Assam - The Purbottar

03 Feb

Cybercrime in Focus as Assam Police Organises Capacity Building Workshop Under Sishu Mitra Programme

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Police organised a National Capacity Building Workshop in Guwahati with a focus on cybersecurity, cyber hygiene, and financial safety. The day-long programme brought together police officers, members of civil society, and representatives of community-based organisations to discuss growing digital risks and ways to respond to them in a practical manner. The workshop was held under the Sishu Mitra Programme and aimed at improving awareness and preparedness at both the institutional and community levels. With the increasing use of digital platforms for communication, banking, and services, the organisers said there was a clear need to strengthen understanding of cyber…

03 Feb

Assam government opens 67 educational buildings and establishes the framework for 61 more

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Assam government lay the foundation stones for 61 more school buildings throughout the state and opened the recently built 67 government schools as part of a significant effort to improve the state's educational infrastructure. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched the initiative at the central launch function in Sonapur, Kamrup Metropolitan district. Live coverage of the event was available throughout Assam. In accordance with the central program, Sonitpur district also hosted constituency-specific inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremonies under a number of programs, such as the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXIX), the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for the…

03 Feb

Jamiat Moves Apex Court Challenging Assam CM’s Statements

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has petitioned the Supreme Court of India, contesting remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which they label as communal, divisive, and inconsistent with the Constitution’s principles. The petition, filed by Maulana Mahmood Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, calls for the formation of strict guidelines for officials in constitutional positions to prevent the misuse of public office for spreading hatred against any community. It references a speech from January 27, 2026, where Sarma suggested removing a significant number of so-called "Miya" voters from electoral rolls and expressed opposition towards the Miya community. This term is considered derogatory…

03 Feb

Assam–Bhutan Railway Project on Track, Completion Expected in 3 Years

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) general manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava announced that the railway line connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan is expected to be completed within three years. This project includes a 69-km Kokrajhar-Gelephu line and a 20-km connection between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan). Chief Administrative Officer, NFR (Construction), Hitendra Goyal, noted that the Assam project will proceed swiftly once construction begins, supported by a positive state government. However, the West Bengal segment is experiencing delays due to land acquisition issues. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw previously highlighted these projects' potential to enhance trade, tourism, and bilateral…

03 Feb

Supreme Court Stays High Court Decision Cancelling Bail of IAS Officer Talo Potom

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Supreme Court has provided interim relief to IAS officer Talo Potom by staying a Gauhati High Court order that had revoked his bail. The original bail was granted on November 4, following his remand to judicial custody on October 27, but was cancelled by the Gauhati High Court on January 23. A division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar, issued the interim order, halting the high court's decision and allowing four weeks for the filing of counter affidavits, with the matter to be revisited in six weeks. Additionally, Potom was permitted…

03 Feb

East Khasi Hills Cracks Down on Illegal Fish Imports from Bangladesh

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In East Khasi Hills, the District Magistrate has enacted an immediate ban on the transportation, storage, sale, and distribution of illegally imported fish from Bangladesh. This order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, prohibits any movement or marketing of such fish without appropriate legal documentation, and forbids the use of vehicles for these activities. The directive responds to significant reports of fish smuggling through various routes, citing risks to public health, legal compliance, biodiversity, and economic stability. Violators will face serious legal consequences under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, as…

02 Feb

Centre says Union Budget 2026-27 deepens development support to Assam

Paromita EditorAssam

The Union Finance Ministry, in a statement issued today, Budget 2026-27 has further strengthened the development partnership between the Centre and Assam by enhancing capital investment support and ensuring sustained flow of resources through tax devolution, grants-in-aid and flagship welfare schemes.These measures are creating long-term assets, accelerating economic growth and improving the quality of life of citizens across the State, the statement said.A significant component of this support continues through the Scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure (SASCI), under which Assam is receiving 50-year interest-free loans from the Centre for creation of durable infrastructure. These loans are…

02 Feb

No Alliance This Time: AIUDF Announces Solo Poll Plan, Targets Congress

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Amid increasing political engagement leading to the Assembly elections, the All-India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has declared its intention to contest independently. At a press conference, party representatives criticized the Congress party, urging it to broaden its focus beyond the 22 constituencies with substantial “Miya” populations to include the other 104 constituencies in Assam, particularly in Upper Assam. AIUDF argued that failure to do so would hinder the formation of an opposition government in the state. The party further cautioned Congress to manage figures like Akhil Gogoi and Lurinjyoti Gogoi carefully, while alleging the presence of “traitors” within Congress and…

02 Feb

Union Budget 2026–27 Allocates Rs 500 Crore for ULFA Rehabilitation

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Union Budget for 2026–27 has set aside Rs 500 crore as a special package for factions of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), with the funds aimed primarily at the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres and their reintegration into mainstream society. The allocation has been made under the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), according to the budget documents presented in Parliament. The funding follows the Memorandum of Settlement signed on December 29, 2023, between the Centre, the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of ULFA led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit…

02 Feb

RDC 2026 Returnees Honoured: Assam Government Felicitates NCC Cadets

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government hosted a significant felicitation ceremony at the Rudra Singha Sports Complex in Dispur to honor NCC cadets returning from the Republic Day Camp (RDC) 2026 in New Delhi. With the largest-ever contingent from the NCC Northeastern Region (NER), consisting of 176 cadets, Assam contributed 129, including 45 members of the All-Girls Band from St Francis School, Guwahati, whose performances were highly praised and brought pride to the state. The NER contingent excelled at the camp, winning significant awards, including the Best Group Song for their original piece "Vatan," which earned them the Cultural Competition Trophy. Cadets showcased…