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.
Assam cabinet approves introduction of Unified Pension Scheme
The Assam cabinet approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as an option under the National Pension System for state government employees, ensuring old-age security independent of market returns. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned funds for a flyover in Silchar, climate-resilient rural bridges, and the ASTHA project to enhance tertiary healthcare, including a new Gauhati Medical College and Hospital campus.
NIT Silchar suspends five Bangladeshi students for alleged involvement in campus violence
GUWAHATI: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar in Assam has suspended five Bangladeshi students for one year for their alleged involvement in campus violence on the night of September 8. In an order dated September 12, the Registrar of NIT Silchar announced the academic suspension along with expulsion from hostel for a period of two semesters from the institute with immediate effect (JulyDecember 2025 and JanuaryJune 2026). The action was taken by the competent authority based on the recommendations of the Standing Institute Disciplinary Committee, the order further stated. The five Bangladeshi students -- Sk Shahriar Ahmed Akash, Shimantor Ghosh, Saumyajit Paul, Sazzad Hossain Rafi and Md Nur Hossain -- were enrolled under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Study in India scholarships. Stating that the five will be sent back to Bangladesh, Dilip Kumar Baidya, director of the institute, said there was evidence suggesting their direct involvement in the incident. On the night of the incident, a group of third-year Bangladeshi students, allegedly armed with rods, knives and screwdrivers, had attacked another group of final-year Bangladeshi students, leaving several of them injured. Two had to be admitted in the intensive care unit of the Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The motive behind the attack was not known.
Five Bangladeshi students in NIT Silchar suspended for campus violence, to be deported
NIT Silchar has suspended five Bangladeshi students. These students are facing deportation. The reason is their alleged involvement in violent clashes on campus. Authorities also suspect them of possessing narcotics. An investigation revealed their active participation in the violence. The incident occurred on September 8. Some students attacked their compatriots.
Watch: Mizorams first railway in over 75 years: What you need to know
Mizoram is now connected to Indias railway network with its first-ever train. The BairabiSairang railway line, spanning 51.38 km, links Aizawl to Silchar in Assam, cutting travel time from ten hours by road to just three hours by train. Built at a cost of 5,021 crore, the project features 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and the iconic Bridge No. 144, taller than the Qutub Minar.
AIZAWL : With the completion of the 51.38-km broad-gauge line from Bairabi to Sairang, Mizoram becomes the fourth Northeastern state to gain direct train connectivity to its capital. This marks a milestone in Indian Railways ambitious plan to link the capitals of all eight Northeastern states with the national rail network. The line, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, connects Bairabi on the AssamMizoram border to Sairang, located 20 km from Aizawl and 12 km from Lengpui Airport. The new Sairang railway station will serve as the key railhead for Aizawl. The project, for which approval was granted in 2008 and construction began in November 2014, has been built at a cost of 8,071 crore. Engineering feat The 51.38-km line, passing through the Kolasib and Aizawl districts, is an engineering feat, with over half its length running through tunnels and bridges. It includes 48 tunnels spanning 12.85 km, 55 major and 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and six road underbridges. The line has three intermediate stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, and Mualkhang. Among the bridges, Bridge No. 144 over the Kurung River near Sairang has earned the distinction of being the worlds second-tallest pier bridge, rising 114 metres above the ground. The tallest is the Noney Bridge in neighbouring Manipur, standing 141 metres tall, which is being built as part of the under-construction 111-km JiribamImphal railway line. World's second tallest pier bridge over Kurung river at Sairang station Challenges faced The railways faced huge challenges in building the BairabiSairang line due to its rugged Indo-Burmese tectonic terrain, marked by steep slopes, deep valleys, and fragile, clay-like soil prone to erosion. Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction), the agency which executed the project, with design and safety aspects reviewed by IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee, had to build 223 km of approach roads as well. Reaching construction sites for hill excavation and pier construction was extremely difficult, as there was no road access. NFR (Construction) built 223 km of approach roads, which have since benefitted several villages in Kolasib and Aizawl districts, a railway official explained. In addition to the topographical challenges, the project encountered other obstacles as well, including opposition to workers brought in from other states and the non-availability of construction materials in Mizoram, which meant they had to be transported from Bihar and Jharkhand. To address local resistance, the Railways eventually engaged local people from Mizoram in the construction work. The project progressed at a slow pace due to the regions short working season of just 67 months a year. Despite higher wages, many labourers left the project because of the remote location and lack of internet connectivity at worksites, the official added. Tunnel in BairabiSairang line Expectations Locals in Dawrpui told TNIE that the railway line will help tackle the high cost of road travel from Silchar to Aizawl, which currently costs between Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,000 along the hilly two-lane highway. During the monsoon season, which lasts for more than five months, landslides frequently cut off road access. Flights, too, are unreliable as they often get cancelled due to bad weather, and there are no departures after 4 pm, said Anthony Zohmingliana, a resident. M. Sathish Kumar, a project associate at Mizoram Central University and a resident of Aizawl for 15 years, noted that over 8 lakh of Mizorams 14 lakh population live in and around Aizawl. This project will benefit a large section of the population, reducing dependence on flights and cabs, he said. Joel Lalengmawii of Lengpui said, My family often travels via Silchar to reach Manipur, Punjab, and Kerala. But the 154-km journey to Silchar takes 910 hours by road. We have been told train fares will be cheaper, but only when services begin will we know how much difference it really makes. S. S. Ajin, a PhD student at Mizoram University, said, We mostly rely on flights or road transport. There are times when vegetables and other essentials do not reach the city for a few days due to landslides on the national highways, and there are no other public transport options. Train connectivity will greatly benefit people from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other states traveling to Mizoram. Once the line becomes operational, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be able to transport freight for the public distribution system by train, significantly reducing the cost of transporting goods, vegetables, and other items from other states. Initially, passenger services may run between Sairang and Silchar, the railway official added. Rail connectivity to northeast At present, the railway line through Assam's capital, Guwahati, serves as a gateway to the seven other Northeastern states. From Guwahati, branch lines extend to Bairabia station just 7 km inside Mizoram on the SilcharBairabi sectionwhere a passenger train currently runs daily between Bairabi and Silchar. This link to Silchar connects Mizoram with northern and southern states via Guwahati. Additionally, it provides connectivity to Manipur and Nagaland. Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) are the other state capitals with rail connectivity. Work is under way to connect the capitals of Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, and Nagaland. NFR officials said they expect these works to be completed by December 2029. It may be noted that Sikkim remains the only Northeastern state without rail connectivity, mainly due to local opposition. Extending to Myanmar Highlighting plans to develop Sairang station with state-of-the-art facilities, the railway official said the government is also exploring the feasibility of extending the line from Sairang to Myanmar. The proposed route would cover 230 km within Mizoram and the remainder in Myanmar. If realized, this would reduce freight transport from South India to Mizoram via Visakhapatnam and Kolkata ports from 2,000 km to just 500 km, the official explained. Fact File: BairabiSairang Broad Gauge Line New Line: BairabiSairang (51.38 km) Key Locations: Bairabi: Border station on AssamMizoram border Sairang: 20 km from Aizawl, Mizoram Project Cost: Rs 8,071 crore Railway Connectivity in the Northeast Guwahati (Assam): Only railway gateway for all eight Northeastern states Line from Guwahati runs to Bairabi (7 km from Assam border via Silchar) BairabiSilchar (105 km): Daily passenger train operational New Line: SairangSilchar (155 km), passenger services to be introduced Road Access Two-lane National Highway is the only mode of access to Aizawl Travel Cost: Rs 1,000Rs 1,600 per person (Silchar Aizawl) Travel Time: 89 hours by road; train will reduce it to 3 hours States with railway connectivity to capitals Assam Guwahati Tripura Agartala Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Mizoram Sairang (to be inaugurated)
Mizoram residents hope the new Bairabi-Sairang line brings seamless changes into their life
Travel time between Silchar and Aizawl to be cut from 8-10 hours by road to under four hours by train
PM Modi likely to visit Mizoram, Manipur on September 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Mizoram and Manipur on September 13, with preparations underway in both states, officials said. In Mizoram, PM Modi is likely to inaugurate the 51.38-km BairabiSairang railway line, a key infrastructure project under the Centre's Act East Policy aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic integration in the Northeast. The new rail link will connect Aizawl with Assams Silchar, and by extension, with the rest of the country. Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena held a high-level meeting on Monday to review preparations, including security, traffic control, and public participation. Following his Mizoram visit, the Prime Minister is expected to travel to Manipur, his first trip to the state since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. However, officials in Imphal said they have not yet received formal confirmation of the visit. 'Lacks empathy': Congress slams PM Modi as he leaves for '35th' trip abroad since start of Manipur ethnic conflict
Eviction drives to be carried out in Barak valley: Himanta
Silchar: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that eviction drives to clear encroachment on forest land will be undertaken in the Barak valley districts in the same way the exercise is being carried out in the Brahmaputra valley. Speaking at a programme after unveiling a 24-feet-tall statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose 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 .
CBI arrests 3 in Assam for illegal SIM card racket
One of the three arrested from Silchar in southern Assam is a territorial sales manager for a private telecom company
PM to inaugurate Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13, marking Aizawl's entry onto the railway map. This 51.38-km project, a key part of the Centre's Act East policy, will connect Aizawl with Silchar and the rest of India.
Fake doctor in Assam handles 50 caesarean sections in a decade, held
GUWAHATI: The Assam police arrested a fake doctor after he allegedly handled several pregnancy cases and performed more than 50 caesarean sections for a decade. The accused, Pulak Malakar, hails from southern Assams Barak Valley. The locals knew him as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. He practised at a private hospital in Silchar of Cachar district. According to reports, Malakar worked as a fourth-grade employee in various hospitals prior to becoming a doctor with a forged MBBS certificate, allegedly obtained from a racket by shelling out a huge amount of money. The accused was arrested two days ago. He was produced in a local court and it sent him to a six-day police remand. Senior Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta told the media the police had received inputs about the man treating patients by using a fake degree. A resultant investigation revealed his certificate from a government medical college in Odisha was forged. During the course of investigation, we learnt that he had been working in Silchar since 2016 using a fake medical degree. A case was registered against him with the Sadar Police Station, Silchar under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the SP said. He suspected that the racket selling fake MBBS certificates was operating from the Barak Valley. He warned that the police would dig deep and arrest all those involved in it. In January this year, the Assam government formed an anti-quackery and vigilance cell, a special unit that works in tandem with the police. Several arrests involving fake doctors and quacks were made in following months. The state Assembly had in February last year, passed The Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, 'criminalising non-scientific' magical healing practices conducted by individuals with malicious intent. The Bill aims to bring social awakening in society and create healthy, science-based knowledge and a safe environment to protect human health against the evil and sinister practices thriving on ignorance and the ill-health of people.
Real Life 'Munna Bhai MBBS'? Fake Assam Doctor Who Performed 50 C-Sections Arrested
Pulok Malakar, posing as a doctor for over a decade, was arrested in Silchar, for performing over 50 surgeries without valid qualifications
The Meghalaya government has initiated the land acquisition process for the construction of the Rs 22,864-crore high-speed corridor from Umiam Lake near Shillong to Silchar in lower Assam, officials said on Tuesday.
Meghalaya initiates land acquisition process for 23,000 cr. Shillong-Silchar high-speed corridor
The 166.80-km corridor will begin at Mawlyngkhung near Shillong and end at Panchgram near Silchar.
Was Scared, Shivering: IndiGo Flier Slapped During Panic Attack
Hussain Ahmed Majumdar, a resident of Assam, suffered a panic attack when he was travelling from Mumbai to Silchar via Kolkata on Thursday.
Assam man allegedly thrashed to death by BSF personnel
A 30-year-old man, Nirmol Namasudra, died in Cachar district, Assam. Allegedly, Border Security Force personnel beat him near the India-Bangladesh border. The incident occurred on Friday night. Nirmol succumbed to his injuries on Saturday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. Locals protested, demanding action against the accused BSF personnel. Authorities are trying to control the situation in Katigorah.
Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, 32, went missing after experiencing a panic attack on a Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight and being slapped by a co-passenger. He was supposed to take a connecting flight to Silchar but disappeared instead, sparking panic in his family. A viral video of the incident added to public outrage. Nearly a day later, he was found in Barpeta, Assam, after travelling by train. Questions remain around the airline's response and mental health handling onboard.
Man Slapped On IndiGo Flight Goes Missing, Found Later At Railway Station
A missing complaint was filed, and police found he hadn't taken the flight to Silchar or left Kolkata airport.
A young man from Assam went missing after being slapped on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata, sparking outrage. Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, possibly experiencing a panic attack, was assaulted and then disappeared after failing to board his connecting flight to Silchar.
IndiGo passenger goes missing after fellow flier slaps him during in-flight panic attack
A young man, Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, from Cachar, Assam, is missing. He was slapped by a co-passenger on a Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight. A video shows the incident. Hossain was traveling home. He did not arrive in Silchar. His family is worried. IndiGo says the unruly passenger was handed over to security. The airline did not confirm if Hossain received help.
Pointing out that the three visa centres in Assam located in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, and Silchar which was processing 50-55 visas every day, are now issuing only around 15-18 visa a day, security sources said that the decline has affected multiple sectors, including education and healthcare
