Assam - The Purbottar

03 May

Book on National Register of Citizens Launched in Guwahati

riya EditorAssam

A book on the assessment of the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam was launched in Guwahati on Saturday. The book, “NRC-Turning Hope into Despair, has been authored by senior advocate Upamanyu Hazarika, who is also a Supreme Court-appointed Commissioner to report on the India-Bangladesh border, and Shantanu Parashar, serving as District Project Supervisor, NRC for Dhubri district. The book examines the historical origins of the NRC, its legal foundations, procedural mechanisms, and political context. “The book examines the process and impact of migration over the last 100 years, with the indigenous population projected to turn into a…

02 May

Assam Forest Officer Arrested in Bribery Case

Paromita EditorAssam

Shivashis Shandilya, despite his name symbolizing blessings of Lord Shiva, could not escape the consequences of corruption. The forest officer, accused of taking bribes worth lakhs every month, has been caught by authorities. Shandilya, who secured the top rank in the 2020 Assam Forest Service examination conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission, allegedly built a large fortune through corrupt practices soon after joining service. On Friday, he was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹12,000 from a dumper owner named Amrit Gogoi at his official residence in Lakhimpur. Officials from the anti-corruption branch arrested him on the spot. Following…

02 May

Arunachal-Assam Border Survey Conducted to Set Up Boundary Pillars

riya EditorArunachal Pradesh, Assam

A common trouble to resolve long- standing boundary issues between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam has made measurable progress, with geospatial verification work carried out along the East Siang border. Arunachal Pradesh Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Minister Mama Natung said a specialised platoon from the Survey of India, along with officers from both countries, conducted a common exercise on April 30 and May 1 to corroborate geospatial equals in the المنطقة. The action concentrated on icing delicacy in boundary discrimination using scientific styles. During the first phase of the check, 19 locales were linked where boundary pillars are proposed…

02 May

AIIMS Guwahati Orders Probe Into Mess Hygiene After Social Media Rumours Trigger Panic Among Students

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Guwahati has denied claims of a mass food poisoning incident on its campus after a social media post alleged that several students fell ill after eating food served at the institute’s mess facility. The controversy began after a post circulated widely on social media platform X claimed that more than 50 students at the institute had suffered from food poisoning due to allegedly unhygienic food served inside the campus mess. The post quickly spread online and triggered concern among students, parents, and social media users over food safety conditions at the institute. However, the…

02 May

High Alert Across Assam as Officials Review Preparedness to Ensure Peaceful Election Counting

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

With vote counting for the ongoing elections scheduled for May 4, the Assam government has intensified security preparations across the state and directed officials to remain on high alert to ensure a peaceful and smooth counting process. Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota chaired a high-level review meeting through video conference with senior civil and police officials to assess the preparedness for counting day and the security situation in different districts. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the state administration and police department, including top home department officials, senior police officers, district administrations, and commandants of security battalions deployed…

02 May

Counting Day Readiness Assessed by Assam Chief Secretary

riya EditorAssam

Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota reviewed preparedness for counting of votes of Assam Assembly polls slated on May 4. Dr Kota took stock of the arrangements in a video conference with the DGP, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), and other senior officers, all District Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police, and Commanding Officers of battalions. He reviewed security arrangements for strong rooms and maintaining post-poll law and order. "The instructions of the ECI are clear and must be followed in letter and spirit. All districts have been directed to ensure foolproof security, continuous vigil over strong rooms, and strict adherence to…

01 May

Indian Army Neutralises World War-II Vintage Unexploded Ordnance In Assam

Paromita EditorAssam

A bomb disposal squad of the Indian Army on Thursday neutralised an unexploded ordnance (UXO - World War II vintage) after it was found in a civilian area at Ledo in Upper Assam’s Lekhapani, posing a potential threat to life and property.The UXO measured approximately 12 inches in length and six inches in diameter.Responding promptly to the information, Red Shield Sappers of the Indian Army swiftly mobilised a bomb disposal team to the site. The team immediately secured the area, evacuated civilians from the vicinity and established a safe perimeter, ensuring strict adherence to all safety protocols.“The UXO was carefully…

30 Apr

Court Rejects Bail Plea of Accused in Zubeen Garg Death Case

Paromita EditorAssam

A Fast Track Court has rejected the bail application of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the prime accused in the death case of Zubeen Garg.During the hearing, Mahanta claimed that he was far away from the location at the time of the incident. However, the prosecution strongly opposed the bail, arguing that he is an influential person and had fled to Malaysia after the incident instead of cooperating with the investigation. According to the prosecution, a lookout notice had to be issued to secure his return.Public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar contended that there is no guarantee Mahanta would not flee the country…

30 Apr

Supreme Court Reserves Order on Pawan Khera’s Anticipatory Bail Plea

Paromita EditorAssam

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea filed by Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case linked to allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides. Appearing for Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi argued that denying anticipatory bail would defeat the very purpose of pre-arrest protection. He said the allegations against Khera are matters for trial and that arrest would amount to unnecessary humiliation, adding that several sections…

30 Apr

Guwahati Hosts BRO Chief Engineers’ Conference on Eastern Region Projects

riya EditorAssam

A two-day Chief Engineers’ Works Conference of all Border Roads Organisation (BRO) projects of the Eastern Region concluded in Guwahati on Wednesday. The conference, held under the chairmanship of Jitendra Prasad, Additional Director General Border Roads (East), witnessed the participation of all seven Chief Engineers of BRO Projects in the Eastern Region along with the Commandant, Engineer Base Workshop (EBW). The primary objective of the conference was to deliberate on the roadmap for the current financial year and to formulate effective strategies for achieving the laid-down targets. “Comprehensive discussions were held on enhancing operational efficiency, optimising resource utilisation and ensuring…