Page 2 - Assam

Over 1,700 acres of forest land in Assam cleared of encroachments: Himanta

Over 1,700 acres of reserve forest land in Assam's Hojai district have been cleared of encroachments, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He asserted that no encroachment will be tolerated. "GAME OVER for illegal encroachment at Jamuna-Moudanga RF. Mission completed as 5,250 bighas reclaimed through peaceful, lawful & decisive action," Sarma said in a post on X on Saturday, referring to an eviction drive on 1,732.5 acres in the area. "No cheat codes needed. Consider this your warning: Illegal encroachment will NOT be tolerated," Sarma asserted. Since the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government came to power in 2021, it has carried out a series of evictions to clear land from alleged encroachments, mostly affecting the Bengali-speaking Muslim population. Sarma had said during his press interaction on New Year's Day that so far, eviction drives have been carried out to clear 1,45,000 bighas (47,850 acres) of land. On November 3 last year, the chief minister asserted that eviction .

Zubeen Garg death case: Four accused file bail pleas, hearing on Jan 17

Four accused in singer Zubeen Garg's death case filed bail petitions before the court on Saturday. The Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court, which is hearing the case, fixed January 17 as the next date of hearing when the bail objection by the public prosecutor will be filed. The bail pleas were moved by Garg's band member Amritprava Mahanta, his cousin Sandipan Garg, a police officer, and his two personal security officers (PSOs), Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. The singer-composer-actor had died on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore, where he had gone to attend the Northeast Festival. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID, which is probing the case, has charged festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's secretary Siddhartha Sharma and his two band members, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava, with murder, and his cousin, who was accompanying him, with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The two PSOs were charged with criminal ...

Assam polls will be people vs 'raja': Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government was running an authoritarian regime and claimed that the upcoming assembly elections in the state would be a battle between the people and the 'raja' (ruler). He claimed that people's right to criticise, a crucial element in a democracy, was being taken away by the BJP-led coalition government. "This election will be between the people of Assam and the raja (ruler)," Gogoi said on Friday while addressing a 'Gana Abhibarthan' (mass convention) organised by the Dibrugarh District Citizens' Forum here as the state gets into poll mode. Assembly elections are likely to be held in March-April. He asserted that the Constitution has given citizens not only the right to vote, but also the right to criticise the government. "Democracy is impossible without the right to question. Citizens have the right to know what kind of work the government is doing in the fields of health, education and infrastructu

Amit Shah on day-long visit to Assam; to inaugurate projects, address rally

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive here on Monday on a day-long visit to Assam to inaugurate several projects and address a public meeting, officials said. Shah was earlier scheduled to arrive in Guwahati on Sunday night from Ahmedabad, but his flight could not take off due to fog and his visit was postponed to Monday. The home minister will begin his visit by paying homage to martyrs of the Assam movement against illegal infiltrators at the newly constructed 'Swahid Smarak Kshetra' here. He will then leave for Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in Borduwa of Nagaon district, where he will inaugurate the Rs 227 crore redevelopment project of the spiritual site. The home minister is also scheduled to address a public rally at Borduwa, immediately after the inauguration. Shah will return to Guwahati where he will inaugurate a Rs 111-crore new building of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate and the Rs 189-crore integrated command

Beyond legacy, towards power as heirs vie for votes in state elections

Across southern and eastern India, upcoming Assembly elections place the spotlight on political heirs looking to translate legacy, governance and organisation into votes

Mobile net services restored in Assam's Karbi Anglong as situation improves

Mobile internet services in violence-hit Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts of Assam were restored on Sunday following improvement in the law and order situation, an official order said. Strict security vigil continued in the districts, along with the deployment of additional security forces in the worst-affected areas, an official said. Two persons were killed and over 170 people injured, mostly security personnel, in violence in parts of West Karbi Anglong district last week. An order by Ajay Tewari, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Political Department, said mobile internet services, which had been suspended on December 23, have been restored with immediate effect. The order said that the law and order situation in the two districts has "improved and normalised, and it appears that there is no further apprehension of breach of public peace and tranquility for the time being". It added that the earlier order suspending mobile internet services was revoked f

Assam cabinet approves ₹115.11 crore Nabard loan for infra development

The Assam Cabinet on Saturday approved raising a Rs 115.11 crore loan from NABARD to fast-track infrastructure development and road improvement projects in Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, North Cachar Hills and Tinsukia districts, Public Health Engineering Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said. Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Baruah said the loan would help accelerate development works in key hill and industrial districts of the state. The cabinet also approved amendments to the Assam Police Manual to allow both armed and unarmed branch personnel to appear for promotion to assistant sub-inspector of police, promoting merit-based advancement and improved policing efficiency. The cabinet also gave its nod to the settlement of 732 proposals for government khas and ceiling surplus land in Kamrup (Metro) district under Mission Basundhara 3.0, benefitting indigenous and landless families for homestead purposes, he said. Additionally, 168 proposals under Mission Basundhara 2

Assam polls about protecting 'swadesh' and 'swajati': CM Himanta Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the upcoming assembly elections will be a fight to protect 'swadesh' (nation) and 'swajati' (own community), along with the identity, land and culture of the people of the state. BJP represents the last light of hope that will ensure that the state is not pushed into an abyss of darkness by infiltrators from Bangladesh, the chief minister said at the party's executive meeting here. "The forthcoming elections are not about hopes and aspirations. It is about dedicating oneself to the cause of protecting 'swadesh' and 'swajati'. I am sure people know that the BJP is their last hope. They will vote for us, and we will win this election," Sarma said. He alleged that the "weakness of the Congress and its politics of polarisation" led to the gradual creation of "another civilisation which now has a 1.5 crore-strong population". "In the 2011 Census, when we see the breakup of Hindus and Muslims, we find the latter comprise 34 p

Amit Shah to arrive on 2-day Assam visit on Sunday, to inaugurate projects

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive here on Sunday night on a two-day visit to Assam to inaugurate several projects and address a public meeting, officials said on Saturday. After arriving, Shah will spend the night at the state guest house in Koinadhara. On Monday, the home minister is scheduled to pay homage to martyrs of the Assam movement against infiltrators at the newly constructed 'Swahid Smarak Kshetra' before leaving for Batadrava Than, birthplace of Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva in Nagaon district, where he will inaugurate the redevelopment project of the spiritual site. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said the state government has taken efforts to restore the sanctity and grandeur of Batadrava Than, which has been freed from encroachments. "Batadrava Than, freed from encroachments, is now a shining example of what steely resolve can do for the protection of our heritage," the CM had said. Shah will return to Guwahati where he will ..

Normalcy returning to Assam's West Karbi Anglong, talks with CM planned

Normalcy was returning to violence-hit areas of Assam's West Karbi Anglong district with no fresh incidents reported, while the state government, autonomous council, and protestors will hold a tripartite meeting in Guwahati on Friday. Strict security vigil is being maintained in the affected areas, after two persons were killed and several others, including police personnel, were injured in violence earlier this week, they said. "The situation is normal now. However, prohibitory orders, night curfew and suspension of mobile internet services in the affected areas continue to be in force," the official said. He added that no fresh incident of violence has been reported over the last couple of days, even as the army, Rapid Action Force and CRPF were deployed in the area. The worst-hit Kheroni area in the district houses people from Bihari, Bengali and Nepali communities apart from the Karbis. The indigenous Karbi and the Bihari communities have been at loggerheads in West Karbi Angl

Assam in 2025: Zubeen Garg's death dominates socio-political landscape

The mysterious death of Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg cast a long shadow over the state in 2025, eclipsing major political and administrative developments and triggering an unprecedented public outcry that reverberated through the corridors of power. The year was also marked by political sparring ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, which included allegations involving national security, campaigns against infiltration, and the passage of a bill banning polygamy. The birth centenary celebration of another iconic son of Assam, Bhupen Hazarika, was also launched this year. Garg, who had travelled to Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, died while swimming in the sea on September 19. The unexpected news stunned Assam, while the circumstances of the singer's death sparked widespread suspicion. Lakhs of people lined the streets as Garg's mortal remains were flown back from Singapore. For three days, his body was kept in a stadium for the people to pay their homage befor

Assam districts told to identify, deport foreigners as per law: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said all districts have been instructed to identify suspected illegal immigrants for immediate deportation to their country of origin. He said the district commissioners will issue expulsion orders as per the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, and then the police or the BSF will escort the suspected foreigners to the border for sending them out of the country. "Direct Action, No Compromise. As per provisions of the Illegal Immigrants (Expulsion) Act (sic), we are identifying and issuing expulsion orders against suspected individuals," he said in a post on X. In September, the state cabinet approved the framing of an SOP under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 to guide the DCs and senior superintendents of police to expel illegal migrants from Assam. The move was aimed at tackling alleged illegal immigration from neighbouring countries. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Sarma said that the governme

Assam nabbed 18 foreigners trying to enter illegally, sent back: CM Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that 18 foreign nationals have been nabbed in the state for illegally entering the country, and have been sent back. He, however, did not share details like their ethnicity or where these infiltrators had come from. "They dream of starving India & taking over Assam & Northeast. Meanwhile, in Assam, we're busy feeding development, driving growth and sending 18 illegals on an all-expense-paid exit tour back to their hell hole," Sarma said in a post on X on Wednesday night. "Too bad for them: Assam isn't hungry, just vigilant and decisive!" Sarma said. Assam's Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts share 267.5-km international border with Bangladesh. There is an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sutarkandi in Sribhumi. Northeast has a total of three ICPs along the India-Bangladesh border, with the other two being at Dawki in Meghalaya and Akhaura in Tripura. There is another ICP in the region at Darranga in ...

Assam's West Karbi Anglong hit by violence amid eviction protests: What’s happening?

Violence broke out in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong after protests over alleged encroachment on protected grazing land spiralled out of control. Homes were damaged, the ancestral house of a senior KAAC

Assam's West Karbi Anglong district limping back to normal after violence

An uneasy calm prevailed in violence-hit areas of West Karbi Anglong district of Assam with no fresh incident reported even as a massive posse of security personnel kept a tight vigil, officials said on Thursday. The Karbi and Bihari communities have been at loggerheads in West Karbi Anglong district over allegations of encroachment on Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) lands in the tribal belts by the Hindi-speaking people. "The situation is calm now and there is no report of any violence. Our forces are on the ground and they are patrolling all sensitive areas," a senior official told PTI. He said a huge number of personnel from Assam Police, Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indian Army are on the ground, and monitoring the situation closely. The official also said that the funerals of the two deceased were held peacefully on Wednesday night as per their respective customs. The body of specially abled youth Sures

No fresh violence in Assam's Karbi Anglong as security stepped up

The situation remained tense but under control in two districts of Karbi Anglong in central Assam on Wednesday, with no fresh violence reported in the troubled areas, officials said. Two persons were killed, and at least 45 others, including 38 police personnel, injured on Tuesday as fresh violence erupted in Kheroni area in West Karbi Anglong district. Assam Police DGP Harmeet Singh and IG (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh suffered minor injuries during stone-pelting. "As of now, the situation is under control. There was no violence throughout the night and this morning. However, it is very tense as the two warring communities started mobilising in small numbers at different places," a senior official told PTI. After deploying five more CRPF companies in the area, security forces conducted a joint flag march in the morning, he added. The Karbi and Bihari communities have been at loggerheads over allegations of encroachment on the Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional

Section 163 imposed in Assam's West Karbi Anglong after violent protests

Night curfew was also imposed in Karbi Anglong district with restrictions on the movement of any person or groups and private vehicles throughout the district from 5 pm to 6 am

Assam's West Karbi Anglong hit by violence amid eviction protests: Details

Violent protests in Assam's West Karbi Anglong over demands to remove alleged encroachers saw houses damaged, a BJP leader's ancestral home torched, and prohibitory orders imposed to curb unrest

PM Modi presented distorted version of history during Assam visit: Gogoi

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a distorted version of Indian history during his visit to the state. He said it was deeply unfortunate that the "PM did not pay any tribute" to singer Zubeen Garg, unlike the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. "Prime Minister Modi was in Assam for two days, and addressed the people of the state on several occasions. As expected the speeches focused on attacking the Congress party and presenting a distorted version of Indian history," alleged Gogoi, the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha. Gogoi made the statement in an apparent reference to the PM's claim that a conspiracy was hatched to make Assam a part of East Pakistan, and Congress too was going to be a part of it. Modi had said that prior to Independence, when the Muslim League and the British were preparing the ground for India's Partition, a conspiracy was hatched to make Assam a part of East ...

Modi sounds poll bugle in Bengal, Assam; flags illegal immigration

PM hits out at TMC & Congress over the illegal immigrant issue; Opposition accuses him of neglecting other concerns in both states