Page 2 - Northeast India

Protesters clash with security forces in Manipur over Sangai festival

People demonstrating against the Sangai festival clashed with security forces in Manipur's Imphal East district on Friday, amid a 'cease work' called by the Meitei group COCOMI. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has been opposing the tourism festival by the state government, stating that organising such an event amid the crisis being faced by families displaced by the ethnic violence was "highly insensitive". The clash happened at Khurai Lamlong when security forces intercepted demonstrators, including several displaced persons, who were marching towards the venue of the festival, an official said. The demonstrators hurled stones at the forces, forcing them to lob several rounds of tear gas shells, he said. Demonstrators claimed that some of them sustained minor injuries as a result of the clash. The 'cease work', effectively a shutdown, affected normal life in the Imphal Valley districts, with markets and other commercial establishments remaining closed sin

Northeast has been kept at centre of policymaking, says FM Sitharaman

Sitharaman says the Northeast now has the fundamentals in place and is rapidly building digital and semiconductor-ready capabilities with strong policy priority from the Centre

46 new dengue cases in Tripura's Kailasahar, situation under control

Forty-six new dengue cases have been reported from Kailasahar town of Tripura's Unakoti district, an official said. Thirteen out of the 46 patients are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals, the official said. Dr Rohan Paul of Kailasahar Sub-Divisional Hospital said, "The situation in Kailasahar is well under control. There is no cause for panic." He said Kailasahar town is more prone to dengue than other areas of the state as tests for the mosquito-borne disease are conducted year-round. He expressed concern that many individuals resort to self-medication without proper medical consultation. "We are suggesting people to undergo dengue tests at the sub-divisional hospital or at nearby primary health centres. Taking medicine without proper diagnosis can lead to health risks," Paul said. He said that dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water. "People should ensure there is no waterlogging around their homes or workplaces to prevent mosquito ...

Govt invested Rs 21,000 cr in Northeast's education sector in 11 years: FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday claimed that the central government has invested Rs 21,000 crore in the education sector in the Northeast in the last 11 years. Connectivity has also received a boost in the region during the period, with new states put on the railway map and several greenfield airports constructed, she added. Sitharaman, who was on a two-day visit to Assam since Friday, was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the state's first university focussed on technical and vocational education and training at Bholaguri in Gohpur in Biswanath district. The 'Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University' will be built at a cost of Rs 415 crore on a total area of 241 acres, with a built-up area of 7 lakh sq ft. "Since 2014, the Centre has invested Rs 21,000 crore in the education sector in the Northeast. Over 850 new schools have been opened. The first AIIMS in the region has become operational, and over 200 new skill development institutes have been .

Assam CM orders police action after Bangladesh anthem sung at Congress meet

This is a blatant insult to the people of India and aligns with recent assertions by certain Bangladesh citizens that the North-East will eventually belong to Bangladesh, Sarma said

Singapore Police to provide evidence in Zubeen Garg case in 10 days: SIT

Singapore Police Force (SPF) is likely to provide crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and statements of eye witnesses, related to the death of Zubeen Garg within the next 10 days, a senior official said on Friday. Addressing a press conference, CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta said the Assam Police has requested their counterparts in the Southeast Asian nation to provide all relevant information to complete the ongoing investigation in a timely manner. Gupta and Titabor Co-District SP Tarun Goel, who had gone to Singapore four days ago to probe the unnatural death of the singer, returned on Thursday. Gupta is heading the SIT, while Goel is a member of the nine-member group formed to probe the case. "We met the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore and discussed all legal assistance required. We also had a discussion with a five-member high-level delegation of SPF, and it was a very fruitful meeting," Gupta told reporters here. The two police forces deliberated on the ...

We will file chargesheet, says Assam CM on Zubeen Garg's death case

Assam CM also expressed complete confidence in the SIT probe into the death of Zubeen Garg

North Eastern Railway notifies 145 special puja trains for Chhath festival

Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for North Eastern Railway, Pankaj Kumar Singh, said that special trains are being run in record numbers

A month on, Assam mourns Zubeen as family, fans seek answers on his death

Even after the passage of a month after the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, people of Assam continued to mourn the loss, seeking answers on the final moments of the singer. Garg died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. Garg's wife, Garima, said the family, along with the people of the state, are waiting to know what happened in his final moments, and expressed faith in the legal system to unravel the truth. Hundreds thronged Garg's cremation site at Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, since early this morning, paying tributes to their beloved singer-composer. Fans and friends of the singer-composer also visited his residence at Kahilipara area of the city and his studio in Zoo Road area to be with his family and join them in remembering him. A 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) of state police's CID is probing his death, with seven persons being arrested so far. Singapore Police are also conducting its investigation, with SIT officers from Assam

Security forces recover rifles, ammunition during search ops in Manipur

Amid a major search operation in Manipur, security forces have recovered two rifles, five pistols and several ammunition from Khongakhul and Longa Koireng villages under the limits of Patsoi Police Station in Imphal West district.According to Manipur Police, the security forces on Saturday seized a .303 rifle along with one magazine, a modified .303 rifle along with one magazine, five pistols along with a magazine each, along with helmets, bulletproof vests, and 10 pairs of camouflage outfits."On 11.10.2025, Security Forces recovered from Ngairangbam Loukon IVR connecting Khongakhul & Longa Koireng Villages under Patsoi-PS, Imphal West district the following: i) 01 (one) .303 rifle along with one magazine, ii) 01 (one) modified .303 rifle along with one magazine, iii) 05 (five) pistols along with a magazine each, iv) 05 (five) helmets, v) 04 (four) BP vests cum magazine pouches, vi) 08 (eight) plates suspected to be used as BP, vii) 01 (one) no. of BAOFENG hand held set along ...

TMC accuses BJP of 'state-sponsored terror' after Tripura office vandalism

The TMC on Wednesday hit out at the BJP over the vandalism at its Tripura unit office, alleging that "state-sponsored political terrorism" had been unleashed in the northeastern state under the saffron party's rule. Addressing a press conference at the Trinamool Bhavan here, West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said a five-member TMC delegation had left for Tripura to meet party workers and assess the situation on the ground following Monday's attack at Banamalipur in Agartala, the home constituency of former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb. "There is an intolerant and violent BJP government in Tripura. The incident that occurred on Monday demonstrates how those who claim to protect democracy are behaving otherwise. The video evidence is clear," Panja said. She alleged that the vandalism took place "in the presence of police," which stood as "mute spectators." "This is state-sponsored political terrorism. There is no democracy left in Tripura. The police were standing there, watchin

Zubeen Garg's family files complaint with CID, seeks probe into his death

The family of Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg filed a complaint with the state CID over his death by drowning in Singapore, seeking a thorough probe into the incident. Garg's uncle Manoj Kumar Borthakur, a signatory in the complaint, told PTI that they had sent it to the CID through email on Saturday. "We want a thorough probe into the circumstances of his death," he said. Garg's wife Garima and his sister Palme Borthakur are the other signatories. A senior police officer said, "We have received a complaint from Garg's family and are examining it." He said the Special Investigating Team (SIT) of CID is already probing the incidents surrounding the death of the singer-composer on September 19 in Singapore, and the complaint filed by the family will be taken up with it. A SIT team visited Garg's residence at the Kahilipara area of Guwahati on Sunday, he said. "We needed to ask certain things, and our officers met the family. Their statements are being recorded," he added.

Zubeen Garg's final journey begins after second post-mortem in Guwahati

Legendary singer Zubeen Garg's second post-mortem concludes at Guwahati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH). On September 19, 52-year-old Zubeen Garg died in a swimming accident in Singapore

PM to visit Arunachal on Monday, unveil infra projects worth ₹5,000 cr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Arunachal Pradesh on Monday, during which he will unveil infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore. The PM is scheduled to arrive at the Donyi Polo Airport in Hollongi around 9 am, after which he will fly to the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar on a helicopter, officials said. He will then travel to Indira Gandhi Park, where he will unveil the development projects and address a rally. Modi will lay the foundation stones for the Tato-I and Heo hydropower projects, both of which will be developed on the Yarjep River in the Shi Yomi district. The Tato-I project, with a capacity of 186 mw, will be developed jointly by the Arunachal Pradesh government and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) at Rs 1,750 crore. It is expected to generate around 802 million units of electricity annually. The 240-mw Heo project will also be developed by the state government and NEEPCO at Rs 1,939 crore. It is expected to produce 1,000 milli

PM Modi inaugurates health, infra projects worth ₹6,300 crore in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stones for health and infrastructure projects worth Rs 6,300 crore at Mangaldoi in Assam's Darrang district. He launched the construction of Darrang Medical College and Hospital, along with a nursing college and a GNM school. The combined investment in these healthcare projects is worth Rs 570 crore, officials said. The PM also laid the foundation stones for the 2.9 km-long Narengi-Kuruwa bridge with an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore and the 118.5 km-long Guwahati Ring Road project, connecting Kamrup and Darrang districts in Assam and Ri Bhoi in Meghalaya. The cost for the Ring Road project was estimated at Rs 4,530 crore. The PM will, later in the day, inaugurate the newly constructed over Rs 5000-crore bamboo-based ethanol plant and the Rs 7,230-crore Petro Fluidised Catalytic Cracker Unit at the Numaligarh Refinery in Golaghat district. Modi had arrived in Assam on Saturday evening and attended Bharat Ratna awardee B

Former Meghalaya CM DD Lapang passes away at 93; state funeral on Sept 15

Veteran politician and four-time Meghalaya Chief Minister Donwa Dethwelson Lapang, fondly known as 'Maheh', died in a hospital here, his family said. He was 93, and is survived by his wife Amethyst Lynda Jones Blah and two children. The Meghalaya government will accord a state funeral to the former chief minister on Monday, officials said. Lapang had been suffering from age-related ailments for a prolonged period, and he breathed his last at the hospital on Friday evening, his family said. Former MP and Congress leader Vincent H Pala was at the hospital when Lapang breathed his last. People from all walks of life, including politicians and common people, visited the hospital and later, his Nongpoh residence to pay their respects. Born on April 10, 1932, Lapang entered politics by winning the Nongpoh seat in the 1972 assembly elections as an Independent candidate. He went on to serve as the chief minister of the northeastern state on four occasions between 1992 and 2010. A lifelo

Assam govt employees to get special leave in Nov to spend time with parents

The Assam government has declared two days of special casual leave' in November for its employees to spend time with their parents and parents-in-law, an official notification said. The leaves under the Matri Pitri Vandana' scheme can be availed on November 14 and November 15 by applying through a dedicated portal as per guidelines, it said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had made an announcement in this regard in his first Independence Day speech after assuming office in 2021. ... The Governor of Assam is pleased to allow the State Government employees to avail Special Casual Leave under Matri Pitri Vandana Scheme on 14th November, 2025 (Friday) and 15th November, 2025 (Saturday), the notification said. It added that the leaves can be utilised along with November 16 (Sunday), under the scheme.

BRO to complete strategically important road in Arunachal by March 2026

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Project Brahmank Chief Engineer S C Looniya has said that the double-laning of the 32-km Pene-Tato stretch of the strategically important Aalo-Mechuka road in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district will be completed by March 2026. Admitting that the project has been delayed, Looniya attributed the delay to land acquisition on a stretch of the road. He said, "We want to complete the formation-cutting immediately, to ensure that commuters don't face problems like road closure due to formation cutting and equipment movement. The stretch with all parameters will be completed, so that people get a safe, secure, satisfactory-level road connectivity." Looniya said our aim is to at least provide all-weather connectivity from Kaying in Siang district to Tato soon. "We are committed and are working vigorously to extend NH-13 to far-flung areas of Tato," he said. The chief engineer, however, maintained that black-topping of the road will take some time. On the

Large cache of arms, ammunition seized in Manipur's Kangpokpi

A large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from Manipur's Kangpokpi district, police said on Thursday. In an operation conducted in the forest between Maohing and Changoubung village on Wednesday, an American M16 rifle along with its magazine having 10 rounds, a .303 rifle, two Colt Machine Guns or CMGs, three pistols, a .22 rifle, six bolt action rifles, two short-barreled rifles, three improvised projectile launchers, two hand grenades, and four radio sets were among the items recovered. In another operation in the vicinity of Kotzim village, security forces recovered a carbine, a single-barrel rifle, three improvised mortars, two hand grenades, and three pull-mechanism rifles, police said. Meanwhile, a man was arrested from the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district for his involvement in extortion of truckers and commercial establishments, smuggling, and supplying arms to militants. The accused, identified as V Shiva alias Ishwar Pandey (36), was arrested from ward

Politics straddling borders: Bipartisan engagement key for Northeast

With so much happening in the Northeast, more political engagement that is seen to be bipartisan is essential. What remains of 2025 and 2026 promises to be an eventful period for the region