Page 2 - Northeast India

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 ...

Meghalaya in 2025: Honeymoon murder, political churn, and mining crackdown

A honeymoon murder, rise of a regional party, infrastructural push and crackdown on illegal coal extraction dominated headlines in Meghalaya this year. The killing of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi allegedly by his wife and others grabbed national attention, with the police arresting multiple accused and filing a detailed charge sheet. The case fed into wider debates on policing capacity and the handling of high-visibility investigations. Meghalaya Police stated it was among the most resource-intensive probes in recent years, citing financial tracking and interstate coordination with agencies in Madhya Pradesh. Political currents shifted in tandem. The Voice of the People Party (VPP), which secured its maiden Lok Sabha win in 2024 by unseating three-term Congress MP Vincent H Pala in Shillong, consolidated its standing by sweeping the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council polls and forming the executive committee early this year. The outcome signalled a break from ...

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

Growth in Northeast has been transformational: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Northeast is growing 1.6x faster than India, with ₹4.48 trillion in investment commitments and a push on logistics, credit and connectivity, says Scindia

BJP correcting mistakes Cong kept making in northeast for decades: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attacked the Congress for neglecting Assam and the northeast during its rule, and asserted that the BJP government was correcting mistakes the grand old party kept making in the region for decades. Addressing a rally after inaugurating a new terminal of the Guwahati airport, Modi alleged that the development of Assam and the northeast was never a part of the Congress agenda. The Congress gave protection to infiltrators who grabbed forests and land, threatening the security and identity of Assam... The BJP governemnt has been correcting mistakes the Congress kept making for decades in the northeast, the PM asserted. Modi said the Election Commission started the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to ensure infiltrators are kept out of the poll process, but deshdrohis' (traitors) were trying to protect them. The Centre is taking strict steps to stop infiltration, he said. The Prime Minister said development under the BJP's ...

Guwahati emerges as Northeast India's commercial powerhouse: Report

Guwahati has emerged as Northeast India's commercial powerhouse, with major infrastructure investments set to reshape the region's real estate landscape through 2028, according to a report. The report titled 'Beyond the metros: Insights into India's emerging real estate stars' by leading commercial real estate and investment management company JLL pointed out that the city's strategic positioning as the gateway to eight northeastern states, combined with world-class educational institutions and a thriving business ecosystem, is attracting unprecedented investor interest across office, retail, and logistics sectors. "Guwahati represents one of India's most compelling real estate investment opportunities today, combining strategic location advantages with transformational infrastructure development and exceptional market fundamentals," said senior managing director, East and Emerging Markets, India, JLL, Surekha Bihani. "The convergence of 80 per cent office stock growth, declining ..

Meghalaya hosts first Northeast Organic Week as India targets $2 bn exports

The commerce ministry's body APEDA on Monday said policymakers, FPOs, exporters and global buyers have gathered in Shillong to discuss certification, market access and capacity building issues of the organic agri products sector as India aims to raise exports to USD 2 billion by 2030. With a view to tapping into the northeast's organic potential, APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) is organising the first northeast India organic week in Shillong, Meghalaya. According to the authority, India's total organic production (including both certified and conversion) has increased significantly from 13.35 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to about 46.99 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, registering a strong CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 15 per cent. India's organic food exports too have grown from USD 213 million in 2012-13 to USD 665 million in 2024-25, it said. To further accelerate this momentum, an export target of Rs 20,000 crore (about USD 2 billion) has ...

PM Modi greets people of Nagaland on Statehood Day, praises their culture

Nagaland was formally recognised as the 16th state of India on December 1, 1963, with Kohima being declared its capital

Israel clears proposal to bring remaining 5,800 Jews from India's northeast

Israel's government has approved a proposal to bring all the remaining 5,800 Jews from India's north-eastern region, commonly referred to as Bnei Menashe, over the next five years. The Government of Israel on Sunday approved a "significant, wide-scale initiative" to complete the Aliyah (immigration) of the Bnei Menashe community from northeastern India, the Jewish Agency for Israel said. "This historic decision will bring approximately 5,800 members of the community to Israel by 2030, including 1,200 already approved in 2026," it said. It will be the first time that the Jewish Agency will be leading the entire pre-immigration process - eligibility interviews together with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the Conversion Authority, and the Population and Immigration Authority - organising the flights for eligible candidates and managing their absorption in Israel. The plan is estimated to require a special budget of 90 million shekels (USD 27 million) to cover the costs of the flights

IDPs clash with security forces in Manipur as they try to return home

Hundreds of internally displaced people (IDPs) staying in relief camps here clashed with security forces at Pukhao and near Dolaithabi Dam in Imphal East district on Monday as they attempted to return to their native homes, officials said. IDPs from Ekou, Dolaithabi and Yengkhuman localities, who had been staying in relief camps, attempted to march towards their homes but were stopped by security forces. The security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, they said. The IDPs claimed that, as the annual Sangai festival is being held, normalcy has been established in the state, and they should be allowed to return to their homes. A protester, S Kumarjit Meitei told reporters, "We are mostly farmers. Our economic livelihood has been completely cut off after we were forced to flee our homes. Now that the government has said that normalcy has returned. We demand to return home. How long do we stay confined in relief camps. Why can't security forces deal with the milita

Protesters clash with security forces in Manipur over Sangai festival

People demonstrating against the Sangai festival clashed with security forces in Manipur's Imphal East district on Friday, amid a 'cease work' called by the Meitei group COCOMI. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has been opposing the tourism festival by the state government, stating that organising such an event amid the crisis being faced by families displaced by the ethnic violence was "highly insensitive". The clash happened at Khurai Lamlong when security forces intercepted demonstrators, including several displaced persons, who were marching towards the venue of the festival, an official said. The demonstrators hurled stones at the forces, forcing them to lob several rounds of tear gas shells, he said. Demonstrators claimed that some of them sustained minor injuries as a result of the clash. The 'cease work', effectively a shutdown, affected normal life in the Imphal Valley districts, with markets and other commercial establishments remaining closed sin

Northeast has been kept at centre of policymaking, says FM Sitharaman

Sitharaman says the Northeast now has the fundamentals in place and is rapidly building digital and semiconductor-ready capabilities with strong policy priority from the Centre

46 new dengue cases in Tripura's Kailasahar, situation under control

Forty-six new dengue cases have been reported from Kailasahar town of Tripura's Unakoti district, an official said. Thirteen out of the 46 patients are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals, the official said. Dr Rohan Paul of Kailasahar Sub-Divisional Hospital said, "The situation in Kailasahar is well under control. There is no cause for panic." He said Kailasahar town is more prone to dengue than other areas of the state as tests for the mosquito-borne disease are conducted year-round. He expressed concern that many individuals resort to self-medication without proper medical consultation. "We are suggesting people to undergo dengue tests at the sub-divisional hospital or at nearby primary health centres. Taking medicine without proper diagnosis can lead to health risks," Paul said. He said that dengue is transmitted by Aedes mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water. "People should ensure there is no waterlogging around their homes or workplaces to prevent mosquito ...

Govt invested Rs 21,000 cr in Northeast's education sector in 11 years: FM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday claimed that the central government has invested Rs 21,000 crore in the education sector in the Northeast in the last 11 years. Connectivity has also received a boost in the region during the period, with new states put on the railway map and several greenfield airports constructed, she added. Sitharaman, who was on a two-day visit to Assam since Friday, was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the state's first university focussed on technical and vocational education and training at Bholaguri in Gohpur in Biswanath district. The 'Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University' will be built at a cost of Rs 415 crore on a total area of 241 acres, with a built-up area of 7 lakh sq ft. "Since 2014, the Centre has invested Rs 21,000 crore in the education sector in the Northeast. Over 850 new schools have been opened. The first AIIMS in the region has become operational, and over 200 new skill development institutes have been .

Assam CM orders police action after Bangladesh anthem sung at Congress meet

This is a blatant insult to the people of India and aligns with recent assertions by certain Bangladesh citizens that the North-East will eventually belong to Bangladesh, Sarma said

Singapore Police to provide evidence in Zubeen Garg case in 10 days: SIT

Singapore Police Force (SPF) is likely to provide crucial evidence, including CCTV footage and statements of eye witnesses, related to the death of Zubeen Garg within the next 10 days, a senior official said on Friday. Addressing a press conference, CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta said the Assam Police has requested their counterparts in the Southeast Asian nation to provide all relevant information to complete the ongoing investigation in a timely manner. Gupta and Titabor Co-District SP Tarun Goel, who had gone to Singapore four days ago to probe the unnatural death of the singer, returned on Thursday. Gupta is heading the SIT, while Goel is a member of the nine-member group formed to probe the case. "We met the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore and discussed all legal assistance required. We also had a discussion with a five-member high-level delegation of SPF, and it was a very fruitful meeting," Gupta told reporters here. The two police forces deliberated on the ...

We will file chargesheet, says Assam CM on Zubeen Garg's death case

Assam CM also expressed complete confidence in the SIT probe into the death of Zubeen Garg

North Eastern Railway notifies 145 special puja trains for Chhath festival

Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for North Eastern Railway, Pankaj Kumar Singh, said that special trains are being run in record numbers

A month on, Assam mourns Zubeen as family, fans seek answers on his death

Even after the passage of a month after the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, people of Assam continued to mourn the loss, seeking answers on the final moments of the singer. Garg died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. Garg's wife, Garima, said the family, along with the people of the state, are waiting to know what happened in his final moments, and expressed faith in the legal system to unravel the truth. Hundreds thronged Garg's cremation site at Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, since early this morning, paying tributes to their beloved singer-composer. Fans and friends of the singer-composer also visited his residence at Kahilipara area of the city and his studio in Zoo Road area to be with his family and join them in remembering him. A 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) of state police's CID is probing his death, with seven persons being arrested so far. Singapore Police are also conducting its investigation, with SIT officers from Assam