Shillong, July 17 (IANS) The Meghalaya government has announced that it would bring a resolution in the State Assembly to formally oppose and prohibit uranium mining, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma asserting that his government has never given its approval for such activities in the state. The announcement on Thursday comes amid renewed speculation and media reports over the possibility of uranium mining in Meghalaya, particularly in uranium-rich areas of the state.Clarifying the state gov…
Latest Indigenous Communities News & Updates
Guwahati, July 9 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state government is further strengthening its land laws, based on recommendations of the Central government, to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities living around heritage sites and preserve the original identity of such areas. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the proposed measures are aimed at preventing changes to the demographic and cultural character of historically significant locations wh…
New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday paid homage to tribal freedom fighter and social reformer Birsa Munda on his death anniversary and said that his legacy will remain a source of inspiration for the generations to come. Birsa Munda is revered as one of India’s most prominent tribal leaders and freedom fighters. Born in 1875 in present-day Jharkhand, he led the historic Ulgulan, or ‘Great Tumult’, against British colonial rule and the exploitative land policies …
Canberra, May 19 (IANS) A diphtheria outbreak in Australia’s Northern Territory has become one of the country’s largest in decades and is spreading into the neighbouring states of Queensland and South Australia, health authorities said on Tuesday.A total of 133 cases have been recorded in the Northern Territory since the outbreak began, alongside six cases in South Australia and up to five in Queensland, according to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.Health Minister Mark Butle…
New Delhi, May 1 (IANS) The Great Nicobar Project, work on which is underway, aims to transform the Great Nicobar into a strategic maritime and economic hub by leveraging its proximity to the global East–West shipping route and reducing dependence on foreign transshipment ports keeping in view India’s defence and national security, an official statement said on Friday. The project, which will strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Andaman Sea and Southeast Asia, seeks to balance port-led…
New Delhi, April 29 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre’s Great Nicobar Island development project after visiting the region, describing it as “one of the biggest scams and gravest crimes against this country’s natural and tribal heritage in our lifetime”.In a post on X, he said, “I travelled through Great Nicobar today. These are the most extraordinary forests I have ever seen in my life. Trees older than memory. Forests that took gen…
Agartala, April 18 (IANS) Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, whose party retained control of the politically crucial Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in the recent bypolls in Tripura, said on Saturday that all-round development of the indigenous people of the Northeast is vital. After leading a party delegation to meet Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu at Lok Bhavan, the TMP Chief stressed the importance of unity among the region’s div…
Guwahati, April 9 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the high voter turnout in the ongoing Assembly elections, stating that the enthusiasm shown by voters, particularly among Hindu and indigenous communities, reflects a strong commitment to the democratic process. Speaking after polling concluded, Sarma said there has been a visible surge in participation among local and indigenous voters. He termed the development as a positive sign fo…
Canberra, Feb 20 (IANS) Authorities on Friday launched a new task force to target organised criminals trafficking illicit drugs into northern Australia from Pacific nations.A statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the police force in the northeast state of Queensland said that the North Queensland Joint Organized Crime Task Force (JOCTF) would counter the growing threat of criminals sourcing methamphetamine and cocaine stockpiled in the Pacific, Xinhua news agency reported.It sai…
Guwahati, Feb 11 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the state government will continue its eviction drive against encroachment on government and forest land, stating that nearly 26–27 lakh bighas of land across the state is currently under illegal occupation.Speaking to reporters, Sarma said an eviction drive was carried out in Karimganj district on February 10 as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to reclaim encroached land.However, he clarified that the…