphal Valley and the adjoining hills, witnessed violence after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field in June this year. Amit Shah reviews security situation in Manipur amid soaring tension

Slain Kuki-Zo men's funeral delayed over autopsy reports

The funeral of 10 Kuki-Zo youths, who were killed in an alleged gunfight with CRPF, has been delayed pending the release of post-mortem reports. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), representing the Kuki-Zo community, is exploring the possibility of conducting a second autopsy in Churachandpur. The youths' bodies were airlifted to Churachandpur from Assam's Silchar town on Saturday. The incident follows a series of clashes between security forces and militants in the region. The post-mortem examination of the 10 Kuki-Zo youths, who ITLF claimed were village volunteers as against the Manipur government's assertion that they were militants, was conducted at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam. The bodies have been kept in the local hospital morgue for the time being.

MHA orders forces to act as tensions rise after 3 bodies found in Manipur

Tension gripped Manipur and Assam after the discovery of six bodies, including women and children, abducted and killed by suspected insurgents. Protests erupted in Silchar as locals clashed with police attempting to transport the bodies of ten suspected militants killed in an encounter to Churachandpur, demanding their handover in Silchar.

Protesters storm residences of 2 Manipur ministers, 3 MLAs over killing of 6 persons, curfew clamped

IMPHAL: Protesters stormed the residences of two ministers and three MLAs in Manipur's Imphal on Saturday, demanding justice for the murder of six persons in Jiribam district , police said. The mob attacks on legislators' houses prompted the Imphal West administration to impose prohibitory orders in the district for an indefinite period. According to an order issued by Imphal West District Magistrate Th Kirankumar, the curfew was imposed from 4.30 pm on Saturday. A mob stormed the residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan in Lamphel Sanakeithel area, a senior officer said. Lamphel Sanakeithel Development Authority's representative David told reporters, Sapam assured us that the issues related to the killing of three persons will be discussed at a cabinet meeting and that the minister will tender his resignation if the government fails to honour the sentiment of the public. Protesters also stormed the house of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister L Susindro Singh, another senior officer said. Agitators in Sagolband area of Imphal West district gathered in front of the residence of BJP legislator RK Imo, who is also the son-in-law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and raised slogans demanding an appropriate response from the government over the killing of three persons and urging the authorities to arrest the culprits within 24 hours. Protesters, who had come to meet Keishamthong constituency's independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh at his residence at Tiddim Road, targeted the office building of a local newspaper owned by him after they were told that the legislator was not present in the state, a senior officer said. The mob destroyed some temporary structures in front of the office building, he claimed. Three bodies, suspected to be of six missing people from Jiribam district, were found near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday night. Later in the day unconfirmed reports said that all of the six bodies were found. The bodies of a woman and two children were found about 16 km from Borobekra in Jiribam district, close to the location where the six people went missing on Monday. Meanwhile, all security forces deployed in Manipur have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in the state as the security scenario remained fragile in the past few days, the Union Home Ministry said Saturday. A fresh cycle of violence erupted in Manipur last Monday after 11 suspected militants, who allegedly attacked a police station and adjoining CRPF camp with sophisticated weapons in Manipur's Jiribam district, were killed in an exchange of fire. A day later, six civilians, including women and children were abducted by armed militants from the same district. The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order, the ministry said on Saturday. The Home Ministry said strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. It said important cases have been handed over to the NIA for effective investigation. (With inputs from agencies) Family members of killed suspected militants clash with police outside Silchar Medical College

Manipur: Internet suspended in 7 districts, curfew imposed after six bodies recovered near Jirimukh village

Their bodies were found near a river in the remote village of Jirimukh along the Manipur-Assam border and were sent to Silchar Medical College Hospital in Assam for postmortem.

Centre directs security forces to take necessary steps to restore order, peace in Manipur

NEW DELHI: All security forces deployed in Manipur have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace in the state as the security scenario remained fragile in the past few days, the Union Home Ministry said Saturday. A fresh cycle of violence erupted in Manipur last Monday after 11 suspected militants, who allegedly attacked a police station and adjoining CRPF camp with sophisticated weapons in Manipur's Jiribam district, were killed in an exchange of fire. A day later, six civilians, including women and children were abducted by armed militants from the same district. The security scenario in Manipur has remained fragile for the past few days. Armed miscreants from both communities in conflict have been indulging in violence leading to unfortunate loss of lives and disruption in public order, the ministry said on Saturday. The Home Ministry said strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities. It said important cases have been handed over to the NIA for effective investigation. The security forces have been directed to take necessary steps to restore order and peace. Strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to indulge in violent and disruptive activities, it said. The Union Home Ministry requested the people to maintain peace, not believe in rumours and cooperate with the security forces to maintain law and order in the state. Seeing the fragile situation, the Centre reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur's six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam on Thursday. The fresh order came after the Manipur government imposed AFSPA in the entire state on October 1, barring 19 police station areas that include these six. The police stations excluded from the Manipur government's October 1 order were Imphal, Lamphal, City, Singjamei, Sekmai, Lamsang, Patsoi, Wangoi, Porompat, Heingang, Lamlai, Irilbung, Leimakhong, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Nambol, Moirang, Kakching, Jiribam. An area or district is notified as disturbed under AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces. AFSPA gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary for the maintenance of public order. The police station areas where AFSPA has been reimposed are Sekmai and Lamsang in Imphal West district, Lamlai in Imphal East district, Jiribam in Jiribam district, Leimakhong in Kangpokpi and Moirang in Bishnupur. More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year. The ethnically diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by the clashes in Imphal Valley and the adjoining hills, witnessed violence after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field in June this year. Family members of killed suspected militants clash with police outside Silchar Medical College

Family members of killed suspected militants clash with police outside Silchar Medical College

GUWAHATI: Police resorted to lathi charge outside the Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) on Saturday as family members of 10 suspected militants, killed in a gunfight with security personnel in Manipur's Jiribam district, clashed with the forces demanding that the bodies be handed over to them, officials said. Family members of the suspected militants were camping outside the hospital and demanded that the bodies be handed over to them. VIDEO | Assam: Hmar and Kuki members pelt stones as police baton charged them while they tried to block the taking away of 10 Kuki militant's bodies that were sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem in Silchar. #Hmar #Kuki pic.twitter.com/NoHceBnLQ7 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 16, 2024 Assam police officials tried to convince them that the bodies will be handed over to Manipur police and that they can take up the matter with them. The agitated family members refused to accept the proposal and attacked police personnel by pelting stones in which several persons were injured. Among the injured were four media persons, including a woman journalist. The police lathi charged the protestors and the situation was brought under control after sometime with the family members agreeing that they will receive the bodies from Manipur police. The authorities have decided that both Manipur and Assam police will airlift the bodies of the 10 militants to Churachandpur and the process has already begun. Ten suspected militants were killed in the gunfight with security forces after insurgents attacked the Borobekra police station in Jiribam district on Monday.

Family members of killed suspected militants clash with police outside Manipur's Silchar Medical College

GUWAHATI: Police resorted to lathi charge outside the Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) on Saturday as family members of 10 suspected militants, killed in a gunfight with security personnel in Manipur's Jiribam district, clashed with the forces demanding that the bodies be handed over to them, officials said. Family members of the suspected militants were camping outside the hospital and demanded that the bodies be handed over to them. VIDEO | Assam: Hmar and Kuki members pelt stones as police baton charged them while they tried to block the taking away of 10 Kuki militant's bodies that were sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem in Silchar. #Hmar #Kuki pic.twitter.com/NoHceBnLQ7 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 16, 2024 Assam police officials tried to convince them that the bodies will be handed over to Manipur police and that they can take up the matter with them. The agitated family members refused to accept the proposal and attacked police personnel by pelting stones in which several persons were injured. Among the injured were four media persons, including a woman journalist. The police lathi charged the protestors and the situation was brought under control after sometime with the family members agreeing that they will receive the bodies from Manipur police. The authorities have decided that both Manipur and Assam police will airlift the bodies of the 10 militants to Churachandpur and the process has already begun. Ten suspected militants were killed in the gunfight with security forces after insurgents attacked the Borobekra police station in Jiribam district on Monday.

Family members of killed militants clash with police in Manipur

Police resorted to lathi charge outside the Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) on Saturday as family members of 10 militants killed in a gunfight with security personnel in Manipur's Jiribam district, clashed with the forces demanding that the bodies be handed over to them, officials said. Family members of the 10 militants killed in a gunfight with CRPF personnel on Monday, were camping outside the hospital and demanded that the bodies be handed over to them. Assam police officials tried to convince them that the bodies will be handed over to Manipur police and that they can take up the matter with them. The agitated family members refused to accept the proposal and attacked police personnel by pelting stones in which several persons were injured. Among the injured were four media persons, including a woman journalist. The police lathi charged the protestors and the situation was brought under control after sometime with the family members agreeing that they will receive the bodies from Manipur police. The authorities have decided that both Manipur and Assam police will airlift the bodies of the 10 militants to Churachandpur and the process has already begun.

Bodies of Woman and Children Found Near Manipur-Assam Border, Tensions Rise

The bodies of a woman and two children were discovered near the junction of the Jiri and Barak Rivers along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday. This area is about 16 kilometers from Borobekra, located in the Jiribam district, where six people had been reported missing earlier. While the identities of the three bodies are still unknown, officials believe they may be the missing individuals. The bodies were transported to Silchar Medical College Hospital (SMCH) in Assam on Friday night and are being kept in the morgue for postmortem. Due to the limited infrastructure in Jiribam, autopsies for cases from Imphal are carried out at SMCH. Following the discovery, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh convened a meeting with senior ministers on Friday night to address the situation. As news of the recovery spread throughout Imphal Valley, tensions escalated in all five districts of the region. In response, state authorities declared a holiday for schools and colleges. Manipur has been grappling with escalating violence and unrest since May of the previous year, with no signs of resolution. On Friday, protests intensified across the state, sparked by two significant events: the killing of 10 tribal individuals in a gunfight in Jiribam and the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain regions. In Churachandpur district, hundreds of residents took to the streets, voicing their anger over what they claim was a wrongful killing by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The protesters are demanding accountability for the deaths, which they believe were unjustified, further fueling tensions in the region. The violence and protests come amid ongoing security concerns in Manipur, where ethnic clashes and political unrest have exacerbated the situation. The re-imposition of AFSPA in some areas has drawn criticism, with many viewing it as an infringement on the rights of the people and a source of further unrest. As Manipur continues to face this turbulent period, the state government and security forces are under increasing pressure to restore peace and address the grievances of the local population. However, with protests intensifying and violence spreading, finding a resolution remains a challenge. Manipur: 11 Militants Killed in Fierce Gunfight with Security Forces

Three bodies found near Assam-Manipur border suspected to be of missing persons, tension builds up

GUWAHATI: Three bodies suspected to be of six persons missing from Jiribam district were found near the confluence of the Jiri river and Barak river along the Manipur-Assam border, officials said on Saturday. The bodies of a woman and two children were found around 16 km from Borobekra in Jiribam district on Friday night from where the six persons went missing on Monday, officials in Jiribam district told PTI. According to the officials, the bodies are yet to be identified, and they were sent to Assams Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem on Friday evening. The six persons all Meiteis were reported missing from Manipurs Jiribam district on Monday. Jiribam shares its border with Assams Cachar district of which Silchar is the headquarters. The news of the recovery of the bodies came at a time when various organisations as well as political parties are mounting pressure on the state government to rescue the six, allegedly abducted by the militants. Following the missing incident, 13 civil society organisations conducted a shutdown in the Imphal valley last Wednesday, demanding government intervention to secure the release of the six persons. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh held a meeting with senior ministers on Friday night to discuss the situation after the news of the recovery of the bodies, officials told PTI. Meanwhile, as news of the recovery of three bodies spread across Imphal Valley, tension rose in all five districts with state authorities declaring a holiday for schools and colleges on Saturday. (With inputs from PTI) Explainer | Why Manipur is back on the edge

Three bodies found near Assam-Manipur border, tension builds up in Imphal valley

GUWAHATI: Three decomposed bodies were found near the Manipur-Assam border on Friday, days after six members of Meities- three women and three children including an infant continued to remain missing in Jiribam district . According to the officials, the bodies are yet to be identified, and they were brought to Assams Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem on Friday evening. The six persons all Meiteis were reported missing from Manipurs Jiribam district on Monday. Jiribam shares its border with Assams Cachar district of which Silchar is the headquarters. The news of the recovery of the bodies came at a time when various organisations as well as political parties are mounting pressure on the state government to rescue the six, allegedly abducted by the militants. Following the missing incident, 13 civil society organisations conducted a shutdown in the Imphal valley last Wednesday, demanding government intervention to secure the release of the six persons. Explainer | Why Manipur is back on the edge

Bodies Of 3 Women Found In Manipur's Jiribam Amid Hostage Crisis: Sources

The bodies of three women were brought to a morgue in Assam's Silchar on Friday, amid tension in neighbouring Manipur's Jiribam district after three women and three children were taken hostage by suspected Kuki militants on Monday.

Mother of three tortured, raped in Manipur: Autopsy report

An autopsy report from Silchar Medical College in Assam has revealed severe torture inflicted on a 31-year-old mother of three, allegedly raped and burned alive in her home in Zairawn village, Manipur, on November 7. The woman sustained third-degree injuries, including burns and embedded nails. The attack, reportedly by members of a valley-based outfit, involved the torching of 17 homes, escalating tensions. Kuki-Zo organizations condemned the brutality, urging authorities to protect tribal communities in Manipurs conflict-ridden regions. Authorities face mounting pressure to identify and arrest the perpetrators to prevent further violence.

Kuki organisation bars CRPF personnel from leaving camps after gunfight in Manipur's Jiribam

In response to Monday's gunfight in Manipur's Jiribam district, the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) has issued a notice stating that o CRPF personnel shall be allowed to leave their camp premises. Ten suspected Kuki-Zo militants and two CRPF jawans were killed in the gunfight. A day after the incident, the bodies of two elderly male civilians were recovered . The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo organisation, alleged that the 10 persons gunned down by the CRPF were not militants but Kuki-Zo village volunteers. They were ambushed and murdered, the ITLF claimed. Any CRPF personnel found in violation of this notice shall do so at their own risk and responsibility. This directive will be in effect immediately upon the issuance of this notice and will remain enforced until the CRPF publicly acknowledges and apologizes for their barbaric actions in Jiribam, the notice issued by the KSO read. After Monday's killings at Jiribam, Kuki Students' Organisation says no CRPF personnel shall be allowed to leave their camp premises @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @Shahid_Faridi_ pic.twitter.com/teWFGxf4pK Prasanta Mazumdar (@prasmaz_tnie) November 12, 2024 In light of this statement, we urge all districts and blocks of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) to align with the sentiments of the public and ensure immediate enforcement of this notice, the notice further read. A total shutdown is being observed in the Kuki-Zo areas on Tuesday to pay respect to those who died. The Manipur police had stated on Monday that armed militants had attacked a CRPF post at Jakuradhor and Borobekra Police Station located nearby, and the CRPF and the police fiercely retaliated. In a statement, the police stated that after the firing ceased, the area was searched and the bodies of 10 militants were recovered along with arms and ammunition. A CRPF jawan was injured and evacuated to Assams Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The Kuki-Zo Council called for a total shutdown in the hill areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday to express their collective grief and solidarity with those who were brutally shot dead.

Over 200 sky lanterns flown in Assam's Dholai to attract voters for bypoll

Silchar (Assam): Over 200 lanterns lit up the evening sky in Assam's Dholai on Friday as part of the Cachar district administration's endeavour to encourage voter participation during the bypoll to the Assembly segment. An official statement said that the sky lanterns were flown from BNMP School Field as part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme. A total of 208 sky lanterns were launched, reflecting the number of polling stations in the constituency where the bypoll is scheduled on November 13, along with four other Assembly segments of the state. Each lantern and balloon soared high, symbolising a powerful message to residents every vote counts in shaping the future. At precisely 5.00 pm, these vibrant symbols of democratic duty were launched, carrying reminders for all eligible voters to participate actively in the upcoming election, the statement said. Addressing the gathering, District Commissioner (DC) Mridul Yadav said, Every single vote has the power to shape our community's future. Let us set an example of high voter turnout and commitment to democracy. He praised the SVEEP initiative for encouraging voter turnout and urging citizens to be part of the positive change they wish to see. Additional District Commissioner Van Lal Limpuia Nampui, Election Officer Masi Topno and other officials also attended the programme, the statement added.

Ten train services cancelled following goods wagon derailment in Assam

Agartala: The Northeast Frontier Railway announced on Friday that at least ten train services have been cancelled following the derailment of a loaded goods train wagon in Assam's Lumding-Badarpur hill section on October 31. The incident occurred around 4 PM on Thursday, with the wagon derailing inside tunnel no. 2 at KM 52/5 near Mupa. Repair and restoration efforts are currently underway, with senior railway officials present at the site to oversee the work, according to an official bulletin from NFR chief public relations officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma. Among the cancelled train services are the Guwahati-Agartala and Agartala-Secunderabad trains scheduled for departure on Friday, as well as the Agartala-Firozpur Cant. train that was supposed to leave on Thursday. Three other trainsBengaluru-Agartala (Humsafar Express), Sealdah-Sabroom (Kanchenjunga Express), and Anand Vihar Terminal-Agartala (Tejas Rajdhani Express)were partially cancelled, along with a Thiruvananthapuram-Silchar train. Additionally, a Silchar-Thiruvananthapuram train that was set to begin on Thursday has been rescheduled to depart on Friday. This incident follows a previous derailment on October 17, when the Agartala-bound Lokmanya Tilak Express derailed at Dibalong station in the Lumding division of the Lumding-Badarpur hill section, though there were no reported casualties or injuries.

Assam Police STF honoured for exemplary service

Assam police on Thursday imposed curfew for an indefinite period in parts of central Assam. (Representative Image) Assam police on Thursday imposed curfew for an indefinite period in parts of central Assam. (Representative Image) Guwahati: Four officers of the Assam Polices Special Task Force (STF) have been recognized with the prestigious Kendriya Grihamantri Dakshata Padak in the Special Operations Field category by the ministry of home affairs. The awarded officers, IGP Partha Sarathi Mahanta (STF head), additional SP Kalyan Kumar Pathak, Lance Naik Hemanta Kachari, and Constable Rajkumar Kaibartta, were selected for their outstanding contributions to combating various criminal activities in Assam between March 21, 2022, and March 24, 2023. Under IGP Mahantas leadership, the STF achieved significant milestones, including dismantling drug networks, curbing Rohingya infiltration, and apprehending the head of ISIS India, Harish Farukhi. Additionally, additional SP Subrata Kumar Sen and OC Amrit Kumar Singha from Silchar Police Station received the award in the investigation category for their swift resolution of the Jharna Panda murder case. Assam DGP G.P. Singh applauded the recipients for their exceptional service.

Cyclone Dana Effect: 198 Trains Cancelled on Oct 23, 24, 25

BHUBANESWAR: Due to the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana on October 24-25, 2024, a total of 198 trains95 up and 103 down trainshave been canceled for October 23, 24, and 25. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has issued a bulletin outlining the cancellations, which include major trains such as the Howrah-Secunderabad Express, Shalimar-Puri Super Fast Express, New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Express, Howrah-Bhubaneswar Express, and many others. These cancellations affect various trains traveling to and from major hubs like Secunderabad, Bhubaneswar, Chennai Central, and Howrah. The full list of cancelled trains provides details on specific routes and dates for both up and down directions. This disruption is a preventive measure to ensure the safety of passengers and railway infrastructure during the cyclones landfall. Passengers are advised to check for further updates and make alternative travel arrangements accordingly. Here is the detailed list of cancelled trains: Down Trains 1. Train No. 17016: Secunderabad to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 2. Train No. 12840: Chennai Central to Howrah 23.10.2024 3. Train No. 12868: Puducherry to Howrah 23.10.2024 4. Train No. 22826: Chennai Central to Shalimar 23.10.2024 5. Train No. 12897: Puducherry to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 6. Train No. 18464: SBC to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 7. Train No. 08442: Brahmapur to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 8. Train No. 20842: Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar (VB) 24.10.2024 9. Train No. 22874: Visakhapatnam to Digha 24.10.2024 10. Train No. 18118: Gunupur to Rourkela 24.10.2024 11. Train No. 11019: CSURATM to Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 12. Train No. 22820: Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 13. Train No. 08532: Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur 24.10.2024 14. Train No. 12509: Bangalore to Guwahati 23.10.2024 15. Train No. 12842: Chennai Central to Howrah 24.10.2024 16. Train No. 22808: Chennai Central to Santragachhi 24.10.2024 17. Train No. 15227: Bangalore to Muzaffarpur 24.10.2024 18. Train No. 18046: Hyderabad to Howrah 23.10.2024 19. Train No. 20838: Junagarh Road to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 20. Train No. 22503: Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh 23.10.2024 21. Train No. 22973: Gandhidham to Puri 23.10.2024 22. Train No. 20807: Visakhapatnam to ASR 25.10.2024 23. Train No. 18448: Jagdalpur to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 24. Train No. 08534: Palasa to Cuttack 24.10.2024 25. Train No. 08422: Gunupur to Cuttack 25.10.2024 26. Train No. 06095: Tambaram to Santragachhi 24.10.2024 27. Train No. 12246: Bangalore to Howrah 24.10.2024 28. Train No. 12704: Secunderabad to Howrah 23.10.2024 29. Train No. 08444: Palasa to Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 30. Train No. 22888: Bangalore to Howrah 23.10.2024 31. Train No. 03429: Secunderabad to Malda Town 23.10.2024 32. Train No. 12864: Yesvantpur to Howrah 23.10.2024 33. Train No. 18418: Gunupur to Puri 24.10.2024 34. Train No. 06087: Tirunelveli to Shalimar 23.10.2024 35. Train No. 08412: Bhubaneswar to Baleswar 24.10.2024 36. Train No. 02832: Bhubaneswar to Dhanbad 24.10.2024 37. Train No. 12074: Bhubaneswar to Howrah 25.10.2024 38. Train No. 12893: Bhubaneswar to Sonepur 25.10.2024 39. Train No. 22823: Bhubaneswar to New Delhi Rajdhani 25.10.2024 40. Train No. 08441: Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur 24.10.2024 41. Train No. 09059: Surat to Brahmapur 23.10.2024 42. Train No. 18419: Puri to Jayanagar 24.10.2024 43. Train No. 18304: Puri to Sambalpur 24.10.2024 44. Train No. 12892: Puri to Bangiriposi 24.10.2024 45. Train No. 08428: Puri to Angul 24.10.2024 46. Train No. 08414: Puri to Talcher 24.10.2024 47. Train No. 12843: Puri to Ahmedabad 24.10.2024 48. Train No. 08423: Puri to Daspalla 24.10.2024 49. Train No. 17479: Puri to TPTY 24.10.2024 50. Train No. 18425: Puri to Durg 24.10.2024 51. Train No. 22202: Puri to Sealdah 24.10.2024 52. Train No. 18421: Puro to Sonepur 24.10.2024 53. Train No. 12838: Puri to Howrah 24.10.2024 54. Train No. 18452: Puri to Hatia 24.10.2024 55. Train No. 18477: Puri to Rishikesh 24.10.2024 56. Train No. 12801: Puri to New Delhi 24.10.2024 57. Train No. 12896: Puri to Shalimar 24.10.2024 58. Train No. 18410: Puri to Shalimar 24.10.2024 59. Train No. 20823: Puri to Ajmer 24.10.2024 60. Train No. 08404: Puri to Khurda Road 24.10.2024 61. Train No. 18126: Puri to Rourkela 25.10.2024 62. Train No. 08475: Puri to Nizamuddin 25.10.2024 63. Train No. 20836 (VB): Puri to Rourkela 25.10.2024 64. Train No. 12278: Puri to Howrah 25.10.2024 65. Train No. 18416/18414: Puri to Barbil-Paradeep 25.10.2024 66. Train No. 08432: Puri to Cuttack 25.10.2024 67. Train No. 12822: Puri to Shalimar 25.10.2024 68. Train No. 12875: Puri to Anand Vihar 25.10.2024 69. Train No. 08410: Puri to Khurda Road 25.10.2024 70. Train No. 18417: Puri to Gunupur 25.10.2024 71. Train No. 18022: Khurda Road to Kharagpur 24.10.2024 72. Train No. 08456: Khurda Road to Kendujhargarh 24.10.2024 73. Train No. 08454: Cuttack to Bhadrak 25.10.2024 74. Train No. 08438: Cuttack to Bhadrak 25.10.2024 75. Train No. 18038: Jajpur Keonjhar Road to Kharagpur 25.10.2024 76. Train No. 08462: Paradeep to Cuttack 25.10.2024 77. Train No. 08406: Paradeep to Kendujhargarh 25.10.2024 78. Train No. 08408: Paradeep to Cuttack 25.10.2024 79. Train No. 08446: Paradeep to Cuttack 24.10.2024 80. Train No. 18044: Bhadrak to Howrah 25.10.2024 81. Train No. 08032: Bhadrak to Baleswar 25.10.2024 82. Train No. 08064: Bhadrak to Kharagpur 24.10.2024 83. Train No. 08522: Visakhapatnam to Gunupur 24.10.2024 84. Train No. 07470: Visakhapatnam to Palasa 24.10.2024 85. Train No. 12074: Bhubaneswar to Howrah 24.10.2024 86. Train No. 12822: Puri to Shalimar 24.10.2024 87. Train No. 12844: Ahmedabad to Puri 26.10.2024 88. Train No. 18424: Daspalla to Bhubaneswar 25.10.2024 89. Train No. 12278: Puri to Howrah 24.10.2024 90. Train No. 18418: Gunupur to Puri 25.10.2024 91. Train No. 08522: Visakhapatnam to Gunupur 25.10.2024 92. Train No. 18526: Visakhapatnam to Brahmapur 24.10.2024 93. Train No. 20836 (VB): Puri to Rourkela 24.10.2024 94. Train No. 22896 (VB): PURI to KOAA 25.10.24 95. Train No. 08012: DSPL to BBS 25.10.24 96. Train No. 03229: PURI to PNBE 25.10.24 97. Train No. 03102: RMM to BBS 25.10.24 98. Train No. 08416: BAM to TATA 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 99. Train No. 20892 (VB): PURI to HWH 25.10.24 100. Train No. 22840: PURI to VZM 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 101. Train No. 08442: BAM to BBS 25.10.24 102. Train No. 20895: BBS to ROU 24.10.24 103. Train No. 08430: PURI to JER 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 UP Trains 1. 12703: Howrah-Secunderabad 24.10.2024 2. 12821: Shalimar-Puri 24.10.2024 3. 12552: Kamakhya-Bangalore 23.10.2024 4. 22824: New Delhi-Bhubaneswar 23.10.2024 5. 22603: Kharagpur-Villupuram 24.10.2024 6. 12073: Howrah-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 7. 18045: Shalimar-Hyderabad 24.10.2024 8. 12277: Howrah-Puri 24.10.2024 9. 22851: Santragachhi-Mangalore 24.10.2024 10. 12841: Shalimar-Chennai Central 24.10.2024 11. 12663: Howrah-Tiruchchirappalli 24.10.2024 12. 03230: Patna-Puri 24.10.2024 13. 18478: Rishikesh-Puri 23.10.2024 14. 18409: Shalimar-Puri 24.10.2024 15. 12881: Shalimar-Puri 24.10.2024 16. 12802: New Delhi-Puri 23.10.2024 17. 08011: Bhanjapur-Puri 24.10.2024 18. 12837: Howrah-Puri 24.10.2024 19. 12863: Howrah-Bangalore 24.10.2024 20. 18047: Shalimar-Vasco Da Gama 24.10.2024 21. 12839: Howrah-Chennai Central 24.10.2024 22. 22644: Patna-Ernakulam 24.10.2024 23. 06090: Santragachhi-Chennai Central 24.10.2024 24. 03101: Kolkata-Puri 23.10.2024 25. 12514: Silchar-Secunderabad 23.10.2024 26. 08555: Bhadrak-Daspalla 25.10.2024 27. 22504: Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari 23.10.2024 28. 08415: Jaleswar-Puri 25.10.2024 29. 12891: Bangiriposi-Puri 25.10.2024 30. 18021: Kharagpur-Khurda Road 25.10.2024 31. 12816: Anand Vihar-Puri 24.10.2024 32. 22895 (VB): Howrah-Puri 25.10.2024 33. 18043: Howrah-Bhadrak 24.10.2024 34. 08031: Baleswar-Bhadrak 24.10.2024 35. 08063: Kharagpur-Bhadrak 24.10.2024 36. 08453: Bhadrak-Cuttack 24.10.2024 37. 08437: Bhadrak-Cuttack 24.10.2024 38. 18037: Kharagpur-Jajpur Keonjhar Road 24.10.2024 39. 18303: Sambalpur-Puri 24.10.2024 40. 22839: Rourkela-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 41. 18125: Rourkela-Puri 24.10.2024 42. 20835 (VB): Rourkela-Puri 24.10.2024 43. 20832: Sambalpur-Shalimar 24.10.2024 44. 18451: Hatia-Puri 24.10.2024 45. 18117: Rourkela-Gunupur 24.10.2024 46. 22865: Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Mumbai)-Puri 24.10.2024 47. 18426: Durg-Puri 24.10.2024 48. 02831: Dhanbad-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 49. 08427: Angul-Puri 25.10.2024 50. 08413: Talcher-Puri 25.10.2024 51. 18415: Barbil-Puri 24.10.2024 52. 20891 (VB): Tata-Brahmapur 24.10.2024 53. 08455: Kendujhargarh-Khurda Road 25.10.2024 54. 08405: Kendujhargarh-Paradeep 24.10.2024 55. 18413: Paradeep-Puri 24.10.2024 56. 08533: Cuttack-Palasa 24.10.2024 57. 08431: Cuttack-Puri 24.10.2024 58. 08421: Cuttack-Gunupur 24.10.2024 59. 08461: Cuttack-Paradeep 24.10.2024 60. 08407: Cuttack-Paradeep 24.10.2024 61. 18423: Bhubaneswar-Daspalla 24.10.2024 62. 09060: Brahmapur-Surat 24.10.2024 63. 08521: Gunupur-Visakhapatnam 24.10.2024 64. 07471: Palasa-Visakhapatnam 24.10.2024 65. 22873: Digha-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 66. 22819: Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 67. 08531: Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 68. 20837: Bhubaneswar-Junagarh Road 24.10.2024 69. 18447: Bhubaneswar-Jagadalpur 24.10.2024 70. 18417: Puri-Gunupur 24.10.2024 71. 18420: Jayanagar-Puri 26.10.2024 72. 08424: Daspalla-Puri 25.10.2024 73. 18422: Sonepur-Puri 25.10.2024 74. 12895: Shalimar-Puri 25.10.2024 75. 20824: Ajmer-Puri 29.10.2024 76. 08476: Nizamuddin-Puri 26.10.2024 77. 12277: Howrah-Puri 25.10.2024 78. 20835 (VB): Rourkela-Puri 24.10.2024 79. 12821: Shalimar-Puri 25.10.2024 80. 18021: Kharagpur-Khurda Road 24.10.2024 81. 12073: Howrah-Bhubaneswar 25.10.2024 82. 12894: Sonepur-Bhubaneswar 24.10.2024 83. 20831: Shalimar-Sambalpur 25.10.2024 84. 08521: Gunupur-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 85. 18525: Brahmapur-Visakhapatnam 25.10.2024 86. Train No. 20841 (VB): BBS to VSKP 25.10.24 87. Train No. 08411: BLS to BBS 25.10.24 88. Train No. 08443: BBS to PSA 24.10.24 89. Train No. 08441: BBS to BAM 24.10.24 & 25.10.24 90. Train No. 17015: BBS to SC 25.10.24 91. Train No. 18463: BBS to SBC 25.10.24 92. Train No. 22974: PURI to LIMB 26.10.24 93. Train No. 20896: BBS to RMM 25.10.24 94. Train No. 20835 (VB): ROU to PURI 25.10.24 95. Train No. 08429: BBS to DSPL 24.10.24 & 25.10.24

Guwahati Diary: Sonowal bonds with rickshaw, cart pullers

Sonowal bonds with rickshaw, cart pullers Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal became nostalgic the other day after having spent his time with rickshaw and cart pullers in Dibrugarh that he represents in the Lok Sabha. He also savoured tea and poori-sabji with them. Your hard work has always supported the local economy. It has been a privilege to meet all of you. I relished the opportunity to have poori-sabji with you as it replenished memories of my childhood, Sonowal, who studied at a Dibrugarh school, said, adding, The objective of the Modi government is to empower, enable every person with the help of Antodaya philosophy which ensures equal development with honour for everyone. Romeo squad for women safety during Durga puja The Cachar district police have formed an anti-Romeo squad to ensure an incident-free Durga puja. The squad will move around Silchar town and respond quickly whenever alerted. The members of the squad will remain deployed till the day of emersion of Durga idols. They will give justice to women and others in distress, SP Numol Mahatta said. The squad members are ready for performing their duties after having undergone a 15-day unarmed training. Most of them are women. Meanwhile, Durga puja is being celebrated across the state with religious fervour. Global conference on ancient Indian wisdom An international conference, Unraveling Indian Knowledge Across Asia, was held at the IIT-Guwahati, bringing together experts to explore the connections between ancient Indian wisdom and modern challenges. In his keynote address, Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya emphasised the need to integrate Indias ancient knowledge systems with modern science and technology, particularly as India and Asia move towards a new era of development. The governor underscored the global influence of texts such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, emphasising their timeless teachings on morality, duty, and truth. Prasanta mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com

Northeast Frontier Railway to run 26 special trains to tackle festive rush

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will run 26 special trains over the next two months to clear the festive rush, a statement said on Sunday. NFR has proposed 26 special trains with 254 trips this year for the festive season, it said. These 13 pairs of special trains will facilitate smooth travel experience and accommodate extra passengers during the forthcoming festivals of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja from October 1 to November 30, the statement added. In comparison to last year, NFR has almost doubled the number of special trains and trips during the festive period, it said. The special trains will cover important destinations like Amritsar, Bengaluru, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Kolkata, Anand Vihar and Shri Ganganagar, while also touching on other destinations. These trains will also boost connectivity within the zone during this period to areas such as Agartala, Naharlagun, Silchar, New Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Katihar, the statement added.