Rebellions that could and couldnt break NC
Srinagar, Nov 7:While the National Conference (NC) high command was able to quell the dissent after a meeting with the disgruntled legislators on Friday, this was not the first time in the NCs 87-year history that the NC faced an internal rebellion, and this was not the first time that the NC leadership was able to abort the crisis. On Friday, ice broke between dissident NC legislators and the party high command, including NC President Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, after a meeting at the NC chiefs Gupkar residence in Srinagar, where the party top brass assured the dissident legislators that it would address their grievances in phases. After the meeting, statements from both the NC chief and disgruntled NC leaders were reconciliatory, and a storm that seemed to be brewing in the NC teacup dissipated. However, this was not the first in NC history that the party faced a major internal rebellion. IDEOLOGICAL RUPTURE OF 1939 NCs first major ideological rupture happened in 1941, just two years after the Muslim Conference, established in October 1932 under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah, and Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, was renamed the National Conference on June 11, 1939. Though the change reflected Abdullahs attempt to build a broader, secular political movement that would represent people across religious communities, the decision was opposed by a section of the leadership, particularly those who believed that the organisation should retain its Muslim political identity. Abbas subsequently revived the Muslim Conference in 1941, creating a separate political organisation. The NC survived, but the split produced a separate Muslim Conference that became an important political force in subsequent years. Historian Suhail-ul-Rehman Lones research, published in Studies in Peoples History in 2017, examines this rupture and its relationship with the competing political visions of Abdullah and Abbas. He writes that the disagreement was not merely about the partys name but also concerned the political character of the movement, its relationship with the Congress, and the direction of Kashmirs political struggle. THE UPHEAVAL OF 1953 The second time the NC faced a consequential political upheaval was on August 9, 1953. Sheikh Abdullah, who had led the NC to power following the accession of Jammu and Kashmir, was dismissed as Prime Minister and arrested amid growing disagreements with New Delhi over Kashmirs political future, the extent of autonomy, and the question of accession. Hafsa Kanjwal, in her 2017 doctoral dissertation, Building a New Kashmir: Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad and the Politics of State-Formation in a Disputed Territory, writes that Bakshi assumed office after Sheikh Abdullah was deposed and arrested on the orders of the Government of India. It was an unconventional rebellion with a group of NC legislators removing the partys most powerful leader, installing his former deputy in his place, and succeeding in the elevation of Bakshi as Prime Minister. The episode had a lasting consequence on Kashmirs polity, with Sheikh Abdullahs supporters increasingly organising themselves outside the ruling NC. BREAKAWAY MOVEMENT OF 1955 Following Abdullahs dismissal and arrest in 1953, his supporters began organising against the new political establishment. On August 9, 1955, Mirza Afzal Beg, a close aide of Abdullah, established the Plebiscite Front, also known as Mahaz-e-Rai Shumari. Beg became its president, while Abdullah remained the central political figure associated with the movement. The Plebiscite Fronts formation was a direct consequence of the political rupture within the NC following Abdullahs removal. The Plebiscite Front faced restrictions and could not participate in electoral politics like a recognised mainstream party. The movement continued until the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, following which Abdullah and his associates decided to dissolve the Plebiscite Front and revive the NC as a separate political organisation, which returned to power in 1977. DNC REBELLION OF 1957 In 1957, Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq, a senior NC leader and former minister in Bakshis government, broke away from the ruling party and established the Democratic National Conference (DNC). Sadiq and his supporters accused the ruling establishment of failing to live up to the principles of the NCs progressive political programme and accused it of corruption and the concentration of political power. His breakaway group included 13 dissenting legislators and former ministers and demanded reforms. They developed a political platform challenging Bakshis leadership. However, the split did not permanently weaken the NC, and following intervention by New Delhi, Sadiq and his associates moved towards reunification with the parent organisation. By late 1960, most of the DNC leadership had reunited with the NC. The reunification itself produced another disagreement with Ram Piara Saraf and a few other DNC members opposing the decision, arguing that the question of reunification should be decided by a full party convention. Sadiq and other former DNC leaders were subsequently accommodated in the government. TRANSFORMATION OF 1963-65 In 1963, Bakshi resigned as Prime Minister and Khwaja Shamsuddin succeeded him, while Sadiqs political position within the party remained significant. Shamsuddins government was short-lived, and he resigned in early 1964. Sadiq subsequently became the Prime Minister. In 1965, the NC merged with the Indian National Congress and became the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress. This was a major organisational transformation rather than an ordinary internal rebellion, with the political identity of the NC effectively absorbed into Congress, while Abdullahs supporters continued to operate through the Plebiscite Front. Following the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, the Plebiscite Front was dissolved, and the NC was revived. FIZZLED OUT REVOLT OF 1978 After the 1975 Indira-Sheikh Accord, Abdullah returned to power and revived the NC. In the 1977 Assembly elections, the NC won a comfortable majority, and Abdullah became Chief Minister. Beg, his longtime associate and deputy, became Deputy Chief Minister. However, relations between the two deteriorated, and in September 1978, Abdullah accused Beg of encouraging defections within the NC during elections to the State Legislative Council. Abdullah reportedly relied on the testimony of Maulvi Mohammad Yasin Hamdani, a prominent religious leader and serving Member of Legislative Assembly. Abdullah also demanded Begs resignation from the Council of Ministers, and Beg resigned on September 25, 1978. Begs departure created unrest within the party, with several legislators sympathetic to him, raising questions about Abdullahs control over the organisation. Veteran Kashmiri journalist Yusuf Jameel, in his blog jameelyusuf.blogspot.com, recounts his firsthand experience as a young reporter with Srinagar-based daily Aftab of the NCs internal crisis in 1978. Recalling the episode, Jameel describes how legislators initially believed to be aligned with Beg publicly reaffirmed their loyalty to Abdullah, while Beg complained that the press was giving the NC leaders version of events greater prominence. In October 1978, Beg established the Inquilabi National Conference (INC), taking the confrontation beyond the partys internal structures. The rebellion ultimately failed to dent Abdullahs hold over the party, prompting Beg to dissolve INC in September 1981 and return to the NC fold. SUCCESSFUL JULY 1984 REBELLION Arguably the most consequential internal rebellion in the history of the NC was by Ghulam Mohammad Shah in July 1984 when he successfully brought down an elected government. After Abdullahs death on September 8, 1982, his son, Farooq Abdullah, succeeded him as Chief Minister, although the succession was not universally accepted within the party. One of the principal dissenters was senior NC leader Ghulam Mohammad Shah, Sheikh Abdullahs son-in-law and Farooqs brother-in-law. Shah and other senior leaders were unhappy with the manner in which the leadership transition took place. However, Farooq Abdullah led the NC to a decisive victory in the June 1983 Assembly elections with the party securing a comfortable majority, and strengthening Farooq Abdullahs political position. Things got murky for Farooq Abdullah as the relationship between the Indira Gandhi-led government at New Delhi and his government deteriorated following Farooq Abdullahs political positioning and attempts to develop relations with opposition leaders outside Kashmir. Shah and former Finance Minister Devi Das Thakur began working together to destabilise the government with the rebellion in the NC culminating on July 2, 1984. Shah led a group of NC legislators who withdrew their support from Farooq Abdullah. The defectors secured the backing of the Congress, which provided the necessary support for Shah to form a government. It was Governor Jagmohan who informed Farooq Abdullah that he had lost his majority and denied him an opportunity to demonstrate his strength on the floor of the Assembly. Jagmohan dismissed Farooq Abdullahs government and invited Shah to form a new administration. Shah was sworn in as Chief Minister on July 2, 1984. Uppsala University professor Sten Widmalm, in his various interviews, has documented the role of New Delhi in destablising Farooq Abdullahs government. These accounts also trace the role of Devi Das Thakur in bringing Shah and the Congress leadership together and examine discussions between Governor Jagmohan and New Delhi before Shah was installed. A Jammu and Kashmir High Court proceeding dated July 30, 1984, reproduces the complaint submitted by the NCs chief whip, alleging that 12 members of the NC Legislature Party had withdrawn support from Farooq Abdullah and chosen Shah as their leader. The 12 named members were Abdul Jabbar Sheikh from Kangan assembly constituency; Talib Hussain from Rajouri; Hassam-ud-Din Banday from Hazratbal; Sonaullah Dar from Pulwama; Ghulam Hassan Mir from Tangmarg; Mohammad Khalil Johar from Bandipora; Hakim Mohammad Yasin from Khansahab; Munshi Habibullah from Kargil; Dilawar Mir from Rafiabad; Mehboob Beg from Anantnag; and nominated MLAs Khem Lata Wakhlu and Gurbachan Kumari Rana. Shah's victory, though, was short-lived. He remained Chief Minister until March 1986, and his government faced growing criticism, including allegations of administrative failure and inability to control communal violence. On March 6, 1986, Congress withdrew its support from Shah, who resigned the following day, and Governors Rule was imposed. Farooq Abdullah returned to power in November 1986 following a political understanding with Rajiv Gandhi and the NC and Congress later contested the infamous 1987 Assembly elections in alliance. After Shah became CM, his breakaway political organisation became associated with the Awami National Conference (ANC), which was subsequently led by his wife, Begum Khalida Shah. However, ANC did not succeed in replacing the NC as Kashmirs principal regional political force. RUHULLAH REBELLION OF 2024-26 The latest major rupture within the NC is the confrontation involving Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah. Unlike earlier rebellions driven by the struggle for ministerial positions or control of the party, Ruhullahs confrontation was centred on the NCs political direction, its electoral promises, and the question of J&Ks constitutional status. The differences became visible after the NC returned to power following the 2024 Assembly elections. On December 25, 2024, Ruhullah joined students protesting outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs residence in Srinagar. The protest concerned the reservation policy in J&K and demands for its rationalisation. His participation was significant as he was a sitting NC MP openly supporting a protest against a policy issue involving his own partys government. Ruhullah increasingly questioned the NC governments approach to political issues with his disagreements concerning restoration of Article 370, the partys commitment to its 2024 election manifesto, political prisoners, constitutional rights, reservation policy, and the partys approach towards the Centre. In May 2025, Ruhullah had a confrontation with CM Omar during an NC Working Committee meeting when Ruhullah raised concerns about the partys departure from its ideological position and its failure to fulfil key electoral promises. The disagreement escalated considerably in the months preceding November 3, 2026, when he formally resigned both as a member of the NC and as a Member of Parliament from Srinagar-Budgam constituency. DISGRUNTLED MLAS REBELLION OF 2026 Following the last months cabinet reshuffle, 18 to 20 NC legislators expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the government and the party organisation. The legislators sought replacement of several senior ministers, changes in the governments functioning, removal of CM Omars Advisor, greater consultation with legislators, and organisational and administrative reforms. On November 6, the dissenting legislators met NC President Farooq Abdullah and CM Omar at the NC chiefs Gupkar residence and the ice was broken, and tempers cooled. TAILPIECE In reality, other than the rebellion of July 1984, when Shah led a revolt that brought down the elected government and enabled him to become CM with Congress support, most internal rebellions within NC have fizzled out and failed to dent the party.
Jumbo hustle: the transfer of elephants to Tamil Nadus temples
The unseemly haste with which five elephants from Assam were transported to temples in Tamil Nadu raises pertinent questions about the process of animal transfer, and whether the rules are cheat proof. Here, Geetha Srimathi examines the entire issue threadbare, explaining how elephants are acquired for temples in the State, and the yawning gaps in the rules, and processes that allow humans to trade in pachyderms.
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240 Black Softshell Turtle hatchlings released into protected water body in Assam
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 7 (IANS) In a significant boost to the conservation and recovery of the critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle (BST), locally known as Bormuria Kaso (Nilssonia nigricans), 240 hatchlings were released on Saturday into a protected waterbody under the Biswanath Wildlife Division in Assam. A senior forest official said that the release was jointly organised by the Wildlife Survival Alliance Foundation India (WSAFI) and the Biswanath Wildlife Division, in collaboration with Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and the Assam Forest Department, as part of the ongoing project titled 'Conservation and Recovery of Black Softshell Turtle in Assam'. The conservation initiative has been underway for nearly a decade. The Black Softshell Turtle, which was once declared 'Extinct in the Wild' in the early 2000s, has shown encouraging signs of recovery due to sustained conservation efforts, the official said. The species now has a stable population in the Brahmaputra-Kaziranga landscape, although it continues to be classified as 'Critically Endangered'. The historic Nagshankar Temple has played a significant role in the conservation programme. During the annual nesting season in March and April, eggs are collected from the temple pond premises and transported for artificial incubation at Biswanath Ghat under controlled conditions. This process helps minimise egg losses caused by predators, particularly mongooses, and improves hatching success. The hatchlings emerge during July and August and are subsequently shifted to a grow-out facility, where they are reared for around three months. During this period, they are fed fresh small fish to improve their body weight and strengthen their chances of survival after being released into their natural habitat. According to the official, since 2021, WSAFI, formerly known as TSA Foundation India, has released more than 1,000 Black Softshell Turtle hatchlings into the wild as part of its sustained efforts to rebuild the population of the threatened species in Assam. The release programme was attended by Naduar MLA Padma Hazarika, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Biswanath Wildlife Division, the concerned Range Officer, Nagshankar Temple Committee Secretary Rajib Barua, WSAFI Northeast Project Coordinator Upamanyu Chakraborty, Aditya Dey and Krishna Das. As part of the programme, the guests were felicitated with handwoven gamosas featuring turtle motifs. The gamosas were crafted by members of Kaso Sakhi, a local women's alternative livelihood group supported by WSAFI under its community livelihood initiative. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable alternative sources of income for local communities and reduce their dependence on river-based livelihoods, thereby linking biodiversity conservation with community participation and economic empowerment. Often referred to as the 'water vultures', softshell turtles play an important ecological role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. As scavengers, they help remove organic waste and maintain the cleanliness of waterbodies, contributing to ecological balance. The latest release represents another important milestone in the long-running efforts to revive the Black Softshell Turtle population in Assam. It also highlights the importance of sustained conservation measures, scientific breeding and rearing practices, and community participation in protecting threatened aquatic species. With more hatchlings being successfully raised and released into protected habitats, the initiative has renewed hopes for the long-term survival and recovery of the species in its natural environment.
Harshvardhan Rane seeks blessings at Kamakhya Temple ahead of Diwali
Harshvardhan Rane offered prayers at the revered Kamakhya Temple in Assam ahead of Diwali.The 'Sanam Teri Kasam' actor took to his official Instagram handle and published a couple of glimpses of his religious visit.
Assam: 240 critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle hatchlings released in Biswanath
Guwahati: In a significant step towards conserving the critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle (BST), locally known as Bormuria Kaso (Nilssonia nigricans), 240 hatchlings were released into a protected waterbody under the Biswanath Wildlife Division in Assam. The release was carried out by the Wildlife Survival Alliance Foundation India (WSAFI) in collaboration with the Biswanath Wildlife [] The post Assam: 240 critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle hatchlings released in Biswanath appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Young voters overwhelmingly backed Democrats this year. The question is whether they
WASHINGTON, November 7, 2026 (AP) Andy Soma, 24, doesnt identify with either political party, and hes been skipping elections since he became old enough to vote. But this year, disappointed with the economy and President Donald Trumps war with Iran, he cast his midterm ballot for Roy Cooper, the North Carolina Democrat now headed to the Senate. I would describe it as the first time that Ive truly felt the need to vote, said Soma, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at North Carolina State University. He said he wanted to kind of take a stand, if you
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Extreme weather hits 92% of days in 2026, Assam among five worst-affected states
Guwahati: Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe across India, with at least one part of the country experiencing such events on most days of the year. Between 2022 and 2026, extreme weather was recorded on 86 to 99 per cent of days annually, according to a report by the Centre for Science [] The post Extreme weather hits 92% of days in 2026, Assam among five worst-affected states appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Dhaka mission tracking 2 Assam women expelled to Bangladesh, Centre tells HC
Assam Woman Says Congress Leader Assaulted Her, Demands DNA Test Of Son
Jenny alleged that she was taken to Rawat's residence in Yamuna Colony in 2002 by one of his party workers when she was 16 years old. She claimed that she stayed at his house for around one and a half to two months.
The court clarified that an employee cannot claim pensionary benefits under Rule 49(2) merely because he has completed 10 years of qualifying service if Rule 26(1), which provides for forfeiture of past service upon resignation, applies to his case
Assam OIL facility fire death toll rises to three
Two workers succumbed to their injuries at a private hospital in Guwahati on November 7
Death toll in explosion at Oil India's facility in Assam rises to three
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A total of 28 illegal immigrants apprehended, expelled: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
In a post on X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the State government would continue its drive against infiltration and would not compromise on Assam's security and identity
Adhikari gives police free hand to tackle crimes against women, drug smuggling in Bengal
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 7 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said he had given the police a free hand to deal with crimes against women and narcotics smuggling in the state, warning that political interference in these matters would not be tolerated. At the same time, Adhikari, who also holds the police portfolio, issued a stern warning against attacks on police personnel and vandalism of police stations and outposts, saying those involved would face prolonged imprisonment. I have given the police a free hand in tackling two issues. The first is crime against women and the second is narcotics smuggling. I will not tolerate any kind of political interference in these two issues. At the same time, as the police minister of the state, I will not tolerate any incident of attack on a cop or ransacking of any police station or police outpost. Those attacking police personnel will have to spend years behind bars, Adhikari said. He also warned that those responsible for vandalising police establishments would have to pay for the damage, along with interest. We will recover damages, along with interest, in case of ransacking of police stations or police outposts from those responsible, the Chief Minister said while distributing appointment letters to newly recruited police sub-inspectors at Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters in central Kolkata. Adhikari advised the newly appointed officers to maintain strict discipline in their daily duties and follow the instructions and orders of their superiors. Highlighting the challenges faced by the police force, he said West Bengal's vast geographical diversity, large population and varied linguistic and cultural backgrounds made policing particularly demanding. There are 11 crore people in West Bengal. On one side are mountains, on the other side are jungles, and on the other are several isolated islands. The police's responsibility is to ensure that public life remains normal. Till now, they did not get any facilities. The police did not have financial security. Now the police will be provided with financial security, he said. The Chief Minister said the state government would focus on modernising the police force and improving the quality of its training. An MoU had been signed with a police training centre in Assam for this purpose, while steps would also be taken to strengthen coordination between the state police and the Central forces. Claiming that police recruitment had remained neglected during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, Adhikari said the new administration had already recruited 11,000 personnel into the state police force. He acknowledged that 46,000 posts were still vacant and said the government would fill them in phases. The recruitment drive would include 6,345 women police personnel and 4,000 constables, he said, adding that further appointments would be made over the coming months. Recruitment in the police will be done again in December-January, Adhikari said, indicating that the government planned to accelerate the process to strengthen the state's policing infrastructure.
Patidar named Madhya Pradesh skipper for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, no room for Tiwari
Digital Desk | Indore, Nov 7 (IANS) Rajat Patidar has been named as Madhya Pradeshs in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, starting on November 14. Madhya Pradesh have been drawn in Elite Group C of the competition and will play their first four matches in New Chandigarh and the remaining three games in Mohali. Patidar, who has captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to IPL titles in 2025 and 2026, may not be available for the entire league phase of the competition. Patidar and left-arm fast bowling all-rounder Arshad Khan scheduled to link up with the India A team for the Mens Rising Stars Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29. In the India A team, Patidar has been appointed as the deputy to skipper Tilak Varma. Apart from Patidar, who has played three Tests and an ODI for India, batters Akshat Raghuwanshi, Harsh Gawli and Aniket Verma will have to step up for Madhya Pradesh. There is still no place in the squad for seam-bowling all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, despite having featured for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 and Ujjain Falcons in the Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup 2026. The squad features two wicketkeepers in Gawli and Apoorv Dwivedi, while India fast bowler Avesh Khan will spearhead a bowling unit that also includes Mangesh Yadav, left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya Singh, off-spinner Saransh Jain and left-arm wrist-spinner Shivang Kumar. Pacer Kuldeep Sen has not been picked due to him currently nursing an unspecified injury. Madhya Pradesh will open its campaign against Kerala in a day-night game at New Chandigarh on November 14. They will then take on Assam on November 16, Tripura in another day-night encounter on November 18, and Andhra on November 20. Madhya Pradesh is also scheduled to face Maharashtra on November 22, Himachal Pradesh on November 24 and Puducherry in their final group match on November 26. Should Patidar depart after the game against Assam, the Madhya Pradesh team management led by Chandrakant Pandit will need to name a stand-in captain for their remaining games. Madhya Pradesh squad: Ankush Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Harsh Gawli (wk), Rajat Patidar (captain), Aniket Verma, Ritik Tada, Apoorv Dwivedi (wk), Saransh Jain, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Shivam Shukla, Shivang Kumar, Avesh Khan, Tripuresh Singh, Rahul Batham, and Mangesh Yadav.
Assam: Royal Bengal tiger found dead in Kaziranga; territorial fight suspected
Doomdooma: A young male Royal Bengal tiger may have died in a suspected territorial fight with another tiger in Assams Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Forest personnel spotted the carcass during routine patrolling near the Teteliguri forest camp in the Kohora Range on Friday and alerted park authorities. A team of officials later reached [] The post Assam: Royal Bengal tiger found dead in Kaziranga; territorial fight suspected appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Assam groups Paani Campaign covers 3,000 flood-hit villagers
Jeevan Initiative, a volunteer-run organisation, has taken charge of seven villages in eastern Assams Charaideo district for water-related issues
Assam: Death toll in Oil India facility explosion rises to two, engineer dies
A fire broke out on Friday during maintenance work at OIL's Intermediate Tank Farm in Tengakhat following an explosion, according to a statement issued by the public sector undertaking (PSU)
Toll in explosion at OIL facility in Assam rises to two
A fire broke out on Friday during maintenance work at the OIL's Intermediate Tank Farm in Tengakhat, following the explosion
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Oil India Tengakhat Blast in Assam: Second Worker Dies, 3 Remain Critical After Explosion
The death toll from the November 6 explosion and fire at Oil India's Tengakhat facility in Assam has risen, with several injured workers battling for their lives.
Assam OIL facility explosion: Death toll rises to two, 3 critical
In a devastating explosion at the Intermediate Tank Farm of Oil India Limited in Dibrugarh, two workers lost their lives, and numerous others were injured while performing maintenance tasks. Among the deceased was Tapas Jyoti Gogoi, who tragically succumbed to severe burns. Those injured received initial care at a nearby medical college but were later transferred to a private hospital, with three still in critical condition as the investigation proceeds.
Assam OIL facility fire death toll rises to two
Five other workers injured in the incident are undergoing treatment
Assam OIL facility fire death toll rises to two
Five other workers injured in the incident are undergoing treatment
Death Count In Assam Oil India Fire Rises To 2, 5 Injured Remain Critical
A fire was reported on Friday at the Indirect Bath Heater (IDBH) of the Intermediate Tank Farm (ITF) at Tengakhat in Assam's Dibrugarh
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The News Mill
Assam prohibits drone operations near Amur falcon roosting sites
The order follows reports of content creators and visitors flying drones close to congregations of the migratory raptors, apparently to capture photographs and videos for social media
From Vadodara to Palam: The Unforgettable Indian Experiences of Overseas Umpires
Believe it: Australian umpire Ben Treloar recently officiated in two Ranji Trophy matches. His first assignment was the Delhi-Gujarat fixture in Palam, followed by Mumbais match against Haryana. Similarly, Indian umpire Parashar Joshi will officiate in two Sheffield Shield matches and a One Day Cup fixture in Australia. The exchange is part of the 2026 Umpire Exchange Programme between Cricket Australia (CA) and the BCCI. Before Treloar, several foreign umpires had officiated in Indian domestic matches under similar programmes, returning home with vivid memories and interesting stories. Australian umpire Greg Davidsons visit to India in 2020 gave him memories that went well beyond cricket. He officiated in his first Ranji Trophy match in Vadodara, Gujarat, before his next assignment took him to Mumbai. At six feet ten inches, Davidson was hard to miss. People approached him for photographs and selfies, making him feel like a celebrity. The Mumbai airport was very noisy and crowded, like a jam-packed cricket stadium, he recalled. Davidson and his wife, Tracey, also experienced Indian hospitality away from the cricket ground. Tracey, a schoolteacher, was taken to local primary schools in Mumbai by Indian match referee Varsha Nagrey, giving the couple a glimpse of another side of Indian life. Davidson had expected dry, dusty pitches in India. Instead, he found a fair amount of grass and good carry on the surfaces. South African umpire Lubabalo Gcuma discovered that Indian pitches presented a different challenge. In November 2016, he officiated in the Ranji Trophy match between Assam and Maharashtra in Chennai. Officiating here is a different thing altogether, he observed, explaining that the ball could spin sharply or jump off the surface. Standing on a dusty, turning pitch while dealing with loud appeals from several close-in fielders demanded a different level of alertness from what he was used to in South Africa. In November 2016, Australian umpire Sam Nogajski fell ill during a Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh in Mysuru. He suffered stomach pain and loose motions and was admitted to hospital with dehydration. His illness forced him to withdraw, leaving his Indian colleague, Virender Sharma, in an unusual situation. A reserve umpire, Vejith D, was available, but he was not part of the BCCI umpiring panel and could not take over the on-field duties at the bowlers end. He could serve only as the square-leg umpire. As a result, Sharma had to officiate from both ends. Former England player-turned-umpire Martin Saggers also noted the differences in crowd energy and playing conditions during his Ranji Trophy assignments. He praised the hospitality but pointed out that the long Indian domestic season and dry, abrasive outfields demanded different physical preparation from that required for English county cricket. Treloars first assignment in India was an adventure in Palam. One unusual feature was the regular sight and sound of aircraft overhead. Located in an aviation-heavy part of Delhi, the ground had planes flying over it repeatedly during the four-day match. Delhi piled up 648 for six before declaring, while Gujarat replied with 479. Treloar stood through 318.5 overs in the drawn match. It was his first experience of officiating in an innings in which a team scored around 650. He spent almost the entire match at one end, with only four overs at the other. Treloars Indian experience also brought some unexpected interactions. Players from Delhi and Gujarat approached him to ask where he came from and what he was doing there. He was impressed by their passion for the game and the hospitality shown by players, team management, ground staff and catering staff. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Away from cricket, Treloar explored Delhis markets, bought spices and sampled local food, including dal, vegetable curries, garlic-butter naan and vada pav. A keen cook at home, he was already thinking of taking some Indian flavours back to his family in Australia.
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No purchase, no sale protest of petroleum dealers on Nov 12
Arunachal Deputy CM receives Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Award, highlights cultural ties
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 6 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday received the Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Award 2026, recognising the shared cultural heritage and longstanding bonds between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Mein received the award in the presence of several eminent personalities, including Padma Bhushan awardee Jatin Goswami, Padma Shri awardees Surya Kanta Hazarika and Nuruddin Ahmed, and noted actor and theatre personality Pranjal Saikia. Sharing the news in a post on social media platform X on Friday, the Deputy CM expressed his gratitude and said he was honoured to receive the recognition in the presence of distinguished personalities from the cultural and artistic fraternity. He said the occasion made the recognition particularly special as it celebrated the shared cultural heritage and enduring bonds between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Award is associated with the legacy of legendary Assamese singer, composer, lyricist and filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika, whose contribution to Indian music and cultural integration continues to inspire generations. Popularly known as Sudhakantha, Hazarika used music and literature as powerful instruments to promote humanism, social harmony and unity across linguistic and regional boundaries. His compositions, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Northeast India, transcended geographical and linguistic barriers and established him as one of the most influential cultural icons of the region. Mein's recognition comes at a time when cultural cooperation between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh remains an important aspect of strengthening people-to-people connections in the Northeast. The two neighbouring states share historical, ethnic and cultural links, with communities on both sides maintaining longstanding traditions of social interaction and mutual cooperation. The award ceremony also brought together prominent figures from Assam's cultural and artistic landscape, underlining the continuing relevance of Hazarika's legacy in promoting regional harmony. Mein's acknowledgement of the award highlighted the importance of preserving the shared cultural identity of the Northeast while strengthening ties between its neighbouring states.
Sub-adult tiger carcass recovered in Kaziranga; departmental elephant dies after prolonged illness
Sub-adult tiger carcass recovered in Kaziranga; departmental elephant dies after prolonged illness Guwahati: The carcass of a sub-adult tiger was recovered on Friday from the Teteliguri area of Assams Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), forest officials said. A senior forest official said that the carcass, estimated to be around two days old, was [] The post Sub-adult tiger carcass recovered in Kaziranga; departmental elephant dies after prolonged illness appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
One killed and six injured in fire at an OIL facility in Assam
The oil exploration major said that the fire broke out at an indirect bath heater, which had been isolated since November 4 for maintenance
Assam, Nagaland officials call for cooperation for border security
Gold declines Rs 2,500 to Rs 1.46 lakh/10gm in Delhi as weak Dhanteras demand weighs
New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) Gold prices in the national capital declined by Rs 2,500 to Rs 1.46 lakh per 10 grams on Friday amid weak spot demand on Dhanteras, with elevated rates keeping buyers cautious. The 99.9 per cent pure yellow metal fell Rs 2,500 to Rs 1,46,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Thursdays close of Rs 1,48,800 per 10 grams, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Silver prices also dropped Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,92,500 per kilogram, inclusive of all taxes, from Rs 1,94,500 per kg in the preceding session. Traders said demand remains
Electors of 7 states left out of draft SIR rolls get fresh chance for inclusion in final list
New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) Facing allegations of disenfranchising crores of voters, the Election Commission on Friday gave a fresh chance to electors of seven states who were marked as Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate (ASDD), and whose names could not be included in the draft rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. In a letter, the EC directed the chief electoral officers of Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana and Nagaland to facilitate the inclusion of such electors in the final electoral rolls. The decision covers electors who were issued enumeration forms but whose forms were
New Flowering Plant Species Discovered in Assam and Meghalaya
House gherao threat in Zubeen death case poses danger to my family, to be raised in court: Assam CM
The state government honours court orders, and those questioning them are trying to create disturbances in the State, said Sarma, adding that the Supreme Court will hear bail petitions of prime accused Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma on November 30
8 more held in Tripura attack on BSF personnel; total arrests rise to 18
Harmeet Dhillon exits after radical overhaul of US Justice Department
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2026 (AP) Harmeet Dhillon, a conservative attorney who oversaw a radical reshaping of the United States Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, celebrated the mass departures of career lawyers and spearheaded sweeping investigations into elite universities, said Thursday that she had resigned from her post. Dhillon had been a powerful and divisive figure inside President Donald Trumps Justice Department since her confirmation last year as assistant attorney general, where she dramatically changed the direction of a division created during the countrys Civil Rights Movement to protect the rights of minorities. We ushered in the downfall of illegal
Gauhati High Court quashes Assam activists NSA detention
The State government invoked the National Security Act against Pranab Doley on July 30, a day after a court granted him bail for protesting a luxury hotel project near Kaziranga National Park
AMCH Dibrugarh Project Technical Support II Recruitment 2026
Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh (AMCH) Recruitment 2026 for the post of Project Technical Support II (Field Worker) will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview. Eligible candidates can attend the interview on 23 November 2026 at Department of Microbiology, AMCH, Dibrugarh. Candidates should report at 11:00 AM. For complete details, candidates can visit amch-dibrugarh.assam.gov.in.
Watch the Official teaser from assamese movie 'Tibro' starring Zubeen Garg, Priyanka Bharali, Shankuraj Konwar, Gorisha & Mishti Chakraborty. 'Tibro' movie is directed by Abrar Khan . To know more about Tibro' teaser watch the video. Check out the latest assamese teasers, new movie teasers, trending assamese movie teasers, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
Assam opens online registration for Bhupen Hazarika centenary finale in Delhi
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the online registration portal for Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's centenary celebration. The event is set to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on November 29, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest and will confer an award. A large number of national and local artistes will participate in the program.
US voters lashed out at data centres
Sydney, Nov 6 (Conversation) This weeks mid-term elections in the United States saw huge swings to the Democrats, away from President Donald Trumps Republican party. One surprisingly important factor was a rising backlash to the ongoing boom in data centre development triggered by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years. Americans across ten states overwhelmingly voted in favour of candidates campaigning for local restrictions on data centres. According to exit polls, some 56% of voters said AI data centres were a crucial or major factor in their vote. The data centre push The results are a sign of
New Delhi, Nov 6 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the Modi government over Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singhs remarks that voter ID will replace Aadhaar for identifying beneficiaries for social welfare programmes, saying this isnt just vote theft, its rights theft. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha termed as a conspiracy the Modi government ministers announcement that benefits of schemes will now be determined not by Aadhaar, but by Voter ID. The conspiracy runs very deep take your time to understand it. Under the guise of SIR, millions of names are being struck off
Fire at Oil India Ltd's intermediate tank farm in Assam's Dibrugarh kills 1
The fire at the Intermediate Tank Farm in Tengakhat erupted around 9.05 am during maintenance work
PM Modi to present Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award to Usha Mangeshkar in Delhi: Assam CM Himanta
Sydney, Nov 6 (Conversation) Is your new phone already slowing down or your expensive earphones acting up? Youre not imagining it. Our products are no longer designed to last, with some barely working a few years before ending up in landfill. Shortening the lifespan of a product is a strategy known as planned obsolescence. My new research takes a closer look at this concept and argues that, by strengthening existing laws, it is possible to make products that last while reducing costs for consumers and the environment. Mountains of e-waste Modern devices like laptops and smartwatches are made of a
X says police order demanding removal of Indian free-speech groups
BENGALURU, Nov 6 (Reuters) Police orders asking X to block online accounts of two of Indias most prominent free speech groups were fake, the social media company told an Indian court on Friday, days after the purported content removal requests sparked a public outcry. The orders, submitted through Xs online reporting form in the name of a senior Delhi police officer, sought the removal of the accounts of the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and the Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC.in), claiming they had defamed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Hindu nationalist group from which Prime Minister Narendra Modis
AUDC Guest Faculty Recruitment 2026
Assam University, Diphu Campus, Diphu (AUDC) has released the official notification for 2 Guest Faculty posts. Selection will be carried out through a Walk-in Interview scheduled on 20 November 2026 at Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Diphu Campus. Candidates should report at 11:00 AM. For complete details, candidates can visit aus.ac.in.
5 workers seriously injured, 1 missing after explosion at Oil India facility in Assam
Major Fire At Oil India Tank Farm In Assam, 1 Dead, 6 Injured
The incident occurred while workers were operating a valve at the facility. The explosion took place in the crude oil storage section of the tank farm, triggering a massive fire.
Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) Recruitment 2026 for 7 vacancies, including Medical Officer and Senior Medical Officer posts, will be conducted through a Walk-in Interview. Eligible candidates can attend the interview on 10 November 2026 at Office of the Principal cum Chief Supdt. of the respective institutions. Candidates should report at 10:30 AM. For complete details, candidates can visit asacs.assam.gov.in.
PM Modi to present Bhupen Hazarika National Award to Usha Mangeshkar on Nov 29: Assam CM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award to veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar at the closing ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations of legendary singer and composer Dr Bhupen Hazarika, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on November 29, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday. Speaking to reporters here, CM Sarma said the Prime Minister has already consented to attend the event, which will feature performances by several national and state-level artists. The closing ceremony of the birth centenary celebration of Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika will be held in New Delhi on November 29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already given consent to attend this closing ceremony. We will confer the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award in this programme. Singer Usha Mangeshkar has already given her consent to accept this award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the award to Usha Mangeshkar in this programme, the Chief Minister said. H...
18 arrested in Tripura over attack on BSF personnel near Bangladesh border
Digital Desk | Agartala, Nov 6 (IANS) The total number of people so far arrested in connection with the brutal attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Tripuras Sepahijala district has risen to 18, including three women, following the arrest of eight more accused, police officials said on Friday. A senior police official said the fresh eight arrests were made from different parts of Sepahijala district on Thursday night and early Friday morning in connection with the November 2 incident at Ashabari village, under Kalamchaura police station, along the India-Bangladesh international border. An intensive search operation, launched immediately after the attack on BSF personnel on November 2, was still underway to apprehend the remaining accused, the official told IANS. All the 18 accused have been booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. The eight newly arrested persons would be produced before a local court in Sepahijala district at the earliest, the official said. The first 10 accused arrested in the case were earlier produced before a court. Following the courts orders, the male accused were remanded to police custody, while the women were sent to judicial custody. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha, who had strongly condemned the attack and directed the authorities to take stringent action against those involved, chaired a high-level meeting with senior security officials on Thursday night to review the incident and the overall law and order situation. In a post on X, CM Saha said he chaired the meeting at the TIFT Conference Hall in Agartala in the presence of senior officials from the state administration, police, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles. He said the Ashabari incident was also reviewed, and the authorities were directed to ensure strict legal action against those involved, adopt zero tolerance towards cross-border smuggling and strengthen security measures to maintain peace and law and order. According to police, the incident occurred on November 2 when BSF personnel intercepted a group of alleged smugglers attempting to smuggle ganja (cannabis) across the India-Bangladesh border. Subsequently, the BSF personnel were reportedly surrounded and attacked by a mob of around 50 men and women, leaving three personnel, including a Company Commander, grievously injured. The attackers also allegedly snatched a pump-action gun (PAG) from one of the BSF personnel and damaged a BSF vehicle. One of the alleged attackers was also injured in the incident. There have been several instances of attacks on BSF and other security personnel by suspected cross-border smugglers in Tripura. On October 16, 2017, a vehicle allegedly driven by smugglers ran over Deepak Kumar Mandal, Deputy Commandant of the BSF's 145th Battalion, at Balerdepha in the smuggling-prone Sonamura subdivision of Sepahijala district. Mandal, a resident of West Bengal, succumbed to his injuries on October 20, 2017. In another incident, Tripura Police Sub-Inspector Durga Kumar Hrangkhawl was killed on duty on November 21, 2019, after a vehicle allegedly operated by cross-border smuggling mafias deliberately ran him over in the same district. These incidents underline the serious risks faced by security and law-enforcement personnel while tackling organised cross-border smuggling activities in the district. Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh and is surrounded by the neighbouring country on three sides. The state's geographical location makes it particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling, illegal movement and other transnational crimes. Except for a few stretches, most parts of the international border have been fenced to prevent smuggling, illegal crossings and the movement of criminal and other inimical elements.
Guwahati hotel firing: Body of accused handed over to family after autopsy
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 6 (IANS) The body of Ghanakanta Gogoi, the prime accused in the Guwahati hotel firing case that claimed five lives, was handed over to his family following a post-mortem examination at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, officials said on Friday. The autopsy was conducted in the presence of forensic medicine experts from three medical institutions, in keeping with the prescribed procedures for cases involving deaths in police custody. Gogoi, 34, was killed in a police encounter in Assam's Sivasagar district early on Wednesday. Police had claimed that he attempted to escape from custody while being taken to Sivasagar in connection with another case. An AMCH official said the post-mortem was delayed due to the time required to coordinate the presence of forensic experts from three different medical colleges. The examination continued for more than three hours. After the completion of the procedure, the body was brought out of the Forensic Medicine Department and handed over to Gogoi's family at around 7.10 p.m. The family later left for their residence with the body. The encounter occurred in the Gaurisagar area at around 3.10 a.m. on Wednesday. Gogoi had completed seven days in police remand in connection with the hotel firing case and was sent to judicial custody by a local court on Tuesday. Hours later, he was arrested from Guwahati Central Jail in connection with a separate bank fraud case registered in 2024. Gogoi, the leaseholder of Hotel Bilas Inn, was arrested after the October 26 shooting at the hotel in Guwahati's Bora Service area along GS Road. Five members of the Bharali family and a staff member were killed when gunfire erupted at the hotel, while the family's driver sustained injuries. Police alleged that a dispute over the management and use of the property led to the violence. According to police, disagreements had surfaced after Gogoi undertook renovations at the property. A meeting was scheduled on October 26 to settle the dispute, but an argument allegedly turned violent, following which Gogoi opened fire. The Assam Police had formed a six-member Special Investigation Team to probe the killings. The bereaved family had described the attack as premeditated and demanded stringent action against those responsible.
Assam Police slash pending investigations from 1.54 lakh to under 10,000: CM Sarma
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 6 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state police have brought down the number of pending investigations dramatically, claiming that the figure has fallen from around 1.54 lakh cases in 2020 to less than 10,000 at present. Taking to the social media platform X, the Chief Minister used a Diwali reference to highlight what he described as a major improvement in the functioning and efficiency of Assam Police. Every Diwali, the same dilemma, which box gets passed on? Assam Police stopped passing on cases a while ago. Pending investigations fell from 1.54 lakh in 2020 to under 10,000 today, CM Sarma said. The Chief Minister's remarks come as the Assam government continues to emphasise police reforms, faster investigations and improved delivery of justice as key components of its governance agenda. The sharp reduction in pending investigations, if sustained, would mark a significant improvement in the disposal of criminal cases and could help speed up the subsequent judicial process. Pending investigations have long remained a challenge for police forces across the country, with a large number of cases often remaining unresolved due to manpower constraints, procedural delays and the growing volume of criminal complaints. The Assam government has, in recent years, focused on strengthening police infrastructure and improving the use of technology in investigations. The state administration has also repeatedly stressed the need for greater accountability among investigating officers and the timely completion of probes. CM Sarma has frequently highlighted the role of Assam Police in maintaining law and order and tackling organised crime, narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities across the state. The Chief Minister's latest claim underscores the government's push to project a more efficient and responsive policing system in Assam. However, the government did not immediately provide a detailed breakup of the cases covered under the pending investigation figures or specify the period during which the reduction was achieved. The latest statement nevertheless reflects the state government's emphasis on clearing the backlog of criminal investigations and ensuring that cases move more swiftly through the criminal justice system.
Democratic socialist India-born Nithya Raman ousts embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
LOS ANGELES, November 6, 2026 (AP) Nithya Raman, a little-known Los Angeles City Council member backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has defeated Mayor Karen Bass, an upset that will alter the trajectory of the nations second-largest city. The India-born Ramans upstart campaign marked a generational shift at City Hall as voters followed the lead of New York, where democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected last year. Raman, though, never attracted the same level of national attention and stressed her willingness to break with the progressive party at times during the campaign. When she takes office next month,
IIT-G study maps vehicle spacing shifts with traffic density
Six-day mountain biking challenge to unfold in Tawang from Nov 9
Fled & hid for my life: Lone survivor of hotel shooting after discharge from hospital
NHRC seeks report on custodial torture of Dipankar Gogoi
BARC, AAU renew research ties to develop improved crop varieties
CM Sangma inaugurates shooting range in West Jaintia Hills
Shillong ropeway to have negligible impact on catchment area: Govt
Winter arrives in Umrangso on falcon wings
