Neiphiu Rio calls for strengthening bonds during fests

HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, Jan 21: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday called for using occasions like festivals to strengthen bonds and foster mutual respect. Gracing the Khaozaosie Hok-Ah festival of feast and rest in Thonoknyu town under Noklak districts as special guest, Rio said emphasised the importance of festivals in promoting peace, unity and []

Misunderstandings should be resolved with discussions: Manipur CM Nagaland Post

Misunderstandings should be resolved with discussions: Manipur CMNagaland Post

Lighthouse Schools Project eyes to better teaching, learning experience in Nagaland

Nagaland: NSCN-KH demands accountability in MSE-CDP scheme implementation

Dimapur: The NSCN (K-H) in Nagaland has demanded accountability from Aolemba Longkumer, the individual responsible for implementing the Micro and Small Enterprises-Common Development Programme (MSE-CDP) under the Ministry of MSME. In a press release, the group questioned Aolemba about the progress and financial aspects of the scheme, including the time taken to complete the project [] The post Nagaland: NSCN-KH demands accountability in MSE-CDP scheme implementation appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Congress gaining momentum in Nagaland as 15 NPP leaders join its fold

GUWAHATI: The Congress, which made a remarkable comeback in Nagaland during last years Lok Sabha elections, is steadily gaining ground in the hill state. On Monday, fifteen senior members of the Conrad K Sangma-led National Peoples Party (NPP) from Meghalaya switched allegiance to the Congress in Nagaland, marking a significant political shift. The Congress viewed this development as a testament to its rising popularity, especially given the tendency of politicians in the Northeast to align with the ruling party. Currently, Nagaland is governed by the BJP-Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) coalition. It is a turning point for the Congress in Nagaland, said state Congress chief and Lok Sabha member S Supongmeren Jamir, welcoming the NPP leaders into the party fold. These young and dynamic leaders are willing to work hard and contribute to the states development. I am hopeful that this zeal will help us work with people at the grassroots. State Congress working president Khriedi Theiinuo echoed Jamirs optimism, expressing confidence in the partys renewed vision and mission. With cooperation from these leaders, we can now march ahead effectively, he said. Among those who joined the Congress, NPP vice president Bitong Sangtam voiced dissatisfaction with the partys stagnation. We were frustrated with the partys lack of progress, Sangtam said. General secretary L Hiketo Shohe added, We believe only Congress can bring about meaningful change. The Congress, once a dominant force in Nagaland, ruled the Christian-majority state multiple times but began to lose its footing after the era of former Chief Minister SC Jamir ended in 2003. Over the years, the partys organisational strength eroded, and it struggled to find leaders of Jamirs stature. The Naga Peoples Front (NPF), which ousted the Congress in the 2003 Assembly elections, held sway for three consecutive terms until the NDPP-BJP alliance disrupted its dominance in 2018. The coalition retained power in 2023, sweeping the polls, with Congress failing to secure a single seat. Against this backdrop, the Congress entered last years Lok Sabha elections as an underdog. Despite the odds, state president Supongmeren Jamir pulled off a stunning victory, earning the nickname Superman Jamir. The recent influx of NPP leaders has bolstered the partys position, sparking hope for a revival of Congress in Nagaland.

Nagaland: NSCN (IM) blames Centres deceit for elusive Naga political solution

Dimapur: The NSCN (IM) said the Naga political solution remained elusive because of the deceit dealing with it by the government of India. Deceit has been the dealing of the government of India against the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) from the day the Indo-Naga political dialogue started in 1997, the ministry of information [] The post Nagaland: NSCN (IM) blames Centres deceit for elusive Naga political solution appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Nagaland: ENPO reiterates pledge for peaceful resolution of land dispute

Dimapur: The Eastern Naga Peoples Organisation (ENPO) in Nagaland has reaffirmed its commitment to declaring its jurisdiction as a peaceful zone, amid an unresolved land dispute between the Tikhir and Khiamniungan tribes. This pledge was initially made on December 18, 2019. In a joint statement, the presidents of the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC) and Tikhir [] The post Nagaland: ENPO reiterates pledge for peaceful resolution of land dispute appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Manipur Gov calls on Amit Shah Nagaland Post

Manipur Gov calls on Amit ShahNagaland Post

'Pataal Lok - Season 2' movie review: Riveting mystery sans the bite

During the pandemic in May, 2020, season 1 of Paatal Lok hit us like a wrecking ball. While being confined into our homes, we went on a journey with the brooding Haryanvi cop Hathi Ram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) into the dark heartland of the country. A world reeking of caste and class inequalities. Based on Tarun Tejpals book The Story of My Assassins, it delved into the origins of four killers and the systems of marginalisation that created them. In his crude, jaat logic, Hathi Ram explained to us simply: Sometimes these insects of paatal lok (underworld) bite the inhabitants of dharti lok (human civilisation). Then what occurs is kaand (ruckus). The messaging was clear, all crime is class war. It was a lukewarm surprise when the second season was announced. Personally, it felt like the makers had given in to popular consensus. Those when season 2?demands in the comments section or maybe, more plausibly, it was platform pressure. But in Sudip Sharma we trust. The writer, who is the first fully-fledged showrunner in India, hasnt had a miss till now. His last, Kohrra, a misty, murder investigation in Punjab, might be devoid of external politics but it was still a deep incision into the structures of patriarchy and interpersonal relationships. Sceptical, I was still hopeful. We return to Outer Jamnapaar thana. If it was possible, Hathi Ram Chaudhury seems even more cynical and defeated. His subordinate from the first season, Imran Ansari (Ishwak Singh), is now an IPS officer and has jumped the ranks to become an ACP. Hathi Rams wife, Renu, wants him to take up a better paying job and his brother-in-law keeps on harping about his new, AC car (It has sapno ka saudagar (dealer of dreams) written on the rear window. The guy deals with hawala traders). Meanwhile, in the realm of swarg lok (heavens), Naga leader Jonathan Thoms headless corpse has been found in a hotel room bathtub. The deceased was a part of the ongoing talks between Nagaland and the Government of India for a multi-crore investment in the Northeastern state. Imran has been given the case. Parallelly, Hathi Ram is trying to help a destitute woman, whose husband has gone missing. Turns out, he was last seen with the main suspect of the Jonathan murder case. After brief hierarchical hiccups, Imran and Hathi Ram team up once again. They land in Nagaland, which is in the midst of political turmoil following Jonathans killing. As the mystery unravels, everybodys deep, dark secrets start spilling. Jonathan ran a drug empire, his wife was paying off his mistress for years, his son Reuben had split from his home party and founded another, a deal for a chain of hotels in Kohima is being rushed and a mysterious sniper is bumping off key links to the case. Sudip, along with team of writers Rahul Kanojia, Abhishek Banerjee and Tamal Sen, weaves a competent if not compelling thriller. Paatal Lok 2 opens with intrigue and ably follows the beats of a polished noir story. But the interest soon wanes away and you are only concerned with finding and placing the last piece of the puzzle, unbothered by the picture it creates. Although novel, Nagaland as a setting lacks the grittiness of Delhi. And its not the viewers unfamiliarity with its cultural context that lets disinterest creep in, the makers too offer only a cursory glance into the states milieu. The place never rises to become more than a scenic backdrop. While the first season was filled with mythology metaphors and cultural critique that managed to offend across the political spectrum (it invited the ire of a Sikkim MP, a BJP legislator, a former Akali Dal MLA and Gorkha youth wing members), Paatal Lok 2 has been sucked dry of any direct political commentary. Politics of the makers still bleeds in the show, unable to burst. In a scene, a child reads aloud a tale of a young boy who brought a baby bear home, only to be chided by his mother. A story, similar to a certain leaders childhood adventures featuring a baby crocodile. A bumper quote on an autorickshaw reads: bas dosti bani rahe(Hope friendship stays) and while talking about a Naga party, a character surmises how their motto overnight changed to development. These indirect potshots lack punch and are only a testimony to these desperate times. Desperation also seeps in when the narrative starts slogging. The action briefly jumps back to Delhi when Nagaland runs out of ideas. We have a riot-rescue mission and also a sniper hunt episode, both reminded me of the mechanics of The Last of Us. Paatal Lok 2 s mystery, although well crafted, is without mayhem. Its satire lacks bite. There are frequent callbacks to the first season, as if the show is craving for simpler, more expressive times. There is also a lot of kicking and punching and often, a heavyset Hathi Ram, in trainers like a PT teacher, huffs and bleeds, frequently getting exhausted of beating up the bad guys. Rest a bit, old chap, it has been a while. Series: Pataal Lok - Season 2 Creator: Sudip Sharma Director: Avinash Arun Dhaware Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Tillotama Shome, Gul Panag, Nagesh Kukunoor and Jahnu Barua Streamer: Prime Video Rating : 3/5

KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang felicitated for land patta distribution

HT Correspondent BOKAJAN, Jan 17: Villagers of Rongbarim, established in 2018, felicitated the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) for the distribution of land patta among them. It may be mentioned that Rongbarim village is situated near Assam-Nagaland border. On the wee hours of November 19 miscreants along with an earth []

Progressive society requires strong political vision: Nagaland MP

Progressive society requires strong political vision, says Nagaland MP

Dimapur: Nagalands lone Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir said a progressive society requires a strong political vision, quality education, economic sustainability, and individuals with strong beliefs. He underscored the importance of maintaining peace and unity to achieve progress. Addressing the 23rdNokhu Range Public Organisation (NRPO) general session-cum-Hok-Ah festival 2025 at Langnok village in Noklak [] The post Progressive society requires strong political vision, says Nagaland MP appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Paatal Lok 2 vs The Last Hour: Which is authentic Northeast and why we need to do more?

When Paatal Lok 2 travelled to Nagaland, it immediately reminded me of The Last Hour simply because of the absent facial features in the mainstream webseries.

Wonder whirled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is no stranger to festivals - be it traditional ones such as pooram, perunnal, and Theyyams, or modern celebrations like film, dance music and art festivals, Biennale, and other cultural extravaganzas. However, the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village (KACV) in Kovalam has taken the concept of festivals to a whole new level with the Ragbag Festival. At the venue, a magical water curtain sets the stage for Belgiums Shadow Dance, while Poland reimagines George Orwells Animal Farm, offering a fresh and experimental perspective on the classic tale. Rajasthans Manganiyar Seduction fills the air with music, as 40 folk musicians perform within a towering, four-storey framework, celebrating the regions rich heritage. Cubo, a tribute to Latin energy, combines physical comedy, mime, and circus skills in a breathtaking performance. And theres so much more drama, music, circus, physical comedy, magic, puppetry, shadow play, video art, acrobatics, trapeze, and vertical dance. Ragbag is a confluence of novel, experimental, and diverse artistic expressions happening across different parts of the world, says festival curator Sasikumar V. Ragbag refers to a bag where scraps of fabric and old clothes are kept for reuse, a metaphor for recycling and mismatched things. When we conceptualised this festival, we wanted it to be thoughtful, not just another event. For that, we worked behind the idea, focusing on the changing global scenario, technological developments, imagination, art forms, and how these elements could be blended and conveyed in a new way. Considering the atmosphere of Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, everything should connect to that. Thats how I started searching for art forms and artists who do art in new ways. Ultimately, its a celebration of human skills. The Ragbag Festival, which kicked off on January 14 and concludes on January 19, features over 300 artists from 16 art groups across 10 countries, including India, with performances from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, and more. The festival is not just about performances; it also offers food, a craft bazaar, hands-on workshops, and engaging panel discussions. One of the main highlights is the Craft Bazaar, curated by Jaya Jaitly, which features 33 craft groups from different parts of India. Handwoven textiles, unique jewellery, home dcor, and other handmade products, as well as craft workshops like Madhubani painting, Bagru printing, Sanjhi craft, and bag-making, are available. I have always been reading Jaya Jaitlys books on Indian crafts, craftsmanship, artists, textiles, and more. Besides being a well-known politician, she is also an expert in the traditional arts and crafts of India and the founder of Dastkari Haat Samiti, a national association of craftspeople with members from all over India, says Sasikumar. So, Sreeprasad T U, the chief operating officer of KACV, and I went to her residence in Goa to personally meet her, explained the idea behind the festival, and she agreed to be a part of it. This is the first-ever craft exhibition of its kind happening in Kerala. Another thing that makes the festival interesting is Ragbag Feast, a food festival curated by popular culinary expert Anumitra Ghosh Dastidar. The spread includes flavours from Nagaland, Bengal, Nizamuddin (New Delhi) and Sri Lanka. A series of panel discussions will also take place at the festival, with experts sharing their insights and experiences on topics such as From Tradition to Innovation: Circus and Performance Art, Towards a Pluralist Ecology of Knowledge Systems, and Cultural Thematic Routes and Kerala Tourism. Its been three days since the programme started, and the response has been amazing. , says Walter DCruz, one of the organisers. The Manganiyar Seduction on Wednesday saw a huge turnout, exceeding our expectations. The festival runs from 11am to 11pm, with performances mostly in the evening. Tickets for the festival are available for purchase on BookMyShow as well as directly at the venue. A day pass is available for Rs 499. Special rates are available for groups. Sasikumar says the team hopes to make Ragbag an annual event. After all, every festival gets another edition if its well-received by the audience. The festival should create a community with a shared vision. We want the viewers to experience different perspectives and feel like theyre travelling through various journeys So, we hope it will create an impact, and we can come up with another edition, he says.

Nagaland legislator calls for strong united Naga community

HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, Jan 16: Nagaland adviser to food and civil supply and legal metrology KT Sukhalu, on Thursday appealed to the Nagas not to allow false division in the community and to strive for a bigger and stronger united Naga Community. He said the Nagas as a community have been coexisting together through the []

Manipur progressing despite challenges: CM Biren Nagaland Post

Manipur progressing despite challenges: CM BirenNagaland Post

Nagaland: KT Sukhalu calls for strong united Naga community

Dimapur: Nagaland adviser to food and civil supply and legal metrology KT Sukhalu on Thursday appealed to the Nagas not to allow false division in the community and to strive for a bigger and stronger united Naga Community. He said the Nagas as a community have been coexisting together through the ages and must continue [] The post Nagaland: KT Sukhalu calls for strong united Naga community appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Outrage after two held from Assam handed over to Nagaland Police

Guwahati: Locals in the Merapani area of Assams Golaghat expressed outrage after two youths they had apprehended were handed over to the Nagaland Police. On Wednesday evening, two Naga youths, identified as Ranch Kikon and Chambe, were apprehended by locals in the Deyalpur area near the Merapani police station in Golaghat, Assam for transporting illegal [] The post Outrage after two held from Assam handed over to Nagaland Police appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Centre has agreed to autonomy for Frontier Nagaland Territory, says apex body representing seven Naga tribes

The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation sought executive, legislative, and financial autonomy

India agrees 'in principle' to unique arrangement for 6 eastern Nagaland districts

The Indian government has agreed 'in principle' to grant financial, executive, and legislative autonomy to the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT). The decision follows a six-hour meeting between ENPO and government representatives. ENPO seeks a separate FNT for six eastern districts and aims to address unemployment and modernize village guards in the region.

Nagaland: Centre to give financial, executive, legislative autonomy to FNT

Dimapur: The government of India has agreed in principle to give financial, executive and legislative autonomy to the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), a unique arrangement for six eastern districts of Nagaland. Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) president Chingmak Chang disclosed this to media persons after coming out of nearly six-hour-long second round of tripartite [] The post Nagaland: Centre to give financial, executive, legislative autonomy to FNT appeared first on NorthEast Now .

We have not held back: Sudip Sharma, Jaideep Ahlawat on Paatal Lok Season 2

Will the new season of Paatal Lok, set in Nagaland and releasing in a post-Tandav streaming world, pack the same firepower as before? Creator Sudip Sharma and lead Jaideep Ahlawat weigh in

Manipur: 15 acres of poppy plantation chipped down in Senapati

Imphal: As part of the ongoing war on drug campaigns, the law protectors of the Indian Union on Tuesday chipped down 15 acres of illegal poppy cultivation before its harvesting at Kapao hill range in Manipurs Senapati district with Nagaland in the north. One hut constructed inside the poppy planting area was also burnt during [] The post Manipur: 15 acres of poppy plantation chipped down in Senapati appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Manipur: Opium peddler held in Senapati

Imphal: Security forces apprehended one suspected opium peddler at a hideout in Senapati, Manipur which shares a border with Nagaland on the north. Altogether, 2.03 kilograms of raw opium locally known as Kani was seized from the suspected. A four-wheeler, a mobile handset with a SIM card, an Aadhaar card, a drivers license and Rs [] The post Manipur: Opium peddler held in Senapati appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland Nirendra Dev

Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland Nirendra Dev

Talks on 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' to be held on Wednesday

The state Cabinet on October 30 deliberated on the pending demand of ENPO, an apex body of the six districts in the eastern region of the state, for creation of the FNT.

Delegations of NPP, MDA meet Manipur Gov Nagaland Post

Delegations of NPP, MDA meet Manipur GovNagaland Post

Assam: National Wildlife Board approves Vedantas oil exploration in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary

Guwahati: Despite concerns from environmental groups, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has given its nod for oil and gas exploration near the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary at Mariani in Jorhat district along Assam-Nagaland border. The Standing Committee of the NBWL greenlit the proposal by Vedanta Groups Cairn Oil & Gas to conduct exploratory [] The post Assam: National Wildlife Board approves Vedantas oil exploration in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Karbi Anglong Rock band bags top award at Sngkotenem Beat Contest

HT Bureau DIPHU, Jan 12: The Redeemer, a rock band from Diphu, Karbi Anglong, collected top honours at the prestigious Sngkotenem Beat Contest 2025, held at the picturesque Sngkotenem Park in Mopungchuket, Nagaland, on Friday. The event, which drew a crowd of approximately 1,000 music enthusiasts, featured seven bands, including The Redeemer, the sole participant []

Centre approves Vedanta's oil and gas drilling proposal in Assam's eco-sensitive Gibbon sanctuary

NEW DELHI: The Centre's wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Jorhat district. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the proposal by Vedanta Group's Cairn Oil & Gas during its meeting on December 21, according to the minutes of the meeting. Assam's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had recommended clearance for the project in August last year, citing ational interest. The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry had also granted in-principle approval during its meeting on August 27 last year. According to the minutes of the NBWL meeting, a team comprising officials from the Union Environment Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Department inspected the project site, located about 13 km from the sanctuary, on November 15. The inspection committee found that exploratory drilling would cause minimal damage, but said commercial drilling would not be allowed. Vedanta Group has given a written assurance that no commercial drilling will be conducted at the site. A senior official in the ministry pointed out that exploratory drilling is a key step in hydrocarbon extraction, which could lead to commercial drilling. Another official said the inspection committee's report recommended no oil or gas extraction from within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), even if reserves are discovered. The officials said Vedanta Group has committed that exploration at the site will only be for identifying hydrocarbon reserves. Any extraction, if reserves are discovered, will be carried out from outside the ESZ. The company also assured that no hazardous substances would be used during the exploration process, the officials said. They said that the project site lies in a disputed area on the Assam-Nagaland border. The inspection team had to cross a Nagaland check post and was received by the Border Magistrate of Nagaland and local Naga residents. Local communities informed the team that no drilling operations would be allowed without permission from the Village Council and the Nagaland government, the officials said. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary spans 20.98 sq km, while its ESZ covers 264.92 sq km. The large ESZ ensures connectivity between the sanctuary, the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest, and forested areas in Nagaland. This connectivity is crucial for the seven species of primates found in the area. The officials highlighted that the sanctuary is already under stress due to human activities. A railway line passing through the sanctuary is also set to be electrified, a proposal recommended by the Standing Committee.

Health insurance schemes in Nagaland fully operational: NHPS

HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, Jan 11: The Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) asserted that the services under both PM-JAY and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) are fully operational and have not been suspended. It issued the clarification following recent concerns regarding the suspension of services under the PM-JAY and the CMH1S by certain empanelled hospitals []

Centre clear about flag and Constitution, says Y Patton

HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, Jan 11: Nagalands acting chief minister Y Patton on Saturday said the Government of India is amply clear about one nation one constitution and one nation one flag. Pattion, the deputy chief minister, was given the charge of chief minister on January 8 during the leave period of chief minister Neiphiu Rio. []

Manipur CM urges Naga leaders, church to take greater role in resolving Manipurs ethnic crisis Nagaland Post

Manipur CM urges Naga leaders, church to take greater role in resolving Manipurs ethnic crisisNagaland Post

Ongoing crisis in Manipur orchestrated, fueled by BJP-led govt: MPCC president Nagaland Post

Ongoing crisis in Manipur orchestrated, fueled by BJP-led govt: MPCC presidentNagaland Post

All health schemes in Nagaland operational

Nagaland health schemes remain active, no suspension: NHPS

Dimapur: The Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS) has clarified that the services under both the PM-JAY and Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) remain fully operational and have not been suspended. The clarification comes after concerns arose regarding service suspensions by certain empanelled hospitals in the state. The NHPS, a registered body under the Nagaland [] The post Nagaland health schemes remain active, no suspension: NHPS appeared first on NorthEast Now .

RPP slams Nagaland govt over health insurance scheme failure

Dimapur: The Rising Peoples Party (RPP) on Friday expressed dismay over the alleged abysmal failure of the ruling Peoples Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland in ensuring the effective operation of the Chief Ministers Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and associated health insurance programmes, including AB-PMJAY. In a release issued by its secretary Lhikhro Kreo, the RPP [] The post RPP slams Nagaland govt over health insurance scheme failure appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Nagaland: Final electoral roll with 13,45,197 voters released

Dimapur: Nagaland has 13,45,197 voters as per the final electoral roll for 2025 published on Friday. According to a press statement by Nagaland chief electoral officer, the total number of voters includes 6,72,685 males and 6,72,509 females. Among them, 6,65,489 are male and 6,72,395 female general electors, three third gender and 7,196 male and 114 [] The post Nagaland: Final electoral roll with 13,45,197 voters released appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Nagaland Jobs : APS Rangapahar Recruitment 2025

Applications are invited for recruitment of various teaching positions or jobs in APS Rangapahar Nagaland. Army Public School (APS) Rangapahar Nagaland is inviting applications from eligible candidates for recruitment to the posts or jobs of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT) and Primary Teachers (PRT). Name of posts : No. of posts : Qualification : TGT : [] The post Nagaland Jobs : APS Rangapahar Recruitment 2025 appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Telanganas best practices discussed at national workshop to strengthen NCD clinics

Hyderabad: The Union Health Ministry in collaboration with Telangana government hosted a two-day national workshop on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Best practices from Telangana and Tamil Nadu were discussed for strengthening secondary-level NCD clinics and expanding comprehensive screening programs. Dr. Christina Z. Chongthu, Secretary, Telangana Health, Medical and Family Welfare (HM&FW) department, in her welcome address, gave a brief about the incidence of NCDs in the State as well outlined the governments strategy for screening and management of NCDs. The establishment of NCD clinics and their integration with T-Diagnostic services is expected to improve the diagnosis rate and follow up rates of diagnosed patients. The workshop, which brought together key stakeholders including Principal Secretaries (Health), Mission Director-National Health Mission and other senior officers from all the States and Union Territories, health professionals, and policymakers from across the country, focused on strengthening strategies for the prevention, screening, management, and treatment of NCDs. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary emphasized the need for inter-sectoral collaboration, enhanced research, and innovative practices to address the growing burden of NCDs. She stated that this national workshop marked a significant step toward achieving the governments vision of a Healthy India, with an emphasis on universal access to quality healthcare services and the reduction of premature mortality from NCDs. She further remarked that this conference will help in strategizing the priorities of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare while submitting proposals before the 16th Finance Commission of India for strengthening the health care system including prevention and control of NCDs. The conference featured comprehensive discussions, field visits, and knowledge-sharing sessions addressing different aspect of major NCDs, including Diabetes, Hypertension, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Stroke, and Cancer. The workshop commenced with field visits to key health facilities in Telangana, where participants observed best practices and innovative approaches to NCD management at the ground level. These visits provided critical insights into the operational aspects of primary and secondary healthcare interventions. Community-based interventions were a major focus, with sessions emphasizing the role of campaigns such as Fit India and Eat Right India. Nagalands exemplary tobacco cessation and de-addiction initiatives and Telanganas integration of yoga and wellness practices were highlighted as replicable models for other states. State-specific practices received particular attention. Assams hypertension control program, Tamil Nadus comprehensive NCD screenings, and Andhra Pradeshs robust cancer care infrastructure were showcased for their innovative approaches and outcomes. Presentations from other states showcased how tailored strategies can address regional challenges effectively. By tailoring approaches to cultural and regional contexts, these programs have achieved notable success and offer replicable strategies for other States. A special session on research priorities underscored the need for implementation research to bridge gaps in prevention, screening, and treatment. Presentations on challenges in screening, diagnosis, and management of NCDs by eminent experts from various medical institutions in the subject domain such as ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Respiratory Disease, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Stroke were presented where the experts shared their views and experiences to reduce the burden of NCDs. Special focus was placed on strengthening cancer care infrastructure, with sessions on augmenting cancer care at district hospitals, the role of tertiary care centers, and population-based cancer registries. Strategies to address gaps in cancer carefrom screening to follow-upwere explored in depth, with contributions from leading experts in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer.

Marked reduction in road accidents in 3 Nagaland districts

HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, Jan 9: There was a marked reduction in the number of vehicular accident cases in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, and Niuland districts in 2024 as compared to 2022 and 2023. According to a road accident data for the last three years released by the Dimapur commissionerate of police on Thursday, vehicular accidents recorded in []

TUN in Nagaland opposes fencing of Indo-Myanmar border

KOHIMA, Jan 9: The Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), an apex body of five major tribes in Nagaland, has opposed the Central governments decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, claiming that it will have a devastating impact on the Naga people, their livelihoods and their cultural ties. TUN is the apex body of five tribes []

Nagaland sets up state & dist panels to monitor 8th economic census

Apex body of 5 Nagaland tribes opposes fencing of Indo-Myanmar border

Nagaland: Three districts witness accident reduction in 2024

Dimapur: There was a marked reduction in the number of vehicular accident cases in Dimapur, Chumoukedima and Niuland districts of Nagaland in 2024 as compared to 2022 and 2023. According to road accident data for the last three years released by the Dimapur police on Thursday, vehicular accidents recorded in 2024 were110 while 557 accidents [] The post Nagaland: Three districts witness accident reduction in 2024 appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Nagaland: Google maps misleads Assam police, sparks local clash

Guwahati: A GPS navigation error caused a team of 16 Assam Police officers to stray into Nagaland during a raid, leading to their detention and an attack by locals. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when the officers from Jorhat District Police were pursuing a criminal near a tea garden, mistakenly believing the area was [] The post Nagaland: Google maps misleads Assam police, sparks local clash appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Misled by Google Maps, Assam police enter Nagaland, get thrashed and held captive by locals

A 16-member team of Assam Police inadvertently entered Nagaland's Mokokchung district while chasing a suspect, thanks to misleading directions from Google Maps, and they were attacked and captured by local residents who mistook them for criminals.

Apex body of five major tribes in Nagaland opposes fencing of Indo-Myanmar border

KOHIMA: The Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), an apex body of five major tribes in Nagaland, has opposed the Central government's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, claiming that it will have a devastating impact on the Naga people, their livelihoods and their cultural ties. TUN is the apex body of five tribesAngami, Chakhesang, Pochury, Rengma and Zeliang. It claimed that the fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border will disrupt the economic lifelines, isolate communities, break vital connections, and restrict access to education and healthcare. The fence is not just a physical barrier, it is an assault on our identity, heritage, and dignity, said TUN president Kekhwengulo Lea in an statement issued on Wednesday. It urged the Central government to reconsider the decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border, stressing the importance of safeguarding the ancestral lands and upholding the rights and dignity of the Naga people. The Free Movement Regime (FMR) introduced in the 1950s allowed limited cross-border travel, but successive regulations have since curtailed this, severely affecting the Naga communities' ability to maintain cross-border social, cultural, and economic ties, Lea said. The TUN has called on all Naga individuals, communities, and organizations to unite in opposition to the border fencing and to defend the Naga people's collective future from further division and fragmentation.

Nagaland conservation amp entrepreneurship go hand in hand Mejura

Nagaland conservation amp entrepreneurship go hand in hand Mejura

Assam Police held captive in Nagaland

HT Correspondent JORHAT, Jan 8: A team of Jorhat police, including Teok Officer-In-Charge (OC) Jatin Borah and Selenghat IC Gangaram Phukan, were held captive overnight in a village in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. The team had inadvertently strayed into the area on Tuesday while pursuing vehicle thieves. According to sources, the policemen were accosted by []

Now, women voters outnumber male counterparts in 13 states, one UT

As of January 1, 2025, women voters outnumber men in 13 states and one Union Territory, with new entries including Assam, Karnataka, and Nagaland. Nationwide, the total female electorate is still 2.33 crore fewer than males among 99-crore voters. Notable states with high third-gender electors include Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Cop on bike theft probe attacked by Nagaland miscreants

Border raid: Nagaland villagers detain Assam cops over 'confusion'

GUWAHATI: The members of the Assam police were allegedly detained for several hours by the locals of Yajang village in the Mokokchung district. The team had inadvertently crossed the inter-state border during an operation carried out on Tuesday night. The cops were on duty to catch a car lifter. Jorhat Superintendent of Police Shwetank Mishra termed the incident as a 'confusion'. There was a confusion. When their (police) identities were established, the villagers were pacified, the SP said. He also added that a cop was injured during the commotion. His Mokokchung counterpart Vesupra Kezo told TNIE that the villagers were scared on seeing the armed and unknown people in civils at an odd hour. It caused a lot of alarm and commotion, he also said. When the Assam police personnel entered Nagaland, they were supposed to inform us and the border magistrate beforehand. However, no information was provided to us. The Yajang village authorities had contacted us to seek information about the persons. We said that we were not aware as Nagaland police were not informed at all, Kezo said. They were called to the residence of the village council chairman and questioned. They were released when it was established that they are Assam police personnel, the SP added. He said he had learnt about the identities of the persons only after talking to the Jorhat SP. I immediately intervened. A police force deployed nearby was sent to the village to contain the situation. The villagers suspected the Assam cops to be members of an extremist group and were scared. Everything was sorted out last night itself, Kezo said. He added that a few Assam police personnel were released on Tuesday night and the others were released on Wednesday morning. Parts of the Jorhat-Mokokchung interstate district border are disputed and hence, considered sensitive. Several incidents of border skirmishes were reported in the past.

Google Maps Leads Assam Police Into Nagaland, 16 Officers Held Captive By Locals Overnight

The locals thought the Assam Police team to be some miscreants carrying sophisticated arms and detained them.

Google Maps lands Assam Police in Nagaland, locals hold them captive overnight; here's what happened

The locals thought the Assam Police team to be some miscreants carrying sophisticated arms and detained them.

Nagaland: Naga woman allegedly assaulted by Kuki in Leimakhong

Kohima: A Naga woman was allegedly assaulted by a group of Kuki individuals in Leimakhong, Manipur, on Tuesday, sparking outrage and calls for intervention, the incident took place in Konsakhul K Lungwiram, a Zeliangrong Naga village about 2 km from the Leimakhong army cantonment in the Saitu Constituency of Kangpokpi district. According to reports, the [] The post Nagaland: Naga woman allegedly assaulted by Kuki in Leimakhong appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Nagaland: English daily Nagaland Page ceases operation after 25 years

Dimapur: Nagalands second English daily, Nagaland Page, has bid farewell after 25 years of publication, the newspapers founder and editor, Monalisa Changkija, announced the closure during a press conference in Dimapur on January 7. The newspapers founder and editor, Monalisa Changkija, announced the closure during a press conference in Dimapur on January 7. The last [] The post Nagaland: English daily Nagaland Page ceases operation after 25 years appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Villagers in Manipur warn against withdrawal of security forces Nagaland Post

Villagers in Manipur warn against withdrawal of security forcesNagaland Post

Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom extends Gaan Ngai greetings

The Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom Assam, Manipur and Nagaland has conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur with the advent of Gaan Ngai festival 2025, which falls on January 12, the 13th day ofWakching month of Manipuri lunar calendar A press release issued by Chaoba Kamson, general secretary, Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom Assam, Manipur and Nagaland also extended New Year wishes to the people It further expressed hope that the festival will bring peaceful co existence and a prosperous and harmonious Manipur Source The Sangai Express

Nine still trapped in flooded Assam coal mine, navy deep divers join rescue operations

GUWAHATI: Nine miners continued to remain trapped inside a coal mine near Umrangso in Assams Dima Hasao hill district even as deep divers from the Indian Navy joined the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and army in the rescue mission . The Navy team is now spearheading the rescue efforts, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X sharing the updates. The state government had requisitioned Navy deep divers from Visakhapatnam to assist in the rescue operation. Special DGP Harmeet Singh told media at the site that divers from armys special forces, NDRF and SDRF had recced the entire area and shared their findings with the Navy divers. The Navy team came along with deep diving equipment. There are tunnels inside the mine and more equipment will be required to go there, Singh said. Earlier in the day, a statement issued by the state government said, The bodies are yet to be recovered. Dewatering has been stopped for the time being. The mine with a 20 ft radius is about 300 ft deep and the water level inside it has risen to more than 100 ft. It is yet to be ascertained what caused the flooding. Sarma said prima facie, it appeared to be an illegal mine. Punish Nunisa was arrested in connection with a case registered by the police under Sections 3(5)/105 BNS, read with Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The CM released the names of the trapped miners on Monday night. They are Ganga Bahadur Shreth (38) from Nepal, Sanjit Sarkar (35) from West Bengal, Hussain Ali (30), Jakir Hussain (38), Sarpa Barman (46), Mustafa Seikh (44), Khusi Mohan Rai (57), Lijan Magar (26) and Sarat Goyary (37), all from Assam. Coal mine tragedies are common in the Northeast. In January last year, a fire in a coal mine in Nagaland's Wokha district had left six workers dead. Four others were also injured. In May the same year, a mine in Assams Tinsukia district caved in, killing three miners. Then in September 2022, three coal miners got killed by inhaling suspected toxic gas in the same district. The biggest tragedy in recent memories was the death of 15 miners in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalayas Ksan area on December 13, 2018.

FAC approves commando camp in Assams protected forest, imposes heavy penalties

Guwahati: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union environment ministry has granted post-facto approval for two Commando Battalion camps in Assams protected forest areas, while imposing significant penalties for violations of forest conservation laws. The approval pertains to the diversion of 26.1 hectares within the Geleky Reserved Forest, situated along the volatile Assam-Nagaland border [] The post FAC approves commando camp in Assams protected forest, imposes heavy penalties appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Nagaland cabinet rejects PAR, discusses Frontier Nagaland

Dimapur: In its first meeting of the year, the Nagaland Cabinet made a strong stand against the Union Home Ministrys move to reinstate the Protected Area Regime (PAR), signaling a firm opposition to the decision that could impact the states governance and security policies. The cabinet decided to send a formal letter to the Ministry, [] The post Nagaland cabinet rejects PAR, discusses Frontier Nagaland appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Several feared trapped in flooded coal mine in Assams Dima Hasao

GUWAHATI: Several people are feared trapped inside a coal mine in the Umrangso area of Assams Dima Hasao hill district. Local media reported that over 20 miners are trapped inside the 300 ft-deep mine filled with 100 feet of water. Officials are on their way to the site that is located in a remote area. It takes about seven hours to reach Umrangso from the district headquarters Haflong by road. We are on our way to the place, district magistrate Simanta Das told TNIE. We have not been able to collect proper information so far. According to preliminary information that we have received from the Umrangso police station, four to six people were trapped due to flooding in the coal mine. We dont know what caused the flooding, Das said. DM said an assessment would be done by Monday night for a rescue operation on Tuesday morning. According to the DM, the group leader of miners flees the place when such an incident occurs. Normally, a list containing the names and total number of miners is maintained by the team leader when they go down into a coal mine, he said. The Assam Mines and Minerals Department monitors issues over mines. We have asked the department to send an officer to coordinate the rescue operation. The SDRF will be engaged in the rescue operation. We will call the NDRF if required. We were told one Nunisa is the owner of the coal mine, he added. Coal mine tragedies are common in the Northeast, particularly Meghalaya. In January last year, a fire in a coal mine in Nagaland's Wokha district had left six workers dead. Four others were also injured. In May last year, a mine in Assams Tinsukia district caved in, killing three miners. Then in September 2022, three coal miners were killed by inhaling suspected toxic gas in the same district. The biggest tragedy in recent memories was the death of 15 miners in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalayas Ksan area on December 13, 2018.

Paatal Lok Season 2 trailer: Jaideep Ahlawats Hathi Ram goes to Nagaland on a riveting new mission

Created by Sudip Sharma, the series is set to premiere on Prime Video on January 17

3 of Family Killed in Gruesome Medchal Road Accident

Hyderabad: Three members of a family were killed, while a fourth is battling for life after a lorry rammed into their bike near Medchal check post at 3.30 pm on Sunday. According to Medchal station house officer A. Satyanarayana, the deceased have been identified as Bullabbai, 37, Lavanya, 30, and a seven-year-old girl. The couple's four-year-old son is in critical condition in a private hospital. A native of Kakinada, Bullabbai worked as a street-side breakfast vendor. On Sunday morning, Lavanya and her husband were travelling to meet her friend, who resides in Yellampet. While they were near the Medchal checkpost, when the bike was moving towards the left, a Nagaland-registered container truck suddenly swerved left and ran over the two-wheeler. Bullabbai, Lavanya and their daughter died on the spot. Medchal police, who were informed through a dial 100 call, rushed to the spot and shifted the boy to a hospital. His condition remains critical. Police said they are going through CCTV footage at the location, and conducting further investigation. Meanwhile, bodies of the three deceased were shifted to the Gandhi Hospital mortuary for postmortem.

IMD predicts intense snowfall with heavy rain showers in the western Himalayan regions, other parts to face...

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned about fresh snowfall with rain in Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of North India on January 5. Scattered rain with snowfall is predicted in these regions from January 2 to January 4. This might continue till January 6. Also, there will be development of cold day conditions in Northwest plains and Central India with moderate isolated showers. Regions to face cold weather and dense fog IMD notified that dense fog will occur in areas of Haryana, Odisha, Punjab and Chandigarh till early morning today. It is anticipated in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim and Madhya Pradesh for the next 24 hours. While, in the northeastern regions of Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Assam and Meghalaya till January 6. Northeast will also face ground frost weather till tomorrow. Similarly, isolated cold day conditions will be observed in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The northwest India will have a rise in the minimum temperatures by two to three degrees in the coming five days. The central and eastern India will face a temperature change probably after three days. Fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh According to the Met Department, the mid and high-hill areas of Himachal Pradesh are likely to receive fresh snowfall and downpour from today. The snowfall can intensify from January 4 to January 7. Heavy rain will follow between January 5 and January 6. The low hill areas and plains will continue with the dry weather. The weather was dry yesterday, however cold wave was observed in Sundernagar, dense fog in Kangra and Mandi and a moderate fog in Una. Temperature will fall by 4-5 degrees. Weather in Delhi/NCR There will be a partly cloudy weather in the national capital with moderate fog and smog. The regions in the outskirts will have dense fog in the morning. At the time of evening and night, smog along with shallow fog will be there. Delhi is already experiencing intense cold weather conditions since three days. Rain and thunderstorms might hit the NCR region. These significant changes in weather are caused due to western disturbances. According to the IMD, the western disturbance can be seen as a cyclonic circulation over East Afghanistan in lower tropospheric levels. Due to which, isolated to scattered rainfall/snowfall is expected in the Western Himalayan region. Thus, the weather is likely to intensify for a couple of days with snow and rainfall in the north and cold waves in other regions.

India completes over 9 km fencing at Manipur's Moreh along Myanmar border; road construction underway: MHA

New Delhi [India] : India has completed a 9.214 km-long border fencing project at Manipur's Moreh along the India-Myanmar border and work on constructing a road parallel to the fence is currently in progress, a project aimed at enhancing security and curbing illegal cross-border activities as well as improve accessibility and strengthen patrolling in the region, the MHA report said. The information mentioned in the Ministry of Home Affairs Annual Report 2023-2024 stated that The construction of fencing for a border length of 9.214 km at Moreh awarded to Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been completed and work on the road along the fence is in progress. The India-Myanmar border stretches over 1,600 km and traverses four northeastern states, including Manipur. This porous border has been a hotspot for smuggling, illegal migration, and insurgent activities. The fencing project at Moreh, a key border town and a significant trade hub, is part of India's broader effort to secure its borders and promote infrastructural development in the northeast. India shares a 1,643 km long border with Myanmar which passes through the States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km). Out of the 1,643 km border, the demarcation of the 1,472 km border has been completed. Construction work on two pilot projects of a Hybrid surveillance system, one km each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur has been awarded to Assam Rifles and work is in progress The construction of 20.862 km fence and road was awarded to BRO in February, 2024 for which the work is in progress, added the MHA report.

Elections, environment on agenda of states

Gujarat Civic body polls, new BJP president await the state Gujarat is looking forward to its long-awaited panchayat and civic body elections. This is especially significant as the five-year term of the last dispensation ended two years ago. The election, which will cover 4,410 local bodies, may be held before March. The Gujarat BJP is also set to appoint a new president, since the three-year term of incumbent Chandrakant Raghunath Patil ended in July 2024. Sources say his successor will be an OBC leader from Saurashtra or north Gujarat. Jammu & kashmir Statehood, rail link amid tension between CM & L-G Jammu and Kashmir is expecting the year to usher in better connectivity. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway project, which is nearing completion, will connect J&Ks interiors to the rest of the country. Statehood remains a major political question . L-G Manoj Sinha has cleared a resolution passed by the cabinet. CM Omar Abdullah has also been frequenting Delhi to meet PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the cause. There is tension beginning to simmer between Sinha and Abdullah. Bihar Who will occupy Patna? Battlelines all drawn All major political parties JD(U), BJP, RJD are busy formulating strategies for the assembly elections, likely to be held in October or November. The election will also be a litmus test for the newly launched Jan Suraaj Party. On development front, the government has promised to start metro rail services in Patna by June. While job creation, migration and rising pollution are major challenges for the state, it is looking forward to be rid of Naxalism and a new Film City in Nalanda district. Chhattisgarh Hindi implementation in medical education in offing Curiousity persists about who will occupy the 2-3 vacant ministerial berths in the Vishnu Deo Sai cabinet. Ditto with the next chief secretary and the director general of police faces. The urban local body and the 3-tier panchayat polls are due. Chhattisgarh is also set to implement Hindi as the medium for medical education. With paddy procurement being a persistent political issue in the rice bowl state, whether it would hit the procurement target of 160 lakh MT is to be seen. Madhya pradesh Sanctuaries eagerly await cheetahs, cobras, buffaloes Madhya Pradesh is eagerly waiting to bring home a host of wildlife this year. On the lines of Kuno National Park, the Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary is readying for its first batch of African cheetahs. The state will procure king cobras from Karnataka and wild buffaloes from Assam. Meanwhile, Indore and Bhopal residents expect the commencement of metro rail operations in 2025. The year will see Bhopal host its first Global Investors Summit on February 24 and 25. Maharashtra Time for to fulfil its election promises The new year will trace the MahaYuti governments trajectory. CM Fadnavis will have to deal with two dominant allies and their super-sized ambitions, but the immediate challenge before him is not political, but economical. The state has a total debt of over `8.5 lakh crore. With supplementary budget demands, it will soar to `10 lakh crore. A major portion of the states income goes to salaries, interests on loans and welfare schemes. The question now is about the additional revenue sources. Jharkhand Major boost to infra with 9 flyovers, ring road in Ranchi A major boost to Ranchis infrastructure is in the offing, with the construction of as many as nine flyovers and an internal ring road. Two flyovers are planned for Saraikela and Dumki as well. The newly appointed ministers will move into the state-of-the-art bungalows near the assembly building in January. The 11-acre residential complex is dotted with expansive lawns, features modern designs and a club house for recreation. Eighty of the promised 500 CM schools of excellence will be completed this year. Uttarakhand UCC, Char Dham authority, strict land laws set to kick in The Pushkar Singh Dhami government plans to kick-start the new year by implementing the Uniform Civil Code law in January. The state is in the final stages of implementing a robust land law, and has also drafted 14 new policies. A Char Dham Yatra Authority will soon be formed to make pilgrimage to the four shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri more accessible. The 38th National Games will take place in the scenic state from January 28 to February 14. West bengal Didi works overtime to set house in order ahead of poll The political unrest in Bangladesh will impact West Bengal. The inflow of patients from the neighbouring country to Kolkata hospitals has already been hit and cross-border trade stands disrupted. There is also a huge influx of illegal immigrants trying to infiltrate the border. On the political front, 2025 would be a crucial year for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. As Trinamool Congress prepares for the assembly elections in 2026, it would be facing 15 years of anti-incumbency. Uttar pradesh Stage set for Maha Kumbh, over 40 cr footfall expected The state is gearing up for Mahakumbh to be held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. Deemed the largest religious congregation, the event will see an estimated 40 crore footfall and incur `7,500 crore expenditure. Another prominent event in 2015 would be the bypoll to Milkipur assembly seat. The seat fell vacant when SP MLA Awdhesh Prasad was elected to Lok Sabha in 2024. The Milkipur assembly bypoll could not be held with nine others, as it was embroiled in a litigation. Northeast BJP, Congress preparing for panchayat polls in Assam With the resurgence of Congress in many parts of Northeast, the panchayat polls to be held in Assam this year will be a test of BJPs prospects in the 2026 assembly elections. The year may hold good news for the six districts in Nagalands eastern fringes, with the ENPO accepting Centres offer of some autonomy. With regards to Naga peace talks, no immediate solution is in sight. Given the level of animosity between the warring groups in Manipur, reconciliation appears distant. Punjab, haryana Punjab faces farmers protest, funds crunch The major challenges before the Punjab government is to convince the protesting farmers to lift the blockade from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, and to get its finances back on track. In Haryana, the ruling BJP and the Congress are bracing up for another battle, with elections to eight municipal corporations, four municipal councils and 22 municipal committees set to be held in February. The much-awaited expansion of the Gurugram metro rail project will begin in May.

Manipur accounts for 77% of Northeast violence in 2023 amid ethnic strife: MHA report

NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its annual report for the year 2023-24 has said that Manipur, which has been reeling under prolonged ethnic strife, which started in May 2023 between the majority Meitei group and Kuki tribe, has accounted for about 77 per cent of the total violent incidents in the entire northeastern region in the year 2023. In the report, a copy of which is with this newspaper, the MHA said, in 2023, Manipur witnessed an increase in violent incidents due to ethnic clashes and this resulted in increasing the number of casualties of civilians and security forces personnel as compared to 2022. The report said, that among the total 243 violent incidents that occurred in the Northeast, 187 took place in Manipur alone. The counter-insurgency operations in Manipur resulted in killing of 33 insurgents and arrest of 184 insurgents besides recovery of 49 weapons. Further, 80 cadres of insurgent outfits surrendered with 31 arms, it read. The report, however, contended that dealing with violent incidents primarily happens to be the responsibility of the state government, as it pertains to the maintenance of public order. But the central government has been consistently extending its support, as required by the state government, it added. In the report, the MHA noted that the Centre took a series of immediate and sustained measures to deal with the emerging situation in the troubled state. During his visit to the state between May 29 and June 1, 2023, the Union Home Minister held more than 15 meetings with government officers, personnel of security forces, political leaders and scores of civil society members. Then Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Home, monitored the situation by staying in Manipur from May 25 to June 17, 2023 on the direction of the Home Minister. Meanwhile, the MHA in a separate statement said that the Centre has asked North-Eastern states having borders with Myanmar including Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur to map demographic data of people along the frontiers to help in the planned fencing and curbing infiltration. The decision to ask the North-Eastern states in this regard assumes special significance given the MHAs decision earlier this year to scrap the free movement regime (FMR) along the India -Myanmar border. Recently, however, the MHA has directed the Manipur government to allow people living within 10 km along the borders to travel across on the basis of special passes issued by the border guarding force Assam Rifles. Manipur CM ends the year by apologising for ethnic conflict, urges all communities to 'forget, forgive'

Flash Back 2024: We, the people!

Our Constitution is 75 years old. We adopted it on the 26th day of November in 1949, with India solemnly pledging its allegiance to the document. Our Parliament thought of debating the seminal text during the winter session to mark the occasion. The idea elicited a rare unified response from the treasury and opposition benches. However, the book eventually took a backseat as politicians bent over history books, scouring for fallibility to score points over their rivals. Hardly any value emerged from the debates; there was little introspection on the constitutional provisions and the road ahead. Instead, the two sides engaged in a circuitous war of words merely to steer their respective agendas. The brilliance of Indian Constitution perhaps lies in its awareness of its limitations. The makers of this mammoth body of work recognised their inability to conceive the interminable possibilities that the future held. Thus, they empowered the text by making it mutable, one that could adapt according to the needs of the time, as long as its founding principles remained firm and unchanged. In its 75-year journey, the Constitution has seen 106 amendments, all intended to broaden its scope and applicability. While these amendments have been crucial in addressing the changing dimensions of Indian polity, they also fostered the agendas of the ruling party of the day. And yet, when our elected representatives waged the holier than thou war on the floor of Parliament, the ghost of Dr BR Ambedkar returned to haunt them. Neither the treasury nor the opposition benches could fully spit or swallow the tenets founded by Baba Saheb. Having served no purpose, the sound and fury of the fracas eventually fizzled out. The politicos still swore by the book and pledged greater faith to it than their rivals though they forewent discussing the Constitution. And Baba Saheb won. First Amendment Act, 1951 Empowered the state to create special provisions for the advancement of socially and economically backward classes Ensured the protection of laws related to the acquisition of estates and similar matters Introduced the Ninth Schedule to shield land reform laws and other included legislation from judicial review Added Articles 31A and 31B after Article 31 Imposed three additional grounds for restricting freedom of speech and expression: public order, friendly relations with foreign states, and incitement to an offence 2nd Amendment Act, 1952 The scale of representation in the Lok Sabha was readjusted stating that 1 member can represent even more than 7.5 lakh people 7th Amendment Act, 1956 The provision of having a common High Court for two or more states was introduced Abolition of Class A, B, C and D states 14 States & 6 Union Territories were formed Introduction of UTs 9th Amendment Act, 1960 Adjustments to Indian Territory as a result of an agreement with Pakistan (Indo-Pak Agreement 1958): Cession of Indian territory of Berubari Union (West Bengal) to Pakistan 10th Amendment Act, 1961 Dadra, Nagar, and Haveli incorporated in the Union of Indian as a Union Territory 12th Amendment Act, 1962 Goa, Daman and Diu incorporated in the Indian Union as a Union Territory 13th Amendment Act, 1962 Nagaland was formed with special status under Article 371A 14th Amendment Act, 1962 Pondicherry incorporated into the Indian Union Union Territories of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Goa, Daman and Diu and Puducherry were provided the legislature and council of ministers 19th Amendment Act, 1966 System of Election Tribunals was abolished and High Courts were given the power to hear the election petitions 21st Amendment Act, 1967 Sindhi language was included into 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution 24th Amendment Act, 1971 The Presidents assent to Constitutional Amendment Bill was made compulsory 25th Amendment Act, 1971 Fundamental Right to Property was curtailed 31st Amendment Act, 1972 Lok Sabha seats were increased from 525 to 545 35th Amendment Act, 1974 The status of Sikkim as protectorate state was terminated and Sikkim was given the status of Associate State of India 36th Amendment Act, 1975 Sikkim was made a full-fledged state of India 40th Amendment Act, 1976 Parliament was empowered to specify from time to time the limits of the territorial waters, the continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone and maritime zones of India 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 It is one of the most important amendments to the Indian Constitution. It was enacted by the Indian National Congress headed by Indira Gandhi then. Due to the large number of amendments this act has brought to the Indian Constitution, it is also known as Mini-Constitution. The 42nd amendment attempted to alter the basic structure of the indian constitution. For preamble For the words Sovereign Democratic Republic, the words Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic was substituted For the words unity of the Nation, the words unity and integrity of the Nation was substituted 7th Schedule: Transferred 5 Topics From State To Concurrent List Education Forests Weights & Measures Protection of Wild Animals and Birds Administration of Justice Article 51a : 10 Fundamental Duties Added For The Citizens Parliament 1. Made President bound to the advice of the cabinet 2. Allowed Centre to deploy central forces in State to deal with the conflicting situations of law and order (Article 257A) 3. Gave special discretionary powers to the speaker of the Lok Sabha and Prime Minister (Article 329A) 4. Directive Principles were given precedence over Fundamental Rights and any law made to this effect by the Parliament was kept beyond the scope of judicial review by the Court 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 Anti-defection law The 10th Schedule popularly referred to as the Anti-Defection Law was inserted; Defection has been defined as, To abandon a position or association, often to join an opposing group 61st Amendment Act, 1989 Voting age was decreased from 21 to 18 for both Lok Sabha and Assemblies polls 65th Amendment Act, 1990 National Commission for SC/ST was formed and the office of a special officer for SCs/STs was removed 69th Amendment Act, 1991 Union Territory of Delhi was given the special status of National Capital Territory of Delhi; 70-member legislative assembly and a 7-member council of ministers were formed 71st Amendment Act, 1992 Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali languages included in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution. Total official languages: 18 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 Panchayati Raj institutions were given constitutional status 86th Amendment Act, 2002 Elementary education was made a fundamental right; Free and compulsory education to kids between 6 and 14 years 88th Amendment Act, 2003 Provision of Service Tax was made under Article 268-A; Service tax levied by Union and collected and appropriated by the Union and the states 92nd Amendment Act, 2003 Bodo, Dogri (Dongri), Maithili and Santhali added in 8th schedule 95th Amendment Act, 2009 Extended the reservation of seats for the SCs/STs and special representation for Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies for a further period of 10 years i.e., up to 2020 (Article 334) 97th Amendment Act, 2011 Co-operative Societies were granted constitutional status 100th Amendment Act, 2015 To pursue land boundary agreement 1974 between India and Bangladesh, exchange of some enclave territories with Bangladesh mentioned Provisions relating to the territories of Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya in the first schedule amended 101st Amendment Act, 2016 Goods and Service Tax (GST) introduced 102nd Amendment Act, 2018 Constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes 103rd Amendment Act, 2019 A maximum of 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections of citizens of classes other than classes mentioned in clauses (4) and (5) of Article 15, i.e. Classes other than socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or the SCs/STs 104th Amendment Act, 2020 Extended deadline for the cessation of seats for SCs/STs in the Lok Sabha and assemblies from 70 years to 80. Removed the reserved seats for the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha & assemblies 105th Amendment Act, 2021 Restored state governments power to prepare Socially & Educationally Backward Classes list 106th Amendment Act, 2023 This was the womens reservation bill which reserves one-third of all seats for women in Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi The changes Restored original tenure of Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies to five years Any changes in the basic structure of the Constitution can be made only if they are approved by the people by a majority of votes at a referendum in which at least 51% of the electorate participated. Article 368 was amended to ensure this Reversed the provision made by the 42nd amendment act that allowed the government to amend the Constitution on its wish by Article 368. 44th Amendment Act nullified this power to the government Right to Property was removed from fundamental rights (Article 31) and was made a legal right under Article 300A Replaced the term internal disturbance with armed rebellion in provisions concerning a national emergency Proclamation of Emergency can be issued only when the security or any part of its territory is threatened by war or external aggression or by armed rebellion An emergency can be proclaimed only on the basis of written advice tendered to the President or by the Cabinet Right of the media to report freely and without censorship the proceedings in Parliament and the State Legislatures Removed provisions that denied courts the authority to adjudicate election disputes involving the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, and Speaker of the Lok Sabha Colonial Vs Desi For things going wrong, dont blame British NEW DELHI: The Constitution borrows from the Government of India Act of 1935, but it differs from it substantially, too. If India inherited rule of law and due process doctrines from the British, remember that fundamental rights, accountable government, popular sovereignty and democracy are indigenous without colonial credentials. The biggest argument to counter the colonial continuity component is this: parties of all hues that fought for ridding India of the colonials briefly contested provincial polls and formed governments and passed laws while being part of the colonial state. Were the laws they passed colonial? These governments passed legislation when Indian citizens and their leaders were subject to the British colonial Constitution. They led a freedom movement against the colonials while working under the latters colonial framework. Yes, there is substantial colonial continuity. The civil service and police which were tools of colonial control did survive, and thrive, in post-colonial period. For, law and order, administration and governance, and their institutions are mandatory whether a colonial or a post-colonial is in power. Father of the Constitution BR Ambedkar had the word so many years ago: By independence, we have lost the excuse of blaming the British for anything going wrong. If hereafter things go wrong, we will have nobody to blame except ourselves. Time to remove colonial mindset in letter & spirit NEW DELHI: The second of the panch paraan Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked of on August 15, 2022 referred to discarding the colonial mindset in law and spirit. Conservatives have always argued the Constitution is a colonial document because it copied much from the Government of India Act, 1935. Some said a colonial mindset made the Constitution a prescriptive document, assuming, like the British, that Indians cannot govern themselves and need to be governed. In later years, when the BJP came to power, the Constitution underwent changes to meet its objectives by following the parliamentary process. The Constitution was amended to get rid of Article 370 in Kashmir. Havelock Island is now called Swaraj Dweep. Triple Talaq was declared unconstitutional. Simultaneously, the BJP undertook exercises to erase the colonial mindset. It Indianised names of institutions, roads, buildings, official procedures, even islands, to relieve them of colonial nomenclature. Raj Path became Kartavya Path. Subhas Chandra Bose replaced King George V at India Gate. The Navy got a new ensign. Three British-period criminal laws got Hindi names. Swarajya magazine has the last word: One problem with the Indian Constitution is that it was entirely conceived and written in a foreign language, English, which means its interpretation will also be alien to our culture even if our courts are Indian.

Nagaland celebrates Christmas with religious fervour

KOHIMA, Dec 25: Christian-majority Nagaland on Wednesday celebrated Christmas with religious fervour, as people took part in special prayer services and feasts. Decorative lights and Christmas stars lit homes, streets, government offices and commercial buildings while revelers moved around in groups on Christmas eve on Tuesday night singing carols and wishing people Merry Christmas. At []

Nagaland: Congress returns to spotlight after two decades, civic polls held after 20 years

KOHIMA, Dec 25: Nagaland witnessed a significant political shift this year as the Congress made a comeback by winning the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state after decades of political marginalisation and elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were held for the first time in 20 years with 33 per cent reservation for women, marking a pivotal moment in its political landscape. In the parliamentary elections held earlier this year, Congress candidate S Supongmeren Jamir clinched the states only [] The post Nagaland: Congress returns to spotlight after two decades, civic polls held after 20 years appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Shikha Mukerjee | Yunus hostile Dhaka sets a huge challenge for Delhi

Perceptions matter; the relationship be-tween Bangladesh and India has turned, definitively, not friendly in just four months, after the distinctly friendly leader of the Awami League, Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, fled and was granted refuge by the Naren-dra Modi government. The frostiness is mutual. Dhakas formal demand for Hasinas extradition, which New Delhi is unlikely to accept, will only intensify the friction. The problem is embedded in the ideology and political practices of the BJP and its parent RSS. Its cadres and the bhakts seem to have been programmed over decades to react to certain signs. The Congress is one red rag and if there is a way of linking this object of dislike with the BJP-RSS ideological obsession about Muslims, the response is an automatic release of a tide of verbal vitriol that even the Supreme Court has described as hate speech. In a mirror reflection of this, specific political parties and extravagantly Islamist, that is, radical organisations in Bangladesh see India as a source of threat to the identity of this Muslim majority nation. In power and out of power, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the newer Hefazat-e-Islam are deeply suspicious of India, Hindus and other minorities in that order, and see them as a packaged source of destabilisation. Indias neighbourhood has hugely changed. The compulsions of domestic politics in the neighbourhood require countries to sustain a high-pitched search for symbols and people who can be targeted as trouble-makers intent on destabilisation. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made it difficult to negotiate with equally touchy neighbours to maintain cordial relations. India has for a long time been part of domestic politics in Bangladesh. Under pressure from the BNP to hold elections, which Muhammad Yunus has promised to do by the end of 2025, the Modi government will have to find ways of dealing with the inevitable increase in anti-India rhetoric that will be a part of the political campaign. During Sheikh Hasinas times, the radical Islamist sections like the Hefazat-e-Islam or the Jamaat-e-Islami routinely spewed the type of venom that slogans like the BJP's Ek Hain toh Safe Hain or Batange toh Katange reflect. The difference was that she downplayed it and kept the India-Bangladesh relationship on an even keel. The Yunus regime cannot afford to function in the mode that Hasina did. India has to be prepared to handle the rhetoric and the attacks that the resurgent BNP plus the radical Islamist elements will indulge to mobilise the masses. To put it mildly, the Modi government is seriously under-prepared to do so, as the tote bag incident revealed. Having used the illegal Muslim migrant from Bangladesh whose sole purpose, as the pitch for the Jharkhand election exp-lained, was to bring about a demographic change by targeting women, land and assets, the Modi government has made it harder for India to handle its relationship with Bangladesh with any semblance of maturity. Changes in the neighbourhood require that the conduct of politics within India, especially of Members of Parliament from the ruling BJP, calibrate their knee-jerk reaction in ways that do not embarrass the Modi government. This was evident from BJP MPs' and the immensely influential media machine's vicious reaction to newbie MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's tote bag, calling for solidarity with Bangladeshi Hindus. The demand was entirely in line with the Modi governments bid to try and build bridges with the interim government led by Muhamad Yunus and the military-political establishment that supports it. Not only had the Indian Prime Minister raised the matter in his first conversation with Mr Yunus, but it was part of foreign secretary Vikram Misris agenda during his recent visit to Dhaka. He did speak to the interim government about the violence and attacks against Hindus, especially Chinmoy Krishna Das, formerly of Iskcon, in Chittagong, where legal services have been denied by the ultra-conservative and militant Hefazat-e-Islam agitators and lawyers. In its mindless competition to score points against the Congress and the celebrity status of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the BJP committed a grave error. Coincidence or otherwise, Bangladesh's high court has commuted the death sentence on Paresh Barua, chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and a listed terrorist by both countries to life imprisonment. The reduction of the severity of his punishment in an illegal arms shipment case from 2004 coupled with the acquittal of Bangladesh Nationalist Party's former minister Lutfozzaman Babar and five others, is a message that India cannot afford to misread: the current Bangladesh regime is very different from the one led by Sheikh Hasina. The timing of the commutation of the death sentence and the acquittal indicates that the Yunus regime is conveying a clear message to India. And that message is certainly not friendly. The symbiotic relationship that once existed between India and Sheikh Hasinas Bangladesh and before that during her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans lifetime, is now ended. Just as the Modi government has been relentless in identifying Bangladeshis as illegal migrants and branding them hostile Muslim infiltrators, who on arrival in India become terrorists or potential trouble-makers armed with an agenda to swamp the Hindu majority in terms of population, the current political dispensation in Bangladesh have said things like Choke the Chickens Neck, referring to the narrow corridor that connects Indias Northeast with the rest of the country, that are seriously hostile. Wriggle room to ease the current levels of mistrust has shrunk. As the head of the interim government, Yunus was pushed into defending his regime by describing the facts of temples being attacked, Hindus assaulted and killed and the general sense of insecurity as propaganda. For reasons of its own, Bangladesh could not have done it any other way, because that would be tantamount to an admission of human rights violation which would make the Yunus regime vulnerable in the eyes of the world. When signs open to different readings and of course mis-readings take over, the conduct of complicated foreign policy to deal with complex issues becomes enormously difficult. The court in Bangladesh by commuting Paresh Barua's sentence has delivered a live bomb to India that will test Mr Modis capacity to handle foreign policy issues that significantly impact volatile domestic problems, especially in the Northeast, not just in Manipur but also in Nagaland. The vast improvement in the relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan is the other major problem that has emerged for the Narendra Modi government, accustomed as it was to lashing out at Pakistan as the source of forces, including terrorists, intent on destabilising India.

Christmas 2024 Bank Holiday: Banks To Remain Shut On Dec. 25 In These States; Full List Here

In addition to Dec. 25, banks will also remain shut on Dec. 26 in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya on account of Christmas celebrations.

Centre asks Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur to keep close watch on activities of foreigners

Home Ministry issues circular stating that Protected Area Permits to be issued online through Centresportal

Centre Scraps No Detention Policy for Classes 5, 8

New Delhi: The Centre has scrapped the no-detention policy for classes 5 and 8 in schools allowing them to fail students who do not clear the year-end exams. As per senior officials, the policy will be applicable to over 3,000 schools run by the Central government including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools. According to a gazette notification, after the conduct of regular examination, if a child fails to fulfil the promotion criteria, he shall be given additional instruction and opportunity for re-examination within a period of two months from the date of declaration of results. If the child appearing in the re-examination fails to fulfil the promotion criteria again, he shall be held back in fifth class or eighth class, as the case may be. During the holding back of the child, the class teacher shall guide the child as well as the parents, if necessary, and provide specialised inputs after identifying the learning gaps at various stages of assessment, the notification said. However, the government clarified that no child shall be expelled from any school till the completion of elementary education. The examination and re-examination shall be competency-based examinations to achieve the holistic development of the child and not be based on memorisation and procedural skills. The head of the school shall maintain a list of children who are held back and personally monitor the provisions provided for specialised inputs to such children and their progress with respect to the identified learning gaps, the notification read. Following the amendment to the Right to Education Act (RTE) in 2019, at least 18 states and Union Territories have already done away with the no-detention policy for the two classes. States and UTs that have scrapped the no-detention policy include Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Nagaland Lottery Sambad Result 1 PM Monday lucky draw, check full list here

We share the latest results of Nagaland State Lottery, Sikkim State Lottery, and West Bengal Lottery Sambad for the 1 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM draws.

Amit Shah Calls For Mapping Demographic Data Along India-Myanmar Border

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the demographic data of people along the India-Myanmar border, especially in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, should be mapped so that it can help in fencing of the border and stopping infiltration.

Indias forest and tree cover increased to 25.17 per cent in 2023

India's total forest and tree cover has increased to 25.17 per cent in 2023 from 24.62 per cent as per the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. The forest cover has minimally increased, compared to tree cover in the country. Meanwhile, first-time trees grown under agroforestry have also been covered. The ISFR 2023 report recorded forest cover and tree cover was 25.17 per cent. The total forest cover was 7,15,342.61 sq km which is 21.76 per cent of the geographical area of the country and the tree cover is 3.41 per cent of the geographical area of the country. With these two, total forest and tree covers are 8,27,356.95 sq km. The scrub area covers 43,622 sq km (1.33 per cent) and the non-forest area covers 24,16,489 sq. km (73.50 per cent). States that added forests and tree covers are Chhattisgarh, UP, Odisha, Rajasthan and Jharkhand and states which reduced its forest and tree covers are MP, Karnataka, Nagaland, Bihar and Tripura. The latest 18th biennial assessment ISFR of Indias forests by the Forest Survey of India was delayed by over a year. It was supposed to be released by last year. The report estimates of growing stock, the extent of trees outside forests, mangrove cover, bamboo resources, and assessment of forest carbon stock. According to the ISFR 2021 report recorded forest cover and tree cover was 24.62 per cent. The total forest cover was 7,13,789 sq km which is 21.71 per cent of the geographical area of the country. Tree cover is 2.91 per cent of the geographical area of the country.

Indias forest, tree cover increased to 25.17 per cent in 2023

NEW DELHI: India's total forest and tree cover has increased to 25.17% in 2023 from 24.62% as per the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. The forest cover has minimally increased compared to tree cover in the country. Meanwhile, first-time trees grown under agroforestry have also been covered. The ISFR 2023 report recorded forest cover and tree cover was 25.17%. The total forest cover was 7,15,342.61 sq km which is 21.76% of the geographical area of the country and the tree cover is 3.41% of the geographical area of the country. With these two, total forest and tree covers are 8,27,356.95 sq km. The scrub area covers 43,622 sq km (1.33%) and the non-forest area covers 24,16,489 sq. km (73.50%). States which added forests and tree covers are Chhattisgarh, UP, Odisha, Rajasthan and Jharkhand and states which reduced their forest and tree covers are MP, Karnataka, Nagaland, Bihar and Tripura. The latest 18th biennial assessment ISFR of Indias forests by the Forest Survey of India was delayed by over a year. It was supposed to be released by last year. The report estimates growing stock, the extent of trees outside forests, mangrove cover, bamboo resources, and assessment of forest carbon stock. According to the ISFR 2021 report recorded forest cover and tree cover was 24.62%. The total forest cover was 7,13,789 sq km which is 21.71% of the geographical area of the country. The Tree cover is 2.91% of the geographical area of the country.

10-acre Kalagram along Ganga for Mahakumbh

NEW DELHI: For the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, a culture village, called Kalagram, will be set up on over 10 acres at Daraganj along the banks of the Ganga and it will have demarcated spaces for seven zonal cultural centres (ZCC), officials said. The marked areas are named aangans (courtyards), where the ministry of culture plans to showcase art and crafts from all member states and union territories (UT). Exhibitions on the theme of Kumbha, including an immersive display, food court, and activity areas will also be put up at the venue. The ambience creation of Kalagram will be done by an expert private agency in collaboration with artists of ZCCs and Lalit Kala Akademi. The participating ZCCs are located in Patiala (Punjab), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Udaipur (Rajasthan), Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Kolkata (West Bengal), Dimapur (Nagaland), and Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu). According to the officials, diverse art installations, including cultural, educational, and commercial exhibits, are also planned for an engaging visitor experience. Union tourism culture minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat earlier told this newspaper that a cultural extravaganza, showcasing the vibrant and colourful customs, arts and crafts of the states, is planned at Mahakumbh starting January in Prayagraj. After the consultation with the Uttar Pradesh government, the ministry has got prime space allocated close to the main Mahakumbh Mela venue so that more visitors can witness the festivities, Shekhawat said. The authorities have also planned to place an installation on the proposed Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum at the venue. One of the highlights at Kalagram will be a Ganga pandal with capacity of 10,000 audiences by the Mela Authority. This will be the main arena, where celebrity performances will be held everyday. Additionally, three pandals with a space for 4,000 people will be erected at Jhunsi, Nagvasuki and Areil. There will also be another amphitheatre of 1,000 capacity at Kalagram, where Snageet Natak Akademi awardees artists, National School of Drama productions and ZCC ensembles will be organised, an official said. Apart from this, 20 stages will also be built throughout the city. They will be handed over to the UP culture department and the ministry of culture, the official added. Meanwhile, the Indian Railways is gearing up to redefine the Mahakumbh experience with an innovative Gram Tent City initiative in Prayagraj. The Mahakumbh, scheduled from January 14 to February 2025, is set to blend spirituality with modernity, providing a unique experience for millions of pilgrims. The Mahakumbh Gram Tent City plan, launched by IRCTC, aims to deliver a seamless and memorable experience for visitors.

Centre reimposes Protected Area Regime in NE states

GUWAHATI: The Manipur government said the Centre reimposed the Protected Area Regime in Manipur as well as Mizoram and Nagaland. In light of growing security concerns arising out of influx from neighbouring countries, the Ministry of Home Affairs has reimposed the Protected Area Regime in the states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland, a Manipur government statement said. With this reimposition, the movement of foreigners visiting Manipur will be closely monitored, and they are required to obtain the necessary Protected Area Permits (PAP) in accordance with the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, the statement added. PAP is an official document that a foreign national is required to carry while visiting the protected states of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and also Arunachal Pradesh. Likewise, Indian citizens from outside these states are required to carry Inner Line Permit (ILP). Both PAP and ILP are issued for inward travel into these states for a limited period. The Manipur government issued the statement in response to certain claims made by an organization identifying itself as the Kuki-Zo Council. The government said upon investigation, it was found that no such organization existed in the state. The government remained committed to maintaining peace and harmony in the state and advised the citizens to remain vigilant and trust only credible sources of information, the statement said.

NCW asks Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha Chairman to take action against Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women said on Friday it has urged the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman to take action against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over BJP MP Phangnon Konyak complaint he misbehaved with her during a protest on the Parliament's premises. In a statement, the NCW said it has taken suo-motu cognisance of the alleged incident on on Thursday, and swift action should be taken to ensure such incidents are addressed and the dignity of women parliamentarians upheld. Konyak, a tribal BJP MP from Nagaland, has alleged Gandhi came in her close proximity and shouted at her during a protest outside the Makar Dwar which made her feel extremely uncomfortable. My dignity and self-esteem have been deeply hurt by LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, she said in a communication to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar who said he would look into it. The Congress has rejected the charges and Gandhi has said it was the ruling party MPs who stopped, threatened and intimidated him. The Commission, led by Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, on Friday expressed grave concern over the matter, emphasising that Parliament must exemplify respect and equality. The statement said that in the letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, the NCW urged swift and decisive action to ensure such incidents are addressed and the dignity of women parliamentarians upheld. The NCW described the incident as a direct affront to the dignity and rights of women parliamentarians. It called for strong measures to ensure such conduct does not go unchecked. The NCW did not share the content of the letter.

BJP tears into Rahul, says doesnt deserve to be LoP

NEW DELHI: Accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of pushing and shoving its MPs on the Parliament premises, the BJP on Thursday said he does not deserve to be the Leader of Opposition after such indecent and shameful conduct. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters hours after unprecedented scenes of unruliness unfolded during protests by the ruling and opposition parties, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan squarely blamed Gandhi for the fracas. Rahul Gandhi does not deserve to hold the post of the Leader of Opposition, Chouhan said as he slammed the Congress leaders behaviour and alleged it is against Indias cultural ethos. Gandhi has rejected the BJPs charge that he pushed its MPs and alleged that the ruling party MPs stopped, threatened and intimidated him. Chouhan said the party was also pained at the treatment meted out to its tribal MP from Nagaland S Phangnon Konya, who alleged in the Rajya Sabha that Rahul Gandhi shouted at her after coming in close proximity that made her feel uncomfortable during a demonstration outside the Parliaments Makar Dwar. Will physical strength be used in Parliament? Will musclemen and goondas come to Parliament? In which direction is the Congress taking the countrys democracy? asked the BJP leader, who was flanked by Union minister Piyush Goyal and party MPs Anurag Thakur and Anil Baluni. BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured in the melee and hospitalised as the ruling and opposition MPs allegedly marched towards each other minutes before the start of the parliamentary proceedings. What happened in Parliament today is unimaginable, Chouhan said as he accused Gandhi of pushing the BJP members, terming his conduct as indecent, impudent and goondagardi. Chouhan claimed that when the BJP MPs were protesting, Gandhi deliberately approached them and insisted on passing through them instead of using the space left on one side of the staircase of the Makar Dwar, used by members to enter and exit the building. He did this despite the security personnel requesting him to use the space left for the parliamentarians entry, the minister alleged. Chouhan said people elect their leaders to Parliament with the hope that they will put forth their issues with facts and logic. But the Congress is changing it, he said and asked, Will physical strength be used in Parliament?

Parliament scuffle: Nagaland MP alleges Rahul made her uncomfortable; blatant lie, says Congress

Rajya Sabha MP Phangnon Konyak accused Rahul Gandhi of misbehavior. Konyak stated Gandhi's proximity made her uncomfortable. She lodged a complaint with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Congress MP Hibi Eden refuted the claims. Eden said he witnessed the event. He confirmed Gandhi did not approach Konyak.

Rahul Gandhi does not deserve to be Leader of Opposition: BJP

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the party was pained at the treatment meted out to its tribal MP from Nagaland, S Phangnon Konya, who alleged in the Rajya Sabha that Gandhi shouted at her after coming in close proximity that made her feel uncomfortable during a demonstration outside Parliament's Makar Dwar.

My dignity, self-esteem deeply hurt by Rahul: BJP MP

A BJP MP from Nagaland has alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came very close to her and shouted at her during a protest outside the Parliament, making her feel uncomfortable. The incident has led to a war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, with both sides accusing each other of misconduct. The BJP has demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, while the Congress has denied the allegations.

Sarbananda Sonowal slams Rahul Gandhi's alleged unparliamentary behavior towards Northeast tribal MP

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned Rahul Gandhi's actions in Parliament. Sonowal stated Gandhi displayed unparliamentary behavior. He reportedly injured MP Pratap Sarangi. Gandhi also allegedly misbehaved with a woman MP from Nagaland. Sonowal called for action against Gandhi in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Felt uncomfortable: BJP MP Phangnon Konyak accuses Rahul Gandhi of misbehaviour

Amid face-off between Opposition and the ruling party members over Home Minister Amit Shah's Ambedkar remark, BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland Phangnon Konyak on Thursday accused Rahul Gandhi of misbehaviour claiming that the Leader of Opposition ...

Nagaland BJP MPs allegation on LS LoP: 'Rahul Gandhi came in close proximity, felt uncomfortable'