Sonakshi Sarkar

Dibrugarh Police on Friday destroyed seized narcotic substances worth around Rs 1.4 crore as part of the observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, highlighting the district's sustained campaign against drug trafficking over the past nine months. The destroyed contraband included 271 grams of brown sugar and 77 kilograms of ganja, which had been seized during various anti-narcotics operations carried out by the police. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Singh said the narcotics destroyed on the occasion had been recovered in different operations conducted over the previous nine months. He said Dibrugarh Police…

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a chargesheet against 11 persons in connection with an alleged conspiracy to expand the network of a banned terror outfit across West Bengal and several northeastern states, including Assam and Tripura. The chargesheet was submitted before the NIA Special Court in Guwahati under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. According to the agency, the accused were allegedly associated with Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), which it described as an offshoot of the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). The NIA alleged that IMK was…

Seven persons were detained after Nagaon Police raided an alleged gambling den operating from a hotel in Nagaon town on Thursday night, leading to the seizure of cash and gambling-related materials. The police action has also sparked concern after a journalist covering the raid alleged that an attempt was made to assault the reporter and damage the camera during the incident. According to the police, the raid was carried out on the fifth floor of Hotel Blue Bird following specific information about alleged gambling activities being conducted at the premises. Officers entered the hotel and detained seven individuals who were…

Assam has received investment proposals worth more than Rs 5 lakh crore, reflecting a major shift in the state's industrial and business environment, Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said during a pre-budget consultation meeting organised by the Assam BJP in Guwahati. The consultation brought together economists, academicians, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, representatives of financial institutions, business organisations and professional bodies to gather suggestions for the preparation of the upcoming Assam Budget. Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and senior BJP leaders also attended the meeting. Delivering the keynote address, Mallabaruah said the state government aims to prepare a practical, people-centric and growth-oriented budget…

The water level of the Kapili River has started rising rapidly after seven gates of the Khandong Dam in Umrangso were opened following heavy rainfall in the region, prompting authorities to issue precautionary alerts for residents living along the riverbanks and in low-lying areas. According to official reports, the gates of the dam were opened on Sunday after water levels in the Khandong reservoir increased significantly due to continuous rain in the catchment areas. The release of water has led to a sharp rise in the flow of the Kapili River downstream. Residents in several areas along the river have…

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has appointed G Ramesh Kumar as the new Chief General Manager (CGM) of its Assam Regional Office, marking a key leadership transition for the institution's operations in the state. According to an official statement issued by NABARD, Kumar has assumed charge with immediate effect, succeeding Loken Das, who previously headed the regional office. A seasoned banking professional with more than three decades of experience in the financial sector, Kumar brings extensive expertise in rural and development banking, project financing and corporate debt financing. NABARD said his long association with development-oriented banking…

The Assam government has decided to expand the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) to more than 40,000 schools across all 35 districts of the state, with the objective of promoting discipline, teamwork and overall personality development among students.Announcing the initiative on Monday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state’s education policy goes beyond academic achievement and places equal emphasis on developing life skills and values among young learners. Sharing details of the programme, Sarma said the government is committed to nurturing a generation of students who are prepared to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. “Beyond academic…

More than 18.60 lakh farmer families across Assam are set to receive financial assistance amounting to Rs 372.01 crore under the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday.The financial assistance will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring timely and transparent delivery of funds to farming households across the state.Sharing the update on social media platform X, Sarma said the initiative reflects the government's continued commitment to strengthening the economic security of farmers and supporting rural livelihoods.…