Assam - The Purbottar

20 Oct

To look into the unexplained death of Zubeen Garg, the Assam SIT team will travel to Singapore today

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the sudden demise of Assam’s celebrated singer Zubeen Garg, a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Assam is set to depart for Singapore today. The move comes as authorities aim to follow key leads linked to the high-profile case. The SIT team will be led by Munna Prasad Gupta, Special DGP (CID) and SIT Chief, along with Investigating Officer Tarun Goel. The delegation’s primary objective will be to retrace Zubeen Garg’s movements during his visit to Singapore and verify the sequence of events surrounding his final international trip. This phase of…

18 Oct

In his sincere homage to Zubeen Garg, Rahul Gandhi likens him to the grace and strength of Kanchenjunga

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi today visited Assam to pay an emotional tribute to the late singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away recently under tragic circumstances in Singapore. Arriving at Borjhar Airport at around 1:30 PM, Rahul Gandhi immediately proceeded to Sonapur to honor the legendary singer at his cremation site in Komarkuchi. During the memorial ceremony, Rahul Gandhi offered floral tributes and presented a traditional Assamese gamosa, a mark of respect in the state. In a touching gesture, he also planted a Nahor tree near the site, paying homage to one of Zubeen Garg’s favorite trees.…

18 Oct

For the Diwali celebration, Kamrup (Metro) has declared October 21 as a local holiday

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Kamrup (Metro) district government has declared October 21 a local holiday in honor of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in accordance with an order from the Assam governor. According to the announcement, all state government offices and educational facilities in the district will continue to be closed in accordance with the National Industrial (NI) Act. Financial institutions are also covered by the order, which invokes Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881. In accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, this section permits banks and associated institutions to close on legally recognized holidays. To…

17 Oct

The Satra Commission Bill to protect Vaishnavite monasteries has been approved by the Assam Cabinet

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark decision aimed at protecting the spiritual and cultural legacy of Assam, the state government has approved the establishment of the Assam Satra Preservation and Development Commission. The new body will be vested with quasi-judicial powers to safeguard Vaishnavite monasteries—locally known as Satras—along with their ancestral lands and artefacts, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday. The proposed Assam Satra Preservation and Development Commission Bill, 2025, is designed to uphold the centuries-old Vaishnavite tradition initiated by the 15th-century saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva. The commission will work to protect the physical structures, cultural practices, and sacred manuscripts of Satras,…

17 Oct

Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 kicks off in Nagaon to empower the next generation

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Tobacco Free young Campaign (TFYC) 3.0 was introduced by the Nagaon district administration at the District Commissioner's Conference Hall in an effort to address the growing problem of young tobacco usage. Devasish Sharma, the district commissioner, formally inaugurated the campaign. Citing the high prevalence of tobacco use among adults and children in the region, Sarma described the launch as "timely and strategic" and underlined the necessity of a system-wide strategy to address the issue. In order to effectively prevent tobacco usage, he emphasized the significance of interdepartmental coordination, tobacco vendor licensing, and stakeholder capacity building. Since 2023, the Government…

16 Oct

Baksa jail unrest is attributed by Gaurav Gogoi to the Home Department and Police

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Gaurav Gogoi, has strongly condemned the violent incidents that broke out outside Baksa District Jail on Tuesday. Calling the events “unprecedented and unfortunate,” Gogoi said that lapses by the police and the Home Department were the main reasons behind the unrest. In his statement, Gogoi said that the people of Assam are deeply hurt and emotional after the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He added that people’s demand for justice is genuine, but taking the law into one’s own hands will not bring justice. He appealed to everyone to stay…

15 Oct

A team from Assam meets with the SIT and demands openness in the investigation of Zubeen Garg’s killing

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A delegation from Assam, comprising journalist Sanjeev Phukan of Dainik Janambhumi and Dr. Hitesh Baruah, met officers of the State Investigation Department (SID) on Monday to review the progress of the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of renowned singer and actor Zubeen Garg. The meeting, held amid mounting public concern and speculation, aimed to seek clarity on the investigation and ensure that the sentiments of the people of Assam were duly represented before the investigating authorities. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sanjeev Phukan explained that the delegation’s visit was primarily a gesture of public representation.“Basically, we just…

14 Oct

October 15th’s Mega Health Camp: Free medical care for all ages

Banasree SarkarAssam

During a press conference at the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC) Officers' Conference Room, Hon. Executive Member (i/c Medical) Samuel Changsan announced that a Mega Health Camp would be organized on October 15, 2025. The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) organized the health camp with the goal of providing the general population with comprehensive and inclusive healthcare services, with a focus on children and adolescents with long-term or chronic illnesses. The N.L. Daulagupu Sports Complex in Haflong will host the event, where locals can receive free medical care, early diagnosis, and professional counsel from medical specialists. Emphasizing the scope…

14 Oct

Assam govt issues eviction notice to 1,200 family in Hojai Forest Division

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Hojai Forest Division is planning a major eviction operation in the Jamuna–Moudenga Reserved Forest under Doboka, targeting longstanding encroachments on forest land. The move comes after the department issued formal notices to residents living within the protected area. According to officials, approximately 1,258 families who have constructed homes and settlements on the forest land have been served eviction notices. Occupants have been given a 15-day window to vacate the area voluntarily before the operation commences. The eviction drive is expected to cover several key locations, including Udmari, Jamunagaon, Nigam, and other adjoining villages within the reserved forest belt. Forest…

14 Oct

In the Zubeen Garg death case, AASU requests a transparent investigation and rejects the SIT meeting

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Monday formally announced its decision to abstain from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) meeting probing the mysterious death of celebrated singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore. The student body cited legal reasons, emphasizing that participation could inadvertently provide advantages to the accused during ongoing judicial proceedings. In an official statement, AASU president Utpal Sarma, general secretary Samiran Phukan, and chief advisor Dr. Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya said the union’s decision was made “consciously” after detailed consultations with senior advocates and jurists from the Gauhati High Court. The leadership clarified that the step was necessary to…