Assam - The Purbottar

06 Nov

Assam State Chif Information Commissioner regingd from post

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta has resigned from his post following a series of Right to Information (RTI) petitions filed against his brother, entrepreneur and cultural organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta. According to sources, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had advised Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta to step down in light of the RTI applications seeking information related to his brother’s activities. Accepting the Chief Minister’s advice, Mahanta tendered his resignation from the post. Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, a former Director General of Police (DGP) of Assam, had assumed charge as the State Chief Information Commissioner earlier this year. Mahanta was an Assam-Meghalaya cadre…

06 Nov

On the occasion of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika’s death, Sonowal pays a moving homage to him

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, paid a solemn tribute to the legendary singer, lyricist, and composer Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on his death anniversary at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Wednesday.Remembering the cultural icon, Sonowal lauded Dr. Hazarika’s remarkable contributions to Indian music and culture. Describing him as a timeless voice of unity and humanism, the minister emphasized how the maestro’s creations continue to inspire people across generations. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sonowal shared his emotions in Assamese, stating: “আমাৰ হৃদয়ত গুঞ্জৰিত হৈ থকা অমৰ কণ্ঠ ~ 'সুধাকণ্ঠ'.. On his Punya Tithi, offered…

03 Nov

Bangladeshis illegally enter India in Assam’s Cachar-Karimganj, BSF confronted

Mohini BarmanAssam

A tense situation has unfolded along the India-Bangladesh border in the Sribhumi area, after a group of Bangladeshi nationals reportedly confronted with the Border Security Force (BSF) near the Bhanga–Harinagar sector. According to reports, the incident occurred along the border separating Assam’s Cachar and Karimganj districts from Bangladesh’s Sylhet district, particularly in the Rasulpur area under Ward No. 9 of the Manikpur Union, Jakiganj Upazila. Sources said Bangladeshi nationals had allegedly entered Indian territory to cultivate vegetables on land near the Surma River. A team from the 170th Battalion of the BSF after noticing their activity, they approached the area…

03 Nov

Environmental Awareness Day celebrated in Dhekiajuli with tree plantation

Banasree SarkarAssam

At the historic Arianjali Namghar premises, the Dhekiajuli regional unit of Seuj Society celebrated "Environmental Destruction Prevention and Public Awareness Day" with the enthusiastic involvement of locals. Inaugurating the program was retired Veterinary Officer Dr. Umesh Chandra Das, who presented a Nahor sapling to Chief Adviser Rana Pratap Baruah of the Assam Nationalist Youth Students’ Council. During the ceremony, a number of Nahor trees—his favorite species—were planted in honor of the late cultural icon Zubeen Garg. The campaign was planned in conjunction with World Energy Conservation Day (December 14) and the forthcoming International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the…

01 Nov

All of the state’s national parks and sanctuaries have raised their elephant safari fees

Banasree SarkarAssam

The revised prices for elephant safaris in all Assamese national parks and sanctuaries where the activity is offered will go into effect from November 1, 2025, according to the Assam administration. The state Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department announced the increase in elephant safari costs in a notification on October 30, 2025. The decision was made in partial revocation of a notification that was sent out on October 31, 2015, ten years prior. According to the updated prices, Indian travelers will now pay Rs 1,200 per seat per trip, up from Rs 750 previously, and foreign travelers will pay…

01 Nov

Key forensic reports in the Zubeen Garg case are sent by Singapore; the chargesheet is scheduled on December 17 by Assam SIT

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the death of Assam’s beloved singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, authorities in Singapore have officially shared his post-mortem and toxicology reports with the Assam Police. The development marks a significant step forward in the ongoing probe, which has been under intense public and political attention since the artist’s sudden passing in September. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday confirmed that the documents, along with procedural guidelines under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), were received by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT was constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry…

31 Oct

Assam govt resshuffles senior police officers

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Assam government has announced a series of significant transfers affecting senior police officers across the state, marking another round of administrative changes within the force. Padmanabh Baruah, an IPS officer from the 2016 batch who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) in Guwahati, has been appointed as Senior Superintendent of Police for Udalguri district. The transfer, which partially modifies an earlier notification from October 17, 2025, takes effect immediately upon his assumption of charge, replacing Pushkin Jain who has been transferred. Meanwhile, Pushkin Jain, a 2017-batch IPS officer, moves from his position as SSP Udalguri to head…

31 Oct

There will be a historic air show in Guwahati when 150 IAF planes, including Rafales, thunder over Brahmaputra

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Guwahati is preparing for one of the most spectacular defence events ever witnessed in the Northeast, as the Indian Air Force will stage a mega air show on November 9 at Lachit Ghat along the Brahmaputra riverfront. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the event, which will feature around 150 aircraft, including cutting-edge Rafales, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, and MiG series fighter jets, making it one of the largest aerial demonstrations the region has seen. Announcing the event, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the show will highlight the strength and precision of the Indian Air Force. “On November 9,…

30 Oct

CM rembers victims of Assam’s deadliest blast by terror outfit NDFB

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 serial bomb blasts across the state. A total of nine blasts were triggered by the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), claiming the lives of 88 people and injuring over 500. "30th Oct 2008 will always be a dark day in the history of Assam as it witnessed the most dastardly attack on its soil," Sarma said in a post on X. The NDFB's Ranjan Daimary faction had carried out the serial blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon. In September 2022, the Gauhati…

30 Oct

Assam launches cashless healthcare for employees, pensioners

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Assam government has launched a cashless medical treatment facility for state employees, pensioners, and their dependents under its flagship ‘Ayushman Asom Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (AA-MMLSAY)’. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rolled out the new facility on October 29, enabling beneficiaries to avail of cashless treatment in empanelled hospitals across Assam and leading corporate hospitals nationwide. Previously, the scheme operated solely on a reimbursement model since its launch in 2023. “Now, employees and pensioners can receive treatment without worrying about arranging funds. To ensure a smooth transition, the existing reimbursement system will continue in parallel,” the Chief…