Amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the selection of a memorial site in the national capital for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday approved the renaming of an institute in his honor, recognizing Dr. Singh’s substantial contributions to the development of the hill state.

During a meeting of the State Cabinet in Shimla, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, it was decided to rename the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) as the Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration.

An official statement noted the Cabinet’s acknowledgment of Dr. Singh’s significant role in both national and state development, describing his tenure as Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister as transformative. Dr. Singh was credited with steering the country through an economic crisis and laying a solid foundation for the economic reforms that reshaped India’s financial landscape.

In addition, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a Special Task Force (STF) to address drug abuse and dismantle drug trafficking and organized crime networks in the state through a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy.

The Cabinet also decided to promulgate an Ordinance to amend Schedule 1A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, allowing for a uniform stamp duty rate of 12% on transfer and lease transactions secured under Section 118(2)(H) of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, with prior consent from the state government.

During the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration in Shimla on January 1, Chief Minister Sukhu announced the institute’s renaming after Manmohan Singh. He praised Dr. Singh’s policies for their positive impact on the development of both India and Himachal Pradesh, stating that they had brought considerable benefits and recognition to the state.

At the event, Sukhu also unveiled a coffee table book published by HIPA and inaugurated a training program for special educators at the institute. This program, which will run until January 3, involves 80 teachers and aims to equip them with modern techniques for educating children with special needs, providing an alternative to traditional Braille methods.

Furthermore, as part of the state’s inclusive development initiatives, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the monthly pension for visually impaired children, raising it from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000 until the age of 27.

He noted that this change would be included in the upcoming budget and emphasized, “The State Government is taking significant steps to empower visually impaired individuals and ensure their rightful share of state resources.”

Three Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday in the Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma.

He stated that the operation against Naxal activities in Sukma has been successful. Thus far, the bodies of three Naxalites have been recovered, and search operations are ongoing, Sharma, who oversees the Home portfolio, told reporters in Raipur.

Addressing the IED blast initiated by Naxalites on January 6 that resulted in the deaths of eight security personnel and a civilian driver in Bijapur district, the Deputy CM stated, “There is significant anger among security forces following the actions of the Naxalites.”

He expressed his support for the forces, saying, “I have met with them and reaffirm that with the strength and bravery of our jawans, the Naxal menace will be eradicated within the designated timeframe.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently pledged to eliminate Naxalism from India by March 2026 and asserted that the sacrifices of those killed by extremists in Chhattisgarh would not be in vain.

The encounter occurred on Thursday morning in a forest area along the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts, where a joint team of security personnel was conducting an anti-Naxalite operation, according to police reports. The operation involved personnel from the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, an elite unit of the CRPF).

With this incident, a total of nine Naxalites have been killed in various encounters in the state this year. In a separate three-day anti-Naxal operation in Abujhmad, which concluded on January 6, five Naxalites, including two women, were neutralized. Additionally, on January 3, a Naxalite was killed during an encounter with security forces in the Gariaband district, part of the Raipur division.

In total, last year saw 219 Naxalites neutralized by security forces in various encounters across the state.

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday dispelled rumors regarding a possible reinvestigation into the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, which resulted in multiple fatalities.

Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi stated, “There is misleading information circulating on social media and other platforms suggesting that a new investigation into the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal is being launched. However, no such action is occurring.”

He explained that “MLC Shreesh Chandra Sharma submitted a letter under Rule 115 on December 17, seeking information about the 1978 riots. In response, the government requested details on the matter.” Bishnoi mentioned that the relevant information is currently being gathered and will be forwarded to the government once the compilation is complete.

This police clarification follows widespread speculation regarding a potential new inquiry into the long-standing riots. Tensions have been escalating in Sambhal since the violence on November 24, which erupted during a court-mandated survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid in the Kot Garvi area, resulting in four fatalities and numerous injuries.

Regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding Sambhal’s Jama Masjid, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on December 16, highlighted the 1978 Sambhal riots as a critique of the Opposition, stating that the violence revealed their “true nature.” He questioned why those responsible for the Sambhal massacre have not yet faced justice.

The Sambhal police said that 162 cases were registered at the Kotwali police station in connection with the riots. Among these, one case involving multiple fatalities was assigned to the UP Police’s Crime Branch CID for further investigation, while the other cases were addressed by local police. Reports indicate that a majority of the accused in these cases were Muslims.

Furthermore, it was noted that the government began collecting details regarding the 1978 riots after MLC Shrichand Sharma requested information on the matter. This prompted Deputy Secretary (Home) Satendra Pratap Singh to send a letter to Sambhal officials instructing them to take “appropriate action.” This information was confirmed by a senior official stationed in Sambhal.