INDIA

New Delhi, Aug 22 (IANS) A day before the crucial hearing in the Supreme Court on pleas challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) filed a status report stating that it has complied with the top court’s interim order on the disclosure of omitted names.

“The booth-wise list of about 65 lakh persons whose names do not appear in the draft electoral roll has been published on the website of all 38 District Election Officers (DEOs) in the state of Bihar, along with reasons for their non-inclusion in the draft electoral roll, i.e., whether it is on account of death, shifting of ordinary residence or duplicate entries,” said the status report filed by the poll body.

It added that the list containing omitted names has also been displayed at Panchayat Bhavans, Block Development Offices, and Panchayat Officer offices across Bihar.

The poll body also apprised the top court that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Assistants (BLAs) are also in possession of the list to assist residents in checking the reasons for their non-inclusion.

“The BLOs/BLAs are also in possession of the said list and they are available to the residents of such villages and urban areas to enable inquiry about the reasons for their non-inclusion and also to seek assistance and for filing claims/objections/corrections in accordance with procedure prescribed by SIR order dated June 24, 2025,” the ECI said.

To ensure public awareness, the poll body said that it has undertaken an extensive publicity campaign informing the online and offline availability of the list to the public through newspapers, radio, electronic media, and social media platforms, including the official accounts of the DEOs.

“The public notices expressly mentions that aggrieved persons may submit their claims along with a copy of their Aadhaar card,” it added.

The ECI annexed reports from all 38 DEOs, along with the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) report on compliance of the interim order of the Supreme Court passed last week.

In a bid to “boost voter confidence”, the Supreme Court, in an interim order passed on August 14, directed the poll body to upload district-wise data of about 65 lakh electors in poll-bound Bihar whose names were omitted in the draft electoral rolls following the initial phase of the SIR.

The information uploaded on the websites of the District Electoral Officers and the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar should be searchable using EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers, directed a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi.

The Justice Kant-led bench said that the ECI would give wide publicity to the list uploaded on the official websites through newspapers, electronic, social media and other means of communication.

The Supreme Court also directed the poll body to specify in public notices that excluded individuals, when submitting their claims for inclusion in the final list, may also furnish their Aadhaar cards.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 21 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Thursday that the Krishna Upper Bank Project has faced repeated hurdles as Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have pressured the Union government to stop the issuance of the notification.

Replying to a query by BJP member P.H. Pujar in the Legislative Council during the Question Hour on the progress of the Krishna Upper Bank Project, Shivakumar said: “Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil has supported this project and insisted that the notification must be issued. He even tried twice to convene a meeting with the concerned states. But both times, Andhra and Maharashtra intervened with phone calls and got it stalled. Both the Chief Minister, State Water Minister Shakti V. Somanna, and I had met the Union Minister and submitted our request.”

“The Krishna Upper Bank Project (Phase-3) requires Rs 2 lakh crore for implementation. Is it even possible? A major scam is already happening in connection with this project. Lawyers are making money in the matter of land compensation, while farmers are not receiving proper relief. If Legislative Council member Pujar convinces the farmers there, a decision can be arrived at within 15 days,” he added.

“The Supreme Court has ordered compensation of Rs 8 to 10 crore per acre. Such an amount of compensation is not available even in Bengaluru. Therefore, the matter of transferring land from the Revenue Department to the Irrigation Department has been placed before the state Cabinet,” he said.

“Already 75,563 acres have been submerged. Notification has been issued for acquisition of only 2,543 acres. In various stages of notification, 29,568 acres have been covered. Acquisition notification is still pending for 43,452 acres. For the construction of canals, 51,000 acres are required, of which notification has been issued for 23,000 acres. For RC land, 6,467 acres are required, of which 3,392 acres (50 per cent) have been acquired,” he added.

Replying to another query by JD-S MLC Suraj Revanna on which villages in Hassan district limits under Hemavathi and Yagachi have been declared free from cold wave impact, Shivakumar said: “Already 12 works have been undertaken at a cost of Rs 16.42 crore to prevent cold wave damage. Another estimate report has sought Rs 27 crore, which has been submitted. Depending on the financial situation, we will consider it,” he said.

“Earlier, MLAs used to recommend roads and community halls through the Water Resources Department. I have stopped all of that now. Our department funds will only be used for canal development and major projects. Regarding this matter, another report will be sought and examined. As members suggested, the court’s observations will also be studied, and only then will we take a decision,” he added.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 21 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that the state government has written to the Election Commission about preparations for the Bengaluru civic body elections.

Replying to a question raised by JD (S) MLC Jawarayee Gowda T.N. in the Legislative Council about implementation of Greater Bengaluru Authority Act (GBA) 2024, the Dy CM said, “GBA came to effect from May 15 and five corporations were formed on July 19. We have allowed receipt of objections till August 18. Some areas have been included and some more need to be included at a later date.”

“The delimitation of wards will take place by November 1. This is being handled a separate team under the leadership of the BBMP Commissioner. We have submitted an affidavit to the court. We will issue a GO for delimitation of wards,” he said.

Replying to a member who urged the government to conduct elections early, the Dy CM said, “I completely agree the suggestion.”

Responding to a question from BJP MLC Keshava Prasad during Question Hour in the Legislative Council, Shivakumar said that 33 packages have been tendered for garbage disposal in Bengaluru. “We have called for tenders for 33 packages in 28 assembly constituencies. We have planned gas and power generation from garbage disposal at four places,” the Deputy CM said.

“We have acquired the land belonging to Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) for waste disposal. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) approval was pending for waste disposal yard near Doddaballapur. We have got a Cabinet approval for the same. We are studying advanced technologies for waste disposal,” he said.

“It is not possible to break the garbage mafia of Bengaluru easily. The mafia did not allow the previous BJP led government also to call for tenders for 98 wards. I have also been fighting this. We have studied waste disposal models in Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai. Our past experiments with generation of power from waste haven’t been successful,” he said.

Replying to a question on garbage cess, the Deputy CM said: “It was the BJP led government in the state which introduced garbage cess in Karnataka in 2020 based on a 2016 order of the Union government. The Gazette notification states exorbitant taxes. We are collecting only 25 per cent of the suggested taxes as we felt it was too high.”

“We are planning to come out with a new law to ensure upkeep of vacant sites. We have made provision for the public to self-declare the amount of garbage they generate. We have instructed the police to take strict action against those who litter public places. CCTVs will be fixed at various places in the city and we have already called for a tender,” Shivakumar added.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced that the Odisha government will soon implement major reforms to strengthen primary education in Odisha, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on the School & Mass Education department at Lok Seva Bhawan here, the Chief Minister emphasised that quality education will be the foundation of a “Prosperous Odisha by 2036.”

In a major decision taken during the review meeting, the Government has decided to merge the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) into one board in order to strengthen the school education system in the state.

Similarly, it was decided during the high-level meeting to regularise all schematic primary school teachers in the state.

The Odisha government also decided to fill 44,433 teaching posts across the state over the next three years. This includes 39,366 new positions to meet NEP requirements, along with filling 5,067 vacancies expected by December 2025.

Nearly 15,000 teachers will be recruited every year. Meanwhile, free textbooks are currently provided up to Class 8, and for SC/ST students in Classes 9 and 10, from now all students up to Class 10 will receive free textbooks.

The government will also upgrade the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) along the lines of NCERT and further strengthen the Directorate of Textbook Publication and Marketing.

To safeguard student health, one ANM or multipurpose health worker will be appointed for every 300 hostel students. All approvals for new private schools will be processed through a fully online system.

During the review meeting, Chief Minister Majhi emphasised the importance of teaching tribal children in their native languages.

To support this initiative, a Multilingual Education Centre will be established in Koraput in partnership with SCSTRTI.

Additionally, trained teachers holding B.Ed degrees in Special Education will be appointed as Resource Persons across various clusters to promote inclusive education.

The meeting also decided that all future educational reforms will focus equally on learning quality and student well-being.

The review was attended by School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary to CM Shashwat Mishra, Finance Principal Secretary Sanjeev Mishra, School and Mass Education Secretary Shalini Pandit, OSEPA Director Ananya Das, and other senior officials.

–IANS

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Kolkata, August 21 (IANS) he West Bengal government has partly complied with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) directive by suspending four officials- two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) of Moyna and Baruipur Purba Assembly Constituencies for alleged voter list malpractices. However, the state government has not lodged FIRs against the officials as mandated by the ECI. The deadline for full compliance was August 21.

On Thursday, state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant updated the Election Commission of India via email on the action taken against the four officials out of which two are West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) officers.

Sources in the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, confirmed received the intimation in this regard from the state government.

Sources in state secretariat said that the government is also contemplating initiating departmental inquiry against the four officials.

In addition, one contractual Data Entry Operator, has been relieved of his duty.

This disciplinary action has been taken on the orders of the Election Commission. It may be noted that the state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant met the full bench of the Election Commission in Delhi recently and promised to comply its directives by August 21.

Serious allegations were made against Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of Baruipur East Debottam Dutta Chowdhury, AERO of that centre Tathagata Mandal, and ERO of Maina Biplob Sarkar and AERO of that centre Sudipta Das. The name of a data entry operator named Surjit Halder was also on the list. They were accused of tampering with the voter’s list. On this allegation, the Election Commission had directed that these five should be suspended as well as an FIR should be lodged against them.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had criticised the ECI for ita directive and accused the poll body of being the “bonded labour of the BJP”.

She had also asserted that her government will not take any action against her employees.

–IANS

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Bhopal, Aug 21 (IANS) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Umang Singhar, on Thursday, took a jibe at Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, saying that when the state is witnessing rise in “corruption” and “crime”, the latter was talking about renaming history and ‘Krishna Leela’ story.

Addressing a gathering of Congress workers in Dhar district, LoP Singhar launched a targeted scathing attack at Chief Minister Yadav, highlighting the irregularities in various recruitment exams for the state government employees and atrocities against tribals and farmers in the state.

“Madhya Pradesh is becoming a new hub of drug business, and law and order getting deteriorated day by day despite the Home department is being headed by the Chief Minister. But he (Chief Minister) seems more interested in changing history and Krishna Leela story,” the Congress leader said.

“We accept that Lord Krishna wasn’t a ‘makhan chore’ and we respect religious faith. But this BJP government is formed after “vote theft”, LoP Singhar said while addressing the Congress workers in a meeting organised by newly appointed Dhar district Congress president Swatantra Joshi.

He made this remark responding to Chief Minister Yadav’s statement that the state government would launch a social awareness campaign aimed at removing the “Makahan Chore” tag traditionally associated with Lord Krishna.

Singhar, who cornered the BJP-pled state government on various issues, especially on farmers and tribals during the Monsoon session which concluded recently, alleged that the state government lied in Assembly and gave incorrect data in an attempt to hide its failure.

Meanwhile, talking about the appointment of district presidents of Congress in Madhya Pradesh, the LoP said the party’s Central leadership has surprised many leaders with its decision.

“Many of them (Congress leaders) are still shocked,” he said, without mentioning any name.

Lauding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, LoP Singhar said that the former has set a momentum for change in Madhya Pradesh, and the selection of district presidents is an evidence of it.

“Ground level party workers, who are committed to the Congress, have been appointed as district presidents. It is the beginning of a change,” he added.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Aug 21 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday defended the Congress-led government over the stampede tragedy that claimed 11 lives in Bengaluru during the RCB’s maiden IPL trophy victory celebrations, stating that the government has taken all possible measures in the matter.

Making a statement in the Assembly on Thursday, Parameshwara said: “June 4 is a black day in the history of sports in Karnataka. This unfortunate incident should not have happened, but it occurred. Whatever action was required, the government has taken it.”

He maintained that no one can predict stampedes, calling them accidental in nature.

“There have been similar tragedies reported in many parts of the country. I am not citing them as a defense, but to illustrate the nature of such incidents. In the Godavari Mahapushkara stampede in Andhra Pradesh in 2015, 29 people, including 23 women, were killed. In Jharkhand’s Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple stampede, 10 were killed. In 2021, 12 people were killed at Vaishnodevi, 36 during Ram Navami in Indore, and in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras stampede 121 women and children lost their lives,” he said.

Parameshwara further recalled that some lives were lost during this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. In Bengaluru itself, 92 people died in the Venus Circus fire tragedy and 123 in the Gangaram building collapse, he added.

Responding to criticism of the government for hosting a felicitation event for the RCB team, the Minister argued that though the IPL team is a private franchise, it carries Bengaluru’s name and was widely celebrated by lakhs of fans.

“When Gujarat won the IPL trophy, the state government felicitated their team. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen in the celebrations. Similarly, when Chennai and Kolkata teams won, their respective Chief Ministers participated in the events,” he said.

Following the tragedy, the government acted against those found responsible.

“The lapses were on the part of RCB, DNA Networks, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and police officers. Five senior police officials were suspended; though reinstated, they still face departmental and CID inquiries,” he noted.

Parameshwara added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sacked his political secretary Govindaraju, sent a strong message, provided Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased, and ensured medical care for the injured. The state Intelligence Chief was also transferred. “The case is now in court and we await the verdict,” he said.

He further announced that to prevent such tragedies, the government has introduced the Crowd Management Bill.

“These rules will apply not only to sports but also to political and religious events. Sports bodies function independently, but after this incident, the government will oversee permissions, accounts, and facilities. Sports bodies will be mandated to keep the government informed,” he said.

The Minister also revealed that the government plans to build a one-lakh-capacity stadium on Tumakuru Road, with 41 acres already allotted to the KSCA.

“Action against RCB and DNA will depend on the court’s decision,” he added.

However, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka strongly objected, accusing the government of trying to shift blame.

“The KSCA and RCB have filed affidavits in court saying they organized the event at the government’s invitation. To escape public anger, the government is blaming others. The government should immediately apologize and accept its mistake, which will give peace to the souls of the deceased. This was a government-sponsored murder,” Ashoka charged.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would issue a statement in the House on Friday (August 22) in response to the allegations against him.

–IANS

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Patna, Aug 21 (IANS) RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has once again claimed that five powerful families conspired to “destroy” his political and family life.

On Thursday, Tej Pratap posted on his official X handle an animated photograph along with a sharp allegation.

“In my political career of more than ten years, I have never wronged or conspired against anyone. But the people of these five families tried their best to completely end my political and family life. Tomorrow I will bring the face and character of all five families in front of the public. I am going to expose each of their conspiracies tomorrow,” he wrote.

The remarks come at a time when Tej Pratap is facing turbulence both in politics and within his own family.

Recently, Lalu Prasad Yadav expelled him from the party and family for six years after a social media post went viral.

The post, containing a photograph of a woman named Anushka Yadav, claimed that Tej Pratap had been in a relationship with her for the past 12 years.

The post created uproar in Bihar’s political circles, giving ammunition to rivals and deepening divisions within the RJD.

Tej Pratap later denied making the post, claiming that his Facebook account had been hacked and accusing his detractors of uploading the controversial content as part of a larger conspiracy.

After his expulsion from the RJD and distancing from Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family, former minister Tej Pratap Yadav has launched a new political platform under the banner of ‘Team Tej Pratap Yadav’.

In the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Tej Pratap has intensified his campaigning across the state, repeatedly targeting his opponents with the phrase ‘Jaychand (traitor)’.

He alleged that a group of “Jaychands” conspired against him to end his political career, though he has refrained from naming them so far.

“Some Jaychands have hatched conspiracies against me. But very soon, the people of Bihar will know their names and deeds,” Tej Pratap declared, without revealing further details.

The former RJD leader has also warned his younger brother and Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, to stay away from such “Jaychands,” hinting at growing tensions within the Yadav political family.

His announcement has triggered curiosity across Bihar’s political spectrum.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 (IANS) The Odisha government on Thursday effected a major reshuffle in the IPS level, appointing senior 1995-batch IPS officer Santosh Bala as the director of the State Forensic Science laboratory (SFSL).

Senior IPS officer Bala is currently posted as the director of State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB), holding the additional charge of Director, SFSL.

Similarly, 2007-batch IPS officer Awinash Kumar, who is currently working as Inspector General of Police, State Armed Police (SAP), has been appointed as the new Director, SCRB.

Sanjay Kumar Kaushal, IGP, Vigilance has been transferred and posted as the IGP, the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch.

The 2002-batch officer Gajbhiye Satish Kumar Iswardas, currently attached to the State Police Headquarters (SPHQs), takes charge as IG, Special Armed Police.

The 2008-batch IPS officer Satyajit Naik, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Eastern Range, has been appointed as DIG, Central Range.

Meanwhile, 2011-batch IPS officer Pinak Mishra, who was appointed as Puri’s Superintendent of Police following the stampede incident in the holy coastal town during the Rath Yatra, has now been posted as the DIG, Eastern Range.Prateek Singh (IPS, 2014), the current SP of Cuttack(Rural), will replace him as the new SP, Puri.

In another significant reshuffle, the Odisha Home Department on Thursday issued a notification announcing the transfer and posting of 12 senior officers from the Odisha Police Service (OPS).

Bimalendu Satapathy, OPS (SAG), currently deployed as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) at the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate, has been transferred as Superintendent of Police, State Police Headquarters, Cuttack.

Senior cop Kishore Chandra Mund, OPS (S), currently serving as Additional DCP, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, is promoted and posted as DCP, Police Commissionerate.

Similarly, Anup Kumar Kanungo, OPS (S), also the In-situ Addl. DCP, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack police Commissionerate, has been elevated as DCP, Police Commissionerate. Srikanta Kumar Behera, Additional SP at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack, has been appointed as SP, EOW.

–IANS

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Ahmedabad, Aug 21 (IANS) Protests intensified in Ahmedabad over the murder of a Class 10 student Nayan Santani, who was stabbed to death by a junior outside the Seventh Day Adventist School on August 19.

The student wing of the Congress, NSUI, staged demonstrations demanding that the school be shut down, alleging negligence by authorities.

Several NSUI members were detained after clashing with police while trying to storm the campus. Police have detained the accused Class 8 student and registered an FIR.

Over 500 people have also been booked in connection with Thursday’s violence on the campus.

Meanwhile, chats purportedly of the accused with a friend on Instagram where he confessed to the crime and was advised to go “underground” have surfaced online.

The unrest comes a day after a mob vandalised the school, damaging property worth lakhs and attacking staff members.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad called for a bandh, forcing nearly 200 schools in Maninagar, Khokhara and Isanpur areas to remain closed.

Parents and students also joined the protests, carrying placards and accusing the school of ignoring repeated complaints of thefts and fights on the premises.

“What are you teaching the students after taking lakhs of rupees? The school never takes any responsibility. Had the management acted, this would not have happened,” said one parent.

The victim’s family has alleged further negligence, claiming the school failed to call an ambulance on time and later summoned a water tanker to wash away bloodstains — an alleged attempt to destroy evidence.

CCTV footage captured the stabbing, while a security guard spotted the accused fleeing from the back gate.

District education authorities have flagged the incident as a case of “serious negligence” and ordered a shift to online classes, pending further security arrangements and investigation. The Gujarat State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also sought a detailed report from the school as part of the probing process.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 21 (IANS) Amid the Opposition’s protests over the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill allowing the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any Minister to resign only if arrested or detained for more than 30 days, Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Madan Rathore has hit back, alleging that the Opposition is full of corrupt individuals.

“They assume they’ll be the ones going to jail. That’s why they’re panicking. It’s a classic case of the thief fearing the straw in his beard,” he said.

Rathore asserted that the BJP-led state government has no fear because it is committed to clean governance.

“Our (BJP) leaders uphold high moral standards. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are out on bail. Priyanka Gandhi’s husband is also on bail. That’s why they are scared.”

He also added, “The former Finance Minister (P. Chidambaram) is on bail, and so is his son. Those who are on bail constantly worry about their bail being revoked and landing in jail. If they are detained for a month, they risk losing their legislative membership. Such people dominate the Opposition, which is why they are so desperate to oppose the Bill.”

Rathore clarified that the Bill would be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which includes members from the Opposition.

“The decision will be taken there (Joint Parliamentary Committee). But they’re already fearful, assuming the Bill targets them. In reality, the Bill targets criminals — not any specific person. If you’re honest and live a clean life, you have nothing to fear.”

On the issue of the conflict between the State Election Commission and the state government over the “One State, One Election” proposal, Rathore said, “We (BJP-led state government) aim to legislate a framework for simultaneous elections, which will be beneficial in many ways. After elections, all leaders can focus on development.”

“The Election Commission is an independent institution, and the BJP has no interference in its functioning. If we are asked to contest elections, we will enter the electoral fray and win.”

–IANS

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Aizawl, Aug 21 (IANS) Assam Rifles personnel have recovered huge arms and ammunition from eastern Mizoram’s Champhai district, which shares an unfenced border with Myanmar, officials said on Thursday.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that based on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles troops launched multiple Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) at Saikhumpai areas in Champhai District on Wednesday.

He said that the operation was initiated in the early hours, with columns tactically moving from Vaphai to Saikhumpai at first light.

Maintaining stealth and surprise, the teams established domination along the Tiau River and commenced deliberate search operations.

The Tiau River flows between Mizoram state in India and the Chin State in Myanmar, forming part of the international boundary between the two countries.

After conducting a thorough and systematic search of the area, the teams successfully recovered weapons and war like stores from Saikhumpai areas.

During the conduct of operation, the team recovered one Heckler and Koch G3 Assault Rifle, one Magazine, nine 40mm grenades, one Thermobaric Rocket-Propelled grenade, one hand grenade, one under barrel grenade launcher and 36 rounds of .22 ammunition.

The recovered arm, ammunition and war-like stores have been handed over to the Mizoram Police at Dungtlang. Myanmar’s Chin State has emerged as a major hub for smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition, wildlife, and other illicit activities.

The contraband is often routed through six districts in Mizoram — Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip — which share unfenced borders of 510 km with Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Assam Rifles have been conducting awareness campaigns like seminars and group discussions highlighting the bad effects of the drugs and drugs trafficking are a punishable offence under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The Defence spokesman said that the aim of these awareness campaigns is to educate the local population, especially the youth, about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the serious legal consequences associated with drug trafficking and peddling.

–IANS

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