Guwahati News

Larsen & Toubro bags multi-crore projects

Engineering giant Larsen & Toubro has won significant new projects. These include building a cultural and spiritual museum, Advait Lok, at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. The company will also redevelop the R G Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati, featuring a FIFA-compliant football stadium.

Agoda Reveals India's Most Affordable Year-End Flight Routes for Holiday Travelers

As the year-end holiday season approaches, digital travel platform Agoda reveals the most affordable domestic and international flight routes across Asia. Based on bookings made from September 2025 onwards for departures between December 2031, Agoda reveals that GuwahatiAgartala (INR 1,300) emerged as Indias most affordable domestic route this festive season. For international travel, AhmedabadBangkok (INR 65,00) stood out as the cheapest option for Indian travelers, offering an accessible gateway to one of Asias most beloved holiday destinations. Agoda reveals Indias most affordable year-end flight routes for holiday travellers The Christmas and New Year's holiday season is one of the most significant travel periods of the year. With schools on break and many workplaces offering extended holidays, travelers seize the opportunity to embark on journeys, whether to reunite with family, explore new destinations, or simply unwind and spend quality time with loved ones. This convergence of cultural celebrations and vacation time off makes it one of the busiest and most cherished travel periods of the year, and for many travelers, its more important than ever to find the best deals to maximize the holiday experience. For those traveling domestically, Indias GuwahatiAgartala (INR 1,300) route ranked as the third most affordable in Asia, following Thailands Udon Thani-Bangkok (INR 536) in first place, and South Koreas Jeju-Seoul and Malaysias Bario-Miri routes (INR 805) tying for second place. Completing the ranks for the most economical domestic flights across Asian countries during the end-of-year period were India (INR 1,300), Indonesia (INR 1,600), Vietnam (INR 2,000), Japan (INR 2,200), and Taiwan (INR 4,000). These insights highlight the most affordable intra-country routes across Asia, helping travelers identify options that allow them to celebrate the festive season without overspending. For those traveling abroad from India, the AhmedabadBangkok route, with fares starting at just INR 6,500, makes an excellent choice for those eager to experience Bangkok's vibrant holiday atmosphere, when the city comes alive with dazzling lights, festive markets, and cultural celebrations. Across the region, Agodas data showed that the cheapest international flights in Asia were found in Malaysia and Indonesia, with fares such as Johor BahruPhuket and PontianakKuching available at INR 2,200. These routes offer easy escapes to sunny islands and lush natural landscapes during the holiday season. Thailand followed closely, with flights from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur starting at INR 2,500. Rounding out the list of the most affordable intra-Asia international routes were South Korea (INR 2,800), Japan (INR 3,500), Taiwan (INR 4,100), Vietnam (INR 4,100), and India (INR 6,500). Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda , said, Christmas and New Year are among the busiest travel periods for Indian holidaymakers, and finding value during this time can make all the difference. Our trends show that with the right route selection, travelers can still enjoy meaningful savings even in peak season. At Agoda, were focused on making these options easy to discover, helping travelers enjoy the festive holidays without overspending . With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda ensures travelers can seamlessly combine their bookings in one convenient platform for a memorable holiday experience. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect festive getaway. About Agoda Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of 6 million hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support. Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 7,000 staff in 27 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier. www.agoda.com AbouttheData The data presented in this press release is based on actual flight bookings made on Agoda between 1-September to 19 November 2025, for flights departing between 20-31 December 2025. The listed fares include all taxes and fees and are the cheapest booked fares across eight Asia Pacific markets: India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Note that fares can fluctuate: While the listed fares have been booked, Agoda cannot guarantee that these are still available for future bookings. Cheapest International Flights Rank Route Origin Destination Fare (USD) 1 JHBHKT Johor Bahru Phuket 25 PNKKCH Pontianak Kuching 25 2 KBVKUL Krabi Kuala Lumpur 28 3 PUSKMJ Busan Kumamoto 32 4 KIXPUS Osaka Busan 39 5 TPEPUS Taipei Busan 46 6 SGNKUL Ho Chi Minh City Kuala Lumpur 46 7 AMDDMK Ahmedabad Bangkok 73 Cheapest Domestic Flights Rank Route Origin Destination Fare (USD) 1 UTHBKK Udon Thani Bangkok 6 2 CJUGMP Jeju Seoul 9 BBNMYY Bario Miri 9 3 GAUIXA Guwahati Agartala 15 4 TKGCGK Bandar Lampung Jakarta 18 5 PQCSGN Phu Quoc Island Ho Chi Minh City 22 6 OKASHI Okinawa Main island Shimojishima 25 7 KHHMZG Kaohsiung Penghu 45

Guwahati Riverfront marked a major milestone

Assam marked a significant urban milestone as two landmark riverfront projects were inaugurated in Guwahati. The developments aimed to transform the Brahmaputra riverbank into a vibrant hub for tourism, culture, and public life. The post Guwahati Riverfront marked a major milestone appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .

Dense fog disrupts flights for second day; 131 services cancelled at Delhi airport

NEW DELHI: Dense fog led to flight cancellations across northern India for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, though the impact was less severe than on Monday. Disruptions are expected to continue on Wednesday as low-visibility conditions persist. At Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport alone, a total of 131 flights of various airlines were cancelled upto 9 pm on Wednesday, said a senior official. Due to low visibility, 52 departures and 79 arrivals have been cancelled, he said. On Tuesday, 228 domestic flights had been cancelled from IGIA At airports across the country, Indias largest domestic airport Indigo had cancelled 110 flights. Among them were flights from Delhi to Ahmedabad, Indore, Hyderabad, Jeddah, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Guwahati, reveals its website. Air India had cancelled 40 of its flights to and from Delhi airport. An Air India source aid the flights cancelled on Tuesday were pre-planned ones with passengers intimated about them. An Air India Express spokesperson said that four of its flights were cancelled. They were the routes from Delhi to Jaipur as well as Varanasi as well their return journeys. Spicejet as well as Akasa Air said none of their flights were impacted. Low visibility was the reason flights could not take-off. The minimum Runway Visual Range required for airplanes to take off is 125 metres. Flights can land when there is a visibility of 100 metres and hence most flights were able to land, said an official.

Gunfire sparks fresh tensions in Manipur

GUWAHATI: Gunfire was heard on Tuesday night in Manipurs Bishnupur district bordering Churachandpur district, sparking fresh tensions among people in the ethnic violence-hit state. The locals of Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai areas reported hearing gunshots. Gunshots were also heard in a video that is being widely circulated. The incident comes a day after 389 internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to their homes in the Bishnupur areas after spending more than two and a half years in the relief camps. Phougakchao Ikhai was among the areas to be first hit by the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. The violence had left more than 260 people dead and an estimated 60,000 others internally displaced. A large majority of the displaced people from both the Meitei and Kuki communities are still lodged in relief camps in different districts. Earlier, the state government announced that they would be resettled in three phases by December this year. During her visit to the state last week, President Droupadi Murmu had called upon all communities to keep supporting the efforts for peace. President Murmu wraps up Manipur visit with peace call, tribal body resents Kuki areas snub

Ahead of Assam Assembly polls, Cong takes up village outreach initiative

Guwahati, Dec 16: Ahead of the next years Assembly elections in the state, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has taken up an initiative to reach out to every village across the state. The programme titled Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress will begin in full swing across the state from December 20, with the objective of []

Mizoram: Northeast Frontier Railway successfully handles first-ever direct inward automobile rake at Sairang Station

A total of 119 Maruti cars, transported from Changsari near Guwahati, were delivered by rail, marking a historic step in strengthening logistics connectivity to the State.

India opens Cho La, Dok La passes in Sikkim for battlefield tourism on China border

GUWAHATI: India on Monday opened the historic Cho La and Dok La passes in Sikkim, formally introducing battlefield tourism along the China border under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative. Doklam came into focus in 2017 following a border standoff between Indian and Chinese troops, while Cho La is among the sites where Indian and Chinese forces clashed in 1967. The Northeast has several such battlefields, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang flagged off 25 motorbikes and vehicles to mark the opening of the two passes. A joint initiative of the Indian Army and the Ministry of Tourism, Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan allows citizens to visit historic war zones and sites of military significance. The objective is to enable people to experience Indias military history and honour the sacrifices of soldiers. Historic battlefields, often located in challenging and remote terrains, resonate with tales of extraordinary valour and supreme sacrifice. To enhance accessibility and awareness of these sites, the Ministry of Tourism and the Army Adventure Wing came together on 24.07.2025 to discuss collaborative strategies to develop these sites as tourism products, the Ministry of Tourism said. Tamang said the opening of Cho La and Dok La passes was part of the Centres Vibrant Village Programme, which aims to strengthen border area tourism and create livelihood opportunities for local communities through regulated tourism activities. The initiative seeks to open strategically significant border areas through regulated tourism while highlighting their historical and military importance, the chief minister said. He said he was confident that the programme, envisioned under the broader concept of battlefield tourism, would spread awareness among people about the valour and sacrifices of the armed forces and foster a sense of patriotism among visitors. The chief minister said the initiative had been made possible through coordination among the central government, the state government and Army authorities. I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji because his mission has been to first develop the last villages. We are formally reopening Cho La Pass and Dok La Pass from today to promote local tourism, Tamang said. He added that infrastructure development in the area was under way and that the required facilities would be provided to support tourism activities. The states Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism), C.S. Rao, said the department had been working towards opening the passes for tourism over the past two months in coordination with Army authorities to ensure the safe and smooth movement of tourists. He added that while infrastructure development was still in progress, basic facilities had already been put in place.

PM Modi condoles death of veteran Assam journalist PG Baruah

GUWAHATI: Prafulla Govinda Baruah, a doyen of journalism in Assam, passed away on Sunday night due to age-related ailments. He was 93. Baruah is survived by his wife and two daughters. Born in Dibrugarh in upper Assam, Baruah was a Padma Shri awardee and served as the editor of The Assam Tribune , founded by his father, the late Radha Govinda Baruah. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were among the leaders who mourned his demise. Saddened by the passing away of Shri PG Baruah ji, Editor and Managing Director of The Assam Tribune Group. He will be remembered for his contribution to the media world. He was also passionate about furthering Assams progress and popularising the states culture. My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti, the Prime Minister posted on X. Chief Minister Sarma described Baruah as a towering figure in Assams journalistic landscape. His lifelong dedication to principled journalism and his immense contribution to literature, education and public life will always be cherished. Deepest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues and countless admirers, Sarma wrote on X.

Assam: 16 years after Jogdal murders, local organisation seeks NHRC's intervention for justice

GUWAHATI: Sixteen years after six members of a family were hacked to death in their house in Jogdal village in Assam's Kamrup Metropolitan district, a local organisation has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for justice for the victims. It has urged the NHRC to take cognisance of human rights violations in the case and intervene to ensure a fair, independent and time-bound investigation. On the night of December 12, 2009, unidentified assailants had brutally killed Harakanta Doloi, his wife Swapna, their three children and a nephew at their Jogdal residence. The killings were suspected to have been linked to political leaders who used their influence to acquire land in the area to build a luxury hotel. The perpetrators have still not been brought to book. The Dimoria Bikash Manch urged NHRC chairman Justice V R Rama Subramanian to look into the case. Chief advisor of the Manch, Dibyajyoti Medhi, who submitted the petition on Saturday, said, We met a member of the panel and handed our petition. He has assured us of looking into the case. It has been 16 years but justice has not been done yet. But, we are still hopeful that the NHRC will be able to get justice for the victims. Doloi was a marginal cultivator, and the family was economically impoverished, with no known enmity with any individual or group, he said. The petition maintained that he investigation was deliberately weakened due to the suspected involvement of a then minister of the Assam government. The Congress was leading the government in Assam in 2009. The initial investigation conducted by Sonapur Police was allegedly neither impartial nor diligent. On the contrary, serious attempts were reportedly made to destroy crucial evidence, including the burning of the victim's house after the incident, it said. It further said that a prime accused, Arjun Bordoloi, was killed under mysterious circumstances on September 5, 2012, raising further concerns regarding the integrity of the investigation. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and on December 7, 2017, two police officers -- Pranab Kumar Deka, the then officer-in-charge of Sonapur police station, and A M Choudhury, the then investigating officer of the case -- were arrested on charges of deliberately destroying evidence with the intention of shielding the actual perpetrators. The case was handed over to the CBI a year later by the state government. Despite sustained protests and representations submitted by numerous local ethnic and social organisations over the years, the authorities concerned have remained largely unresponsive, the Manch alleged. ...it is humbly prayed that your esteemed office may kindly take cognisance of the grave human rights violations involved in this case and intervene appropriately to ensure a fair, independent, and time-bound process leading to justice for the victims, the petition said. All responsible for the crime as well as for the obstruction of justice be brought to book in accordance with the law, it added.

Assam: Woman among two granted citizenship under CAA, tally rises to five

GUWAHATI: Two persons, including a woman, have been granted Indian citizenship under the CAA, taking the count of people receiving it under the Act to five in Assam, their lawyer said. For the first time, a woman was granted citizenship under the Act in the northeastern state, senior advocate Dharmananda Deb, who had also been a member of the Foreigners' Tribunal in Silchar, said. The 40-year-old woman had entered India from Bangladesh in 2007 and had been living in Sribhumi, while the 61-year-old man, who came to the country in 1975, had been living in Cachar, he said. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the certificates on Friday, and the citizenship is deemed effective from the day both individuals entered India, Deb said, while declining to disclose their names, citing possible social harassment. He said the woman, who hails from Bangladesh's Chittagong, had accompanied a family member for treatment at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. She met a man from Sribhumi, married him, gave birth to a son and stayed back. She had applied for citizenship after the CAA rules were notified last year, Deb said. Her first application, submitted in July last year, was rejected due to confusion caused by the delimitation exercise before the Lok Sabha elections. Badarpur, where she now lives, was partially moved from Sribhumi to Cachar, creating uncertainty over the jurisdiction of her area. The lawyer had reapplied and her case was finally approved. MHA extends CAA cut-off date to 31 December 2024, easing citizenship process for persecuted minorities Deb said she is the first woman in Assam to receive citizenship under the CAA, and notably the first in the state to be granted citizenship through the registration route. This was granted under Section 5(1)(c), read with Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which allows a person married to an Indian citizen to register as an Indian citizen after residing in India for seven years, he explained. The second beneficiary, a resident of Silchar town, came to India at the age of 11 from Bangladesh's Moulvibazar district, and had also married locally, and started a family. He received citizenship through the naturalisation process. Assam now has five individuals who entered India after the 1971 cut-off and have been granted citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Deb said he has assisted around 25 applicants over the last 18 months, but many applications were rejected or remain pending. Around 40 people have so far applied for citizenship in the state since the rules were notified last year. The Act enables Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, and Parsi immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who entered India between March 25, 1971 and December 31, 2014 to apply for citizenship. The CAA, passed on December 11, 2019, had sparked statewide protests in Assam, leading to the death of five persons in the violence. Assam has nearly two lakh individuals identified as doubtful citizens, but only a small number have applied under the CAA so far. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that most Hindus migrated to Assam from Bangladesh before the cut-off date of 1971.

Queer children face maximum discrimination, bullying at homes, schools and neighbourhoods: Survey

GUWAHATI: A recent survey found that LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents face the highest levels of discrimination and bullying in their own homes, schools and neighbourhoods, with activists and stakeholders urging for concerted efforts to address these issues to help them get equal opportunities. A recent survey of over 900 LGBTQ+ individuals by a Kolkata-based organisation, 'Bridge', which works for the rights of the community across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, reported that most bullying happens between the ages of 12 and 15 years. Many young people are forced to drop out of school, losing out on education, future employment, and income security, Bridge's founder director Prithviraj Nath told PTI . Even after the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2018, the NALSA judgment in 2014, and Transgender Protection Act of 2019, LGBTQ+ people continue to face systematic exclusion in education, health care, workplaces, and public life, he said. Basic human rights still remain out of reach for many and it is extremely important that we bring to light the lived realities and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and have dialogues with the larger society towards equal rights and inclusion of the community, Nath added. Rudrani Rajkumari, founder of 'Xomonnoy', an LGBTQIA+ rights organisation and support group, pointed out that the government and all stakeholders must make collective efforts to create a roadmap to reduce discrimination and promote equal rights. We cannot talk about human rights in India and leave out LGBTQIA+ citizens. Every child deserves safety in their home, respect in their school, and dignity in their workplace. Equality is not a favour, it is a constitutional promise, Rajkumari said. Former vice principal of Guwahati's Dispur College, Sunita Agarwalla, claimed that it is one of the pioneer institutions in Assam, having done commendable work for the education of the children from the community. Besides having a gender-neutral toilet, it has reserved seats for such students in both its higher secondary and degree courses, with education being free if such a student needs it and sensitisation programmes are also for all its students regarding the issues of the community, she said. I, as an educator, feel that it is very important to understand that people from the LGBTQIA+ community are also human beings and citizens of our country, so they have to be treated equally by everyone in every aspect, Agarwalla said. Lalit Chandra Bharali College's professor Kunjalata Brahma Bhatiri said that more and more people are voicing their support for equal treatment of people from the community and judgement-free spaces, but a collective and concerted effort from all stratas of society is needed. Sensitisation and orientation to drive in the very understanding of the basic right to live freely and with dignity is required at all levels, she said. More people should talk, discuss, opine and work in attaining dignified living spaces for the queer community, she said. Tezpur University's faculty from the Department of Social Work, Sammy said, Incredible work is being done by multiple stakeholders in the field of queer-inclusive education at secondary, college and university levels in the northeastern region but with every new initiative, we face a wall of structural resistance which is coated in layers of binary understanding of society. Social systems like family, schools, neighbourhoods, state authorities, community institutions, health care services, workplaces and every sector that completes a human being needs gender inclusive approaches and practices as well, she said. We cannot lose our queer students, children, adults and elders to public scorn, confined spaces, hopelessness and suicides, Sammy said. Every department in higher education institutions needs to create safe spaces, accessibility to queer-affirmative support initiatives such as gender-neutral toilets, transport facilities, hostels and common rooms, livelihood opportunities, and speedy redressal mechanism for complaints and quality healthcare services, she said. Former Cotton University professor and Assamese writer Najma Mukherjee said, As an educator and litterateur, I believe in the power of art -- be it literature or the visual arts. Books and movies have definitely contributed to the shaping of public consciousness in understanding queer experiences all around the world. Nath pointed out that stakeholders, during discussions on the issue, have pointed out that there is a need for capacity building for school teachers and B.Ed trainees to equip them with skills to support LGBTQIA+ students. There is also a need to engage more with parents to build understanding and provide supportive environments at home and introduce comics, storybooks, and visual learning tools on gender and sexuality in school libraries, especially in Assamese and other languages, he said. Rajkumari pointed out that stakeholders have urged the government to include mandatory training for teachers and staffers in all educational institutions, in line with the Supreme Court's guidelines on student mental health, and biannual sensitisation for officials in judicial, police, and administrative departments on laws and rights related to LGBTQIA+ people.

Ex-IAF officer held in Assam over alleged Pakistani links

GUWAHATI: A retired Indian Air Force (IAF) officer was arrested in Assam for his alleged links with Pakistani operatives, while Arunachal Police arrested four Kashmiri residents over the past few days in an alleged espionage case. Retired Junior Warrant Officer Kulendra Sarma, a resident of the Patia locality of Tezpur in northern Assams Sonitpur district, was arrested late Friday night. Preliminary investigation revealed he had shared sensitive documents and information with Pakistani operatives. The police seized his laptop and mobile phone and sent them for a forensic examination. Superintendent of Police, Barun Purkayastha, told TNIE that the police were tracking the accused for the past few weeks. We received human intel about him. We kept him under technical surveillance, but slowly the matter was getting serious. We took time to collect evidence and picked him up eventually, Purkayastha said. He added that the police were trying to find out if the accused had any local associates. A case was registered against him under relevanthe t sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The last posting of Sarma, who retired in 2002, was at the Air Force Station in Tezpur. Later, he briefly worked at Tezpur University. The IAFs Tezpur base has key air assets, including a Sukhoi 30 squadron. Meanwhile, all four arrested in the frontier state of Arunachal are from Kupwara. On November 21, Itanagar police arrested Nazir Ahmad Malik and Sabir Ahmed Mir based on intelligence inputs about their possible involvement in espionage activities. They reportedly shared vital information about Army movements and installations in Arunachal with their Pakistani associates through a Telegram channel. Later, based on information shared by Itanagar police, West Siang police arrested one Hilal Ahmed from Aalo, and Changlang police arrested one Gulam Md Mir from Miao. Stating that it is a case involving national security, the police urged everyone to wait for the completion of the probe.

Four charged with Zubeen Gargs murder

GUWAHATI, Dec 12: The Special Investigation Team, probing the death of Zubeen Garg, charged four accusedthe singers secretary Siddhartha Sharma, festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and band members, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahantawith murder in the charge sheet filed in a court here on Friday.

Zubeen Garg Death: Prosecutor Alleges Accused Were Planning For 18 Months To Kill Singer

The SIT submitted a 2,240-page primary chargesheet, along with 8,698 pages of supporting documents, before the CJM of the Guwahati court in connection with Zubeen Garg's death.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurates TVS Credit Technology Centre in Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the TVS Credit Technology Centre in Guwahati, a key initiative under Advantage Assam 2.0. This center aims to bolster the state's digital ecosystem by skilling youth for tech roles, supporting AI, automation, and national digital transformation efforts.

President Murmu wraps up Manipur visit with peace call, tribal body resents Kuki areas snub

GUWAHATI: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday wrapped up her two-day visit to ethnic violence-hit Manipur with a call to all communities to keep supporting the efforts for peace even as a Kuki-Zo organisation resented that she did not visit a Kuki area. Addressing a gathering in Naga-majority hill district Senapati after laying the foundation stones and inaugurating various developmental projects, the President said Manipurs strength lies in its diversity its culture, languages, and traditions. The hills and the valley have always complemented each other, like two sides of the same beautiful land, she said. She urged all communities to continue supporting the efforts for peace, understanding and reconciliation, stating that the Centre recognises the aspirations of the people of Manipur and is committed to their well-being and progress. The President also said that dignity, security and growth opportunities for the tribal communities of Manipur and their greater participation in the countrys progress were a national priority. The Government of India is working closely with local leaders, civil society, and communities to ensure that development in Manipur is inclusive and sustainable, she stated. In recent years, the hill districts of Manipur have benefited from focused investments in areas such as road and bridge connectivity, including national highways and rural roads, healthcare, education, drinking water, and electricity supply, she said. Earlier in the day, Murmu paid homage to the brave women warriors of Manipur at the Nupee Lal Memorial Complex in state capital Imphal. The Memorial Complex stands as a tribute to the sacrifice of Manipuri women and commemorates their uprisings in which they challenged the British and feudal powers with great courage. Meanwhile, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust said Murmus decision to ignore Kangpokpi, where over 50,000 of our people remain displaced, terrorised, and abandoned, sent a message that the Kuki-Zo people do not merit inclusion in India's conscience. The Presidents itinerary celebrating Meitei historical resistance in Imphal and inaugurating projects in Naga areas is a deliberate political choreographyHer empathetic words in Imphal are rendered hollow when she refuses to confront the reality just 60 km away, where our children are starving in camps and our elderly are dying of broken hearts, the organisation said.

Zubeen Garg's Cousin, Who Went To Singapore With Him, Named In Chargesheet

The special investigation team (SIT) that is probing the death of Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg has filed a chargesheet at a local court in Guwahati.

SIT submits over 3,500 chargesheet in Zubeen Garg death case in Guwahati court

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed a 3,500-page chargesheet in the Guwahati Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court concerning the death of singer Zubeen Garg. Garg died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19 while attending the North East India Festival. The Assam government formed the SIT, which has made seven arrests and examined over 300 witnesses.

SIT Submits 3500-Page Chargesheet In Zubeen Garg Death Case At Guwahati Court

In Zubeen Garg's death case, the SIT has arrested seven people, including main event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen's manager Siddharth Sharma, and others.

SIT Submits Over 3,500 Pages Of Chargesheet In Zubeen Garg Death Case In Guwahati Court

Investigations may take up to another three months : Singapore Police

Zubeen Garg death case: SIT submits charge sheet in at CJM court in Guwahati

The special DGP heading the SIT had earlier said that seven arrests have been made so far in connection with the case, and over 300 witnesses examined

IIT Guwahati hosts first care conference on data science and AI to shape responsible AI development in India

IIT Guwahati hosted its first CARE Conference on Data Science and AI, uniting global universities, Indian institutes, industry leaders, and policymakers to shape a responsible national AI framework. The three-day event explored advances in generative modeling, explainability, healthcare AI, robotics, quantum algorithms, cryptanalysis, and high-performance computing. Insights will inform Indias upcoming AI Vision Document, aimed at building an inclusive, transparent, and future-ready AI ecosystem while strengthening long-term collaborative research networks.

President Murmu visits Manipur amid shutdown call by rebels

GUWAHATI: President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Manipur on Thursday on a two-day visit amid a shutdown called by a conglomerate of banned insurgent groups. The Coordination Committee had called the shutdown in protest against the Presidents visit. Two days ago, it had stated that the shutdown would remain in force till she left the ethnic violence-hit state. Shops and markets remained closed in the state capital Imphal. The movement of vehicles was also thin. The President, on her maiden visit to the state, was accorded a guard of honour upon her arrival. Later, she visited the historic Mapal Kangjeibung to witness a polo exhibition match. In the evening, the President addressed a civic reception in Imphal, hosted in her honour by the state government. Murmu will visit the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex in Imphal on Friday and pay her respects to Manipurs brave women warriors. Nupi Lal refers to two women-led uprisings, carried out in 1904 and 1939, in which Manipuri women protested against British colonial policies and asserted their rights and dignity. The President is also scheduled to travel to Senapati district to address a public gathering and lay the foundation stones and inaugurate various development projects for the district. Meanwhile, Meitei groups Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and Arambai Tenggol highlighted the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are leading a cluttered existence in the relief camps. COCOMI urged the President to take some firm steps to protect the constitutional rights of the people in the state. Its convenor Khuraijam Athouba pointed out that thousands of people continued to live as refugees in their own state. He recalled the governments commitment that the IDPs would be resettled in three phases by December and noted that not much progress had been made in this regard. Arambai Tenggol expressed the hope that the Presidents presence in the state would draw renewed national attention to the hardships being endured by the IDPs. Murmus visit comes three months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the state on September 13 for the first time since the ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. Manipur Meitei BJP MLA breaks ice, visits Kuki villages

Guwahati inferno remains uncontrolled for over 38 hours; multiple agencies called in

The authorities concerned did not enforce required safety norms while permitting a commercial structure of this size, officials said

Arunachal: 18 killed, seven others missing as truck falls into gorge earlier this week

GUWAHATI: At least 18 people died when a truck, in which they were travelling in, plunged into a deep gorge near Metengliang in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. The mishap occurred on the night of December 8 but authorities learnt about it on December 10 after an injured survivor had managed to reach a camp of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and narrated the incident. After first aid, he was shifted to Assam for further treatment. A group of 22 labourers had left from Assams Tinsukia district for Chaglagam in Anjaw district on December 7 to work at a construction site. Fellow workers were alarmed when they did not reach their destination on time. Based on their complaint, the Hayuliang police in Anjaw district launched a search operation and later, they received information from the GREF camp about the lone survivor. The police said the mishap, which occurred at a place located around 12 km from Chaglagam, remained unreported for two days due to the absence of mobile connectivity in the region. A defence ministry statement said the Indian Army launched a major search and rescue operation based on information received late on December 10. Preliminary inputs from the lone survivor, who managed to reach Chipra GREF Camp, indicate that a truck carrying 22 workers from Tinsukia fell off a cliff. The accident site lies in difficult terrain with limited connectivity and had not been reported by any local agency, contractor or civil representative until the survivors arrival, the statement said. After four hours of intensive search and rope descent on Thursday (December 11) by the teams of Army, police, National Disaster Response Force and GREF, the truck was spotted around 200 metres below the road in a re-entrant, inaccessible and not visible from helicopters or the road due to dense tree cover and thick foliage. Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes, the statement said. Authorities were questioning the sub-contractor to verify the antecedents and exact strength of the workers hired. Despite harsh terrain and poor visibility, the Indian Army, in coordination with civil administration and other agencies, is making all possible efforts to trace the remaining individuals and provide immediate assistance, the statement further stated.

BLS International secures renewal of attestation, apostille services contract with MEA

MUMBAI, Dec 11: BLS International Services on Thursday said it has secured the renewal of its contract for attestation and apostille services with the External Affairs Ministry. The renewed contract covers its existing service operations across Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Panaji, Kochi, Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Patna and Puducherry, BLS International said in a statement. Under this agreement, BLS International will provide MEA attestation and apostille services for educational, non-educational, and commercial documents across [] The post BLS International secures renewal of attestation, apostille services contract with MEA appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Guwahati inferno remains uncontrolled for over 33 hrs; multiple agencies called in

A massive fire continues to burn at Guwahati's Swagata Square Complex. The blaze has raged for over 33 hours. More than two dozen fire tenders are battling the flames. The fire started on the second floor of the shopping mall. Efforts are underway to control the spread. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Guwahati commercial complex fire remains uncontrolled for over 33 hours; multiple agencies called in

GUWAHATI: A massive fire that broke out at a commercial complex in Guwahati remained untamed for over 33 hours even as more than two dozen fire tenders have been struggling to douse the blaze, a senior official said on Thursday. The fire broke out at Swagata Square Complex in ABC Point around 12.30 am on Wednesday. The multi-storey building houses SBI's zonal office, commercial branch and the premium banking branch, and a shopping mall, 'Sohum Emporia'. More than 25 fire tenders have been struggling for more than 33 hours. Water tenders from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Guwahati Refinery also joined the efforts to douse the blaze, while NDRF was called in to assist with their high-tech smoke reduction machine. Apart from Guwahati, fire tenders came from Morigaon, Kamrup and Nalbari districts, as well, while more vehicles were on the way from Darrang. The fire is still raging on the sixth floor. We are trying to douse it, a senior official of the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) told PTI. Smoke is also billowing from the second floor, where the fire originated at the godown of the shopping mall, he added. The fire is now at the backside of the building. However, due to non-adherence to safety norms while construction, fire tenders are unable to reach the rear, another official said. He said the authorities concerned did not enforce required safety norms while permitting a commercial structure of this size. So far, only one firefighter has sustained a minor injury and was treated at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. Our boys immediately responded to the fire call post midnight on Wednesday and reached the spot within 15 minutes. We could stop the fire from spreading, the F&ES official said. The fire originated at the godown of the mall on the second floor, where a lot of inflammable materials and clothes were stored, he added. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in a statement, said fire personnel are attempting to control the spread of fire and prevent it from reaching the lower floors. Due to zero visibility and heavy smoke, the fire could not be controlled effectively in the initial stage. The building premises and surrounding areas have been secured. Evacuation protocols were initiated for safety, it added. ASDMA said that preliminary observation suggests significant damage to the affected floors, but a detailed assessment will be done once the fire is fully controlled. The cause of the fire is still unknown at this stage, it added.

Memorial for Assam Agitation martyrs unveiled

The Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Guwahati was inaugurated on Swahid Divas, commemorating the death anniversary of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first martyr of the Assam Agitation, who died on December 10, 1979

Five people go missing from Brahmaputra in Guwahati

GUWAHATI: Five of a nine-member group are missing after they reportedly ventured into the Brahmaputra River off Guwahatis Kharghuli area on Wednesday afternoon. According to locals, a group of nine people had visited Bhakti Kutir, a Krishna temple near the river, where the incident occurred. Around 12:50 pm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) received a call reporting that four to five people were missing. The caller said there were eight to nine people and four to five of them were missing. Immediately after getting the information, our team arrived with four boats to conduct a search and rescue operation, an NDRF officer told the media at the site. The officer added that three people managed to swim ashore while another was rescued by the NDRF team. Five are missing, he said, adding that a sudden shift in the water level was suspected to have caused the incident. Rescue teams recovered belongings of some of the missing persons from the riverbank. Most of those affected are from outside Assam.

Assam CM unveils Swahid Smarak Kshetra, honours 860 martyrs

Guwahati witnessed the inauguration of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra. This memorial honors 860 martyrs of the Assam Agitation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the movement's participants. The memorial complex includes statues, a meditation hall, and gardens. The event marks the observance of Swahid Diwas.

Five missing after they fell in Brahmaputra river

Five youths remain missing after falling into the Brahmaputra River at Kharghuli in Guwahati. A group of eight had gone to offer prayers at Bhakti Kutir and subsequently went for a bath in the river. While three were rescued, the NDRF's search operation has so far failed to locate the five others.

Assam movement immortalised in new memorial: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 'Shaheed Smarak Kshetra and Park' in Guwahati, commemorating the Assam Movement's martyrs. He emphasized the movement's enduring spirit in safeguarding Assam's identity, culture, and existence, highlighting government initiatives to address issues central to the struggle.

UK travel vlogger alleges harassment at Post Malone concert in Guwahati; Assam Police await formal complaint

GUWAHATI: A UK-based travel vlogger alleged she and her friend were harassed at the December 8 concert of American singer-rapper Post Malone in Guwahati. Taking to social media, the British woman alleged that the two of them were touched without consent. The alleged incident took place soon after they had entered the concert venue at the Veterinary College ground. The Assam Police took note of the allegation and made attempts to reach out to both. The British citizen complained about harassment at the December 8 Post Malone concert. I want to make it clear that we had an adequate number of officers and staff at the venue. During the investigation, we learnt that no complaint was lodged with the police, Joint Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, Ankur Jain said at a press conference on Wednesday. He further stated that he had sent text messages to both women on their X handles, and a reply was awaited. I told them that if they had any issues, they could inform me. Two hours have elapsed but I have not received any complaint from them, Jain said. He shared his number at the press conference, assuring that action would be taken if any complaint was received. Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi demanded the arrest of those who were involved in the incident. This is an unfortunate incident which will tarnish the image of Assam. I want that the incident is probed and the culprits are arrested and punished, Gogoi said.

Assam CM unveils Swahid Smarak Kshetra; honours Assam Agitation martyrs on Swahid Diwas

GUWAHATI: The Assam government honoured the 860 martyrs of the Assam Agitation, also known as the Anti-Immigrants Agitation, on the Swahid Diwas on Wednesday. The Swahid Diwas marks the death anniversary of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first victim of the six-year-long agitation (1979-85). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Guwahati. It is an honour of a lifetime to dedicate the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in memory of our bravehearts who fought for the pride of Aai Asomi (Mother Assam), Sarma said. He further stated that with the unveiling of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra, tributes were paid to them for their supreme sacrifice. From safeguarding our culture and heritage to reclaiming our lands, every effort (of the government) is dedicated to protecting the pride of Aai Asomi and the rights of everyone in Assam, he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister said Assams demographic pattern was fast changing, stating that almost 40 per cent of its population would be those who came from Bangladesh at some point of time. Legality apart, today Assam is marginalised. Our culture is marginalised in our own land. Economy is fast shifting to those people who were never associated with our culture and history, Sarma said. He added that while the challenge continued, one brighter side was the prevailing collective spirit to face it. I am sure that our new generation will fight and keep on fighting. God will bless us and we will survive, he said. On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the valour of all those who were a part of the Assam Movement. The movement will always have a prime place in our history. We reiterate our commitment to fulfilling the dreams of those who participated in the Assam Movement, notably the strengthening of Assams culture and the all-round progress of the state, he posted on X. Union home minister Amit Shah wrote, On Swahid Diwas, remembering the sacrifices made by the people of Assam during the Assam Movement. They faced the odds and shaped the history of Assam, creating a peerless example of patriotism. The Assam Movement ended with the signing of the historic Assam Accord in 1985.

Major fire erupts at multi-storied building in Guwahati

GUWAHATI, Dec 10: A major fire broke out during the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday in a multi-storied building, housing a high-end shopping mall and a retail assets central processing centre of State Bank of India (SBI), in the Bhangagarh area on GS Road. Various sections across floors of the structure were engulfed by the blaze []

Post Malone sets Guwahati stage on fire

In a landmark cultural moment, Post Malone, one of the worlds most influential and genre-blurring artists, took the stage in Guwahati for his first-ever solo headline performance in the country. Produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow and Live Nation, in collaboration with the Government of Assam, the concert []

Sonu Nigam set for debut solo concert in Guwahati on Dec 14; Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wants to host Shakira next

Music icon Sonu Nigam will launch his 'Deewana Tera Tour' in Guwahati on December 14, 2025, marking his first solo concert in the city. The decision is deeply personal, honoring his bond with the late Zubeen Garg and the people of Assam. Assam's Chief Minister also expressed interest in bringing global artists like Shakira to the state.

Missing stray dogs spark concern among animal lovers in Assam

GUWAHATI: A series of complaints by animal lovers has sparked concern in North Lakhimpur after a large number of stray dogs reportedly went missing in the weeks following the Supreme Courts directive to relocate street dogs to shelters post sterilisation and vaccination. On November 19, four animal welfare volunteers Dimpi Pareek, Dipankar Saikia, Luhit Das and Ritupal Phukan lodged a complaint with the police alleging an abnormal reduction in the stray dog population across the town. They expressed fears that the canines may have been illegally captured for the dog-meat trade, calling it a serious criminal offence under animal cruelty and transportation laws. They urged police to launch an investigation and act against those involved in any such racket. In another complaint filed on December 2, animal lover Priyamjyoti Phukan said that nearly 7080 per cent of the towns stray dogs had suddenly vanished. She recalled feeding the animals during the Covid-19 pandemic, when their estimated population was around 500. We now have around 100 of them, she said, adding that two dogs under her care one amputated and another undergoing treatment were also missing. She alleged that certain groups may be poaching the dogs for quick profit. Amid rising alarm, the North Lakhimpur Municipal Board, in a letter dated November 21, asked the Officer-in-Charge of North Lakhimpur Sadar Thana to register an FIR on the matter. The civic body said vaccination of stray dogs was under way but reports from multiple locations indicated that many of the animals had disappeared. It sought a proper investigation and appropriate measures from police. Confirming the development, Nayan Moni Barman, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime), Lakhimpur, said the matter is being probed. We received complaints about the disappearance of stray dogs. We are investigating, he told The New Indian Express .

Guwahati will rival Shillong as NE concert hub: Himanta

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday declared that Guwahati is poised to emerge as a major global concert destination, rivaling Shillong, thanks to the surging popularity of international acts like Post Malones headline show. Speaking to reporters amid the buzz surrounding the Grammy-nominated artists first solo India []

Kuki-Zo community condemns Meitei BJP MLAs unannounced visit to Ukhrul relief camp

GUWAHATI: Manipurs Kuki-Zo community has strongly criticised Meitei BJP MLA Yumnam Khemchand Singh for an uninvited visit to the Litan Sareikhong Relief Camp in the Naga-majority Ukhrul district on Monday. According to Lunkhojang Baite, in-charge of the relief camp, Singh arrived around 9:30 am when most inmates had left for work, leaving behind mainly children, women, and the elderly. Singh, accompanied by several BJP workers, reportedly stopped at the camp without prior notice and took photographs with the children before leaving. Baite clarified that the Kuki Inpi Ukhrul, Kuki Students Organisation Ukhrul, village authority, and the Youth Club of Litan Sareikhong were neither informed nor involved in the visit. The camp described the MLAs appearance as abrupt and opportunistic, aimed at gaining visibility amid the ongoing turmoil in the state. The Kuki Inpi Ukhrul condemned the visit, stating that Singhs sudden appearance with an excessive number of security personnel was a serious breach of protocol, propriety, and humanitarian sensitivity. This action has caused deep distress among the Kuki internally displaced persons, who continue to live under trauma and uncertainty, the organisation said. It added that such visits, made without genuine concern or justice, amount to political posturing. True goodwill cannot be proclaimed through intrusion or opportunistic gestures. Until justice is delivered, any outreach attempt remains fundamentally hollow, the statement read. The incident has further strained sensitivities in Manipur, where communities continue to navigate the challenges of displacement and conflict.

Post Malone Concert to Elevate Guwahatis International Entertainment Profile: Himanta

'It is for the first time a globally top-ranked artist is performing live in our city. I warmly welcome him to the land of Maa Kamakhya and extend my best wishes for a memorable show, Sarma said.

Assam Distributes Scooters To 11,250 Meritorious Students Ahead Of Polls

The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government distributed scooters to 11,250 meritorious students on Monday under the Dr Bani Kanta Kakati Merit Award Scheme at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

Manipur Meitei BJP MLA breaks ice, visits Kuki villages

GUWAHATI: A Manipur MLA and former minister from the majority Meitei community mustered the courage and showed the inclination to break the ice by visiting two Kuki-Zo villages on Monday. Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who is also a former Speaker of the Manipur Assembly, visited the Kuki villages, Litan and Chassad, and interacted with the villagers. Litan falls under Ukhrul while Chassad lies in Kamjong, both Naga-majority districts. This is the first time since the bloody ethnic violence engulfed the state in May 2023 that a leader has started people-to-people contact. The visit is being seen as a confidence-building measure in a state that has remained internally partitioned. Traveling to Litan, the BJP leader interacted with Kuki villagers and inquired about their life and hardship faced in the past two and half years. Singh visited a Kuki relief camp at Litan Sareikhong Baptist Church and interacted with Kuki inmates who fled their homes during the violence. With the coming of Christmas, we all should pray for the return of peace in the state, the sportsman-turned-politician and founder of Assam Taekwondo Association said. He consoled the villagers and told them that the return of peace should be the primary target of all communities. He said conflict exists in every part of the world, but it should not be allowed to hinder a regions progress and development. There are conflicts among different countries and communities but we should learn to live in harmony despite differences. There should not be any hindrance in visiting each others villages, Singh said. We should not allow this conflict affect the future of our children. We, the elders, may have differences, but we should think about our children's future, he added. State BJP vice president and Naga leader Hopingson Shimray, who accompanied Singh, said it was a remarkable gesture by the MLA to travel to Kuki villages when everyone today is reluctant to venture into another communitys area. He said Singh is the first BJP Meitei legislator to step into a Kuki relief camp. The ethnic violence had left more than 260 people dead and an estimated 60,000 others internally displaced. A large majority of them are still lodged in relief camps.

Karbi woman conservationist of Aaranyak shines at IUCN workshop

Guwahati, Dec 8: Showcasing the growing leadership of indigenous Karbi women in conservation, Joshna Terangpi Project Officer at leading biodiversity conservation organsation Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org) and an indigenous Karbi woman actively participated in an international workshop organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. The workshop, held at the Felix []

Flight cancelled, grievance silent: Guwahati passengers cite IndiGo chaos

IndiGos nationwide flight disruptions leave Guwahati passengers stranded on Monday, facing cancellations, unanswered queries, long delays, and rising travel costs, highlighting growing frustration among travellers

Three Assam men among Goa nightclub fire victims; families blame lack of jobs back home

Guwahati: Three persons from Assam were among the 25 people who had died in the Goa nightclub fire on Saturday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The three victims Assam Rahul Tanti, Manojit Mal (both from Cachar district) and Diganta Patir (from Dhemaji district) were working as staff members. Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the Arpora fire incident in Goa, where three of our own lost their precious lives. Offering my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the swift recovery of all those injured, Sarma posted on X. Patirs mother told the media he went to Goa last year. He would always call me to enquire about our well-being, said the woman who stays at home along with her daughter. Patir's mother also claimed that both her sons were working in far-off states like Goa and Kerala, as there was no source of livelihood in Dhemaji, which is a flood and erosion-hit district of Assam. Patir's elder brother, who works in Kerala, has already left for Goa to collect the body. Neighbours appealed to the Assam government to bring the mortal remains to the state. The family is not in a position to bring the body. We are relying on the government. It has a scheme. We appeal to CM Sarma to bring the body, a neighbour said. The state government in October this year launched the Shraddhanjali scheme to provide complete assistance for dignified transportation of the mortal remains of people from Assam who lose their lives, anywhere outside the state. The scheme, approved by the state cabinet on June 22, will be implemented by the Special Branch of the Assam Police. Families or individuals seeking assistance can report such death cases through designated helpline numbers. Government of Assam, upon receiving a report of death and on verification, will ensure all logistical and other formalities to bring back the deceased to Assam for the final rites, Sarma had stated. The humanitarian initiative, which will cover the full cost of repatriating the mortal remains, aims to ease the financial and logistical burden on bereaved families. Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the Arpora fire incident in Goa, where three of our own, lost their precious lives. Shri Rahul Tanti, Cachar Shri Manojit Mal, Cachar Shri Diganta Patir, Dhemaji Offering my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 7, 2025 The bodies of Manojit Mal (24) and Rahul Tanti (60), both working in the nightclub kitchen, have been handed over to relatives who were also working in Goa. Mal and Tanti's family members have alleged that their children were forced to leave the village and the state, due to lack of livelihood opportunities back home. Both Mal and Tanti belong to the tea tribe community, and the villagers claimed that the condition of the tea gardens in Barak Valley was in a pathetic state, and so their children had to go to far-off places to earn a living. (With inputs from PTI)

Guwahati Diary | Kelvin Cinema returns in contemporary avatar

One of Assams most storied cinema halls has begun a new chapter. Kelvin Cinema, founded in 1935 by Jeevanram Goenka in the bustling lanes of Fancy Bazar in Guwahati, is returning in a contemporary avatar. Kelvin Gold Cinema has unveiled a new two-screen multiplex within the original Kelvin compound, offering a seating capacity of 499, including 24 ultra-luxurious recliners. The modern space features a sleek design and auditoriums fitted with the latest cinematic technology. Its inauguration took place last Wednesday. The Goenka family has played a key role in shaping Assams business and cultural landscape. Empowering youth with disabilities Shishu Sarothi, an NGO dedicated to empowering children and persons with disabilities, has joined hands with Assam Skill University and Gateway Institute of Hotel Management, with the signing of an MoU. The collaboration marks the beginning of a dedicated hospitality skill development programme. The partnership is designed to open up structured, high-quality training avenues that align with current industry demands in the hospitality sector. By combining academic excellence, practical skill training, and support, the three institutions aim to create sustainable career pathways and improve employment prospects for youth with disabilities. Army summits mountain peak, scripts history The Indian Army made history by summiting Mount Kangto (7,042 m/ 23,103 ft) in Arunachal Pradesh. This marks the first recorded successful ascent of Kangto, long regarded as an unclimbed guardian of the Kameng Himalayas. The 18-member team undertook a grueling expedition across rugged terrain. Braving extremely rarefied air, harsh sub-zero conditions, treacherous icy ridgelines, deep crevasses, and near-vertical ice walls, the climbers showcased the hallmark attributes of the Indian Armyunmatched grit and discipline. The ascent reflects the Indian Armys commitment to pushing the boundaries, a defence ministry statement said. Prasanta Mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com

Stranded with her husbands coffin: Womans ordeal after IndiGo crisis

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 7: Manjuri travelled from Shillong to Guwahati with her husbands embalmed body in a coffin, booked on an IndiGo flight to Kolkata for the final rites. She reached the airport on timeonly to watch every IndiGo flight get cancelled one after another with no prior warning. There was no information, []

Guwahati Masters: Saraswat clinches maiden super 100 title, Tanvi finishes runner-up

Saraswat outwitted former national champion Manjunath 21-11, 17-21, 21-13 in an all-Indian final that lasted 50 minutes; Tanvi Sharma finished runner-up in womens singles after losing 18-21 18-21 to Tung Ciou-Tong of Chinese Taipei

Assam Umrah pilgrims stranded in Hyderabad after IndiGo cancels flight

Hyderabad: Twenty-eight Umrah pilgrims from Assam have been left stranded in Hyderabad after their IndiGo connecting flight to Guwahati was cancelled on Friday, December 5, adding to the widespread operational turmoil currently affecting the airline across India. The passengers, most of them elderly, arrived from Jeddah on IndiGo flight 6E 68 and were scheduled to 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 govt relaxes two-child norm for ST, SC, other micro communities

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has relaxed its two-child norm for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), tea garden tribes, and Moran and Matak communities. A notification said these communities would be eligible for government employment, contesting elections and receiving incentives for Self Help Groups. The Governor of Assam is pleased to enunciate the Population and Women Empowerment Policy of Assam (Amendment), 2025, Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner and Secretary Dr P Ashok Babu said in the notification. The existing eligibility criterion of having up to two children shall be extended to three children for the persons belonging to ST, SC, tea garden tribes, Moran and Matak communities, it further stated. The state cabinet had on October 23 taken a decision to abolish the two-child norm for these communities and the notification was issued on Friday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had then stated that the decision was made as these are micro communities. If we restrict their population, they may cease to exist after 50 years. We took the opinions of various social scientists and came to the conclusion that our strict population control policy needs to be relaxed so far as these communities are concerned, he had stated.

Music icon Zubeens murder case: SIT to file chargesheet in court on December 12

GUWAHATI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of music icon Zubeen Garg will submit the charge sheet in the court on December 12. SIT head and Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta told the media on Saturday that the investigation was nearing completion. We will file the charge sheet of the case in the court on December 12. The probe is almost complete. We arrested seven persons and recorded the statements of more than 300 people, Gupta said without elaborating further. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated on Friday that the SIT was in the process of submitting the charge sheet. The SIT told me that there are around 3,000 to 3,500 documents that are to be signed and xeroxed. We had a talk with the Advocate General (regarding the submission of the charge sheet), Sarma stated. On November 25, he told the Assembly that one person had murdered Garg and others cooperated. He reiterated that it was a case of plain and simple murder. Zubeen Gargs death was 'plain and simple murder': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma They (Opposition parties) attacked me, asking how I could conclude Zubeen was murdered. But it is in the courts record that this was murder. I now say it again in the House that it was murder. One person murdered him, and others cooperated. We have booked four to five persons on the murder charge, Sarma said. Without sharing details, he said a big story (conspiracy) involving Garg started before the COVID pandemic. He indicated that the death was connected to financial matters. We have the evidence. Thats why I told the SIT to first file the charge sheet on the murder case and then expand the inquiry so that nobody can escape, Sarma had stated. Garg (52) had died mysteriously on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore. He travelled to the country to perform at the 4th North East India Festival (NEIF). Seven people were arrested. They are NEIF organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Gargs manager Siddharth Sharma, DSP cousin Sandipan Garg, personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and singer Amritprabha Mahanta. All are now in judicial custody. Zubeen Gargs final film Sikaar showcased at IFFI; director recalls late actors unexpected lead role

Some IndiGo flights depart from Chennai airport, but spate of cancellations continues

Delays persisted, but from 3 a.m. onwards, flights to cities including Pune, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Coimbatore, and Kochi departed from the city airport

Arunachal minister sparks row for saying non-BJP panchayats will lose govt schemes

GUWAHATI: An Arunachal Pradesh minister has stoked a controversy by publicly announcing that panchayat seats where ruling BJP loses will be denied the benefits of government schemes. Friends, I am straightforward when I talk. I want to say that government schemes will not go to those panchayat segments where the BJP is defeated. Remember, the panchayat minister is making this statement. I do what I say, the states panchayat and rural development minister, Ojing Tasing, said. He was speaking at an election rally in the Lower Dibang Valley district on Wednesday. Panchayat and municipal elections in the state will be held on December 15. Condemning the ministers blatant, unlawful, shocking and undemocratic statement, Opposition Congress said his remarks were not only unconstitutional but also an insult to the people since government funds do not belong to any political party but to the people. It demanded that the Election Commission initiate strict action against him. This statement is nothing short of a direct threat to the electorate and a coercive attempt to influence voters through intimidation and misuse of official position, the Congress wrote in a complaint lodged with the State Election Commissioner. Such conduct constitutes a grave violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which classifies undue influence and threats as corrupt practices, and the democratic principles of free and fair elections, the Congress further wrote. It demanded that the State Election Commission take immediate cognisance of the ministers statement, initiate strict disciplinary and legal action, issue necessary directives preventing further misuse of power by ministers or ruling party leaders and ensure free, fair, and intimidation-free elections across the state. A prompt intervention from the Commission is essential to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and protect voters from coercive political pressure. We request you to acknowledge this complaint and inform us about the action taken at the earliest, the Congress complaint further read. The Congress said the BJP had crossed every democratic and constitutional boundary by threatening to deny development based on voting choices.

Elekta showcases Evo, its AI-powered, online adaptive CT-Linac at the Association of Medical Physicists of India National Congress 2025 (AMPICON) in Guwahati

Singju steps out of Manipur and finds new fans in Guwahati

Born in Meitei kitchens and shaped by seasonal produce, Singju is travelling far beyond Manipur, picking up new interpretations along the way

Malayali women's Kashmir adventure fuelled by teen love for thump

It was something they had dreamt of since they were teenagers. A dream that sprouted from a shared fascination for motorcycles, and the thump. They wanted to be riders. For Shyni C V, that passion has now become as essential as breathing. For Uma Mahesh, the enduring love has slowly turned into a realisation. And for Nishi Khan, it felt like finally coming home. The three women, all in their 40s, recently completed a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride. That teenage dream has now evolved into a lifestyle for the trio. Uma, who heads a business in Kochi, knew how to ride a motorcycle by 18. But she mustered the confidence to get one for herself only last year. When I was a young woman, people looked at me differently for riding a motorcycle, she recalls. Stare I got meant I had to stop. And I was given a gender-appropriate two-wheeler instead. But the call of the thump persisted. After years spent building a career and family, she finally decided to go full throttle. I met Shyni, who is an ace rider. She had done five all-India trips, Uma says. Nishi Khan, Shyni C V and Uma Mahesh pose in front of the CRPF camp in Jammu Nishi, too, received her licence as soon as she turned 18. But I was never able to buy a motorcycle for myself, she rues. It was during the lockdown that I rekindled my dream, thanks in part to social media reels. Soon, she bought her dream machine. She also came to know of Shyni during a Womens Day celebration. Quite poetic, isnt it? The trio soon decided to embark on an adventure: a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride with a cause Say No To Drugs. Among riders in India, Shyni is a familiar figure. Her driving school in Thiruvananthapuram trains women to ride motorcycles. And taking Nishi and Uma on their maiden long-distance ride is something she was always happy to do. The trio set off from Kanniyakumari. But as we started crossing geographies, things became difficult, recalls Uma. What kept us on the road was that thrill, that excitement of reaching a new place. They reached Delhi amid a flood. Our planned schedule drowned in the waters and we were stuck there for a week, Nishi says. Rain followed them all the way to Kashmir. There were floods. All the roads were damaged. It was pouring everywhere, says Uma. The trio at Kanniyakumari It took the trio 20 days to cover over 3,400km from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir. After spending a few days there, Uma returned to Kochi via Goa and Nishi took a detour from Chandigarh with another biker group headed to Ladakh, before returning to Thiruvananthapuram. Shyni, who accompanied Uma till Goa, headed back to Rajasthan for another impromptu all-India ride. Called the first woman Iron Butt of India, she is on her sixth cross-country trip. I reached Guwahati from Patna today. And after speaking at a school to students about the dark side of drugs and addiction, I will ride on first to the ongoing Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, and then to Arunachal Pradesh, Shyni says over phone. Inspired, Uma and Nishir are dreaming of even more journeys.

Chennai Airport continues to suffer fresh wave of disruptions

CHENNAI: Chennai International Airport suffered a fresh wave of disruption on Thursday, with dozens of flights delayed or cancelled through the early hours, as operational difficulties continued to ripple through. Between midnight and 9am on December 4, at least 13 arriving flights and 11 departures recorded delays ranging from 18 minutes to more than three hours, according to internal airport movement logs. Indigo, which operates the largest number of domestic flights, faced the bulk of the disruption, with several of its Airbus A320 and A321 services significantly behind schedule. Inbound traffic was hit hardest in the early hours. Flights from Kolkata, Kochi and Patna saw delays of more than two hours, with one service from Hyderabad (6E6007) arriving nearly four hours late. International services from Singapore, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait also landed behind schedule, with delay durations spanning 30 minutes to close to two hours. Departures were similarly affected. Indigo's early-morning Delhi service (6E0456) pushed back more than three hours late, while departures to Kolkata and Port Blair saw delays of over two hours. Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways services experienced moderate delays, indicating that the operational disruption extended across both domestic and international carriers. The morning irregularities escalated into a wider schedule breakdown, prompting a wave of cancellations across the day. At least 26 departuresmostly operated by Indigowere cancelled for operational reasons, affecting services to key metros including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad, as well as regional centres such as Coimbatore, Guwahati, and Visakhapatnam. Some international short-haul routes, including those to Colombo and the Andaman Islands' Veer Savarkar Airport, were also withdrawn from the day's roster. Arrivals were similarly thinned out, with at least five inbound flights scrapped, including services from Indore, Mumbai, Kochi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. 'Could not live up to promise,' says IndiGo CEO amid hundreds of flight cancellations, delays

Amid ST status row, Assam minister Ranoj Pegu meets tribal leaders

GUWAHATI: Assams Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu on Thursday met the leaders of the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations, Assam (CCTOA), amid concerns that the state governments decision on granting Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to six communities will affect the interests of existing tribals . Pegu, who laid the report of the three-member Group of Ministers (GoM) in the Assembly recently, took to X, stating that he had explained the GoMs recommendations to the CCTOA leaders. As per the Assam Cabinets decision of 30 November 2025, I met today at Janata Bhawan with the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations, Assam (CCTOA) to discuss the Group of Ministers report on granting ST status to six communities. I explained the recommendations given by the GoM and the measures proposed to safeguard the rights of existing Scheduled Tribes, he wrote. He further stated that he had requested CCTOA to read Chapters 5 and 6 of the report together. CCTOA informed that based on our clarifications, they will form an expert committee and submit their report within a month, Pegu said. An interim report of the GoM had recommended a three-tier classification of STs ST (Plains), ST (Hills) and ST (Valley). As per the Assam Cabinets decision of 30 November 2025, I met today at Janata Bhawan with the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations, Assam (CCTOA) to discuss the pic.twitter.com/m5JYLWgsRq Ranoj Pegu (@ranojpeguassam) December 4, 2025 While the ST (Plains) and the ST (Hills) continue to cover the existing tribal communities residing in the plains and the hills, the ST (Valley) will cover six communities such as Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). These communities fought for many years demanding ST status. However, the existing tribals stand opposed to it. All Bodo Students Union president Dipen Boro said Assams existing 45 lakh tribals would be lost if two crore advanced people were imposed on us. We reject the GoM report, he said. Tribal leader Aditya Khaklari said, You cannot differentiate the tribals. The government decision will affect the existing tribals. The GoM report, however, said, This arrangement will be in tune with the resolution of the Assam Assembly that the six communities be recognised as STs without affecting the rights and privileges of the present tribal communities. ST (Valley) will be the Scheduled Tribe for all purposes except that it will not affect the rights and privileges enjoyed by the present tribal communities.

Former CM Biren Singh warns of existential crisis in Manipur as Poppy cultivation ravages forests

GUWAHATI: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has warned of an existential crisis for the state, highlighting the destruction of forests due to poppy plantations. He shared a video on X showing purported poppy fields in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district. This video, recorded today (Wednesday), shows why recurrent floods have taken place in the state. The footage shows poppy plantations at Kolten and Selsi hill ranges of IT Road under T. Waichong Sub-division in Kangpokpi district, he posted. All our forests have been destroyed while we are trying to pull each other down. None of our leaders has spoken out against such large-scale devastation, he said. Singh questioned why forest department officials had not taken action against the perpetrators. It is suspected that armed militants are involved in these illicit activities. Unless we take concrete action, the state will face an existential crisis, he cautioned. JTCM petition PM Meanwhile, the Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM) on Thursday petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing his attention to the alarming issue of unchecked illegal migration in our region and its far-reaching consequences for the indigenous population, social security, and demographic balance of Manipur. In recent years, Manipur has witnessed a growing influx of illegal migrants from war-torn Myanmar and from Indian states where the NRC exercise is being implemented. This continuous inflow has strained local resources and now poses a serious threat to the cultural identity, economic stability, and traditional livelihoods of native indigenous communities in Manipur, the JTCM said in a memorandum submitted to Modi through the Governor. The JTCM, a conglomerate of the Liangmai Naga Council, Rongmei Naga Council, Zeme Naga Council, and Inpui Naga Union, claimed that the situation was particularly critical along major highways, where new settlements have mushroomed unchecked. Many of these settlements have links to mass deforestation for illicit activitylarge-scale poppy cultivation. Several well-armed militant groups are known to protect these newly established villages, the JTCM alleged. Moreover, the organisation said, these groups now claim ancestral Naga lands as their own and are demanding a separate administration. The JTCM stated that Manipurs Kuki population had steadily increased between 1951 and 2011, rising from 79,919 to 4,48,214an overall growth of about 460.7% over six decades. The organisation urged the Centre to identify and deport illegal migrants, dismantle unlawful settlementsparticularly those involved in poppy cultivationand remove armed militant groups from these areas to restore peace, order, and a sense of security. We humbly request your esteemed office to kindly prioritise this matter and initiate the necessary measures to safeguard our demographic landscape and ensure the dignity, security, and well-being of all indigenous communities of Manipur, the memorandum to the Prime Minister stated.

Indian shuttlers dominate at Guwahati Masters

GUWAHATI, Dec 3: Indian shuttlers, including Tanvi Sharma and Tharun Mannepalli, produced a dominant display at the Guwahati Masters Super 100 tournament as several home players progressed to the next round with commanding wins across mens and womens singles draw here Wednesday. Besides Tanvi, other top performers included Tanya Hemanth, Tasnim Mir, Ashmita Chaliha, Anmol []

Assam: ED attaches assets worth Rs 31.76 crore belonging to income tax officer and his wife

New Delhi, Dec 3: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, has provisionally attached movable assets worth approximately Rs 31.76 crore belonging to Income Tax Officer Khurshed Khan and his wife, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the agency said on Wednesday. The attachment was made through Provisional Attachment []

Assam: CAG report flags shortfall in enrolment, low claims settlement in tea workers PF org

GUWAHATI, Dec 3:From close to 40,000 tea estate workers not registered for provident fund facility to low rate of settlement of family pension claims, several issues plaguing the Assam Tea Employees Provident Fund Organisation (ATEPFO) have been flagged by the CAG in a recent report. The Comptroller and Auditor General report on the organisation from 2017-18 to 2021-22, which was recently laid in the state assembly, has highlighted areas where the ATEPFO, which was established to ensure social security benefits [] The post Assam: CAG report flags shortfall in enrolment, low claims settlement in tea workers PF org appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Guwahatis massive 6-lane Brahmaputra bridge nears completion; set to cut travel time sharply

Gauhati HC clears Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani in case linked to Assam woman police officer

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has cleared Gujarat Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani of charges under IPC Section 354 in a case involving an Assam woman police officer. In a recent order, the court said the continuation of proceedings under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) would amount to abuse of the process of law. when the allegation fails to satisfy even at the minimal threshold, particularly, when the essential ingredients required under Section 354 IPC are conspicuously absent, this Court is required to exercise its inherent power to prevent abuse of process and to secure the end of justice. Therefore, in the totality of the matter, in the opinion of this Court, continuation of proceedings under section 354 IPC would amount to abuse of the process of law and miscarriage of justice, the court said in its order. The court, however, upheld the charge framed under IPC Section 352 (punishment for assault or criminal force). Two cases were registered in Assam in 2022. A BJP leader in Kokrajhar had lodged a complaint after an alleged objectionable tweet from Mevanis account on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This was followed by his arrest from Gujarat on April 21 the same year. The second case was registered after an officer had accused him of misbehaving with her inside a vehicle while he was being taken to Kokrajhar from Guwahati in connection with the first case. The court said the statements of witnesses suggested physical contact in the form of pushing and using aggressive and abusive behaviour towards the victim but there was no assertion of any sexually suggestive gesture or remark accompanied by such an act. Mevani was granted bail before filing of the charge sheet on July 7, 2022. Later, an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate framed charges against him under IPC Sections 352 and 354 but dropped two other charges which were framed under different Sections.

Meghalaya Congress claims 'ONE' as BJP-RSS design

GUWAHATI: The Congress in Meghalaya claimed that One North East (ONE) is a BJP-RSS design. The Northeast regional front was launched in the first week of November in New Delhi. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Tripuras Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma were at the forefront of its launch. Meghalaya Congress president Vincent H Pala claimed that the BJP had designed ONE following its realisation that the tribals in the Northeast disliked the saffron party. They have created an extra basket to ensure that people, who are anti-BJP, end up in ONE and do not go to the Congress, Pala, the former Shillong MP, said. Claiming that he overheard a conversation between BJP and RSS leaders at an airport, he said all those in ONE are the 'friends' of the BJP. Sangmas National Peoples Party (NPP) and Debbarmas TMP are BJP allies, and they have not shown any signs of severing ties. The BJP is a constituent of the NPP-headed Meghalaya government. Similarly, the TMP is a part of the BJP-led Tripura government. Former BJP national spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon, who is also a former Nagaland minister, and Peoples Party of Assam chief Daniel Langthasa, are two other leaders of ONE. Pala advised the people of the Northeast to be wary of ONE, reiterating that it is just another front of the BJP. 'Our strength lies in unity': Meghalaya CM Sangma, other Northeast leaders form united political entity ONE was constituted with an aim to highlight the issues of the Northeasts indigenous people and represent their voices in national politics. For too long, we, the younger generation leaders of the Northeast, have spoken about the same issues and concerns of our people, but from different platforms and political spaces, we have realised that our strength lies in unity, and that, it is time to give our people one collective voice, the quartet had stated in a joint statement after the Delhi announcement. They said they had resolved to carry forward their ideals by coming together under a shared vision for the future of the Northeast, taking inspiration from the vision and legacy of great leaders who fought selflessly for the identity and development of our land.

MP Gaurav Gogoi urges PM Modi to intervene as Tezpur University unrest intensifies, exams rescheduled

GUWAHATI: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention as Assams Tezpur University continues to face prolonged student-led unrest, which has disrupted both academic and administrative functioning and forced authorities to reschedule the end-term examinations. In his letter, Gogoi, who also heads the Assam Congress unit, flagged what he described as widespread dissatisfaction among students, faculty members and staff owing to alleged administrative misconduct, lack of accountability and poor institutional management under the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof Shambhu Nath Singh. According to him, the situation escalated after Singh made insensitive remarks following the death of music icon Zubeen Garg and the university failed to observe the state mourning period. This, he stated, contributed to campus unrest and a magisterial inquiry initiated by the Sonitpur district administration. The Tezpur University Teachers Association has reported several pressing issues, including administrative negligence, with the Vice Chancellor frequently (remaining) absent from campus without formal delegation of authority, leading to delays and administrative paralysis, Gogoi said. He further stated that the universitys academic performance had declined sharply, pointing to a significant drop in the National Institutional Ranking Framework standings due to shortages of teachers, stalled recruitment processes and inadequate research support. There are also allegations of financial and procurement irregularities, such as unauthorised use of university property, excessive travel expenditure, procurement without tendering, and engagement of agencies lacking transparency. Appointments and extensions have reportedly been made in violation of the Tezpur University Act and Statutes, including the tenure of the Finance Officer and the ad hoc creation of contractual positions, Gogoi wrote. He also highlighted concerns over the quality of newly constructed infrastructure, noting that hostels and academic buildings were already showing structural defects, indicating lapses in supervision and quality control. Tezpur University has long been a premier centre of learning in the Northeast, and its current decline underscores the need for immediate intervention to restore academic standards and institutional integrity. I seek your urgent attention to the issues outlined above and respectfully urge that necessary measures be undertaken to address the challenges confronting the university, he appealed to the Prime Minister. The student-led agitation, which began in September, has paralysed academic and administrative activities. The protestors are demanding action over several issues, including alleged financial irregularities under the Vice-Chancellor.

Centre strengthens NIA to tackle 'all theatres of terrorism' with renamed, reinforced unit

NEW DELHI: To dismantle the alleged influence of global terror groups in India, the Centre has rechristened the ISIS Investigation Research Cell (IIRC) of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as the Counter Terrorism Research Cell (CTRC) and almost doubled its strength, with the aim of covering all aspects of terrorism. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said on Tuesday that the ISIS Investigation Research Cell (IIRC), set up in 2018 under the NIA, has been renamed as the Counter Terrorism Research Cell (CTRC) with an aim to include all theatres of terrorism. The Government has created ISIS Investigation Research Cell (IIRC) in NIA in January 2018 and broadened its scope to other theatres of terrorism and renamed it as Counter Terrorism Research Cell (CTRC), Rai said. The Centre is now looking beyond the threat posed by one group, the Islamic State (ISIS). Rai also said several other specialised additions have been made to modernise and strengthen the NIA. These include the Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD), the Anti-Cyber Terrorism Division (ACTD), the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) cell, and the Financial Analysis Unit (FAU). He further informed the House about the creation of another specialised unit, the National Terror Data Fusion and Analysis Centre (NTDFAC), to enable big data analytics and facilitate the automation and digitisation of investigative processes for enhanced efficiency and accountability. On the increase in force strength, the minister said the agency currently has a total of 1,901 posts, of which 769 have been sanctioned over the last five years. Further, the mandate of NIA has also been expanded to investigate offences related to the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, human trafficking, cyber terrorism and the Arms Act, 1959. Footprint of NIA has been expanded pan-India, by establishing 21 branch offices in different parts of the country, with two zonal offices (in Guwahati and Jammu) and headquarters at Delhi, the minister said in his reply.

12 domestic flights cancelled at least 10 delayed at Chennai airport

Chennai airport faced significant disruptions on Tuesday. Twelve domestic flights were cancelled, impacting travel to and from cities like Kochi, Guwahati, and Mumbai. Ten flights, including international services from Qatar and Singapore, experienced delays of at least an hour. IndiGo cited operational constraints for its cancellations. Airport authorities confirmed weather was not a factor in the disruptions.

Operational issues disrupt six IndiGo services at Chennai airport

CHENNAI: Flight operations at Chennai airport were partially disrupted on Tuesday, with six IndiGo services cancelled due to operational reasons, according to Chennai Airport sources. Flight 6E0705 from Kochi, was withdrawn from schedule shortly before its planned service to Chennai. Departures were more significantly affected, with five flights scrubbed through the morning peak from Chennai. Services to Guwahati (6E6312, 5:30 am), Bhubaneswar (6E0288, 5:50 am), Jaipur (6E6213, 6:45 am), Mumbai (6E6746, 7:15 am) and Kochi (6E0704, 9:20 am) were cancelled. Airport officials said the disruptions were isolated to IndiGo and were not linked to weather or infrastructure constraints. Normal operations continued on other routes.

Six flights cancelled at Chennai airport citing operational reasons

Flights to destinations including Guwahati, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Kochi andMumbai, were cancelled by the airlines due to operational reasons, AAI said

Fact-Check: Does This Clip Show Dharmendra Deols Final Journey? No!

The viral clip shows singer Zubeen Gargs funeral procession in Guwahati

Raphael Warjri stands out at art camp

Akshaya Kalayatra2: Poorab celebrates artistic spirit of eastern India in Guwahati By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 1: Artist and filmmaker Raphael Warjri presented two evocative artworks during the Akshaya Kalayatra2 Poorab that illuminated Guwahatis art scene at the Don Bosco Institute of Management, from November 25 to 29. Inspired by his candid encounter with Guwahati, []

Manipur government forms panels to rehabilitate displaced people after month-long protest

GUWAHATI: Manipur government on Monday constituted state and district levels committees to strengthen the ongoing efforts for rehabilitation and resettlement of the people who were internally displaced by the ethnic violence. The government made an announcement on the constitution of the panels through a statement, issued hours after the internally displaced persons (IDPs) had launched a month-long protest demanding their resettlement at their original homes by this month. The statement said the constitution of the committees reflects the governments commitment to ensuring a coordinated, responsive and people-centred approach to restoring stability and supporting affected families. The state level committee will be headed by the Chief Secretary. Commissioners of Finance, Home, and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, with the Special or Additional Secretary (Home) serving as Convenor, will provide policy direction.The district level committees will be headed by respective district magistrates. This high-level body is designed to ensure unified decision-making, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and address systemic issues that may affect the overall progress of rehabilitation and resettlement efforts across the state, the statement said. Internally displaced people clash with security forces as they attempt to return to native homes in Manipur The committees have been tasked with monitoring and coordinating all rehabilitation and resettlement initiatives for IDPs and addressing bottlenecks to ensure timely and efficient delivery of support. This structured intervention is expected to streamline processes, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and ensure that assistance reaches families, the statement further stated. The IDPs, who have been lodged in various relief camps for more than two years now, launched the protest from the Imphal West district. Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) lent its support to the protestors. COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba joined them on the first day of the stir. Referring to assurances from authorities that the IDPs will be able to return to their original areas by December, Athouba warned that if the government failed to ensure resettlement within this month, they would be compelled to intensify their agitation. There have been multiple incidents recently where security forces foiled the attempts of IDPs to return to their original homes in or near Kuki areas. They began making the attempts after the state administration had taken a decision to hold the Sangai Festival. Their argument was that the holding of the festival indicated the return of peace and normalcy in the state.

Assam government's move for ST status to six communities upsets existing tribals

GUWAHATI: Tension is brewing in Assam over the proposed inclusion of six communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. A Group of Ministers (GoM) tabled an interim report in the Assembly on Saturday, recommending a three-tier classification of STs ST (Plains), ST (Hills) and ST (Valley). While the ST (Plains) and the ST (Hills) continue to cover the existing tribal communities residing in the plains and the hills, the ST (Valley) will cover the six communities Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis). The government move pleased these six communities but upset the existing tribals. The existing tribals believed that the decision would undermine their rights and weaken their political, educational and economic safeguards. Hundreds of protestors, mostly students, stormed the autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) secretariat in Kokrajhar and vandalised properties on Saturday. They demanded that the BTC administration revoke the no-objection certificate' (NOC) given to the government. Recently, BTC chief executive member Hagrama Mohilary stated that the NOC was given on the condition that ST status to the six communities must not hurt the interests of existing ST communities. Leaders of tribal organisations burnt copies of the GoM report in Guwahati on Sunday. They would repeat this act in other parts of the state on Monday. Protesters opposing ST status for six communities vandalise Assam's Bodoland council secretariat All Bodo Students Union president Dipen Boro said Assams existing 45 lakh tribals would be lost if two crore advanced people were imposed on us. We reject the GoM report, he said. Tribal leader Aditya Khaklari echoed a similar sentiment. You cannot differentiate the tribals. The government decision will affect the existing tribals, he said. The GoM report said the three-fold structure would allow reservations in Parliament, legislative Assembly, and local bodies, to be reorganised without reducing the current entitlements of ST (Plains) and ST (Hills) communities. However, to achieve this, Parliament must enact special legislation to give the three-fold reservation statutory endorsement. The Government of Assam will request the Government of India to provide statutory recognition of the three-tier classification of the Scheduled Tribes of Assam, the report said. This arrangement, the report added, will be in tune with the resolution of the Assam Assembly that the six communities be recognised as STs without affecting the rights and privileges of the present tribal communities. ST (Valley) will be the Scheduled Tribe for all purposes except that it will not affect the rights and privileges enjoyed by the present tribal communities, the report said. According to the GoM recommendations, the ST (Valley) category will have separate reservation quotas, with distinct rosters and vacancy registers for all state government recruitments and educational institutions. Existing ST (Plains) and ST (Hills) quotas will remain fully protected, the report further stated.

Assams 2023-24 budget unrealistic, overestimated, says CAG; questions excessive supplementary grants

GUWAHATI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has termed the Assam government budgetary assumptions for 2023-24 unrealistic and overestimated, pointing out that in several cases supplementary grants were approved where expenditure of the original allotted funds was not even done. It also highlighted non-submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) and annual accounts of several autonomous councils and other bodies. The CAG report on state finances for 2023-24, laid in the Assembly on Saturday, said the budgetary assumptions of the state government continued to be unrealistic and overestimated during the fiscal year, as it incurred an expenditure of Rs 1,39,449.66 crore against grants and appropriations of Rs 1,69,966.13 crore, resulting in overall savings of Rs 30,516.47 crore. These savings stood at 17.95 per cent of total grants and appropriations made for the year. The report said that he savings were notional, as the funds were not actually available for expenditure, since the actual receipts were Rs 1,38,830.79 crore against the estimated Rs 1,65,215.70 crore. Out of the total savings, only 0.35 per cent (amounting to Rs 107.08 crore) was surrendered, which deprived the other departments from utilising the amount, indicating poor financial management. In its recommendations, the CAG said the state government may formulate a realistic budget based on reliable assumptions of likely resource mobilisation, the assessed needs of the departments and their capacity to utilise the allocated resources so as to avoid inflated budgeting without corresponding to the available resources. It also said that the Finance department may review the departments having persistent savings for realistic budget allocation and monitoring of expenditure. The report further pointed out that supplementary grants of a total of Rs 30,210.86 crore were approved by the legislature for 2023-24, whereas audit analysis of utilisation of these grants showed that only 74.19 per cent of it was required. Seeking supplementary grants without a requirement is indicative of poor budgetary management by the state government. Further, it is also clear that there is an absence of allocative efficiency and utilisation efficiency by departments, which led to excess expenditure in some grants and savings in others, it noted. The CAG report further said that 6,335 UCs aggregating to Rs 18,669.55 crore during the period 2005-06 to 2022-23 have not been submitted. In the absence of the UCs, it could not be ascertained whether the funds were utilised for the purposes for which those were given. Till March 31, 2024, there were 485 annual accounts of 75 autonomous councils, development councils and government bodies, and 245 annual accounts of 39 PSUs (due up to 2023-24) pending for submission to the CAG for audit. It impacted effective budgetary management and diluted accountability of these bodies, the CAG report added.

Interim report on ST status to 6 communities of Assam tabled in assembly

Guwahati: An interim report of the Group of Ministers (GoM) over the proposal to grant ST status to six major communities of Assam, was laid in the assembly on the last day of the winter session on Saturday. It recommended three-tier classification of Scheduled Tribes in the state over the demand for ST status by 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 .

'Batters are becoming NRIs': Sanjay Manjrekar takes aim at India's preparation under Gautam Gambhir after 0-2 South Africa disaster

Following India's Guwahati Test collapse, Sanjay Manjrekar launched a sharp critique of the team's preparation under head coach Gautam Gambhir, claiming Indian batters are ecoming NRIs post-selection and blaming the defeat on poor practice standards and complacency within the setup.

Protesters opposing ST status for six communities vandalise Assam's Bodoland council secretariat

GUWAHATI: Protesters, mostly students, vandalised Assams autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) secretariat in Kokrajhar on Saturday, opposing the state governments move to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. Hundreds of protesters took out a march from the Bodoland University in Kokrajhar to the BTC secretariat at the call of Tribal Students of Bodoland, Assam who requested everyone to join and support this important movement. The protesters alleged that the government move to grant ST status to the six communities Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribe would undermine the rights of the Bodos and weaken their political, educational and economic safeguards. The situation spiralled when the protesters damaged the secretariat gate before storming its premises. They also vandalised furniture inside the Assembly building. After going about with their job, they came out of the building and continued the protest. The situation normalised when senior officials of the district administration, led by the district commissioner and the superintendent of police, arrived at the site. The protesters submitted a memorandum to them, setting a 24-hour deadline demanding that authorities address their issue. They further sought an audience with BTC Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary. The protesters warned that they would intensify the agitation if the government went ahead with its decision on the six communities. Trouble has been brewing in some parts of Assam for the past two months on the ST issue. The six communities hit the streets demanding ST status while the existing ST communities took out rallies opposing the government move. Recently, the state cabinet cleared a group of ministers report that recommended ST status for the six communities. The report will be sent to the central government after it is placed in the Assembly. With state elections due early next year, ruling BJP finds itself in a spot of bother. It is likely to face a protest whether or not ST status is granted to the six communities.

Clash in Manipur leaves cop, journalist injured as displaced Meitei residents seek to return home

GUWAHATI: A journalist and a policeman were injured in Manipur on Saturday when internally displaced persons (IDPs), seeking to return to their original homes, clashed with security personnel. The journalist, P Bobo, who works with a local news channel, and the policeman sustained minor injuries. Their condition was stated to be stable. The trouble broke out when police and central forces prevented hundreds of IDPs from the Sawombung Relief Camp in Imphal from returning to their homes in the Gwaltabi area of Imphal East district, bordering Kangpokpi district. During a brief confrontation with security personnel, the IDPs questioned why their resettlement was still delayed if normalcy had truly returned to Manipur, as the state administration held the Sangai Festival. Citing their prolonged, cluttered existence in relief camps, they demanded that they be immediately allowed to return to their abandoned homes. When they sought to march forward, it led to a security situation. The personnel restored normalcy by firing mock bombs and tear gas shells. After this action from the personnel, the IDPs staged a sit-in protest and refused to leave the site. The standoff continued when reports last came in. Last week, hundreds of IDPs, lodged at a relief camp in Bishnupur district, attempted to march towards Churachandpur district. Security forces dispersed them by firing tear gas. The attempts by IDPs from the Meitei community to return to their original homes in or near Kuki areas started after the administration in the state, where Presidents Rule has remained in force since February this year, took a decision to hold the Sangai Festival. They argue that the holding of the festival indicates the return of peace and normalcy in the state. The ethnic violence in Manipur had earlier left over 260 people dead and around 60,000 others displaced. A few thousand of them have been resettled in prefabricated structures, while the others continue to live in the relief camps.

Assam minister Bimal Borah suggests detention room in Assembly complex for suspended MLAs

GUWAHATI: An Assam minister on Friday raised the pitch for a detention room within the Assembly complex to prevent suspended MLAs from going out. Speaking in the House during the ongoing Winter Session, cabinet minister Bimal Borah made this unusual suggestion to Speaker Biswajit Daimary. I have a suggestion. During Assembly proceedings, some members tend to create a disruptive atmosphere. You suspend them but they misinterpret their suspension before the media outside, Borah told the Speaker. Therefore, a room should be set up within the Assembly premises to keep the members after suspension so that they cannot go outside, Borah suggested. The Speaker said he would examine the suggestion. Borah made the suggestion after Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi was suspended for interrupting proceedings in the House. Meanwhile, Gogoi, the activist-turned-politician, wasted no time in hitting back at Borah, questioning the latters knowledge on House proceedings. I studied with Bimal. He does not understand democracy, Constitution, rules and regulations. He has become a minister but I believe he has not completely gone through the Constitution, the Sivasagar MLA said. He further stated that it would be a daunting task for anyone to educate Borah about transparent governance, democracy, Assembly and freedom of speech. During this Assembly session, members of ruling BJP, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, took potshots at Gogoi multiple times for frequently interrupting members during discussions. Gogoi had faced a brief suspension on the first day of the five-day session on Tuesday for entering the Well of the House and displaying a poster of the late Zubeen Garg. The incident occurred during a discussion under an adjournment motion on the music icons mysterious death in Singapore. In Assam, the term detention centre is synonymous with illegal immigrants. The state currently has one detention centre at Matia in Goalpara district where people declared foreigners by the foreigners tribunals are kept.

He wont return to power: Congress slams Assam CM Himanta over UCC remark

GUWAHATI: The Congress on Friday opposed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas statement that the BJP would bring Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if it got re-elected. Congress leader Pawan Khera predicted that Sarma would not return to power. First of all, he (Sarma) will not return to power. He will go to jail after this election. He knows it. I know it, Khera told media persons in Guwahati. This country is a collection of several belief systems, customs, traditions, and languages. You cannot try and impose one language, one system, one belief, one faith on everyone, he further stated. Speaking in the Assembly on Thursday, the chief minister assured that if the NDA retained power after next years Assam elections, it would bring UCC in the state. Stop me but if you cannot, I will bring UCC in the first session of the Assembly, he stated, challenging the Opposition after the Assembly had passed a bill banning polygamy. Meanwhile, Khera accused Sarma of presiding over large-scale corruption and eroding the cultural identity that has long defined the state. He alleged that Assams global reputation, built by icons like Zubeen Garg, was being tarnished under the current regime. Assam was once known for tea, culture and harmony. Today, it is being associated with drugs, cattle smuggling and corruption. Even the meaning of ABCD has changed, he remarked. Accusing the BJP-led government of ignoring long-pending issues of tea garden workers, Khera said the chief minister misused power instead of solving peoples problems. He claimed that outsiders were being brought into the state to manipulate the electoral process. In the coming election, you may see buses and trains full of voters being mobilised. This is a direct attack on indigenous Assamese identity, the Congress leader warned. He claimed that Assams democratic and political identity was at stake and urged people to protect the states future before it was too late. He projected state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi as the face of a new generational shift in Assams politics, drawing parallels with the development era under former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Sharpening his attack, Khera accused Sarma of being overly dependent on law enforcement agencies and the Election Commission (EC). Without support from the police and EC, he cannot move freely, Khera said. He further claimed that tribal lands in Assam were being handed over to corporate houses.

Suspected militant attack on Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur

GUWAHATI: A patrolling team of the Assam Rifles came under fire from suspected militants in Manipurs Tengnoupal district near the India-Myanmar border on Friday, official sources confirmed, adding that the number of casualties or injuries is yet to be determined. A patrolling party of Assam Rifles was fired upon by terrorists in Tengnoupal district of Manipur, along the India-Myanmar Border on 28 November 2025 in the early morning hours. The fire was immediately retaliated with control and caution, keeping in view the civilian safety, a defence ministry statement said. The operations are underway, with additional troops being deployed into the area, the statement further stated. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a similar attack in the states Bishnupur district in September, unidentified gunmen had ambushed a mini truck carrying Assam Rifles personnel, killing two of them and injuring four others. The personnel were headed to Bishnupur district from state capital Imphal when the attack was perpetrated.

As six Assam communities seek ST status, seven more eye OBC list

The Chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes conducted a public hearing with representatives of the seven communities in Guwahati on Thursday, November 27.

Pant says sorry for Test debacle against SA

New Delhi, Nov 27: Indias Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant has apologised for the teams shambolic performance in the 0-2 series loss to South Africa, asserting that the team will regroup, refocus and reset to come back stronger. India were handed a 0-2 drubbing in the series that ended with the second Test in Guwahati on []

No tons from Indian batters in SA Tests, second-lowest average in any Test series

Guwahati, Nov 27: Indias batting frailties were laid bare once again as South Africa stormed to a crushing 408-run victory in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, completing a 2-0 sweep and sealing their first series win on Indian soil in a quarter of a century. The emphatic result also handed India their []

Safeguard your ideas: Natl IP Yatra brings innovation awareness to state

By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Nov 27: The two-day National Intellectual Property (IP) Yatra Programme began here on Thursday with a strong call for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to safeguard their creativity and innovations through proper intellectual property protection. Speaking at the inaugural session, Gaurav Joshi, Joint Director of MSME-DFO Guwahati, stressed that intellectual []

'Worst airline experience': Mohammad Siraj asks public not to fly Air India Express; fans respond

NEW DELHI: Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj described the cancellation of his Air India Express flight after a four-hour wait as his worst airline experience. Siraj was flying to Hyderabad after the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati. He asked the public not to fly by the airline. Coming just a day after India's worst Test run defeat by 408 runs ensured the cricketer was at the receiving end of angry fans. Air India Express flight IX 2884, from Guwahati to Hyderabad, was supposed to take off at 7.25 pm, said Siraj in his post on X on Wednesday night. However, there has been no communication from the airline and after repeatedly following up, they have just delayed the flight with no proper reasoning. This has been really frustrating and this is the basic ask by every passenger, the post read. Air India flight no IX 2884 from Guwahati to Hyderabad was supposed to take off at 7.25 however there has been no communication from the airline and after repeatedly following up, they have just delayed the flight with no proper reasoning. This has been really frustrating and Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) November 26, 2025 Flight delayed by 4 hours and still no update has left us stranded. Worst airline experience. I really would not advise anyone to take this flight if they cant take a stand, he wrote, tagging Air Indias X account. Conveying its sincere apologies to the bowler, Air India Express responded saying, We regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled due to unforeseen operational reasons. Our team at the airport is actively assisting all guests with the necessary arrangements. We understand how difficult this situation is, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. Please be assured that our team will continue to keep you updated and extend all possible support. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused, Mr Siraj. We regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled due to unforeseen operational reasons. Our team at the airport is actively assisting all guests with the necessary arrangements. We understand how difficult Air India Express (@AirIndiaX) November 26, 2025 Meanwhile, cricket fans upset over the humiliating loss to South Africa which resulted in a series whitewash vented their ire to his post, which included many humorous and sarcastic responses. Writer Bobby Mathew said, I love Air India Express. They showed true Indian Cricket fan frustration by cancelling your flight itself! Saying...TAKE THIS, MY BOY! What Fans Couldn't do, Air India Express did it! THANKS, @AirIndiaX US-based Anshu Rajan posted: The way you guys performed in the Test series against SA you deserve every bit of frustration because as a viewer we had the same feeling watching the team surrendering like a coward. Another X user added to it, saying, This is how Air India is showing its stance on poor performance in the test series. A Pakistan-based handle retorted: Air India is still performing better than you. Don't complain bhai. Just get used to it. Like we are getting used to your awesome performances. Taking a dig at standardised responses put out by airlines over any issue, a user wrote, Ask him also please share your PNR and contact details with us in the DM, and we'll assist you accordingly. A response which went viral was the handle of a former sports enthusiast who took a dig at Coach Gautam Gambhir's team selection that has invited strong criticism. @paglait posted: Bro, flight is delayed because Gambhir is arguing with the staff and wants Harshit Rana to be the pilot. Rana plays for Delhi in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Premier League. Another user humorously posted, DSP Siraj sir, Please arrest some Air India staff for their callousness. A few also pointed out that due to Siraj's celebrity status, the airline chose to respond immediately while the commoner never gets replies. A fan account of Author Arundhati Roy wrote, This is the situation with almost all the domestic flights in all the airlines. Indigo passengers suffered on Wednesday evening and night with a few flights delayed up to 6 hours.