Assam - The Purbottar

30 Jan

Assam Bureaucrat arrested in high-profile corruption case

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell has arrested Indreswar Kalita, Secretary of the Assam Excise Department, in connection with a corruption probe. The arrest follows raids conducted at his residence in Guwahati, in response to a complaint alleging the possession of disproportionate assets. The raid was carried out at Kalita’s flat in Nirvana Apartment, located in the Sundarpur area. According to sources, the senior bureaucrat is accused of accumulating wealth far beyond his known sources of income. Vigilance officials reportedly found multiple assets, including land holdings in prime areas such as Beltola and Bhetapara, during their search. The operation was…

29 Jan

Mizo communities in Assam push for reconnection with Mizoram

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Mizo communities residing in the Singla and Langkaih valleys of Assam's Karimganj district have reiterated their long-standing demand to merge with Mizoram. During a meeting on Tuesday, leaders of the Thangram Indigenous People's Movement (TIPM) urged Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma to take steps to facilitate their inclusion in Mizoram. The TIPM, representing over 30,000 Zo ethnic people inhabiting 24 villages across 180 square miles, stated that their culture, religion, and identity would be better protected within Mizoram. A TIPM leader, speaking anonymously, emphasized the region's historical ties to Mizoram, noting that the area, known locally as "Thangram," was part…

29 Jan

Beginning on February 1, Air India Express will offer flights from Dibrugarh

Banasree SarkarAssamAir India Express

Air India Express is scheduled to start operations on February 1, 2025, which will improve connectivity at Dibrugarh Airport. Direct flights from Dibrugarh to Guwahati will be offered by the airline, and the same aircraft would continue on to Delhi. People who live in that area will now have far more effective travel options. The flights function as follows: At 9:10 AM, Flight IX 1186 will depart Delhi, arrive in Guwahati at 11:40 AM, depart Guwahati at 12:15 PM, and arrive in Dibrugarh at 1:05 PM. This route will be reversed by the same flights. At 1:45 PM, Flight IX…

28 Jan

In Golaghat, Hemolota Handique Trust Starts the “My School Trees” Campaign

Banasree SarkarAssamMy School Trees

Kandhulimari Lower Primary School, situated in the West Block of the Golaghat district, hosted the launch of the Hemolota Handique Trust of Jorhat's "My School Trees" (Mor School, Mor Gos) campaign. The youngsters were given an informative and instructive talk by Forest Officers Eastern Range Agoratoli Kalyan Deep Bora and Bibhu Choudhuri on the subject of "Flora and Fauna of Kaziranga National Park." Additionally, local community people attended the presentation. This project was started by the Trust to educate schoolchildren about the value of trees in protecting wildlife and their beneficial effects on reducing climate risk. The school's students planted…

28 Jan

Gang of five steals ₹1 lakh from petrol depot in Tinsukia’s Pengeri Chariali

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A petrol depot in Pengeri Chariali, Tinsukia district, was targeted by a gang of armed robbers, leaving the community in shock and fear. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when a group of five masked assailants stormed the depot owned by local businessman Binanda Sonowal. The culprits arrived in a black Venue SUV, conspicuously missing a number plate, which added to the intrigue surrounding the case. Witnesses reported that the gang wielded pistols, intimidating staff and customers present at the time. In a matter of minutes, the robbers looted over ₹1 lakh in cash before speeding away, leaving no immediate…

28 Jan

Assam DGP GP Singh released from state, to become CRPF DG

editorAssam

After a two-year stint as the DGP of Assam, Gyanendra Pratap Singh was on Monday released from state services to join the Central Reserve Police Force as Director General, according to an official order. The 1991-batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer has been the Director General of Assam Police since February 1, 2023. "The officer is hereby released from the date of handing over of charges," the Home and Political Commissioner & Secretary, Biswajit Pegu, said in a notification.

28 Jan

Assam’s Bodo Council seeks inclusion in Article 280 for more funds

editorAssam

The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), an autonomous administrative authority in Assam's Bodo tribal areas, has demanded its inclusion in Article 280 of the Constitution to get more funds for the development of some remote districts that suffered decades of insurgency and are now on a peace path. Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of the BTR's governing body Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), told a group of journalists here that he was "trying to sustain" the peace that was achieved after four decades of instability, fear, uncertainty and threat. Monday marked the successful five years of the tripartite Bodo Peace Accord…

27 Jan

Riyan Parag to lead Assam in Ranji Trophy

editorAssam

Riyan Parag has been declared fit to return to cricket in the seventh round of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, which begins on January 30. Parag will lead Assam in their final league match against Saurashtra in Rajkot. Parag's last competitive appearance was in the third T201 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad in October last year. He subsequently missed the T201 series against South Africa and the ongoing series against England due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. While he was also absent from India's Champions Trophy squad, this return to match action could help him regain match fitness should…

27 Jan

Assam to have Dibrugarh as second capital

editorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the district headquarters of Dibrugarh will be developed as the second capital of the state within the next three years. Unfurling the national flag here on the occasion of Republic Day, Sarma said the government will construct a permanent building of the assembly in this city on the southern bank of Brahmaputra in Upper Assam. "Today is an important day in Dibrugarh's journey to become the second capital of Assam. For the first time, state celebrations are taking place in this historical city," he said.

27 Jan

Luxury vehicle used for smuggling liquor in Doomdooma, one arrested

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a joint operation on Republic Day, Assam Police, the excise department, and security forces successfully intercepted a vehicle carrying a large consignment of liquor in Doomdooma, leading to the arrest of one individual. The operation was part of a broader effort to curb illegal activities in the region. Officials reported that the vehicle was stopped at a naka-checkpoint on the national highway near Borhapjan. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the liquor was being transported from Kailashpur to Barekuri, allegedly intended for unauthorized sale. What raised suspicions further was the use of a luxury vehicle equipped with a fake…