West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday accused chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of disrespecting women and shouting at a delegation of the party that met him and the two election commissioners in Kolkata, escalating tensions between the two sides.. TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya quoted Kumar as saying that he is helpless, as the Supreme Court is monitoring the SIR in West Bengal. (ANI). “Like every time, it was he [Kumar] who did all the talking. After speaking for some time, he suddenly got irritated and said that you [TMC] have moved the Supreme Court. He was shouting. He accused us of shouting,” said TMC leader and state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya.. She quoted Kumar as saying that Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has been completed in other states and that he is helpless, as the Supreme Court is monitoring the process in West Bengal. “Is moving the Supreme Court a crime? We have the right to move court,” Bhattacharya said after the meeting. “He [Kumar] was asking me not to shout. I told him that his attitude proves that he does not respect women. That is why names of women voters are being deleted.”. There was no immediate response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to Bhattacharya’s version of what transpired at the meeting.. Earlier on Monday morning, TMC workers carrying placards with “go back” slogans written on them and black flags gathered as Kumar visited the Kalighat Temple. TMC workers showed Kumar black flags and shouted go back slogans after Kumar landed in Kolkata on Sunday evening.. In a statement on the meeting with the representatives of the political parties, the ECI on Monday said that they urged it to conduct the assembly election in one or two phases, protect voters, and deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to curb poll violence. It added that Kumar assured them that the ECI will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring an impartial, transparent, and fair poll.. Kumar and election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, who are on a three-day visit to Kolkata, are holding a series of meetings to take stock of the poll preparations.. Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sishir Bajoria said they requested the ECI to conduct the elections in one phase or at most two phases. “Holding elections in multiple phases does not help.”. The ECI and the TMC have been at loggerheads over the SIR. On February 24, the Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under the Constitution’s Article 142 to direct the ECI to continue publishing supplementary voter lists even after the final electoral roll is notified on February 28 to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised ahead of the assembly elections.. The court deemed that voters included in supplementary lists would be treated as part of the final roll, effectively neutralising rigid statutory timelines that might otherwise bar inclusion of voters whose verification remained pending. It authoris 

 Itanagar, One hundred and sixty-five militants belonging to various insurgent groups have laid down their arms in the insurgency-affected districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding in Arunachal Pradesh during the last six years, state Home minister Mama Natung informed the assembly on Monday.. 165 militants surrendered in Arunachal in last six years: Minister. Natung, replying to a written question by NPP MLA Thangwang Wangham, said that between January 2020 and December 2025, a total of 47 militants surrendered before security forces in Tirap district, 41 in Changlang district and 77 in Longding district.. The minister said 50 cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim surrendered in the three districts. Another 37 militants belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland laid down arms.. Besides, 35 rebels of the Eastern Naga National Government also surrendered during the period.. Natung further said that 27 cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland surrendered, along with 14 of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland , five of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland , four of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland .. Two each from the United Liberation Front of Asom , the National Socialist Council of Nagaland and the Eastern Naga National Organisation , and one rebel from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland .. The minister said that surrendered cadres are provided benefits under the government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation scheme, including financial assistance amounting to ₹1.4 crore in the last six years.. He said that a rehabilitation camp at Bhismaknagar in Lower Dibang Valley district has been operational since January 9 last year and the surrendered cadres are currently staying there.. Vocational training programmes are also being conducted for the skill development of the surrendered militants.. During the current fiscal, short-term vocational training was provided to 26 cadres, the minister said, adding that the scheme has no provision for direct employment or housing.. He further stated that under the provisions of the Surrender and Rehabilitation scheme, cases relating to minor offences against successfully rehabilitated cadres may be considered for withdrawal in accordance with government policy.. However, Natung clarified that cadres involved in heinous offences such as murder, rape, abduction and other serious crimes will face due process of law and surrender will not be treated as amnesty from criminal liability.. The minister added that the reintegration and livelihood status of surrendered militants are regularly monitored under government supervision.. He also said the government has taken steps to strengthen the Surrender and Rehabilitation scheme by sanctioning an additional stipend of ₹6,000 per cadre and approving ₹109.10 lakh for improvement of rehabilitation infrastructure.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 Itanagar, One hundred and sixty-five militants belonging to various insurgent groups have laid down their arms in the insurgency-affected districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding in Arunachal Pradesh during the last six years, state Home minister Mama Natung informed the assembly on Monday.. 165 militants surrendered in Arunachal in last six years: Minister. Natung, replying to a written question by NPP MLA Thangwang Wangham, said that between January 2020 and December 2025, a total of 47 militants surrendered before security forces in Tirap district, 41 in Changlang district and 77 in Longding district.. The minister said 50 cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim surrendered in the three districts. Another 37 militants belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland laid down arms.. Besides, 35 rebels of the Eastern Naga National Government also surrendered during the period.. Natung further said that 27 cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland surrendered, along with 14 of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland , five of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland , four of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland .. Two each from the United Liberation Front of Asom , the National Socialist Council of Nagaland and the Eastern Naga National Organisation , and one rebel from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland .. The minister said that surrendered cadres are provided benefits under the government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation scheme, including financial assistance amounting to ₹1.4 crore in the last six years.. He said that a rehabilitation camp at Bhismaknagar in Lower Dibang Valley district has been operational since January 9 last year and the surrendered cadres are currently staying there.. Vocational training programmes are also being conducted for the skill development of the surrendered militants.. During the current fiscal, short-term vocational training was provided to 26 cadres, the minister said, adding that the scheme has no provision for direct employment or housing.. He further stated that under the provisions of the Surrender and Rehabilitation scheme, cases relating to minor offences against successfully rehabilitated cadres may be considered for withdrawal in accordance with government policy.. However, Natung clarified that cadres involved in heinous offences such as murder, rape, abduction and other serious crimes will face due process of law and surrender will not be treated as amnesty from criminal liability.. The minister added that the reintegration and livelihood status of surrendered militants are regularly monitored under government supervision.. He also said the government has taken steps to strengthen the Surrender and Rehabilitation scheme by sanctioning an additional stipend of ₹6,000 per cadre and approving ₹109.10 lakh for improvement of rehabilitation infrastructure.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 Shimla, Outgoing Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla advised the state government to stand on its own feet by adopting a strong work culture and effectively utilising the opportunities presented to it.. Adopt strong work culture, utilise opportunities to become self-reliant: Outgoing guv to HP govt. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also recalled that the governor had made suggestions at several instances, which his government followed sincerely, and any doubts about particular bills were resolved through discussions.. Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, Shukla, who will soon take charge as the Governor of Telangana, said that more than 50 years have passed since the state of Himachal Pradesh was formed, yet it has advanced less significantly than Uttarakhand, which was formed later.. “There is a huge scope for development in Himachal Pradesh. The state’s leaders need to adopt a strong work culture and utilise opportunities so that it can become self-reliant,” he said.. Later, speaking at his farewell function, the governor said, “When one works in a state or a region, it is natural to develop an attachment to that place. But my experience in Himachal Pradesh has been truly special. Himachal is not only the Devbhoomi but also a ‘Prem Bhoomi’ . People here are simple, sincere and full of warmth,” he said.. Expressing gratitude for the affection he received during his tenure, the governor said that he was leaving the state with cherished memories of the love and cooperation extended by people.. “I am grateful for the support I received from all political parties, social and cultural organisations, and from government officers and employees,” he said.. Shukla emphasised the need to make efforts in the state to curb the growing drug menace, protect its environment and develop its tourism sector.. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who was present at the function, said that under the Shukla’s leadership, Lok Bhavan became a responsive centre connected with public concerns, spreading a message of goodwill and cooperation among different sections of the society.. “The governor remained closely connected with people, regularly interacting with students, youth, social organisations and citizens. His presence in universities and educational institutions inspired young minds to pursue knowledge, values and service to the nation,” he said.. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sukhu said that in several instances, the governor made suggestions, which his government followed sincerely.. Any doubts about certain bills, he said, were resolved through discussions after which the governor gave his assent. In some cases, the bills were sent for the President’s assent following the constitutional process, he added.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the government remains committed to safeguarding India’s energy security while ensuring that national interests remain the top priority, as geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt global oil markets.. Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha (Screengrab). Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said India’s approach to energy procurement will be guided by costs, risks and the availability of supply.. “On energy security, the government remains committed, taking into account the costs, risk and availability of sources,” he said.. He emphasised that the government will prioritise the country’s interests while navigating global uncertainties.. “The interest of Indians is the top priority. Our national interests will always be paramount,” Jaishankar told the Upper House.. Government monitoring energy supplies. His remarks come amid rising concerns over energy supplies and prices due to the escalating conflict in West Asia, which has affected oil production and shipping routes in the region.. The government has sought to reassure markets and consumers that the situation does not pose an immediate threat to India’s energy security. Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier said the country has adequate reserves to deal with the current situation.. According to officials familiar with the matter, India currently has sufficient crude oil stocks and fuel reserves, apart from the strategic petroleum reserves maintained by the government.. Authorities have also set up a 24×7 control room to monitor fuel supplies and stock levels across the country.. “At present, the government is reasonably comfortable in terms of stocks,” the petroleum ministry said in a statement earlier.. Dependence on Gulf energy supplies. India imports just over five million barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the world’s largest energy importers.. Of this, around 2.5 million barrels per day typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that serves as a crucial route for global oil shipments.. The ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted shipping in the strait and raised concerns about potential supply disruptions.. However, officials say India has diversified its energy sourcing in recent years, with more than 60 percent of its supplies now coming from producers in North America, Latin America, West Africa and the Asian part of Russia.. India currently sources crude oil from more than 40 countries, which helps reduce dependence on any single region.