Midday News Nuggets

1. Suspected coal mafia leader arrested in Meghalaya, investigation underway

Meghalaya Police apprehended the "mastermind" and suspected leader of the coal mafia, Abdul Ahad Choudhury, from Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district recently.

2. Meghalaya: Activist files FIR on "unlawful" plying of coal trucks

Shillong-based rights activist Agnes Kharshiing, on Sunday, filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Mawlai Police Station concerning the "unlawful" plying of coal-laden trucks through East Khasi Hills district along the Umiam Bridge, reportedly in a "dangerously weak condition."

3. Ahead of polls, Assam BJP embarks on booth-level programme

Ahead of next year’s Assembly elections, the ruling BJP on Sunday embarked on its ambitious party programme, “Booth ki Baat”, across 28,000 booths in the state.

4. STNM successfully conducts neurosurgery for the first time in Sikkim

Neurosurgery was successfully performed for the first time at Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital in Sikkim’s capital city of Gangtok.

5. Ganja worth over Rs 1 crore seized in Assam

Nearly six quintals of ganja worth over Rs 1 crore was seized in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, police said.

6. Man abducted from Tripura-Mizoram border village

A 35-year-old man was abducted at gunpoint from Joyrampara, a remote village near Tripura- Mizoram border, police said.

7. Man who appeared in JEE-Mains on behalf of Assam 'topper' arrested from Delhi

A man was arrested by the Guwahati Police from Delhi for appearing in the Joint Entrance Examination-Mains on behalf of the candidate who 'topped' the test in Assam, officials said.

8. Assam first state in NE to attain self-sufficiency in fish seed output: Minister

Assam has become the first state in the Northeast to attain self-sufficiency in fish seed production, said state fisheries minister Parimal Suklabaidya.

9. Olympic-bound athletes will be given priority when COVID-19 vaccine is available: Rijiju

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that Olympic-bound athletes and the support staff will also be given priority when a vaccine is available for COVID-19.

10. China to build major dam on Brahmaputra river: Official

China will build a major hydropower project on Brahmaputra river in Tibet and a proposal for this has been put forward in the 14th Five-Year Plan to be implemented from next year.