Assam - The Purbottar

02 Jun

Supreme Court rejects petition against Assam’s ‘push back’ policy

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Supreme Court of India has declined to entertain a petition challenging the Assam government's push-back policy, designed to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh. The court advised the petitioner, All BTC Minority Students Union, to approach the Guwahati High Court regarding the matter. The petitioner alleges that the state of Assam has reportedly launched a sweeping and indiscriminate drive to detain and deport individuals suspected to be foreigners, lacking Foreigners Tribunal declarations, nationality verification, or having exhausted legal remedies. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reaffirmed the state's adherence to legal processes, stating, "We respect legal processes. If someone is…

02 Jun

Local leaders restore broken road—and villagers’ faith

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Two newly elected panchayat leaders from Dhubri district in Assam have taken the initiative to repair a crucial village road with their own money—drawing praise and gratitude from the local community. The road, located in Barjan village under the Dingdinga Gram Panchayat in Tamarhat, had been severely damaged by recent monsoon rains. Muddy, broken, and nearly impassable, the stretch had become a daily hazard for hundreds of villagers, particularly school children, farmers, and the elderly.But instead of waiting for government funding or district-level approvals, Ward Member Alamgir Mollah and Anchalik Panchayat Member Manzoor Alam rolled up their sleeves and acted.…

31 May

NEEPCO under fire over Assam flood impact

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A massive flood disaster has unfolded in Assam’s Lakhimpur district after the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) reportedly released water from one of its dams, leading to a sudden and dangerous rise in river levels. The deluge has submerged over 230 villages, displaced thousands, and claimed the life of one resident in Pahumora village. Panic swept through the region early on Friday morning as rising waters inundated homes, croplands, schools, and key roadways. The worst-affected area, the Naoboicha-Gendheli stretch, witnessed the 15th National Highway going underwater, effectively cutting off road connectivity and isolating large sections of the population. Relief…

31 May

Assam CM: IndiGo launch direct service between Delhi and Jorhat in September

Banasree SarkarAssam

The announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that a direct non-stop flight between New Delhi and Jorhat will start operations in mid-September 2025 will significantly improve Assamese regional air connectivity. The statement was made on X on his official Twitter after a high-level meeting with IndiGo Airlines' executives in New Delhi. "It was a pleasure to meet with IndiGo leadership in New Delhi to talk about their plan to increase air connectivity in Assam," Sarma wrote. "Happy to announce that, as of mid-September 2025, IndiGo will operate a nonstop flight between Delhi and Jorhat." Enhancing general intra-state and inter-state…

29 May

Gaurav Gogoi to lead Assam Congress from June 3

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Gaurav Gogoi, newly appointed President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and current Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is set to formally assume charge on June 3, 2025, in Guwahati. The event will be marked by a public function at the Manvendra Sharma Complex, where senior Congress leaders and party workers are expected to gather in large numbers. In preparation for this significant transition in state party leadership, the Assam Congress held an internal strategy meeting at Rajiv Bhawan, Guwahati, with active participation from senior leaders, including APCC Working President Zakir Hussain Sikdar and General…

28 May

Assam shuts down BIEO, strengthens Vigilance Directorate in major reshuffle

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Government has formally dissolved the Bureau of Investigation (Economic Offences), commonly known as BIEO, and merged it with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption. The decision, aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing institutional overlap in investigating economic crimes, comes into effect immediately. According to an official notification issued by the Governor of Assam, the move is part of a broader restructuring strategy designed to optimize the state’s mechanisms for tackling financial fraud and corruption. The government stated that this step was taken in the public interest to ensure better coordination and more focused investigations. As part of the…

26 May

From AASU leader convicted in Dulijan assault case granted Bail

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Gauhati High Court on Monday granted bail to Shankar Jyoti Baruah, the former General Secretary of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), who was recently arrested in connection with a controversial altercation at the B.N. Singh petrol depot in Duliajan. Baruah’s arrest stemmed from an alleged physical confrontation at the fuel station, an incident that quickly escalated into a politically charged issue, drawing widespread reactions across the state. The arrest has sparked public outcry, particularly among indigenous rights groups. Several organisations, including the Bir Lachit Sena Assam, voiced strong opposition to Baruah’s detention. Its leader, Shrinkhal Chaliha, criticized the…

26 May

Assam Police shaken by twin scandals, 4 suspended for misconduct

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major move to reinforce discipline within the Assam Police, authorities have taken strict action against four police personnel involved in two separate incidents of alleged misconduct. Three staff posted at the Jalukbari police checkpost in Guwahati were suspended on Sunday following serious accusations of extorting money from livestock transporters, while a sub-inspector from Gohpur faces suspension for alleged custodial brutality. Those suspended from the Jalukbari post include Constable Shashi Sinha, Home Guard jawan Dharmeshwar Rajbanshi, and vehicle driver Dulal Das. The trio were accused of extorting money from vehicles carrying cattle and buffaloes. The matter came to light…

26 May

A inquiry into illicit coal mining is demanded by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi

Banasree SarkarAssam

Gaurav Gogoi, a Congress MP from Jorhat, demanded that a thorough probe be conducted into syndicates and suspected illegal coal mining in Assam and Meghalaya. Speaking at a press conference at Jorhat's District Congress Bhawan, Gogoi asserted that a "coal mafia" is flourishing under political cover and connected it to shifts in Assam's leadership. He cited an April Enforcement Directorate action that allegedly exposed the use of fraudulent paperwork to carry coal that had been illegally mined in Meghalaya into Assam, with bribes of Rs1.5 lakh per truck. The Congress MP claimed that neither the Assam nor Meghalaya governments had…

24 May

Five fertility clinics in Assam receive official surrogacy certification

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major step towards regulating assisted reproduction and ensuring ethical fertility treatments in Assam, five hospitals in the state have been officially certified to operate surrogacy clinics. The certificates were handed over by Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal on May 23, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act, both enacted in 2021. The certified institutions include some of Assam’s leading medical centers: GMCH Fertility & IVF Center, Apollo Fertility Guwahati, Down Town Hospital Ltd. Guwahati, Institute of Human Reproduction Guwahati, and Swasti Hospital in Rangia, Kamrup. These…