In a significant Manipur hills operation, 155 guns and 1652 ammunition were found.

Security forces in Manipur, including the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Army, and Central Armed Police Forces, have conducted coordinated, intelligence-led operations across multiple hill districts such as Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Kangpokpi, Chandel, and Tengnoupal. These operations resulted in the recovery of 155 weapons, including AK-series rifles, M4 rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, and various locally made firearms. In addition, 1,652 rounds of ammunition were seized, comprising 1,600 assorted bullets, 39 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and 13 hand grenades.

The operations are part of sustained efforts to restore peace and stability amid ongoing unrest in the region, with senior police officials coordinating closely with all security stakeholders to maintain focus. The Manipur Police have urged the public to report any suspicious activity or illegal arms to help safeguard civilian lives and property and to support ongoing operations in the hill districts.

These recent recoveries represent a significant success in the state’s ongoing mission to neutralize armed threats and rebuild normalcy.

More than 2,000 households would be forced to leave 10,000 bigha in the Rengma reserve forest in Golaghat by Assam.

The Assam government is launching a large-scale eviction drive in the Rengma Reserve Forest at Uriamghat, Golaghat district, starting July 29, 2025. Over 10,000 bighas (approx. 3,300 acres) of illegally encroached forest land will be cleared, impacting nearly 2,000 families. The area has been divided into nine operational zones, with eviction notices served and many families vacating voluntarily. Security forces, including police and CRPF personnel, are deployed to maintain order, especially along the sensitive Assam-Nagaland border. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that 70% of encroachers have already vacated voluntarily, emphasizing the government’s ongoing commitment to reclaiming forest land, despite the vast scale of remaining encroachment across the state.

The government of Arunachal Pradesh authorizes the return of weekly markets with new rules.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has approved the resumption of weekly markets with a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place, valid for one year and subject to review. The move follows a prior suspension aimed at enforcing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and curbing illegal immigration. The Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan (ASTBA) had supported the suspension, citing concerns over unauthorized non-local sellers affecting the state’s demographics. Deputy commissioners are tasked with strictly enforcing the SOP to ensure smooth functioning while balancing local economic activity and security.

New curriculum modules featuring Shubhanshu Shukla and Operation Sindoor will be introduced by NCERT.

A senior official revealed that India’s curriculum revamp will include real-world case studies, such as the sensitive Operation Sindoor, to help students understand the importance of strategic decision-making and coordinated government action during national crises. The new modules will also spotlight Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic journey as the first Indian astronaut to the International Space Station, alongside lessons on environmental stewardship through Mission LiFE and a historical perspective on the Partition of India. The move, pending final approval, aims to make education more relevant and rooted in India’s national identity.

In 2025, NF Railway arrested 126 peddlers and confiscated ganja valued at Rs 3.67 crore.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) under Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway has ramped up operations against drug trafficking in 2025, seizing over 3,700 kg of ganja valued at Rs. 3.67 crore since the beginning of the year. According to NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, these crackdowns have led to the apprehension of 126 individuals involved in smuggling. Between July 17 and 24 alone, RPF teams confiscated 168.67 kg of ganja worth approximately Rs. 16.83 lakh and arrested two suspects at major stations including Agartala, Katihar, Bagdogra, Rangapara North, Lumding, and Guwahati.

Charaideo Maidam in Assam celebrates its first year as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Assam commemorated the first anniversary of Charaideo Moidam’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a special ceremony featuring cultural programs and discussions on preservation and sustainable tourism. The site, home to over 90 mound tombs from the Ahom dynasty, is Assam’s first cultural UNESCO site and India’s 43rd overall. Highlighted as a symbol of architectural and historical significance, the Maidams reflect a unique blend of Ahom, Tai, and Assamese traditions. The Assam government has allocated Rs 25 crore for conservation and tourism development to protect the site’s integrity while enhancing visitor facilities. The occasion was marked as a proud moment for the Northeast by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, underscoring ongoing efforts to safeguard this invaluable heritage for future generations.

By 2025, Assam’s Guwahati Railway Station will serve as India’s first centre for recycling plastic.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), in collaboration with IIT Guwahati and the Assam Pollution Control Board, is set to transform Guwahati Railway Station into India’s first fully plastic recycling hub by August 15, 2025. This pioneering sustainability project aims to revolutionize plastic waste management across Indian Railways, promoting eco-friendly practices and raising awareness among passengers and vendors. The initiative includes integrated waste segregation, on-site recycling units, and a digital dashboard to monitor progress. It supports national environmental goals such as the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016) and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. By engaging commuters and encouraging biodegradable alternatives, NFR plans to expand this model to railway stations nationwide, setting a benchmark for sustainable public infrastructure and contributing to cleaner, greener travel across India.

Assam: Kaziranga’s first grassland bird census in Mann Ki Baat is praised by PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat radio address, lauded Assam’s Kaziranga National Park for conducting its inaugural grassland bird census—a pioneering initiative for Northeast India’s ecological monitoring. The survey, held from March to May 2025 across 185 plots, recorded 43 grassland bird species, including several threatened and endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Notable findings include a breeding colony of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, highlighting Kaziranga’s vital role beyond its famed rhinoceroses. With advanced methodologies and collaboration among top ornithologists and conservation bodies, the effort sets a benchmark for similar studies nationwide and reinforces India’s commitment to biodiversity conservation.

In an interstate smuggling case, Assam police detain three Bihar nationals and confiscate contraband.

Assam Police arrested three men from Bihar in Guwahati’s Balughat area, dismantling an alleged smuggling operation involving foreign cigarettes. Acting on a tip-off, Basistha Police apprehended the suspects—Raj Kumar Yadav, Ajoy Kumar, and Ram Gyan Ram—and seized 166 packets of Benson & Hedges Blue Gold cigarettes manufactured in Turkiye, along with cash and mobile phones. Described as “habitual smugglers,” the men are suspected of operating through an interstate network. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings and are investigating potential links to broader illegal distribution chains.