Assam - The Purbottar

26 Dec

Guwahati Customs Bust Drug Smuggling Attempt, Seize ₹1.46 Crore Hydroponic Cannabis at LGBI

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Airport Unit of Guwahati Customs has confiscated hydroponic cannabis valued at ₹1.46 crore during standard checks of checked-in baggage at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA). This seizure occurred while screening the baggage of passengers aboard Flight FD-124 from Bangkok’s Don Mueang (DMK) to Guwahati (GAU). Customs officials identified suspicious items during X-ray analysis of the checked luggage. Upon thorough examination, three packets containing approximately 1.463 kilograms of dried greenish material, believed to be hydroponic cannabis, were discovered. A preliminary test conducted with a drug detection kit at the Customs facility confirmed the presence of cannabis. Consequently, a case…

26 Dec

NFR Prevents Accidents, Saves Over 160 Elephants on Railway Tracks in 2025

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Proactive, technology-driven initiatives by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) have significantly contributed to wildlife conservation, saving over 160 elephants from crossing railway tracks in 2025. Central to these efforts is the Intrusion Detection System (IDS), an advanced AI-based technology leveraging Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) principles to detect elephant movements near railway tracks. The IDS alerts loco pilots and control rooms in real time, facilitating timely preventive actions that enhance operational safety. Currently, the system operates in key sections that traverse elephant corridors, covering 62.7 km of these areas and 131 km of block sections, with ongoing installation efforts expanding coverage…

26 Dec

Assam Government Announces Major Administrative Reshuffle

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government has executed a major administrative reshuffle by transferring thirteen district commissioners and various senior officials to enhance public service, as announced by the Personnel Department. Notably, Aranyak Saikia, a 2020-batch IAS officer and son of retired IPS officer Kuladhar Saikia, has been appointed District Commissioner of Karbi Anglong, succeeding Nirala Phangshopi, who is now the Additional Secretary of the Hill Areas Department. Additional moves include Sumit Sattawan from Kamrup (Metropolitan) to Tinsukia, and Swapneel Paul assuming the District Commissioner role in Kamrup (Metropolitan). Aayush Garg has shifted from Sivasagar to Cachar, while Mridul Yadav has moved in…

26 Dec

Police Arrest Assam Cleric Over Alleged Support for Lynching of Hindu Youth in Bangladesh

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A Muslim cleric from Darrang district, Assam, named Bilal Ali, has been arrested for allegedly endorsing the lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh via social media. Das was killed by a mob in Mymensingh district, igniting widespread outrage. Ali, a Hafiz and former imam, is the second arrest linked to online support for the violence, following Mohd. Sheikh Akhtar Ali's detention for posting a supportive video that depicted Das being assaulted and killed. Authorities reported Das, a garment factory worker, was beaten, hanged, and burned, triggering concerns over the safety of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The…

26 Dec

Four Arrested for Vandalism at St Mary’s School in Assam’s Nalbari

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Police have arrested four individuals in relation to the vandalism incident at St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon, Nalbari district, reported on December 24, 2025. The attack, which took place at approximately 2:30 PM, involved a group entering the school grounds without authorization and damaging property, including decorations and flower pots, while also setting several items ablaze. Fr. Baiju Sebastian, the Principal of the school, filed a complaint that prompted Belsor Police to register Case No. 116/2025, citing multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The accused are: Bhaskar Deka (34), the District Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu…

24 Dec

In Golaghat, awareness campaigns about child marriage and road safety were held

Banasree SarkarAssam

In the Golaghat district, 125 special awareness meetings were conducted at the gaon panchayat level with a focus on road safety, preventing child marriage, child labor, anemia, and drug usage. Road safety was the main topic of gram (village) and ward meetings held throughout the Golaghat district by the district administration, police, and other authorities. Participants in these events included representatives from the police, district administration, and other agencies. The purpose of the sessions was to raise awareness throughout the area and bring the problem of road safety down to the local level. Respected lawmakers from the district, a variety…

24 Dec

Normalcy Returns to Kheroni After Deadly Unrest as Heavy Security Restores Order

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The law and order situation in Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong has largely returned to normal following days of unrest that claimed two lives, officials said on Tuesday. Heavy security deployment by police and paramilitary forces has helped bring the situation under control, with authorities maintaining strict vigilance to prevent any fresh incidents. Officials said the situation stabilised on the third day after violence broke out in and around Kheroni, forcing the administration to rush in additional forces. Sensitive locations across the area are now under close watch, and security personnel have been conducting regular patrols to maintain peace.…

23 Dec

Assam Book Fair 2025 to Expand into Major Literary Festival with National Footprint

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Book Fair in Guwahati will transform into a prominent literary festival this year, featuring significant participation from national publishers and enhanced programming, to honor young writers. Scheduled to run for 14 days starting December 24 at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground, this event is organized by the Publication Board Assam in conjunction with the All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association. Pramod Kalita, secretary of the Publication Board, noted that the fair's timing was adjusted to accommodate preparations for Republic Day, celebrated on January 26. This year's fair extends its duration from 12 days to 14, indicating growing…

23 Dec

Assam Minister Blames Misinformation for Karbi Anglong Violence; Hunger Strike Withdrawn

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika attributed the violence in Kheroni, Karbi Anglong on December 22 to misinformation and a misunderstanding among the populace, emphasizing the need for peace and unity. He assured that as clarity emerges, the situation will improve. Hazarika highlighted the importance of communal harmony and respect for the rights of both the Karbi people and other indigenous communities, advocating for collective peaceful progress. Meanwhile, the Karbi community, which had been on an indefinite hunger strike since December 6 over demands for indigenous land rights protection, ended their protest after the Assam government's assurances. Minister Ranoj Pegu acknowledged…

23 Dec

Northeast Zone Inter-University Football Meet to Be Hosted by Royal Global University

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Assam Royal Global University (RGU) is set to host the Northeast Zone Inter University Football (Men) Tournament for the 2025-2026 season. Scheduled to occur at the RGU campus in Guwahati from January 5 to January 11, 2026, the tournament serves as a key initiative for RGU to promote values such as discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship while also strengthening inter-university unity across the region. The opening ceremony on January 5 will feature Kento Jini, the Minister of Law, Legislative and Justice, as well as Sports & Youth Affairs from the…