16 May 2026

SI SUFFERS SEVERE EYE INJURY AFTER STONE PELTING DURING BANDH Itanagar:15 May Sub-Inspector Tamo Bakhang, once hailed as a state hero for bravely confronting notorious drug kingpin Rohit Basumatory during the 2025 Hollongi gunfight, is now battling a serious eye injury sustained while performing his duty amid Friday’s bandh-related unrest near 6 Kilo, Itanagar. According to reports, Bakhang was on his way towards the protest site when miscreants allegedly attacked his vehicle by pelting stones. The shattered glass caused severe injuries to his eyes. He was immediately rushed to Niba Hospital and later referred to the TRIHMS, where doctors reportedly informed that sharp glass cuts on his eyeballs may lead to permanent loss of vision or partial visual impairment. He has now been referred to Delhi for advanced treatment. NEET-UG RE-EXAM ON 21 JUNE New Delhi:15 May Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEET-UG re-examination will be held on 21 June, and said the medical entrance exam will be computer-based test from next year onwards as part of reforms in view of allegations of irregularities linked to it. Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said the government’s “topmost priority” remains students and their future. He said strict action is being taken against irregularities found in the conduct of the NEET-UG. The NEET-UG held on 3 May was cancelled following allegations of irregularities in the examination process. “CBT (computer-based test) mode of exam is comparatively better than OMR. It is a bit protected. Cybercrime has become a big world in itself. There are challenges; however, we will have to trust the system of our country,” the minister said. The press conference comes after a high-level meeting was held late on Thursday evening at Pradhan’s residence to review preparations for conducting the exam afresh. (PTI) 28 HOSTAGES FREED AS NAGA AND KUKI SIDES RELEASE 14 EACH By Mochoyia S Phimu Senapati: May 15 A total of 28 hostages were released in the early hours of Friday, following coordinated releases by both the Kuki and Naga sides, with 14 individuals freed from each side between Kangpokpi and Senapati Districts in strife torn Manipur. On the Naga side, 14 individuals, comprising both women and men, who had been detained at Ireng Liangmai village near Singda Dam and in Senapati were released. Likewise, the Kuki side released 14 individuals, including 12 women who had been held at Leilon Vaiphei village, along with two persons associated with the Salesian Provincial Office in Dimapur who were reportedly detained in the Sapermeina area. RUPEE IN FREE FALL CONTINUES, CROSSES 96 AGAINST DOLLAR The Wire Staff New Delhi: May 15 Cementing its recent reputation as the weakest-performing Asian currency, the rupee on Friday touched 96.14 to a dollar on Friday (May 15), ending a week of near-continuous slide in its value. The rupee has repeatedly breached records of falling value against the dollar in recent weeks. The fall in rupee value risks making the fuel price hikes announced on Friday by the Modi government more permanent. It also comes as state governments begin to implement some of the austerity measures of the Indian government. The rupee witnessed one of its steepest declines to 95.31 against the dollar and Indian shares also fell sharply on Monday (May 11), the morning after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Indians to adopt wide-ranging and severe austerity measures. INDIA FINISHED THE ASIAN UNDER-17 BOXING C'SHIPS IN TASHKENT WITH 17 Hyderabad: May 15 India concluded its Under-17 campaign at the Asian Boxing Championships in Tashkent with a total of 17 medals, including two gold, seven silver and eight bronze, with the girls’ contingent leading the charge. The under-17 girls delivered an impressive 12-medal haul, comprising two gold, six silver and four bronze, while the under-17 boys added one silver and four bronze medals. India secured two gold medals in the girls’ finals. Rakhi (46kg) clinched gold with a strong RSC win in the second round against Rukhshonabonu Ahadova (UZB). Navya (57kg) added the second gold, registering a dominant 4:0 victory over Sara Kono (JPN). In other bouts, Khushi Chand (48kg) settled for silver after a 1:4 loss to Arisa Yoshinaga (JPN). Diya (63kg) and Himanshi (70kg) both secured silver medals following 0:5 defeats against Mehrimakh Kilichova (UZB) and Karina Ilmuratova (UZB) respectively. Jyoti (75kg) went down 1:4 against Diana Nadyrebek (KAZ), while Vanshika (80kg) lost 0:5 to Zhansaya Yerzhan (KAZ). In the 80+kg category, Gurseerat Kaur fought a close contest before losing 2:3 to Sohibakhon Khudoyberdieva (UZB). In the boys’ finals, Lakshay Phogat (75kg) finished with a silver medal after a 0:5 loss to Marufjon Toshpulatov (UZB). The boys’ contingent concluded with 1 silver and 4 bronze medals overall.@dargalombo #idumishmi #dibang #mishmi