Page 16 - Assam

FIR against Rahul Gandhi over remarks on BJP, RSS; Cong says pol stunt

A police case has been registered in Assam against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his purported recent remarks "threatening the sovereignty of the country", with the opposition party dismissing the complaint as a political stunt' on Monday. A complaint was filed at Panbazar police station here by advocate Monjit Chetia on Saturday evening against remarks made by Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, during the inauguration of the Congress' new national headquarters in New Delhi last week, police said. Cheita alleged that Gandhi, in his speech, had said that "BJP and RSS have captured every single institution, and we are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian state itself." The advocate alleged that the Congress leader made these remarks "with deliberate design and calculated intent to undermine the sovereignty and integrity of the Indian state and to provoke rebellion against the democratically elected" government. Unable to gain public trust through democrat

Himanta pitches for investing in Assam before South Korean industrialists

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday pitched before industrialists in South Korea the locational, strategic and policy advantages of Assam, inviting them to invest here. He also emphasised the Centre's focus on the Northeast and the commitment of top business houses of the country to push for industrial growth in the region. "Advantage business ties! I began the day in Seoul by speaking to over 140 business leaders at the Advantage Assam roadshow, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in South Korea," Sarma posted on X. The chief minister had reached Seoul on Sunday on a three-day trip to woo investors for the 'Advantage Assam 2.0' business summit, scheduled here on February 25 and 26. "Their enthusiasm towards being a part of #AdvantageAssam2 was phenomenal. The Korean business community was buoyed by India's position as the world's fastest growing major economy and the unique opportunities Assam can offer to them to access this market," he added. Sarma presented be

RPF held 916 people in 4 yrs to prevent illegal migration: Railway ministry

The RPF has apprehended 916 people, including 586 Bangladeshi nationals and 318 Rohingyas, since 2021, showing its commitment to safeguarding the nation, the railway ministry said on Sunday. According to the ministry, in the months of June and July last year, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) apprehended 88 Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants in areas under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). "Some of these individuals confessed to entering India illegally and were intercepted while travelling by train to destinations such as Kolkata," according to a press statement issued by the ministry. "In October 2024, reports highlighted that despite increased security measures along the Bangladesh border, illegal migrants continue to infiltrate India, using Assam as a transit route and railways as their preferred mode of travel to reach other parts of the country," the statement said. The ministry said these incidents underscore the challenges faced by Indian authorities in monitoring and .

Himanta on visit to Seoul to invite investors for Advantage Assam Summit

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma embarked on a trip to South Korea and Japan on Sunday to invite prospective investors and entrepreneurs for the Advantage Assam Summit 2.0, a business conclave to be hosted by the state government here next month. He will attend roadshows presenting the summit during the visits, with such events being held in a total of eight countries. "Namaste South Korea. Look forward to having engaging discussions with industry leaders and agencies during my 3-day visit starting today to showcase Assam's potential ahead of the #AdvantageAssam2 Summit and to take forward the warm Indo-Korea ties," Sarma posted on X as he flew to Seoul. In another post, the CM said the visit to the two Asian countries will be over a period of five days. "I am shortly leaving for Seoul and Tokyo on a 5 day visit to present our vision of #AdvantageAssam2 to prospective investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders," he said in the post just after midnight on Sunday. "During

Rescue efforts continue in Assam as survival chances fade for miners

The chances of survival of the five coal miners trapped inside an abandoned quarry in Assam's Dima Hasao district continue to diminish as dewatering operations entered the eighth day on Monday, officials said. Nine workers were trapped inside the mine in Umrangshu, around 250 km from Guwahati, on January 6 with four bodies recovered so far. The mine is being dewatered using specialised pumping machines brought in by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Coal India. The water level in the quarry has dropped significantly, but it remains unclear when it will be "completely cleared or when rescue and search operations inside the quarry will resume," an official at the site said. Rescue operations are being carried out jointly by the navy, army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF and the district administration since the first day. 'The chances of survival of the remaining miners appear to be waning as they remain trapped for the eighth day but the rescue operations will continue', he

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Centre approves oil and gas exploration in Assam Wildlife Sanctuary area

The Centre's wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Jorhat district. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the proposal by Vedanta Group's Cairn Oil & Gas during its meeting on December 21, according to the minutes of the meeting. Assam's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had recommended clearance for the project in August last year, citing "national interest". The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry had also granted in-principle approval during its meeting on August 27 last year. According to the minutes of the NBWL meeting, a team comprising officials from the Union Environment Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Department inspected the project site, located about 13 km ..

Assam mining tragedy: Search, rescue operations in Dima Hasao enter day 7

Rescue operations are being carried out by multiple agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, army and navy personnel, with drones deployed for mapping of the area

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi seeks SIT probe into Assam mining tragedy

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday said he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a SIT probe into the mining tragedy in Assam, which left several labourers in a coal quarry dead. He also alleged that "illegal mining continues unchecked" due to "weak law enforcement and local complicity" in the northeastern state. Nine workers were trapped inside a coal mine in Umrangsu in Dima Hasao district on Monday after a sudden gush of water flooded the quarry. Of them, the bodies of four labourers have so far been recovered. "As of today, rescue operations have entered their sixth day, but the fate of coal miners trapped in the illegal coal mine at Dima Hasao remains uncertain. Illegal mining continues unchecked in Assam, fuelled by weak law enforcement and local complicity," said the Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha. "I have written to the prime minister urging an urgent SIT probe to investigate this tragedy," he said. Gogoi urged the prime minister that the propose

Finfluencer Abhishek Kar draws flak for comments on Assam, issues apology

Abhishek Kar, a popular financial influencer, apologised after his remarks on Assam's 'tantric practices' sparked outrage, drawing action from the CM's office

10-month-old detected with HMPV, first case this season in Assam: Officials

A 10-month-old child has been detected with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection, the first such case this season in Assam, officials said on Saturday. The child is undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh and is "stable" now, they said. AMCH Superintendent Dr Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan said the child was admitted to the state-run hospital with cold-related symptoms four days ago. The HMPV infection was confirmed yesterday after we got test results from Lahowal-based ICMR-RMRC, the hospital superintendent said. Bhuyan said that samples are sent to the Indian Council of Medical Research for tests in influenza and flu-related cases as a routine practice. "It was a routine test during which the HMPV infection was detected. The child is stable now. It is a common virus and there is nothing to worry about," he said. ICMR- Regional Medical Research Centre, NE, Lahowal (Dibrugarh) Senior Scientist Dr Biswajit Borkakoty said, "Since 2014, we have detec

Singapore Prez to visit India on Jan 15 to mark 60 yrs of diplomatic ties

The relationship got a major boost last year after the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable, followed by Prime Minister Modi's visit to Singapore last year, according to diplomatic sources

Assam mining tragedy: Body of another labourer recovered from coal quarry

The body of another worker, who was trapped inside a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district, was recovered on Saturday from the quarry during rescue operations, an official said. Two bodies have so far been recovered with the first one brought out from the mine on Wednesday, he said. The two deceased labourers were among nine workers who were trapped inside the mine in Umrangsu on Monday after a sudden gush of water flooded the quarry. "The rescue operations resumed this morning and one more body was recovered as the search for trapped miners entered its sixth day. The body of one labourer, hailing from Nepal, had already been recovered," the official said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the rescue operations have been continuing with "unwavering resolve", and said the identity of the deceased has been ascertained. "The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Ligen Magar, a resident of village number 1 of Kalamati in Dima Hasao," the official said. Magar's bo

ONGC adds 65 new ambulances for effective internal operations in Assam

In a step towards enhancing safety and emergency response, energy major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has ramped up its fleet of ambulances in Assam by adding 65 new vehicles, an official said on Friday. The new ambulances, which were leased from the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) for a period of five years, were added to ONGC's fleet in Sivasagar, he said. Out of the total ambulances, 63 are equipped with essential features, like foldable seats, swiveling fans, autoloader stretchers and provisions for 2.2 L oxygen cylinders. "These ambulances will be strategically deployed across ONGC Assam Asset's operational sites, including drill locations, workover rigs and production installations," the official said. Besides, two advanced life support (ALS) ambulances fitted with critical life-saving equipment such as ventilators, defibrillators, suction pumps and oxygen delivery systems have also been hired, he said. The company has decided to deploy these two ALS ambula

Assam coal mine rescue: Coal India brings in 500 GPM pump to dewater mine

The mine collapse, which trapped several workers, has posed numerous challenges for rescue teams

Sonar equipment aids ongoing rescue in Assam mine amid rising water

Inspector Roshan Kumar Singh, team Commander of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), confirmed that despite searching the vertical area and using heavy pumps to remove water, the water level has not decreased at the mining accident site. The operation, supported by Sonar equipment, is ongoing as water continues to flow into the mine, hindering progress.Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "We have searched the vertical area but haven't been able to find anything. We are proceeding further with taking out water from the mine... The water level has only increased and not decreased. This is a joint operation of the Navy, NDRF, and Indian Army."He also added, "The Indian Navy team, Indian army and NDRF have jointly started the search & rescue operation with the help of sonar equipment for the third day at the coal mine site."Earlier today, rescue operations were underway at the coal mining site, where HPS Kandari, commandant of the 1st Battalion of the National Disaster Response ...

NDRF begins water removal at Assam's coal mine to rescue trapped workers

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Wednesday started removing water at the Dima Hasao coal mine to rescue 8 people who have been trapped since Monday.

Divers recover body of one of 9 trapped workers from coal mine in Assam

The body of one of the nine workers trapped inside a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district was recovered by army divers on Wednesday, the third day of the rescue operations, officials said. The chances of the survival of the eight others appear grim, though a team of navy, army, NDRF and SDRF personnel intensified their efforts to rescue the trapped miners, the officials said. The divers located the body of the worker, identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Udaypur district of Nepal, 85 feet below the surface early in the morning. His family members have been contacted and the body has been sent for inquest and postmortem, Special Director General of Police Harmeet Singh said. A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) was sent inside the quarry in the morning which spotted the body, following which the divers went in to bring it out, said Singh, who is camping at the site to supervise operations. A united effort is being made by the navy, army, NDRF, SDRF, ONGC, Coal India and distri

Assam mining rescue: Navy deployed with special equipment for search ops

The team includes highly trained Clearance Divers, experts in deep-water recovery, and the underwater ROVs for the search and rescue

Assam mining rescue: Indian Navy deployed with specialised equipment

According to a statement from an NDRF official, one body has been recovered by the divers of NDRF, the Indian army