Assam - The Purbottar

20 May

Basanta Kumar Goswami’s Remarks on Char-Chapori Muslims Trigger Debate Across Assam

Paromita EditorAssam

Remarks made by Basanta Kumar Goswami on the role of char-chapori Muslims in preserving the Assamese language have sparked a major debate across Assam, drawing mixed reactions from literary circles, student organisations and political leaders. The controversy began after the Asam Sahitya Sabha president said during a public interaction that Assamese-speaking Muslims living in the riverine char-chapori areas have played a significant role in strengthening the Assamese linguistic community. He stated that their continued identification as Assamese speakers in the census is important for protecting the language and cultural identity of Assam. Goswami said that if Muslims from char-chapori areas…

20 May

Assam Expands Digital Banking Access Through DigiPay Sakhi Programme

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government on May 19 distributed laptops to 71 DigiPay Sakhis at Amingaon under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) scheme in a move aimed at strengthening digital financial services in rural areas and promoting women’s empowerment. The programme was organised in the presence of senior officials of the Kamrup district administration, including Deba Kumar Mishra. Officials said the initiative is designed to improve last-mile digital banking services by enabling women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to work as community banking agents. The DigiPay Sakhis will help people in rural areas access financial services more easily through digital…

20 May

Assam Tops State GDP Growth List as Smaller States Gain Economic Ground

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam and Meghalaya have emerged among the fastest-growing state economies in India over the past five years, according to a report released on May 19, highlighting a changing pattern in the country’s economic growth beyond the traditionally dominant industrial states. The study said major states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat continue to remain the main contributors to India’s economy, together accounting for nearly 48 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the report noted that several smaller and mid-sized states are now recording some of the strongest growth rates in the country.…

19 May

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Targets Congress Over 1961 Language Movement as Barak Valley Observes Language Martyrs’ Day

Paromita EditorAssam

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on May 19 launched a sharp attack on the Congress and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over the 1961 language movement in Assam, alleging that the then Congress-led government had attempted to “fragment” Assam during a politically sensitive period. In a post on X, Dubey claimed that during the 1960s, when the country was facing the threat of Chinese aggression, the Congress government tried to create divisions and tensions between Assamese-speaking and Bengali-speaking communities in Assam. Referring to the police firing on Bengali language protesters in Barak Valley on May 19, 1961, he described the…

19 May

Assam Vigilance Team Arrests Kokrajhar Forest Officer in Bribery Case

Paromita EditorAssam

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Assam, has arrested a Divisional Forest Officer of Kokrajhar district on charges of accepting a bribe in connection with the release of payment bills. According to an official press release issued on May 19, the arrested officer has been identified as Abinash Basumatary, Divisional Forest Officer of the Parbatjhora Forest Division in Kokrajhar district under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The vigilance department stated that a complaint was lodged alleging that Basumatary had demanded Rs 9.75 lakh from a complainant for clearing pending bills. Unwilling to pay the full amount, the complainant approached the…

19 May

Assam Crime Branch Summons Randeep Surjewala in Passport Controversy Probe

Paromita EditorAssam

The Assam Crime Branch has summoned Congress MP and senior party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala to appear before investigators in Guwahati on May 23 in connection with an ongoing probe linked to allegations surrounding the passport records and citizenship status of Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The investigation began after Congress leaders, including party spokesperson Pawan Khera, raised allegations regarding alleged irregularities in Riniki Bhuyan Sarma’s passport-related documents. Following the remarks, criminal complaints were lodged against Khera at the Guwahati Crime Branch under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. According to sources, the summons…

19 May

Tiwa, Bodo Groups Oppose Proposed Satellite Township in Morigaon

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government has halted an ongoing survey for a proposed satellite township near the upcoming Tata semiconductor project in Morigaon district following protests by Tiwa and Bodo community organisations. An official order issued by Morigaon District Commissioner Anamika Tewari on May 18 stated that the survey work connected to the proposed township had been cancelled with immediate effect after objections were raised by several groups and local residents. The district administration had earlier started survey work in Sindhisar, Naldhara and Bihita villages near Jagiroad as part of preparations for a relocation and rehabilitation proposal linked to the planned township…

19 May

Adi Sewa Kendras to Lead Welfare Awareness Campaign Across Kamrup

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan aimed at strengthening the delivery of government welfare schemes and addressing public grievances in tribal areas was officially launched in Kamrup district on May 18. The campaign will continue till May 25 across different parts of the district.The launch programme was held at the Conference Hall of the District Commissioner’s office at Amingaon and was chaired by District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra. Boko-Chaygaon MLA Raju Mesh attended the programme along with several senior district officials. Among those present were Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Siddharth Goswami, District Development Commissioner Sushanta Kumar Dutta, Additional Deputy Commissioners…

19 May

Elephant carcass recovered in Kalibor; electrocution feared behind death

riya EditorAssam

A wild elephant was found dead early on May 19 at Lengteng No. 2 Basti in Kaliabor, triggering concern among local residents and forest authorities. According to preliminary information, the elephant’s carcass was discovered by villagers early in the morning. A section of local residents alleged that unidentified miscreants may have electrocuted the animal by illegally connecting a power source, resulting in its death. However, the exact cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed. Following the incident, officials from the Western Range of the Salan Forest Division reached the site and initiated preliminary investigation procedures. Forest personnel are…

19 May

Guwahati set to get Water Metro under Centre’s phase-one expansion plan, says Sonowal

riya EditorAssam

The Centre has advanced plans to roll out Water Metro services in 18 cities, with Guwahati among those identified for Phase I, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal said while chairing a review meeting on the rollout of the much-anticipated Water Metro services in the country. Cities including Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj are also part of Phase I, while Tezpur and Dibrugarh in Assam have been proposed for Phase II of the project. The Ministry has simultaneously circulated the Draft National Water Metro Policy, 2026 for inter-ministerial consultations, indicating a push to formalize a national…