Assam - The Purbottar

18 Apr

Rahul Gandhi Alleges Electoral Map Changes Under Guise of Women’s Reservation Bill

Paromita EditorAssam

Rahul Gandhi on April 18 alleged that the BJP-led central government attempted to alter India’s electoral map under the pretext of a women’s reservation bill. Addressing an election rally, he claimed that states like Assam and Jammu and Kashmir have already experienced such changes, and similar measures could be extended across the country. Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to alter the balance of representation among states. He alleged that such moves could weaken smaller and northeastern states. He termed the alleged proposal “anti-national” and contrary to India’s federal structure, claiming that…

18 Apr

Tragedy in Merapani as Two Children Die by Drowning in Pond

riya EditorAssam

Two children drowned in a pond in the Merapani area of Assam’s Golaghat district on Friday. The incident took place in the 2 No. Tarani locality when the children were reportedly playing near the pond. The deceased have been identified as Bidyanjyoti Chutia (6) and Nomom Gogoi (5). According to sources, Nomom Gogoi had come to visit his grandfather’s house from Kachamari along with his mother. At the time of the incident, family members were busy with other work, while the two children were playing nearby. It is suspected that they accidentally slipped into the pond. When the children were not found for some time, family…

17 Apr

LPG and Petroleum Supply in Assam Stable and Adequate: Nitin Bhatnagar

Paromita EditorAssam

The supply of domestic LPG cylinders and petroleum products in Assam remains stable and normal, with adequate stock available across the state, said Nitin Bhatnagar, Executive Director and State Head of Indian Oil’s AOD State Office. Addressing a press conference organised with Press Information Bureau (PIB) Guwahati, Bhatnagar stated that petrol, diesel, and LPG supplies are under control, supported by strong infrastructure, continuous monitoring, and coordination with the state government. Assam currently has 1,737 retail outlets, including 1,461 operated by oil marketing companies (OMCs) and 276 by private firms, backed by nine supply depots. Daily supply stands at around 2,935…

17 Apr

Tea Bodies Urge Narendra Modi to Allow Flexible Sale Options for Producers

Paromita EditorAssam

Four Assam-based tea organisations have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow tea producers the freedom to choose how they sell their produce, instead of being mandatorily required to sell through public auction centres. The organisations—Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers’ Association (ABLTMA), North Eastern Tea Association (NETA), Bharatiya Cha Parishad (BCP), and North Bengal Tea Producers’ Welfare Association (NBTPWA)—stated that the cost of selling tea through auction centres often exceeds the net profit margins of producers, making the business increasingly unviable. In a joint representation submitted on April 16, the organisations called for amendments to government orders issued in February…

17 Apr

Violence Erupts in Chirang as Police Open Fire After Protest Turns Violent

Paromita EditorAssam

Police opened fire to control a violent protest at the Runikhata Forest Range Office along the India–Bhutan border in Assam’s Chirang district after clashes between demonstrators and security personnel escalated sharply. According to officials, the situation spiralled out of control when protesters allegedly attacked police and forest personnel and resorted to heavy stone pelting. Security forces first used a baton charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd before opening fire, triggering panic in the area. Tension continues to prevail despite reinforcement of additional police personnel. The unrest began on Thursday night after forest officials detained 25 individuals from the…

17 Apr

Assam CM Urges Pawan Khera to Surrender Following SC Relief Denial

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on April 17 said Congress leader Pawan Khera should surrender before the law and appear in Guwahati after the Supreme Court of India declined to extend his transit anticipatory bail. Speaking in Uttar Dinajpur, Sarma said Khera should follow due legal process and present himself before the appropriate court in Assam. “He should come to Guwahati and surrender there,” he said. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected Khera’s plea seeking an extension of transit anticipatory bail, which had earlier been granted by the Telangana High Court. The plea sought additional time to…

17 Apr

Fuel Availability Back to Normal in Assam, Confirms Indian Oil

riya EditorAssam

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) today said that the supply situation of domestic LPG cylinders and petroleum products is completely normal in Assam. The supply of all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and LPG, in the state of Assam is fully normal and under control. Uninterrupted supply is being ensured through the state’s robust infrastructure, continuous monitoring system, and effective coordination with State government officials," an official statement from IOC stated. Currently, there are a total of 1,737 retail outlets in Assam (OMCs: 1,461 and private: 276) along with 9 supply locations/depots in operation. On average, 2,935 KL of petrol (MS)…

17 Apr

LGBI Airport T2 Expansion to Open New Avenues for Air Travel

riya EditorAssam

The operationalization of Terminal 2 at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport marks a significant step forward in strengthening air connectivity between the Northeast and key destinations across India and beyond. Designed to handle a larger volume of passengers and aircraft movements, the new terminal is expected to support expanded flight routes and higher frequencies, addressing long-standing connectivity gaps from Guwahati to several major cities. With the enhanced infrastructure now in place, airlines will have greater operational flexibility to introduce new services and increase the number of flights on existing routes. Improved passenger handling capacity, modern facilities, and upgraded operational…

17 Apr

Assam Boxers Monika and Mridupam Advance to Last Eight in National Youth Championship

riya EditorAssam

Two Assam boxers advanced to the quarterfinals at the 8th Men’s and Women’s National Youth Boxing Championship underway at the Don Bosco University Hall in Sonapur near Guwahati. Mridupam Baruah moved into the last eight in the boys’ 75kg category, defeating his Mizoram opponent 4-1 in the pre-quarterfinals on Wednesday. In the girls’ 48kg category, Monika Dal also secured a quarterfinal berth with a 4-1 win over a Tamil Nadu boxer. Later in the evening session, four more Assam boxers were set to compete in the pre-quarterfinals. Doingin Lukoi and Sandip Basumatary were scheduled to fight in the boys’ 65kg…

17 Apr

Experts in Assam Highlight Bats’ Role in Farming and Biodiversity, Call for Awareness to Counter Myths

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Scientists and conservationists across Assam on April 17 marked International Bat Appreciation Day with a strong call for greater awareness and protection of bats, a group of animals often feared but considered vital for ecosystems and agriculture. At BN College (Autonomous) in Dhubri, researchers highlighted how myths and misconceptions continue to harm bat populations. Experts said that despite growing scientific evidence about their importance, bats are still widely misunderstood, leading to fear, habitat destruction, and declining numbers. Speaking during a briefing at the Department of Zoology, Dr Azad Ali, who heads the Bat Research and Conservation Division (BRCD), stressed that…