Assam - The Purbottar

20 Oct

Only 12 Plants Found: Rare Shrub’s Rediscovery Highlights Urgent Conservation Need

Preeti SinghAssam

A rare flowering shrub believed to have vanished from Indian botanical records for over two centuries has been rediscovered in Assam's Bongaigaon district, marking a significant milestone for botanical research in the state. Assam Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah announced that the species, Ardisia colorata, was rediscovered in the Abhayapuri area by Gauhati University researchers Manash Baruah and Nilakshee Devi during extensive botanical surveys conducted across Assam between 2020 and 2025. According to the minister, the finding represents the first confirmed record of the species in India in nearly 204 years. The shrub was originally described in…

18 Oct

Assam’s Dhubri Residents Jailed in Rangpur: Police Claim Illegal Entry, Defence Alleges BSF Pushback

Preeti SinghAssam, Bangladesh

A court in Bangladesh has ordered the imprisonment of two Indian nationals who were injured in alleged firing by the Border Security Force (BSF), after rejecting their bail petitions in a case related to illegal entry into Bangladesh. The order was issued on October 15 by Judge Rafiqul Islam of Rangpur Metropolitan Chief Judicial Magistrate Court-2. The accused have been identified as Ismail Hossain (35) and Khaja Abdul Alim Mondal (39), both residents of Dhubri district in Assam, India. According to the police complaint, authorities received information on October 4 that two injured Indian nationals were undergoing treatment at a…

18 Oct

Assam Govt Remains Alert on Borders: CM Claims 30 Infiltrators Prevented, No Details Disclosed

Preeti SinghAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday claimed that Assam Police had identified and prevented 30 suspected illegal infiltrators from entering India. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister praised the state's security vigilance and credited the police for intercepting the individuals. Referring to Goddess Durga, Sarma wrote, “Mahishasur Mardini at the borders. With the blessings of Maa Durga, 30 illegal infiltrators have been identified by Assam Police and prevented from entering Bharat with their nefarious intentions.” He further stated that security agencies remain vigilant at the state's borders at all times. “Each day, each…

18 Oct

Kahilipara police nab Two Bike Lifters within 2 hours using GPS tracking

barnalighosh EditorAssam

Two notorious bike thieves have been caught by Kahilipara Police. The arrested have been identified as Saddam Hussain and Sahjamal Sheikh, who were held along with the stolen bike. According to police, the duo stole a Royal Enfield Hunter (Reg No. AS 01 GQ 0839) from Kanaklata Path in Kahilipara at around 4:30 am on Friday. After the theft, police tracked the bike's GPS location showing it moving towards Goalpara and immediately alerted Dhupdhara Police. At around 6:30 am, while the thieves were on the move, police intercepted them and caught one thief along with the stolen bike. The other…

16 Oct

Guwahati police seizes 1.056 kg narcotics worth Rs 8 crore 2 drug peddlers held

barnalighosh EditorAssam

Assam Police achieved another major success in its anti-drug operation in the state. In two separate special operations conducted in Guwahati and Nagaon on Friday, police seized a huge quantity of narcotic substances worth about Rs 13 crore. Police have already apprehended five persons involved in the illegal drug trade in this operation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed this through social media and lauded such strict action by the police. In the first operation, Guwahati Police recovered 1.056 kg of narcotics worth about Rs 8 crore. Two persons have been caught by the police on charges of being involved…

16 Oct

60 Forest Officials Join Green Patrolling Initiative to Strengthen Wildlife Conservation in Raimona

Preeti SinghAssam

In a bid to strengthen patrolling activities and wildlife conservation efforts, bicycles have been provided to frontline forest staff of Raimona National Park. The initiative was supported by the Legal and Advocacy Division (LAD) of Aaranyak in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Forest of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). A total of ten bicycles were handed over to forest personnel during a programme held on October 14 at the Kachugaon Forest IB under the Central Range of Raimona National Park. The bicycles are expected to enhance field mobility, improve patrolling efficiency, and support sustainable conservation practices. The initiative…

16 Oct

Assam explores ways to boost mushroom production; minister warns district officers against delaying oil palm clearances

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, Pijush Hazarika interacted with mushroom growers on National Mushroom Day at the Assam Administrative Staff College on Thursday, reviewing challenges and outlining developmental measures for the sector. Later in the day, he chaired a crucial meeting with oil palm companies to review expansion strategies across the state. Addressing the mushroom farmers, Minister Hazarika emphasised the need to boost in-state spawn production and instructed department officials to conduct year-round skill training across all districts. To strengthen infrastructure, he announced that the Agriculture Department will establish two spawn production units per district starting next year with…

16 Oct

From Varanasi to Burj Khalifa, Tinsukia Pandals Blend Tradition and Modernity

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Durga Puja celebrations in Assam’s Tinsukia district are taking on a distinctive character this year, with pandal organisers drawing inspiration from religious destinations, historic temples, royal palaces and modern architectural landmarks from across India and abroad. From the sacred ghats of Varanasi to Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa, the seven pandals are showcasing a wide range of themes that combine religious devotion, cultural heritage and creative design. Each pandal offers visitors a different experience, reflecting the organisers’ efforts to bring diverse architectural styles and cultural influences into the festive celebrations. The Manav Kalyan Shri Marwari Durga Puja pandal is inspired by…

15 Oct

Agp celebrates 42nd foundation day with call to uphold regionalism

Paromita EditorAssam

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora on Wednesday said regionalism is the soul of Assam’s identity, pride and aspirations. “The unwavering faith and affection of the people towards a regional party like the Asom Gana Parishad continue to inspire us in our commitment to serve the state and its people,” Bora said on the occasion of AGP’s 42nd foundation day celebration in Dhemaji. The day marked 41 years of AGP’s journey since the party’s formation on October 14, 1985 in Golaghat, as an outcome of the historic six-year-long Assam Movement. “The AGP is more than a political party; it…

15 Oct

Green Guwahati push: 20 vertical gardens to come up under city flyovers

barnalighosh EditorAssam

Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today inaugurated the Green Wall set up by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) under the Bhagadatta Flyover-1 at Dispur, Guwahati. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation is implementing the Green Wall project in Guwahati at a cost of Rs. 34.82 crore under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The first vertical garden of this project was inaugurated today. Such green walls will be developed at 20 locations under various flyovers in Guwahati.