Manipur witnessing erratic weather patterns, says Guv Bhalla

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Imphal, Oct 17 (IANS) Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said on Friday that the impacts of climate change are being felt acutely in Manipur, a state nestled in the eastern Himalayas and known for its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Addressing the valedictory event of the Indian Himalayan Region Climate Change Conclave at the City Convention Centre in Imphal, the Governor noted that the state is increasingly experiencing erratic weather patterns, with 2024 recording unprecedented heat with Jiribam reaching 43 degree Celsius and rainfall becoming highly unpredictable.

Announcing the release of the updated State Action Plan on Climate Change, he said that this must translate into real action and not remain merely a plan, as it integrates district-level vulnerability assessments and aligns with national climate goals.

Governor Bhalla also highlighted key initiatives such as the Model Carbon-Positive Eco-Village at Phayeng, the Integrated Ecosystem Services Project at Nungkot Sarbel Machenpat in Andro, conservation efforts at major wetlands, including Loktak Lake.

He also highlighted the Spring Rejuvenation Programme in Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Senapati, where more than 490 natural springs have been mapped to strengthen water security and climate resilience.

The Governor stressed that these efforts reflect how policy, science, and community participation can work together to build resilience, reaffirming the government’s commitment to making climate action a core part of Manipur’s development agenda.

The two-day Indian Himalayan Region Climate Change Conclave, organised by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, served as a platform for research, policy dialogue, and knowledge sharing on climate change in the Himalayan region.

Principal Secretary (Environment and Climate Change), Arun Kumar Sinha, was also present at the event.

The conclave brought together around 400 participants, including state government representatives from 12 Himalayan states, independent researchers and experts, line departments and agencies, members of the scientific community, private sector leaders, NGOs, civil society organisations, and academic institutions.

The Governor visited the exhibitions and stalls set up as part of the conclave and appreciated the innovative initiatives and community-led efforts showcased there.

He also released five books — State Action Plan on Climate Change Version 2; Wetlands of Manipur Version 1.1; Alien Species of Manipur Version 1.0; Springs of Manipur Version 1.0 and Manual on Phumdi-based Floating Treatment Wetland System.

The Governor inaugurated the State Environment and Climate Data Centre virtually as well.

–IANS

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Six henchmen of notorious gangster Prince Khan nabbed in Jharkhand, several crimes revealed

Dhanbad, Dec 27 (IANS) The Jharkhand Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested six henchmen of the notorious gangster Prince Khan of Wasseypur, who operates a sprawling crime network in the Dhanbad Coalfield area from Dubai, police said on Friday.

The police seized three pistols, 16 cartridges, a car, a bike, and seven mobile phones during the operation.

Prince Khan, one of Jharkhand’s most wanted gangsters, has been evading capture by residing in Dubai for the past three years. Following a request from Jharkhand Police, Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him. His passport has also been cancelled. Prince Khan is believed to have fled India using a fake passport in the name of Hyder Ali.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Dhanbad SSP Hrudeep P. Janardhanan stated that the arrest of the six gang members has shed light on several criminal activities. The arrested individuals were identified as Ganesh Gupta, Sagar Kumar Mallah (alias Bittu), Rajesh Kumar Badhawan, Ajay Kumar Singh, Priyesh Singh, and Karan Singh.

“They were preparing to execute a major crime. The SIT apprehended them during raids conducted near Kenduadih, Katras, and Dhanbad bus stand,” he said.

During interrogation, the arrested gang members confessed to their involvement in several recent criminal incidents, including targeting cement businessman Chetan Mahato in the Barwa Adda police station area, a firing incident at Tetulmari railway siding, and a shooting of a worker at the marshalling yard in the Baliapur police station area.

Gupta, reportedly Prince Khan’s closest associate, played a pivotal role in the gang’s operations. Acting on Khan’s instructions, he directed other members on extortion targets and weapon acquisitions.

The gang recently demanded extortion money amounting to lakhs from 25 doctors in Dhanbad in Prince Khan’s name. They threatened severe consequences for non-compliance. Alarmed by these threats, several doctors accompanied by Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha and Nirsa MLA Arup Chatterjee met Chief Minister Hemant Soren and sought his intervention.

In a surprising turn, Prince Khan later issued an audio message denying involvement in the threats after media reports about this surfaced.

–IANS

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Sickle Cell elimination mission tackling genetic disorder to ensure equity, dignity: PMO

New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCAEM) is aimed at tackling the genetic disorder to ensure equity and dignity to the people affected, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Tuesday.

In a post shared on the social media platform X, the PMO lauded a media article by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on NSCAEM, aiming for a Sickle Cell Disease-free India by 2047.

“From tackling a genetic disorder to ensuring equity and dignity, India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission marks a new era in public health,” the PMO India posted on the social media platform X.

Sickle Cell Disease is a chronic, single-gene disorder that causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterised by chronic anaemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, and chronic organ damage, significantly reducing life expectancy.

The genetic blood disorder affects the entire life of the patient, as it leads to various severe health complications.

“India’s fight against sickle cell anaemia is not just about addressing a genetic disorder, it is a commitment to equity, dignity and the health of our nation’s most marginalised communities,” Nadda shared on X.

Calling NSCAEM a “landmark initiative”, the Union Health Minister said it not only aims “to stop the transmission of sickle cell disease but also to restore dignity and health to millions living with this condition”.

To eliminate the disease, the NSCAEM was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023.

The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India before 2047 by universal screening of 7 crore individuals aged 0-40 years in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26.

“As India moves with determination towards the 2047 goal of eliminating SCD, the NSCAEM stands as a beacon of hope, showing what can be achieved when the government, healthcare professionals, and communities work together for a common cause,” Nadda said.

Nadda’s article highlighted the government’s initiatives from mass screening and early diagnosis to awareness campaigns and improved treatment access with a focus on tribal communities most affected.

Earlier this month, Nadda informed the Parliament that more than 6 crore people have been screened for sickle cell anaemia in the country. Of this, 2.16 lakh have been identified as diseased. He noted that the screenings under the mission were conducted in 17 states.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in a post on X shared how its low-cost Point-of-Contact device is enabling wider screening of Sickle Cell patients.

“Validation of a low-cost PoC device for #SickleCellAnaemia screening cut the price from Rs 100 to Rs 28, enabling wider reach in tribal areas. Proud to contribute to advancing India’s commitment to health equity,” the ICMR posted on X.

–IANS

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India’s retaliatory surgical strikes after Uri attack turning point in its counter-terrorism strategy: Report

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) India’s response to the 2016 Uri terror attack with retaliatory surgical strikes just 11 days later on terrorist infiltration bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) marked a decisive shift in the country’s counter-terrorism approach, a report stated on Thursday.

For years, it said, New Delhi relied on diplomatic protests and military posturing in response to cross-border attacks, but the Uri attack altered that dynamic.

According to a report in ‘Brighter Kashmir’, through public acknowledgement and announcement of the surgical strikes, India demonstrated its intent to take a proactive stance, while exercising restraint to avoid sparking an open-ended conflict.

“Back home, the strikes validated public sentiment and reinforced the political consensus on safeguarding national security. Across the board, the Army’s professionalism was as widely praised as the government’s resolve. Abroad, despite Pakistan denying the incident, many countries secretly endorsed India’s right to defend itself against cross-border terrorism,” the report detailed.

“For Pakistan, the episode marked a serious setback. Even as Islamabad officially denied India’s allegations, the strikes drew increased international criticism over its long-standing links to terrorists’ groups. Diplomatic isolation deepened: a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad failed to proceed after key members like India, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh withdrew, accusing Islamabad of supporting terrorism,” it added.

On September 18, 2016, at around 5:30 am, four heavily armed terrorists infiltrated the army base near the Line of Control (LoC) and launched a pre-dawn assault on sleeping soldiers in temporary tents. The militants used grenades and incendiary rounds, sparking a massive fire that led to a series of explosions, killing 18 soldiers and injuring several. The attack, one of the deadliest on an Indian Army establishment in over 10 years, left the military and the entire nation in shock.

The report emphasised that the severity and audacity of the Uri attack drew worldwide attention, with leaders from the US, Russia, and the EU condemning the violence and offering condolences.

But for India, it said, Uri was more than an act of terror; it was a direct provocation demanding a strategic and landmark response.

The report stressed that there was overwhelming public sentiment across India for a strong response against the terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to punish the perpetrators of the attack, asserting that “the sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain.”

“Eleven days after that warning, on September 29, 2016, India carried out what came to be called Surgical Strikes. Special forces commandos from the Indian Army’s Paras (Parachute Regiment Special Forces) crossed the LoC under cover of darkness to attack terrorist infiltration bases in PoK,” the report noted.

–IANS

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