The Hindu Morning Digest: March 16, 2026

LPG bookings fall to 77 lakh; Indian crude tanker sails out of UAE’s Fujairah safely

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refill bookings have declined to about 77 lakh from 88.8 lakh earlier, indicating some easing of panic buying, even as the government said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or cooking gas, and supplies remain stable despite the West Asia conflict. All domestic “refineries are operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories,” the update said. “The country remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, requiring no imports of the fuels to meet domestic demand.” Oil marketing companies have reported no dry outs at fuel retail outlets or LPG distributorships, and petrol, diesel and LPG supplies are being maintained regularly.

Jaishankar hails talks with Iran to open Strait of Hormuz, says no “blanket arrangement” for Indian-flagged ships: report

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar has hailed ​direct talks with Iran as the most effective way ‌to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, ​in an interview with an international publication. Mr. Jaishankar said he was engaged in talks with Tehran and that “talking has yielded some results.”

Three years on, justice eludes 2 Kuki-Zo women who were stripped, paraded, gang-raped in Manipur 

Nearly three years after two Kuki-Zo women were stripped, paraded and gang-raped by a mob in Manipur’s Thoubal district — an attack in which the brother and father of one of the survivors were killed — three accused in the case remain absconding, two are out on bail, and the bail application of another will come up for hearing in the Supreme Court later this month. The husband of one of the victims, an ex-Army jawan and key witness in the case, told The Hindu that a prime suspect identified as Loya, accused of killing the two men, continues to roam free. 

Iran warns against wider war as Trump asks allies to escort ships

Iran warned countries against getting involved in its war with the United States and Israel, after President Donald Trump urged world powers to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint in the Gulf. Tehran also sent a stern message to its Arab neighbours, telling them that the Islamic republic has what its Foreign Minister called “ample evidence” that U.S. bases on their territories were being used to launch attacks.

17.4 crore voters eligible for assembly polls in TN, Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry

A total of 17.4 crore voters are eligible to take part in the forthcoming Assembly elections in four States — Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Kerala, and one Union Territory, Puducherry, to elect 824 MLAs, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said. Addressing a press conference, Mr. Kumar also said that voting will be held at 2.19 lakh polling stations across the four States and Union Territories while 25 lakh election officials will be on duty to ensure free and fair elections.

Odisha BJP shifts its MLAs to Paradip ahead of Rajya Sabha polls

The ruling BJP in Odisha has shifted all its MLAs to the port town of Paradip ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled on March 16. The BJP MLAs, including Ministers, boarded two luxury buses to the port town after a crucial meeting with senior party leaders at the BJP state party headquarters. The meeting was attended by Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and senior party leaders.

Govt. unable to tell its allies their actions are impacting India: Ex-EAM Salman Khurshid on ongoing West Asia conflict

Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said that the ongoing conflicts around the world are impacting India, however the government is not able to tell its allies that their actions are hurting India. Participating in a discussion on, “Has Trump 2.0 Commandeered India’s Foreign Policy? Reimagining India’s Role in the New Geo-Political Context”, Mr. Khurshid said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Iran and Israel war and what happened in Gaza and Palestine are impacting India.

Congress legalised, normalised infiltration in Assam, says Amit Shah

The Congress has “legalised, formalised, and normalised” the infiltration of Bangladeshis in Assam and only the BJP can “make the State free of infiltrators”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in Guwahati. Addressing the Yuva Shakti Samaroh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr. Shah slammed the Congress for turning Assam into a “land of infiltrators” during its rule from 2001 to 2016. He reminded the people of the BJP’s promise ahead of the 2021 polls to rid Assam of infiltrators.

Pakistan says hit military facilities in Afghanistan

Pakistan said its forces had attacked military facilities in southern Afghanistan, as well as “terrorist hideouts”, in the latest strikes between the two sides. Security sources said troops “effectively destroyed technical support infrastructure and equipment storage facility in Kandahar”, which is home to the Taliban administration’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Trump says U.S. strikes ‘demolished’ Iran’s Kharg Island, warns of more attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to ‌step up its response and the war showed no sign on Sunday of coming to an end. Mr. Trump said the U.S. ​strikes had “totally demolished” most of Kharg Island and warned that more could follow, telling NBC News, “We may hit it a few more times ⁠just for fun.” While he said Tehran appeared ready to make a deal to end the conflict, he added that “the terms aren’t good enough yet.”

UPSC’s new rule: Supreme Court nod must for delay in choosing State DGPs

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has revised the rules for the empanelment of the State Director General of Police and Head of Police Force. State Governments will now have to get the consent of the Supreme Court for any delay in submitting the list of DGP-rank officers to the UPSC for empanelment. 

PM lauds Speaker for conducting Lok Sabha proceedings with ‘dedication, patience and impartiality’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for conducting the House proceedings with “dedication, patience, and impartiality”, saying that his actions would strengthen the country’s parliamentary democracy. In a letter to Mr. Birla, the Prime Minister congratulated the members of the House for rejecting “political misconduct” by defeating the Opposition’s no-confidence motion brought against the Speaker in the Lok Sabha.

Assam inks settlement with Hmar, Kuki extremist groups

The Assam government signed a memorandum of settlement with three Kuki extremist groups as well as a Hmar group. The organisations involved are the Hmar People’s Convention-Democratic (HPC-D), United Kukigam Defence Army (UKDA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), and the Kuki Liberation Organisation (KLO), which is also known as the Kuki Liberation Army. The members of all these groups had laid down their arms in 2012.

Hours before Rajya Sabha polling, AIMIM announces to vote for RJD candidate

On the eve of the Rajya Sabha polling for five seats, hectic activities were seen in the State capital where several rounds of meeting took place in both National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition camp. NDA, which is falling short of the 3 votes claiming to win all five seats, whereas the main opposition party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) relying on five MLA of All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and lone MLA of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Congress questions Centre’s stance on Chabahar Port 

Questioning the Centre’s stance on the Chabahar Port project in Iran, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said that “continuity in governance” is an “essential reality” that the Narendra Modi Government refuses to acknowledge, and termed the apparent disengagement from the project a strategic setback to India’s outreach in Central Asia. Mr. Ramesh’s remarks come amid the absence of any allocation for the Chabahar Port in the 2026–27 Union Budget. In a post on X, he asked, “Does this mean that India has exited, or that its investment commitments for the time being have been fulfilled?”

Ahead of Id, NC seeks release of Kashmiris booked under UAPA for protesting Khamenei killing

Scores of youths in Kashmir, who allegedly participated in rallies protesting the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, have been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). At a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, a delegation of legislators from the ruling National Conference (NC) demanded the withdrawal of such cases before Id.

Sri Lanka switches to QR code-based system to ration fuel sales

Sri Lanka switched to a digital QR code-based system to ration fuel sales, a move authorities described as a “precautionary measure” amid persisting uncertainty in West Asia. Citing “prevailing geopolitical developments” in West Asia and their adverse impact on global supply chains, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Energy said the country’s existing fuel stocks were depleting amid an “abnormal increase” in demand. “Therefore, it has become necessary to carefully manage the available fuel reserves in order to sustain the country’s economic activities,” it said in a public notice announcing the switch to a QR code system.

Mandhana, Gill win top BCCI awards

Prolific batters Smriti Mandhana and Shubman Gill were named the Best International Cricketers (Men’s and Women’s) at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 on Sunday (March 15, 2026), recognising their outstanding performances in the 2024–2025 season. Gill won the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award, while Mandhana received the award for the fifth time.

Published – March 16, 2026 06:25 am IST