Manipur security forces foil recruitment bid by banned PREPAK, arrest two women leaders
Security forces in Manipur have thwarted a recruitment attempt by the banned PREPAK outfit. Two women leaders of the group were apprehended in Thoubal district. This action follows the abduction of three minors, who have since been rescued. PREPAK is reportedly receiving weapons and training from Myanmar's Kachin Independent Army.
Security forces in Manipur have seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Operations in Imphal East and Thoubal districts yielded an M16 rifle, pistols, and grenades. In a separate incident, two drug peddlers were apprehended in Imphal West district. They were found with approximately 2 kilograms of brown sugar.
Security forces arrest 10 extremists from banned groups in Manipur raids
Security forces apprehended ten extremists from two banned outfits in Manipur. The arrests occurred across Kakching, Thoubal, and Imphal West districts. Recovered items included rifles, pistols, grenades, and incriminating documents. Additionally, security forces destroyed 30 acres of illegal poppy plantations. These arrests bring the total to 18 extremists in 48 hours. The militants were involved in intimidation and extortion.
Nagaland University Study sounds environmental alert for Loktak Lake
GUWAHATI: A study conducted by Nagaland University has sounded an environmental alert for the Loktak Lake, one of Indias iconic freshwater ecosystems and a designated Ramsar Site in Manipur. Researchers found that changes in land use particularly agriculture, settlements, and shifting cultivation are directly deteriorating the water quality of rivers feeding into the lake, threatening its biodiversity and livelihoods of locals. Loktak Lake is home to 132 plant species and 428 animal species, and supports hydropower, fisheries, transport, and tourism. However, in recent decades, the lake has been listed under the Montreux Record a global warning list for wetlands undergoing serious ecological damage. Reduced fish populations, rising pollution levels and increased sedimentation have now become growing concerns. A Ramsar Site is a wetland designated to be of international importance under Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. These sites are recognised for their ecological significance, such as supporting biodiversity or providing critical habitat for waterfowl. The study was undertaken by Dr Eliza Khwairakpam, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Environment and Pollution. Highlighting the need for such studies, Prof Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, said, Nagaland University takes great pride in the significant research contribution made by our faculty (members) and scholars, revealing the strong link between land use and water pollution in the Loktak Lake catchment area of Manipur. The study highlights the pressing environmental challenges arising from agricultural runoff, human settlements, and shifting cultivation, which are directly impacting the river water quality in the region. To understand the root cause, Nagaland University researchers conducted field sampling across nine major rivers Khuga, Western, Nambul, Imphal, Kongba, Iril, Thoubal, Heirok and Sekmai that drain into Loktak Lake. Using detailed Land Use Land Cover maps, Dr Khwairakpam compared different types of land activities such as agricultural areas, dense and degraded forests, settlements, Jhum cultivation and water bodies, against water quality indicators like dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and temperature. Our study confirms that land use decisions across villages and forest landscapes upstream are directly impacting water quality downstream. This makes community-based land management and stricter control of agricultural runoff and waste discharge crucial for restoring Loktak Lake, Dr Khwairakpam said.
