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Bikash Ranjan Dhar, a 52-year-old BJP booth president from Chagalmowa village, who had been missing since August 12, was found dead near the Assam-Tripura border in the Sribhumi district, police stated on Saturday.

Dhar had left on his motorcycle on August 12 and his disappearance sparked protests and clashes in parts of the area following the discovery of his body.

In response to the incident, authorities have detained six individuals as investigations continue. Police efforts remain ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding Dhar’s death.

India will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its independence on August 15, 2026, under the theme “150 Years of Vande Mataram” and “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047”.

In Nagaland, however, the Naga Students’ Federation and its federating student bodies have boycotted the Independence Day events. They have urged students not to participate due to the compulsory rendition of the national anthem during the celebrations.

A vehicle carrying 10 passengers plunged into the Lohit River in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, on August 13, resulting in the death of a woman and leaving three people missing. The accident occurred at approximately 6 am at Sarti along NH-113 on the Walong-Hawai road, close to the India-China border. The vehicle reportedly went off the road. Search operations are ongoing to locate the missing individuals.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced a Rs 7,834 crore investment programme for Arunachal Pradesh spanning the years 2026 to 2029. The programme focuses on key infrastructure projects, including roads and rural connectivity. Khandu made the announcement during the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Indira Gandhi Park, where he also hoisted the national flag and addressed the gathering.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio reaffirmed his government’s dedication to achieving an early, honourable, and acceptable resolution of the longstanding Naga political issue. He emphasised the importance of strengthening law enforcement and intensifying efforts to combat drug abuse. Mr Rio made these remarks during the 80th Independence Day celebrations held at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima.

Guwahati: Assam’s renowned cartoonist Nituparna Rajbongshi offers an insightful satirical cartoon in today’s visual commentary dated Sunday, August 16, 2026. Northeast Now features this weekly instalment of Rajbongshi’s distinctive viewpoint on the current events and critical issues affecting the Northeast. His unique artistic style transforms everyday observations into compelling visual stories that highlight the region’s absurdities and contradictions.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur protested with black flags on Independence Day to highlight their concerns regarding safety, rehabilitation, and livelihoods amid ongoing displacement. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with a group of IDPs, who reported that they are only able to visit their homes during daylight hours. The displaced families continue to demand attention to their situation and efforts to restore their normal lives.

The Campaign for Just & Fair Delimitation (JFD) announced it will persist with its statewide anti-Census movement after the Manipur government did not provide written assurance to postpone the Census scheduled for August 17. JFD delegates held talks with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal, where they demanded an update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the Census proceeds.

The number of people affected by floods in Assam declined to 62,443 on Saturday, following a reduction in flooding across two additional districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). As a result, five districts remain affected by the floods.

No new flood-related deaths were reported in the previous 24 hours, maintaining the death toll at 104 this year. Flooding continues to be reported in the affected areas.

In Arunachal Pradesh, Mithun-rearing communities frequently discuss the animal, with outsiders commonly asking, “How many mithuns do you own?” John Pei Cander, who had been speaking enthusiastically moments earlier, paused before answering quietly when asked this question.

A genetic study has indicated that the breeding population of Mithuns in Arunachal Pradesh is declining.