Road rage incident leads to renaming of 'Daccapatty' locality in Assam town
GUWAHATI: A locality with a Bangladeshi touch in Assams Nagaon town has been renamed, days after an incident where an Assamese youth was assaulted by a Bengali Muslim. On August 9, Anis Rahman had assaulted Tandeep Kakoty following an altercation. The assailant was busy talking on his phone after parking his two-wheeler by the roadside in Nagaons Daccapatty area. Kakoty, who too was riding a two-wheeler behind Rahman, honked twice. This triggered a verbal tiff between the two and it soon turned violent when Rahman hit Kakoty with a helmet. He was arrested by the police soon after. The incident caught on camera went viral. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media that he had directed Nagaon District Commissioner (DC) Debashish Sarma to rename Daccapatty with an Assamese name. So, on Tuesday, Daccapatty, a bustling business centre that got its name during the colonial era, was renamed Roopkonwar Chowk by the district administration. Noted playwright, songwriter, poet, writer and filmmaker Jyoti Prasad Agarwala is popularly called the Rupkonwar of Assamese culture. The renaming of the locality is being seen as a tribute to him. The Nagaon DC said the area had been renamed as Roopkonwar Chowk respecting the sentiments of the people of the town. The area has a bust of Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. Various prominent organisations celebrate his birthday etc there. Keeping this in mind, a decision was made to rename the stretch as Roopkonwar Chowk, he told journalists. Going back to history, he said in the last part of the 19th century when the British came, they needed skilled people to make biscuits, bind books, sew clothes etc. He said people from erstwhile East Bengal came to Jorhat and then to Nagaon. It was then that Nagaon got a locality by the name of Daccapatty, he added. Incidentally, Jorhat in eastern Assam also has a locality by the name of Daccapatty.
40 suspected illegal migrants detained in Jorhat
HT Correspondent JORHAT, Aug 11: An ASTC bus carrying about 40 persons, suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi migrants reportedly coming from lower Assam and going to Majuli, was today found by local people on the Pulibor outskirts here, who informed the police. Sources stated that an ASTC bus with passengers was found parked at the []
CM Himanta says Assam has many bogus voters, backs SIR
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the voters lists in the states char (sandbar) and other riverine areas have the names of a lot of dead people. He told the media that many women also moved out after their marriage, yet the areas recorded a 100 per cent polling in the past. Batting for special intensive revision (SIR), Sarma said, When there is SIR and the names of voters are linked with their Aadhar numbers, the problems will disappear. He criticised Rahul Gandhi for opposing SIR, stating that the Congress leader was not clear about what he actually wanted. He can approach the Election Commission, ask it to rectify the voter lists and link Aadhar numbers with the names of voters to prevent people from voting at two places. But he is not interested in it, Sarma said. He asked how the Congress won in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana if the voters lists were erroneous. He said the Congress was earlier critical of electronic voting machines and now, it is using voters lists as a new ammunition. Meanwhile, Sarma clarified that the ongoing eviction drives in Assam was only against those Miya Muslims (Bengali Muslims) who had encroached upon land in forests, village grazing reserves, and professional grazing reserves. Our people do not encroach upon such lands, he said. He further stated that unlike tribals, non-tribals are not eligible for land deeds in such areas. They (Miya Muslims) have vast swathes of lands in Assams sandbars and other riverine areas where nobody else goes to live. In fact, half of Assams lands is with them in the riverine areas. But if they want to go to places like Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, where will the Assamese live? Sarma asked. Our aim is to protect the Assamese people, he further stated. Anti-'Miya' campaign continues in upper Assam, CM Himanta Sarma says protests should be democratic
Anti-'Miya' campaign continues in upper Assam, CM Himanta Sarma says protests should be democratic
Guwahati: Even as a campaign against Miyas in parts of upper Assam is getting intensified, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appealed to people not to take law into their own hands. Miya is a pejorative term for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam. Sarma said places like Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Sivasagar are the borghar (heartland) of the Assamese. If somebody enters our borghar and nobody speaks up, who will rescue the jati (race)? he asked. He called for raising a voice against it and agitating but within the law. The situation will deteriorate if somebody attempts to wipe out the Assamese. When somebody enters our borghar, it is natural that people will speak up against it, he said. The Bengali-speaking Muslims are concentrated in southern, western, central and northern Assam. Upper Assam is the states eastern part. Sarma said if people had encroached upon government land after being affected by riverbank erosion, they would have grabbed a small plot of land. He mentioned that people grabbed lands measuring up to 200 to 300 bighas in some places. The ongoing Miya Kheda Andolan (movement to drive out Miyas) in upper Assam followed eviction drives carried out by the state government in Dhubri, Goalpara, Lakhimpur and Golaghat districts. Thousands of people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, were evicted. Recently, Sarma had called upon people not to give shelter to the evictees or else, he said, the position of our people that improved through evictions and other means would become bad again. There have been at least three incidents of confrontation in Sivasagar district when the members of some non-Muslim indigenous groups and organisations raided the houses of Assamese Muslims in search of Miya workers. These groups and organisations vowed not to rest until the Miyas are driven out of upper Assam. The All Assam Students Union (AASU) backed the eviction drives by the state government. Stating that the exercise should continue to clear encroachment of government and satra (neo-Vaishnavite monastery) lands, AASU president Utpal Sarma, however, stated that the landless deserved land as per existing norms. Samujjal Bhattacharya, chief advisor to AASU and North East Students Organisation (NESO), said AASU would approach the Supreme Court seeking the re-verification of documents of the applicants of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. Over 19.06 lakh of the 3.3 crore applicants were left out of the NRC. At the same time, NESO demands an NRC for the whole of the Northeast, Bhattacharya further stated, insisting that the detection and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi migrants should continue.
Himanta Biswa Sarma's 'Pak Link' Jab To Gaurav Gogoi After Pahalgam Speech
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raked up allegations of Pakistan links to Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, a day after the Jorhat MP delivered a fierce speech on Pahalgam and Op Sindoor criticising the government.
Himanta accuses Gaurav Gogoi of acting on behalf of Pakistan after Op Sindoor speech
HT Bureau GUWAHATI, July 29: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, following Gogois sharp criticism of the governments handling of Operation Sindoor during a speech in Parliament. In a strongly worded post on X, Sarma accused the Jorhat MP of aligning with Pakistans interests. The []
'Vivacious Varenya': The 10-Year-Old Assam Girl Who Has Over 20 Lakh Followers
Varenya Borbora, popularly known online as Vivacious Varenya, is a social media personality and content creator from Jorhat.
Army firepower to get a boost as US Apache attack helicopters to join next week
NEW DELHI: Adding teeth to the Indian Armys Aviation Corps (AAC), modern Apache attack helicopters will be joining the Unit next week. Confirming the arrivals, sources stated that the first three helicopters are expected to arrive on Sunday or Monday. These will add to the attack capability along the Western borders. This paper broke the story earlier. The Unit was formally raised in March 2024. India and the US signed a contract for the acquisition of six Apaches for the Indian Army during US President Donald Trumps visit to New Delhi in 2020. Before that, the IAF had signed a contract with the US Government and Boeing in September 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters. The Apache is said to be the most modern attack helicopter meant to take the place of the existing fleet of Mi-35 choppers for assault and anti-armour operations. The AH-64E Apache is designed and equipped with the latest communications, navigation, sensor and weapon systems. It features an improved Modernised Target Acquisition Designation System, which provides day, night, and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability. Its Fire Control Radar can classify both air and ground targets and operates effectively in maritime environments. It can also be used for missions such as reconnaissance, security, and peacekeeping operations, in addition to attack operations. The first eight Apache copters were inducted at Pathankot Air Base on September 3, 2019 as part of the Helicopter Unit (HU) 125 Squadron (Gladiators). The second HU 137 Squadron is based out of Jorhat, Assam. The US completed delivery of all 22 Apache attack helicopters to the IAF in July 2020. Contract for 6 helicopters India and the US signed a contract for the acquisition of six Apache helicopters for the Indian Army during US President Donald Trumps visit to New Delhi in 2020. Before that, IAF had signed a contract with the US and Boeing in September 2015 for 22 Apache helicopters.
GUWAHATI: The Assam cabinet on Thursday decided to crack the whip against private hospitals, making it mandatory for them to release the bodies of patients within two hours post-death certification, regardless of bill payment status. After a meeting of the cabinet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media that the government often receives complaints regarding various institutions witholding dead bodies as mortgage for three-four days to pressure relatives into clearing hospital bills. Calling such situations 'against human dignity', he said, You cannot keep a dead body as hostage. The cabinet has decided that if any nursing home tries to do that, their licence will be suspended for three to six months and they will be fined Rs 5 lakh. He added that in the event of repeat offences, they would be blacklisted with cancellation of their licence for eternity. A government statement issued later said hospitals must hand over dead bodies within two hours post-death certification, irrespective of pending payment. Delay beyond this may attract penal action, it warned. The government said incidents must be reported to the police and district health authority within four hours. A 24x7 toll-free helpline will allow families to report coercionUpon complaint, the designated authority must visit the site, release the dead body if wrongfully held and initiate legal proceedings, the statement said. Meanwhile, the cabinet approved the proposal for the implementation of the Gaja Mitra Scheme in eight most human-elephant conflict-prone districts such as Goalpara, Udalguri, Nagaon, Baksa, Sonitpur, Golaghat, Jorhat and Biswanath. The cabinet proposed to form a community-based voluntary monitoring and rapid response team in the affected villages. Each team would consist of eight members from the local community in 80 locations for a period of six months during which human-elephant conflict is at peak and coincides with the paddy cultivation season. The Gaja Mitra Scheme will help establish a proactive, trained and community-based support system that can complement the efforts of the Forest Department in mitigating human-elephant conflict by facilitating co-existence, protecting lives and livelihoods, and enabling safe passage for elephants through traditional routes, the statement further stated.
GUWAHATI: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raising concerns over alleged favouritism and irregularities in the implementation of a government-backed dairy scheme. In his letter, Gogoi stated that the scheme provides a subsidy of up to Rs 50 lakh for each beneficiary. The objective is to promote genuine entrepreneurship in the dairy sector and strengthen milk production. However, multiple reports and official documentation point to irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries, Gogoi, also the Jorhat MP, wrote. He pointed out that several recipients of the schemes benefits appeared to be family members or associates of ministers and MLAs, while long-standing dairy farmers were reportedly overlooked despite having applied multiple times and fulfilling eligibility requirements. He said the exclusion of experienced dairy entrepreneurs raised concerns about fairness and transparency in the selection process. Equally alarming is the response from the Chief Minister of Assam, who chose to justify the inclusion of ministers family members in the list of dairy scheme beneficiaries. This open endorsement of political favouritism has fuelled public outrage for undermining the constitutional values of equality and justice, Gogoi said. He further noted that the Gorukhuti agricultural project had also come under scrutiny. Funded through public money and intended for community benefit, the project included the procurement of high-yield Gir cows from Gujarat. Gogoi said official records indicated that these cows were allocated to several elected representatives. The diversion of resources and livestock under a project supported by over Rs 25.5 crore in public funds compromises the very objective of government programmes designed to promote inclusive development, the Congress leader added. If politically-connected individuals are allowed to siphon off benefits meant for the poor, we risk alienating the very people these schemes are meant to uplift, he said. He urged Modi to instruct the government to initiate a probe into the matter at the earliest in the interest of justice and public trust.
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IndiGo To Launch Direct Flights To Jorhat, Tiruchirappalli From Delhi
The airline says the new routes will support regional trade, tourism and business.
Guwahati Diary | Solar fence to mitigate human-elephant conflict
In a bid to mitigate human-elephant conflict and facilitate co-existence, biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak has installed a 30.1-km solar fence covering three project villages in Jorhat district in collaboration with the British Asian Trust and the Elephant Family with support from the Darwin Initiative. The project has benefitted over 1,047 households affected by human-elephant conflict. There was a time when herds of wild elephants would wreak havoc in these villages while foraging for crops, causing immense hardship to the agrarian community. However, the installation of these solar-powered fences helped significantly ease the problem. 15K bighas of satra land encroached upon: CM The satras monastic institutions within Assams neo-Vaishnavite tradition have lost over 15,000 bighas of their land to encroachment. Taking a serious view of it, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that an area twice the size of Dispur had been encroached upon. The sheer scale of encroachment of the satras is a direct assault on Assams culture and identity. Not anymore. We are dealing firmly with this, he posted on X. The Satra Aayog, constituted by the government for reviewing and assessing the problems of satra land in Assam, has submitted its final report to Sarma with its recommendations. IED case: ULFA chief, 2 others chargesheeted The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and two other members of the banned insurgent group Abhijit Gogoi and Jahnu Boruah for a conspiracy to carry out multiple IED blasts in Assam on Independence Day last year. During the probe, the NIA found that as many as 11 IEDs were planted in different parts of the state, including Guwahati. However, none of them exploded. The investigation agency says the plot was meant to cause deaths and unrest. Boruah, who has reportedly admitted to planting four of the IEDs, was arrested from Dibrugarh in December. Prasanta Mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com
Assam flood situation improves further, 4.43 lakh still affected
GUWAHATI: The flood situation in Assam improved further on Friday following a decline in the rains. No death was reported in the state during the past 24 hours but one person was reported missing. Manipur reported three deaths which took the Northeast flood and landslide toll to 53. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), 4,43,560 people across 18 districts are still affected by the floods in Assam. Over 40,000 of them were taking shelter in relief camps. Cropland remained affected in areas of 16,558.59 hectares. The affected districts were Cachar, Nagaon, Sribhumi, Hailakandi, Kamrup, Hojai, Dibrugarh, Bongaigaon, Morigaon, Darrang, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Goalpara, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Jorhat and Kamrup (Metro). The Brahmaputra and four other rivers were flowing above the danger level in some places, the ASDMA said. A flood report issued by the Manipur government said 1,65,936 people remained affected in the state. Altogether 35,385 houses were damaged by the floods and landslides. The state recorded altogether 160 incidents of landslides. As the rains have now subsided, Meitei organisation Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity urged the state government to provide compensation to the victims after conducting a comprehensive field survey. Several areas of the Imphal Valley have remained inundated. The organisation stressed on pumping out the water. The flood situation also improved in Arunachal Pradesh. A government statement said 33,200 people remained affected in 215 villages of 24 districts. The authorities set up three relief camps where 239 displaced people were lodged. Changlang in eastern Arunachal is one of the worst-hit districts. Meanwhile, all the stranded tourists were reportedly evacuated from Chaten in North Sikkim which was badly hit by landslides. Mizoram was ravaged by around 700 landslides and rains which damaged water pipelines at many places. Foreseeing a crisis of water, the state government advised citizens to harvest rainwater.
Guwahati Diary | Gogoi named state Congress chief, thanks CM Sarma
When Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat Gaurav Gogoi took charge as the Assam Congress president on Tuesday, he couldnt help but take a not-so-subtle dig at CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been lobbing one attack after another at him. Gogoi quipped, Had the Chief Minister not been so busy with me in the last two to three years, my party would not have entrusted me with this responsibility. His appointment as the partys state unit chief comes in the backdrop of serious allegations made by Sarma that Gogois British wife is linked with Pakistan spy agency ISI. Bengal man booked for denigrating Hindu deity The Assam police have registered a case against a man from Kolkata, Wazahat Khan Qadri Rashidi, for his alleged disparaging remarks about Goddess Kamakhya. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a serious view of the matter and wrote on X, Reference to unacceptable comments made by an individual against Devi Maa Kamakhya, a case has been registered by @assampolice and we will seek West Bengal Govts cooperation in bringing the individual to Assam to face the law. Sarma said the Assam government would request the West Bengal government to hand the accused over to Assam police. Health visitor from state gets Nightingale Award Binapani Deka, a lady health visitor from Assams Nalbari, has brought laurels to the state by winning a National Florence Nightingale Award, an honour instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that recognises the dedication, compassion and resilience that define the nursing profession. She was presented the award by President Droupadi Murmu at a recent ceremony. CM Sarma described it as a proud moment for Assam. This year, 15 nurses from various regions and healthcare settings were feted for their exemplary service in strengthening public health delivery and commitment to community welfare. Prasanta mazumdar Our correspondent in Guwahati prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com
Heavy rain continues to batter Assam, disrupting train services and road transport
GUWAHATI: Relentless rainfall continued to lash Assam on Sunday, severely disrupting road and rail transport across the northeastern state. According to officials, at least eight people have died so far due to floods and landslides. More than 78,000 residents across over 15 districts have been affected, prompting widespread concern. The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an 'orange bulletin' for Assam, warning of a severe flood situation as ten major rivers including the Brahmaputra and Barak are currently flowing above the danger level. A spokesperson for Northeast Frontier Railway stated that, following incessant rainfall in the past 24 hours and water overflowing onto the tracks in the BaraigramDullabcherra section, the DullabcherraSilchar passenger train has been cancelled for the day. Additionally, the DullabcherraGuwahati Express will now originate from Baraigram instead of Dullabcherra. Heavy rain causes floods in parts of Assam, five killed in landslides In Kamrup district, large portions of National Highway-17 have been inundated near Shingra Shalnibari in the Chaygaon area since Saturday. Officials noted that the situation has been worsened by heavy runoff from neighbouring Meghalaya. Authorities are taking measures to redirect traffic via alternative routes to maintain connectivity. According to the CWC bulletin, the Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark in Dibrugarh and Nematighat (Jorhat). Other rivers breaching danger levels include: Dhaleswari at Gharmura (Hailakandi), Rukni at Dholai (Cachar), Katakhal at Matijuri (Hailakandi), Barak at Badarpur Ghat (Sribhumi), Buridehing at Margherita (Tinsukia), Kushiyara in Sribhumi, Dhansiri at Numaligarh (Golaghat) and Kopili at Kampur (Nagaon) An Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin reported that, as of Saturday evening, five people had died in landslides and three in floods. Three western districts were placed on 'red alert' on Saturday, while eight others were under an 'orange alert', according to the Regional Meteorological Centre. Rainwater from upstream regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya has further exacerbated the flooding. Multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and fire and emergency services, have been deployed for rescue and relief efforts. Evacuation operations are underway in the worst-affected areas. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that the state is facing an abnormal situation due to persistent downpours triggered by a massive cloud cover across several parts of the Northeast.
IndiGo's direct Delhi-Jorhat flight from mid-September: Himanta Biswa Sarma
A new GuwahatiNavi Mumbai service will commence from the 202526 winter schedule, Mr. Sarma said
Umsohsun case: Accused remanded in police custody
Shillong, May 30: Himan Gogoi, the accused in the Umsohsun schoolgirls molestation case, was remanded in two-day police custody by a local court on Friday. Gogoi was arrested from Jorhat on Thursday in connection with two separate cases of alleged sexual assault on schoolgirls in the city. After securing a transit remand from the Jorhat [] The post Umsohsun case: Accused remanded in police custody appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Molestation case: Assam man held, being brought to city
By Our Reporter SHILLONG, May 29: East Khasi Hills police on Thursday arrested a 24-year-old Assam man from Jorhat in connection with two sexual assault cases involving schoolgirls, to Shillong. Himan Gogoi was arrested in central Assams Jorhat on charges of molesting the minor girls in the Umsohsun and Police Bazar areas on two different [] The post Molestation case: Assam man held, being brought to city appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Pakistan link: Himanta-Gaurav spat intensifies
The Assam Chief Minister alleged the Jorhat MP and his wife were deeply involved in anti-India activities after the latter admitted he visited Pakistan in 2013
2026 Assembly polls will be a Gogoi versus Saikia contest, says Assam BJP chief
The regional Assam Jatiya Parishad hopes the Jorhat MPs elevation as State Congress president will give the United Opposition Forum renewed momentum
Gaurav Gogoi made Assam Congress president
GUWAHATI, May 26 The All India Congress Committee, on Monday (May 26, 2025), appointed Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi as the president of the partys Assam unit. He replaced Bhupen Kumar Borah, who helmed the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee for almost four years. Announcing the appointment of Mr. Gogoi, who is the partys Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal also named Jakir Hussain Sikdar, Roselina Tirkey, and Pradip Sarkar as the Assam units [] The post Gaurav Gogoi made Assam Congress president appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Centre Floats Tender For Much-Awaited 6.81 Km Jorhat-Majuli Bridge Over Brahmputra River In Assam
Assam CM Himanta says Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan at ISIs invitation
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday alleged that Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi had visited Pakistan at the invitation of its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), remarks that the Jorhat MP rejected outright. Gaurav Gogoi visited Pakistan at ISIs invitation. We have documents to back this claim. He visited Pakistan definitely to receive training. He went there after receiving a letter from the Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan. It would have been different had he been invited by the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Culture or some university, Sarma told the media. Later, he took to X stating, I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring further into the details surrounding this visit and related associations. I reiterate, with full authority and responsibility as the Chief Minister of Assam, that Shri Gaurab Gogoi, Member of Parliament from Assam, visited Pakistan at the invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Pakistan. He spent several days there. We are enquiring Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 18, 2025 Assam CM accuses Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of meeting Pakistani Army official during visit Sarma said the Assam government had clear evidence and Gogoi could not escape. I have been saying it from the chief ministers chair after every 24 hours because it is a serious issue. I have seen the evidence myself but I need time to bring the (official) papers. I will show you the papers at a press conference on September 10, he further told the media. Gogoi rubbished the charges saying almost 99% of all that the chief minister has said so far are lies. He predicted that Sarma would in September seek another three months time to collect evidence. Telling lies and tarnishing peoples image is his weapon. He is worried about me for some (unforeseen) reason, the Congress leader said. He began hurling accusations at me since February. I have been saying it all along that if he has any evidence, he should make it public. He has not been able to furnish any evidence so far. He says we have to wait until September, Gogoi added. The script that the Chief Minister is following is worse than a B grade film. It is said to cover up one lie a person has to say countless lies. That is exactly what the Chief Minister is doing. He is not giving out any facts and simply behaving like a IT cell troll. A Chief Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) May 18, 2025
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has objected to Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogois inclusion in the list of Congress leaders to be sent abroad to explain Indias position on Pakistan's terrorism. The Centre will send multiple and multi-party delegations to various countries to brief them about Pakistans role in cross-border terrorism in the light of the terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. On May 16, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had spoken with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, asking them to submit the names of four MPs. On X platform on Saturday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote that Gandhi had written to Rijiju providing the names of Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, Raja Brar, besides Gogoi. Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 17, 2025 The post drew the attention of the Assam chief minister to which he objected. One of the MPs named in the list (from Assam) has not denied his prolonged stay in Pakistan -- reportedly for two weeks -- and credible documents show that his wife was drawing salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while working in India, Sarma posted on X. In the interest of national security and beyond partisan politics, I urge the leader of the opposition, Sri Rahul Gandhi, not to include this individual in such a sensitive and strategic assignment, he further wrote. One of the MPs named in the list ( from Assam ) has not denied his prolonged stay in Pakistanreportedly for two weeksand credible documents show that his wife was drawing salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while working in India. In the interest of national security and beyond https://t.co/Y1thJAgMy8 Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 17, 2025 Earlier, he levelled a series of charges against his bte noire, Gogoi. He had stated that the Congress MP met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country. He also claimed that Gogoi had taken 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi for 'radicalisation.' Gogoi was also accused for raising sensitive questions on defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to Elizabeth Colburn who is a British national. A special investigation team (SIT) of the Assam Police is probing the charges. The SIT is expected to submit its report by September 10. Centre names seven MPs to lead delegations for global push against Pakistan; Congress contests picks 'Won't be found wanting when national interest is involved: Tharoor on leading multi-party team
NDA sweeps Assam panchayat polls, Congress decimated
Guwahati: The BJP-led NDA swept the Assam panchayat elections, decimating opposition parties, particularly the Congress. The counting of votes was underway when official figures last came in at 7 pm. The BJP and its ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) bagged 307 out of the total 397 Zila Parishad seats. The Congress was a distant second with 62 seats. Other smaller parties and independent candidates won altogether 28 seats. The BJP-AGP combine won 1,409 out of the 2,192 Anchalik Panchayat seats. The Congress secured 122 seats and others won 41 seats. Earlier, 2,912 candidates had won uncontested. There were also 2,567 Gram Panchayat wards but they were contested without party affiliations. The Congress suffered a huge setback in upper Assam, particularly in the two districts of Jorhat and Sivasagar where the party failed to win even a single Zila Parishad seat. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi represents Jorhat in the Lok Sabha. The panchayat elections were billed as the semifinal of Assembly polls, due early next year. Buoyed by the results, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded confidence NDA would win around 95 of the 126 seats in Assembly elections. Towns and cities have been our strongholds traditionally. Now, we have performed very well in villages. There is a strong possibility that we will win around 95 seats in Assembly elections, Sarma told the media. The BJP said the party-led alliance secured a historic victory due to overwhelming support from people. Terming the outcome as a victory for development and progress, state BJP president Dilip Saikia said people had cast their votes to further accelerate the unstoppable momentum of progress under Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarmas government. Saikia expressed gratitude to the voters for their unprecedented support in the polls. The polls were held in two phases on May 2 and 7 in 27 districts. Over 74% of the eligible voters had exercised their franchise across 25,007 polling stations.
Gaurav Gogoi took 90 boys and girls to Pakistani embassy for radicalisation: CM Himanta
GUWAHATI: A day after he claimed Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the Jorhat MP had taken 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi for radicalisation. Gaurav Gogoi went to Pakistan in a personal capacity. He was accompanied by his wife (Elizabeth Colburn, a British national). She returned to India after seven days but he stayed back for another seven-eight days, Sarma said, addressing a press conference He said the Congress leader had travelled by road via Attari, where a register is maintained. We are in possession of all these things. We are trying to ascertain what he was doing in Pakistan when his wife was in India. We have to serve a notice to him, Sarma stated. He claimed that after this visit, Gogoi took 90 boys and girls to the Pakistani embassy for radicalisation. He said some of them gave statements saying they were not told they were being taken to the Pakistani embassy. This was followed by Gaurav Gogois pro-Pakistan questions in Parliament, the Assam chief minister said. He also stated that Gogois wife had travelled between India and Pakistan 19 times and that Pakistani Army personnel accompanied her there on two to three occasions. We are collecting passengers list. Agencies are helping us. We will get the documents, Sarma said, adding, She worked in Pakistan before. Later, she moved to Delhi and started working for an NGO but was drawing her salary from Pakistan. He said the government had clear evidence that she had a good relationship with Pakistans Army. As for Gogoi, Sarma said the Congress MP would have to explain where in Pakistan he had spent his time. We have to talk to him. We will definitely talk to him once copies of passport etc reach us, he said. This is not a play on social media. We will be up front. Let Rahul Gandhi clarify whether an Indian, who is the son of a chief minister, visiting Pakistan and that too, without informing the Congress party, is a crime or not. We want to know the position of the Congress on this. I am going to meet (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge, Sarma said. Gogois father Tarun Gogoi served as the Assam Chief Minister from 2001 to 2016. Gogoi junior has been serving as an MP since 2014. Sarma said things he flagged were not charges but the conclusion (findings) of a probe conducted by a special investigation team of the Assam Police. We have sent a letter rogatory to bring passport, visa., etc. This goes through a process. Court order is also required. It will take about three months to get the documents, he added.
Assam CM accuses Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of meeting Pakistani Army official during visit
GUWAHATI: Upping the ante on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed the Jorhat MP had met a Pakistani Army official during his visit to the neighbouring country. Not only did he go to Pakistan, he had also met an official of Pakistans Army, Sarma told the media during panchayat poll campaign. So, is Gogois visit to Pakistan a crime? Its a big crime, replied Sarma who also said, There will be a big action. I will take action myself. If we can put Aminul Islam (MLA of All India United Democratic Front) behind bars for praising Pakistan, the action against somebody who visited Pakistan will definitely be big, the chief minister said. Further talking about action against Gogoi, he said, The papers (evidence) have to arrive from Pakistan, England. If I say something now without evidence, will you accept it? I will give the evidence by September 10. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would punish the Pakistanis while he would punish the ones (Pakistans sympathisers) living in Assam. The controversy surrounding Gogoi erupted in February when BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia stated, Very disturbing and serious facts have come to light that deputy leader of Opposition Mr Gaurav Gogois wife has links with Pakistan and the ISIGaurav Gogois wife Elizabeth Colburn has links with one Ali Tauqeer Sheikh who happens to be Pakistan Planning Commission advisor. This is a serious issue which poses a threat to national security. Sarma later stated that Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit had invited Gogoi in 2015, then a first-time MP, to discuss India-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. He also said that Gogoi had raised sensitive questions on defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to Elizabeth. The Assam Police have already registered a case against Sheikh, and unknown others for their alleged anti-India activities. A special investigation team is probing the case. Gogoi told multiple times that he was open to any kind of investigation. Gogoi demands apology from Himanta The Jorhat MP said Sarmas allegation that women of Assam would compromise to secure a job was disgraceful. The fact that the Chief Minister makes this statement at a political rally during the ongoing panchayat elections marks a new low for the political discourse in Assam. Assamese women are highly respected and empowered in our society. From the days of the freedom struggle to the present day, the women have done our society proud, Gogoi said. The Chief Minister should be mature enough to apologise, he added. Last week, the Congress had set a 24-hour deadline before Sarma demanding an apology for his comment that women chose a wrong path to secure government jobs during the Congress rule. Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress had lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Women in this regard. Sarma said his statement was based on the findings of a panel that probed a cash-for-jobs scam.
110 of 120 underprivileged students supported by Oil India Limited clear JEE Mains
GUWAHATI: Oil major Oil India Limited (OIL) has scripted a success story by mentoring underprivileged students in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. In a remarkable achievement, 110 of 120 students of 'OIL Pragyan Super 30' cleared JEE Mains 2025. They are from four centres. The public sector undertaking (PSU) runs five OIL Pragyan Super 30 centres for students aspiring for a career in engineering. Three are in Assam while Arunachal and Jodhpur, Rajasthan have one each. OIL also runs a medical entrance coaching centre in Assams Jorhat. The programme provides 11 months of completely free, fully residential coaching and academic mentoring to meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds, preparing them for JEE (Mains and Advanced) and NEET. OIL spends Rs 3 lakh to take care of each student. The PSU had launched the initiative in 2010 with an objective to help talented students from economically weaker sections, promote higher education and equal opportunities. This transformative initiative in the past 15 years has been continuing to bridge the educational gap by enabling deserving underprivileged students to gain admission into prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, and top medical colleges across the country, Ankur Barua, Director (Human Resources) of OIL, said on Thursday. Through this initiative, OIL is not only nurturing academic excellence but also breaking the cycle of poverty by opening doors to quality education and brighter futures for students who need it the most, said Ranjan Goswami, OILs Executive Director (Business Development). Since the inception of the programme, 1,361 out of 1,482 students enrolled in the Assam and Arunachal centres secured admissions in various engineering colleges, including IITs. The vision of OIL Pragyan Super 30 goes beyond academics. The initiative focuses equally on character development, self-discipline, and leadership, nurturing students to not only achieve academic excellence but also emerge as changemakers in their communities, OIL said in a statement.
