Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Silchar on two-day Assam visit
On February 21, Amit Shah will lay the foundation stone for the new campus of the 10th Assam Police Battalion at Kasutoli in Sonapur near Guwahati
Amit Shah To Be In Assam Ahead of Polls, Will Visit Bangladesh Border
Union home minister Amit Shah will arrive in Assam's Silchar on Thursday night for a three-day visit to the state, ahead of the assembly elections in the state.
Guwahati, February 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the Centre and the state government are jointly rolling out a series of strategic infrastructure projects across Assam to strengthen national security and improve connectivity. Northeast is a strategically vital region Addressing a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Sarma underlined that the Northeast remains a sensitive and strategically vital region. He pointed out that the region is connected to the rest of India through the narrow Siliguri Corridor, a 22-km stretch often described as the Chickens Neck. Any disruption there during a conflict can impact movement and supply lines, he said, adding that multiple infrastructure layers are being developed to ensure uninterrupted connectivity. He referred to the newly operational emergency landing facility at Moran, where fighter jets and transport aircraft landed during the Prime Ministers visit on February 14. The inauguration, in the presence of the Air Chief Marshal, sent a strong signal about Indias preparedness along the China and Myanmar frontiers, Sarma said. Dual-use facilities for war and peace In modern warfare, infrastructure is the first target. If airbases are hit, alternative facilities become critical, he said. The emergency landing facility, he added, can support fighter operations in crises and also serve civilians during disasters such as floods. The state has sought more such dual-use facilities, especially in remote and flood-prone areas, to support both defence and disaster response. Recalling 1962, Sarma said there was once a perception that Assam could not be defended. We have resolved that such a situation will never arise again, he said, stressing faster mobilisation of forces and logistics. He also said a new Army base has come up in Dhubri to strengthen coverage in western Assam, where defence presence along the SiliguriHasimaraRangiya axis was earlier limited. Four new airports to boost tourism On the civil aviation front, the state will soon sign an MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to develop four new airports in Majuli, Diphu, Umrangso and Manas. If land is made available, these could be operational within five years, boosting tourism and regional growth. Sarma listed several major connectivity projects approved by the Centre, including the Guwahati Ring Road, the KuruwaNarengi bridge, the Kaziranga corridor and the proposed SilcharShillongGuwahati high-speed highway. The elevated corridor from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to Jalukbari is also at an advanced stage and is expected to ease city-bound traffic. UP: Man Assaulted By Kanwariyas In Bijnor After Objecting To Incense Near Petrol Pump; Video Goes Viral He further said the Rs 14,000 crore four-laning of the Baihata CharialiTezpur road is in the final stage of approval. Work on the Kamakhya corridor is expected to begin after clearance from the Guwahati High Court. The court had directed IIT Guwahati and the National Institute of Hydrology to conduct an environmental impact study. According to Sarma, the report found no adverse effect on the ecosystem. He said more strategic highways and logistics corridors will be announced in the coming months as part of a long-term vision to secure and transform the Northeast.
BJP set for historic third term in Assam: Sunil Sharma
Excelsior Correspondent SILCHAR, (Assam), Feb 12: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly and BJP Election Co-incharge for Assam, Sunil Sharma, addressed a massive Mahila Sammelan in Silchar, energising party cadres and women supporters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressing the Sammelan, Sunil Sharma emphasized that women are no longer passive beneficiaries but decisive stakeholders in nation-building, asserting that their rising participation is strengthening democracy and reshaping Indias socio-economic landscape. The Modi Government has empowered women [] The post BJP set for historic third term in Assam: Sunil Sharma appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
50-Year-Old Gandak Bridge Damaged During 210-Tonne Shivling Transit, NH-27 Travel Hit
The bridge lies on National Highway-27, a critical route linking Silchar to Guwahati and serving as an important corridor for traffic movement across regions
Meghalaya coal mine blast toll rises to 30; rescue ops called off
The death toll in Meghalaya's coal mine blast has risen to 30, with two more people succumbing to their injuries on Tuesday. They were undergoing treatment in Silchar Medical College and Hospital.
Devp should not come at expense of env: VPP MP
By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Jan 14: While reiterating that infrastructure growth is necessary, Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon on Tuesday said development projects must not be pursued at the cost of the environment, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, and welcomed the revised proposal for the Shillong-Silchar High Speed Corridor. Syngkon reminded that he had written []
Adoko bostu salgipa rel garirangko nangenga: Pala
SHILLONG: Meghalaya adoko bostu salgipa rel garirang dongkujani aselsa nangchongmotgipa bosturangni dam rakbatenga ine Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC)-ni president Vincent Pala parakatenba, adokona bostu salgipa rel garirangko rabana nangchongmotenga ine aganaha. Bostu salgipa rel garirang dongkujani aselan manderang, bosturangko bree chaanio nengnikanirangko chagrongna nangenga ine janapatengon, Guwahati-oni Silchar-ona bostu salruragipa truck garirang, niam gri []
BJP's Northeast Patriarch, Ex-Minister, Vajpayee Aide Kabindra Purkyastha Dead
Assam BJP's patriarch and former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha passed away at Silchar Medical College on Wednesday. He was 94.
How language became a battleground in Assam
Study revisits 1961 Silchar violence to examine how policy, identity and power shaped linguistic conflict
Prohibitory orders imposed along India-Bangladesh border in Assam's Cachar
SILCHAR: Prohibitory orders have been imposed along the India-Bangladesh border in Assam's Cachar district by the administration to prevent illegal movement, an official release said on Wednesday. Preventive restrictions along sensitive border areas have been imposed due to apprehension over possible movement of extremist elements and unauthorised cross-border activities to disturb peace and stability, it said. District Magistrate Mridul Yadav, exercising powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), issued the order on Tuesday aimed at preventing illegal movement of people, goods and activities. It has been noted that unchecked movement, particularly during night hours, could facilitate unlawful activities, including unauthorised transportation of essential commodities and cattle, thereby posing serious challenges to law and order, the order stated. Movement of individuals has been restricted from sunset to sunrise within a one-kilometre belt along the border of the district. In addition, movement on the River Surma and along its high banks within the Indian territory has been prohibited during the night. The order also places strict controls on boating and fishing activities on the Surma river. Fishing will be permitted only for local residents and for personal consumption, subject to prior authorisation by the Circle Officer, Katigorah, and compliance with lease conditions. Such permissions will be closely monitored, with copies endorsed to the District Magistrate and the Commandant of the 170th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) at Dholchera, ensuring coordination between civil and security agencies. Transportation of essential commodities such as sugar, rice, wheat, edible oil and salt has been restricted during night hours within a five-kilometre belt inside the district boundary along the Bangladesh border. Any relaxation will be granted only after due verification by supply officials and for specific purposes, time and location, reinforcing transparency and accountability, the release added. State and central government employees who are on official duty in the border areas have been exempted from these restrictions to ensure that essential administrative and security functions remain uninterrupted.
A woman among two granted citizenship under CAA in Assam, tally rises to four
For the first time, a woman was granted citizenship under the Act in the northeastern State, says a member of Foreigners' Tribunal in Silchar
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.
High-speed corridor survey at advanced stage: Tynsong
By Our Reporter SHILLONG, Dec 9: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday said the survey for the high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam has reached an advanced stage. To expedite the process, the government has directed different line departments to work in unison as there is []
Assam Cabinet makes Assams History, Geography compulsory for Classes 68
The Assam Cabinet has approved significant decisions. History and Geography will be compulsory subjects for Classes VI to VIII. Land has been approved for a new airport in Silchar. A logistics policy aims to make Assam a hub. A joint project with Dassault Systems will offer specialized courses. Compensation for land acquisition and a new Sainik School are also approved.
3 killed as mini truck collides with AgartalaSilchar Express in Tripura
At least three people died in Tripura on Thursday after a mini truck collided with the AgartalaSilchar Express in the AmbasaManu section of Dhalai district. Railway officials said the goods-laden vehicle entered the track at an unauthorised crossing, leading to a direct impact with the train engine.
Road quality non-negotiable, officers and contractors to be held accountable: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari discussed Indias recent infrastructure developments with TNIE , citing a 60% expansion of the national highway network to over 1.46 lakh km. He outlined ongoing projects worth Rs 12.20 lakh crore, major highway corridors, city ring roads, reforms in land acquisition and environmental clearances, measures to ensure road maintenance accountability, the rollout of GPS-based toll collection, and Bihars progress relative to other states. Excerpts Q) The country has seen a massive expansion of its national highway network in recent years. What is the current status of this growth? Indias national highway network has surged from 91,287 km in 2014 to over 1.46 lakh km today, a 60% increase. Currently, 48,536 km of projects worth Rs 12.20 lakh crore are underway, with completed schemes totaling Rs 16 lakh crore and upcoming projects at Rs 15 lakh crore. Sixteen major highway corridors, including the Arunachal Frontier Highway (Rs 30,000 crore) and ShillongSilchar Greenfield Highway (Rs 23,000 crore), have been sanctioned to boost regional connectivity. Ring roads in cities like Ayodhya, Kanpur, and Guwahati aim to ease congestion. In 11 years, 1.06 lakh km of highways have been constructed, with the ministrys budget rising ninefold to Rs 2.87 lakh crore. Q) Some projects still face delays in projects caused by land acquisition and environmental clearance issues? Land acquisition falls under state governments, while environmental clearances involve multiple departments, making coordination key. Reducing delays is a test of effective leadership. We prioritise sustainable planning, ensuring timely land acquisition and fast-track approvals for forest, wildlife, and environmental clearances. At least 90% of land and clearance requirements must now be completed before project awards.Regular meetings with state officials and the PM Gati Shakti initiative have streamlined inter-ministerial coordination. Digital portals, Bhoomi Amount Digital Portal for land and Parivesh for environmental approvals simplify processes, accelerating project delivery and enhancing efficiency nationwide. Q) India has seen record construction of highways in recent years but their maintenance still seems to be a challenge. For each fault, we (the Central Government) are held responsible. About 80 percent of complaints on social media are not under our jurisdiction or do not pertain to national highways (NHs). Our roads are of good quality; however, there have been some problems. We are continuously improving the technology and will definitely address these issues. Regarding accountability, we are serious about ensuring that officers and contractors are responsible if roads are not maintained properly. There should be no compromise with quality, and we are committed to fixing lapses wherever they occur to maintain high standards. Q) How long will it take to implement the GPS based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system? It has already started at some locations and will be introduced at 4 to 6 places from November 15. We will move further gradually, expanding the initiative step by step while monitoring progress and ensuring smooth implementation at each stage. Q) With Bihar heading into elections, how does the state compare to others in development across key sectors like water, power, transport, and roads? Bihar needs accelerated development compared to other states. Water, power, transport and roads are the basic requirements for progress. The developmental work undertaken by our government, in the last 10-11 years, has transformed the face of Bihar. Business and industries are growing steadily in Bihar. The young people of Bihar see their future in development and employment. They do not bother about Jaat (Caste), Pant (Community), Dharma (Religion) and Bhasha (Language). They aspire to excel in education, seek better job opportunities, and want to actively contribute to the nations growth. I think that the state has sufficient electricity supply. Irrigation has significantly improved. The road infrastructure has also got better. Earlier, the Ganga had just two bridges, now we have 13. In the highway sector; projects worth Rs five lakh crores are going on. Projects having a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh crores either have been completed or on the verge of completion. Some will start soon. We are building big highways; Varanasi-Kolkata highways cost of Rs 40,000 crores and Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway is worth Rs 50,000 crores. All these highways will change the landscape of Bihar. With a strong and vast network of highways and robust power sector, the industry will reach the state naturally and will ensure Bihar's comprehensive development. Q) Staying on with politics, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi recently held a press conference in which he alleged Vote Chori In Haryana elections. He along with other opposition parties has been questioning Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which started in Bihar. How do you see this issue? Rahul Gandhi speaks for himself. Even his party people don't take him seriously. There is no need to respond to his baseless comments.
Bodies Of Three NIT Silchar Students Recovered From Waterfall In Assams Dima Hasao
Three studenst from NIT Silchar drowned at a waterfall near Harangajao in Dima Hasao. Bodies recovered by SDRF, post-mortem at Haflong.
Bodies Of 3 College Students Who Drowned In Assam Waterfall Found
The bodies of three missing students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Silchar were recovered from a waterfall in Assam's Dima Hasao district on Sunday.
3 NIT students drown in waterfall in Assam
Haflong: Three students from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar, drowned in a waterfall in Assams Dima Hasao district, officials said on Sunday. The incident took place at the Bulchol (Hmunthajao) waterfall, located in Bolsom Bagan of Harangajao on Saturday afternoon, they said. The tragic mishap occurred when the group of NIT students visited 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 .
Three NIT Silchar students drown in Assam waterfall
GUWAHATI: Three first year students of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar in Assam drowned on Saturday. The incident occurred at the Bulchol (Hmunthajao) waterfall in Harangajao area of the hill district of Dima Hasao. The deceased Sauhard Rai, Sarbavartika Singh (both from Uttar Pradesh) and Radhika (from Bihar) were out on an outing to the scenic site when they accidentally fell into the waterfall. The bodies of Sauhard Kumar and Radhika Kumari were recovered at around 11.35 am and 11.43 am of Sunday respectively, an official report stated. The body of Sarbavartika was recovered on Saturday evening. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force, Assam Rifles, police, District Disaster Management Authority, and local community members were engaged in the rescue operations. Authorities said poor mobile connectivity and lack of vehicular access in the hilly terrain affected rescue efforts. They advised the public to exercise caution while visiting waterfalls and other natural sites in the area during the post-monsoon season.
3 NIT students drown in Bulchol waterfall in Assam
A tragic incident occurred at Bulchol waterfall in Assam's Dima Hasao district. Three students from NIT Silchar drowned on Saturday afternoon. The students were visiting the scenic waterfall for an outing. Rescue efforts faced challenges due to poor connectivity and difficult terrain. All three students were retrieved but declared dead. Authorities urge caution at tourist spots, especially post-monsoon.
Assams Silchar residents sing Amaar sonar Bangla to protest BJPs seditious tag
If a song penned by Tagore 66 years before the birth of Bangladesh can be objectionable, the same yardstick should be applied to Sindh mentioned in the Indian national anthem, says expert
After Assam CM's treason order, Silchar residents sing Tagore song in protest
GUWAHATI: Residents of Silchar town in Assams Cachar district sang Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobasi in unison to send across a message that the singing of the song is not an anti-national act as viewed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the ruling BJP. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore penned this patriotic song, meaning my beloved Bengal, I love you, in 1905 during the first partition of Bengal. Decades later, Bangladesh adopted it as its national anthem. A group of people, including intellectuals and members of NGOs and cultural groups, gathered at the statue of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose in Silchar town on Thursday evening and sang the song. They said they were proud of Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore songs). Former Vice Chancellor of Assam University Tapadhir Bhattacharjee said he could never imagine that singing a Tagore song would be viewed as an act of treason one day. He called upon people to pay tribute to Tagore by proudly singing the song. Social activist Ajay Rai said it was unfortunate that the chief minister ordered the filing of an FIR against a senior leader for singing the song. Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi are the three districts of southern Assams Barak Valley adjoining Bangladesh and where Bengalis are in a large majority. The controversy erupted after a video of a Congress leaders rendition of the song at a Seva Dal meeting in Sribhumi went viral. Bidhu Bhushan Das, a septuagenarian, had started his address by singing the song. Reacting sharply, the chief minister had stated that the commencement of a meeting of the Congress with the singing of Bangladeshs national anthem was unacceptable in Assam. He had instructed the police to file a case of treason against Congress members in Sribhumi. We will lodge an FIR and the police will take action under appropriate sections of law, he had stated. The Congress had slammed the BJP for its ignorance, with Jorhat MP and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi stating that the song conveys the sentiments of Bengali culture. Meanwhile, the Congress leader said he had no idea if any FIR was registered against him. Nobody contacted me, he said.
