In Jammu and Kashmir, Aga Syed Mohsin will contest from Budgam (constituency 27). The Nagrota constituency (77) will also see by-elections, with both Aga Syed Mohsin and Sushri Devyani Rana named as potential candidates. Jharkhand’s Ghatsila (ST) constituency (45) will feature Babulal Soren as the BJP’s nominee. For Odisha, Jay Dholakia is set to contest from Nuapada (constituency 71). In Telangana, Lankala Deepak Reddy will vie for the Jubilee Hills seat (61).

These by-elections are scheduled for November 11 across eight constituencies spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, Punjab, Odisha, and Mizoram. Vote counting is slated for November 14. The vacant seats stem from various reasons, including resignations, deaths of incumbent MLAs, and disqualifications. Notably, the Budgam seat in J-K became vacant due to Omar Abdullah’s decision to retain another constituency, while Nagrota’s seat is open following the passing of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana. Rajasthan’s Anta seat will hold a bypoll after BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena’s disqualification. In Jharkhand, Ghatsila’s by-election is due to the death of JMM leader Ramdas Soren. Telangana’s Jubilee Hills seat is vacant after the demise of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath. Punjab’s Tarn Taran seat by-election follows the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. Odisha’s Nuapada seat is vacant after the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, and Mizoram’s Dampa seat by-election is necessitated by the passing of MNF MLA Lalrintluanga Sailo.

The 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway line, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 8,000 crore, is a testament to engineering prowess. The route traverses challenging terrain, incorporating 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and 87 minor bridges. The total length of the tunnels is 12,853 meters. Notably, bridge number 196 stands out, reaching a height of 104 meters, surpassing the Qutub Minar by 42 meters.

In addition, the project includes 5 road over bridges and 6 road under bridges. The railway line is segmented into four sections: Bairabi-Hortoki, Hortoki-Kawnpui, Kawnpui-Mualakhang, and Mualakhang–Sairang. This initiative will establish the first direct rail link to Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. This will significantly facilitate the movement of both people and goods, fostering social and economic progress and answering the long-standing needs of the populace.

Operational approval for the final section, Hortoki to Sairang, was granted earlier this year by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS). The CRS inspected the route using a motor trolley and on foot, followed by a speed trial with a diesel engine-driven inspection train. The final 29.5 km stretch, characterized by hilly terrain, encompasses 32 tunnels and 35 major bridges. With the CRS inspection completed in June 2025, the entire 51.38 km railway line is ready, paving the way for a new era in Mizoram’s transportation infrastructure.

Following this, the CM launched an IEC campaign (Information, Education, and Communication) to prevent HIV infection in Mizoram and to create awareness among people. An HIV test drive campaign has also been initiated. CM Lalduhoma said that while spreading awareness about HIV, villages and border areas should be given priority.

**CM Launches Awareness Campaign**
The CM stated that there are only two ways to prevent this disease: prevention and protection. The CM further added that both prevention and protection can only be achieved when a person is aware of the disease, knowing how the disease occurs and what its symptoms are.

He mentioned that despite good levels of awareness, preventive measures are not being fully followed, and hence, there is a need for innovative and effective awareness initiatives so that people properly adhere to the recommended preventive measures.

**Reasons for the Spread of the Disease**
According to health officials, CM Lalduhoma said that during the financial year 2024-2025, out of the HIV positive cases, 97.38 percent of the cases were due to unsafe sexual relations and sharing needles and syringes used for injecting drugs.

Out of this, 68.13 percent of the infections were due to unsafe sexual relations. Also, 29.5 percent of the infections were caused by using the same needles and syringes as infected individuals.

**How many HIV cases in Mizoram?**
Health Minister Laldinpuii also urged everyone to be aware of their HIV status and to support preventive measures. She stated that HIV/AIDS remains a serious concern in the state, and some people continue unsafe sexual practices and sharing needles, despite knowing these are the main causes of infection.

According to officials, since October 1990, when the virus was first detected in the state, a total of 32,994 HIV positive cases have been reported in Mizoram. They reported that during the financial year 2024-25, 2,471 people, including 869 women, were found to be infected with the virus.

They added that prevention is possible for 97 percent of people affected by HIV, and Mizoram is among the top five best states in the country in terms of effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs. Officials mentioned that under the intensive IEC campaign, awareness and tests will be conducted in 88 villages across all 11 districts of the state, aiming to achieve maximum testing coverage during the campaign period.

**What is HIV?**
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. The final or advanced stage of HIV is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.

HIV attacks the body’s White Blood Cells (WBC) cells, which affects the immune system and weakens it. This makes it easier for any disease to occur. According to the WHO, HIV continues to be a major global public health problem, having claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives worldwide. By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people worldwide will be living with HIV. The WHO says that there is no cure for HIV infection.