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Eviction drive underway in Assam's Nagaon, over 1,500 families affected
Assam launches eviction drive as authorities clear encroachments from reserved forest land
Punjab police arrest alleged Indian national who strayed into Pakistan
Lahore: Pakistans Punjab police have claimed to have arrested an alleged Indian national who inadvertently crossed into the country and was detained by Pakistan Rangers for over 100 days without any legal formalities. According to police, the alleged Indian national, BJ Singh, 31, from Assam, crossed into Pakistan on August 16, near the Ajmal Shaheed Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Assam MLA suspended from Assembly for disrupting proceedings
Assam MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed suspended again after the recent suspension was revoked
Myanmarese Nationals Misused Indians GST IDs to Buy Drug Chemicals: ED Probe
ED raids across Mizoram, Assam and Gujarat uncover cross-border narcotics network using Indian identities to source raw materials for meth production.
Myanmar nationals 'misused' GST credentials of Indians for cross-border drugs trafficking: ED
NEW DELHI: Investigation into a cross-border narcotics trafficking racket has found that Myanmarese nationals misused GST credentials of Indians to facilitate purchase of raw material required for manufacturing drugs, the ED said. The federal probe agency had conducted its first-ever searches along the India-Myanmar border on November 27 following registration of a money laundering case into a drugs trafficking case of Mizoram. Locations across Aizawl and Champhai (along India-Myanmar border) in Mizoram, Sribhumi (Karimganj) in Assam and Ahmedabad in Gujarat were raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). India shares a 1,643-km-long front with Myanmar on its eastern side. Evidence gathered during the searches indicated that Indians procured Pseudoephedrine tablets and Caffeine Anhydrous on behalf of Myanmar nationals, enabling trans-border drug production and trafficking apart from money laundering, the Enforcement Directorate said in a statement issued on Friday. Probe found, the ED said, the misuse of GST credentials belonging to Indian nationals by Myanmar nationals to facilitate the purchase of raw materials essential for the manufacture of Methamphetamine tablets. Additionally, evidence indicates that Indians procured Pseudoephedrine tablets and Caffeine Anhydrous on behalf of Myanmar nationals, enabling the cross-border drug production and trafficking network and laundered money in this process, it said. This scheme supported the supply chain of narcotics manufacturing, particularly affecting the porous Indo-Myanmar border regions like Mizoram, with financial and smuggling links spanning multiple Indian states and money laundering through these activities, according to the agency. Cash of Rs 46.7 lakh was seized from certain Hawala operatives and others and the agency froze 21 bank accounts during the raids. The ED case stems from a Mizoram Police FIR into the seizure of 4.72 kg of heroin worth Rs 1.41 crore from six people.
Speaker Daimary maintained that no discussion can happen on a matter concerning a central varsity
Assam minister Bimal Borah suggests detention room in Assembly complex for suspended MLAs
GUWAHATI: An Assam minister on Friday raised the pitch for a detention room within the Assembly complex to prevent suspended MLAs from going out. Speaking in the House during the ongoing Winter Session, cabinet minister Bimal Borah made this unusual suggestion to Speaker Biswajit Daimary. I have a suggestion. During Assembly proceedings, some members tend to create a disruptive atmosphere. You suspend them but they misinterpret their suspension before the media outside, Borah told the Speaker. Therefore, a room should be set up within the Assembly premises to keep the members after suspension so that they cannot go outside, Borah suggested. The Speaker said he would examine the suggestion. Borah made the suggestion after Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi was suspended for interrupting proceedings in the House. Meanwhile, Gogoi, the activist-turned-politician, wasted no time in hitting back at Borah, questioning the latters knowledge on House proceedings. I studied with Bimal. He does not understand democracy, Constitution, rules and regulations. He has become a minister but I believe he has not completely gone through the Constitution, the Sivasagar MLA said. He further stated that it would be a daunting task for anyone to educate Borah about transparent governance, democracy, Assembly and freedom of speech. During this Assembly session, members of ruling BJP, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, took potshots at Gogoi multiple times for frequently interrupting members during discussions. Gogoi had faced a brief suspension on the first day of the five-day session on Tuesday for entering the Well of the House and displaying a poster of the late Zubeen Garg. The incident occurred during a discussion under an adjournment motion on the music icons mysterious death in Singapore. In Assam, the term detention centre is synonymous with illegal immigrants. The state currently has one detention centre at Matia in Goalpara district where people declared foreigners by the foreigners tribunals are kept.
Assam Assembly likely to have detention room for unruly MLAs
Speaker Biswajit Daimary says a suggestion in this regard would be examined
3 Congress Leaders Arrested Over Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma's AI Deepfake Video
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police has arrested three Congress leaders for allegedly circulating an AI-generated video featuring Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
3 Assam Congress Leaders Held for Circulating AI-Generated Video of Assam CM
The Congress leaders were, however, granted bail after being produced before a Kamrup district court on Friday, the CID special director general of police (DGP) Mr Munna Prasad Gupta said.
Militants ambush security post at Tengnoupal near Indo-Myanmar border
A fierce gun battle erupted between Assam Rifles and militants near Manipur's border with Myanmar. Security forces are continuing operations in the area. Separately, five militants from a banned outfit and another individual were apprehended for alleged extortion activities. These developments occur amidst ongoing ethnic tensions and displacement in Manipur.
He wont return to power: Congress slams Assam CM Himanta over UCC remark
GUWAHATI: The Congress on Friday opposed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmas statement that the BJP would bring Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if it got re-elected. Congress leader Pawan Khera predicted that Sarma would not return to power. First of all, he (Sarma) will not return to power. He will go to jail after this election. He knows it. I know it, Khera told media persons in Guwahati. This country is a collection of several belief systems, customs, traditions, and languages. You cannot try and impose one language, one system, one belief, one faith on everyone, he further stated. Speaking in the Assembly on Thursday, the chief minister assured that if the NDA retained power after next years Assam elections, it would bring UCC in the state. Stop me but if you cannot, I will bring UCC in the first session of the Assembly, he stated, challenging the Opposition after the Assembly had passed a bill banning polygamy. Meanwhile, Khera accused Sarma of presiding over large-scale corruption and eroding the cultural identity that has long defined the state. He alleged that Assams global reputation, built by icons like Zubeen Garg, was being tarnished under the current regime. Assam was once known for tea, culture and harmony. Today, it is being associated with drugs, cattle smuggling and corruption. Even the meaning of ABCD has changed, he remarked. Accusing the BJP-led government of ignoring long-pending issues of tea garden workers, Khera said the chief minister misused power instead of solving peoples problems. He claimed that outsiders were being brought into the state to manipulate the electoral process. In the coming election, you may see buses and trains full of voters being mobilised. This is a direct attack on indigenous Assamese identity, the Congress leader warned. He claimed that Assams democratic and political identity was at stake and urged people to protect the states future before it was too late. He projected state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi as the face of a new generational shift in Assams politics, drawing parallels with the development era under former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Sharpening his attack, Khera accused Sarma of being overly dependent on law enforcement agencies and the Election Commission (EC). Without support from the police and EC, he cannot move freely, Khera said. He further claimed that tribal lands in Assam were being handed over to corporate houses.
Trump says he want to permanently pause migration to the US from poorer countries
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., November 28, 2025 (AP) President Donald Trump says he wants to permanently pause migration from poorer nations and is promising to seek to expel millions of immigrants from the United States by revoking their legal status. He is blaming immigrants for problems from crime to housing shortages as part of social dysfunction in America and demanding REVERSE MIGRATION. His most severe social media post against immigration since returning to the Oval Office in January came after the shooting Wednesday of two National Guard members who were patrolling the streets of the nations capital under his
Assam launches Prerona scheme to support 4.4 lakh Class 10 students with monthly study aid
Assam has rolled out the Prerona scheme to support Class 10 board aspirants with a monthly Rs 300 allowance until exams conclude. Announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the initiative aims to reduce financial stress, curb dropouts, and boost exam readiness for 4.4 lakh students. Officials say the universal aid is meant to strengthen confidence and ensure uninterrupted preparation.
Stock markets close flat in highly volatile trade ahead of macro data
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty closed almost unchanged in a highly volatile trade on Friday as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of key macroeconomic data announcements in post-market hours. Halting its two-day rally, the 30-share BSE Sensex slipped by 13.71 points or 0.02 per cent to settle at 85,706.67. During the day, it hit a high of 85,969.89 and a low of 85,577.82, gyrating 392.07 points. The 50-share NSE Nifty skidded 12.60 points or 0.05 per cent to 26,202.95. The key indices had raced to record highs in intra-day trade on Thursday but ended
Assam Minister wants detention room' inside assembly for suspended MLAs
Assam Minister Bimal Borah proposed establishing a detention room within the assembly premises for suspended members. This move aims to prevent them from disseminating their version of events outside the House, potentially misleading the public. Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi, suspended for interrupting proceedings, was cited as an example.
4 Assam Rifles Soldiers Injured In Militant Attack Near India-Myanmar Border In Manipur
Four Assam Rifles soldiers were injured after terrorists fired at their patrol in Manipur's Tengnoupal district along the border with Myanmar today, defence sources said. The attack happened near border pillar No. 87 near Saibol village, they said.
To honour the invaluable contribution made by private schools in elevating the stature of education, sports and culture in the country, Chandigarh University in collaboration with Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab (FAP) felicitated principals, teachers and students from over 800 schools across India during the 5th edition of the FAP National Awards 2025 held at Chandigarh University campus. Haryana Governor, Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh, addressing the awardees during the inauguration of 2-Day FAP National Awards 2025 Ogranised by Chandigarh University Governor of Haryana, Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh, inaugurated the FAP National Awards 2025 as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by his wife Mitra Ghosh. Besides Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu who presided over the event as Guest of Honour, the other dignitaries who graced the event included Dr G Immanuel, Chairman of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE), singer, actor and lyricist Gurnam Bhullar, Chandigarh University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Raviraja N Seetharam, Senior Managing Director Chandigarh University Deepinder Singh Sandhu and President of FAP Dr Jagjit Singh Dhuri. On the opening day of FAP National Awards 2025, 782 schools, teachers, principals and meritorious students from 18 States & UTs were felicitated with the awards. During the inaugural ceremony, 20 awards were given for Lifetime Achievement, Academic Achievement, Pride of India- Academic Achievement and Pride of India- Sports Achievement Awards. In all, Lifetime Achievement Award was given to 50 principals and teachers, Pride of India- Academic Achievement Awards were given to 315 awards students of 105 schools and 41 schools were given awards for achievements in sports. Pride of India- Sports Achievement Awards were also given to 356 students. In the two-day award ceremony, awards will be given to teachers, students and schools from 18 States and Union Territories including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Bihar. These Awards will be given in four categories including The Best School Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Pride of School Award and The Best Student Award (Pride of India) for their futuristic vision and meritorious achievements in the domains of academic, sports, cultural and social contribution. In his inaugural address, Governor of Haryana, Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh said, “ Private sector plays a pivotal role in elevating the standard of school education in our country. Of about 14.72 lakh schools in India, there are 3.40 lakh private schools which account for 23% of the total schools. I strongly feel that an organization like FAP must come forward in ensuring the children from weaker sections of society have their fair representation in private schools as well which will further promote equity and inclusiveness in education .” “ Our progress in education also reflects the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji under whom historic reforms have strengthened India's position as a global education hub. The PM Shree scheme has modernized over 4,500 schools providing world class infrastructure and access. The National Education Policy has placed research, innovation, and knowledge at the center of learning. As a result, India's ranking in the Global Innovation Index has improved from 81 in 2014 when Prime Minister Modi ji had come to power to 39 in 2025 which is a remarkable achievement. Patent filings have grown up by 31% and India now ranks 4th globally with 1.3 million academic research publications in the last five years. The government's decision to reduce patent application fee is by 80% for institutions has accelerated this change ,” the Governor added. Prof Ashim Kumar Ghosh further said, “ Moreover, the education budget has risen from Rs 79,451 Crore in 2014 to a historic figure of Rs Rs 1,28,650 Crore in 2025-26. As we honor today's achievers let us reaffirm our collective commitment to shaping a brighter more innovative and inclusive future for India's children .” Commending the award recipients for their significant contributions in shaping the minds of the youth, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, said, “ As an educationist, I can say that whatever change that has come in the society has come because of teachers. Our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s has given the vision of a Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047. I am sure the biggest role in realizing this vision will be played by the provided educational institutions and private school teachers because it is not possible for government to do everything or even fulfil the need of quality education which is being fulfilled by the private institutions for making this vision a reality. So today India has emerged from the 11th largest economy in the world to become the fourth largest economy. Even children from the poorest of the poor backgrounds can touch the heights of progress with the power of education. Five years ago, no one had thought that private schools would get the same honor and respect as government schools. Which has been possible through these FAP Awards. ” “ Children from the poorest of backgrounds can touch the skies of progress with the power of education. Affectionate and devoted teachers play the most important role in giving strength to the flight of children. The new National Education Policy 2020 aims to make India a Global Knowledge Superpower. Our educational institutions and teachers have to contribute actively in school education, higher education and skill education to achieve this goal. I am sure our teachers will establish India as a Global Knowledge Superpower with their crucial contribution ,” he added. Dr G Immanuel, Chairman of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE) said, “ Now around the world now there is a lot of competition happening and every school education board is trying to compete from with other board. The best practices are being transferred easily. Most of the boards are going for STEAM education now. Earlier, STEM education which means Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education was followed. Now, to this we added Art. Art is very important because Art is part of everything. In STEM education, Art is being added to make it more collaborative, more useful for everybody .” Warning against the dangers of digital information, Dr G Immanuel said, “ Learning doesn't happen and only within the school premises in the schools, colleges or universities. It happens everywhere anyway with lots of information freely flowing. Now one has to regulate this. Unless we regulate this information to decide which information should be taken in and which information should not be taken in, it may affect and cause a problem. Therefore, as educators we need to reach out to the children and have some regulatory system as unregulated information may cause a lot of havoc for everybody. Now, digital information is causing problems for everybody. There are countries and universities around the world who are going back to physical books and physical way of teaching because e-books, smart boards, they are causing lot of problems. ” In his address, President of FAP Dr Jagjit Singh Dhuri said, “ Private schools are playing a pivotal role in school education. But despite this, the contribution of private schools in India’s transformation in the education sector was ignored and the teachers at private schools were not given due recognition for the crucial role they are playing in providing quality education with utmost dedication and hard work. So, the purpose of FAP awards is to give due recognition to private schools and their teachers in society with these awards. This initiative not only recognizes the efforts of private schools who have reached the pinnacles but also encourages other schools to compete for achievements in the fields of academics, sports, cultural heritage, infrastructure and facilities .” “ We are honoured that FAP has become the only educational federation in the world to award 11001 management members, principals, teaching and non-teaching staff and students from across India with FAP National Awards between 2021 to 2025 for achievements in academic, sports and cultural domains at no financial cots to any recipient. The award for this record was presented to us today by Dr Aravind Lakshminarayanan, CEO of Nobel World Records Private Limited, during inauguration of the 5th edition of the FAP National Awards 2025 which is matter of great joy and satisfaction for us ,” he added. About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. www.cuchd.in
Suspected militant attack on Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur
GUWAHATI: A patrolling team of the Assam Rifles came under fire from suspected militants in Manipurs Tengnoupal district near the India-Myanmar border on Friday, official sources confirmed, adding that the number of casualties or injuries is yet to be determined. A patrolling party of Assam Rifles was fired upon by terrorists in Tengnoupal district of Manipur, along the India-Myanmar Border on 28 November 2025 in the early morning hours. The fire was immediately retaliated with control and caution, keeping in view the civilian safety, a defence ministry statement said. The operations are underway, with additional troops being deployed into the area, the statement further stated. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a similar attack in the states Bishnupur district in September, unidentified gunmen had ambushed a mini truck carrying Assam Rifles personnel, killing two of them and injuring four others. The personnel were headed to Bishnupur district from state capital Imphal when the attack was perpetrated.
'Won't Return To Power': Khera Rebukes Himanta's UCC Push After Assam Passes Polygamy Ban Bill
Pawan Khera criticised Himanta Biswa Sarma's UCC promise, predicting jail for him post-election. Assam passed a bill banning polygamy on Thursday.
Assam bans polygamy ahead of Assembly Session; AIUDF slams move as Muslim Personal Law conflict
Trump criticizes the program that brought Afghan refugees to the US who fought the Taliban
Washington, November 28, 2025 (AP) The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington is one of about 76,000 Afghans brought to the United States after the chaotic withdrawal of the U.S. from their country as the Taliban took over, authorities said. The program, called Operation Allies Welcome, was created after the 2021 decision to leave Afghanistan following 20 years of American intervention and billions of dollars of aid. Democratic President Joe Biden, who oversaw the withdrawal started by his predecessor Republican President Donald Trump said the U.S. owed it to the interpreters and translators,
Stock markets trade higher in early deals
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty advanced in early trade on Friday, after hitting record highs in the previous session, helped by buying in blue-chip Reliance Industries and rate cut optimism. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 103.96 points to 85,824.34 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty went up by 36.2 points to 26,251.75. From the Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, Reliance Industries, Hindustan Unilever, Titan, Tech Mahindra and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were among the major gainers. However, Axis Bank, Power Grid, Adani Ports and Asian Paints were among the laggards. Wall Street was shut
Sri Lanka closes offices and schools as death toll from landslides and floods rises to 56
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, November 28, 2025 (AP) Sri Lanka closed government offices and schools Friday as the death toll from floods and landslides across the country rose to 56 while more than 600 houses were damaged, officials said. Sri Lanka began grappling with severe weather last week and the conditions worsened Thursday with heavy downpours that flooded homes, fields and roads, and triggered landslides across the country. More than 25 people were killed Thursday in landslides in the central mountainous tea-growing regions of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, which is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of the capital, Colombo.
Drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day can slow biological aging
Drinking three to four cups of coffee a day can slow biological aging, a study suggests. Coffee drinkers could live five years longer than those who abstain from the hot beverage, the study has revealed. Drinking a maximum of four cups of coffee a day could slow biological ageing by lengthening telomeres structures that protect the ends of chromosomes. Shorter telomere length in these cells is associated with a higher risk of certain age-related diseases and is considered a marker for cellular ageing. But beyond this quota of four cups a day the equivalent of 400 mg/day of
Three KCP (MFL) cadres held for Sangai Festival bomb threat
Manipur police and Assam Rifles apprehended three militants from the Kangleipak Communist Party (Miyamgi Fingang Lanmi) KCP (MFL). The arrests followed a threat to bomb the ongoing Sangai Festival 2025. The festival commenced on November 21. Internally Displaced People and a civil society organisation have opposed the festival's observance.
Communal tag on 1983 Assam violence unwarranted: Resurrected panels report
The Tewary Commission of Enquiry said the fear of the Assamese of being outnumbered by outsiders was envisaged by British administrators much before the organisations spearheading the Assam Agitation were formed
Assam outlaws polygamy; CM Sarma promises UCC next
The Assam Assembly has passed a bill to prohibit polygamy. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that if his government is re-elected, they will introduce a Uniform Civil Code. The marriageable age for girls will be raised to 21, and Nikah Halala and Muta marriages will be banned. The assembly also permitted buffalo fights during Magh Bihu celebrations.
PETA slams passage of Assam law allowing festive buffalo fights
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to exempt the traditional buffalo fight during the mid-January Magh Bihu from the purview of a restrictive law
Assam Assembly passes bill to allow buffalo fights; PETA slams move
Assam's assembly has passed a bill allowing buffalo fights during Magh Bihu. This move permits the traditional Moh Juj, similar to Jallikattu. PETA India strongly opposes this, stating it contradicts animal protection laws and Supreme Court rulings. Investigations revealed buffaloes are agitated and injured during these fights. PETA urges the government to reconsider this decision.
Assam passes polygamy ban bill; Himanta Sarma promises UCC if he becomes CM again
Assam Assembly has passed the Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, making polygamy a criminal offense with up to seven years imprisonment. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for a Uniform Civil Code, raising the marriageable age for girls to 21, and banning Nika Halala and Muta marriages if re-elected.
Ayushman Bharat services in Assams private hospitals not suspended: National Health Authority
Reacting to allegations by Congress, the authority said the State government restricted 263 super-speciality procedures in empanelled private hospitals for greater treatment delivery through public hospitals
Assam CM Announces Monthly Cash Incentives Of Rs 300 For Students Preparing For HSLC 2026
The chief minister made this announcement in his routine interactive Video posts on social media where in he said that eligible students will receive a monthly stipend of 300 for six months
Purabi Dairy enters traditional sweets market, links new venture to farmer growth in Assam
Purabi Dairy, Northeast India's largest dairy cooperative, has launched its own range of traditional Indian sweets. This new venture, Purabi Mithai, is produced by WAMUL and marketed by NEDFL. The move aims to expand Purabi's product offerings and provide greater value to its dairy farmers. This initiative strengthens Assam's dairy sector. Five dairy farmers were also recognized for their contributions.
1,391 Assam schools lack drinking water, toilets: Minister
Chars and rural government schools face infrastructure gaps and teacher vacancies, Assembly told
Assam Assembly Passes Anti-polygamy Bill
The Bill said that polygamy entails entering a marriage if someone already has a living spouse, if not legally separated from another spouse, or if in a marriage not yet dissolved or annulled by decree of divorce and is pending appeal
Assam passes anti-polygamy bill, CM Himanta vows to bring UCC next if NDA retains power
GUWAHATI: The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 that prescribed stringent punishment for offenders. Assam moves with resolve. Womens rights will not be compromised. Through the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025, we secure legal protection, strict penalties and real accountability, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The bill will now be sent for the Presidents assent. Sarma said the government had earlier set a target to ban polygamy and child marriage. The minimum age for marriage is 21 years for men and 18 years for women. If God gives me power the next time (next term), we will increase the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 years to 21 years, the chief minister said. Some people attributed our actions to politics, but we had to take thesechild marriage and polygamy snatched Muslim women and girls minimum right to live, he added. After bringing laws against polygamy and child marriage, the focus of the BJP-led government is now on Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Sarma assured the House that if the NDA retained power, it would bring UCC in Assam, which is expected to go to polls early next year. Stop me, but if you cannot, I will bring UCC in the first session of the Assembly, the chief minister said, challenging the Opposition. The Polygamy Bill proposed seven years of rigorous imprisonment for the offenders, ban on contesting Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities) and any other such elections, and deletion of names from the lists of beneficiaries of government schemes. The convicts will not be entitled to public employment or appointments, and will also be denied benefits under any government-funded or government-aided scheme. The law, however, will not apply to the Sixth Schedule areas and to the members of any Scheduled Tribe community. Whoever during the lifetime of his or her spouse or during subsistence of a valid marriage or without having been lawfully divorced from the spouse, or without having been declared the marriage null and void or dissolved contracts a marriageshall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine, the bill says. It further states that anyone found committing the offence by concealing a previous marriage will face imprisonment for 10 years and a fine. If the offence is repeated after conviction, the offender will face double punishment. The Bill also states that village chiefs, Quazis, parents or legal guardians of a party to a polygamous marriage who dishonestly or fraudulently conceal information and intentionally take part in its performance or solemnisation shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. The bill says women, who are victims of polygamy, may approach the competent authority to claim compensation.
Assam Assembly passes Bill to ban polygamy
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a Bill on Uniform Civil Code will be tabled if he retains the post after the 2026 Assembly polls
Exercise to identify illegal foreign nationals to be launched in UP
LUCKNOW: Tightening the noose around the illegal immigrants living in the state, the Uttar Pradesh authorities are set to launch a major exercise to identify them. The campaign will commence from western UP, the Rohilkhand region of Terai, comprising Bareilly, Badaun, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur districts falling under Bareilly division. As per the senior officials, the divisional commissioner Bhupendra S Chaudhary has issued directives to all the DMs concerned of Bareilly Division, to set up temporary detention facilities where identified illegal immigrants would be housed until the verification is complete, and, if necessary, they are deported to their native countries as per procedure. The move has come after UP CM Yogi Adityanath had recently directed the respective district administrations to identify, detain and deport illegal immigrants residing across Uttar Pradesh. As per Chaudhary, several Bangladesh nationals are suspected to be engaged in factories, brick kilns and other establishments in the Rohilkhand region. Posing as residents of Assam or West Bengal, they are even in possession of Indian identity documents. However, their language and mannerisms had raised suspicion, said the officer. The sources claimed that Bareilly district officials and police had begun ground-level checks to identify illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, the divisional commissioner said that the administration would call linguistic experts from Tripura if needed to aid the identification process. Local Bengali-speaking residents will also assist in the verification process, he added. According to Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya, any person found with fake Aadhaar, voter ID, or other forged documents would face criminal proceedings. Cross-checking of suspicious individuals, identified during a special verification drive earlier this year, would also be undertaken. It may be recalled that Bareilly police had set up special police station-wise teams for the campaign under the supervision of Additional Superintendents of Police and Circle Officers. The team of officials, who were part of the drive, had identified several suspected individuals living in slums and nomadic settlements during a two-month-long operation in June this year. At the end of the drive, over a dozen Bangladesh nationals were confirmed to be residing in the district, illegally. In August this year, three Bangladesh-origin sisters were arrested from the Premnagar area for allegedly residing with forged documents for years. All three sisters were booked on charges of cheating, impersonation, forgery, and provisions of the Foreigners Act, Passport Act, and Aadhaar Act. In another instance, a Bangladeshi national living under a fake identity was arrested.
An anti black friday sale by Assams Woolah, will grow a forest
The proceeds from Woolahs Anti-Black Friday Sale - For the Planet will go towards planting 10,000 trees in Assam
RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of police on 29-30 November at the Indian Institute of Management, Nava Raipur. The three-day conference, scheduled to commence from November 28 (Friday) aims to review the progress achieved in addressing key policing challenges so far and to outline a forward-looking roadmap for building a Surakshit Bharat in alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat. Held under the overarching theme Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions, the conference will host detailed deliberations on key security issues such as left-wing extremism, counter terrorism, disaster management, womens safety, and the use of forensic science and artificial intelligence in policing. The PM will also confer the Presidents Police Medals for Distinguished Service. According to the senior officials, the M1 and M11 sections of the newly constructed Speaker House in Naya Raipur have been designated as the vital nerve centre, serving as the stay for the PM Modi and union home minister Amit Shah. The conference will be attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Ministers of State (Home Affairs), DGPs of States/UTs and Heads of Central Police Organisations. The conference will be a vital interactive platform for senior police officials and security administrators from across the country to engage in open and meaningful exchanges on a wide range of national security issues. It also facilitates the discussion of operational, infrastructural, and welfare-related challenges faced by the Police forces, along with the formulation and sharing of professional practices in addressing crime, maintaining law and order, and responding to internal security threats. PM Modi has consistently taken a keen interest in such annual conferences, encouraging candid discussions and fostering an environment where fresh ideas on policing can emerge. Business sessions, break-out interactions and thematic dining table discussions offer participants an opportunity to share their perspectives directly with the Prime Minister on critical internal security and policy matters. Since 2014, the format of the DGP/IG Conference has undergone continuous upgradation under the PMs guidance, including hosting it at diverse locations across the country. The conference has so far been held in Guwahati (Assam), Rann of Kutch (Gujarat), Hyderabad (Telangana), Tekanpur (Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh), Statue of Unity (Kevadiya, Gujarat), Pune (Maharashtra), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), New Delhi and Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Bhubaneswar (Odisha). Continuing this tradition, the 60th Conference is being organized this year in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Gold declines Rs 640 to Rs 1,29,460/10g amid weak global cues
New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) Gold prices declined by Rs 640 to Rs 1,29,460 per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday due to poor offtake by stockists and retailers amid weak global trends, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The precious metal of 99.5 per cent purity decreased by Rs 640 to Rs 1,28,860 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). Gold edged lower in range-bound trading on Thursday. Easing geopolitical tensions, driven by progress toward a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal, which reduced the geopolitical risk premium and prompted some profit-taking, Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst Commodities
Assam Passes Bill To Ban Polygamy; CM Sarma Calls It A 'Curse For Muslim Women'
The new law will come into effect once it receives President Droupadi Murmus assent, expected by early December.
Bill banning polygamy passed in Assam Assembly
Guwahati: The Assam assembly on Thursday passed a bill to ban polygamy, making it an offence which may lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, barring some exceptions. It kept people belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and areas under the Sixth Schedule out of the purview of the legislation. During the 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 .
Mumbai, Nov 27 (PTI) Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty scaled fresh lifetime highs in intra-day trade on Thursday before paring some gains to close marginally higher amid positive global trends on growing hopes of a US Fed rate cut and foreign fund inflows. Rising for the second day, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 110.87 points or 0.13 per cent to settle at 85,720.38. During the day, it hit a record high of 86,055.86, reflecting a jump of 446.35 points or 0.52 per cent. However, profit-taking by investors in the second half dragged the index from record high levels. The
The Assam Assembly has passed the Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, banning polygamous marriages across most of the state and imposing penalties for violations. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated the law is not against Islam and aims to promote true Islamic practices. The bill excludes Sixth Schedule areas and Scheduled Tribes.
Air pollution levels across north India are significantly higher than national average: Report
CHANDIGARH: The air pollution levels across North India are significantly higher than the national average as per the latest report released by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research organisation. The report stated that Delhi, along with Punjab, Assam and Tripura, was identified as a year-round pollution hotspot failing to meet PM 2.5 standard even during the monsoons. On the other hand, the southern states recorded the lowest values. The report titled, Beyond City Limits: A Satellite-Based PM-2.5 Assessment Across Indias Airsheds, States and Districts, stated that all the 23 districts of Punjab, 22 of Haryana and 12 of Himachal Pradesh exceeded the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 ug/m3 for PM 2.5 concentration last year. During summer, winter and post-monsoon periods, PM 2.5 concentrations exceeded the NAAQS limits in these states. During the monsoon, 15 out of 23 districts in Punjab, 5 out of 22 in Haryana and 2 out of 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh exceeded the air quality limit. It read, Delhi recorded the highest pollution levels with an annual mean PM 2.5 concentration of 101 g/m, 2.5 times the Indian standard and 20 times the World Health Organisation (WHO). The pollution crisis extends across northern India, with the average PM 2.5 concentrations in all states in these regions, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This concentration of pollution aligns with their location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The eastern and northeastern states showed similarly concerning levels, with PM 2.5 average concentrations in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh all above the NAAQS. Among western states, the mean concentrations in Rajasthan and Gujarat exceeded the annual national standard, it added. While the southern states presented the lowest PM 2.5 values, Puducherry recorded the lowest concentration at 25 g/m, followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Sikkim, Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. The report stated that Delhi consistently ranks as the most polluted city across all seasons, highlighting the capital's year-round air quality crisis. While Chandigarh appears in the top five during three seasons (winter, summer, and post-monsoon), West Bengal also ranks among the worst across the winter and post-monsoon seasons. Punjab and Haryana emerged as major air-pollution concerns, with Punjab during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods and Haryana during the summer and post-monsoon periods. The northeastern states present an unexpected pollution hotspot, with Assam and Tripura featuring in the top five in three seasons (winter, summer, and monsoon). Overall, 60 per cent of districts (447 out of 749) exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for annual PM 2.5. None of the districts met the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline of less than 5 g/m. The most polluted districts are heavily concentrated in a few states, highlighting regional clustering of severe air quality issues. Delhi (11 districts) and Assam (11 districts) alone account for nearly half of the top 50, followed by Bihar (7) and Haryana (7). Other notable contributors include Uttar Pradesh (4), Tripura (3), Rajasthan (2), West Bengal (2), and single districts from Chandigarh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, it reads. It further added, Several states are in universal non-compliance, where all monitored districts exceed the NAAQS. These include Delhi, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir. Several other states show a large majority of districts breaching the norm, such as Bihar (37 of 38), West Bengal (22 of 23), Gujarat (32 of 33), Nagaland (11 of 12), Rajasthan (30 of 33), and Jharkhand (21 of 24). A second group shows mixed performance, where some districts meet the standard but many continue to exceed it. This includes Uttar Pradesh (49 of 75 districts exceeding), Odisha (22 of 30), Madhya Pradesh (27 of 52), and Maharashtra (14 of 36). In the Northeast, Arunachal Pradesh (12 exceed, 13 comply) and Manipur (five exceed, 11 comply) also fall in this transitional category. At the other end of the spectrum, several states have the majority of their districts below NAAQS, such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Sikkim, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These contrasting patterns highlight the continued dominance of northern and eastern states in Indias PM 2.5 pollution hotspots, while southern and coastal regions remain relatively cleaner. The report stated that the states should develop district-level air quality action plans, guided by satellite data to identify hotspots, prioritise high-exposure populations, and allocate mitigation resources efficiently. The satellite-derived PM 2.5 data should be formally integrated into NCAP for spatially comprehensive assessment and performance tracking. Also, establishing protocols for validation, periodic updates, and public dissemination of satellite-based estimates will strengthen transparency and enable real-time decision-making in areas lacking ground monitors.
62.50% of groundwater samples from Punjab have uranium levels above safety threshold limit: Report
CHANDIGARH: A staggering 62.50 per cent of groundwater samples from Punjab have uranium levels above the safety threshold limit, the highest contamination intensity ever recorded in the country, followed by Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. This fact was revealed in the latest Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025 by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Meanwhile, across the country, nitrate contamination was the most widespread, followed by fluoride and salinity. As per the report, the highest intensity of uranium contamination was recorded in the state, as 53.04 per cent of samples exceeded the permissible limit before the monsoon and 62.50 per cent afterwards. It highlighted that uranium concentrations exceeding the safe limit of 30 ppb were detected sporadically in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan. A total of 3,754 groundwater samples were tested across India during Pre- and Post-Monsoon 2024 to check uranium concentration. Samples with uranium levels above the safe limit of 30 ppb were found in 6.71 per cent during the Pre-Monsoon and 7.91 per cent during the post-monsoon, showing a slight increase after rainfall. The highest uranium contamination was observed in Punjab, where over half of the samples (53.04 per cent pre-monsoon and 62.50 per cent post-monsoon) exceeded the limit, it read. Meanwhile, Haryana also reported significant levels, with 15 per cent of pre-monsoon and 23.75 per cent of post-monsoon samples above the limit, followed by Delhi, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. High levels were also found in Haryana (1523.75 per cent), Delhi (1315.66 per cent), Karnataka (68 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (56 per cent). Moderate contamination occurred in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while most other states showed uranium levels within safe limits, it stated. The report further stated, Spatially, northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) emerged as the main hotspot of uranium contamination, likely due to geogenic factors, groundwater depletion, and aquifer characteristics. In contrast, eastern and southern India recorded minimal contamination. Overall, the study shows that while most groundwater in India is safe, certain regions face rising uranium levels, emphasising the need for regular monitoring and local mitigation measures to protect drinking water quality and health. Meanwhile, fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L were detected in 11.24 per cent of samples in Punjab, while the national exceedance was at 8.05 per cent. Interestingly, Rajasthan topped this category with 41.06 per cent, followed by Haryana with 21.82 per cent. High fluoride occurrences are prominently observed in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and parts of Odhisa. Excessive fluoride in groundwater used for drinking poses a significant health concern, as prolonged consumption can lead to waterborne fluorosis, manifesting in dental and skeletal disorders, it stated. It adds that nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern. It mainly comes from excessive use of fertilisers, animal waste, and sewage seeping into groundwater. In India, nearly 20.71 per cent of groundwater samples have been reported to exceed the permissible limit of 45 mg/L, as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 10500) for drinking water quality, report states. In the pre-monsoon, Nitrate ranges from BDL to 2070 mg/L with a mean value of 32 mg/L. High nitrate concentrations are prominently observed in northwestern and central India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, extending further into parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These areas correspond largely to alluvial and hard-rock aquifers, where intensive agricultural practices, excessive fertiliser application, and improper disposal of domestic and animal wastes contribute to nitrate enrichment. Elevated nitrate remained one of the most widespread contaminants. The highest levels in Rajasthan 50.54 per cent followed by Karnataka 45.47 per cent, and Tamil Nadu 36.27 per cent, Punjab 14.6 per cent and Haryana 14.18 per cent as the national exceedance was 20.71 per cent. Elevated nitrate levels in the Indo-Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal) indicate impacts of shallow groundwater vulnerability due to unlined sanitation systems and leaching from agriculture fields. During the pre-monsoon period, about 73.53 per cent of samples were within the permissible limit, while 26.47 per cent exceeded it. In the post-monsoon period, compliance remained nearly similar, with 72.95 per cent of samples meeting the standard and 27.05 per cent exceeding it. Meanwhile, the Arsenic contamination in groundwater has been reported in several Indian states, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. But it continued to pose a serious health hazard in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial belt, with major contributions from West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Punjab reported 9.1 per cent pre-monsoon and 9.5 per cent post-monsoon exceedance, placing it among the significant contributors despite wide variations between districts. Due to high Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) irrigation water could lead to alkalinity buildup, soil degradation, and declining crop yields if left unmanaged. As this index determines whether irrigation water can damage soil structure and long-term land productivity, as 11.27 per cent of groundwater samples nationally exceeded the permissible limit of 2.5 meq/L, indicating sodicity hazards in several areas. The highest in Delhi at 51.11 per cent followed by Uttarakhand 41.94 per cent, Andhra Pradesh 26.87 per cent, Punjab 24.60 per cent and Rajasthan 24.42 per cent. The other parameter was Electrical Conductivity, which is a marker of water salinity, and topped the list with 47.12 per cent, followed by Delhi 33.33 per cent, Haryana 0.59 per cent and Gujarat 18.28 per cent recorded the highest percentages of samples above the BIS permissible limit of 3000 S/cm. Meanwhile, Punjab recorded 7.01 per cent of samples above the limit. Due to excessive saline water, agricultural productivity is affected. The report concluded that the Central Groundwater Board has undertaken an extensive assessment of groundwater quality across India during the Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon periods of 2024, covering approximately 5368 monitoring wells. About 71.67 per cent of samples complied with BIS standards, while 28.32 per cent exceeded permissible limits for one or more parameters.
1,400 interior schools in Assam lack drinking water, toilet facilities; 28,000 teaching posts vacant
Nearly 1,400 primary and mid-level government schools in 'char' and rural areas across Assam lack drinking water and toilet facilities for students, the state assembly was informed on Thursday. In all state-run schools in these areas, almost 28,000 teaching posts are also lying vacant, the government said. In a reply to a query by Congress MLA Wajed Ali Choudhury, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu informed the House that a total of 1,391 Lower Primary (LP) and Middle English (ME) schools presently do not have any functional drinking water or toilet facilities for the students in 'char' and rural areas. Pegu said that 347 schools have no drinking water, and 809 institutions have no toilet facilities at all in those areas. Drinking water facilities in 134 schools and toilets in 101 schools are presently not functional, he said during Question Hour. The minister said that the departments concerned are working to provide drinking water and toilet facilities in the schools. Pegu also said that a total of 27,936 posts of teachers are lying vacant in all schools in 'char' and rural areas. Out of that, 12,382 teaching posts are lying vacant at present in Middle English (ME) schools in those areas, he added. In the Lower Primary (LP) schools, the vacancy of regular teachers stands at 8,251, he informed the assembly. Besides, 7,303 teaching posts in Upper Primary (UP) schools are also lying vacant in 'char' and rural areas, Pegu said. Out of the total vacancy, recruitment for 4,500 LP posts in general areas is ongoing, and the document verification process of the candidates is taking place. The Secondary Education Directorate has also carried out a recruitment exercise to appoint 9,717 teachers, he added.
ED conducts first raids along India-Myanmar border in drug money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate conducted its first-ever searches along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram, alongside locations in Assam and Gujarat, in a money laundering case linked to drug trafficking. The agency seized Rs 35 lakh cash and digital devices, uncovering financial links between firms supplying precursor chemicals and those involved in drug smuggling and hawala transactions.
Ousted PM Hasina sentenced to 21 years in prison in Bangladesh land corruption case
DHAKA, Bangladesh, November 27, 2025 (AP) Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced Thursday to 21 years in prison in three corruption cases related to allocations of land in a government project. She was sentenced to death earlier this month for crimes against humanity involving the crackdown on the mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule last year. She is in exile in India, and all of the trials have been conducted in absentia. The three verdicts found Hasina guilty of illegally securing plots in the Purbachal New Town project for herself and her family despite their ineligibility.
Can bigger-is-better scaling laws keep AI improving forever? History says we cant be too sure
Gold Coast, Nov 27 (The Conversation) OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman perhaps the most prominent face of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom that accelerated with the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 loves scaling laws. These widely admired rules of thumb linking the size of an AI model with its capabilities inform much of the headlong rush among the AI industry to buy up powerful computer chips, build unimaginably large data centres, and re-open shuttered nuclear plants. As Altman argued in a blog post earlier this year, the thinking is that the intelligence of an AI model roughly equals
Assamese cinema steals the spotlight
NT BUZZ The teams behind two Assamese worksBhaimon Da (feature film) and Patralekha (non-feature film) opened their hearts and creative journeys at a press conference at the ongoing IFFI. Director Sasanka Samir introduced Bhaimon Da, the first commercial biopic on the iconic Assamese filmmaker Munin Barua, fondly known as Bhaimon Da. Narrating Baruas journey from [] The post Assamese cinema steals the spotlight appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Sleep apnea raises risk of Parkinsons disease, study finds
A major new study has found a notable connection between untreated sleep apnea and an increased risk of Parkinsons disease. A team of researchers from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) studied more than 11 million veterans aged 40 and older who did not already have Parkinsons disease. Some of them had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The researchers then tracked who went on to develop Parkinsons over an average of nearly five years. They also examined veterans who began continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy within two
Assam Christian Body Raises Concern Over Government Regulating Private School Fees
This comes after the government, on Tuesday, tabled the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025, in the state assembly, aimed at tightening the regulation of fees charged by private educational institutions.
Nifty hits record high after 14 months; Sensex nears all-time peak
Mumbai, Nov 27 (PTI) Stock market benchmark indices extended their previous days rally in early trade on Thursday, with the Nifty hitting its fresh record high amid favourable global trends on growing hopes of a US Fed rate cut and foreign fund inflows. The 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 313.38 points to 85,922.89 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty rallied 90.25 points to hit an all-time high of 26,295.55. The broader index had earlier scaled its record intra-day high of 26,277 on September 27, 2024. From the Sensex firms, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, Larsen & Toubro, Asian Paints
Govt appoints new FRROs for Rajasthan, Assam, Chandigarh and Haryana
The appointment of the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers have been made under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
Assam Cabinet okays GoM report on proposal to grant ST status to six communities
These communities are holding protests at different places.Assam is going to assembly polls early next year and ST status is emerging as an election issue.
Its been 50 plus years since Meghalaya was created out of the state of Assam but the boundaries remain contentious. The Khasis are an oral history people and most claims on territories within the Khasi-Jaintia chieftainship are agreed upon through the spoken word. In any case the idea of territory at the time was not []
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma attends the passing-out parade of the Assam Regimental Centre
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma attends the passing-out parade of the Assam Regimental Centre on Wednesday. 783 trainees, including 320 Agniveers and 463 Territorial Army recruits, were formally inducted into the Indian Army. (ST)
Employees protest across country demanding withdrawal of new labour codes
NEW DELHI: Lakhs of employees across different sectors in the country staged protests on Wednesday against the new labour codes which came into effect from November 21. The nationwide protest was called by a platform of ten central trade unions and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of 40 farmer unions. They have demanded an immediate withdrawal of the move and the introduction of farmer-friendly policies. The groups also submitted a joint representation to President Droupadi Murmu highlighting their multiple grievances. Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) told this newspaper, The protest against the recently implemented labour codes was held at different periods by employees. Some did it before their shift commenced while some opted to do it after the completion of duty hours. Raising slogans loudly, wearing black badges, carrying placards or staging a sit-in protest were among the different steps resorted by the employees.The protests will continue and could culminate in a general strike unless the government rolls back the codes, Kaur added. Employees in Banks, Insurance, electricity, water, education and coal were among those who backed the protest, she added. The representation submitted to the President listed 16 demands from the organisations. Repeal of the four Labour Codes, no Contractualisation or outsourcing of labour in any form, withdrawal of draft Labour Policy-Shram Shakti Niti 2025, implementation of the National Minimum Wage of Rs 26,000 per month and pension at Rs.10,000 per month. Labour protest in Assam. The demands also included Social Security benefits for all workers including organised, unorganised, scheme workers, contract workers and agriculture sector, comprehensive loan waiver for farmers and agricultural workers to end indebtedness and suicides as well as credit facilities for farmers and workers at low interest rates figured among the demands. In a joint statement on the protest, SKM and the trade unions alleged, These labour codes are a negation of the labour rights won over after a struggle of 150 years from British Raj onwards. These codes negate our right to strike, make union registration problematic, de-recognition of unions easy, the process of conciliation and adjudication cumbersome, wind up labour courts and introduce tribunal for workers, and give overriding power to registrars to de-register unions, the statement further read. The definition of wage is being changed and the schedule of occupations for minimum wages applicability has been abolished, the statement added. The changes in Industrial code and its rule for increasing applicability-threshold from 100 to 300 would push out 70 percent of industries out of the coverage of labour laws, the threshold changes in Factory Act from 10 to 20 where power supply is used and 20 to 40 without power consumption would throw out substantial number of workforce from the coverage of labour laws, it pointed out. Labour protest at Bhubaneswar. This gives the employers the wide discretionary powers to repress and exploit, the Unions charged. Apart from AITUC, the other Unions which are part of the platform are the Indian National Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Self-employed Womens Association, Trade Union Coordination Centre, Labour Progressive Federation and United Trade Union Congress have joined hands.
Assam tea planters body sets conditions to part with land for labourers
The Consultative Committee of Planters Associations seeks relief from providing welfare facilities and adequate compensation for land to be acquired once the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is enacted
Assam Christian Forum raises concerns over private school fee regulation
Assam Christian Forums voice alarm over a new government bill. The legislation seeks to regulate fee structures in all private schools, including those run by minorities. Christian institutions fear this will undermine their autonomy and ability to operate according to their values. They highlight their historical contributions to education in Assam and urge the government to reconsider.
Want to grow an avocado tree from seed? Heres how
So, you want to grow an avocado tree from seed? Its not only a fun off-season activity, especially for kids, but its also very easy. Just know that since avocados are tropical plants, they wont survive winters outdoors in colder climates. Still, its possible to grow avocado plants indoors. They likely wont produce fruit, but they make lovely houseplants. When I was growing up, it wasnt uncommon for there to be a pit of some sort partially submerged in a glass of water, suspended by toothpicks, on a windowsill. Peaches, mangos, avocados I tried them all. As an adult,
Gold surges to hit near two-week high of Rs 1.30 lakh/10g in Delhi markets
New Delhi, Nov 26 (PTI) Gold prices surged Rs 1,200 to hit near a two-week high of Rs 1,30,100 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, tracking a rally in the international markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Analysts said the rise was mainly driven by renewed expectations of interest-rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve next month. The precious metal of 99.5 per cent purity also advanced by Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,29,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). On November 13, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent closed at Rs
Proposed law to regulate fees of private educational institutions worries Christians in Assam
The Assam Christian Forums said the Assam Private Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Amendment Bill, 2025 ends the hands-off approach for minority schools
Sensex jumps 1,022.50 points; Nifty inches near record high on US fed rate cut hopes
Mumbai, Nov 26 (PTI) Snapping the three-day falling streak, benchmark Sensex rebounded by 1,022 points while Nifty reclaimed the 26,000 level on Wednesday on across-the-board buying aided by a rally in global peers amid growing hopes of a US Fed rate cut and fresh foreign fund inflows. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 1,022.50 points or 1.21 per cent to settle at 85,609.51. During the day, it surged 1,057.18 points or 1.24 per cent to 85,644.19. The 50-share NSE Nifty zoomed 320.50 points or 1.24 per cent to end at 26,205.30, just 10 points shy of its all time high. In
BJP-RSS disrespect Constitution, their love for it is mere pretence: Kharge
New Delhi, Nov 26 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused the BJP-RSS of damaging institutions and disrespecting the Constitution, claiming their current reverence for it is a mere pretence and sham as they never made any contribution in its making. He also noted that justice, equality, freedom, mutual brotherhood and secularism, which are the hallmarks of India, are in danger today under the BJP rule. Today, Mr. Modi lectures us on the dangers of Colonisation, but these very people belong to the same ideology who, during the freedom struggle and the national movement, never stood with the people
South Africa clinches first test series win in India since 2000-01
GUWAHATI, India, November 26, 2025 (AP) Hansie Cronje was the South Africa captain in 2000-01 and Sachin Tendulkar led India the last time South Africa won a test series in India. On Wednesday, South Africa clinched its second series win in 25 years in India by beating the hosts by 408 runs. World Test Championship winner South Africa won the opening test at Kolkata by 30 runs. Off-spinner Simon Harmer took a career-best 6-37 and India crashed to be 140 all out in its second innings and lose the two-match series 2-0. In 2000-01, the Cronje-led South Africans also
India intensifies crackdown in Kashmir after New Delhi bombing
NEW DELHI, November 26, 2025 (AP) Hours after police in Kashmir released shopkeeper Bilal Ahmed Wani but kept his son in custody in this months deadly New Delhi blast investigation, Wani set himself on fire, members of his family said. The 55-year-old dry fruit seller was treated at three hospitals but died a day later. His relatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they feared reprisals from authorities for talking to media, said stress and humiliation over the detentions drove him to self-immolation. Police said Wani died due to self-inflicted burn injuries. The Nov. 10 explosion near New
Should we get over print books in the digital age or are they more precious than ever?
Melbourne, Nov 26 (The Conversation) Ebooks have been popular for decades and audiobooks are increasingly so. But physical books are still the decided favourite: a survey of Australian publishers after last Christmas reported print books made up a comfortable majority of sales (ebooks were 418% and audiobooks 515%). This is despite regular warnings about the death of the book. Some critics of print books have even changed their tune. We need to get over books, wrote journalist Jeff Jarvis in a 2009 book calling for them to be digitised. I recant, he wrote in the Atlantic nearly 15 years later,
How Kerala can learn from Assams model to manage rhinos entering human habitats
Kerala and Assam face rising man-animal conflict in villages close to wildlife sanctuaries or forest fringe areas
NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said the Constitution is the guiding document to shun colonial mindset and adopt nationalistic thinking. Addressing the Constitution Day event at the Central Hall of the Old Parliament building, now called 'Samvidhan Sadan', Murmu said India is presenting a new model of development for the world. Our Constitution-makers wanted our personal, democratic rights to be always protected. Constitution is guiding document to shun colonial mindset and adopt nationalistic thinking, she said. Bringing 25 crore people out of poverty is one of the biggest achievements of the country. Women, youth, SC, ST, farmers, middle class, new middle class are strengthening our democratic system, she added. The president released the digital version of the Constitution in nine languages - Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese. The programme included the reading of the Preamble led by the president. Constitutional duties are foundation of democracy, says PM Modi in letter to nation
The BJP led Assam government has tabled the Prohibition of Polygamy Bill 2025 in the state assembly on November 25. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the bill in the assembly amid the criticism of the opposition parties. The much anticipated bill was placed in the house on the first day of the winter session. The Continue reading Assam Government Tables Prohibition Of Polygamy Bill 2025 In State Assembly Amid Walkout By Congress And Left The post Assam Government Tables Prohibition Of Polygamy Bill 2025 In State Assembly Amid Walkout By Congress And Left appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
Will not allow any attack on Constitution, my duty to protect it: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, Nov 26 (PTI) Asserting that the Constitution is the protective shield of the poor, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged people to pledge that we will not allow any attack on the Constitution and said he will be the first to stand up against any assault on it. On Constitution Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stressed the need to protect the fundamental principles of the Constitution such as justice, equality, freedom, mutual brotherhood, secularism, and socialism. He also pledged to uphold the freedom of democracy and the Constitution for the unity and integrity of the country, for
Watch: Plain and simple murder - Assam CM Himanta on Zubeen Garg case
PM, HM 'subverting constitutional principles in calculated manner': Jairam Ramesh
NEW DELHI: Taking a swipe at the RSS-BJP on Constitution Day, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday alleged that the Sangh's role was to attack and undermine it, and that role had been taken forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah who have been subverting constitutional principles in a calculated manner. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the RSS had no role whatsoever in the making of the Constitution On Saturday, November 26 1949, the Constituent Assembly met at 10 AM with Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Chair. Before formally putting the motion for the adoption of the draft Constitution of India that had been moved by Dr. Ambedkar the previous day to the vote, Dr Rajendra Prasad made his remarks, Ramesh recalled. In his speech explaining the background to and highlights of the Draft that was soon to be adopted, Dr. Rajendra Prasad recalled: 'The method which the Constituent Assembly adopted in connection with the Constitution was first to lay down its 'terms of reference' as it were in the form of an Objectives Resolution which was moved by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (on Dec 13 1946) in an inspiring speech and which constitutes now the Preamble to our Constitution. It then proceeded to appoint a number of committees to deal with different aspects of the Constitutional problem. Dr.Ambedkar mentioned the names of these Committees. Several of these had as their Chairman Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru or Sardar Patel to whom thus goes the credit for the fundamentals of our Constitution.', Ramesh said quoting Prasad. On Saturday, Nov 26 1949, the Constituent Assembly met at 10 AM with Dr. Rajendra Prasad in the Chair. Before formally putting the motion for the adoption of the draft Constitution of India that had been moved by Dr. Anbedkar the previous day to the vote, Dr Rajendra Prasad pic.twitter.com/ZfIWbfWlgR Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 26, 2025 Dr.Rajendra Prasad ended his speech thus: 'I have realised as nobody else could have, with what zeal and devotion the members of the Drafting Committee and especially its Chairman Dr.Ambedkar, in spite of his indifferent health, have worked. We could never make a decision which was or could be ever so right as when we put him on the Drafting Committee and made him its Chairman. He has not only justified his selection but has added lustre to the work he has done.', he said. Just as the Constituent Assembly was adopting the Constitution, Governor-General of India C.Rajagopalachari was in Guwahati, replying to the address of welcome from the people of Assam, Ramesh recalled. In the course of his brief remarks, Rajaji reminisced warmly: 'Dr.Ambedkar's leading part in steering, on behalf of the Indian National Congress, the Constitution of Independent India is the greatest triumph of non-violence. Regarding this entrustment of responsibility to Dr. Ambedkar to the end of my days I shall proudly cherish the memory of my own initiative in the matter when I was not Governor-General, which received the most generous and most large-hearted and immediate acceptance by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel', he recalled. This is all part of the history of Constitution making in which the RSS had no role whatsoever, Ramesh said. In fact its role after the Constitution was adopted was to attack and undermine it, a role taken forward by the present PM and HM who have been subverting Constitutional principles, provisions, and practices in a calculated manner, the Congress leader said. Since 2015, Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Diwas, has been celebrated on November 26 to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. Rahul Gandhi vows to resist any attack on Constitution; Kharge calls for protecting core principles
Digital colonialism: how AI companies are following the playbook of empire
Melbourne, Nov 26 (The Conversation) In the eyes of big AI companies such as OpenAI, the troves of data on the internet are highly valuable. They scrape photos, videos, books, blog posts, albums, painting, photographs and much more to train their products such as ChatGPT usually without any compensation to or consent from the creators. In fact, OpenAI and Google are arguing that a part of American copyright law, known as the fair use doctrine, legitimises this data theft. Ironically, OpenAI has also accused other AI giants of data scraping its intellectual property. First Nations communities around the world
National Constitution Day 2025: Fascinating Facts About Indias Samvidhan
The Constitution of India will be released in translated versions across nine languages: Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia, and Assamese.
Delhi most polluted in India, show sat images
NEW DELHI: Delhi continues to record some of the highest air pollution levels in the country, with a new nationwide satellite assessment indicating that the crisis extends far beyond the capitals borders. According to a report released on Tuesday by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the city has emerged as Indias most polluted state, with annual population-weighted PM2.5 levels touching 101 g/mtwo-and-a-half times the national standard and 20 times the World Health Organizations guideline. All 11 of Delhis districts figure in the top pollution hotspots, underscoring the scale of exposure residents face throughout the year. However, the report says that Delhis situation is not isolated. Satellite-based analysis of PM2.5 concentrations across 749 districts shows a year-round, countrywide pollution crisis, challenging the city-centric focus of current clean-air policies. CREA found that 60% of Indian districts breach annual national limits, while none meet the WHO guideline. Districts in Assam and Delhi account for almost half of the 50 most polluted districts in India, with Haryana and Bihar also featuring prominently. Seasonal data reveals sharp regional disparities across airsheds. The Indo-Gangetic Plains remain the most polluted airshed in every season except monsoon, while the Northeast is emerging as a new zone of concern with persistently elevated pollution. Even during the monsoon, when PM2.5 typically dips, the Northeast continues to exceed safe levels, suggesting that baseline emissions rather than seasonal weather patterns are driving the rise. Situation still grim Delhi began Tuesday under a haze-laden sky and an unseasonably cold morning, even as the capitals air quality showed only marginal improvement after nearly two weeks of persistent pollution.
Assam Tables Bill To Ban Polygamy, Proposes Jail For Offenders
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday tabled a bill in the Assembly to ban polygamy, making it an offence with up to seven years of imprisonment for first offence.
Assam govt tables reports on Nellie massacre, Assam agitation
The Assam government has tabled the TD Tiwari commission report on the Nellie massacre and the Mehta commission report on the Assam agitation in the assembly. The Tiwari report primarily blames the AASU and AGSP for the 1983 election-related violence, citing planned arson and destruction. These reports, formed in the 1980s, are now public ahead of next year's state elections.
Zubeen Garg was murdered in Singapore, alleges Assam chief minister
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged singer Zubeen Garg was murdered in Singapore, stating the crime involved one perpetrator and several abettors. He informed the assembly that Assam Police, from day three of their investigation, concluded it was a murder, not culpable homicide, and have added Section 103 of the BNS with court permission.
Assam prohibition of polygamy bill tabled in house; STs to be excluded
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has introduced a bill in the assembly to prohibit polygamy, proposing a seven-year jail term for offenders and compensation for victims. The legislation, however, exempts Scheduled Tribes and Sixth Schedule areas due to existing customs. The bill aims to streamline society and protect individuals from the hardships of polygamous marriages.
Government to release Constitution in nine regional languages, including Nepali, on Constitution Day
NEW DELHI: Marking this years Constitution Day celebrations, the Government will release translated versions of the Constitution of India in nine languages, including Nepali, enabling people in neighbouring Nepal, with whom India shares deep cultural and religious ties, to access the document in their own language, officials said. The other languages include Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese. The translations have been prepared by the Legislative Department of the Union Law Ministry. The event will be held on Wednesday in the historic Central Hall of the old Parliament building, now renamed Samvidhan Sadan. President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the function as the chief guest and deliver an address. Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, members from both Houses, and other dignitaries, including heads of diplomatic missions in the national capital, are expected to attend the event. The programme will begin with a welcome address by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, followed by the Vice-Presidents remarks and the Presidents speech to members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. As part of the celebration, the Preamble to the Constitution will be read out by the President. A commemorative booklet titled Bharat ke Samvidhan main Kala aur Calligraphy will also be released on the occasion. Officials said the inclusion of a Nepali translation is among the most notable features of this years observance. Alongside the main event, people from across the country will participate in an online mass reading of the Preamble via MyGov.in and Constitution75.com. At the national, state and local levels, Union ministries, departments, and state and Union Territory administrations will conduct a series of Constitution-themed activities. These include conferences, seminars, debates, exhibitions, short films, cultural programmes, and painting and rangoli competitions, extending from the Panchayat level up to Parliament. Constitution Day, or Samvidhan Diwas, has been observed annually on 26 November since 2015 to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949. While some provisions came into effect immediately, the remainder were implemented on 26 January 1950, when India became a Republic.
GUWAHATI: Two reports, one official and another unofficial, held contradictory views on the large-scale violence in Assam in 1983 during the height of the six-year-long anti-immigrants agitation, commonly known as the Assam Agitation. The state government on Tuesday tabled the non-government Justice (retd) T U Mehta Commission report in the Assembly and distributed copies of the Tribhubhan Prasad Tewari Commission report among the members of the House. The unofficial Mehta commission, formed by Mukti Jujaru Sanmilan and people who took part in the anti-foreigners agitation, and the government-constituted Tewari Commission had probed the violence. According to the Mehta Commission report, a major reason behind the violence was the imposition of elections against the wishes of the people. The anti-immigrants agitation was then sweeping Assam. The report said the situation was not conducive to hold elections and the then state and central governments were fully aware of it but the party in power at the Centre wanted the polls to grab power. The report further mentioned that the Election Commission could have decided against holding the polls to stop the violence but it failed to do that. Also, the report said, the polls were held without correcting the electoral rolls, much to the chagrin of people. The Tewari Commission report, however, said, In our considered view, the decision to hold the elections cannot be blamed for the outbreak of the violence of 1983. The evidence produced before the Commission clearly brings out that the issues of foreigners, language, etc. have been agitating the minds of the people for the last several decades, exploding into violence on several previous occasions, the report further said. The Tewaoy Commission report said the violence had no communal colour but added that the fear of the Assamese of eing overwhelmed numerically by migrants was ot imaginary. The Commission held the All Assam Students Union and the Asom Gana Sangram Parishad primarily responsible for launching the agitation and for the consequences. The report highlighted that the incidents of destruction and bandhs were organised on a pre-planned and extensive scale, eventually spreading out of control. According to the report, 3,023 people had lost their lives in the violence in 11 districts 1,811 of them in Nagaon. Nellie, then a part of Nagaon, witnessed the massacre of people, mostly women and children. The killings here are one of the darkest chapters of Assams history. According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, although the Tewary Commission report was tabled in the Assembly in 1987 when the Asom Gana Parishad was in power, only one copy was sent to the Speaker. The Mehta Commission report was tabled in the House for the first time on Tuesday. The Assam Agitation culminated with the signing of Assam Accord in 1985. A major demand of the agitators was that the illegal immigrants should be detected and deported. However, despite the signing of the accord, the problem remains unresolved.
A new pilot study from Assam, India, published in Cureus, finds that combining yoga and walking may be one of the most effective low cost ways to manage type 2 diabetes. Over 12 weeks, adults who practiced either activity saw improved blood sugar levels, but the group that combined both showed the strongest reductions in fasting glucose and HbA1c. The study also noted improvements in psychological well being, suggesting broader benefits beyond glycemic control.
Over 22,000 NHM doctors, health workers in Assam face job insecurity: Congress
The party said Ayushman Bharat card services remain suspended in the States private hospitals for a long time, causing immense hardship to the poor
Indian Army, Nepalese Army kick off 19th edition of bilateral exercise, focus on niche technologies
NEW DELHI: Soldiers of the Indian Army and Nepalese Army on Tuesday began the joint military exercise Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025 at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. The 14-day exercise is being conducted from November 25 to December 8. It is the 19th edition of this institutionalised bilateral Army exercise. The soldiers, apart from the conventional training exercise, will also be undergoing simulation of situations demanding the use of niche technologies. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both armies to refine and adapt Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for operating in counter terrorism environment aligned to prevailing global dynamics. The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of sub conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. The scope of the exercise is to strengthen battalion-level synergy in Jungle Warfare, Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), Medical Response, Environmental Conservation, and Integrated Ground-Aviation Operations, the Indian Army added. The Indian contingent of 334 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from the Assam Regiment. The Nepal side is being represented by 334 personnel represented mainly by troops from the Devi Datta Regiment. Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peacekeeping operations, said the Army. Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other, it said, adding that this will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and Nepal Army.
Assam anti-polygamy bill prescribes seven-year imprisonment for offenders
GUWAHATI: Assam government on Tuesday tabled a new bill banning polygamy in the state Assembly on the first day of the Winter Session. The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025 prescribed seven years of rigorous imprisonment for offenders, ban on contesting elections and deletion of names from list of beneficiaries of government schemes. The polygamy law will not apply to the Sixth Schedule areas and to the members of any Scheduled Tribe community. When the bill was introduced, some members of Opposition parties were not present as they staged a walkout earlier in the day, after discussing Zubeen Gargs death on an adjournment motion . The bill states that no person shall marry if he has a living spouse; or he is not legally separated from the other spouse following due procedure of law after marriage; or he is a party to a marriage which is not yet dissolved or annulled by a decree of divorce and either has right to appeal or the specified time for appeal has not been expired or is in appeal, or the appeal has been presented but has not yet been dismissed. Whoever during the lifetime of his or her spouse or during subsistence of a valid marriage or without having been lawfully divorced from the spouse, or without having being declared the marriage null and void or dissolved contracts a marriage shall be guilty of an offence punishable with imprisonment upto seven years and fine, the bill says. It further states that anyone found committing the offence by concealing a previous marriage will face imprisonment for 10 years and fine. If the offence is repeated after conviction, the offender will face double punishment. Village chiefs, Quazis, parents or the legal guardians of the contracting party of the polygamous marriage shall if, dishonestly or fraudulently hide and intentionally take part in the performance or solemnization of polygamous marriage, will be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years and be liable to fine which may be extend upto Rs 1 lakh. The bill says any priest or Quazi, knowingly and willingly solemnising any marriage contrary to the provisions of the law, will be punished upon conviction with an imprisonment for upto two years or with fine upto Rs 1.5 lakh. Additionally, in all such cases, the convicts will not be entitled for any public employment and appointment, funded or aided by Assam government; denied benefits under any scheme funded or aided by the government, will not be able to contest any election in the state for Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodics (Municipalities), and any other such elections. The bill says women, who are victims of polygamy, may approach competent authority to claim compensation.
