Jorhat BJP urges CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to contest from Jorhat in assembly elections
HT Correspondent JORHAT, May 13: Following a clean sweep in the panchayat polls in Jorhat district, the results of which were declared on Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to contest the 2026 Assembly elections from the Jorhat Legislative Assembly Constituency. Speaking to reporters at the BJP district []
Sustainable tech key to future: IIT- Guwahati Director at CSIR-NEIST event
HT Correspondent JORHAT, May 13: Professor Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, has stressed the urgent need for environmentally sustainable technologies, citing Numaligarh Refinery Limiteds (NRL) ethanol and bamboo-based fuel project in Assam as a notable example. Delivering the National Technology Day lecture during the 2025 celebrations at CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology []
BJP-AGP alliance sweeps Jorhat Panchayat Polls, dismantles Congress strongholds
HT Correspondent JORHAT, May 12: The BJP and its alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) have registered a sweeping victory in the Panchayat elections across Jorhat district, decimating the Indian National Congress (INC) in what was once considered its stronghold. As per final results declared late Sunday night, the BJP-AGP alliance won all 16 Zila []
NDA sweeps Assam panchayat polls, Congress decimated
Guwahati: The BJP-led NDA swept the Assam panchayat elections, decimating opposition parties, particularly the Congress. The counting of votes was underway when official figures last came in at 7 pm. The BJP and its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) bagged 307 out of the total 397 Zila Parishad seats. The Congress was a distant second with 62 seats. Other smaller parties and independent candidates won altogether 28 seats. The BJP-AGP combine won 1,409 out of the 2,192 Anchalik Panchayat seats. The Congress secured 122 seats and others won 41 seats. Earlier, 2,912 candidates had won uncontested. There were also 2,567 Gram Panchayat wards but they were contested without party affiliations. The Congress suffered a huge setback in upper Assam, particularly in the two districts of Jorhat and Sivasagar where the party failed to win even a single Zila Parishad seat. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi represents Jorhat in the Lok Sabha. The panchayat elections were billed as the semifinal of Assembly polls, due early next year. Buoyed by the results, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded confidence NDA would win around 95 of the 126 seats in Assembly elections. Towns and cities have been our strongholds traditionally. Now, we have performed very well in villages. There is a strong possibility that we will win around 95 seats in Assembly elections, Sarma told the media. The BJP said the party-led alliance secured a historic victory due to overwhelming support from people. Terming the outcome as a victory for development and progress, state BJP president Dilip Saikia said people had cast their votes to further accelerate the unstoppable momentum of progress under Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarmas government. Saikia expressed gratitude to the voters for their unprecedented support in the polls. The polls were held in two phases on May 2 and 7 in 27 districts. Over 74% of the eligible voters had exercised their franchise across 25,007 polling stations.
Assam Womens University student selected for Lok Sabha Know Your Leader programme
Guwahati: Assam Womens University student Nabanita Bhuyan has been selected for the prestigious Know Your Leader programme organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), under the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Nabanita is a 4th-semester student of Political Science at Assam Womens University, Jorhat. She secured this coveted opportunity through her exceptional performance [] The post Assam Womens University student selected for Lok Sabha Know Your Leader programme appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Gaurav Gogoi took 90 boys and girls to Pakistani embassy for radicalisation: CM Himanta
GUWAHATI: A day after he claimed Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the Jorhat MP had taken 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi for radicalisation. Gaurav Gogoi went to Pakistan in a personal capacity. He was accompanied by his wife (Elizabeth Colburn, a British national). She returned to India after seven days but he stayed back for another seven-eight days, Sarma said, addressing a press conference He said the Congress leader had travelled by road via Attari, where a register is maintained. We are in possession of all these things. We are trying to ascertain what he was doing in Pakistan when his wife was in India. We have to serve a notice to him, Sarma stated. He claimed that after this visit, Gogoi took 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy for radicalisation. He said some of them gave statements saying they were not told they were being taken to the Pakistani embassy. This was followed by Gaurav Gogois pro-Pakistan questions in Parliament, the Assam chief minister said. He also stated that Gogois wife had travelled between India and Pakistan 19 times and that Pakistani Army personnel accompanied her there on two to three occasions. We are collecting passengers list. Agencies are helping us. We will get the documents, Sarma said, adding, She worked in Pakistan before. Later, she moved to Delhi and started working for an NGO but was drawing her salary from Pakistan. He said the government had clear evidence that she had a good relationship with Pakistans Army. As for Gogoi, Sarma said the Congress MP would have to explain where in Pakistan he had spent his time. We have to talk to him. We will definitely talk to him once copies of passport etc reach us, he said. This is not a play on social media. We will be up front. Let Rahul Gandhi clarify whether an Indian, who is the son of a chief minister, visiting Pakistan and that too, without informing the Congress party, is a crime or not. We want to know the position of the Congress on this. I am going to meet (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge, Sarma said. Gogois father Tarun Gogoi served as the Assam Chief Minister from 2001 to 2016. Gogoi junior has been serving as an MP since 2014. Sarma said things he flagged were not charges but the conclusion (findings) of a probe conducted by a special investigation team of the Assam Police. We have sent a letter rogatory to bring passport, visa., etc. This goes through a process. Court order is also required. It will take about three months to get the documents, he added.
Leopard caged in Jorhat tea estate
HT Correspondent JORHAT, May 4: A female adult leopard that was creating havoc among the villagers of Khangia Gaon, near Mohbondha tea estate in Jorhat district was caged in the wee hours of Sunday.According to local people following incidents of livestock being attacked and killed by the leopard in recent times, the villagers under the []
Assam Panchayat Polls: First phase voting underway in 14 districts
Dibrugarh: The first phase of the Assam Panchayat elections is underway, with polling commencing early this morning across 14 districts in Upper Assam, Northern Assam, and Barak Valley. Several districts, including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Majuli, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi in Assam, are conducting the elections, a crucial exercise [] The post Assam Panchayat Polls: First phase voting underway in 14 districts appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Polling to be held in 14 districts of Assam tomorrow
GUWAHATI, April 30: Campaigning for the first phase of panchayat polls in Assam, scheduled for May 2, in 14 districts of the state ended on Wednesday. Polling in the first phase will be held in the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Majuli, Jorhat, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Cachar, Hailakandi and Sribhumi. Chief Minister []
Jorhat declares no parking, no entry zones for election
Abdul Noor accused in Jorhat murder case shot in leg
HT Correspondent JORHAT, April 24: Abdul Noor alias Riju, one of the 10 persons arrested in connection with the youth murder case on April 20 night was shot at on his left leg on late Wednesday night by police personnel when he reportedly tried to flee from police custody. The group which included Abdul Noor []
110 of 120 underprivileged students supported by Oil India Limited clear JEE Mains
GUWAHATI: Oil major Oil India Limited (OIL) has scripted a success story by mentoring underprivileged students in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In a remarkable achievement, 110 of 120 students of 'OIL Pragyan Super 30' cleared JEE Mains 2025. They are from four centres. The public sector undertaking (PSU) runs five OIL Pragyan Super 30 centres for students aspiring for a career in engineering. Three are in Assam while Arunachal and Jodhpur, Rajasthan have one each. OIL also runs a medical entrance coaching centre in Assams Jorhat. The programme provides 11 months of completely free, fully residential coaching and academic mentoring to meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds, preparing them for JEE (Mains and Advanced) and NEET. OIL spends Rs 3 lakh to take care of each student. The PSU had launched the initiative in 2010 with an objective to help talented students from economically weaker sections, promote higher education and equal opportunities. This transformative initiative in the past 15 years has been continuing to bridge the educational gap by enabling deserving underprivileged students to gain admission into prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, and top medical colleges across the country, Ankur Barua, Director (Human Resources) of OIL, said on Thursday. Through this initiative, OIL is not only nurturing academic excellence but also breaking the cycle of poverty by opening doors to quality education and brighter futures for students who need it the most, said Ranjan Goswami, OILs Executive Director (Business Development). Since the inception of the programme, 1,361 out of 1,482 students enrolled in the Assam and Arunachal centres secured admissions in various engineering colleges, including IITs. The vision of OIL Pragyan Super 30 goes beyond academics. The initiative focuses equally on character development, self-discipline, and leadership, nurturing students to not only achieve academic excellence but also emerge as changemakers in their communities, OIL said in a statement.
Two in police custody, eight in jail for youths death in Jorhat assault case
HT Correspondent JORHAT, April 23: Two of the ten persons arrested by police in connection with the assault on Bedanga Bhushan Baruaha youth from Chandan Nagar locality who succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital here on Tuesdaywere remanded to four-day police custody on Wednesday. The remaining eight were sent to judicial custody after []
10 arrested after youth dies in Jorhat assault
HT CorrespondentJORHAT, April 22: A 33-year-old man, Bedanga Bhushan Baruah of Chandan Nagar, Jorhat, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday after being brutally assaulted by a group of youths late Sunday night. The incident occurred as he was returning home from a Bihu function in the locality. According to police sources, ten individuals have been []
Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika Provides Aid at Accident Scene in Jorhat
HT Digital GUWAHATI, APR 16: A serious road accident took place in Dhapkota, Jorhat, when a family from Belsor, Nalbari, lost control of their car while traveling from Jorhat to Guwahati. The vehicle rammed into a road divider, leaving all family members including a young child critically injured. In a fortunate turn of []
Assam Class 10 results dip but Tea Tribe students cross 50% threshold for first time
GUWAHATI: The pass rate of Assams High School Leaving Certificate examination dipped from 75.7% in 2024 to 63.98% this year, raising concerns. With 67.59% pass rate, boys outshone girls (61.09%). Amishi Saikia of the Pragya Academy Senior Secondary School, Jorhat, secured the top position with 98.50% marks. The examination was conducted by the Assam State School Education Board, its first. Previously, the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) conducted it. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the results were a clear sign that the government was failing the youth of the state. He cited that only 51.89% of Tea Tribe students passed. The only focus of the Himanta Biswa Sarma government is to close down schools. The model schools in tea gardens have not delivered the results, Gogoi said. He asked the chief minister to let education minister Ranoj Pegu perform his duties instead of continuously sidelining him. He added the government must take urgent, targeted action to improve access, equity and quality in secondary education. Sarma said the declaration of the results within 37 days marked a significant departure from past practices, setting a new benchmark for transparency and accountability in Assams school examination system. This years exam marked a pedagogical shift as the entire question paper format was redesigned, focusing on knowledge and concept-based assessmenta break from the rote-learning style seen during SEBA days, Sarma said. He also said that despite this major academic reform, the overall pass rate was 63.98%, a testament to the adaptability and potential of Assams students and teachers under the new system. There has been an increased government focus on education in tea garden areas. Sarma said the Tea Tribe students, traditionally among the most educationally disadvantaged, achieved a pass rate of 51.89%, crossing the 50% threshold for the first time. This is a significant social milestone and reflects rising aspirations and outreach efforts in the tea garden region, he said.
HSLC exam: Cong MP expresses concern over dip in pass percentage
GUWAHATI, April 11: Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi has expressed serious concern over the substantial decline in the pass percentage of the HSLC 2025 exams, the results of which were announced on Friday. The SEBA (now known as Assam State School Education Board) HSLC 2025 results announced today raise serious [] The post HSLC exam: Cong MP expresses concern over dip in pass percentage appeared first on The Shillong Times .
63.98 pc candidates pass Assam HSLC exam; Jorhat girl secures top spot
GUWAHATI, April 11: The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) declared the results of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Class 10 examination on Friday morning, with 63.98 per cent candidates clearing the exam, which is a significant drop compared to last years pass percentage of 75.7 percent. Amishi Saikia of Pragya Academy Senior Secondary [] The post 63.98 pc candidates pass Assam HSLC exam; Jorhat girl secures top spot appeared first on The Shillong Times .
NHAI Signs Agreement To Develop Guwahati Ring Road For Rs 5,729 Crore
The Guwahati Ring Road will enhance connectivity on NH-27's East-West Corridor, ease traffic in Guwahati and northeastern states, and connect key towns like Siliguri, Shillong, and Jorhat.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated new development projects in Jorhat, including a convention centre, a flyover, and an automated testing station. He highlighted significant progress and financial achievements in Assam, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the state's robust and growing economy.
ULFA, others oppose move to celebrate 'Bihar Divas' in Assam
GUWAHATI: An alleged move by the BJP to organise 'Bihar Divas' in eastern Assams Tinsukia has ruffled the feathers of the Paresh Baruah-led faction of the banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and others. The ULFA warned that it would not tolerate the event and asked the organisers to cancel it or face dire consequences. The outfit said preparations were being made to celebrate 'Bihar Divas' in Tinsukia on March 22 under the patronage of a few people, including BJP MLAs Suren Phukan and Sanjoy Kishan. This is an attack on the culture, heritage, and pride of the indigenous people, the ULFA said in a statement. Opposition party Raijor Dal opposed the move and linked it to the BJPs vote-bank politics. We oppose the decision of the BJP and the BJP-led government to celebrate 'Bihar Divas'. There is no meaning in celebrating 'Bihar Divas' in Assam. We have not seen Bihar celebrating Assam Divas, Raijor Dal chief and MLA Akhil Gogoi said. He alleged the BJP was taking the lead in organising the event to get the votes of Hindi-speaking people. Referring to the Centres implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the deaths of five persons in Assam during protests, Gogoi alleged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tried to insult the Assamese again by downplaying the issue. I want to tell the Assam chief minister that there is no need of celebrating Bihar Divas in Assam, he said. Sarma, however, slammed those who are opposing it. He said industries did not come to Assam for a long time because of such a mindset. Many have asked if 'Assam Divas' is celebrated outside. I want to say that it is celebrated in every state nowadays. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat celebrate 'Assam Divas' in the presence of their governors. If Bihar celebrates 'Assam Divas' and we celebrate 'Bihar Divas', it will only strengthen mutual understanding. So, there is no point doing politics on it, Sarma said. If a message goes out that Assam is against Biharis, Marwaris, Gujaratis, Tamils, how will the youth of Assam get jobs outside? the Assam chief minister asked. Tinsukia, a commercial town, has a large population of Hindi-speaking people.Eastern Assam or upper Assam is a BJP bastion. A number of Assembly seats in this region are currently held by the party. The challenge is posed in upcoming Assembly polls following Congress leader Gaurav Gogois victory from the Jorhat seat in the Lok Sabha elections.
Amit Shah to inaugurate first phase of revamped police academy in Assam on Saturday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy's revamped first phase in Assam's Jorhat district. The project, which includes modern classrooms, a weapon stimulator, and a library, aims to enhance police training with updated infrastructure. The second phase will include housing facilities for trainees and officers.
Why Manipur not on itinerary: Congress on Amit Shah's Assam, Mizoram visit
NEW DELHI: With Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would make a three-day visit to his state and Mizoram, the Congress on Thursday asked why Manipur was not on the itinerary. Sarma said the Union home minister would arrive in Jorhat late on Friday for a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram. Shortly after arriving in Jorhat, the home minister will travel to Dergaon in Golaghat district, where he will spend the night at the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy, Sarma said while briefing reporters. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, The Assam chief minister has just announced that the Union home minister will be making a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram, beginning March 14. The Assam CM has just announced that the Union Home Minister will be making a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram beginning March 14th. But why is Manipur not this itinerary? Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 13, 2025 But why is Manipur not on his itinerary? The Congress has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well for not visiting Manipur, besides slamming the Centre for its handling of the situation in the ethnic strife-torn northeastern state. The party had on Tuesday taken a swipe at Modi over his Mauritius trip, saying it was frequent-flyer time even as the people of Manipur continued to wait for his visit. More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Has not found time to visit Manipur: Congress slams PM Modi after his Statehood Day wishes
Assam hit by 5 magnitude earthquake; no casualty reported
GUWAHATI: An earthquake of 5 magnitude jolted the central part of Assam on Thursday morning, an official bulletin said. There is no immediate report of any injury to anyone or damage to any property, officials said. A National Center for Seismology report said the quake was recorded at 2:25 am in Morigaon district on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, at a depth of 16 km. The exact location of the epicentre of the earthquake is around 52 km east from Guwahati in central Assam. EQ of M: 5.0, On: 27/02/2025 02:25:40 IST, Lat: 26.28 N, Long: 92.24 E, Depth: 16 Km, Location: Morigaon, Assam. For more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/5gCOtjdtw0 @DrJitendraSingh @OfficeOfDrJS @Ravi_MoES @Dr_Mishra1966 @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/x6y5vHaGjg National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) February 26, 2025 People in the neighbouring Kamrup Metropolitan, Nagaon, East Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Hojai, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar and Goalpara districts also felt the jolt. Darrang, Tamulpur, Sonitpur, Kamrup, Biswanath, Udalguri, Nalbari, Bajali, Barpeta, Baksa, Chirang, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Lakhimpur on the northern bank of Brahmaputra too felt the tremor. The earthquake could be felt in some areas of central-western Arunachal Pradesh, entire Meghalaya, and several areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal. Central-eastern Bhutan, parts of China and Bangladesh were also shaken, the report showed. The tremor forced people to scamper out of their homes to open areas. The Northeastern region falls in the high seismic zone, making earthquakes frequently hit the region. Tremors felt in Odisha as 5.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Bay of Bengal
Mother-daughter followed plan, killed relative out of greed for her assets: Kolkata Police
KOLKATA: A woman and her daughter, arrested in Kolkata for the murder of a female relative, meticulously planned the crime to seize her assets, a senior police officer said on Wednesday. The duo was caught red-handed by locals while attempting to dump a suitcase containing body parts of the victim into the Hooghly River at a ghat in north Kolkatas Ahiritola area on Tuesday. The victim, identified as 55-year-old Sumita Ghosh, had travelled from Jorhat in Assam to stay with the accused. Investigators have not ruled out the involvement of a third male suspect in the dismemberment of the body. The post-mortem revealed that Ghosh fell unconscious due to orture by the two women and eventually died. The autopsy further suggested that the murder occurred at least 36 hours before the body was mutilated and packed into a suitcase. The remains were then transported to Kolkata from Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas, where the accused lived in a rented house. According to police, the accused used a boti (a traditional vegetable and fish cutter) to sever the victims legs at the ankle so the body could fit inside the suitcase. They later wrapped the body parts in a large plastic bag. It is suspected that a third person, probably a man, assisted the two in dismembering the leg, and we are investigating this angle as well, an officer from Kolkata Polices Detective Department said. Police are planning to deploy divers to retrieve the boti from a pond beside the accuseds rented accommodation in Madhyamgram, where they allegedly discarded it. The two women have claimed that they hit the deceased on her head with a blunt object, but this seems untrue. The post-mortem suggested there were no lacerated wounds on her head, the officer stated. It also pointed out that there were several hematomas (clotted blood in an organ, tissue, or body space), which were probably caused by repeatedly banging the victims head against a wall. And it was the daughter who murdered the victim, he added. Investigations revealed that the blue trolley bag used to dispose of the body was purchased from Kolkatas Burrabazar area on Monday. The daughter had also visited a jewellery shop and placed an order for ornaments worth Rs 50,000. This was a premeditated murder and not a crime committed in a fit of rage. Circumstantial evidence and their statements confirm that they had planned to kill the woman. The daughter had assaulted the victim multiple times, causing injuries. There were wounds on several parts of her body, the officer said. Police believe the murder was motivated by greed, as the victim owned multiple properties in Jorhat, Assam, and had gold jewellery stored in a bank locker. Investigators also found that the PIN of her debit card was recently changed, and on Monday, the daughter withdrew approximately Rs 25,000 from an ATM. There have been withdrawals from the victims bank account, which had a balance of Rs 3.5 lakh. It appears that the two accused were after her assets, the officer added. Police have seized three mobile phones from their possession. The mother and daughter were produced before a Kolkata court and remanded to one-day police custody. Since the murder took place in Madhyamgram, the court ordered Barasat Police to take over the investigation. The accused will be produced in a Barasat court tomorrow, the officer said.
Assam Congress plans legal action as BJP alleges Gaurav Gogoi wife's ISI links
APCC plans to take legal action against allegations linking Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife to Pakistan's ISI. Assam Police have filed an FIR against Pakistani national Ali Tauqueer Sheikh following directives from the state Cabinet led by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Elizabeth Gogoi's 'ISI links': Is Himanta laying groundwork for Assam polls with accusation?
Elizabeth Gogoi has become a pawn in the fight between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his bete noire, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. First, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Wednesday alleged that Elizabeth, a British citizen who is Gogois wife, has links with Pakistan and its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Sarma took the attack further with a series of posts on X on Thursday. Without mentioning the names of the Gogoi couple, he said she had worked for an American senator known for close ties with the Pakistani establishment and later spent time in Pakistan, employed by an organization widely believed to be a front for the ISI. Sarma mentioned that Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, had invited Gogoi in 2015, then a first-time MP, and his startup, Policy for Youth, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. He also said Gogoi raised sensitive questions on defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to Elizabeth. Observers saw politics in Sarmas attack on the Congress MP considering that Assam will go to the polls early next year. There is a perception that the BJP, which has been in power in Assam since 2016, has a serious problem in upper Assam. The party got a whiff of it when it could not defeat Gogoi in the Jorhat seat despite going all guns blazing in last years Lok Sabha elections. BJP claims Gaurav Gogoi's wife has links with ISI, he laughs off allegations Gogoi had polled more votes than his BJP opponent in nine of the ten Assembly segments. The BJP fears his victory might work in Congress favour in the other Lok Sabha seats of upper Assam in the Assembly elections. The Assam polls are far away but Sarma has already started the groundwork with increased focus on upper Assam which accounts for one-fourth of the states Assembly seats. First, he tried to warm up to the Ahom community by being instrumental in the appointment of an Ahom, Pabitra Margherita, as the junior external affairs minister to counter another Ahom, Gaurav Gogoi. Ahoms have a large population in upper and northern Assam. Last month, Sarma inaugurated the second chief ministers secretariat in Dibrugarh, an important town in upper Assam. The government said it would ensure continuous monitoring of government schemes and projects. However, observers felt it was to warm up voters. Sarma and Gogoi have been long-time political foes. Sarma fell out with three-time former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and joined the BJP in 2015. Observers say Gaurav Gogoi, son of Tarun Gogoi, was the reason. Sarmas influence in the Congress started depleting after Gogoi junior joined the party. Gaurav Gogoi met Elizabeth in the US and married her in 2013 in New Delhi. Elizabeth is a British citizen who earlier worked for the Climate and Development Knowledge Network.
MP raised questions in LS on defence after marrying British lady: Himanta in veiled attack on Gogoi
NEW DELHI: In an apparent attack on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday alleged that the MP raised questions in Parliament on sensitive defence matters after his marriage to a British citizen, a charge termed by the opposition leader as a false accusation. Sarma's comment comes a day after the BJP had accused Gogoi's wife of having links with Pakistan and the ISI. The deputy opposition leader in the Lok Sabha rejected the allegation as laughable and entertaining. In 2015, the Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Mr Abdul Basit, invited a first-term Member of Parliament (MP) and his startup, Policy for Youth, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, Sarma claimed in a post on X without naming Gogoi. The chief minister also said, Notably, this MP was not a member of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs at the time, raising questions about the intent behind his engagement. Sarma claimed that the visit occurred despite India's official protest against the Pakistani High Commission's interference in internal matters, particularly its involvement with the Hurriyat Conference. He also accused the MP of ignoring these concerns and taking 50 to 60 young Indians to meet Pakistani officials. A closer examination of his parliamentary questions revealed a growing focus on sensitive defence matters, including inquiries about Coast Guard radar installations, India's arms factories, aeronautical defence, transit routes for trade with Iran, Kashmiri students, and alleged attacks on churchesmarking a noticeable shift in his areas of interest. Interestingly, these developments occurred immediately after his marriage to a British citizen with a professional background that raises further questions, Sarma alleged. The chief minister also claimed that before their marriage, she had worked for an American senator known for close ties with the Pakistani establishment. ...and later (she) spent time in Pakistan, employed by an organisation widely believed to be a front for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The timing of these events adds another layer of intrigue to the MP's evolving political stance and actions, Sarma alleged. Rejecting these allegations, Gogoi told PTI Video, The BJP has no issues to raise and is dependent on false accusations. The people of India are very active politically and are aware of the lies and confusion that the BJP is spreading. He also said, Let them spread lies and we will continue to do our work. Assembly elections are due in Assam next year and we will raise issues of the state like unemployment and inflation while in Manipur, peace is yet to be restored. In a democracy the people are God and I have full faith in them. BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia had on Wednesday alleged that some serious concerning facts related to national security had come to light. Links of Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, with Pakistan Planning Commission Advisor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and the ISI, have come to light, he claimed. This is extremely concerning as it relates to national security, he said and demanded the Congress leadership and Gogoi issue a clarification. The question becomes even more serious as Gogoi's wife is a foreign citizen and the organisation for which she works is funded by George Soros, Bhatia alleged. Gogoi hit back saying that the BJP resorted to such aseless allegations as it has no issue to raise. The accusations are laughable and entertaining. If my wife is an ISI agent, then I am a RAW agent, he quipped. He claimed that the BJP had carried out a similar smear campaign against him and his family ahead of last year's Lok Sabha polls and the people, in reply, elected him from the Jorhat parliamentary constituency. Gogoi alleged that various land scams by the chief minister's family had been reported to BJP leaders in Delhi. Fearing that he might lose his chair, he is trying to divert attention by launching a smear campaign against me and my family, he said. The assembly election is still a year away but it seems that the BJP is on shaky ground with people losing faith in the party due to which it has launched this attack on me...The people of Assam know the truth and they will give a befitting reply when the time comes, Gogoi added.
BJP claims Gaurav Gogoi's wife has links with ISI, he laughs off allegations
GUWAHATI: The BJP on Wednesday accused Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi's wife of having links with Pakistan and the ISI, a charge rejected by the deputy opposition leader in the Lok Sabha as laughable and entertaining. The BJP resorted to such aseless allegations as it has no issue to raise, Gogoi hit back. He alleged that the BJP had carried out a similar smear campaign against him and his family ahead of last year's Lok Sabha polls and the people, in reply, elected him from Jorhat parliamentary constituency. Gogoi's reaction came after BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged, Some serious concerning facts related to national security have come to light. Links of Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of deputy leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, with Pakistan Planning Commission Advisor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and the ISI, have come to light. VIDEO | BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia ( @gauravbhatiabjp ) says, Some concerning facts related to national security have come to light. Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi... her links with Pakistan Planning Commission Advisor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and pic.twitter.com/eYRyjObwwC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2025 This is extremely concerning as it relates to national security, he said and demanded the Congress leadership and Gogoi issue a clarification. The question becomes even more serious as Gogoi's wife is a foreign citizen and the organisation for which she works is funded by George Soros, Bhatia alleged. It is expected that Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Gaurav Gogoi will render a clarification about their relations with Pakistan and the ISI, he told PTI. The BJP leader also wondered if Gogoi should continue as the deputy leader of opposition after this due to his access to sensitive information relating to security issues while holding such a post. Bhatia also targeted Gandhi, the opposition leader in the Sabha, and asked if Gogoi and his wife were carrying forward his plan to weaken India. A few days ago, when Rahul Gandhi said that his fight was against the Indian state, the question is whether Gaurav Gogoi and Elizabeth are working with Pakistan and the ISI to carry forward Rahul Gandhi's plan to weaken India, he said. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X, Serious questions need to be answered regarding allegations of ISI links, leading young individuals to the Pakistan embassy for brainwashing and radicalisation, and the refusal to take Indian citizenship for the past 12 years. Serious questions need to be answered regarding allegations of ISI links, leading young individuals to the Pakistan Embassy for brainwashing and radicalization, and the refusal to take Indian citizenship for the past 12 years. Additionally, participation in a conversion cartel Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) February 12, 2025 Additionally, participation in a conversion cartel and receiving funds from external sources, including George Soros, to destabilise national security are grave concerns that cannot be ignored, he added. At some point, accountability will be necessary. Simply deflecting responsibility or attempting to shift the focus onto others will not serve as an easy escape route. The nation deserves transparency and truth, Sarma added. In another post in the microblogging site, the Chief Minister said, 'sooner or later, it will be known how foreign powers, led by George Soros' ecosystem, influenced a major decision of Assam Congress in 2014. Hopefully, the truth will emerge in due course'. Hitting back, Gogoi termed Bhatia's charge as laughable and entertaining, and said the BJP was resorting to levelling such baseless allegations against him and his family because it had no issues to raise. The BJP has no issue and resorts to these baseless allegations. It conducted the same smear campaign against me and my family before the Lok Sabha polls last year and the people of Jorhat parliamentary constituency replied (to it) by electing me, the Congress leader said. Referring to Sarma's post, Gogoi alleged that various land scams by the chief minister's family had been reported to BJP leaders in Delhi. Fearing that he might lose his chair, he is trying to divert attention by launching a smear campaign against me and my family, the Congress leader said. The assembly election is still a year away but it seems that the BJP is on a shaky ground with people losing faith in the party due to which it has launched this attack on me, Gogoi added. The people of Assam knows the 'truth and they will be give a befitting reply when the time comes', he added.
Christian evangelist on tourist visa deported for religious conversion in Assam
A Canadian citizen named Brandon Joel Devealt faced deportation from India on February 6 after overstaying his visa while conducting evangelical activities without proper authorization. Devealth was residing in Assam on a tourist visa, which had reportedly expired on January 17. Jorhat police department detained him on February 5. The immigration authorities conducted an extensive 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 .
Canadian National Deported For Alleged Religious Conversion Activities In Assam
Jorhat SP Shwetank Mishra said the person had been visiting the district since 2021 and his existing visa had expired on January 17 this year
Canadian National Deported Over Expired Visa, Religious Conversion Bid In Assam
Canadian national Brandon Joel Dewalt, who came to India on a tourist visa - which expired last month - and found involved in activities related to religious propagation in Assam's Jorhat, has been deported, the Assam Police said.
Assam CM Himanta Sarma Vows To Protect Nude Jain Monks' Procession Amid Protest
Himanta Biswa Sarma's comments came on the backdrop of protests by a group of people in Jorhat town following the religious procession by the Jain community on Wednesday.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh speaking after inaugurating the Incubation & Innovation Complex (IICON) of CSIR-NEIST Jorhat on Monday. The post Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh speaking after inaugurating the Incubation & Innovation Complex (IICON) of CSIR-NEIST Jorhat on Monday. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Launched In J&K, Aroma Mission Picking Up In Northeast: Dr Jitendra
JORHAT, Jan 27 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that both the Northeast region as well as Jammu & Kashmir have been on the priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Aroma Mission launched by the government headed by him in J&K is now picking up in the Northeast. Both [] The post Launched In J&K, Aroma Mission Picking Up In Northeast: Dr Jitendra appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
