11. Renewed Violence Erupts in West Bengal Amid Waqf Act Protests; Calls for AFSPA 15. New Book Alleges Chinese Funding of Northeast Separatist Groups and Narcotics Trade 16. Mizoram Officials Issue Guidelines at Refugee Camp Amid Drug Trafficking Concerns 17. India and Nepal Collaborate to Enhance Border Security and Curb Smuggling

 

11. Renewed Violence Erupts in West Bengal Amid Waqf Act Protests; Calls for AFSPA Fresh violence flared up in Jangipur, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, marking the third consecutive day of unrest stemming from protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. During the clashes, a youth sustained a bullet injury, leading to accusations of firing by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Over 600 villagers, predominantly Hindu women, reportedly fled to neighboring Baishnabnagar seeking safety after their homes were vandalized amidst the escalating unrest. In response to these incidents, BJP Purulia MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to declare four border districts of West Bengal—Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas—as "disturbed areas" under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), citing persistent violence against the Hindu community. State and police officials maintain that the situation is under control, with 168 individuals having been arrested.

15. New Book Alleges Chinese Funding of Northeast Separatist Groups and Narcotics Trade A newly published book, "Modi’s Bharat: A Decade of Achievements," alleges that China is providing financial support to various separatist and militant groups in Northeast India, with a particular focus on Manipur, which is home to 34 ethnic-based militant organizations. The authors, Amit Bagaria and Savio Rodrigues, contend that the recent violence in Manipur is being fueled by stakeholders involved in a ₹70,000 crore narcotics trade and is part of a proxy war orchestrated by China. The book also highlights the role of Myanmar migrants in exacerbating regional tensions due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, with over 40,000 illegal immigrants reported in Mizoram and approximately 4,500 in Manipur. Furthermore, it suggests that since 1947, China has aimed to destabilize the Northeastern region by influencing local communities to question their national identity.

16. Mizoram Officials Issue Guidelines at Refugee Camp Amid Drug Trafficking Concerns In the Lawngtlai district of South Mizoram, officials, including representatives from paramilitary forces, state police, and civil society organizations, conducted a visit to the refugee camp in Bualpui NG village. The purpose of the visit was to issue strict guidelines for displaced individuals from Myanmar. This action follows a recent drug bust in the village, where authorities seized 56,000 methamphetamine tablets. Officials are increasingly concerned that drug trafficking networks may be exploiting the ongoing refugee crisis as an opportunity to smuggle illegal drugs into Mizoram.

17. India and Nepal Collaborate to Enhance Border Security and Curb Smuggling India and Nepal are set to strengthen their border infrastructure and customs operations with the aim of combating trans-border criminal activities and the smuggling of prohibited items, including gold, narcotics, and counterfeit currency. Customs authorities from both nations have reached an agreement to implement necessary measures designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of trade along their shared border. Key discussions centered on upgrading border facilities and implementing automation and digitization of transit processes to enhance border management and effectively curb smuggling activities