Assam - The Purbottar

01 Nov

All of the state’s national parks and sanctuaries have raised their elephant safari fees

Banasree SarkarAssam

The revised prices for elephant safaris in all Assamese national parks and sanctuaries where the activity is offered will go into effect from November 1, 2025, according to the Assam administration. The state Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department announced the increase in elephant safari costs in a notification on October 30, 2025. The decision was made in partial revocation of a notification that was sent out on October 31, 2015, ten years prior. According to the updated prices, Indian travelers will now pay Rs 1,200 per seat per trip, up from Rs 750 previously, and foreign travelers will pay…

01 Nov

Key forensic reports in the Zubeen Garg case are sent by Singapore; the chargesheet is scheduled on December 17 by Assam SIT

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the death of Assam’s beloved singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, authorities in Singapore have officially shared his post-mortem and toxicology reports with the Assam Police. The development marks a significant step forward in the ongoing probe, which has been under intense public and political attention since the artist’s sudden passing in September. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday confirmed that the documents, along with procedural guidelines under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), were received by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT was constituted to conduct a detailed inquiry…

31 Oct

Assam govt resshuffles senior police officers

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Assam government has announced a series of significant transfers affecting senior police officers across the state, marking another round of administrative changes within the force. Padmanabh Baruah, an IPS officer from the 2016 batch who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) in Guwahati, has been appointed as Senior Superintendent of Police for Udalguri district. The transfer, which partially modifies an earlier notification from October 17, 2025, takes effect immediately upon his assumption of charge, replacing Pushkin Jain who has been transferred. Meanwhile, Pushkin Jain, a 2017-batch IPS officer, moves from his position as SSP Udalguri to head…

31 Oct

There will be a historic air show in Guwahati when 150 IAF planes, including Rafales, thunder over Brahmaputra

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Guwahati is preparing for one of the most spectacular defence events ever witnessed in the Northeast, as the Indian Air Force will stage a mega air show on November 9 at Lachit Ghat along the Brahmaputra riverfront. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the event, which will feature around 150 aircraft, including cutting-edge Rafales, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, and MiG series fighter jets, making it one of the largest aerial demonstrations the region has seen. Announcing the event, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the show will highlight the strength and precision of the Indian Air Force. “On November 9,…

30 Oct

CM rembers victims of Assam’s deadliest blast by terror outfit NDFB

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday paid tribute to the victims of the 2008 serial bomb blasts across the state. A total of nine blasts were triggered by the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), claiming the lives of 88 people and injuring over 500. "30th Oct 2008 will always be a dark day in the history of Assam as it witnessed the most dastardly attack on its soil," Sarma said in a post on X. The NDFB's Ranjan Daimary faction had carried out the serial blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon. In September 2022, the Gauhati…

30 Oct

Assam launches cashless healthcare for employees, pensioners

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Assam government has launched a cashless medical treatment facility for state employees, pensioners, and their dependents under its flagship ‘Ayushman Asom Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (AA-MMLSAY)’. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rolled out the new facility on October 29, enabling beneficiaries to avail of cashless treatment in empanelled hospitals across Assam and leading corporate hospitals nationwide. Previously, the scheme operated solely on a reimbursement model since its launch in 2023. “Now, employees and pensioners can receive treatment without worrying about arranging funds. To ensure a smooth transition, the existing reimbursement system will continue in parallel,” the Chief…

30 Oct

Elephant safari will start on November 1 in Kaziranga National Park

Banasree SarkarAssam

The widely anticipated elephant safari in Kaziranga National Park will begin on November 1 for the benefit of both domestic and foreign visitors. The park's core range at Kohora, which is the most visited by tourists, has not yet been opened for vehicle safaris, but the Bagori, Burapahar, and Agaratoli ranges have. The Kohora range is the most popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists each year. However, the recent floods seriously destroyed the roads, culverts, and bridges in this range. The Kohora range's reopening to tourists was delayed because of the delays in fixing these infrastructures. The Kohora…

30 Oct

Large-scale torchlight demonstration in Dhemaji: Chutia community redoubles call for ST status

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Thousands of members of Assam’s Chutia community took to the streets of Dhemaji on Wednesday evening, carrying burning torches and shouting slogans to demand their long-pending inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The protest, marked by fiery determination and a sea of flickering lights, turned Dhemaji town into the epicentre of the community’s decades-long struggle for recognition. The demonstrators, who arrived from various parts of Upper Assam, began their march from multiple points before converging in the heart of the town. The air echoed with chants of “No ST, No Rest”, as participants expressed frustration over the government’s inaction…

29 Oct

Himanta charges the Kharge family for disparaging the youth and dignity of Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a strong attack on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge, accusing them of carrying forward an “anti-Assam mindset” through their words and actions. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Chief Minister alleged that both father and son had shown disrespect to Assam’s culture and its people. “Mallikarjun Kharge once insulted the legendary Bhupen Hazarika, who remains the voice of Assam’s identity and emotion. Now his son has insulted the youth of Assam. This shows that the Kharge family has consistently failed to understand the dignity and potential…

28 Oct

Zubeen Garg death case: Following a virtual court session, five suspects were placed under 14 days of judicial custody

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the death of popular singer and composer Zubeen Garg, five of the main accused were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody following a virtual appearance before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court on October 27. The five accused include North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, and his personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya. They were produced virtually after the expiry of their earlier custody period. The virtual hearing was conducted as a special arrangement since…