Guwahati

Meghalaya: Rahul Gandhi likely to visit Shillong in December to meet students

Guwahati: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Shillong in December to interact with students on educational issues and unemployment, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent Pala said on Saturday. Pala said he had formally requested Gandhi to hold a town hall-style meeting focusing on examination irregularities, [] The post Meghalaya: Rahul Gandhi likely to visit Shillong in December to meet students appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Assam Police apprehends 25 suspected infiltrators: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Police apprehends 25 suspected infiltrators: Himanta Biswa Sarma Guwahati: The Assam Police apprehended 25 suspected illegal infiltrators attempting to enter India through the international border and turned them back to their place of origin, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, reiterating the state governments commitment to preventing illegal infiltration. In a post on social [] The post Assam Police apprehends 25 suspected infiltrators: Himanta Biswa Sarma appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Navi Mumbai International Airport adds 9 destinations: Check new routes to Agatti, Guwahati, Udaipur and more

Navi Mumbai International Airport has added nine domestic destinations, including Agatti via Goa-Mopa, Guwahati, Udaipur and Jodhpur. The expansion comes as the airport reports over 35.88 lakh passengers since starting commercial operations.

Tripura: Delhi Court remands Amir Shokeen to five-day police custody over alleged racial abuse

Guwahati: A Delhi court has remanded content creator Amir Shokeen to five days of police custody in connection with an alleged incident of racial abuse and humiliation involving a youth from Tripura. Investigators are planning to take him to Ahmedabad to identify other people suspected of involvement in the case. Delhi Police arrested Shokeen on [] The post Tripura: Delhi Court remands Amir Shokeen to five-day police custody over alleged racial abuse appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Supreme Court says unprotected water bodies cannot be overlooked, orders wetland verification

Guwahati: The Supreme Court has stressed that courts cannot overlook the failure to protect vital water bodies, directing states and relevant authorities to physically verify and demarcate wetlands. A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi observed that water bodies are precious resources as they serve as sources of drinking water and their [] The post Supreme Court says unprotected water bodies cannot be overlooked, orders wetland verification appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Assam govt hospital performs states first liver transplant

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 24 (IANS) Assam has achieved a major milestone in public healthcare with the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) performing the first liver transplant in a government hospital in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday. In a post on X, Sarma said a 48-year-old man from Kamrup Metropolitan district underwent the 16-hour-long surgery, during which he received a portion of his liver from his younger sister. Both the donor and recipient are recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under close medical supervision, he added. Congratulating the medical team involved in the procedure, the Chief Minister described the achievement as a significant step towards strengthening Assam's public healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to advanced, life-saving treatment within the state. Assam is building a public healthcare system that matches the best in the country, and today we crossed another milestone, Sarma said in his post. He said the state government had launched its Liver Transplantation programme in 2025 with the objective of making complex medical procedures available in government hospitals, reducing the need for patients to travel outside Assam for specialised treatment. According to the Chief Minister, the successful procedure demonstrated that the initiative was beginning to deliver results and marked an important development in the state's efforts to expand tertiary healthcare services. Sarma also outlined the government's broader plans to strengthen specialised treatment facilities across Assam. These include the development of a statewide cancer care network, the introduction of bone marrow transplantation services at GMCH and the proposed establishment of a proton beam therapy unit in Guwahati. The proposed facility, he said, would be India's first proton beam therapy unit in the public sector, potentially expanding access to advanced cancer treatment through government healthcare infrastructure. The Chief Minister said the government was working towards positioning Assam as a major healthcare destination in eastern India, with improved facilities intended to serve patients from within the state and neighbouring regions. Our goal is clear: Assam will be the healthcare hub of Eastern India. Patients will no longer leave Assam for treatment; they will come to Assam for it, Sarma said. The successful liver transplant is expected to strengthen confidence in the capacity of Assam's public medical institutions to undertake complex procedures and expand the range of specialised healthcare services available to patients within the state.

Assam CM highlights canopy bridge initiative on World Gibbon Day

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 24 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday highlighted the state's efforts to protect the endangered Hoolock Gibbon, India's only native ape species, stressing the importance of wildlife conservation and human-animal coexistence. Marking World Gibbon Day, Sarma said the Hoolock Gibbon occupied a special place in Assam's natural heritage and called for collective efforts to safeguard its future. In a post on X, the Chief Minister shared his experience of seeing a gibbon use a canopy bridge constructed at Hollongapar to help the primates cross a railway track safely. Describing the sight as encouraging, Sarma underscored the importance of science-led conservation measures in reducing the risks faced by wildlife due to human infrastructure and habitat fragmentation. At Hollongapar, seeing a gibbon use the canopy bridge built to help it cross the railway track safely was a heartening moment, he said. The canopy bridge initiative is aimed at providing arboreal animals with a safer passage across railway infrastructure, allowing them to move through the tree canopy instead of descending to ground level, where they may face potential dangers from trains and other human activities. Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Jorhat district is known for its population of Hoolock Gibbons. The primates depend heavily on continuous forest canopies for movement, foraging and survival, making habitat connectivity an important aspect of their conservation. The Chief Minister also emphasised the cultural and emotional connection between local communities and the state's wildlife, saying that conservation efforts must go hand in hand with fostering coexistence between people and animals. Every small step towards coexistence brings us closer to a future where Assam's people and wildlife thrive together, Sarma said. The Hoolock Gibbon, belonging to the family of lesser apes, is an important component of the biodiversity of Northeast India. Habitat loss, fragmentation and other human-induced pressures remain significant challenges for its long-term survival. Conservation initiatives such as canopy bridges, habitat protection and community participation are considered important in ensuring safe movement for arboreal species. Sarma's remarks on World Gibbon Day highlighted Assam's stated commitment to protecting its rich biodiversity while promoting practical measures to minimise the impact of development on wildlife habitats.

MBBS fee hike small compared to private colleges: Assam Health Minister

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 24 (IANS) Assam Health Minister Ashok Singhal on Saturday defended the state government's decision to increase MBBS course fees, arguing that the revised charges remained considerably lower than the cost of medical education at private institutions. He said the new fee structure had been linked to students' annual family income to ensure that medical education remained accessible to economically weaker sections. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Singhal said students pursuing medical education at private institutions could end up paying around Rs 40 lakh, while the increase introduced by the state government was relatively modest. Yes, the fees have been increased. Why? Because it was a decision of the government. In private institutes, people are paying Rs 40 lakh for it. We have made a very small increase, the minister said. Under the revised fee structure, MBBS students belonging to families with an annual income exceeding Rs 9 lakh will have to pay Rs 1 lakh per year. Those from families earning between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 9 lakh annually will pay Rs 50,000, while students whose family income is below Rs 4 lakh will be charged Rs 5,000 annually. The income-based arrangement is intended to differentiate the financial burden on students according to their family's economic circumstances, with the lowest fee applicable to those from the poorest households. The decision comes amid wider concerns over the affordability of medical education and the need to expand access to professional courses in Assam, where the development of medical infrastructure is also crucial to strengthening healthcare delivery. Separately, Singhal highlighted the government's efforts to make specialised medical treatment more affordable for patients, particularly those suffering from kidney-related ailments. He said Assam witnessed around 33 to 34 kidney transplants last year, with the cost of each procedure ranging between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. According to the minister, the expenses were covered through the Pradhan Mantri Arogya Nidhi and Mukhya Mantri Arogya Nidhi schemes. Singhal further said more than 30 new dialysis centres had been opened across the state during the past three months, expanding treatment facilities for patients requiring regular dialysis. The minister's remarks underscored the government's stated focus on balancing medical education costs with affordable access to specialised healthcare, even as the revised MBBS fees are likely to remain a subject of public discussion.

Arunachal: Pema Khandu condemns vandalism after SUMP protest in Pasighat

Guwahati: Several properties, including the residences of two MLAs, the Arunachal Pradesh BJP president and public establishments, were vandalised and looted in Pasighat following a 12-hour bandh called to oppose the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Saturday. According to Khandu, the incidents continued until around 3.30 am on October [] The post Arunachal: Pema Khandu condemns vandalism after SUMP protest in Pasighat appeared first on NorthEast Now .

New plant species in Arunachal named after CM Pema Khandu

Guwahati: Botanists have identified two new flowering plant species in Arunachal Pradeshs Changlang district, with one named after Chief Minister Pema Khandu in recognition of his contribution to the states development and scientific activities. The newly described species, Ophiorrhiza shidiensis and Ophiorrhiza pemae, were discovered in the Vijoynagar valley and documented in a research paper [] The post New plant species in Arunachal named after CM Pema Khandu appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Arunachal: Protesters vandalise BJP state president

Guwahati: Protesters vandalized the residences of Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Kaling Moyong and Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang in Pasighat on Saturday, amid escalating tensions over the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The incidents followed violence during a 12-hour bandh on Friday, when demonstrators reportedly set fire to an NHPC office in Pasighat. The [] The post Arunachal: Protesters vandalise BJP state presidents, MLAs houses over Siang dam project appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Meghalaya: ASPF seeks regular BDO for Songsak, flags alleged threats and work irregularities

Guwahati: The Achik State Peoples Front (ASPF) has backed a joint complaint by Village Employment Councils (VECs) of Songsak Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Block in East Garo Hills, seeking the immediate posting of a regular Block Development Officer (BDO) and an inquiry into alleged administrative and financial irregularities. In a representation to the Commissioner [] The post Meghalaya: ASPF seeks regular BDO for Songsak, flags alleged threats and work irregularities appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Indigenous knowledge unlocks secrets of Mishimi Takin in Arunachal Pradesh

Guwahati: Indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh have helped researchers uncover the seasonal movements, habitat use and congregation patterns of the Mishmi Takin, a vulnerable mountain ungulate found in the Eastern Himalayas. A study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science has found that traditional ecological knowledge held by the Idu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi, Miju Mishmi and [] The post Indigenous knowledge unlocks secrets of Mishimi Takin in Arunachal Pradesh appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Congress demands PM Modi

Guwahati: The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain the situation along the India-China border in Parliament following reports of continuing confrontations between the two countries troops in Arunachal Pradesh. The party has also sought an all-party briefing and answers on Indias access to border patrol areas. The demand came on Friday, October [] The post Congress demands PM Modis statement on reported China border face-offs in Arunachal appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Assam: Usha Mangeshkar to receive Bhupen Hazarika Award at centenary celebrations

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 23 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that veteran playback singer Usha Mangeshkar will be conferred the Bhupen Hazarika Award during the centenary celebrations of the legendary Assamese singer-composer in New Delhi on November 29. Addressing the media after a state Cabinet meeting, Sarma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the commemorative programme, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and will be presented to Mangeshkar in recognition of her contribution to Indian music, the Chief Minister announced. The event is part of the celebrations marking the 100th birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika, one of India's most celebrated cultural icons, whose music, poetry and compositions transcended linguistic and regional boundaries. Born on September 8, 1926, in Sadiya in Assam, Hazarika was widely known as Sudhakantha, or the nightingale, for his distinctive voice and powerful musical expression. His songs often addressed themes of humanity, social justice, equality, communal harmony and the lives of ordinary people. Hazarika played a pivotal role in taking Assamese music and culture to a wider national and international audience. Drawing inspiration from Assamese folk traditions, he created music that resonated with people across India and beyond. His celebrated compositions, including songs reflecting the struggles of the common people and the unity of humanity, continue to hold a special place in India's cultural landscape. Hazarika was honoured with several prestigious awards during his lifetime, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992, India's highest recognition in cinema. He was also conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2012. In 2019, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. The centenary celebrations are expected to highlight Hazarika's enduring contribution to music, cinema and literature, while reaffirming his legacy as a cultural ambassador of Assam and the Northeast. The participation of the Prime Minister in the Delhi programme is also expected to bring national prominence to the centenary celebrations of the legendary artiste.

NMIA adds nine new destinations to boost connectivity to tourism hubs

The new destinations are Agatti, via Goa-Mopa, Darbhanga, Guwahati, Jalgaon, Jodhpur, Ranchi, Bagdogra, Sindhudurg and Udaipur. The routes are expected to improve access to tourism, heritage and regional economic centres across western, northern, eastern and north-eastern India

Nagaland United Sports Club to make debut in Indian Football League

Guwahati: Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC), based in Chmoukedima, will become Nagalands first representative in the Indian Football League (IFL) when it begins its debut campaign on October 30 in the national second-tier tournament. NUSC will play its opening match of the 2026-27 season against Real Kashmir at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar. Chief Minister [] The post Nagaland United Sports Club to make debut in Indian Football League appeared first on NorthEast Now .

ISL 2026/27: Odisha FC look to regain momentum in clash with NorthEast United

Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 (IANS) With just one point from two games, Odisha FC will look to secure their first win of the Indian Super League (ISL)_2026-27 season when they host NorthEast United FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. The Highlanders have won both their opening matches to sit at the top of the standings, while Odisha have collected just one point from their first two games. The fixture brings back memories of their previous meeting in March, when Odisha registered a 4-1 victory, with Rahul K.P. scoring twice and Subham Bhattacharya finding the net on his debut. However, head coach TG Purushothaman expects a different challenge against a NorthEast United side that has built strong combinations over the past few seasons. It will be a tough match for us. They are a well-gelled team. They have been playing together for two to three years. Their understanding and combinations are good, Purushothaman said. The Odisha coach stressed the importance of handling expectations and giving his teams best effort, saying, We have to go without pressure; pressure won't give you anything, it will give you all the negative things. We have to overcome the pressure and we have to find a way on how we need to perform well in a positive way. NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Benali played down the significance of his sides position at the top of the early standings, urging his players not to underestimate Odisha FC. Reflecting on last seasons defeat in Guwahati, he said, Last season, everybody underestimated Odisha, and they beat us here. We don't want to make the same mistake. He added, Every game is a new story, new tactics, new everything. If you think the last game means you will win the next one, you're mistaken. Benali also praised forward Parthib Gogois team-first attitude after he featured for only a few minutes in his 100th appearance for the club, highlighting the importance of collective progress over individual milestones. NorthEast United will be without defender Asheer Akhtar, who is sidelined with a broken rib. Benali confirmed that Asheer could return to training next week. Meanwhile, Odisha's new signing Stephen Eze remains unfazed by the growing home expectations. The fans will be here; there are too many expectations. I am just focused on the game. No pressure. I will do what I can do best to help my team. The hosts will look to make home advantage count as they seek to turn their performances into points.

Arunachal: Five women hospitalised after police use tear gas on anti-dam protesters

Guwahati: Police reportedly used tear gas against anti-dam protesters in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday during a 12-hour bandh against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Five women were taken to hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties. Police alleged that some protesters tried to breach barricades and attack security personnel. The clash began around 7 am near [] The post Arunachal: Five women hospitalised after police use tear gas on anti-dam protesters appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Arunachal border row: ITBP chief

Guwahati: A political controversy erupted on Friday after a video of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief Shatrujeet Kapur referring to an ongoing face-off at multiple locations in Arunachal Pradesh surfaced online, prompting the Congress to accuse the Narendra Modi government of remaining silent on the issue. The ITBP, which guards and patrols the Line of [] The post Arunachal border row: ITBP chiefs remarks prompt Congress to question governments silence appeared first on NorthEast Now .

DLRS Assam Land Record Assistant Recruitment 2026 - Last Date Extended for 579 Posts

DLRS Assam is recruiting for 579 Land Record Assistant posts. This recruitment is open only to candidates who have already completed the 6-month Recorders Certificate Class Course (RCCC) Training at the Assam Survey & Settlement Training Centre, Dakhingaon, Guwahati, and have been declared proficient in both Survey and Settlement subjects by an official result declared by the Director of Land Records & Surveys, prior to 13.08.2026. Candidates must be aged 2140 years as on 01.01.2026. Online applications are reopen from 11:00 AM on 21.10.2026 to 5:00 PM on 31.10.2026, via sebaonline.org.

Drug cartels trying to incite violence in Northeast to revive smuggling networks: Intel

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Fresh Intelligence inputs suggest that there are attempts being made to incite widespread violence in several northeastern states with an intention to enhance drug trade in the region. Recent actions by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have dented the operations of the drug cartels largely and this explains why certain elements are trying to incite violence. An Intelligence Bureau official said that several states in the region remain vulnerable to violence. The idea is to break the security chain so that drugs can flow freely into the region and then be smuggled across other parts of the country, the official said. Despite several challenges such as operations on rugged terrains and riverine areas, the security agencies have managed to largely contain major drug operations that emanate out of Myanmar. This has led to operations by the cartels being hampered, the official said. An official said that peace is a major deterrent for drug operations. The security agencies remain completely focussed on tackling drug related issues and smuggling. However when peace is disrupted, the focus of the security agencies completely shifts and this gives drug cartels the window to bring in narcotics and then supply them in several other parts of the country, the official said. The Modi government had taken the initiative to make India drug free. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has emphasised on numerous occasions that the war on drugs would be taken to its logical conclusion. There are multiple agencies working together and in the last year have achieved immense success in putting down drug operations from Pakistan, Myanmar and also South Indian states. The Intelligence agencies warn that these cartels are desperately trying to break the morale of the security agencies. This can be achieved by ensuring that their focus completely shifts to domestic issues. The idea is to run disinformation campaigns while trying to incite tensions, the official said. The end goal is to ensure that the whole of northeast burns. Another official said that violence in the northeast is never good news. There are several elements across the border waiting to capitalise on the same. This helps them not just in smuggling narcotics, but also supplying arms and ammunition, while also pushing in illegal immigrants and terrorists into the region, the official said. Drugs such as heroine and Yaba which is a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine are pumped in large numbers into the region. These drugs form the backbone of the Myanmar based cartels. With supplies being hit largely due to conducive action by the Indian security agencies, these cartels are getting desperate. They would look to use every tool at their disposal to ensure that the supply chains and routes function properly, officials say. Officials say that this is a critical time for the security agencies. While there are attempts to run disinformation campaigns to incite violence, these cartels would also look to exploit the upcoming elections in Manipur slated for 2027. In an election year, the biggest push by such cartels is usually made as the security agencies are busy ensuring a peaceful and fair conduct of the elections. In such times, cartels, terror groups and other smugglers will try and take advantage of the lax security situation to go about their business. The recent NCB bust in which Yaba tablets worth Rs 50 crore was seized dealt a major blow to the Myanmar drug syndicate. Two operatives were arrested from Guwahati. The NCB has prepared a list of absconding accused and has launched a manhunt for them. Such actions have become more frequent and this has been causing major problems for the drug cartels. They are desperate to put things back on track and hence would plan some misadventure in the Northeast, an official said.

Assam govt targets 3.49 lakh KCC accounts under farmer loan resolution plan

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 23 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday highlighted his governments initiatives to strengthen agricultural credit and improve farmers access to institutional finance, asserting that farmers remain at the centre of its vision for a prosperous and self-reliant state. In a post on X, CM Sarma said the government was working towards creating greater opportunities for farmers by strengthening agricultural credit and expanding access to finance, enabling them to contribute more effectively to Assams development. Assams farmers are at the heart of our vision for a more prosperous, self reliant state, the Chief Minister said. The post highlighted a farmer loan resolution framework under which 3.49 lakh Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts have been targeted for coverage. According to the figures shared in the accompanying information graphic, loans worth Rs 1,741.15 crore have been covered under the initiative. The framework seeks to help eligible farmers resolve overdue loans and regain access to institutional credit. The loan resolution costs are to be shared among the government, farmers and banks, according to the information released alongside the Chief Ministers post. The Kisan Credit Card scheme is designed to provide farmers with timely access to credit for agricultural and allied activities, helping them meet cultivation expenses and other farm-related requirements. Addressing farmers financial difficulties is considered important for improving their access to formal banking channels and reducing dependence on informal sources of borrowing. Restoring credit eligibility can also help farmers secure funds for subsequent agricultural seasons. The Chief Ministers post also highlighted three broad priorities for farmer welfare -- better credit, improved infrastructure and better opportunities. These measures, the government indicated, are aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and improving livelihood prospects in rural areas. Assams agricultural sector supports a substantial section of the states population, making access to affordable credit and improved rural infrastructure important components of its development agenda. The initiative comes amid efforts to strengthen farmers financial inclusion and improve their ability to sustain agricultural activities. However, the governments post did not specify the timeline for covering all 3.49 lakh targeted KCC accounts or provide a district-wise breakdown of the beneficiaries.

16 dead, 32 injured after 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes Tibet

Guwahati: A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Chinas Tibet late Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 32, after houses collapsed and power and telecommunications services were disrupted, state news agency Xinhua reported, citing local authorities. The earthquake struck at 10:33 pm local time on October 22, with its epicentre in a mountainous area about 190 kilometres east-northeast [] The post 16 dead, 32 injured after 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes Tibet appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Drums fall silent, festive memories linger in Guwahati

Seven shades of golden cat found in Arunachal, study reveals

Guwahati: A new study has documented seven distinct coat colour forms of the elusive Asiatic golden cat in Arunachal Pradeshs West Kameng district, making the region a significant hotspot of colour diversity in the Eastern Himalaya. The findings, based on camera-trap surveys, also record three colour forms in Sikkims Teesta basin and add to scientific [] The post Seven shades of golden cat found in Arunachal, study reveals appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Banking fraud hits public sector bank stocks harder, Nagaland University study finds

Guwahati: Banking fraud announcements trigger sharper stock market losses for public sector banks than their private sector counterparts, according to a study by researchers from Nagaland University and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya Tulungia, Assam. The study found that ownership structure, institutional credibility and bank size influence how investors respond to financial misconduct. It also [] The post Banking fraud hits public sector bank stocks harder, Nagaland University study finds appeared first on NorthEast Now .

New flowering plant species discovered in Assam

Guwahati: Researchers have identified a new flowering plant species in Manas National Park, adding to the regions botanical diversity and highlighting the ecological importance of its grasslands. The plant, named Osbeckia assamensis, belongs to the Melastomataceae family and has been described by Barnali Das and Professor Namita Nath, botanists from Gauhati University, in a study [] The post New flowering plant species discovered in Assams Manas National Park appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Boyfriend held after womans body found in Guwahati flat, sent to 5-day cop custody

Assam Guv briefs HM Amit Shah on youth outreach, drug-free Bharat initiatives

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 22 (IANS) Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Thursday met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and briefed him on various initiatives undertaken by Lok Bhavan to promote patriotism, national responsibility and self-reliance among the youth. During the meeting, the Governor extended his greetings to Union Minister Shah on the occasion of Vijayadashami and conveyed birthday wishes to the Union Minister. According to an official statement, Acharya apprised Union Minister Shah of Lok Bhavan's efforts to strengthen the spirit of 'Nation First' among young people and encourage their active participation in nation-building. The Governor also highlighted initiatives undertaken in line with the objectives of the Centre's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, including awareness campaigns across Assam to combat substance abuse and promote a healthier society. These efforts are aligned with the broader national vision of building a healthy and developed India, the statement said. Acharya also briefed the Union Home Minister on the initiative 'Namo Matrubhoomi: Rashtriya Suraksha avam Swavalamban Sankalp Saptah', which aims to raise awareness about national security, encourage self-reliance, promote a drug-free society and instill a sense of duty towards the country among young people. Emphasising the importance of sustained public participation in nation-building, the Governor sought union Minister Shah's guidance on strengthening the implementation of these programmes and expanding their reach and impact, particularly among the youth. The interaction also highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts in youth empowerment, national security, self-reliance and inclusive development, especially in Assam's border regions. The Governor stressed that people-centric initiatives play a crucial role in fostering national consciousness and collective responsibility among citizens. He reiterated that such programmes are intended to motivate young people to contribute meaningfully to the country's development while strengthening the foundations of a secure, self-reliant and developed India. The meeting comes amid continued efforts to engage young people in nation-building activities and promote awareness about national priorities, including social responsibility, public health and security. Officials said the initiatives seek to encourage citizens, particularly the younger generation, to embrace their responsibilities towards society and the nation.

Himalayan yak herders from India, Bhutan, Nepal unite to tackle climate pressures

Guwahati: Yak-herding communities from India, Bhutan and Nepal will launch the first regional network dedicated to Himalayan yak herders on October 23, aiming to strengthen cross-border cooperation amid declining yak populations, shrinking pastures and the growing impact of climate change. The Himalayan Yak Herders Network will be launched at Bhutans ninth Royal Highland Festival. It [] The post Himalayan yak herders from India, Bhutan, Nepal unite to tackle climate pressures appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Harry Brook Breaks Shubman Gill's Huge World ODI Record, Scripts History For England

Harry Brook's effort was two balls less than Shubman Gill's record of 116 balls which the Indian made against West Indies at Guwahati last month.

Meghalaya: ED office targeted in fresh petrol bomb attack in Shillong

Guwahati: Two masked men riding a motorcycle allegedly threw a petrol bomb at the building housing Meghalayas Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Shillong early Thursday, October 22. Police said this was the second reported attack on a government establishment in the city in two days. The incident occurred at the ED premises in Shillongs Langkyrding [] The post Meghalaya: ED office targeted in fresh petrol bomb attack in Shillong appeared first on NorthEast Now .

IIT Guwahati Project Research Scientist I Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), Research and Development Section, has invited eligible candidates to attend a Walk-in Interview for the post of Project Research Scientist - 1. The walk-in interview will be held on 05 November 2026 at N-block, Meeting room, BSBE Dept., IIT Guwahati. Candidates should report at 10:00 AM. Further details are available at iitg.ac.in.

Arunachal: 23.4 lakh trees at risk as NHPC seeks forest clearance for Kamala hydroelectric project

Guwahati: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has sought approval from the Union Environment Ministry to divert 3,278 hectares of forest land in Arunachal Pradesh for its proposed 1,720 MW Kamala hydroelectric project, a move that could lead to the felling of 23.4 lakh trees. The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union Environment Ministry is [] The post Arunachal: 23.4 lakh trees at risk as NHPC seeks forest clearance for Kamala hydroelectric project appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Tripura Students Forum seeks FIR over alleged racial abuse, assault of youth in Delhi

Guwahati: The Tripura Students Forum Delhi (TSFD) has approached the Delhi Police seeking registration of an FIR and an impartial investigation into allegations of sexual assault, racial harassment and public humiliation involving a person from Tripura in a viral social media video. The complaint was submitted to the Joint Commissioner of Police heading the Special [] The post Tripura Students Forum seeks FIR over alleged racial abuse, assault of youth in Delhi appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Assam Minor Girl Rescued From Tamil Nadu After 15 Days, Accused Arrested

Guwahati, Oct 22: A minor girl from Mahimari village in Assams South Kamrup district, who had allegedly been abducted, was rescued in Tamil Nadu after 15 days. Police confirmed that Abdul Mannan, a resident of Chautara, was arrested in Hosur in connection with the case. Authorities stated that Mannan allegedly enticed the girl with the... The post Assam Minor Girl Rescued From Tamil Nadu After 15 Days, Accused Arrested appeared first on Northeast Today .

Meghalaya: James Sangma urges Delhi Police to probe alleged racial harassment of Tripura youth

Guwahati: Meghalaya Rajya Sabha MP James P. K. Sangma has urged Delhi Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) and investigate the alleged racial harassment of a youth from Tripura in a viral video involving content creator Amir Shokeen. In a letter dated October 20 to Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, Sangma said the [] The post Meghalaya: James Sangma urges Delhi Police to probe alleged racial harassment of Tripura youth appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Guwahati immersion begins at 7 ghats, to continue today

Mizoram: Former home secretary H Lalengmawia sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner

Guwahati: Former Mizoram home secretary H Lalengmawia was sworn in as the states Chief Information Commissioner on October 21. Governor Vijay Kumar Singh administered the oath of office at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Aizawl in the presence of Public Works Department Minister Vanlalhlana, Leader of Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte and other dignitaries. Lalengmawia [] The post Mizoram: Former home secretary H Lalengmawia sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Two Subterranean Fish Species Discovered In Assam

Guwahati, Oct 21: Two previously unknown subterranean fish species have been discovered in wells in Assams Goalpara district, according to state Environment and Forests Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah. Scientists have identified Gitchak nakana, a small, transparent, blind loach, and Rakthamichthys anchi, a transparent, eel-like fish. The discovery marks a notable addition to biodiversity research, highlighting... The post Two Subterranean Fish Species Discovered In Assams Goalpara District first appeared on Northeast Today .

Vijaya Dashami Symbolises New Beginnings, Says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, Oct 21: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the significance of Vijaya Dashami as a festival of renewal and victory, linking its spirit to opportunities for youth empowerment. In a message shared on social media, Sarma described the day as a celebration of Goddess Durgas triumph over Mahishasura, symbolising the victory of good... The post Vijaya Dashami Symbolises New Beginnings, Says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma first appeared on Northeast Today .

Guwahati's 'Naglok' Theme Durga Puja Draws Record Crowd

The unique concept has drawn large crowds, with visitors expressing excitement and admiration for the elaborate decorations and creative presentation.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Pays Homage To Police Martyrs On Police Commemoration Day

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday paid homage to police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty during the Police Commemoration Day programme held at the Police Memorial in Guwahati. Addressing the gathering, Sarma emphasized the nations collective remembrance of the sacrifices made by officers and jawans, noting that Assam... The post Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Pays Homage To Police Martyrs On Police Commemoration Day first appeared on Northeast Today .

Eviction Drives Clear 638 Hectares Of Encroached Land In Three Districts, Says Assam CM

Guwahati, Oct 21: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that encroachment on more than 638 hectares of land across three districts has been cleared in recent eviction drives. The operations, carried out in Golaghat, Hojai, and Nagaon, targeted forest areas that had been illegally occupied. Sarma, in a social media post, described the action... The post Eviction Drives Clear 638 Hectares Of Encroached Land In Three Districts, Says Assam CM first appeared on Northeast Today .

Assam: Woman Found Dead In Guwahati Apartment, ICICI Bank Manager Detained

The body of Dolly Kashyap, a young woman from Sualkuchi in Assam, was recovered from her rented apartment at Neha Apartment in Guwahatis Hengrabari area on Tuesday, October 20. Kashyap, who reportedly worked at an insurance company, was found dead inside her rented accommodation. Following the discovery, Dispur Police reached the spot and launched an... The post Assam: Woman Found Dead In Guwahati Apartment, ICICI Bank Manager Detained first appeared on Northeast Today .

Guwahati to Host Eight-Day Shilpa Samagam Mela 2026 Starting October 21

The Shilpa Samagam Mela 2026 in Guwahati will showcase traditional crafts and empower artisans from across India. Guwahati to Host Eight-Day Shilpa Samagam Mela 2026 Starting October 21

Over hundred people gather in front of Assam Secretariat to press for

Guwahati, Oct 20: More than a hundred people from all walks of life gathered in front of the Assam secretariat here on Tuesday to form a human chain to press the demand for punishment of those responsible for singer Zubeen Gargs death in Singapore last year. The police, however, prevented them from holding a demonstration [] The post Over hundred people gather in front of Assam Secretariat to press for justice for Zubeen first appeared on Highland Post .

APSC Research Assistant Interview Schedule 2026 - Check Date, Reporting Time, Venue

Assam PSC has announced the interview/viva-voce for Research Assistant under Finance (Budget) Department (Advt. No. 28/2025) on 30/10/2026 at 9:00 AM in Guwahati. Check the venue, intimation letter date, documents required in original and important instructions.

Asian Para Games: Himanshu Nandal clinches bronze in mens 400m freestyle S11

Digital Desk | Nagoya, Oct 20 (IANS) Indian swimmer Himanshu Nandal clinched the bronze medal in the mens 400m freestyle S11 event at the Asian Para Games here on Tuesday, clocking five minutes and 10.91 seconds to secure a podium finish in a four-swimmer field. The 22-year-old from Rohtak, Haryana, added another achievement to his growing para-swimming career, demonstrating his endurance in the pool after narrowly missing out on a medal in his previous event. Nandal had finished fourth in the mens 100m backstroke S11 competition on Monday. Born blind due to optic nerve failure, Nandal has steadily established himself as one of Indias promising visually impaired swimmers. The S11 classification is designated for athletes with near-total visual impairment, making his latest performance a significant addition to his competitive journey. Nandals sporting career began outside the swimming pool. He initially pursued judo, winning medals at national-level competitions before switching to swimming in 2021. The transition soon proved fruitful, with his performances at domestic championships marking him out as a swimmer to watch. At the 2022 National Championships in Udaipur, Nandal won two gold medals and set a national record in the 100m freestyle S11 event, completing the race in 1 minute and 17 seconds. Later that year, he continued his impressive run at the championships in Guwahati, winning three more gold medals and setting national records. His progress subsequently extended to the international stage. After receiving international classification in the S11 category in 2023, Nandal represented India at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. In 2024, he became the first Indian blind swimmer to achieve the Minimum Qualification Standard for the Paris Paralympics, underlining his growing stature in the sport. He further tested himself against the worlds best at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, where he reached two finals. Meanwhile, Indias Ravi Karthik Budigina finished fifth in the mens 400m freestyle S13 event in 5:41.70. Budigina had won silver in the mens 100m freestyle S13 event on Monday. The S13 classification covers eligible swimmers with vision impairment who have comparatively less severe visual impairment.

Great Nicobar project: Tribal council seeks to join forest-rights case, Centre opposes plea

Guwahati: The Little and Great Nicobar Tribal Council has moved the Calcutta High Courts Port Blair bench seeking to be made a party to an ongoing public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Forest Rights Act (FRA) proceedings for diverting 166 sq km of forest land for the Great Nicobar mega project. The Centre, through the [] The post Great Nicobar project: Tribal council seeks to join forest-rights case, Centre opposes plea appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Baby Sumatran orangutan rescued in Mumbai repatriated to Indonesia

Guwahati: A baby Sumatran orangutan rescued from an apartment in Mumbai in November 2024 has been repatriated to Indonesia following coordinated efforts by wildlife protection agencies in India and the CITES Management Authorities of both countries. The orangutan arrived at Kualanamu Airport in Medan on October 19 after being transferred from Gujarat. Officials from the [] The post Baby Sumatran orangutan rescued in Mumbai repatriated to Indonesia appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Assam govt to challenge bail for 2 accused in Zubeen death case

Guwahati: The Assam government will move the Supreme Court challenging the Gauhati High Courts decision to grant bail to two of the seven accused in singer Zubeen Gargs death case, officials said on Sunday. A Special Leave Petition (SLP) would be filed as soon as the apex court reopens after the ongoing holidays, they said. 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 .

Assam: Over 1,100 Bengali families evicted, 10 mosques razed

Guwahati:More than 1,100 families, most of them Bengali-speaking Muslims, have been evicted from forest land in Assams Nagaon, Hojai and Golaghat districts in a two-day demolition drive, according to officials and media reports. On Sunday, October 18, homes of more than 600 families were pulled down in the Lutumari Longjap Reserve Forest in Nagaon, a 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 .

Prayers, lights, dhak beats & wave of revellers sweep Guwahati

CISF plans sector-specific functional reorganisation from Nov 1

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will reorganise its administrative and operational control structure from November 1 to enable sector-specific supervision, efficiency and coordination, an official said on Sunday. The functional reorganisation, approved by the Union Home Ministry, assumes significance as the CISF's mandate is expanding beyond conventional industrial security to encompass new and specialised security responsibilities, an official statement said. Under the reorganisation, the National Capital Region Sector has been reorganised into the Government Building Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector in New Delhi. The North Sector (New Delhi) and North Eastern Sector-II (Kolkata) have been restructured as the Power-I and Power-II Sectors, respectively, the statement said. The Eastern Sector (Ranchi) has been transitioned into the Coal Sector, while the Central Sector (Bhilai) is now the dedicated Steel Sector, it added. The North Eastern Sector (Guwahati) has been transformed into the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector, it said. To fortify India's maritime trade infrastructure, the Western Sector (Mumbai) and South Sector (Chennai) have been respectively transformed into the West Coast Port Sector and the East Coast Port Sector, it added. The existing Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Space (DoS) Sector in Bengaluru, and Airport Sector-I in New Delhi, and Airport Sector-II in Bengaluru, will continue under their respective functional arrangements, the statement said. The CISF has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The functional realignment of port-sector supervision is expected to support the development of specialised port-security expertise and coordination with port authorities and other stakeholders, the statement added. Under the earlier arrangement, administrative and operational supervision was largely organised on the basis of territorial jurisdiction. Over the past 25 years, the CISF adopted a functional approach in selected sectors, including aviation and strategic establishments under the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space. The experience gained from this approach highlighted the advantages of specialised supervision, focused training, sector-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), better utilisation of specialised personnel and closer coordination with the concerned organisations, the statement said. Building on this experience, the CISF has reviewed the supervisory structure of the remaining territorial sectors and undertaken their functional realignment after detailed deliberations with supervisory formations, branches at Force Headquarters and senior officers, followed by approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the statement added.

Assam govt eyes fourth extension for MK Yadava despite forest-law allegations

Guwahati: The Assam government is reportedly considering a fourth post-retirement engagement for retired IFS officer M.K. Yadava as Special Chief Secretary (Forest), even as the Union Environment Ministry has sought legal action against him over alleged forest-law violations and two High Court petitions challenge his continuation in office. His current contract, notified on May 14, [] The post Assam govt eyes fourth extension for MK Yadava despite forest-law allegations appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Northeasts First Floating Naglok Durga Puja Pandal Unveiled In Guwahati

Celebrating its 75th year, Bishnupur High School Durga Puja in Guwahati has unveiled the Northeasts first floating Naglok-themed pandal. Built on a lake using eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, the unique installation has been created with a budget of 25 lakh.

Guwahati Airport Launches 'Utsav Aarambh' For Durga Puja

The initiative marks the airport's first festive engagement at the arrival forecourt, bringing together Durga Puja-themed displays, traditional handicrafts, regional art, music and local food.

Guwahati IED case: NIA chargesheets Baruah, four others

Assam ranks 1st in BNS implementation, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 17 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday that the state ranked first in the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the National Crime and Law Enforcement Integrated Network (NCLI) dashboard of the Union Home Ministry, highlighting the state government's focus on strengthening law enforcement and ensuring public safety. In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma said the state's policing approach was centred on stronger enforcement, swift action and protecting every citizen. When it comes to fighting crime, Assam means business. Our policing is focused on stronger enforcement, swift action and protecting every citizen, the Chief Minister said. He added that Assam had secured the top position in BNS implementation, citing the dashboard maintained by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The BNS, which replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), is one of three new criminal laws that came into force across the country on July 1, 2024. The other two are the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), which replaced the Indian Evidence Act. The new criminal laws seek to overhaul India's criminal justice framework, with provisions aimed at modernising investigation and prosecution procedures, improving the use of technology and expediting the delivery of justice. Chief Minister Sarma's remarks underline the Assam government's emphasis on the implementation of the new criminal laws as part of its broader law-and-order agenda. However, the Chief Minister's post did not specify the individual parameters or comparative figures underlying the state's first-place ranking on the dashboard. The Chief Minister also invoked the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga for the state's efforts to combat crime and uphold justice. May Maa Durga bless us with the courage to fight crime, uphold justice and protect every citizen, CM Sarma said. The statement comes amid the state government's continued emphasis on law enforcement and public security, with the implementation of the new criminal laws emerging as an important measure of police preparedness and administrative coordination.

Guwahati High Court Orders Assam University Vice-Chancellor to Resign

The Guwahati High Court has directed Assam Universitys Vice-Chancellor to resign over UGC rule violations, raising concerns about appointment processes. Guwahati High Court Orders Assam University Vice-Chancellor to Resign

The Elephant Ownership Exception: A History of Protection and Possession

In 1963, private forest owners in Malabar challenged provisions of the Kerala Forest Act, 1961 (Act IV of 1962). The question before the Court was whether the State could deprive forest owners of their existing right to capture and own elephants found on their land. In Kuppathode Madhavan Nair v State of Kerala (1963), the Kerala High Court sided with the owners. Applying common-law principles inherited from the colonial period, it held that ownership of land conferred a qualified right over wild animals found there ( ratione soli ), including the right to capture them and claim them as private property. Within a decade, the Indian Parliament would enact a national conservation law and the Constitution would soon expressly recognise duties towards forests, wildlife ( Article 48A ) and living creatures ( Article 51A(g) ). Even though the elephants legal status would change profoundly as both a Schedule I animal in law and a National Heritage Animal, a symbol of the country itself, the owners place in her life would prove much harder to dislodge. Elephants, forests and capture The Malabar litigation belonged to a much longer history in which protecting elephants and putting them to work were closely connected. In Elephants and Kings: An Environmental History (2015), Thomas R. Trautmann, a historian and anthropologist, explains how the military value of elephants gave Indian rulers an interest in preserving wild populations and the forests that sustained them, even as they continued to capture individual animals. Academic Natasha Nongbris 2003 study of nineteenth-century Northeast India shows how colonial authorities regulated capture of elephants through licences, leased grounds and royalties. The forest was not simply a place where elephants lived. It was also the source of successive generations taken into captivity. Preserving wild elephant populations and capturing individual animals became part of the same policy which gave birth to the Elephant Preservation Act, 1879, a national law modelled on the regional Madras Wild Elephant Preservation Act, 1873. It was arguably the first national law on Elephants in British India enacted with the ostensive realisation that a live elephant was more valuable than dead. The policy as preservation, not conservation, was instrumentalised to preserve the source the elephant in the forest, to allow for its simultaneous extraction from it to feed the rising demand for captive elephants. Among the important establishments in this system were Dacca, now Dhaka, and Mysore , both associated with khedda operations in which wild elephants were driven into stockades and subdued with the help of trained elephants. The Dacca establishment drew upon the Garo Hills and other northeastern forests, while the Mysore operations captured elephants from the forests of southern India. These regional systems of capture existed alongside wider networks of trade. The Sonpur fair in Bihar , already an important elephant market in the nineteenth century, connected elephants captured in the Northeast with buyers from elsewhere in India. Against this background of an extensive elephant trade, the forest-owning timber merchants in Kuppathode Madhavan Nair asserted their right to capture elephants and put them to work within a legal order that still accepted their removal into human service. The shift in constitutional law The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 introduced a national framework for conservation, prohibiting the hunting of the most protected species. Yet the elephants initial classification revealed how much of the older world remained. She appeared in Schedule II, Part I as special game, whose hunting which included capture could be licensed, while Section 2(6) included domestic elephants, curiously for a wildlife law, in its definition of cattle. The changes of the next five years gave the law a different direction. The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976 , passed during the Emergency, is remembered for weakening fundamental rights and curbing the powers of the courts. Yet it left a curious and enduring legacy in the protection of the environment and animals. Even during the darkest period of Indira Gandhis leadership, her concern for the natural world found expression in the Constitution. The amendment inserted Article 48A, directing the State to protect the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife, and Article 51A(g), making it the duty of every citizen to protect the natural environment and to have compassion for living creatures. These duties gave constitutional weight to the responsibilities we owe to the non-human world. In October 1977, months after these provisions took effect, the elephant was elevated to Schedule I , bringing her capture within the highest level of statutory protection. In 1986, amid growing concern over the killing of elephants for their tusks, Parliament prohibited domestic trade in Indian elephant ivory. In 1991, following stronger international restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna, it extended the prohibition to imported ivory, which traders had been using as a cover for selling ivory from poached Indian elephants . That year, Parliament also removed the Acts definition of cattle, which had included domestic elephants. It introduced livestock in its place, expressly excluding protected wild animals. Yet these changes did not bring private ownership of elephants to an end. Under Sections 4042, people in lawful possession of elephants could declare them to the authorities and obtain certificates recognising their ownership after an inquiry. Even as the law strengthened protection for elephants and restricted the trade in their ivory, it continued to recognise that a living elephant could remain someones property. The 2002 amendment: live elephant ownership exception and the prohibition on sale A 2002 amendment to the Act (which became effective from 2003) tightened restrictions on private ownership of protected captive animals. However, it expressly exempted live elephants. Although the newly introduced Section 43 prohibited transfers for any commercial consideration, a person could still acquire an elephant and pass her to another owner with the necessary permissions. This left an opening for sales disguised as gifts. In the years that followed, animal protection organisations documented how this distinction enabled trade to continue. At the Sonpur Mela in Bihar, where elephants had long been bought and sold, transactions were now presented as gifts. Researchers even recorded owners carrying blank gift deeds to transfer possession. These practices formed part of the challenge brought to the Supreme Court in 2014 by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and others in W.P.(C) No. 743 of 2014. Still pending twelve years later, the WRRC case has become a central proceeding through which the Court supervises the treatment and regulation of captive elephants. Although the Court imposed no blanket prohibition, the continuing proceedings, notices to forest departments in every State with captive elephants, and numerous interim orders largely halted the trade. These included a nationwide census and checks on ownership certificates , welfare inspections at tourist resorts in Goa , and an order blocking Keralas attempt to regularise 289 elephants held without ownership certificates and restraining their transfer. The Courts scrutiny of ownership papers and transfers had made the trade harder to carry on. A 2021 case in Guwahati High Court confirmed the concerns raised by WRRC before the Supreme Court in 2014. In April 2021, forest officials at Doomdooma in Assams Tinsukia district intercepted two elephants travelling from Arunachal Pradesh to Odisha, ostensibly for religious purposes. Their investigation went beyond the ownership certificates and transport permissions. In a recorded statement, the claimed owner described bank payments of 9 lakh and 17 lakh from an intermediary who had also arranged the documents. He could not identify the receiving religious institution. In State of Assam v. Sri Chow Sonjit Pomong (2021), the Gauhati High Court found prima facie evidence of a commercial sale and set aside the order releasing the elephants to the claimed owner while the investigation continued. The elephants were reported to be in the Forest Departments custody at Kaziranga National Park. The 2022 amendment: religious and other purposes In December 2021, the Central Government introduced the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 , which went considerably further than the amendment eventually enacted. It proposed exempting transfers of live elephants by ownership certificate holders from Section 43 altogether, subject to government permission and prescribed conditions. This would have removed the prohibition on commercial transfers for those elephants, allowing them to be openly bought and sold again. The pressure for change came particularly from Kerala, where temple authorities and private elephant owners associations were seeking easier acquisition and interstate transfer of elephants. In my view, the elephant provision in the 2022 amendment must be understood as an attempt to loosen the practical restraints that the Supreme Courts scrutiny in the WRRC case had helped impose. Following objections from conservation and animal protection organisations, the Parliamentary Standing Committee chaired by Jairam Ramesh recommended deleting this proposal. In April 2022, it suggested a narrower provision allowing transfers of existing captive elephants for religious institutions, with additional safeguards. The version Parliament ultimately enacted extended this to transfers for a religious or any other purpose , subject to conditions prescribed by the Central Government. The prohibition on commercial consideration remained. Non-commercial transfers were already possible under the elephant exception introduced in 2002. An amendment was therefore unnecessary merely to allow an elephant to pass from one private owner to another as a gift. In this respect, the new provision largely reaffirmed the existing position, while creating a specific framework for central rules governing transfers . Its practical significance lay in giving renewed statutory backing to transfers at a time when litigation and enforcement had made them increasingly difficult. The words any other purpose were particularly troubling because they offered no meaningful limit of their own. For those of us who had worked to curb the use of elephants for begging, entertainment, circuses and timber logging, the concern was that this broad wording could encourage attempts to revive practices we had spent years challenging. The safeguards governing these transfers consequently became crucial. On March 14, 2024, fifteen months after the amendment, the government notified the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules (2024 Rules). These attempted to place meaningful safeguards around a difficult accommodation. By limiting transfers to elephants whose ownership certificates predated the Rules and to their offspring, and by requiring registration of genetic profiles, they offered a means of confining transfers to an identifiable population already lawfully in captivity. Read together, these provisions seek to break the logic of the khedda , in which the forest continually supplied elephants for human use. Putting this into practice is a demanding exercise. The State must build a reliable genetic record of the captive population, then verify each claimed captive birth through a DNA match with the mother and records establishing that she was lawfully held. Each new addition must be traceable to this legally recognised population, closing off the forest as a continuing source of captive elephants. Yet the government was still struggling to identify the population it sought to regulate. In August 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change placed the proceedings of the Captive Elephant Healthcare and Welfare Committee (formed under Project Elephant) for the month of February before the Supreme Court in the WRRC case . These recorded that the profiling exercise remained incomplete and that, among 2,075 samples analysed, 40.5 per cent of elephants had unknown origins and 25.4 per cent were documented as wild-caught. Nearly two-thirds therefore fell into these two categories. The continuing exception These concerns have become urgent with the September 2026 movement of five young elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu temples: Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal and Bijuli. More than fifty organisations have sought an independent investigation into their origins, ownership documents and the possibility of sales disguised as gifts. The pace of the transfers shows how readily decisions that will shape decades of an elephants life can be made while fundamental questions remain publicly unanswered. In my account of Durgas transfer , the sequence from the request for a health certificate to her departure from Manas took three days. Her ownership certificate was issued in October 2025, after the 2024 Rules came into effect, so her transfer depended on a claimed captive birth to a mother covered by them, yet her mothers identity and lawful captive status remained publicly unverified. A five-year-old elephant is not a remnant of pre-conservation law; she is another generation entering a system that can determine almost her entire future. These journeys follow years of large transfers from the Northeast to Vantara in Jamnagar, where reporting in 2024 documented convoys coming in from Arunachal Pradesh and the private wildlife facility hosting more than 200 elephants. Vantara describes its work as rescue and rehabilitation, and in September 2025 the Supreme Court accepted an investigation reporting no legal violations. Its transfers and those to temples have different stated purposes, but their scale raises a very important question: how should a constitutional commitment to wildlife, and to compassion for living creatures, govern the continuing movement and concentration of elephants in human institutions? Elephants leaving the Northeast in convoys is not very dissimilar from the old geography of the khedda , when the forests of the Garo Hills supplied elephants to distant establishments and markets. Trautmann and Nongbri show that the forest sustained a system in which wild populations were protected in part because they supplied animals for capture. The question is whether the modern ownership regime has truly broken that relationship. In his Study on Illegal Sale and Transfer of Live Elephants from Assam , Chaturbhuja Behera, then a regional official of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, described illegal sales and transfers, accounts of wild calves being captured, and weaknesses in records used to establish captive birth. Findings such as this make it difficult to treat an ownership certificate, by itself, as an answer to where a young elephant came from. The 2024 Rules thus return us to the contradiction the law has carried since 1972. Once again, the government is trying to make its core commitment to protection coexist with private ownership, a relationship that subordinates an elephants life to the purposes of her owner. The safeguards are necessary, but they cannot resolve that contradiction while the exception is effectively allowing institutions to replenish their captive populations for generations to come. The demand for young elephants must be supplied from somewhere. The historical answer is in front of us: it is the forest. The forest is the breeding ground from which elephants have long been taken to replenish captivity. The exception leaves open the route by which demand for elephants in captivity can be met through illegal capture in the wild, disguised as captive-born. More than sixty years after the Malabar owners defended their right to capture elephants for timber in Kerala High Court, the law is yet to confront the continuity between that older system and the present one.

ESIC Medical College and Hospital Beltola Senior Resident Recruitment 2026

Employees' State Insurance Corporation Medical College & Hospital, Beltola, Guwahati (ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Beltola) Recruitment 2026 for 32 Senior Resident posts will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview. Eligible candidates can attend the interview on 30 October 2026 at Chamber of the Dean, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Beltola, Guwahati. Candidates should report at 9:00 AM. For complete details, candidates can visit esic.gov.in.

IIT Guwahati Assistant Project Engineer Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), Research & Development Section, has released the official notification for the post of Assistant Project Engineer. The last date to apply online is 26 October 2026. Candidates can apply through the official website, iitg.ac.in.

APSC District Museum Officer Interview Schedule 2026 Out - Check Interview Dates at apsc.nic.in

APSC District Museum Officer Interview Schedule 2026 has been released on 15 October by the Assam Public Service Commission for District Museum Officer Grade-I (Gazetted) posts under Advertisement No. 34/2025. The interview will be held on 30 October 2026 at 9:00 AM in Guwahati. Candidates can download their intimation letters from 26 October 2026 and check the official interview schedule, venue, reporting time and required documents here.

IIT Guwahati Senior Research Fellow Recruitment 2026

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), Research and Development Section, has released the official notification for the post of SRF(Direct). The last date to apply online is 27 October 2026. Candidates can apply through the official website, iitg.ac.in.

Zabarvan Legends Series takes mountain biking from Kashmir to Ladakh

Srinagar, Oct 15: Indias mountain landscapes are emerging as a promising arena for international downhill mountain biking, with the Zabarvan Legends Series returning for its second season with races across Sikkim, Ladakh and Pune, aiming to put the country on the global adventure sports map. Organised by Zabarvan Xtreme, the international championship seeks to bridge the gap between Indias growing mountain biking community and the professional infrastructure, sponsorship and competitive opportunities available to riders in established cycling nations. Founded by Sehan Shetty, a snowboarder, surfer and football player, Zabarvan Xtreme was conceived to help Indian athletes pursue mountain sports professionally rather than treat them merely as recreational activities. Zabarvan Xtreme was created to build an ecosystem for mountain sports where Indian athletes can thrive and see these disciplines as serious sporting opportunities rather than simply hobbies, Shetty said. The series made its debut in October 2025, travelling through Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir, Shillong in Meghalaya and Guwahati in Assam. More than 30 riders participated in the inaugural edition, including competitors from Brazil, Australia, the Czech Republic and Iran. Brazils Douglas Vieira, a five-time national champion, emerged as the overall winner. Building on that experience, the second season has introduced three new venues, each offering a distinct combination of terrain, technical challenges and regional character. The opening race, Singge Oralo, was held from October 7 to 11 at Zoom village in Sikkims Eastern Himalayas. The two-kilometre course, named Snow Lion, featured a 200-metre descent through dense forests, with steep gradients, exposed roots, rocky drops and centuries-old granite stairways passing through historic mountain settlements. With gradients reaching 40 degrees, the track tested riders precision and adaptability across slippery roots, soft forest soil and unforgiving stone surfaces. The event attracted participants from eight countries, including India, Brazil, Australia, Iran, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Nepal and Italy. Vieira continued his winning run, finishing first in the elite category. Czech rider Matej Charvat secured second place, while Irans Hossein Zanjanian finished third. Australian mountain biking legend Samuel Hill, an eight-time world champion, finished fourth. Indian riders also made their presence felt, with Taitus Marak finishing eighth, Virendra Mali ninth and Aaronson Oniel Kharpuri tenth. In the second competition category, Meghalayas Will Willbornson finished second and Darian Laloo of Meghalaya Pro Cycling secured third place. The championship has now moved to Ladakh for Druk Layul, scheduled from October 14 to 18 at South Pullu, near the gateway to Khardung La. Named after the legendary Tibetan Thunder Dragon, Druk Layul translates to Thunder Dragons Heaven. The approximately 3.5-kilometre course descends from an altitude of 4,300 metres to 3,700 metres, presenting riders with a 600-metre elevation drop across the rugged Trans-Himalayan landscape. Loose shale, rocky chutes, exposed traverses, technical switchbacks and fast sections punctuated by jumps and drops are expected to test the competitors endurance and technical skills. Around 25 athletes are expected to participate in one of the championships most demanding high-altitude settings, where temperatures may range from minus 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. Riders are being given two days to acclimatise to the altitude before racing. The event is being organised in partnership with Unexplored Ladakh, represented by Tenjin Jamphel, whose regional knowledge and experience in mountain biking and adventure travel are central to the competition. Beyond hosting the race, the organisers see Ladakh as a potential long-term destination for competitive mountain biking, with plans to encourage local participation, create opportunities for young riders and establish recurring competitions. The final leg, Gaur Ghat, will be held from October 22 to 25 in Pune, Maharashtra, beneath the historic walls of Sinhagad Fort. Drawing its name from the historic mountain pass leading towards the fort, the race will take riders through the rugged Sahyadri mountains. The 2.2-kilometre course, set at approximately 1,300 metres, features a 400-metre descent across dry basalt terrain, loose gravel, exposed bedrock, steep rock faces and technical switchbacks. The tracks rocky surfaces and rough rock gardens offer a different challenge from Sikkims forest trails and Ladakhs high-altitude desert. The organisers hope the event will help establish Pune as a destination for international mountain biking, building on its active cycling community and access to outdoor recreation areas. For Zabarvan Xtreme, however, the championship is about more than race results. The organisation aims to address the structural challenges confronting Indian mountain biking, including expensive equipment, limited training facilities, inadequate sponsorship and a shortage of professional racing opportunities. Bringing international riders to India gives local competitors an opportunity to experience professional racing standards without having to travel overseas. Collaboration with local organisers and cycling communities is also intended to build the foundations for sustained participation beyond individual events. The series could additionally create opportunities in adventure tourism, local employment and sports infrastructure, particularly in mountain destinations with the terrain and natural appeal to host international competitions. However, the long-term benefits will depend on sustained investment, local athlete development and responsible management of fragile mountain environments. From Gulmarg, Shillong and Guwahati in its inaugural season to Sikkim, Ladakh and Pune in 2026, the Zabarvan Legends Series is expanding its geographical reach while seeking to establish a stronger professional pathway for Indian mountain bikers. Its larger ambition is to create an ecosystem where Indian athletes can train, compete at international standards and pursue mountain sports as a career, while bringing the countrys diverse landscapes to a wider global sporting audience.

Two Chain Snatchers Injured in police Firing in Guwahati

According to DCP Pegu, the two men were remanded in police custody for two days. During interrogation, they allegedly provided vital information about the gang's modus operandi and agreed to help investigators apprehend other members.

VFS Global To Open First Visa Application Centre In Guwahati

Serving applicants from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, the centre strengthens regional access to visa services through a strategically located facility with strong air, rail and road connectivity.

Guwahati gets its first 'living wall' under Bhagadatta Flyover-I

HM Amit Shah hails Assam CM for anti-drug crackdown

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 15 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday lauded Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state police for their sustained crackdown on drug networks, which has resulted in 945 arrests, registration of 547 cases and seizure of narcotics worth over Rs 182 crore. Describing the action as a decisive blow to drug networks, Shah said the sustained campaign reflected the governments resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks, target their financial foundations and safeguard the countrys youth. In a post on X, the Union Home Minister congratulated Sarma and the Assam Police for their efforts under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, highlighting the scale of enforcement action undertaken across the state. According to the figures shared by Shah, updated till October 13, the authorities have raided 703 drug hotspots, while properties worth nearly Rs 31 crore are under attachment proceedings. The crackdown has also led to the execution of 73 non-bailable warrants and the apprehension of 47 absconders, including 10 from other states. In addition, proposals under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act have been processed against 157 persons, with the cases under process. The state has also intensified enforcement against tobacco-related violations, with 2,229 raids conducted under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). Authorities inspected 3,662 business establishments and issued 2,844 challans. As part of preventive measures, 2,943 educational institutions have been surveyed to identify tobacco-, drug- and alcohol-free zones, while 633 awareness programmes have engaged 1,12,532 citizens and students. The campaign has also targeted illicit liquor, with 1,34,539 litres, including Indian-made foreign liquor and other illicit liquor, seized or destroyed. Shah said the Nasha Mukt Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reinforced by the Vision Document on Narcotics Control 2026-29, reaffirmed the government's commitment to breaking drug networks and protecting young people from substance abuse. He asserted that the fight against drugs would continue with unwavering resolve. The figures reflect Assams multi-pronged strategy combining law enforcement, financial action, institutional monitoring and public awareness to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurates North East's first VISA application centre in Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday inaugurated the North East's first VISA application centre at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Khanapara in Guwahati. During the inauguration, Chief Minister Sarma mentioned that this was the first VFS Global visa application centre in Assam, adding that it would serve applicants from all eight North Eastern states. He stated that the facility would process visa applications for 14 countries, which include Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Morocco, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This is the first VFS global visa application center in Assam and it will serve applicants from all eight North Eastern states. It its importance therefore extends well beyond Guwahati. The center will initially facilitate visa application for fourteen countries directly. This includes Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Moroc...

Delhi rice scam: AAP seeks CBI probe into Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsas role

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has sought an investigation into alleged wrongdoings by Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa in a multi-crore rupee scam involving irregular sale of rice by the Food Corporation of India, Delhi (FCI) to a government agency in Guwahati, a party leader said. Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday re-circulated a letter he wrote to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director on September 24, referring to the federal probe agencys FIR dated August 27 and sought a probe against Sirsa. Investigate the role of the minister. Formally expand the scope of the ongoing criminal investigation in FIR No. RC2182026A0014 to thoroughly probe the active collusion, abuse of official position, and financial angles concerning Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, he wrote. He also requested the CBI to secure ministry records in the case revolving around alleged irregular sale of rice by the FCI, Delhi region, to the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), Guwahati. He asked the probe agency to immediately raid, seize, and secure all official file routing logs, personal staff records, and electronic email communications from the Office of the Minister of Food & Supplies, GNCTD, for the period between January 2026 and June 2026, to prevent any deletion or tampering. Pointing to the alleged wrongdoings of officials of the FCI and NERAMAC, the AAP leader raised suspicion about an attempt to shield Sirsa. Bharadwaj wrote, A perusal of the FIR reveals a critical and glaring omission: the alleged primary political mastermind and facilitator of this institutional siphon, the Food and Supplies Minister of Delhi, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, has been left out of the formal list of accused. The subordinate administrative wing has been locked down by law, yet the Cabinet Minister who allegedly actively authorised, enabled, and repeatedly cleared this black-market commercial pipeline continues to occupy his office, free to influence the probe and tamper with crucial state records, he said. Therefore, this supplementary complaint is filed to place the explicit, document-backed criminal acts of Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa directly on your record, demanding his immediate inclusion in the ongoing criminal investigation, said Bharadwaj. The CBI registered an FIR in August on a complaint filed by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs to look into the allotment of rice to NERAMAC by FCI, Delhi Region, under the category Sale of Rice to State Government/Corporations of State. The CBI registered a corruption case against three officials of FCI and five others over alleged irregularities. The wrongdoings allegedly caused a loss of about Rs 28.87 crore to FCI, said the FIR. The complaint said that the payment towards allocation of rice to NERAMAC was routed through various private entities which were either millers or wholesale dealers of rice. There was no record to show that the rice was distributed for the stated purpose. It was alleged that had the quantity lifted by NERAMAC at concessional price been sold in the auction at a reserve price of Rs 28,900 per MT, the FCI would have realised an additional amount of Rs 28.87 crore.

VFS Global opens first visa application centre in Guwahati, to serve all eight northeast states

Akhil Gogoi calls off satyagraha after talks with Assam ministers over flood relief

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 15 (IANS) Raijor Dal chief and Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi on Thursday called off his indefinite satyagraha demanding adequate relief and compensation for flood-affected families following discussions with state Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta. The two ministers visited the protest site and held talks with Gogoi over his demands for assistance to people affected by floods across Assam. The agitation was withdrawn after the meeting, though details of the discussions and any specific assurances from the government were not immediately available. Gogoi had launched the indefinite satyagraha on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, seeking full compensation for flood-hit families and action on several issues concerning the state's flood disaster. The Raijor Dal leader had maintained that he would end the agitation only if the government ensured full compensation to more than two lakh affected families. A major point of contention was the discrepancy between the number of affected families identified by the government and Gogoi's assessment of the damage. According to figures cited by the MLA, the government's survey had identified around 55,000 affected families, whereas he claimed that more than two lakh families required assistance. He questioned the methodology adopted for the assessment and alleged that the official figures did not reflect the actual scale of the devastation. The government says only 55,000 families have been affected, while the actual number is more than two lakh. This figure is misleading, Gogoi had said. He had also challenged the BJP to initiate a democratic movement demanding relief and compensation for every flood-affected family, promising his support for such an initiative. Questioning the Centre's financial assistance, Gogoi argued that the Rs 1,200 crore announced for Assam would be insufficient to address the losses caused by the floods. He further accused the state government of failing to adequately communicate the extent of the disaster to the Centre and criticised Ministers Sushanta Borgohain, Mayur Borgohain and Dharmeswar Konwar over their handling of the situation. Gogoi also claimed that Rs 20 crore contributed by ONGC had not been released from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The withdrawal of the agitation follows the ministerial intervention, with the implementation of flood relief measures and compensation demands remaining central to the dispute.

Assam to Open Northeasts First Visa Application Center in Guwahati

Assams Chief Minister announces the opening of the Northeasts first visa application center in Guwahati to ease international travel. Assam to Open Northeasts First Visa Application Center in Guwahati

Assam to get Northeast's first visa application centre in Guwahati

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 14 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday announced that the Northeast's first visa application centre will be inaugurated in Guwahati on Thursday, a move aimed at making international travel more accessible and convenient for people across the region. In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma said the new centre would bring visa services for several countries closer to residents of the Northeast, potentially reducing the need to travel outside the region to access such services. Assam, are you ready to take off? the Chief Minister said, announcing the inauguration scheduled for October 15. The centre is being established by VFS Global, a company that provides visa application and related services on behalf of governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. According to the Chief Minister, the Guwahati centre will facilitate visa applications for 14 countries, including several European destinations covered by the Schengen visa system. The countries listed include Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Cyprus, Egypt, Ireland, Japan, Malta and Morocco, among others. The Schengen visa allows eligible travellers to visit multiple countries within Europe's Schengen Area under a single visa, subject to applicable entry conditions. The new facility is expected to improve access to international travel-related services for residents of Assam and neighbouring Northeastern states, particularly those planning overseas trips for tourism, education, business or other purposes. Guwahati, the largest city in the Northeast and a major commercial and administrative hub, serves as a gateway for people travelling from across the region. The establishment of the centre could help streamline the visa application process by bringing services closer to applicants, although individual visa decisions will continue to rest with the relevant countries and their authorised authorities. The announcement comes amid efforts to strengthen Guwahati's role as a regional hub for connectivity, commerce and services. Further operational details, including appointment procedures, application requirements and service charges, would be available through the authorised service provider. The initiative is expected to benefit applicants from Assam and other Northeastern states by improving regional access to visa application facilities and reducing logistical challenges associated with overseas travel.

Assam: Khamranga Beel on Guwahati outskirts being buried for Ring Road project, sparks outrage

Guwahati: The historic Khamranga Beel at Chandrapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati city, is being buried under earth and boulders for the proposed Ring Road project, triggering protests over the destruction of a vital elephant habitat, damage to agricultural land and threats to local livelihoods. Residents and students organisations have alleged that the National Highways [] The post Assam: Khamranga Beel on Guwahati outskirts being buried for Ring Road project, sparks outrage appeared first on NorthEast Now .

New damselfly species from Assam resolves a mystery dating back to 1927

Guwahati: A damselfly with a striking black body and flashes of blue along its abdomen has turned out to be a species new to science, helping researchers resolve a taxonomic puzzle that persisted for years across Northeast India and Bangladesh. Named Dysphaea assamensis, the species was formally described by Rima Amsih of Dibrugarh University, Arajush [] The post New damselfly species from Assam resolves a mystery dating back to 1927 appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Assam Assembly complex in Dibrugarh targeted for completion in 30 months

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 14 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday inspected the ongoing construction of the Assam Legislative Assembly complex at Khanikar in Dibrugarh and reviewed the progress of the project, which is expected to be completed within 30 months. The complex, spread across approximately 63 bighas of land, is a key component of the state government's plan to develop Dibrugarh as Assam's second capital. During the inspection, the officials stated Sarma that around 20 per cent of the piling work had been completed and construction of the boundary wall was progressing. He also discussed weather-related challenges with the executing agencies and suggested changes to the building's front elevation and overall architectural design. The construction of the Assam Legislative Assembly complex in Dibrugarh is an important step towards developing the city as the states second capital, the Chief Minister said, reiterating the 30-month completion deadline. According to the master plan, the complex will comprise a three-storey Assembly building, a nine-storey MLA hostel above the ground floor, an auditorium, a secretariat block and barracks. Internal roads, parking facilities and landscaped green spaces are also planned as part of the project. The proposed infrastructure is intended to accommodate legislative proceedings and provide supporting facilities for legislators and officials as Dibrugarh develops its role as the state's second capital. Later, Sarma inspected the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex at Khanikar and reviewed concerns regarding the quality and safety of its infrastructure. During the visit, journalists accompanying the Chief Minister pointed out issues related to steep and narrow steps in the spectator galleries, sanitary fittings, swimming pool temperature control, lighting, water-level management and leakage from the indoor stadium's roof. The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned and contractors to address the reported deficiencies and undertake necessary corrective measures. The stadium currently has a seating capacity of around 5,000 spectators, which is proposed to be increased to approximately 35,000. The two inspections formed part of the state government's review of major infrastructure projects in Dibrugarh, with the Assembly complex and sports facilities expected to strengthen the city's administrative and public infrastructure.

Assam, Arunachal agree to fast-track border demarcation in 33 disputed villages

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 14 (IANS) Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have agreed to expedite boundary demarcation and prepare a roadmap for resolving long-pending disputes in villages along their inter-state border, following the second meeting of the regional committee dealing with areas under Papum Pare district and Assam's Biswanath and Lakhimpur districts, officials said on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Arunachal Pradesh Urban Affairs Minister, Balo Raja, and Assam Revenue Minister, Keshab Mahanta, who led their respective delegations. Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, Arunachal's Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Mamu Hage, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu and MP Ranjit Dutta were also present. During the meeting, district officials reviewed progress since the previous meeting held on January 9, 2023, including joint field inspections undertaken to identify disputed areas and facilitate a mutually acceptable settlement. Officials said the disputed villages had been classified into three categories to streamline the resolution process. Nine villages fall under Category-I, while 22 villages with relatively minor localised disputes under Category-II, and two villages with complex disagreements under Category-III. The committees agreed to instal boundary pillars immediately in the nine Category-I villages. Disputes concerning Category-II villages will be addressed by the respective district administrations. Both states also decided to engage the Survey of India to initiate formal boundary demarcation within two months. They agreed to maintain the status quo according to mutually accepted cut-off dates, prevent fresh encroachments and tree felling in disputed areas, and initiate procedures to withdraw FIRs registered against officials of either state. For the two Category-III villages where consensus remains elusive, the committee will prepare a roadmap after consultations with local legislators, district officials and residents. The next regional committee meeting is scheduled for late December. The Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute dates back to 1951, when areas covering more than 3,600 square kilometres were transferred from the North-East Frontier Agency to Assam following recommendations of the Gopinath Bordoloi committee. Arunachal Pradesh subsequently challenged the arrangement. The latest initiative follows the Namsai Declaration signed by the two states' chief ministers on July 15, 2022. The agreement reduced the number of disputed villages from 123 to 86 and established 12 regional committees to pursue a negotiated settlement.

NIPER-Guwahati Research Manager Recruitment 2026

National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati (NIPER-Guwahati) has released Notification No. NIPERG/Rect./05(C)/2026 for the post of Research Manager-Scientific. Eligible candidates can submit their offline applications from 14 October 2026 to 30 October 2026. Further details are available at niperguwahati.ac.in.

Singer Amritprabha Mahant Appears in Fast-Track Court in Connection with Zubeen Gargs Death

Amritprabha Mahant, accused in Zubeen Gargs death case, appears in court after being granted bail by the Guwahati High Court. Singer Amritprabha Mahant Appears in Fast-Track Court in Connection with Zubeen Gargs Death

Zubeen Garg: Co-singer Amritprabha Mahanta appears before fast-track court after bail

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 14 (IANS) Singer Amritprabha Mahanta, one of the accused in the death case of Assam's music icon Zubeen Garg, appeared before a fast-track court here on Wednesday, a day after being released from Haflong sub-jail following the Gauhati High Court's grant of bail. Mahanta was directed to appear before the court after her release on Tuesday. Her appearance comes as proceedings continue in the high-profile case surrounding the death of the celebrated singer, which has triggered widespread public concern and demands for justice in Assam. The Gauhati High Court granted Mahanta bail on October 9. Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar had told reporters that the bail was granted by Justice Pranjal Das against a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount. The court had heard arguments on the bail petition over several days before reserving its order. Mahanta's release is significant as she is the first accused to have secured bail in the main case relating to Garg's death. She had been lodged at Haflong sub-jail along with Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, another accused and a former bandmate of the singer. Zubeen Garg died on September 19, 2025, while swimming in the sea off Lazarus Island in Singapore, allegedly in an inebriated state. He was in the country to attend the North East India Festival and was scheduled to perform at the event. His death triggered widespread grief in Assam and demands for a thorough investigation. Singapore's State Coroner subsequently ruled his death an accidental drowning on March 25 this year finding no evidence of foul play or that he had been forced into the water. However, the Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam Police to investigate the case following widespread public demands and the registration of more than 60 FIRs across the state. After an investigation that included a visit to Singapore and the examination of witnesses, the SIT filed its charge sheet in a Guwahati court in December 2025. The charge sheet named seven accused and alleged that four were responsible for murder. The allegations in the charge sheet represent the prosecution's case and remain subject to judicial determination. The seven accused are festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddharth Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, singer Amritprabha Mahanta, Assam Police officer and Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. The SIT charged Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta with murder. Sandipan Garg was charged with culpable homicide, while Bora and Baishya faced other charges relating to alleged negligence and their responsibilities as security personnel. A special fast-track court framed charges against all seven in May this year, and they pleaded not guilty. The investigation and subsequent court proceedings have drawn intense attention across Assam, with the singer's fans and the public closely following developments.

Need SIR every 5 years to remove foreigners from voter lists: Assam Minister

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 14 (IANS) Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Wednesday called for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls every five years, asserting that the exercise is essential to ensure that no foreign national's name remains on the state's voter list. Everyone wants an SIR in Assam. Not a single foreigner's name should remain on Assam's voter list, Baruah said, amid the continuing political debate over electoral roll verification, citizenship and illegal immigration in the state. Referring to Assam's six-year-long anti-foreigners agitation between 1979 and 1985, the minister said the state had particular reasons to ensure that electoral rolls were scrutinised regularly. The agitation, which culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985, centred on demands to identify illegal immigrants and address concerns over their inclusion in electoral rolls. Baruah's remarks come against the backdrop of continuing political differences over voter eligibility and the identification of illegal immigrants in Assam. The minister also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition over their allegations concerning electronic voting machines (EVMs) and demands for a return to ballot paper voting. Accusing the Congress of questioning the electoral process after losing elections, Baruah alleged that the party frequently blamed EVMs or raised other concerns instead of accepting the verdict. Congress never stands with the public, which is why they keep losing. And after losing, they blame EVMs, sometimes ballot papers, or make other excuses, he said. The Congress and other Opposition parties have raised concerns over electoral transparency and the functioning of EVMs, making the issue a point of contention between the ruling party and the Opposition. Speaking about the Jan Jagaran Samdal rally in Nalbari on Tuesday, Baruah claimed that the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam were receiving increasing support from women and young people. Organisers claimed that more than 30,000 people attended the rally, although the figure has not been independently verified. The minister also criticised groups opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), alleging that their position ran counter to the country's interests. His demand for a five-year SIR cycle is expected to add another dimension to Assam's debate over citizenship, voter eligibility and illegal immigration. Any decision on the frequency and implementation of such revisions rests with the competent electoral authorities under the applicable legal framework.

India's tour of NZ: Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana's fitness delays team selection

TOI understands that Krishna has been given a three-week timeline when he reported to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) after he walked out of the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on Sept 30. Seam-bowling allrounder Rana, who has been at the CoE since July, is expected to undergo a return-to-play match simulation on June 25 before the ODI and Test squads are expected to fly out on Oct 28 with the ODI series scheduled to start on Nov 4.

Assam tea workers to get special 20 pc bonus ahead of Durga Puja: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 13 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced a special bonus of 20 per cent for tea garden workers across more than 800 tea estates in the state ahead of Durga Puja, describing the initiative as a festive gift for the tea community. In a post on social media platform X, CM Sarma said the bonus would help tea workers celebrate the festival with their families and participate in the festivities during the Navratri and Durga Puja period. On the sacred occasion of Navratri, a gift of joy for the brothers and sisters of our tea community, the Chief Minister said in his post on X. He added that the special 20 per cent bonus would be distributed across more than 800 tea gardens in Assam before Durga Puja to ensure that workers could enjoy the celebrations with their loved ones. The announcement underlines the state government's focus on the welfare of tea garden workers, a significant section of Assam's workforce whose contribution remains central to the state's tea industry and economy. Assam is one of India's leading tea-producing states, with tea estates spread across the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys. The industry provides employment to a large workforce, including generations of workers living in tea garden settlements. Festival bonuses are an important source of additional income for tea workers, helping them meet increased household expenditure during major celebrations. The announcement is expected to bring relief to eligible workers preparing for the festive season. Durga Puja, celebrated with particular enthusiasm across Assam and other parts of eastern India, follows the nine-day Navratri festival and is marked by community gatherings, religious ceremonies and cultural programmes. Chief Minister Sarma's announcement comes ahead of the festival period, when demand for household goods, clothing and other essential items typically rises as families prepare for celebrations. However, details regarding the precise distribution schedule, the eligibility criteria for workers and the arrangements for implementing the special bonus across the tea estates were not immediately available. The announcement is expected to be closely watched by tea garden workers and industry stakeholders as the state prepares for the festive season.

NCC Plans to Expand Reach in Northeast India, West Bengal, and Sikkim

The NCC will hold a high-level meeting in Guwahati to enhance its activities in Northeast India and strengthen its organizational framework. NCC Plans to Expand Reach in Northeast India, West Bengal, and Sikkim

Shubman Gill bags record-extending fifth 'ICC Player of the Month' award, beats Abhishek and Sikandar Raza

Indian skipper Shubman Gill achieved his record-extending fifth 'ICC Player of the Month' award for September 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday. Gill, as per the ICC, won the award ahead of fellow nominees Abhishek Sharma of India and Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza. Gill scored 333 runs in India's first two ODIs against West Indies, with a century in the opener and an unbeaten double century in the second. India won both matches by eight wickets. In the first ODI, in Thiruvananthapuram on 27 September, Gill made 110 off 108 balls as India chased down West Indies' 295/7. India reached the target of 296 in 41.4 overs. Three days later in Guwahati, West Indies made 405/7, their first ODI total above 400. Gill, captaining India, responded with an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls, including 26 fours and eight sixes, and India finished on 406/2 in 43.3 overs with 39 balls to spare. He reached his hundred in 62 balls, the fastest by an Indian captain in ODIs, and his doub...