Assam - The Purbottar

25 Jul

Assam STF Nabs 3 Linked To ISI-Backed Shahzad Bhatti Network In Dhubri, Chirang, Barpeta Ops

Preeti SinghAssam

The Assam Special Task Force (STF), with support from the district police of Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta, has arrested three suspected operatives allegedly associated with the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) during a coordinated operation. The action was carried out in connection with STF Police Station Case No. 06/2026 following intelligence inputs regarding the activities of the alleged network in Assam and other parts of the country. According to the STF, the Shahzad Bhatti Network is suspected of carrying out recruitment, online radicalisation, reconnaissance, logistics support, espionage, illegal arms procurement, creation of sleeper cells and facilitation of terrorist activities. Investigators…

25 Jul

Assam flood death toll climbs to 62

Paromita EditorAssam

With 21 more deaths reported in the past 24 hours, the toll in Assam floods has climbed to 62, said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday."Assam flood death toll now stands at 62.May the departed souls rest in eternal peace," Sarma wrote on X.Yesterday, he said that death toll could rise further as rescue teams have still not been able to to reach many affected areas due to intense flooding."The situation continues to be grim with close to 11 lakh people affected in over 2,000 villages. Our Ministers are on ground overseeing the relief efforts, I will visit…

25 Jul

Centre Assures Full Support for Assam Flood Relief

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review the worsening flood situation in the state and assured all possible assistance from the Centre for relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts. During the telephone conversation, the Prime Minister sought a detailed assessment of the flood situation, including the extent of damage caused by the disaster, the progress of relief operations and the challenges being faced by the state administration in reaching affected areas. Sharing details of the conversation on social media, Chief Minister Sarma said he briefed the Prime Minister on the measures being…

25 Jul

PM Mourns Losses, Reaffirms Centre’s Commitment to Assam

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a discussion with Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding the severe flood situation in Assam. He conveyed the Central Government's comprehensive support for relief, rehabilitation, and rebuilding initiatives. During the conversation, Modi sought information about the extent of the damage, the ongoing relief efforts, and the significant challenges encountered. In response, Chief Minister Sarma updated the Prime Minister on the Assam Government's support for families affected by the floods. The Prime Minister expressed condolences for the losses and assured that addressing the disaster is a top priority for the Central Government.…

24 Jul

Unchecked Development Near Assam-Meghalaya Border Could Threaten Guwahati: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday voiced concern over the growing risk of floods and landslides along the Assam-Meghalaya border, warning that rapid and unregulated development in Meghalaya's Jorabat-USTM region could have serious environmental consequences for Guwahati. Speaking to reporters in Dispur, Sarma said a committee appointed by the Supreme Court had already examined the issue and submitted what he described as a "very devastating report" highlighting the potential environmental impact of construction activities in the area. According to the chief minister, the committee's findings indicate that ongoing development in and around Jorabat, particularly near the University of…

24 Jul

Over 3.12 Lakh Hectares of Forest Land Under Encroachment in Assam; 1,503 Villages Lost to River Erosion

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Keshab Mahanta has informed the Assam Assembly that more than 3.12 lakh hectares of forest land in the state are currently under encroachment, while 1,503 villages have been partially or completely washed away by river erosion. Replying to a question in the Assembly, the minister said that based on information received from Deputy Commissioners of 27 districts, Assam has a total land area of 3,35,16,927 bighas, 1 katha and 8 lechas. Of this, 3,33,681 bighas are Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) land, 5,90,124 bighas, 1 katha and 14 lechas are Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land,…

24 Jul

Excessive rainfall in 3 nagaland districts led to unprecedented floods in sivasagar, charaideo: assam cm

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said excessive rainfall in three districts of Nagaland triggered unprecedented floods in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts of the state.Addressing mediapersons in Guwahati, Sarma said that excessive rainfall (close to 500 percent more rain) in three districts of Nagaland (Mon, Mokokchung and Wokha) between July 18 and July 20 triggered unprecedented floods in Charaideo and Sivasagar districts.Sarma said excessive rainfall (33 percent in Assam) has also aggravated the situation in the affected districts. “The floods this time has not been the conventional deluge when rivers swell and rising water breach embankments,’ he said.Meanwhile,…

23 Jul

Inaugural assam premier league set for august 1 start; 43 matches to crown first-ever champions

Paromita EditorAssam

The stage is set for the inaugural season of the Assam Premier League (APL), with eight teams preparing to battle for the coveted title across a packed 23-day cricketing calendar from August 1 to 23, 2026.The tournament will get underway on Saturday, August 1, with Charaideo Sunrisers taking on Barpeta Braves in the opening encounter at 2 PM. The opening day double-header will then see Tezpur Titans face Dibrugarh Warriors at 7 PM.Season 1 will feature 43 matches, including 40 league-stage encounters, two semi-finals and the grand finale. Each team will face every other side once during the league stage,…

23 Jul

Upstream cloudbursts: assam to initiate structured dialogue with neighbouring states for stronger mechanism to tackle floods

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state government would initiate a structured dialogue with neighbouring States of the Northeast once the flood situation improves to establish a stronger coordination mechanism to protect people from the impact of upstream cloudbursts and similar calamities in the future.“The destruction caused by floods in the state is of an unimaginable scale. Over 9 lakh people across over 1,800 villages in 25 districts have been impacted by this calamity. We have lost 41 precious lives till date and thousands of livestock has been washed away,” the Chief Minister, who is currently…

22 Jul

Assam flood death toll rises to 31; over 5.64 lakh people affected in 16 districts

Paromita EditorAssam

The flood situation in Assam worsened on Tuesday night, with 21 more people losing their lives in the past 24 hours, taking the overall death toll to 31.Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) sources informed that among the latest fatalities, Sivasagar district reported the highest number with 14 deaths, followed by six deaths in Charaideo, five in Jorhat, two each in Golaghat and Dhemaji and one each in Sonitpur and Karbui Anglong districts.ASDMA has been issuing advisories from time to time with continuous rise in the water levels of Desang at Nanglamoraghat in Sivasagar district.“The river Desang continues to flow…