Assam - The Purbottar

28 May

Delhi Court Issues Notice to Himanta Biswa Sarma Over Remarks on ‘Miya Muslims’

Paromita EditorAssam

A Delhi court has issued a notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on a petition filed by activist Harsh Mander seeking registration of an FIR over the BJP leader’s alleged “provocative” remarks targeting “Miya Muslims”. Additional Sessions Judge Sonu Agnihotri issued the notice while hearing a revision petition filed by Mander against an April 20 order of a magisterial court, which had refused to direct police to register an FIR against Sarma. In an order dated May 26, the court noted submissions made by Mander’s counsel regarding the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Zero FIR and E-FIR issued…

28 May

Assam Becomes Third State to Implement UCC Law

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

BJP president Nitin Nabin has described the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Assam Legislative Assembly as a “historic” decision and said the legislation would help strengthen equal rights and a uniform civil system in the country. Reacting to the development, Nabin said the Bharatiya Janata Party has always followed the principle of “justice for all and appeasement of none” and maintained that the new law reflects the party’s long-standing commitment towards equal justice. “The passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Assam Legislative Assembly is a significant step towards equal rights and…

28 May

Assam Wetland Discovery Highlights Rich Biodiversity

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam has recorded the first confirmed sighting of the bent-toed gecko species Cyrtodactylus bapme at Urpad Beel, adding another important discovery to the state’s growing biodiversity records. The finding has drawn attention from researchers and conservationists, who said the presence of the species reflects the ecological richness of Assam’s wetlands and forest ecosystems. They noted that such habitats continue to support several rare and lesser-known species despite increasing environmental challenges. The gecko was documented at Urpad Beel, a wetland area known for its ecological importance and diverse wildlife population. The wetland has long served as a habitat for various aquatic…

28 May

Anti-Drug Activist Gumin Mize Granted Interim Bail; East Siang Bandh Called Off

riya EditorAssam

Anti-drug activist Gumin Mize was released from judicial custody after Assam’s Lakhimpur District and Sessions Court granted him interim bail. Following his release, the 12-hour bandh called by the Adi Students Union (AdiSU) along with several other local student organisations in Arunachal Pradesh’s East Siang district was withdrawn at noon. The bandh had been called in protest against the arrest of Mize by Assam Police and allegations of custodial torture. The shutdown began at 5 am and affected normal life across several areas, including Ruksin, Sille Oyan, Mebo and Pasighat. Shops, markets and business establishments remained closed for several hours,…

28 May

Governor Presents Excellence Awards at Cotton University’s 126th Foundation Day Celebration

riya EditorAssam

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya attended the 126th foundation day celebration of Cotton University in Guwahati and presented the Governor’s Excellence Awards to meritorious undergraduate and postgraduate students at the KBR auditorium of the university here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor extended his greetings and congratulations to the students, faculty members and alumni of the university and described Cotton University as one of the most prestigious centers of higher education, intellectual awakening and cultural renaissance in the Northeast. Recalling the institution’s rich legacy since its establishment in 1901, he said the university has played a pivotal role…

26 May

Himanta Biswa Sarma attacks Congress during Assam Assembly debate on women’s reservation

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 26 launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of being “anti-women” after Congress legislators briefly staged a walkout during a discussion on a government resolution supporting 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies. The resolution, introduced in the Assembly by Women and Child Welfare Minister Ajanta Neog, urged the immediate implementation of one-third reservation for women in Parliament and all state legislative assemblies following the completion of the delimitation exercise. Tensions briefly escalated in the Assembly after BJP MLA Bhuban Pegu made remarks targeting…

26 May

Assam’s Maternal Mortality Rate drops below national average for first time: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state has achieved a “historic” public health milestone as Assam’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) dropped to 84, going below the national average of 88 for the first time. Describing the achievement as one of the most emotional moments of his public life, Sarma recalled that when he took charge of the Health Department in 2006, Assam’s MMR stood at 480, making the present milestone appear almost impossible at the time. The chief minister credited doctors, nurses, ASHA workers, health officials and frontline healthcare personnel across the state for the achievement,…

26 May

Fast-Track Court Frames Charges Against Seven Accused in Zubeen Garg Death Case

Paromita EditorAssam

A fast-track court on Tuesday formally framed charges against all seven accused in the high-profile Zubeen Garg death case, with four of them charged with murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The court, presided over by Sharmila Bhuyan, framed charges against all accused named in the chargesheet. Speaking to reporters, special public prosecutor Ziaul Kamar said the court had framed charges against all accused persons in the case. According to the prosecution, murder charges under BNS Sections 103 (murder), 3 (common intention) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) were framed against Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami…

26 May

Assam CM Calls for Entrepreneurial Youth and Stronger Women-Led Self-Help Groups for Economic Growth

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday reiterated the Assam government’s commitment to provide government jobs to two lakh youths, while also stressing the need to build a strong culture of entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunities for women across the state. Speaking during the third day of the Assam Assembly session on May 26, the chief minister said the employment promise made during the elections remained a key responsibility of his government and a commitment he personally continued to remember. “People today may or may not remind me of it, but at this sacred moment of taking responsibility as Chief Minister, I…

26 May

Himanta Biswa Sarma Says Stronger Tea Industry Key to Higher Wages for Assam Tea Workers

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the Assam government aims to raise the daily wages of tea garden workers to Rs 450 during its tenure, while stressing that the target would depend on the growth and strengthening of the state’s tea industry.Speaking during the third day of the Assam Assembly session on May 26, the chief minister said the government had already increased tea garden workers’ wages to nearly Rs 300 and now wanted to take the next step through broader economic reforms and industry expansion.“For the first time, we have raised the wages of tea garden workers to nearly…