Assam - The Purbottar

22 Dec

Tezpur University Students Announce Civil Disobedience Over MoE’s Silence on VC Probe

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Tezpur University is facing potential shutdown due to a civil disobedience movement initiated by students, who accuse the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) of inaction regarding the investigation into the missing Vice-Chancellor, Shambhu Nath Singh. In a statement, students expressed anger over the Ministry's failure to provide updates on the inquiry despite previous assurances, highlighting that deadlines set for reports had lapsed without communication. They criticized the Ministry for over 90 days of "administrative silence," indicating a lack of regard for the university’s functioning and stakeholder interests. The students have vowed to restart total civil disobedience, enforcing a complete shutdown…

22 Dec

Medical Miracle in Assam as Man Survives King Cobra Bite

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a significant medical advancement, Assam has reported its first confirmed survival from a king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) bite, involving 35-year-old Babul Rabha, who received treatment from a coordinated medical and rescue network. Dr. Surajit Giri, a consultant anaesthesiologist, noted that such survival cases are extremely rare in India, as king cobra bites usually lead to fatal outcomes and are complicated by the lack of species-specific antivenom. The bite incident occurred on December 16 in Nichinpur village, Kamrup district, when Rabha, while clearing bushes, inadvertently grasped the king cobra, resulting in a bite to his right palm. Initially unaware of…

20 Dec

Hygienic fish processing skill development training was conducted in Kamrup

Banasree SarkarAssam

The ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Cochin, arranged a two-day skill development training program on Hygienic Handling and Quality Upgradation of Traditional Fishery Products of Assam at the Training Hall of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kamrup, as part of the North East Hill (NEH) Program. The program was carried out in partnership with KVK, Kamrup, with the aim of offering practical direction and hands-on training for the production of high-quality traditional fisheries products using efficient and hygienic processing techniques. Fish pickle, dried fish, chutney powder, and fish cutlet are only a few of the value-added fishery products whose quality…

20 Dec

Assam BJP Warns of Growing Radicalisation in Bangladesh, Flags Security Threat to State and Northeast

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed strong concerns regarding increasing radicalization in Bangladesh, which it views as a direct threat to Assam and the Northeast region. In a statement, the BJP described the situation as a "dangerous, unfolding reality," warning that neglecting this issue would be "wilful negligence," rather than liberalism. The party highlighted Assam's porous borders and past cross-border instability, predicting that the spread of extremist ideology could severely jeopardize security and social harmony. These remarks followed Minister Pijush Hazarika's condemnation of the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh, near the Assam border, which…

20 Dec

Rajdhani Express Hits Herd in Assam, Seven Elephants Dead

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In Assam, a tragic incident occurred late Saturday night when a high-speed Rajdhani Express train struck a herd of wild elephants in the Kampur area of Nagaon district, resulting in the death of seven elephants and serious injuries to a calf. The elephants were reportedly moving towards human habitation in search of food when Train No. 20507 Down Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express passed through the Jamunamukh–Kampur section. Although this area is not officially designated as an elephant corridor, railway personnel claimed that engineers are vigilant while navigating through wildlife-prone zones at night. At approximately 2:17 am, the loco pilot noticed…

19 Dec

Assam Pushes Back 14 Declared Bangladeshi Nationals from Matia Transit Camp

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On Friday, fourteen Bangladeshi nationals, recognized as illegal foreigners by the Nagaon Foreigners’ Tribunal, were deported from the Matia Transit Camp in Assam’s Goalpara district back to Bangladesh. After all legal processes were finalized, the Border Security Force (BSF) transported the group in a vehicle around 10:30 am. The tribunal had previously ruled that fifteen individuals were to be declared foreigners, prompting Nagaon District Commissioner Devashish Sharma to direct their deportation within 24 hours. Consequently, the district administration organized the return of 14 detainees, with the status of the fifteenth individual still unconfirmed. The deported group consisted of eight men…

19 Dec

Gogoi Hits Out at Assam CM, Terms Chargesheet in Zubeen Garg Case ‘Character Assassination’

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On Thursday, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of using the chargesheet related to popular singer Zubeen Garg's death to undermine the singer's reputation instead of pursuing justice. Gogoi characterized the chief minister's actions as intended to tarnish Garg's public image, whom he referred to as “Assam’s Kanchanjunga.” He warned against any efforts to damage the singer's legacy, suggesting that authorities might go to extreme lengths, including pressuring Garg’s family and supporters. The controversy surrounding the case has intensified following a complaint lodged by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Independent MLA Akhil…

19 Dec

PM to Inaugurate India’s First Nature-Themed Airport Terminal in Guwahati During Two-Day Assam Tour Tomorrow

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Guwahati on December 20 for a two-day visit to Assam. Upon his arrival at approximately 3 pm, he will inaugurate the New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, which signifies a significant advancement in the region's connectivity and economic growth. The new terminal, covering around 1.4 lakh square meters, is equipped to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually and includes substantial upgrades to airfield infrastructure. Inspired by Assam’s biodiversity, the terminal features a nature-themed design utilizing 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo and elements reflecting Assamese…

19 Dec

Simu Das, a blind World Cup hero, has been appointed a fitness instructor by the Assam Cabinet

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Cabinet has approved the appointment of Simu Das, a visually impaired cricketer from Nagaon who played a pivotal part in India’s recent Women’s T20 Blind World Cup victory, as a physical instructor under the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after the Cabinet meeting held on December 18. The move is seen as a significant gesture by the State government to recognise sporting excellence among athletes with disabilities. Das earned national attention earlier this year when she delivered a match-winning performance in the World Cup final against Nepal in Colombo.…

19 Dec

ICMR sanctions multi-state project to achieve zero snakebite deaths

Banasree SarkarAssam

To address the severe public health issue of snakebite envenoming (SBE) in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a ground-breaking, four-year, multi-state research project for Rs 13.5 crore. The goal of the study, "Zero Snakebite Death Initiative: Community Empowerment & Engagement for Mitigation of Snakebite Envenoming," is to create a single, highly successful nationwide strategy for management and prevention. Dr. Jaideep Menon of the Amrita Institute in Kerala will serve as the Principal Investigator for this comprehensive implementation study, which will cover the seven states of Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.…