Cong indulging in anti-national acts, wants illegal immigrants
PTI Namrup Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of engaging in anti-national activities and helping illegal Bagladeshi immigrants to settle in Assam. The PM, addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assams Dibrugarh district, also alleged that the Congress [] The post Cong indulging in anti-national acts, wants illegal immigrants appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Congress indulging in anti-national activities, wants illegal immigrants to settle in Assam: PM Modi
Addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assam's Dibrugarh, Modi also alleged that the Congress did not make any effort to modernise the old plant here, and find solutions to problems faced by farmers.
Congress settled illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Assam: PM Modi
Addressing a gathering in Dibrugarh district, the Prime Minister also criticised the grand old party for denying land rights to Assams tea plantation workers
PM Modi lays foundation stone of Rs 10,601 Cr ammonia-urea plant in Assam
Namrup: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 10,601-crore brownfield ammonia-urea plant in Dibrugarh district of Assam. The facility Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd (AVFCCL) will have an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, and the project is scheduled for commissioning in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Congress settled illegal Bangladeshi migrants to strengthen vote-bank, claims PM Modi in Assam
GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the Congress on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, accusing the party of settling and protecting them, while asserting that the BJP-led double-engine government was correcting decades of neglect and policy failures in Assam. Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for a Rs 10,601 crore brownfield ammonia-urea plant in Assams Dibrugarh, Modi further accused the Congress of promoting what he termed an anti-India agenda and remaining indifferent to the identity and aspirations of the Assamese people. The Congress has no concern for the identity of Assam and its people. They are interested only in power and doing things they did before, Modi said. Thats why, they like illegal Bangladeshi migrants more. The Congress had settled them and are saving them. This is the reason why the Congress is opposing the ongoing exercise to correct voters list, the Prime Minister added. Even now the Congress wants to settle Bangladeshis on Assams lands and forests to consolidate its vote bank. You get destroyed (in the process) but they are not bothered. They have to strengthen their vote-bank, Modi told the crowd. Stating that Assam has to be protected from the poison of appeasement and vote-bank politics, the Prime Minister assured the people that the BJP was standing firmly with them to protect the states identity and honour. The BJP prioritises every work that enhances Assams prestige. But when it does that, the Congress gets troubled the most. When our government conferred Bharat Ratna on Bhupen da (legendary singer-songwriter Bhupen Hazarika), the Congress had openly opposed it, Modi said, continuing his attack on the opposition party. He further stated that the Congress had once again opposed development when the BJP-led government established a semiconductor unit in Assam. Despite being in power for many decades, the Congress had denied land right to Assams tea garden community. The BJP government has given them land right as well as a dignified life. I am a chaiwalla; if I dont do it, who will? the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also accused the Congress of neglecting industrial infrastructure in the state, particularly fertiliser units, leading to repeated shutdowns and hardship for farmers and workers. Just think, why is work for the welfare of farmers only happening after the BJP government came to power? The technology in the old factories became outdated, and the Congress governments paid no attention to it. Many units of Namrup kept shutting down because of this, Modi said. He added that previous governments never attempted to resolve these long-standing issues. Congress never found a solution to this problem. They were nonchalant. Our double-engine government is solving those problems too that were created by the Congress, he said. Highlighting reforms in the fertiliser sector, Modi said urea production in the country had increased significantly over the last decade. They did such a terrible job that even after 11 years of hard work, I still have a lot of work left to do. In 2014, only 225 lakh metric tonne of urea was produced nationwide. After the hard work of the last 10-11 years, this production has risen to around 306 lakh metric tonne, he said. Calling the fertiliser project a major milestone, Modi described the day as historic for Assam and the Northeast. Today is a big day for Assam and the entire North-East. The dream that Namrup and Dibrugarh had been waiting for a long time is being fulfilled today. A new chapter of industrial progress is about to begin in this whole area. Before coming to Dibrugarh, a new terminal of the airport was inaugurated in Guwahati. Everyone is saying that Assam has caught on to a new pace of development. What you are experiencing right now is just the beginning, he said. The brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertiliser Project at Namrup, within the premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited (BVFCL), is expected to meet fertiliser requirements of Assam and neighbouring states, reduce import dependence, generate substantial employment and spur regional economic development. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said BVFCL, the oldest fertiliser unit in Northeast India, would undergo major expansion. To further increase its capacity, a fourth plant is set to be established at the Namrup site. Supported by the Government of India, the new plant is expected to be completed in the next five years, with a production capacity of 12.5 lakh metric tonnes per annum, Sonowal said. He added that the expansion would transform the facility into a major production hub for the Northeast and enable exports to neighbouring countries such as Bhutan and Myanmar, besides supplying West Bengal and Bihar. Meanwhile, the Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd will have an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, with the project scheduled for commissioning in 2030. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Paschim Boragaon, Guwahati, and paid homage to the martyrs of the Assam Movement. (WIth inputs from PTI, ANI)
Cong Indulging In Anti-National Activities, Wants Illegal Immigrants To Settle In Assam: PM
Namrup, Dec 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of engaging in anti-national activities and helping illegal Bagladeshi immigrants to settle in the state. Addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assams Dibrugarh, Modi also alleged that the Congress did not make any effort to modernise the old plant here, and find solutions to problems faced by farmers. The Congress is indulging in [] The post Cong Indulging In Anti-National Activities, Wants Illegal Immigrants To Settle In Assam: PM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
PM interacts with students aboard cruise ship on river Brahmaputra in Assam
GUWAHATI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning set sail on river Brahmaputra on a cruise ship, as he began his interaction with students during a 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' programme on the second day of his Assam visit. A total of 25 students from various schools of Assam are taking part in the event. Modi is scheduled to interact with the students for around 45 minutes aboard the three-deck 'M V Charaidew 2', officials said. He arrived at the Guwahati Gateway Terminal of the Inland Water Transport (IWT), inaugurated recently by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and moved to the ship along the floating bridge. Security has been heightened along the entire area with the River Police, NDRF and SDRF personnel patrolling the river since early morning, the officials said. Ferry services on river Brahmaputra have been suspended for two days since Saturday in the wake of Modi's visit. The students participating in the programme have been selected from schools in Kamrup Metropolitan, Morigaon, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Sribhumi, Baksa, Dima Hasao, Kokrajhar, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Nalbari districts. They represent government, residential and private schools, including the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, PM Shri schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Assam Jatiya Bidyalay, Don Bosco institutions, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, the officials said. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that the PM's visit to Kaziranga last year led to a surge in tourist footfalls, and the same is expected for river tourism. 'We expect the same catalytic effect on river tourism in Assam when the PM takes a cruise on the Brahmaputra for Pariksha pe Charcha,' he had said. 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' is held annually since 2018 to help students cope with examination pressure, and promote a balanced approach to learning and mental health. The initiative aims to reduce examination-related stress and encourage students to speak openly about academics, career aspirations, and mental well-being. During the programme, Modi interacts with students, offering valuable advice on tackling board and entrance exams in a calm and stress-free manner.
PM Modi to unveil Rs 10,600-crore fertiliser plant in Assam on Sunday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a major fertiliser plant in Dibrugarh, Assam. This Rs 10,600 crore project will boost fertiliser production for the Northeast region. It aims to reduce import dependence and create jobs. The plant is a significant step towards industrial revival and farmer welfare in Assam and neighbouring states.
Indias first nature-themed airport terminal to open in Guwahati, PM Modi to inaugurate on Saturday
GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday embark on a two-day visit to Assam, during which he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 15,600 crore. On December 20, he will inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokpriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, marking a transformative milestone in Assams connectivity, economic expansion and global engagement. Spread over nearly 1.4 lakh square metres, the terminal building is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually, supported by major upgrades to the runway, airfield systems, aprons and taxiways. Indias first nature-themed airport terminal, the airports design draws inspiration from Assams biodiversity and cultural heritage under the theme Bamboo Orchids. The terminal makes pioneering use of about 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo, complemented by Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, japi motifs, the iconic rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns reflecting the Kopou flower. A unique Sky Forest, featuring nearly one lakh plants of indigenous species, offers arriving passengers an immersive, forest-like experience. The terminal sets new benchmarks in passenger convenience and digital innovation. Features such as full-body scanners for fast, non-intrusive security screening, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations ensure seamless, secure and efficient journeys. On December 21, Modi will visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra to pay homage to the martyrs of the historic Assam Movement, a six-year-long peoples movement that embodied the collective resolve for a foreigner-free Assam and the protection of the states identity. Later in the day, the PM will perform bhoomi pujan of the new brownfield Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project at Namrup, Dibrugarh, within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited. Furthering the PMs vision of farmers welfare, the project, with an estimated investment of over Rs 10,600 crore, will meet fertilizer requirements of Assam and neighbouring states, reduce import dependence, generate substantial employment and catalyse regional economic development. It stands as a cornerstone of industrial revival and farmer welfare.
PM Modi condoles death of veteran Assam journalist PG Baruah
GUWAHATI: Prafulla Govinda Baruah, a doyen of journalism in Assam, passed away on Sunday night due to age-related ailments. He was 93. Baruah is survived by his wife and two daughters. Born in Dibrugarh in upper Assam, Baruah was a Padma Shri awardee and served as the editor of The Assam Tribune , founded by his father, the late Radha Govinda Baruah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among the leaders who mourned his demise. Saddened by the passing away of Shri PG Baruah ji, Editor and Managing Director of The Assam Tribune Group. He will be remembered for his contribution to the media world. He was also passionate about furthering Assams progress and popularising the states culture. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti, the Prime Minister posted on X. Chief Minister Sarma described Baruah as a towering figure in Assams journalistic landscape. His lifelong dedication to principled journalism and his immense contribution to literature, education and public life will always be cherished. Deepest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues and countless admirers, Sarma wrote on X.
The issue of poor quality National Highways was raised in the Parliament, particularly the NH-37 between Jorhat and Dibrugarh in Assam damaged after heavy rainfall
IWAI signs MoUs to enhance water transport and river tourism in the North East
A second MoU with the Government of Assam focuses on developing a water metro in Guwahati, Tezpur and Dibrugarh
Inter-district movement of live pigs banned in Assam amid African Swine Fever outbreak
GUWAHATI: The Assam government has banned inter-district movement of live pigs with immediate effect, amid an alarming rise in cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) across the state, officials said. Sale of pork has also been prohibited in seven districts, which have reported high concentrations of ASF cases, an order issued by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department said on Sunday. It said that ASF, with a 100 per cent mortality rate, has devastated the piggery industry in the state. ASF cases have been alarmingly rising across the state with no bound since January this year, with 297 epicentres reported, spreading to almost all districts with more concentration in seven of them, the order said. These seven districts are Dhemaji, Kamrup, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Darrang, Jorhat and Dibrugarh. The order said 84 epicentres were notified during the month of October alone. In view of the situation and under provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, the inter-district movement of live pigs in the state has been banned for the time being with immediate effect, and until further notice to prevent further spread of the disease, it added.
CHANDIGARH: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has retained the Tarn Taran assembly seat in Punjab, with its candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu defeating his nearest rival and Shiromani Akali Dal nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa by 12,091 votes. An independent candidate supported by the rebel Akali faction finished in third position, while the Congress and BJP trailed in the fourth and fifth positions respectively. Sandhu secured 42,649 votes against Randhawa's 30,558 after the completion of all 16 rounds of counting. Randhawa was leading in the first three rounds of counting before Sandhu took over and maintained a steady lead. The bypoll was seen as a litmus test for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling AAP. With todays win, the party has won six of the seven bypolls held in the state since it came to power in March 2022. Tarn Taran falls within Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency which is represented by Amrit Pal Singh who has been booked under the National Security Act and is lodged at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam. The Akali Dal had fielded Randhawa, a retired principal having the family legacy of Dharmi Fauji, referring to those who had abandoned the defence services and fought against the Army during Operation Blue Star. Independent candidate Mandeep Singh was in the third spot with 19,620 votes. He was the joint candidate of the Amritpal Singh-led party Waris Punjab De (WPD) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Punarsurjit). Mandeep is the brother of Sandeep Singh Sunny, an accused in the murder of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri. Sunny is currently lodged in the Sangrur jail and had hit the headlines recently for assaulting former police officers, convicted in fake encounter cases, in Patiala jail. Political observers said that the tough fight given by Randhawa testified that the rebel Akali faction has failed to loosen the SADs Panthic grip. Karanbir Singh Burj of the Congress came fourth with 15,078 votes and Harjit Singh Sandhu of the BJP was a distant fifth with 6,239 votes. While Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini along with the top brass of the party both at the state and central level campaigned for him, Sandhu failed to make an impact in the bypoll. There were celebrations at AAP offices in Tarn Taran and Chandigarh with party workers dancing to dhol beats and bursting firecrackers to celebrate the victory. Meanwhile, taking a dig at the Punjab Police, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote on X, I congratulate @DGPPunjabPolice Gaurav Yadav and his team comprising State Intelligence Chief PK Sinha, CP Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, DIG Ferozepur range Harmanbir Singh, SSPs of Tarntaran, Amritsar (Rural), Batala and Moga districts for ensuring the victory of Punjab Police candidate Harmeet Sandhu in the Tarn Taran bye election. God save democracy! A total of 15 candidates were in the fray. The Tarn Taran seat fell vacant after the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June.
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
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.
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.
Assam government extends AFSPA in Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar districts for six months
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was extended for six more months in Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar districts of Assam from October 1, following a state government recommendation. This extension occurred despite significant law-and-order improvements, due to sporadic ULFA incidents and NSCN activities. Meanwhile, AFSPA was removed from Dibrugarh, and the state cabinet had recommended its complete withdrawal.
