Due to a failing highway, truckers bring the Mizoram government to court.

Raising concerns over Mizoram’s crumbling road infrastructure, the Mizoram Truck Drivers Association (MTDA) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the state government and a construction company regarding the severe deterioration of National Highways 306 and 6. These highways, considered the state’s primary supply routes, have reportedly become hazardous, especially the Kawnpui-Sairang stretch of NH-306 and the 118–133 km segment of NH-6, where potholes and frequent landslides have endangered lives and disrupted transport. Despite government claims of spending over ₹311 crore on repairs, the MTDA alleges poor-quality work and repeated supply disruptions. Tensions peaked recently when emergency roadworks by local tipper operators led to a six-day suspension of truck movement and a resulting fuel shortage statewide. The situation has also triggered political unrest, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Lalduhoma and PWD Minister Vanlalhlana, accusing them of negligence in maintaining the state’s vital road link.

Five officers from the 55th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army are reported to be directly involved in the Gopalganj shooting.

On July 16, clashes in Gopalganj between Bangladeshi Army troops and Awami League supporters turned deadly, resulting in at least four confirmed deaths and multiple injuries. The Army’s 55th Infantry Brigade, led by Major General J M Imdadul Islam, reportedly authorized the use of live fire to disperse protesters blocking roads in the Awami League stronghold. Videos surfaced showing soldiers firing directly into crowds following verbal orders from officers. The incident exposed deep political tensions, with allegations of coordination between the Army and opposition groups, while neither the Army chief nor the interim government expressed regret over the violence. A curfew was imposed as authorities sought to regain control amid widespread unrest.

Bangladesh: The rise of People Power in Gopalganj.

On Tuesday, Gopalganj witnessed a tragic loss as twenty brave sons fell victim to organised violence when the army acted against them. This was not just a clash but an expression of People Power rising against an unconstitutional regime that, over the past year, has waged a calculated assault on Bangladesh’s hard-won history and heritage. Since the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, the nation has endured political repression, imprisonments, assassinations of activists, and systematic attempts to erase the legacy of the 1971 War of Liberation.

Amid demolitions of historic sites, bans on nationalist slogans like Joi Bangla, and the legitimization of collaborationist factions, the people of Gopalganj stood firm. Their resistance was a decisive rebuke to fascism and a powerful assertion that the nation’s dignity and history will not be desecrated. Despite curfews and crackdowns, this spirit echoes the vibrant People Power that once fueled the liberation struggle — a reminder that no repression can silence the quest for justice and freedom in Bangladesh.

In the follow-up to a forest eviction in Assam’s Goalpara, violence breaks out, resulting in one death.

Tensions erupted in Assam’s Goalpara district after evicted settlers clashed with security personnel during efforts to prevent re-encroachment in the Paikan Reserve Forest. The violence began when a joint team of forest officials and police resumed work to dig a channel, leading to an attack by former settlers wielding sticks and stones. Security forces opened fire in response, resulting in one death and multiple injuries on both sides. The incident underscores ongoing conflicts over forest land evictions in the region, with authorities vowing to continue their efforts to protect the area.

Over 1,700 kg of banned single-use plastic seized in Meghalaya crackdown.

In a major enforcement drive in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, authorities seized over 1,700 kg of banned single-use plastic items, primarily plastic bags and packaging materials violating the mandated 120-micron thickness. The action follows a Meghalaya High Court directive banning the sale, production, and storage of such plastics statewide. A multi-agency task force conducted surprise inspections across key markets, issuing warnings to vendors and underscoring the need for eco-friendly alternatives to support a cleaner, greener Meghalaya.

In Siaha, Mizoram, Union Minister George Kurian establishes the framework for two important projects.

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian, virtually laid the foundation stone for two key development projects worth Rs 12 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) in Mizoram’s Siaha district on July 16. The projects—a public market-cum-multipurpose centre and women facilitation centre in Tipa V, along with a new community hall—are aimed at furthering the government’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision and enhancing socio-economic opportunities for women and minority communities. The virtual ceremony was attended by local MLAs and officials, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to inclusive growth in the Northeast.

Assam: To guarantee error-free voter rolls, Barpeta provides thorough BLO training.

A comprehensive two-day training programme for 1,094 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 103 Supervisors was conducted across Barpeta district’s Legislative Assembly Constituencies under the Election Commission of India’s directives. Led by senior election officials, the sessions focused on improving electoral roll management and adherence to updated procedures to ensure accurate and inclusive voter lists ahead of forthcoming elections. ADC (Election) Moushumi Chetia emphasized the critical role of this training in maintaining error-free electoral rolls and facilitating a transparent election process.

India offers assistance in rebuilding and implores Bangladesh to reevaluate demolishing Satyajit Ray’s family home.

India has expressed deep regret over the demolition of the ancestral home of iconic filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The century-old property, once home to Ray’s grandfather and renowned 19th-century writer Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, is being razed to make way for a semi-concrete structure to house a Shishu Academy. Calling the house a symbol of the Bangla cultural renaissance, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has offered support for its restoration and proposed converting it into a museum of literature to honor shared cultural heritage. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also appealed to the Bangladeshi government to preserve the historic site, emphasizing its deep cultural significance.

In Dibrugarh, Assam, OIL finds hydrocarbons: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma.

Oil India Limited (OIL) has discovered hydrocarbons in the Namrup Borhat-1 well located in Assam’s Dibrugarh district, marking a significant milestone for the state. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the discovery as a “proud moment” and a major step toward energy security and economic resilience. Notably, the Assam government holds a significant stake in the well, making it the first state government in India to become a direct oil producer. The discovery is expected to boost revenue generation, enhance royalty earnings, support successful exploration efforts, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s national energy security.

In Assam, a new species of day gecko named after Brahmaputra was found.

A new species of diurnal gecko, Cnemaspis brahmaputra, has been discovered on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, near the historic Dirgheswari Temple. Unlike most geckos in the region, this species is active during the day and is only the second of its kind recorded in Northeast India. Published in the journal Taprobanica, the discovery highlights a significant biogeographic link between Sri Lanka and Northeast India. Named after the Brahmaputra River for its ecological significance, the species is genetically distinct from its Sri Lankan relatives and adds to Assam’s rich biodiversity.