The flood situation in Arunachal Pradesh was grim on Tuesday with reports of fresh areas being inundated by flood waters in several districts of the state leaving many families stranded.
Stressing that there is a need to strengthen the collective efforts to curb the spread of the virus, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said ramping up testing and vaccination, healthcare infrastructure planning, following Covid-appropriate behaviour and effective clinical management are among the measures to be taken by these states.
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union has expressed anguish over the activities of the NSCN factions -- NSCN-IM and NSCN-K -- in the two districts having border with Myanmar where the Naga rebels have their bases.
Chipu Menon, senior leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Khaplang faction, a self-styled brigadier in the outfit, was assassinated by suspected cadres of the rival NSCN-IM group at Mon in Nagaland on Thursday night, intelligence sources in New Delhi said
Simmering tension prevailed in areas along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border after Naga miscreants set ablaze some houses in Namsang area while vehicles were stranded due to a blockade on a road linking the two states
This was the largest clash in an ongoing conflict between the two groups since December. Both factions are currently in talks with the Centre and have been observing a ceasefire with government forces. The MHA, alarmed at the escalating conflict, wanted the Assam Rifles and the Army to launch an operation to disarm the NSCN cadres of both the factions but so far the Army has resisted the pressure
The home ministry said the entire Assam, besides bordering areas of Meghalaya, have been declared 'disturbed' under the AFSPA for three months with effect from May 3.
The district administration has pressed men and machinery for relief and rescue operations, he said.
AFSPA can be safely lifted from almost 90 per cent of Nagaland, argues Shekhar Gupta.
The Centre's decision to extend the enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, to 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam and Nagaland, has sparked sharp reactions.
The counter-insurgency operation on the Indo-Myanmar was under planning for the last three months. The June 4 ambush that killed 18 Indian soldiers only hastened the attack. Sheela Bhatt provides exclusive details of the planning for the operation.
The decision has been taken due to a significant improvement of security situation in the state, a home ministry official said.
Security forces in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have mounted vigil in areas where the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (Khaplang) led by Burmese-origin Naga S S Khaplang has strong influence.
The security forces had launched the operation following specific input about the presence of NSCN-K rebels near Votnu village in the district.
After the Naga leader's death, Chinese intelligence may ensure ULFA terrorist Paresh Barua takes over as leader of the anti-India rebel groups operating out of Myanmar, says Nitin A Gokhale.
