Iran War Impact: LPG Prices Up Rs 60 for Homes, Rs 115 Commercial

 

The price of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders has been increased across India with effect from Saturday, March 7, adding to the financial burden on households and businesses. According to sources, the cost of a standard 14.2-kg household cooking gas cylinder has been raised by Rs 60.

Following the latest revision, the price of a 14.2-kg non-subsidised domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi has increased to Rs 913, up from the earlier price of Rs 853. The hike comes as part of periodic adjustments made by oil marketing companies in response to global energy price trends and other market factors.

In addition to domestic cylinders, the price of commercial LPG cylinders has also been increased. A 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder, commonly used by hotels, restaurants and small food businesses, has become costlier by Rs 115. The increase is expected to raise operating costs for many businesses in the hospitality and food service sector.

Despite the price hike, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will continue to receive a subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder. The scheme, launched by the Government of India to provide clean cooking fuel to economically weaker households, aims to reduce the financial burden of LPG usage for eligible families.

Industry observers say the revision in LPG prices is partly linked to fluctuations in global crude oil and gas prices. Tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, including the ongoing situation involving Iran, have contributed to uncertainties in international energy markets. Since India imports a significant portion of its LPG requirements, changes in global supply and transportation costs often influence domestic pricing.

The latest increase is likely to impact both household budgets and commercial establishments across the country, especially at a time when many families and small businesses are already dealing with rising living and operational costs. Oil marketing companies periodically review LPG prices based on international benchmarks, exchange rates and transportation expenses.

The price revision has once again sparked discussions on fuel affordability and the broader impact of global geopolitical developments on domestic energy costs in India.

IOCL Donates Four Garbage Tipper Trucks to Strengthen Waste Management in Ziro

 

Ziro, March 6, 2026:

Deputy Commissioner of Lower Subansiri and Chairperson of the District Health Society, Smti Oli Perme, on Friday flagged off four hydraulic garbage tipper trucks at Ziro. The vehicles were donated by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to strengthen waste management infrastructure in the district.

The vehicles were formally handed over to the District Medical Officer, District Health Society, Lower Subansiri, during a ceremony held in the presence of officials from the district administration, IOCL, and members of civil society.

Speaking on the occasion, Smti Malati Malakar, Senior Manager (HR–CSR) of IOCL Assam Oil Division State Office, Guwahati, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to community welfare. She appreciated the district administration’s “Plastic Ziro” initiative and said the addition of four garbage tipper trucks would help reinforce the Clean Ziro, Green Ziro movement in the valley.

Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme thanked IOCL for supporting the district’s environmental initiatives through its CSR programme. She also acknowledged the efforts of former Deputy Commissioner Shri Vivek HP, whose role was instrumental in facilitating the project.

Local NGO SMILE Ziro played a key role in the initiative by approaching IOCL under its CSR programme and requesting the donation of the trucks to enhance public service delivery and waste management in Ziro Valley.

Garbage trucks donated by IOCL

Addressing the gathering, District Medical Officer Dr. Millo Kunya and SMILE Ziro Founder Dr. Nani Tamang Jose highlighted the importance of strengthening waste management systems in the district and expressed hope that the newly added vehicles would improve sanitation and environmental protection efforts.

Among those present during the programme were Shri Mudang Tacho, Deputy General Manager (Operations), IOCL Assam Oil Division State Office, Guwahati; Shri Mithil Dhore, Station In-Charge of Ziro ALG Aviation Fuel Station; administrative officers, Heads of Departments, PRI members, and representatives of civil society organizations. Members of SMILE Ziro, led by its Chairman Shri Taru Tana, General Secretary Shri Hage Komo, and Ujwal Ziro Charity Mission Chairman Shri Duley Pai, also attended the event along with members of the public.

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance waste management capacity in Ziro Valley and support ongoing efforts to build a cleaner and greener district.

Pradyot, Conrad Sangma Meet Racial Abuse Victims in Delhi, Help Them Relocate

 

New Delhi, March 6, 2026:

Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently met the young women from Northeast India who were allegedly subjected to racial abuse in Delhi and helped them relocate to a safer and more secure place.

The incident came to light after a video showing a heated altercation between the women and their neighbours in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage across the Northeast. The dispute reportedly began after drilling work for the installation of an air conditioner at the women’s rented apartment caused dust and debris to fall onto the floor below. The situation soon escalated into a confrontation during which the women were allegedly targeted with racial slurs.

Following the circulation of the video online, the incident drew sharp reactions from political leaders and civil society groups, who condemned the alleged racist remarks and called for strict action against those responsible. Delhi Police subsequently registered a case and arrested the accused couple involved in the altercation.

In response to the incident, Pradyot Bikram Manikya and Conrad Sangma met the victims in Delhi to express solidarity and support. The leaders also assisted the women in relocating to a better and safer accommodation to ensure their safety and well-being.

Speaking on the matter, the leaders emphasized the importance of standing united against racism and discrimination faced by people from the Northeast in different parts of the country. They reiterated the message that the region stands together as “One Northeast,” stressing that such incidents must be addressed firmly and that the dignity and safety of citizens from the region must be protected.

Unidentified Male Body Found in Subansiri River

 

Dumprijo, March 5, 2026:

An unidentified male body was recovered from the bank of the Subansiri River under Dumporijo Police Station jurisdiction in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district on March 5 at around 6:30 pm.

According to police, the body was found in a submerged condition and a case of unnatural death has been registered under Section 194 of the BNSS, 2023 (DMJ/PS/UD Case No. 02/26). The body has been kept at Tadak Dulom District Hospital in Daporijo, where a post-mortem examination has already been conducted. The medical report is awaited.

The deceased is approximately 5.2 feet tall with a thin build. He was wearing a navy blue hoodie with a Nike logo, a green T-shirt, and grey trousers with red stripes bearing the word “Jordan”.

Police have requested anyone with information or any missing person report matching the description to contact Dumporijo Police Station at 9366473449.

Mutchu Mithi Calls for AAPSU Election Reforms

 

Roing, March 6, 2026:

Roing MLA and BJP leader Mutchu Mithi has called for structural reforms in the election process of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), from Rajiv Gandhi University to district and college units.

In a social media post, Mithi expressed concern that the current electoral system, which has a limited voter base and a restricted number of authorised electors, often leads elections to revolve around financial influence rather than merit. He stated that in such a system, voters may shift from choosing capable leaders to financially exhausting candidates.

Mithi suggested that expanding the size of the electorate and allowing every legitimate student to vote could help address the issue. According to him, a broader voter base would make it difficult to influence elections through money and restore the focus on merit and leadership qualities.

He further remarked that the present system appears to produce contestants who become financially burdened during the election process, stressing the need for reforms to ensure a fairer and more transparent electoral system within the student body.

His remarks have sparked discussions among student leaders and observers about the need to review the current electoral framework of AAPSU and explore possible reforms that could make the process more inclusive, transparent, and focused on leadership and student representation.

Assam Rifles Distributes Hearing Aids to 17 in Khonsa

 

Khonsa, March 5, 2026:

In a humanitarian outreach initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of people with hearing impairments, the Khonsa Battalion of the Assam Rifles distributed hearing aids to 17 identified beneficiaries from Tirap and Longding districts at Khonsa in Tirap district.

The beneficiaries, who had been facing hearing difficulties for years, were provided with hearing aids after being identified through a local outreach and screening process. The initiative was undertaken to help them overcome communication barriers and enable them to participate more actively in their daily lives and community activities.

Officials of the Assam Rifles stated that the programme was conducted as part of the force’s ongoing civic action and community welfare initiatives in the region. By providing assistive devices to those in need, the force aims to support differently-abled individuals and promote inclusivity and social well-being in remote areas.

Assam Rifles with beneficiaries during the
 hearing aid distribution in Khonsa.

During the distribution programme, the beneficiaries and their family members expressed gratitude to the Assam Rifles for the timely assistance. Many of them noted that access to hearing aids would significantly improve their ability to communicate, pursue education, and engage in livelihood activities.

The Assam Rifles has been regularly conducting medical camps, educational support programmes, and other humanitarian activities across Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts to strengthen its bond with local communities and contribute to their welfare.

The initiative reflects the force’s continued commitment to community outreach and its efforts to bring meaningful change to the lives of people living in remote and underserved areas of Arunachal Pradesh.

46 More Simong Residents Back Siang Project PFR Study

 

Upper Siang, March 5, 2026:

In further support of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on February 26, 2026 between the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and the residents of Simong and Halleng villages regarding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), an additional 46 residents of Simong village under Yingkiong Circle in Upper Siang district submitted their irrevocable consent on March 5, 2026 for undertaking the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) study activities for the proposed project.

The consent letters were formally handed over to Deputy Commissioner of Upper Siang, Talo Jerang, at around 1 PM at the meeting hall of his official bungalow. The meeting was attended by government officers, senior members of Simong village and Project Affected Families (PAFs). On behalf of the villagers, Genom Tekseng submitted the consent documents to the Deputy Commissioner, while several residents also signed the consent authorisation during the meeting.

During the interaction, the Deputy Commissioner explained various aspects of the PFR activities, addressing doubts raised by the villagers and providing clarity on the concept and purpose of the Pre-Feasibility Report.

Senior member of Simong village, Tadum Libang, also spoke during the meeting and conveyed the views of fellow villagers, expressing their support and consent for carrying out the PFR activities for the proposed project.

Deputy Commissioner Talo Jerang interacting
 with Simong villagers on the Siang project PFR study.

The signatories stated that their consent was given solely for the purpose of conducting PFR study activities. They affirmed that the decision was made voluntarily, with full understanding and without any threat, coercion or undue influence.

Simong village, the largest village of the Simong sub-tribe of the Adi community in Upper Siang district, has a total of 240 households. Of these, 144 households reside in Simong village while 96 households live in Yingkiong town.

Earlier, 128 residents had signed the MoU with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh on February 26, 2026 in support of the PFR activities for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. With the additional 46 residents submitting their consent on March 5, the total number of families from Simong village supporting the PFR activities has now increased to 174.

Tourist Held in Tawang for Stealing Sacred Items, Pardoned by Monk

 

Tawang, March 4, 2026:

Police in Tawang apprehended a tourist from West Bengal for allegedly stealing religious items from Buddha Park after CCTV footage of the incident surfaced online and went viral on Tuesday.

The footage reportedly showed the tourist taking a Buddha idol and other sacred articles from the premises, which quickly spread across social media platforms and prompted authorities to initiate efforts to identify and trace the individual involved.

Acting on the available inputs, a police team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Tasso Kato, along with Inspector Niyi Angu, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tawang Police Station, launched a swift operation and successfully traced the accused on Wednesday morning.

During the operation, police recovered all the stolen items from the possession of the tourist. The recovered articles included a medium-sized Buddha idol from Tawang Monastery, a pair of Tingsha cymbals, and two metal butter lamps belonging to the Giant Buddha Statue Park.

However, the administration of the Buddha Park Gompa decided not to pursue the matter further after the sacred items were safely recovered. Sources said the caretaker monk and the Gompa management chose to pardon the tourist, considering the prompt recovery of the religious articles and his assurance that such an incident would not be repeated.

Recovered Items.

As a precautionary measure, police obtained a written undertaking from the tourist, in which he admitted his mistake and assured authorities that he would refrain from engaging in similar acts in the future. He was also warned about the legal consequences of committing such offences and advised to respect the religious sentiments and sanctity of sacred sites while visiting them.

Meanwhile, the police department has urged local hoteliers and tourism stakeholders to remain vigilant and cooperate in maintaining security and discipline in the region. Authorities advised hotel owners and lodge operators to properly verify the identity and credentials of visiting tourists during check-in and maintain proper records as mandated by law.

Police also appealed to them to promptly report any suspicious behaviour or unusual activities involving visitors so that timely preventive action can be taken. Officials stated that cooperation from the hospitality sector is essential to safeguard religious sites, ensure public safety, and maintain the peaceful environment of the popular tourist destination.

Bandh Call in Itanagar by Anti-Corruption Movement

 

Itanagar, March 4, 2026:

A 12-hour peaceful bandh has been called in Itanagar on March 5 by the Jan Andolan Anti-Corruption Movement, demanding accountability and transparency in alleged corruption cases.

The shutdown will be observed from 5 AM to 5 PM. The organization stated that the protest is aimed at pressing authorities to take concrete action over the allegations and ensure transparency in the matter.

The movement is being led by Shri Nabam Tagam. According to the organization, despite several representations submitted earlier and a deadline set for March 3, no action has been initiated against Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The group has therefore demanded an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure what it described as a fair and impartial probe.

Leaders of the movement have emphasized that the bandh will be conducted peacefully and democratically. They have appealed to citizens, business establishments, and civil society organizations to support the protest and join what they described as a fight against corruption.

The bandh call has sparked political discussions across Arunachal Pradesh, with attention now focused on how the situation unfolds on March 5.

Sol Dodum Seeks Termination of former DLRSO in Highway Scam Case

 

Itanagar, March 4, 2026:

Social activist Sol Dodum on Wednesday urged Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu to terminate Takam Kechak, the former District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer (DLRSO) of East Kameng district, who was arrested in connection with the alleged Lada–Sarli Frontier Highway land compensation scam.

Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club (APC), Dodum said that although Kechak was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the state government has not yet issued any order terminating him from service. He criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party–led government under Chief Minister Khandu, alleging that there has been a lack of decisive action in the matter.

Dodum also raised questions over the absence of action against former East Kameng Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, stating that despite a re-verification report being submitted to the state government, no concrete steps have been taken so far.

He said the government’s silence on the matter has triggered public concern over the possible involvement of authorities in the alleged misuse of funds meant for the highway project. Dodum maintained that if the government had no connection to the alleged irregularities, stronger action would likely have been taken by now.

Referring to the arrest of Kechak on December 17 last year, Dodum said the ACB had at the time assured that strict action would be taken against everyone involved in the scam. However, he claimed that the progress of the investigation has not been clearly visible to the public since then.

Calling on the chief minister to uphold the government’s policy of “zero tolerance against corruption,” Dodum said people are closely monitoring how the case unfolds and how long it will take for those allegedly involved to face legal consequences.

He further alleged that although the ACB has examined the bank accounts of several suspected individuals, the funds believed to have been misappropriated in the case are yet to be recovered.

Meanwhile, several officials had earlier been suspended in connection with the case, including Divisional Forest Officer Abhinav Kumar, District Agriculture Officer M Perme, and District Horticulture Officer CK Tayum, along with the DLRSO.

The ACB had also arrested three private individuals Rajo Gyadi, Khya Byagang, and Yayo Yangfo, for their alleged involvement in the execution of the alleged scam.

Bear Cub Found in Tree, Safely Returned During Highway Survey in Kra Daadi

Kra Daadi, March 2, 2026:

Arunachal Pradesh: A bear cub was discovered inside a hollow tree during a highway construction survey in a forested area of Kra Daadi district on Monday, prompting workers to immediately halt clearance activities at the site.

According to a video recorded at the location and later circulated on social media, the tree had been identified for removal as part of the proposed highway alignment passing through the jungle area. Workers were preparing to cut and burn the wood when they noticed movement inside the hollow trunk. On closer inspection, they found a very young bear cub sheltering within the cavity of the tree.

The footage shows workers carefully extracting the cub from the hollow to ensure it was not injured. After confirming that the animal was safe, they decided not to proceed with burning the tree. The cub was subsequently placed back inside the hollow trunk so that its mother could locate and retrieve it upon her return. The tree was left standing and undisturbed to avoid separating the cub from its natural habitat.

The incident has drawn attention to the ecological sensitivity of forest areas in Arunachal Pradesh, which are home to diverse wildlife species. Environmental concerns are often raised during infrastructure expansion projects in such regions, underscoring the importance of thorough ground surveys and precautionary measures before undertaking tree felling and land clearance.

No official statement had been issued at the time of filing this report.