Nagaland after NDPP merger to 2 MLA-weak NPF :::: "No elected representative or even powerful tribal bodies, NGOs seem to have any gumption to disagree" to the state Govt !!

Democracy is fragile here, and the corollaries are frightening, wrote Monalsa Changkija in October 2015 after NDPP's merger with the NPF. 

She also spoke about another frightening matter -- vis-a-vis BJP's politics. 

Neiphiu Rio has absolute power in Nagaland, which even the BJP strengthens— so "desperate the latter" is to be in power everywhere in the country, she wrote in an article.  

 

As much as this merger, this political development, this chapter in our political history has great political significance and we won’t ask why and for whom, it also has grave connotations that are directly impactful for the people. With so much power without inner checks and balances and without opposition, policy-making is the first casualty, though this is not peculiar to Nagaland alone. 

Over the past decade, we have seen bills being passed with no or hardly any debate, says former Editor of 'Nagaland Page'. 

Except for groups of individuals that oppose certain bills being passed, and with good reason, which are more often than not ignored, no elected representative or even our powerful tribal bodies, NGOs, and civil societies seem to have any gumption to disagree, though there are rare exceptions. And such rare exceptions are grounded on unified collective tribal and civil society protests. 

She also said:  

"..... there is no individual who dares to stand alone and speak for the people. This further indicates that we don’t have any other mass-supported individual leader who is able, ready, and willing to take on and call out power by the courage of his convictions. 

While this speaks volumes about how beholden our so-called sundry leaders are to the power-that-be here, this also speaks of how any form of opposition or dissent is crushed".  

Then Monalisa said: 

"There was a time when Nagaland had numerous leaders who spoke their minds and clearly enunciated their visions to assert people’s rights and welfare. 

Those days are gone and are unlikely to reappear for a long time to come unless such leaders emerge before the next State elections in about a couple of years. Obviously then, without well-discussed, discoursed, and debated policy-making in the absence of an opposition, the quality of governance becomes questionable. 

CM and 'NPF chief' Neiphiu Rio : Power means 'more power'  

Ms Monalisa also wrote:

"In his acceptance speech as the newly elected President of the NPF on October 21 last, Rio is quoted to have said: “Our collective aspiration must be to make Nagaland truly a developed State, where merit, fairness, and excellence are the only criteria.” 

If we go by our experience over the past twenty years or so, merit, fairness, and excellence, as much as the aspiration, have remained stagnant—for instance, it was only recently the High Court voided over a 1000 controversial backdoor appointments in our Police Force and directed fresh recruitment through advertisements in local papers. 

It is the similar backdoor entry into the State’s IAS cadre that major Government employees’ unions are currently protesting."  

She has been quit candid:    

"Since 2003, Rio’s Governments have prioritised the settlement of the Naga political issue and passed several resolutions in the Assembly and formed MLAs’ forums. However, the issue persists, and a resolution is still elusive. 

The fact is, the State Government is not a party to the talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) and the other Naga Political Groups, so how the State Government or elected representative could even ‘facilitate’ to resolve the issue is arcane. Of course, they can and do talk with all these groups, but we don’t know the contents of these talks. 

And, it is beyond the purview of the State Government to comment on the NSCN (IM)’s demand for a flag and constitution."

(Nothing much has changed since October 2025. Hence this old piece is yet again quite relevant and the issues sound more topical then they have been in real time -- blogger ) 

ends  

An Incredible Self-won in Brazil ::::: Luiz Inacio Lula's win bucks a regional trend ::::: A viral WhatsApp channel and student-led protests played a key role in Leftist's win

Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a historic fourth term as president, defeating the far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro in a dramatic comeback. 

A viral WhatsApp channel and student-led protests played a key role in the veteran Brazilian leftist’s election victory.

A mood of dismay swept Brazil’s left, and because 9 million voters for the other candidates, all of them on the right, were expected to mostly transfer to senator Flávio Bolsonaro, analysts widely saw the far-right senator’s victory as certain.

Lula is the first candidate to win a runoff election after losing in the first round – taking victory with 51.79% of the vote to his rival’s 48.21%. 

His win bucks a regional trend, after the son of the former president Jair Bolsonaro had spearheaded a radical populist movement. But with Flávio Bolsonaro refusing to concede defeat, what’s next for Brazil?   

Leaders and governments worldwide congratulate Lula on dramatic comeback seen as an important signal to rest of Latin America.  

“This is God’s work – and it’s thanks to all of you,” Lula told tens of thousands of supporters who had gathered in central São Paulo in the early hours of Monday to celebrate his dramatic election comeback.

A few hours earlier, Lula pulled off the most stunning political fightback in modern Brazilian history, bouncing back from a first-round defeat in early October to trounce Bolsonaro by more than 4m votes in the runoff.

“Today is a historic day,” Lula declared, before telling a sea of elated supporters: “Democracy always, dictatorship never again. Democracy always, fascism never again.”

Never, since the return of democracy after the 1964-85 military regime, had the first-round loser managed to win the second vote.

But Lula did precisely that prompting joyous scenes on the streets of São Paulo and cities all across Brazil. He won with 64.2m votes to Bolsonaro’s 59.8m, a 51.79% to 48.21% victory. It was at least 10m more votes than Lula secured in the first round.  

The streets and social media drove Lula to a historic comeback  

The election results could be explained by a combination of the streets, social media and the machinery of government.

Lula approved a “package of benefits” at the limits of what electoral law allows, including increasing and bringing forward payments from the main cash-transfer programme for poor families.

“The streets and social media almost overlap,” said a researcher with the Representation and Democratic Legitimacy group at the Federal University of Paraná.

Two days after the first round, congressman André Janones, a Lula ally, created a WhatsApp channel called “Lula’s Army”, where Janones sent audio messages, videos – often beginning with shouts of “Guys, urgent!”.

The channel had 60,000 followers by the end of its first day and, by election Sunday, more than 10 million, and Lula’s digital reach overtook Bolsonaro’s.   

In his third term, Lula oversaw a drop in inflation and unemployment, and lifted millions out of hunger, but many voters felt gloomy about the high cost of living and crime.

Flavio Bolsonaro, 45, pitched himself as more moderate and jovial than his father and managed to galvanize conservatives as well as less ideological voters wanting something new. "We're in a deep hole, things are dire. People can barely afford to eat -- buying meat is out of the question," said Tereza Cristina Ramos, a 68-year-old retiree, who voted in Rio de Janeiro.

Already one of the world's oldest leaders, Lula will be 85 by the end of his new term in 2030. He is also facing a hostile Congress dominated by the right. Lula's campaign leaned heavily on the theme of sovereignty in the face of commercial and diplomatic pressure from Trump's United States.

"This country will not accept being anyone's backyard," he said Sunday.

ends 

Hotel Bilas Inn Owner Helena Bharali and Her Son Killed in Guwahati firing :::: Total casualties five ::::: Prime accused identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi apprehended

Five killed, one injured in Guwahati hotel firing

The firing took place around 9 pm near hotel Bilas Inn in a lane in the city’s Bora Service area.  

The prime accused identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi has been apprehended.   

The firing took place around 9 pm near hotel Bilas Inn in a lane in the city’s Bora Service area. One of the deceased persons was identified as Narayan Das (48). Upon information, senior police officials, including Commissioner of Police Partha Sarathi Mahanta, rushed to the site. He confirmed the death of four persons.

“A very unfortunate incident has taken place. We found the bodies of four persons. We will nab the perpetrator soon,” he told the media.

Within an hour of the incident, Guwahati police nabbed the accused. Gogoi had taken the hotel on lease from the owners last year.  

“Four of the dead are from the same family and they are from the hotel owners' side," Guwahati police commissioner Partha Sarthi Mahanta said.  

Police team is examining the papers related to the deal that might have sparked off the shootout.   

Police also seized a licensed .32 bore pistol from the accused Ghanakanta Gogoi. 

(Victims' snaps -- source Facebook) 

Sribhumi (near Silchar) - Violence 

An alleged attack on a Bihu cultural troupe in Sribhumi, Assam, has led to widespread protests and police investigations.

On the night of October 23, 2026, an Assamese Bihu cultural troupe was invited to perform during a Durga Puja immersion procession organized by the Hindustan Club in Sribhumi (earlier called Karimganj).

Tension flared near the immersion ghat after a member of the Bihu troupe reportedly stumbled or collided with someone in the crowd, leading to a physical clash and street brawl. Video footage suggested that the altercation may have escalated from a local scuffle involving people participating in the procession rather than a targeted ethnic attack. 

On Oct 26, members of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) staged a protest in Sribhumi in front of DC office. 

Raising slogans 'We want justice' and 'Ei Jui Jolisey' the protesters demanded justice. Condemning the incident, Tai Ahom Yuva Parishand said the incident has hurt the people. 

Senior SP Leena Doley said the episode was triggered after some people involved had consumed alcohol. There was no communal angle into the incident. Police have arrested 17 people in connection with the case.

ends 

Army Debunks Fake Video Claiming China Seized Arunachal Pradesh Areas :::: 𝟏𝟕 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐎 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝟐𝟒 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 #𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫

The Indian Army has debunked a digitally manipulated video circulating on social media that falsely attributes remarks to senior Army officer Lt Gen Girish Kalia, GoC, Rangapahar, claiming that China has taken control of three areas in Arunachal Pradesh and that Indian troops have been denied essential supplies.

In a fact-check post, the Army clarified that the video contained fabricated statements falsely presented as a leaked admission by the officer. It said the footage had been digitally altered using synthetic-generated content.

The video claims that China has taken control of Asaphila, Longju and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh. It also alleges that Indian troops have been denied essential supplies.

Rejecting the claims, the Army said the original footage was from a press briefing delivered by then General Officer Commanding of the 28 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Girish Kalia, in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, on 27th October 2023.  

The briefing concerned infiltration attempts across the Line of Control (LoC) and had no connection with Arunachal Pradesh. During the briefing, Maj Gen Kalia reported that security forces had foiled 10 infiltration attempts, eliminated 27 terrorists and recovered warlike stores and narcotics.

The Army urged the public to verify information before sharing it and to remain alert to digitally manipulated content circulating on social media.  

Meanwhile ::: Strengthening Military Cooperation

The Indian Army contingent comprising of Special Forces personnel, departed for Banyuwangi, Indonesia, to participate in the 12th edition of #ExerciseGarudaShakti.

The bilateral exercise will enhance interoperability through the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures for special operations in jungle terrain under counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism scenarios.

𝟏𝟕 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐎 𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝟐𝟒 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 #𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫  

In a decisive joint operation, Assam Rifles under Spear Corps in coordination with Manipur Police and CAPFs uncovered impersonation and weapon discrepancies at a Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp in Kangpokpi District, Manipur.

They apprehended 17 individuals posing as SoO cadres and recovered 24 automatic weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores, reaffirming the commitment to peace and strict accountability.

ends 

Maha Job-crisis :::: Microsoft offers voluntary exit to 60,000 staff in India, US and UK amid AI spending ::::: "This offer gives eligible employees who may be considering a future outside the company a new choice

 Eligibility covers participating teams across India, Canada, Britain and the United States

AI experiences, Copilot, finance, HR, Xbox and Windows teams are included

Microsoft forecasts $175 billion in capital expenditure for calendar year 2026  

Multiple tech companies have announced layoffs due to the rise of AI and increased investment in the technology this year. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced plans in April to cut 10% of its personnel, or about 8,000 employees, to boost efficiency. 

Amazon has made several cuts to its workforce, most recently in its retail division. And in June, Oracle shed its workforce by nearly 13%, cutting 21,000 jobs, as a result of AI.

But it’s unclear whether these workforce-reduction measures have translated yet into greater efficiency. 

Some companies, including Meta, have scaled back their layoff plans. A top leader of Microsoft, Ryan Roslansky, recently complained about “AI slop” in the workforce on social media.

Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 eligible employees across major divisions. The move seeks to contain workforce costs while the company invests heavily in AI infrastructure.   

The time-limited buyout programme will be available to eligible employees at level 70 and below in participating teams across the four countries, Microsoft said. Employees will receive details of the offer, which allows them to leave the company voluntarily with support, within hours of the announcement.

The programme will cover eligible employees across several divisions, including AI experiences, Copilot, finance, human resources, Xbox and Windows + Devices, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, requesting anonymity because the matter was private. Marketing, commercial business and security teams will be excluded.

The offer comes as Microsoft and other technology giants pour hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure, including data centres and chips, prompting investors to question whether the returns will justify the enormous spending.    

Chief People Officer Amy Coleman outlined the rationale behind the initiative in a staff memo.

"This offer gives eligible employees who may be considering a future outside the company a new choice to make that transition now with support. It also gives participating organizations another way to adapt their workforce to changing needs," Coleman said.

Microsoft described the initiative as a time-limited, voluntary programme that builds on insights gained from an earlier voluntary retirement programme. Eligible employees were expected to receive details within the next few hours, the company said on Monday.

According to Microsoft's annual filing, the company had 223,000 full-time employees globally as of June 30, 2026.

Election Commission tells Supreme Court ::::: Form 6 unchanged, online SIR form and declaration separated from Oct 21 ::::::: Poll panel Acted ‘unanimously’ on electoral roll revision orders

Acted ‘unanimously’ on electoral roll revision orders: 

Election Commission tells Supreme Court

The affidavit talks about the fact that the two Election Commissioners had written separately to Union Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan regarding an internal work allocation order.  

The Election Commission told the Supreme Court that Form 6 was not amended and the SIR declaration was a separate document. 

It admitted that displaying the declaration alongside the form online could suggest otherwise, but said the two were separated from October 21 for online applicants.

In what is seen as an 'admission', the poll panel acknowledged that the way the declaration was displayed online could be construed as an amendment, and said it had separated the two in the online application process from October 21.  

In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the EC maintained that only the central government has the authority to amend Form 6, which is prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The SIR declaration, it said, was a separate document and had not been incorporated into the statutory form.

The commission explained that the declaration was displayed alongside Form 6 on the online application portal to allow applicants to complete the process using a single one-time password (OTP) and electronic signature.   

The EC's affidavit was filed in response to a petition by Rakesh Kumar Singh, who challenged the changes to Form 6 and raised concerns over the functioning of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Supreme Court had issued notices to the EC, the CEC and other officials.

The separate declaration, introduced by the EC during the SIR exercise, had been at the centre of a controversy. It required applicants seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls to state whether their own name, or that of a parent or grandparent, appeared in an earlier SIR-era electoral roll. Critics argued that the requirement could create an additional hurdle for first-time voters, particularly those whose families did not figure in the older rolls.

The issue had earlier come up before the Supreme Court on October 5, when Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the court had not approved any modified version of Form 6 and wanted to examine the Election Commission's records to ascertain who had made the changes.

The observation followed an EC statement on September 26 claiming that the declaration attached to Form 6 for the SIR had been upheld by the top court. The commission was referring to the court's May 27 judgment upholding its authority to conduct the Bihar SIR, which had been ordered on June 24, 2025.

The June 24, 2025 order was the EC's directive launching the SIR exercise in Bihar. It required applicants seeking fresh voter registration to submit Form 6 along with an additional declaration, called Annexure D, linking themselves or their parents to the previous electoral rolls, dating back to 2002.

The poll panel has removed the additional declaration from online Form 6 in states and Union Territories where the SIR exercise has been completed. The requirement, however, continues in places where the revision is still underway.

"Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrashekhar owns a series of eating outlets in Kochi region" ::::: North Indian Vlogger Amrit Singh Darren kicks off row over Fort Kochi Cafe Video and "Jinnah paintings"

A big row has been triggered off in Keralam with regard to food habits and alleged interference of a North Indian Youtuber. The controversy also relates to alleged display of photograph of Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the Fort Kochi.  

Essentially the painting of Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi had provoked Youtuber Amrit Singh Darren. The painting is an "art" on display for about a decade now and is based on the theme -- two sons of Gujarat and their life, works and achievements.  

But Amrit Singh disapproved of the painting wherein Jinnah - the man who divided India - is shown. The Vlogger was also displeased at the name of the particular restaurant he went in 'Cafe Kashi'.

But on menu - there was no veg food as he had perhaps expected. Moreover, there was several beef-related dishes. In Keralam, beef is almost like a staple food especially in eating outlets.  Now, even the owners of the restaurant do not want to speak on the controversy. 

Keralam chief  minister V. D. Satheesan (of  Congress party) has strongly condemned the vlogger for the controversy generated in the state.   

The Fort Kochi police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the vlogger for allegedly spreading communal hatred and disturbing public peace.

The Chief Minister condemned the video, stating that the state of Keralam stands united, communal hatred has no place in the state, and the law will take its course against misinformation.

Keralam BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized Chief Minister Satheesan, accusing him of "selective secularism" and questioning the handling of religious sensitivities. 

Leader of the Opposition anf former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan also condemned the communal remarks.  

Chandrasekhar said Keralam belonged to all Malayalees, who alone would decide the state's present and future, including its food, culture and celebrations. He added that Keralam was part of India and every Malayalee was an Indian.

“I agree with CMs sentiment in his post,” Chandrasekhar said, before raising questions about what he described as a developing political culture in the state.  He questioned why some people glorified Jinnah, whom he accused of dividing India on religious lines, and why some politicians allegedly justified or defended proscribed terrorist organisations such as Hamas and their violence. 

He also questioned political alliances involving the Congress and CPI(M) with Jamaat-e-Islami, which he described as anti-secular and anti-constitutional.  

There is an added twist in the tale -  Rajeev Chandrashekhar maintained no outsider or a North Indian could decide what a Malayalee should eat. Rajeev's political detractors say - "There is politics plus in it. For a change, corporate character Rajeev ji has mixed his business interests with politics. Rajeev ji owns a series of eating outlets and costly resorts in the locality and in other parts of the state and he does not want his business interests to be harmed". 

Fort Kochi was ranked ninth among the top 25 in National Geographic’s "Top Tourist Destinations to Explore In 2020".

Formerly also known as Fort Cochin, this is a region of Kochi city in Keralam. 

Fort Kochi takes its name from the Fort Manuel of Kochi, the first European fort on Indian soil, controlled by the Portuguese East Indies.

Money spinner : Munnar 

Meanwhile a local Hindu leader Swamy Dr Bhargava Ram has said:

"Is there any need to pluck and show the leaves to those who recognize the plant by its roots?"

"Not even a single correction has ever been required in anything I said about Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar—ranging from the time before he became the BJP President to after he took office...

He continues to prove it himself day by day...

Back then, when I stated this, many people who jumped around in frenzy have gone completely silent today due to a shortage of "capsules".

 

How eager those "capsule factories" used to be about every single matter!

"It was because I was fully aware of this current situation back then that I publicly expressed my opinion at that time.

As the poet once sang: "Is there any need to pluck and show the leaves to those who recognize the plant by its roots?"

This great soul's latest reaction is: "Kashi Art Cafe Controversy: 

Malayalis are the ones who should decide what to eat. Not some North Indian."

"I cannot help but say that his proud, head-held-high picture on his own channel's poster is even better than the picture of him standing as a fitness icon in a gym.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar is, after all, a great man who served as a Union Minister..!!

This is not a statement that should be uttered by a prominent personality who served as a minister for a nation that includes North India — nor is it something that should be spoken by someone sitting at the pinnacle of a political movement that refuses to see any discrimination within the country." 

He further stated:  "The realization and understanding of this should dawn upon those who placed him on that golden throne.

As far as I understand, the controversy surrounding the Kashi Cafe is related to the display of a picture of a Jinnah. 

That is a discussion concerning the public interest of the nation; it is not just an issue limited to Kerala. It is an expression of concern over an incident that happened in Keralam, which is a part of Bharat. 

Raising the issue of food there and employing cunning tactics to "other" the North Indian is not a good thing at all.

In such situations, phrases like "North Indian," "South Indian," "this is Kerala," and "the Malayali will decide" are deliberate vocabularies meant to demerit national interests.

"There are many matters that a Malayali can decide independently". 

ends