Assam - The Purbottar

03 Feb

BIS SEIZES UNCERTIFIED PLYWOOD, FLUSH DOORS DURING GUWAHATI RAID

Paromita EditorAssam

Acting on specific inputs and discreet investigation, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Guwahati Branch Office conducted an enforcement raid on Tuesday at the premises of M/s Kushal Hardware and M/s Malati Hardware in Sarab Bhatti, Guwahati.The operation revealed that the establishments were engaged in the storage and sale of plywood and flush doors of substandard quality, including products bearing spurious or misused ISI Marks and uncertified materials.During the raid, misuse of the BIS Standard Mark was detected and 92 plywood and flush doors were seized.The traders were found selling products that were not certified by BIS, despite plywood, block…

03 Feb

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam Dismisses Claims of Large-Scale Illegal Bangladeshi Muslim Presence in Assam

Paromita EditorAssam

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam on February 2 rejected assertions that a large number of Bangladeshi Muslims are residing illegally in Assam, claiming that a proper house-to-house survey would show the figure to be extremely low — possibly not more than 1,000 people. Speaking on the issue of citizenship verification, Islam said the status of Muslim residents in Assam has already been examined multiple times through various official processes over the years. He argued that Muslim communities in the state underwent particularly intense scrutiny during the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). According to him, their documents were checked…

03 Feb

Queen Mother of Bhutan conferred ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award in Assam

Paromita EditorAssam

The queen mother of Bhutan, Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, was conferred with the 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award, 2025, at Kokrajhar in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).She was presented with the award in recognition of her exemplary humanitarian services and compassionate leadership.She received the award from Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a ceremony held at the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar.Speaking on the occasion, Governor Acharya described the occasion as more than a felicitation and award presentation ceremony. He termed the award ceremony as a powerful reaffirmation of collective commitment to human dignity,…

03 Feb

Two Elderly Persons Killed in Elephant Attack in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On Tuesday morning, a tragic incident occurred in Khairani (Beltol Supa) village, located in the Baksa district of Assam, where two elderly individuals fell victim to a wild elephant. The incident took place around 5:30 am, as the elephant strayed from a nearby forest and attacked Gobinda Mizar, aged 75, and Umi Mizar, also known as Umi Maya Sarki, aged 60. Both suffered severe injuries as a result of the attack. Despite being rushed to Dr. Ravi Boro Civil Hospital for medical attention, Gobinda Mizar was pronounced dead upon arrival. Umi Mizar sustained serious injuries primarily to her left leg…

03 Feb

Assam CM Praises PM Modi’s Leadership as US Lowers Tariffs on Indian Exports to 15%

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership following the announcement of an India–United States trade understanding that will lower tariffs on Indian products exported to the American market. Under the new understanding, tariffs on Made in India goods entering the United States will be reduced to 15 per cent. The Chief Minister described the move as an important step for India’s manufacturing and export sectors, saying it would help Indian products reach a wider global market and improve competitiveness. Taking to social media platform X, Sarma said the decision would create fresh…

03 Feb

Cybercrime in Focus as Assam Police Organises Capacity Building Workshop Under Sishu Mitra Programme

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Police organised a National Capacity Building Workshop in Guwahati with a focus on cybersecurity, cyber hygiene, and financial safety. The day-long programme brought together police officers, members of civil society, and representatives of community-based organisations to discuss growing digital risks and ways to respond to them in a practical manner. The workshop was held under the Sishu Mitra Programme and aimed at improving awareness and preparedness at both the institutional and community levels. With the increasing use of digital platforms for communication, banking, and services, the organisers said there was a clear need to strengthen understanding of cyber…

03 Feb

Assam government opens 67 educational buildings and establishes the framework for 61 more

Banasree SarkarAssam

The Assam government lay the foundation stones for 61 more school buildings throughout the state and opened the recently built 67 government schools as part of a significant effort to improve the state's educational infrastructure. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma formally launched the initiative at the central launch function in Sonapur, Kamrup Metropolitan district. Live coverage of the event was available throughout Assam. In accordance with the central program, Sonitpur district also hosted constituency-specific inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremonies under a number of programs, such as the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXIX), the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for the…

03 Feb

Jamiat Moves Apex Court Challenging Assam CM’s Statements

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has petitioned the Supreme Court of India, contesting remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which they label as communal, divisive, and inconsistent with the Constitution’s principles. The petition, filed by Maulana Mahmood Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, calls for the formation of strict guidelines for officials in constitutional positions to prevent the misuse of public office for spreading hatred against any community. It references a speech from January 27, 2026, where Sarma suggested removing a significant number of so-called "Miya" voters from electoral rolls and expressed opposition towards the Miya community. This term is considered derogatory…

03 Feb

Assam–Bhutan Railway Project on Track, Completion Expected in 3 Years

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) general manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava announced that the railway line connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan is expected to be completed within three years. This project includes a 69-km Kokrajhar-Gelephu line and a 20-km connection between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan). Chief Administrative Officer, NFR (Construction), Hitendra Goyal, noted that the Assam project will proceed swiftly once construction begins, supported by a positive state government. However, the West Bengal segment is experiencing delays due to land acquisition issues. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw previously highlighted these projects' potential to enhance trade, tourism, and bilateral…

03 Feb

Supreme Court Stays High Court Decision Cancelling Bail of IAS Officer Talo Potom

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Supreme Court has provided interim relief to IAS officer Talo Potom by staying a Gauhati High Court order that had revoked his bail. The original bail was granted on November 4, following his remand to judicial custody on October 27, but was cancelled by the Gauhati High Court on January 23. A division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar, issued the interim order, halting the high court's decision and allowing four weeks for the filing of counter affidavits, with the matter to be revisited in six weeks. Additionally, Potom was permitted…