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Kuki-Zo apex body welcomes PM Modi; calls his forthcoming Manipur visit a historic, rare occasion

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Imphal, Sep 10: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur, on Wednesday warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the state capital Imphal and Churachandpur district on September 13.

KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and General Secretary Thangzamang said that this is a historic and rare occasion, as it comes nearly four decades after the country’s Prime Minister last visited the tribal region.

In a jointly signed statement, the KZC Chairman and General Secretary said that the people of the Kuki-Zo community have endured immeasurable hardships over the past years.

“More than 250 innocent lives have been lost; over 360 churches and places of worship have been reduced to ashes; more than 7,000 homes have been burnt; and over 40,000 of our people continue to live as displaced persons in relief camps, separated from their ancestral homes,” they stated.

The statement said that the stark reality is that the Kuki-Zo people have been forcibly separated by the actions and aggression of the majority community in Manipur. “Despite these grave circumstances, we continue to uphold our faith in the democratic spirit and leadership of India.

For years, we have been voicing our demand for complete separation from Manipur, seeking a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with legislature under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution,” the KZC said.

The apex tribal body said that this demand arises not from convenience, but from necessity, for peace, security, and survival of their people. “As the leader of our great nation, we are confident that the Prime Minister would give due recognition to our voice, our pain, and our aspirations. We place our trust in your leadership to heal our wounds, restore our dignity, and safeguard the future of the Kuki-Zo people,” the KZC leaders said.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday held a meeting with five MLAs, belonging to the Kuki-Zo communities and discussed the possible visit of the Prime Minister on September 13.

A police official confirmed the meeting held in Churachandpur, and he indicated that the meeting discussed the Prime Minister’s likely visit to the state on Saturday and the necessary arrangements in the district.

However, no civil and police officials disclosed the details of the meeting. The five Kuki-Zo legislators are from the Assembly constituencies in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, both Kuki-Zo tribal people inhabited areas. On September 7, Bhalla also held a meeting with BJP MLAs from the Imphal Valley region, including former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and BJP’s state President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Security advisor and Home Commissioner.

Officials and BJP leaders in Manipur said that PM Modi’s Manipur visit is not yet finally confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). As per recent media reports, the Prime Minister is likely to visit Manipur on September 13, and that would be his first tour to Manipur since ethnic violence broke out between Meiteis and Kukis in May 2023.

Reports mentioned that the Prime Minister would visit the Mizoram capital, Aizawl, and inaugurate the newly-constructed 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang new railway project, and from Aizawl, he would visit two places of Manipur — Imphal and Churachandpur. A grand stage is being set up at Kangla Fort in the heart of the capital city, Imphal, while beautification activities are underway in the areas in Imphal West district.

Meanwhile, the Churachandpur district administration has prohibited the use of aerial devices such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), balloons, and other flying objects across the district ahead of the “VVIP visit”. Churachandpur District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S, in an order on September 4, declared the entire hill district as a ‘No Drone Zone’ area.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier said that the Prime Minister is expected to be on a two-day visit to Assam on September 13-14. PM Modi’s visit is centred around the birth centenary celebrations of cultural icon and Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, and he will also inaugurate the official celebrations on September 13 in Guwahati.

IANS

Air India cancels flights to and from Kathmandu amid unrest

New Delhi, Sep 10: Air India has announced that its flights to and from Kathmandu on Wednesday have been cancelled as the airport continues to remain closed amid the unrest in the country. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates.

At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains top priority,” the airline spokesperson said. Air India and low-cost carrier IndiGo on Tuesday cancelled their flights between Delhi and Kathmandu as the neighbouring country plunged deeper into chaos after pressure from Gen-Z protests escalated following the killing of 19 people including schoolchildren in police firing while 200 others were injured.

Air India on Tuesday said in a statement that in view of the current situation prevailing in Kathmandu, ” flights AI2231/2232, AI2219/2220, AI217/218 and AI211/212 operating on the Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi route have been cancelled today”.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will share further updates. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains top priority,” said an Air India spokesperson. IndiGo said that in view of the prevailing situation in Kathmandu, the airport has been closed for operations.

“Consequently, all flights to and from Kathmandu stand suspended as of now. If your travel is impacted, you may conveniently opt for an alternate flight or claim a refund by visiting our website,” said the low-cost airline in a statement posted on X.

“We are closely monitoring the developments and coordinating with local authorities to resume operations at the earliest. Customers are advised to keep checking our official channels for the latest advisories and updates. We look forward to the restoration of normal operations and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding,” IndiGo added.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned from his post and fled the country as protests intensified on the second day following the killing of 19 protestors on Monday. Enraged by the killing of so many people during the first day of the protests organised by Gen-Z demanding accountability for corruption and the social media ban, protestors throughout the country started to attack the houses of leaders and government buildings.

On Tuesday, the protestors stormed into the parliament building at Baneshwor in Kathmandu and set the building on fire. The protestors had made unsuccessful attempts to damage the building even on Monday, which led to a strong police response resulting in the death of several people.

They also entered the Singh Durbar, the main administrative centre of the Nepalese government and torched the main gate. India said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Himalayan country.

IANS

Fitch raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 6.9 pc on robust demand, investments

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New Delhi, Sep 10: India is showing resilience amid geo-political uncertainties and is projected to stay above 6 per cent growth over the next three years — amid a raised outlook of 6.9 per cent growth in current fiscal — according to the latest Fitch Ratings’ ‘Global Economic Outlook’ released on Wednesday.

On the back of the Q2 2025 outturn (7.8 per cent growth), Fitch has revised up its forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 (FY26) to 6.9 per cent from 6.5 per cent in the June report. Domestic demand will be the key driver of growth, as strong real income dynamics support consumer spending and looser financial conditions should feed through to investment, said the report.

According to the Fitch note, annual growth in India is likely to hit 6.3 per cent in FY27 and with the economy operating slightly above its potential, “we expect growth will edge down to 6.2 per cent in FY28”. “We still expect the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut rates by 25bp towards the end of the year, as it assesses the impact of the policy loosening already implemented, and that rates will stay there until end-2026. We expect the RBI to start raising rates in 2027,” said the report.

The global rating agency raised its 2025 world growth forecast slightly to 2.4 per cent, helped by stronger data from China and the eurozone, but warned that the US economy is showing clearer signs of slowing. China’s growth forecast has been revised upward to 4.7 per cent (from 4.2 per cent in Fitch’s earlier June forecast), the eurozone’s to 1.1 per cent (from 0.8 per cent), and America’s to 1.6 per cent (from 1.5 per cent).

For 2026, global growth is pegged at 2.3 per cent. “Greater clarity about US tariff hikes does not alter the fact that they are huge and will reduce global growth. And evidence of a slowdown in the US is now appearing in the hard data; it’s no longer just in the sentiment surveys,” according to Brian Coulton, Chief Economist at Fitch.

The global rating agency expects the Federal Reserve to deliver two rate cuts of 25 basis points each in September and December, followed by three more in 2026. Fitch also expects price pressures to build later in 2025 in the US, curbing real wage growth and weakening consumer demand as job growth is already slowing.

IANS

Rapper Vedan arrested in rape case

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Kochi, Sep 10: Malayalam rapper Hiran Das Murali, popularly known as Vedan, was arrested on Wednesday in a rape case. Since he has already secured anticipatory bail from the Kerala High Court, the arrest was only a formality, and after completing the due process of law, Vedan will walk out of the police station in the evening.

He secured anticipatory bail in a case alleging rape on the false promise of marriage. On August 27, the Kerala High Court granted him conditional bail and instructed him to present himself before the probe team for two days, starting Tuesday.

He was let off on Tuesday after being questioned for five hours and was asked to appear again on Wednesday. It was during the questioning on Wednesday that his arrest was recorded.

After recording the arrest, the police will take him for the customary medical checkup, and then, after bringing him back to the police station, he will be released. The case was filed by a doctor who alleged that Vedan befriended her through Instagram in 2021, and their relationship grew over time.

She claimed that he promised to marry her and, under that assurance, engaged in physical relations on several occasions in Kozhikode, Kochi, and other places between 2021 and 2023.

The complaint also stated that the two briefly lived together and that she provided him financial support, including funds for his debut album and travel expenses. Appearing through counsel, the complainant opposed the bail plea, contending that Vedan had similarly deceived other young women.

However, the court noted that each case must be treated independently. Vedan’s counsel then argued that the relationship was consensual, initiated after the complainant approached him as a fan, and that the complaint was the result of personal differences. The police had earlier issued a lookout notice for Vedan, fearing he might attempt to leave the country, as he had been absconding since the case surfaced.

Incidentally, after this case was registered, similar allegations from other women were also made, but the Court, while granting bail, clarified that allegations of other crimes against him were not under consideration in that particular petition. Early this week, a local court here granted him anticipatory bail in a similar case filed by another woman.

IANS

Army takes charge in Nepal, to hold talks with Gen Z leaders

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Kathmandu, Sept 10: The Nepali Army has assumed responsibility for maintaining law and order, as the security institution announced a nationwide curfew on Wednesday, effective until Thursday morning.

This measure was taken due to the ongoing risks of unrest in the country. As per the Local Administration Act 1971, the District Administration Office, a civilian authority under the Home Ministry, had been enforcing the curfew till now.

With the civilian authorities completely in a mess during Wednesday’s Gen Z protests, during which several government buildings and private properties were vandalised and torched, the Nepal Army announced on Wednesday night that it was taking the initiative for law and order in the country.

Citing the need to safeguard law and order, the security officials said the prohibitory order imposed on Wednesday would remain in effect nationwide until 6 a.m. the next day. Further extensions would be decided based on the evolving situation.

“It has been observed that various anarchist individuals and groups have infiltrated and are engaged in activities such as vandalism, arson, looting, and attempts at targeted attacks on individuals, under the name of the movement, and there remains a possibility of such incidents occurring,” the Army clarified in a statement on Wednesday.

The Army personnel are seen in the streets, making announcements about the enforcement of the curfew. According to the Army’s statement, essential service vehicles, including ambulances, hearses, fire brigades, transport for health workers, and sanitation vehicles, will be permitted to operate during the restrictions. Authorities have requested coordination with nearby security personnel for smooth operations.

The Army further warned that any acts of vandalism, looting, arson, or attacks on people and property carried out under the pretext of demonstrations would be treated as criminal offences, with strict action taken by security forces.

On Wednesday night, the Nepal Army had notified through a notice that it was taking the law and order of the country into its hands starting from Tuesday, 10 p.m., and subsequently announced the curfew order on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, according to local media reports, the Army has asked for the list of names from Gen Z to hold dialogue on the settlement of the future political course of the nation following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

Meanwhile, in a social media post, the Army said that a total of 27 individuals allegedly involved in destructive, anarchic, and disorderly activities — such as looting, arson, and attempts to cause harm to life and property — have been arrested on Wednesday till 10 a.m. Additionally, three fire engines have been mobilised to control incidents of arson. The fires set at the Singh Durbar building, the main administrative centre of the Nepal government, and at the Supreme Court building continued to burn until Wednesday morning, according to local media reports. Firefighters were rushed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning to extinguish the fire.

IANS

World Suicide Prevention Day: Speak more openly about mental health, reduce stigma, says Nadda

New Delhi, Sep 10: Union Health Minister JP Nadda, on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday, urged citizens to speak more openly about mental health and to reduce stigma surrounding it.

World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every year on September 10 to chart actions to prevent suicides and to address suicide with compassion and understanding. With an estimated over 720,000 suicides per year worldwide, it remains a critical global issue, affecting individuals and communities worldwide.

“World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us of the importance of compassion and care for people who may be silently struggling. By listening without judgment and creating open spaces, we can bring hope to those in pain,” Nadda shared in a post on social media platform X. The theme this year is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.

“It calls on us to speak more openly about mental health, reduce stigma, and stand beside those in need. With kindness and understanding, we can build a safer, more hopeful world for everyone,” Nadda said.

India accounts for a third of global female suicides annually and nearly a fourth of male suicides. On average, more than 100,000 lives are lost to suicide in India each year. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed a consistent, concerning rise in suicide rates from 9.9 per lakh population in 2017 to 12.4 per lakh population in 2022.

To counter this, the government in 2022 launched the first National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS), which aims to cut suicide mortality by 10 per cent by 2030. As part of this, national programmes were rolled out — such as Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), DMHP (District Mental Health Programme), RKSK (Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram), and Manodarpan to strengthen helplines, community outreach, and school-based support.

The Tele-MANAS helpline now operates 53 cells across 36 states and UTs, handling over a million calls, while the DMHP covers 767 districts with community-level crisis care. In addition, mental health services have also been integrated into over 1.78 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, alongside strengthened capacity in AIIMS, Centres of Excellence, and government medical colleges.

“Let us replace fear with empathy and isolation with support. Start the conversation — it could save a life. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait — call Tele-MANAS at 14416 today for free, confidential mental health support and guidance,” added the Ministry of Health on X.

IANS

Nepal PM resigns: ‘Oli’s ego in ashes,’ say protesters

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Kathmandu, Sep 9: Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has resigned amid widespread youth-led protests and a rapidly collapsing government, prompting a wave of mixed public reactions ranging from anger to relief.
Many citizens accused Oli of leading a corrupt and oppressive regime, with some declaring that “Oli’s ego has turned into ashes.”
The resignation follows days of intense civil unrest, led largely by GenZ protesters demanding accountability for corruption, poor governance, and a controversial social media ban.
Protesters across the country stormed government buildings, burned political offices, and torched Prime Minister Oli’s residence in Bhaktapur.
Parliament and the administrative centre, Singh Durbar, were also set ablaze.
Oli tendered his resignation to President Ram Chandra Poudel, citing the “abnormal situation” in the country.
In his letter, he invoked Article 77(1) of the constitution, claiming the move was necessary to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Oli had been elected in July 2024 through a coalition with the Nepali Congress, but the alliance disintegrated rapidly under public and internal party pressure.
The protests, which turned violent after police fired on demonstrators on Monday—resulting in 19 deaths—intensified further on Tuesday.
Protesters declared they had no faith in the government, with many saying they had “burned the Parliament” and would continue to target the homes of corrupt leaders.
Public anger was fueled further by mass resignations within Oli’s Cabinet.
Over 42 ministers stepped down, including key figures from the Nepali Congress, such as General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwo Prakash Sharma.
Both leaders had earlier demanded Oli’s resignation, arguing that the political agreement between the ruling coalition partners had collapsed.
Videos circulated on social media showing the torching of government buildings and offices across the country.
Protesters also defaced party headquarters and stormed the main government complexes, despite curfews being imposed.
Some reports suggest Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah could be considered as interim Prime Minister, though the political future remains uncertain.
Lawmakers from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Nepal’s fourth-largest party, also resigned en masse, calling for an interim government.
With the traditional parties in disarray and Gen Z rising as a dominant force, residents say a generational power shift is underway.
“Gen Z is awake 24/7. The next government will be under our control,” one protester declared. (IANS)

Russia tracks Nepal crisis, issues warning

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MOSCOW, Sep 9: Russia is closely monitoring the situation in Nepal, its embassy in Kathmandu said on Tuesday as it advised its citizens to observe caution in the wake of massive anti-government protests in the Himalayan nation.
Violent protests by youths in Kathmandu and a few other places against a government ban on social media sites on Monday left at least 19 people dead and over 300 others injured.
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday in the face of massive anti-government protests with the demonstrators attacking private residences of several high-profile leaders, headquarters of political parties and even vandalising the parliament.
The Russian Embassy in Kathmandu said it is constantly monitoring the situation, adding that its citizens are safe, state-owned TASS news agency reported.
The embassy is geared to arrange the safety of its citizens, it said. However, there are no plans to evacuate its diplomatic staff, it added.
According to the state-run VestiFM radio “India’s reaction is awaited on the developments in Nepal as it is considered the big brother for the Hindu majority nation”.
India on Tuesday said it is deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives during protests in Nepal and hoped that the issues will be resolved through peaceful means.
“We are closely monitoring the developments in Nepal since yesterday and are deeply saddened by the loss of many young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue,” the MEA said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Chief of Russian Tourism Union Natalia Osipova said there were about 200 Russian tourists in Nepal, while TASS reported there were in all not more than 400 Russian tourists in various parts of the country.
According to the Russian Federation of Mountaineering, many of its members are in Nepal. The Russian Embassy has told them to stay put in the mountains and not to travel to Kathmandu, the main scene of rioting, it said. (PTI)

China silent on exit of Nepal PM Oli amid riots

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BEIJING, Sep 9: Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned amid massive anti-government protests, with demonstrators attacking high-profile leaders’ residences and vandalizing parliament.
Oli’s resignation followed a visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and the Chinese military parade commemorating China’s victory over Japan in World War II. He is the second South Asian leader to quit amid a riotous situation after their visits to China.
China sees Oli’s exit as reminiscent of the fall of the Rajapaksa family rule in Sri Lanka, where the entire Rajapaksa family bore the brunt of the riots. Oli’s recent visit to China attracted strong criticism for attending the V-day parade and his endorsement of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative. (PTI)

Russian glide bomb hits Ukraine pension queue, 21 dead

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KYIV, Sep 9: A Russian glide bomb struck the village of Yarova in Ukraine’s Donetsk region on Tuesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring 21 others as they stood in line to collect their pensions, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and regional officials.
The victims, mostly elderly, had gathered outside a post office in a rural area with limited access to digital banking or ATMs.
President Zelenskyy condemned the strike as “frankly brutal” and called for stronger international action. “The world should not remain silent,” he wrote on Telegram. “The United States needs a reaction. Europe needs a reaction. The G20 needs a reaction.” He urged for additional sanctions to economically pressure Russia over its continued invasion of Ukraine.
Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin labeled the attack “pure terrorism,” emphasizing that the victims were unarmed civilians, not combatants. Emergency services responded to the scene.
The deadly strike came amid a broader escalation of Russian aerial attacks, including a massive drone and missile barrage on Kyiv just days earlier—the largest since the war began in February 2022. With peace talks stalled, Russia has increasingly used retrofitted Soviet-era glide bombs in its assaults, some now weighing over 1,360 kilograms, causing widespread destruction in eastern Ukraine.
The village of Yarova, located less than 10 kilometers from the front lines, was occupied by Russian forces in 2022 but was later reclaimed by Ukrainian troops during a counteroffensive that same year.
As the death toll of Ukrainian civilians surpasses 12,000 according to UN estimates, U.S. and European officials met in Washington to consider imposing new sanctions and tariffs on Russian oil to increase economic pressure on Moscow. Talks on further punitive measures are expected to continue.
The attack highlights the continued toll on Ukraine’s civilian population in the third year of war. (AP)