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Tripura minister seeks higher central support for agriculture, horticulture sectors

New Delhi/Agartala, Sep 30 (IANS) Tripura Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday sought higher central support for the agriculture and horticulture sectors, including increased allocations under key schemes and changes in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) guidelines to cover local natural calamities.

Nath made the demands while addressing the second day of the National Agriculture Conference-Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, attended by Union Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

On the second day of the National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026, Union Minister Chouhan chaired a session attended by Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from various states of the country.

Minister Nath said the Centre had provided funds to Tripura as per the state’s action plan this year and appreciated the support extended to farmers. He said that during the previous Rabi season, hybrid paddy was cultivated on 25,000 hectares, while Rabi pulses and oilseeds covered 9,500 hectares and 9,700 hectares, respectively.

During the current Kharif season, 37,500 hectares were brought under the Chief Minister’s Integrated Crop Management Programme, including 27,500 hectares of hybrid paddy, 2,000 hectares of aromatic rice, 15,000 hectares of pulses, 8,000 hectares of oilseeds and 1,000 hectares of summer vegetables, the minister said.

He also informed the conference that the state government was working on the Farmer’s Registry, Digital Crop Survey and National Framework for Fertiliser Sale.

Nath sought higher allocations under the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) and Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) schemes to strengthen farm mechanisation and irrigation in the state. He said paddy-growing areas in Tripura frequently suffer crop losses due to inundation during heavy rains, but farmers often do not receive insurance benefits.

The minister sought the inclusion of “local natural calamities” in the PMFBY guidelines to cover crop losses caused by incidents such as localised flooding. Nath also sought 45,000 additional soil health cards for farmers in the state and an increase in the minimum allocation for the annual action plan under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for the Area Expansion Programme from 20 per cent to 35 per cent.

He said Tripura had significant potential for cultivating exotic fruits such as avocado and rambutan, but the availability of quality planting material remained inadequate. The minister sought greater central support for research and the availability of quality planting material through recognised nurseries and research stations.

Nath further sought an increase in the central share for the Post Harvest Management component from 50 per cent to 75 per cent from the reserve fund to encourage private investment in the sector. On natural farming, he said Tripura currently has around 16,400 hectares under natural farming, involving around 38,000 farmers.

He stressed the need to promote bio-formulations as an important input for demonstrations under various schemes and sought support for Bio Input Resource Centres (BRCs) for marketing, packaging and branding.

Nath also proposed the formation of a Natural Seed Grower Consortium. He said the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) scheme had been successfully implemented in Tripura and that the state had substantial organic produce exported to countries including Germany, Dubai and Bangladesh.

Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, Agriculture Ministers of various states and senior officials also attended the two-day conference in Delhi.

–IANS

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Gujarat seeks 40 pc MSP procurement limit for pulses, oilseeds at national agriculture meet

Gandhinagar, Sep 30 (IANS) Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani has urged the Centre to raise the procurement ceiling for pulses and oilseeds under the PM-AASHA scheme from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of total production and sought the inclusion of castor in the minimum support price (MSP) procurement framework.

Vaghani made the demands while representing Gujarat at the two-day National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026 in New Delhi, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The conference brought together agriculture ministers from states, senior officials of the Centre and states, and ICAR scientists to discuss preparedness for the Rabi season.

The Centre has identified pulses and oilseeds as key areas for the Rabi strategy.

Presenting Gujarat’s demands, Vaghani said the state should be allowed to procure pulses and oilseeds at support prices up to 40 per cent of total production, instead of the existing 25 per cent limit under PM-AASHA.

He also sought MSP coverage for castor, pointing out that Gujarat is the country’s leading producer of the crop, with production of 16 lakh metric tonnes, and said the move would be in the interest of castor-growing farmers.

“Gujarat currently had adequate seed stocks for the Rabi season,” he said. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chouhan for ensuring an adequate, smooth supply of fertilisers to the state despite global circumstances.

The minister said the Gujarat government had increased its agriculture budget to more than Rs 17,000 crore for 2026-27 under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership.

The state also plans to launch ‘Kisan Suvidha Rath’ through EMRI-GVK in 53 talukas across 14 districts in tribal areas, providing farming-related services and guidance to farmers at their doorstep.

Vaghani said Gujarat is also promoting micro-irrigation to encourage efficient water use.

The Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC) has brought 25.91 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation so far. In comparison, Rs 1,250 crore has been provided this year to bring another two lakh hectares under the system.

He further urged the Centre to replace old laws with new, stricter legislation to prevent adulteration. He sought early notification of a final protocol for testing nano-fertiliser samples.

Vaghani also sought permission to use the ‘Special Central Assistance Fund’ received under the AgriStack project in the coming years.

Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation scheme, he requested additional allocation so that all more than 9,000 farmers who had applied could receive benefits.

The conference also discussed crop diversification, natural farming, the Digital Agriculture Mission, Farmer Registry, Digital Crop Survey, AgriStack, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, PM Fasal Bima Yojana and expansion of Kisan Credit Card coverage as part of the Centre-State strategy for the Rabi campaign.

–IANS

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DGMA notice to TS Chanakya over cadet’s death

Kolkata, Sep 30 (IANS) TS Chanakya, one of the country’s oldest maritime training institutes, was served a show-cause notice by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) on Tuesday over the death of a cadet in May this year.

TS Chanakya, a shore-based training institute located in Navi Mumbai, is now part of the Indian Maritime University (IMU).

The notice is based on an inquiry conducted by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Mumbai, and the report submitted to the DGMA on September 10, 2026.

In this report, the MMD has stated that the cadets consumed alcohol with others inside a hostel room within the campus ahead of his death.

In its earlier order, the DGMA issued a total ban on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs on campus, and registered institutes, including government ones, are required to “strictly enforce abstinence therefrom, except for medicinal drugs prescribed for a current ailment”. The order said that infringement shall be a serious misconduct by the candidate and the Institute.

The incident took place on May 28, 2026, and involves a first-year BSc (Nautical Science) cadet, accommodated in Hostel No. 2. On that day, he was also performing quartermaster duties.

During the inquiry, his roommate informed the MMD that the cadet went outside the campus after dinner on May 27, 2026, and returned at around 11 pm.

Between around 1.30 am and 3.30 am on May 28, 2026, he and three other cadets consumed alcohol in a hostel room at an informal farewell gathering.

The duty warden informed the MMD that hostel rounds were conducted between 10.30 pm and 11 pm on May 27 and around 4 am on May 28, but nothing unusual was observed.

The cadet was found lying injured at the rear of the hostel on May 28. He was rushed to hospital, where he later died.

The inquiry revealed that cigarettes and liquor had been supplied earlier through a broken bathroom window. It also came to light that gaps in the boundary wall allowed cadets to leave the campus and return undetected.

It was also noted that the rear of the hostel and the boundary wall were not covered by CCTV cameras.

The DGMA was also informed about the fall of another cadet from a height in the rear of the hostel in 2024. During the inquiry, the MMD learned that cadets could use the unsecured windows to reach the terrace.

Taking this on record, the DGMA has directed TS Chanakya to submit, within fifteen days of receiving its show-cause notice, all documents, material, and an Action Taken Report.

–IANS

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Telangana: Congress announces candidates for two Graduate MLC seats

Hyderabad, Sep 30 (IANS) The Congress party on Tuesday announced candidates for the forthcoming biennial elections to the Telangana Legislative Council from the two Graduates’ constituencies.

Sama Rammohan Reddy will be the party candidate from Mahabubnagar-Rangareddy-Hyderabad constituency while Ramreddy Sarvotham Reddy will contest on Congress ticket from Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda constituency.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the names, according to a statement by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal on Tuesday night.

Voter enrolment in the two Graduates’ constituencies of the Telangana Legislative Council began on Monday. The enrolment process began with the issue of public notice under Rule 31(3) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C. Sudharsan Reddy has asked eligible graduates to register as voters.

The electoral rolls will be prepared afresh with November 1, 2026, as the qualifying date. Those who previously registered as voters must also register afresh.

The Election Commission of India has announced that two vacancies are due in March 2027 and must be filled by conducting biennial elections.

An applicant must have completed a degree or an equivalent diploma at least three years before the qualifying date. The applicant must also be an ordinary resident of the area covered by the relevant Graduates constituency.

As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, draft electoral rolls will be published on November 25, 2026. Final electoral rolls are due for publication on December 30, 2026.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao registered his vote in Hyderabad on Monday.

He urged all eligible graduates in the two Graduate MLC constituencies where elections will be held to register as voters so they can exercise their right to vote.

He requested every eligible graduate to fill out the application form and complete the voter registration process before November 6.

Emphasising that every vote is crucial in the Graduate MLC elections, KTR urged all eligible individuals to register and participate in the democratic process.

–IANS

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Telangana CM urges Centre to expedite approvals for Tummidihatti barrage

Hyderabad, Sep 29 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday urged Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil to resolve the proposed construction of the Tummidihatti barrage on the Godavari River through a dialogue with the Maharashtra government.

Updating the Union Minister about the submission of the proposal to construct the Tummidihatti barrage to the Maharashtra government, the Chief Minister requested Patil to facilitate the required approvals for the barrage.

CM Revanth Reddy, accompanied by State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, met CR Patil in Delhi on Tuesday evening.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), he apprised the Union Minister of the important pending issues pertaining to Telangana’s projects in the Krishna and Godavari basins.

The Chief Minister requested the Jal Shakti Minister to expedite the process for an agreement between Telangana and Maharashtra to construct the Tummidihatti barrage at a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of +152 meters.

The CM briefed Patil that constructing the barrage at the level of 152 meters would enable the supply of water to the Yellampalli project through gravity, which also helps to reduce both the electricity consumption and the associated costs for water supply.

Pending environmental clearances for the Telangana projects were reviewed in the meeting. CM Revanth Reddy appealed to the Union Minister to grant environmental clearances for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme (DLIS), Sitarama Sagar Multipurpose Project (SSMP) and Gauravelli reservoirs.

The Chief Minister brought to the attention of Patil the recent announcement of the new guidelines for environmental clearances in the light of the recent Supreme Court verdict and urged the centre to accord approvals to these projects immediately.

The Chief Minister briefed the minister that the delay in granting clearances was escalating the construction costs.

Jal Shakti Minister was also requested to expedite approval of clearances pending with the Central Water Commission (CWC) for the Sammakka Sagar project. The project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) had already been submitted to the CWC and sought approvals regarding the irrigation plan and inter-state aspects, the Chief Minister said, informing the Union Minister that discussions were underway with the Chhattisgarh government to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the project.

The CM and the Union Minister discussed the pending installation of the telemetry system, which is being undertaken by the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), and requested that the works be expedited.

Revanth Reddy informed that the state government had already deposited the required Rs 4.15 crore for the first phase of the installation and urged the swift completion of the installation of systems in the first, second and third phases.

State Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy, MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna, MLA Gaddam Vinod, State Government Advisor (Irrigation) Adityanath Das, and CM’s Secretary Manikraj were also present.

–IANS

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Antonio Guterres expresses ‘deep appreciation’ for India’s role at UN

United Nations, Sep 29 (IANS) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his “deep appreciation” for India’s cooperation with the UN when he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday.

At their meeting here, they “discussed multilateralism, India-UN cooperation, and geopolitical developments, including the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East”, Guterres’ Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

“The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for India’s cooperation with the UN,” he added.

EAM Jaishankar said on X, “Our discussions focused on ongoing conflicts and the need to mitigate their impact, especially on the Global South”.

In his speech at the General Assembly on Saturday, he paid tribute to Guterres’ decade of service leading the UN through troubled times.

He said, “After a decade of service and dedication to the cause of multilateralism, we will soon bid farewell to Secretary General Antonio Guterres. India deeply values his many contributions, in particular, his personal support for Mission LiFE”.

Mission LiFE is a campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote daily habits by people and institutions that protect the environment.

At the high-level meeting of the General Assembly, EAM Jaishankar spoke up for multilateralism, which Guterres has warned is under threat.

The meeting between Guterres and EAM Jaishankar took place on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where world leaders gathered to deliberate on pressing global challenges, including armed conflicts, climate change, food security and reform of multilateral institutions.

India has consistently advocated for reformed multilateralism, arguing that the current global governance architecture, including the UN Security Council, must reflect contemporary realities and give developing countries greater representation.

New Delhi has also pressed for greater say for the Global South in international decision-making, a position Jaishankar has articulated at various multilateral forums in recent years.

During his address to the General Assembly, EAM Jaishankar had underscored India’s commitment to a rules-based international order and its readiness to work with all partners to address shared challenges, even as he flagged the disproportionate impact of ongoing conflicts on developing nations.

The discussions between Guterres and EAM Jaishankar also come amid continuing global attention on the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, both of which have dominated deliberations at the UN this year.

India has maintained that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path to resolving such conflicts, while reiterating its support for nations’ sovereignty and territorial integrity and the protection of civilians.

The meeting also allowed India and the UN to review ongoing cooperation across a range of areas, including peacekeeping, sustainable development, climate action and humanitarian assistance, officials said.

India is one of the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping missions and has been a strong voice for developing countries’ concerns at the world body.

–IANS

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MP police bust Rs 11-cr matrimonial cyber fraud racket, six arrested

Mandsaur, Sep 29 (IANS) Police busted an interstate cybercrime racket that allegedly cheated people of more than Rs 11 crore through matrimonial websites in over 100 cases, arresting six people from Rajasthan and Bihar, police said on Monday.

The racket also has suspected international links, with callers based abroad allegedly helping the gang target victims by posing as prospective marriage partners, Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena said.

The investigation began after a woman from Shamgarh lodged a complaint alleging that she was contacted through a matrimonial website by a man claiming to be an NRI.

“He contacted her through a matrimonial alliance and claimed to be an NRI. He allegedly committed cyber fraud and took around Rs 7.5 lakh from the woman,” Meena told IANS.

The accused allegedly used fake photographs and introduced other gang members to the woman through WhatsApp, where they posed as family members of the prospective groom.

After gaining her confidence, they allegedly told her that expensive gifts sent from abroad had been detained by Customs and demanded money towards taxes and processing charges.

Some of the accused allegedly posed as Customs officials and threatened her before she transferred about Rs 7.5 lakh into multiple bank accounts.

Police registered a case at Shamgarh police station and formed a special team to investigate the fraud. Police analysed more than 150 mule bank accounts and mobile SIM cards before tracing the accused.

Five suspects were arrested during raids in Jaipur, while the alleged mastermind was apprehended from Arwal district in Bihar, the SP said.

“One group was involved in arranging mule bank accounts and SIM cards from places including Agra, Firozabad, Delhi, Bihar and Bhopal, while another group withdrew the money and deposited it through cash deposit machines,” Meena said.

The gang allegedly destroyed mobile phones, SIM cards, passbooks and ATM cards after bank accounts were frozen. Police said they found slips bearing account numbers pasted on the backs of the mobile phones.

Police recovered 22 Android mobile phones, 30 mule SIM cards and five ATM cards from the accused.

Police said they have frozen more than Rs 8 lakh lying in various bank accounts and will return it to the victim through due legal process.

“The investigation is continuing to establish the international connections of the gang and identify other persons involved in the racket,” Meena said.

–IANS

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Led by PM Modi, India aims to end drug trade by 2029: Mizoram Governor

Aizawl, Sep 29 (IANS) Mizoram Governor General (Dr) V.K. Singh (Retd) recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the 100-week nationwide ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ on August 2, aimed at preventing substance abuse among youth, and said the country has set a firm goal of ending the drug trade by December 31, 2029.

Launching the ‘State Action Plan to Combat Drug Menace 2026-2029’, the Governor stressed the need for a collective national effort against the drug menace and illicit drug trade. Referring to the State Action Plan to Combat the Drug Menace, the Governor said it aims to protect young people from drugs through community participation and awareness activities.

“This is only the beginning. We will be able to see results in three years. For it to succeed, we must take all stakeholders along positively,” he said. He welcomed the declaration of Tlangmawi as Mizoram’s first Drug-Free Village and said it showed the cooperation and determination of the community. He encouraged other villages and towns to take inspiration from this example.

The Governor also acknowledged the efforts of various enforcement agencies in the fight against drugs and noted that the new action plan fits well with the Young Mizo Association (YMA) annual theme “Ruihhlo Do” (Fight Against Drugs).

Highlighting Mizoram’s strategic location and long international border with Myanmar (510 km) and Bangladesh (318 km), he said, “We carry a heavy responsibility as gatekeepers for the rest of the country. We should always stay focused and keep vigil. We should do away with the mindset that seeks quick profits through drug trafficking.”

The Governor also lauded the work done under the cross-border anti-drug operation ‘Operation Jericho’ and the short-term detoxification and rehabilitation programme ‘Hulhliap Short Stay Centre’.

He encouraged district- and state-level Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan committees and the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) to continue their efforts. He expressed concern over the impact of drugs on Mizo youth and the productive workforce, especially young men, and said he hoped the Three-Year Action Plan would bring positive results.

The Governor added that Mizoram’s law-abiding community, strong social fabric and cooperative NGOs could help make the fight against drugs successful.

Home Minister K. Sapdanga stated that the event marked a firm commitment and renewed pledge to safeguard Mizoram and its people from the menace of drugs. He described Mizoram as a ‘gateway of drugs’ and highlighted the severe suffering inflicted on many young people. He stressed the need for collective action involving enforcement agencies, NGOs and churches.

The Minister said that beyond targeting drug peddlers and carriers alone, all those associated with the trade must also be thoroughly investigated and dealt with. He called upon all stakeholders to give their best efforts starting today to ensure effective implementation of the State Action Plan.

Special emphasis, he noted, would be placed on intensifying operations along the borders to curb the inflow of drugs.

Mizoram and Manipur have emerged as major drug-trafficking corridors in the Northeast because of their long and porous international borders with Myanmar and their proximity to the Golden Triangle, one of the world’s major illicit narcotics-producing regions. Six districts of Mizoram and five districts of Manipur share around 910 km of unfenced international border with Myanmar.

–IANS

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Gujarat steps up quality checks on farm inputs, registers 26 FIRs after 6,380 dealer inspections

New Delhi/Gandhinagar, Sep 29 (IANS) Gujarat has stepped up enforcement against violations involving the quality of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides, with 276 teams inspecting 6,380 dealers and registering 26 FIRs, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said at the ‘National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026’ in New Delhi.

Sharing details of the state’s quality-control measures during the two-day conference, Vaghani said the inspections also resulted in the suspension of 246 licences.

“Enforcement had continued this year, with 94 teams carrying out inspections at 3,760 locations. These inspections resulted in 136 licences being cancelled or suspended and 15 FIRs being registered,” he said.

The minister placed the enforcement figures before the conference as part of Gujarat’s preparations for the Rabi season and its efforts to maintain the quality of agricultural inputs supplied to farmers.

The National Agriculture Conference – Rabi Campaign 2026 was organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in New Delhi on September 28 and 29.

It brought together state agriculture ministers, senior officials from the Centre and states, and ICAR scientists to discuss preparations for the forthcoming Rabi season.

Vaghani said the state had adequate seed stocks for the Rabi season. “Gujarat had increased its agriculture budget to more than Rs 17,000 crore for 2026-27,” he said.

Separately, the state is promoting micro-irrigation to improve water-use efficiency.

The Gujarat Green Revolution Company has brought 25.91 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation so far, and has made a provision of Rs 1,250 crore this year to cover another two lakh hectares.

In tribal areas, the government plans to launch ‘Kisan Suvidha Rath’ through EMRI-GVK in 53 talukas across 14 districts to provide agriculture-related services and guidance to farmers at their doorstep.

Vaghani also urged the Centre to introduce new, stricter laws to prevent adulteration, replacing older legislation, and requested that the final protocol for testing nano-fertiliser samples be issued at the earliest.

The quality-control measures formed part of the broader discussions at the conference on Rabi preparedness, including seed availability, fertiliser supply, crop planning, digital agriculture, Farmer Registry, Digital Crop Survey, AgriStack, natural farming and crop diversification.

–IANS

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‘Demography Commission’ targeting Muslims, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad, Sep 29 (IANS) AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the ‘Demography Commission’ of the Central government is targeting Muslims by seeking religion-wise data from the states about vehicle registration and property transactions.

The Hyderabad MP took to X to react to media reports about the data sought by the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC).

“When we demanded of the Modi government that it gather data on the educational, social, and economic conditions of Muslims, the government would instantly turn its face away. Amit Shah’s “Demography Commission” is now asking states for data on how many vehicles people of which religion have bought, how much land they own, and so on,” Owaisi said in a post.

“The agenda of this commission is not to formulate better policies based on the foundation of data, but rather to twist and distort the data in such a way that Muslims can be targeted and even their remaining scraps of rights can be snatched away from them,” the MP said.

The High-Level Committee reportedly sought religion-wise data for the past 15 years on birth and vehicle registrations, school enrolment and property transactions, as well as district-wise details of religious structures and unusual increases in Aadhaar, voter ID and ration card registrations.

HLCDC also reportedly sought intelligence assessments and commission reports on religious conversions among Scheduled Tribe communities, and details of operational detention centres, among other information.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on May 26 constituted HLCDC, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, to study the demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal reasons, and to suggest measures to deal with these demographic changes.

During an interaction with media persons on September 27, Owaisi had said that the BJP government formed a Commission headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to visit areas where demographic changes have come. They will visit the places where Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has been completed; they will see the final list, and illegal migrants will be apprehended, he said.

“Amit Shah has stated that the NRC will be implemented. It is possible that the NRC could be conducted based on the SIR electoral roll,” he said.

–IANS

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Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav 2026 to be held in Tuta from Nov 1

Raipur, Sep 29 (IANS) Preparations for Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav 2026, to be organised from November 1 to 3 on the occasion of the state’s Foundation Day, have gained momentum.

A state-level review meeting was held on Tuesday at Mantralaya Bhawan. Chief Secretary Vikassheel conducted a meeting to assess arrangements for the Rajyotsav and the “State Investiture Ceremony.”

The Chief Secretary directed all departments to complete preparations within the stipulated timeline and submit details of department-wise arrangements and proposed exhibitions by October 22. He stressed the need to give the Rajyotsav a central theme-based format.

The main venue for the Rajyotsav is proposed at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Industry and Trade Complex (Fair Ground) in Village Tuta, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. The Culture Department has been designated as the nodal department for the entire event.

Instructions were issued to incorporate themes such as Ease of Doing Business, Human Capital Development, Developed India, and Anjor Chhattisgarh. The instructions also emphasised showcasing the state’s future direction, development initiatives, and key achievements.

During the event, various departments will present 40 state-level decorations and awards. Officials were asked to complete the award selection process as per the prescribed schedule.

The event committee assigned responsibilities clearly to different departments. CSIDC, NRDA, and the Public Works Department will handle the fair site layout, stall allocation, development exhibition, main stage, dome, pandal, meeting arrangements, and barricading.

The Public Relations Department and CHIPS will manage publicity and the hi-tech media centre. Raipur Municipal Corporation and NRDA will ensure civic facilities, city bus services, drinking water, and sanitation.

The district administration and police department will oversee security, traffic management, parking, and fire-fighting arrangements. The Health and Energy departments will provide medical facilities, ambulances, and uninterrupted power supply.

The review meeting focused on ensuring coordinated efforts so that the three-day celebrations are organised smoothly and effectively highlight Chhattisgarh’s progress and cultural heritage.

–IANS

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NIA arrests two more accused for ambush on former Manipur CM’s convoy

New Delhi/Imphal, Sep 29 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested two more accused in connection with the armed ambush on the convoy of former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the central probe agency said on Tuesday.

The arrested accused were identified as Jangminlun Singson alias Franky (44) and Thangjoel Haokip alias Thangboi (21) in connection with the armed ambush on the convoy of the former Manipur Chief Minister, an NIA statement said. Both the arrested accused are residents of Churachandpur district. They were produced before the Special Court, Manipur (for NIA cases) in Thoubal, and are the third and fourth accused to be arrested in the case.

The incident occurred on June 10, 2024, when unknown armed miscreants ambushed former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s convoy on National Highway-37 near K. Sinam Village in Kangpokpi District, causing grievous injuries to two security personnel and damage to government vehicles.

The case was originally registered as an FIR at New Keithelmanbi Police Station and was subsequently re-registered by NIA on July 11, 2024. Investigation established the involvement of the two accused, in association with other accused persons, in the planning and facilitation of the ambush, and their linkages with others involved in the conspiracy.

Both had earlier been arrested by NIA in another case and have now also been arrested in the present case as part of the effort to unravel the larger conspiracy behind the attack.

The accused were produced before the Special Court, which remanded them to 8 days of police custody. Further investigation is underway to ascertain their specific roles, establish their linkages with other members of the conspiracy, and identify and apprehend other persons involved in the offence.

Meanwhile, in another case, the NIA has arrested Thangmang Haokip (48), a resident of Churachandpur, in the case relating to the IED attack at a residential house at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur District on April 7, 2026, in which two minor children died, and their middle-aged mother was injured.

Thangmang Haokip is the second accused to be arrested in the case, after S. Palal Thadou Kuki, arrested on August 12, 2026, who is presently in judicial custody.

–IANS

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