Guwahati Diary | Zubeens death: Ruling BJP pushes for justice
As BJP-ruled Assam continues to grieve the untimely and mysterious death of music icon Zubeen Garg, the demand for a fair investigation grows louder. People are hitting the roads on a daily basis, demanding Justice for Zubeen. The protesters also include BJP workers. The BJP took out rallies at some places demanding justice for the singer, much to the chagrin of its critics and opposition parties. They asked the BJP to instead ensure that the case is investigated properly and a strong charge sheet is submitted in the court by the Special Investigation Team so that the guilty can be punished. All seven arrested in the case are now in judicial custody. Pre-test of countrys first digital census in Assam Indias first digital census will be carried out in Assam with a pilot project to be undertaken in selected areas of Dibrugarh, West Karbi Anglong and Hailakandi districts from November 10 to 30 in consultation with the state government. In Dibrugarh district, the exercise will cover three wards of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation. In West Karbi Anglong, it will be conducted in 23 villages while in Hailakandi, the exercise will take place in seven villages. Prior to the field operation, a pre-test of self-enumeration will be carried out from November 1 to 7, allowing residents to enumerate themselves digitally through a dedicated online portal. Gibbon Day celebrated to raise awareness on ape Biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak celebrated the International Gibbon Day with great enthusiasm to raise awareness on the conservation of Indias only apethe Hoolock Gibbon. The Gibbon Day draws global attention to the plight of the animalthe smallest and fastest of all apesmany of which are on the brink of extinction mainly due to habitat loss and hunting. The celebration was held at the Arunachal University of Studies. The Hoolock Gibbon, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, was recently included in the worlds 25 most endangered primates list at the International Primatological Congress 2025 in Madagascar. Prasanta Mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com
Indian Army sepoy saves eight-month-old infant with CPR on train
Sepoy Sunil, posted in a field hospital of the Army in the north-east, administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the infant and stabilised the baby while travelling on the New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express
In a 'heroic way' a Sepoy (Ambulance Assistant) Sunil of the 456 filed hospital saved the life of an eight month old infant in the Rajdhani Express en route to Dibrugarh.
Heroic act: Army jawan saves infant with CPR on New DelhiDibrugarh Rajdhani Express
An Indian Army ambulance assistant, Sepoy Sunil, heroically saved an eight-month-old infant's life on a Rajdhani Express train. The baby had stopped breathing and had no pulse. Sunil administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, successfully reviving the child before coordinating further medical assistance. His swift, professional actions prevented a tragedy.
Tea blossoms have health benefits, says Nagaland University study
GUWAHATI: Not just tea, tea blossoms that are often discarded as agricultural byproducts, also have health benefits, a multi-institute research, led by the Nagaland University, has found. The study shows that these delicate flowers are abundant in potent bioactive compounds, positioning them as a natural source for health supplements and functional beverages. While tea leaves dominate global research and consumption, blossoms remain largely overlooked. This study is the first systematic effort in Assam, one of the worlds largest tea-producing regions, to analyse the biochemical richness of tea blossoms from seven premium cultivars. Nutraceutical companies could harness tea blossom extracts to create natural energy boosters, relaxation aids, and skin-health products. Beyond consumer health, the research offers economic opportunities for smallholder tea farmers by opening new revenue streams through blossom collection and processing, the Nagaland University said in a statement. This approach, the statement added, also advances environmental sustainability, as utilising blossoms reduces agricultural waste and contributes to a circular bioeconomy. With global demand rising for plant-based, eco-friendly health products, India has the chance to position itself as a leader in functional foods and supplements derived from tea blossoms, the statement said. Dr Sagarika Das from the Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at Dibrugarh University fronted this research, collaborating with tea biochemist Monoranjan Goswami from the Tocklai Tea Research Institute in Jorhat, Assam, and Prof Tanmoy Karak from the Department of Soil Science at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University. The study garnered contributions from institutions, including the University of California and the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute in New Delhi, showcasing an extraordinary alliance in the pursuit of scientific excellence. The findings were published in a peer-reviewed journal, Food Research Journal. Prof Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of the Nagaland University, said the research highlighted the potential of innovation originating from the region to effect significant global change. By tapping into the often-overlooked benefits of tea blossoms, our dedicated scientists are pioneering advancements in health and wellness that could revolutionise dietary supplements and natural remedies, he said. The research team has plans to advance into clinical trials, explore synergies with other nutraceuticals, and scale up for industrial applications across the food, pharmaceutical, and wellness sectors. Das said, Tea blossoms are known to be abundant in health-enhancing compounds, featuring notably higher concentrations of polyphenols, catechins, terpenoids, and L-theanine, while also having lower caffeine levels compared to traditional tea leaves.
Former Union minister Rajen Gohain quits BJP, cites betrayal of Assams indigenous communities
DIBRUGARH: Former Union minister and four-time BJP MP Rajen Gohain from Assams Nagaon parliamentary constituency resigned from the party along with 17 other members on Thursday, officials said. In a letter to state BJP president Dilip Saikia, Gohain said he was resigning from the primary membership of the party and stepping down from all party responsibilities with immediate effect. Seventeen other BJP members, mostly from Upper and Central Assam, also submitted their resignations to Saikia, sources said. Speaking to PTI, Gohain said he resigned as the party had failed o fulfil the promises made to the people of Assam and betrayed the indigenous communities by allowing outsiders to settle in the state. He had represented Nagaon parliamentary constituency for four terms from 1999 to 2019 and had served as the Union minister of state for railways from 2016 to 2019.
Punjab MP Amritpal Singh casts vote for V-P election from Assam jail
Mr. Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab De, has been in Dibrugarh Central Jail since March 2023
Guwahati-Bound Indigo Flight Carrying Himanta Sarma Diverted To Agartala Due To Bad Weather
According to the Assam Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Sarma was flying from Dibrugarh to Guwahati in an IndiGo flight, which was diverted to Agartala.
Operation Falcon saves Assam rhinos, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
GUWAHATI: The Assam government has achieved a significant success in protecting the one-horned rhinos the pride of the state from poachers since it launched Operation Falcon. Operation Falcon is a collaborative effort of the Assam Police and the Assam Forest Department launched last year. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a video of Operation Falcon through X on Monday, stating, it was breaking the back of poaching and illegal animal trade. According to the video, the killings of two rhinos prompted a rethink in anti-poaching strategy vis--vis the launch of Operation Falcon against poachers. #OperationFalcon breaking the back of poaching and illegal animal trade. @assampolice @assamforest pic.twitter.com/r0B7jvYYHG Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 11, 2025 Stating that poachers were chased ruthlessly using all available resources, the video said coordination and spirit of the personnel helped arrest 42 poachers 18 in Biswanath, eight in Darrang, six in Nagaon, five in Karbi Anglong, two in Sonitpur and one each in Udalguri, Dibrugarh and Cachar districts. Poachers were tracked through extensive use of on-ground and digital intelligence, according to the video. Under this operation, international and interstate nexus were identified. Six major rhino-poaching gangs, linked to illegal trade through Myanmar, were identified, while nine rhino poaching attempts were foiled, the video further stated. On the World Rhino Day last year, Sarma had stated that the poaching of the animal dropped by 86% since the BJP rose to power in Assam in 2016. Ahead of that years Assembly elections, the party had promised that it would protect the rhinos if voted to power. So far this year, no rhinos has been killed According to the rhino census of 2022, Assam has 2,895 rhinos 2,613 of them in the 1,300 sq km Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve. Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, and Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve have 125, 107 and 50 rhinos respectively. Poaching dropped drastically especially after Sarma had donned the chief ministers mantle in May 2021. That year, only one rhino was killed while 2022 was incident-free. One rhino was killed in 2023 and two last year. This year has been incident-free so far. Between 2001 and 2016, when the Congress was in power in the state, several rhinos were killed by the poachers every year, particularly in Kaziranga.
Assam eviction drives aimed at 'creating narrative' before assembly polls: Experts
GUWAHATI: With the Assam government vowing to carry out a series of evictions to clear encroachments, political and social experts have criticised such move, saying that it is aimed at creating a 'narrative' ahead of the assembly elections next year. Eminent people from different fields voiced their 'concern' in the manner the eviction drives are being conducted and alleged that people from different communities are brought to buffer zones of inter-state borders to protect it from aggression from neighbouring states, which have already occupied a huge chunk of Assam land. The state government has carried out at least nine major eviction drives since June this year, affecting several thousand people. The agenda of the recent evictions is not clearing encroachments, but to set a narrative in Upper Assam. 'Inhuman': Massive eviction drive launched in Assam's Golaghat; over 1500 Muslim families affected After Gaurav Gogoi's Lok Sabha win last year and post his appointment as Congress state chief, there has been a 'pro-Gaurav wave' in Upper Assam districts, eminent neurosurgeon Navanil Barua told PTI here. The ruling BJP is trying to create a Hindu-Muslim narrative with these eviction drives and some local organisations have already held 'anti-Miya' protests, he added. I am sure that after March 2026, it will stop, and we may not hear about encroachment by Miyas for a long time thereafter, said Barua, also a political commentator. 'Miya' is originally a pejorative term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, and the non-Bengali-speaking people generally identify them as Bangladeshi immigrants. Referring to the massive eviction drive at Rengma Reserve Forest recently, Handique Girls' College Assistant Professor (Political Science) Pallavi Deka said that, as the people were evicted without proper rehabilitation, it was more than just the government's reported attempt to save the jungle. The narrative building by the ruling party to 'save indigenous tribal commons' from illegal encroachers points towards a fierce communal polarisation in and around the upcoming elections, she added. In the last 10 days, the Assam government has cleared alleged encroachments from 10,537 bighas (over 1,400 hectares) of land from Rengma Reserve Forest, Nambor South Reserve Forest and Doyang Reserve Forest in Golaghat district, and Village Grazing Reserve in Lakhimpur. These drives have displaced around 2,200 families, mostly from the Bengali-speaking Muslim community. 114 families evicted from village grazing reserve land in Assam's Lakhimpur: Officials On these recent evictions, eminent advocate Santanu Borthakur said: If it is a forest land, then whosoever stays there for whatever longer period, it does not give them legal rights to settle there permanently. However, targeting only one community, as seen in the recent cases in Golaghat is absolutely discriminatory, he added. The CM's recent comment that no eviction will take place against people from other communities is anti-Constitution and not permitted by law, Borthakur said. In Rengma, 1,500 Muslim families were evicted. The remaining families are from Bodo, Nepali, Manipuri and other communities, who have certificates from the Forest Rights Committee (FRC). According to Kaustubh Deka, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Dibrugarh University, the eviction drive is a significant and sensitive moment for the state, and the whole episode highlights the critical bearing of the state's complex socio-political history. The government must maintain a fair balance between three aspects. One, the allegation that genuine Indian citizens are being selectively targeted, needs to be addressed in all earnestness. Two, the rights given to people under progressive environmental legislations such as 'Forest Rights Act' need to be respected, he added. Also, care should be taken that the ongoing process doesn't trigger complications in Assam's already volatile border dispute scenario with many of its neighbouring states, Deka said. Talking about alleged encroachments in inter-state border areas in Rengma, advocate Borthakur said that normally in border areas, the government settles people in the buffer zones so that no encroachment takes place from the opposite side. We can see such habitation in all border areas. Usually minorities, Gorkha and Bihari people, are settled in such locations, he added. Barua too supported his claim and said that in all the border areas with neighbouring states, usually people or communities originally from outside are settled. The indigenous people usually do not live there. People from communities like Adivasis, Gorkhas and minorities live in such areas, he added. The reserve forests witnessing recent evictions are along Assam-Nagaland border, where people from the neighbouring state had allegedly attempted to occupy land. The evicted people claimed that their previous generation was settled in the forest by the Golap Borbora government in 1978-79 and the AGP government, which came to power in 1985. Borthakur said, Without considering the historical background, carrying out an eviction is not appropriate. Legally, the government has the power, but the manner in which that power was exercised is not acceptable. It is inhuman and arbitrary. He also stressed that evicting people without rehabilitation is wrong. Echoing similar sentiments, Deka said, This is against all democratic norms and practices. Utterly inhumane. Even the Supreme Court judgement says that even pavement dwellers can not be evicted without rehabilitation.
Assam Man Found Dead, Wife And Daughter Plotted Murder, Gave Robbery Angle
A businessman was allegedly killed by his wife and teenage daughter in Assam's Dibrugarh. The case has shocked their neighbours in the district's Barbaruah neighbourhood.
7-Year-Old Runs After Ball, Falls Into Open Fire Safety Tank In Assam, Dies
A 7-year-old boy was found dead after falling into a deep uncovered fire safety tank in a housing complex in Assam's Dibrugarh today.
Assam CM lays foundation for Rs 65-cr administrative Hub in Dibrugarh
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma initiated a project in Dibrugarh. He laid the foundation for a Ministers Office, convention centre, and offices for key officials. This Rs 65 crore project aims to develop Dibrugarh as Assam's second capital. The new infrastructure will improve administrative outreach in Upper Assam.
NIA arrests two more in Guwahati IED case on Independence Day 2024
The NIA has apprehended Bhargob Gogoi and Sumu Gogoi, both from Dibrugarh, for their involvement in the ULFA-I's plot to detonate IEDs across Assam, including the Dispur Last Gate blast on Independence Day 2024. These arrests bring the total number of individuals in custody to three, as the investigation into the conspiracy widens.
Hydrocarbons found in Assam's Dibrugarh: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam achieves a milestone in energy security. The state government is now a direct oil producer. Oil India Limited discovered hydrocarbons in Namrup Borhat-1 well. The government holds a significant stake. Hydrocarbon presence is established in Kobochapori. Further studies are underway to assess commercial viability. Additional seismic surveys and drilling are planned. This ensures energy availability for the country.
AI Revenge Porn Shocker: Dibrugarh Police Arrest Man For Morphing Ex-Classmate's Photos
Once unknown outside her community, the victim suddenly found herself at the centre of a storm on social media platforms, where she was portrayed as a budding pornographic figure.
Assam woman defamed with AI-generated porn after fake link to adult film industry; engineer arrested
DIBRUGARH: A person has been arrested in Assam's Tinsukia district for allegedly morphing photographs and creating AI-generated pornographic videos of a woman and circulating those on social media, a senior police officer said on Sunday. Dibrugarh Senior Superintendent of Police (in-charge) Sizal Agarwal said a complaint was received from the victim on Saturday stating that morphed images and videos were being used to defame her. The victim had been in the spotlight for the last few weeks after her purported image with an adult film actor surfaced, with claims that the Assam woman has joined the adult film industry in the US. We received a complaint yesterday that the morphed and AI-generated photos and videos of the victim were being circulated on social media. The reference of an Instagram page was included with it, and when we searched for credentials of the page owner, we found a phone number which we traced to the accused, Agarwal said. The accused had used the image of the victim to generate several obscene content and pornographic materials using AI software. They have a past acquaintance, and he did it due to personal reasons, he added. The accused, a mechanical engineer by qualification, was arrested from Tinsukia on Saturday night, the SSP (in-charge) said. Agarwal said the crime, which initially started as a harassment tactic, continued when the accused began monetising the content. There was a subscription link to the adult content that he had posted, and people had to pay to access it. He earned about Rs 10 lakh through it. He kept on continuing the crime as he got greedy, though he had initiated it for harassing the woman, she said. The officer said multiple agencies will be involved in the investigation as digital evidence has to be examined, with the police seizing laptop, mobile phones, hard disk and other items from the accused. Agarwal also urged people to be careful while accessing online content and, have a closer look before circulating any information they receive on social media.
Centre aims 50k jobs for Northeast youth in maritime sector in over ten years
GUWAHATI: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on July 7, announced 50,000 jobs for the youth of the Northeast in the maritime sector over the next 10 years following training. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, he said the Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and the upcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh would aim to power this transformation. Stating that the CoE will be developed with an investment of Rs 200 crore, he said both centres were likely to generate 5,000 jobs annually. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has always envisioned how Yuva Shakti can bring about real transformation in the country. Our vision is to train, enable and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring meaningful employment and growth, Sonowal said. He further stated that Indias maritime sector went through a transformation over the past 11 years with record growth in cargo handling, capacity and coastal shipping. Major ports have nearly doubled their capacity while cruise tourism is rising with ambitious new terminals, he added. Key legislative and digital reforms, green shipping initiatives and projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are strengthening regional connectivity and trade. Indias ports are now globally competitive, with nine ranking in the World Banks top 100, and Visakhapatnam Port reaching the top 20, Sonowal said. He also said that from the historic growth in port capacity and cargo handling to pioneering green shipping, cruise tourism and skill development for the youth, achievements reflected the Modi governments unwavering commitment to make India a global maritime powerhouse and drive inclusive development across every coastal and riverine region. Sonowal also said the ministry undertook projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Northeasts inland waterways sector over the past two years, with Rs 300 crore works completed and Rs 700 crore slated for completion by 2025. Major initiatives include permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj and Badarpur; year-round fairway dredging; a new approach road to Pandu Port; heritage restoration in Dibrugarh; tourist jetties worth Rs 299 crore; skill development centres at Guwahati and Dibrugarh; and plans for lighthouses at Bogibeel, Biswanath Ghat, Silghat and Pandu, the minister said. To a query, he said the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project a strategic initiative to enhance connectivity between the Northeast and Myanmar is set to be fully operational by 2027.
Central Govt Targets 50,000 Maritime Jobs For Northeast Youth In Next 10 Years
Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silghat, Biswanath to get lighthouses doubling as weather centres and tourist spots
