Assam cabinet approves introduction of Unified Pension Scheme
The Assam cabinet approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) as an option under the National Pension System for state government employees, ensuring old-age security independent of market returns. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned funds for a flyover in Silchar, climate-resilient rural bridges, and the ASTHA project to enhance tertiary healthcare, including a new Gauhati Medical College and Hospital campus.
NIT Silchar suspends five Bangladeshi students for alleged involvement in campus violence
GUWAHATI: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar in Assam has suspended five Bangladeshi students for one year for their alleged involvement in campus violence on the night of September 8. In an order dated September 12, the Registrar of NIT Silchar announced the academic suspension along with expulsion from hostel for a period of two semesters from the institute with immediate effect (JulyDecember 2025 and JanuaryJune 2026). The action was taken by the competent authority based on the recommendations of the Standing Institute Disciplinary Committee, the order further stated. The five Bangladeshi students -- Sk Shahriar Ahmed Akash, Shimantor Ghosh, Saumyajit Paul, Sazzad Hossain Rafi and Md Nur Hossain -- were enrolled under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Study in India scholarships. Stating that the five will be sent back to Bangladesh, Dilip Kumar Baidya, director of the institute, said there was evidence suggesting their direct involvement in the incident. On the night of the incident, a group of third-year Bangladeshi students, allegedly armed with rods, knives and screwdrivers, had attacked another group of final-year Bangladeshi students, leaving several of them injured. Two had to be admitted in the intensive care unit of the Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The motive behind the attack was not known.
Five Bangladeshi students in NIT Silchar suspended for campus violence, to be deported
NIT Silchar has suspended five Bangladeshi students. These students are facing deportation. The reason is their alleged involvement in violent clashes on campus. Authorities also suspect them of possessing narcotics. An investigation revealed their active participation in the violence. The incident occurred on September 8. Some students attacked their compatriots.
Watch: Mizorams first railway in over 75 years: What you need to know
Mizoram is now connected to Indias railway network with its first-ever train. The BairabiSairang railway line, spanning 51.38 km, links Aizawl to Silchar in Assam, cutting travel time from ten hours by road to just three hours by train. Built at a cost of 5,021 crore, the project features 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and the iconic Bridge No. 144, taller than the Qutub Minar.
No jobs in railway station yard: Man turned away after disclosing religion
A young Muslim man in Assam has alleged he faced religious discrimination after applying for a mechanical engineer post via the popular job portal Indeed. Shamim Barbhuiya had applied for a job post at a unit in Bihara Railway Station Yard in Silchar through Indeed. The job description stated, Candidate must be Bengali by birth 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 .
AIZAWL : With the completion of the 51.38-km broad-gauge line from Bairabi to Sairang, Mizoram becomes the fourth Northeastern state to gain direct train connectivity to its capital. This marks a milestone in Indian Railways ambitious plan to link the capitals of all eight Northeastern states with the national rail network. The line, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, connects Bairabi on the AssamMizoram border to Sairang, located 20 km from Aizawl and 12 km from Lengpui Airport. The new Sairang railway station will serve as the key railhead for Aizawl. The project, for which approval was granted in 2008 and construction began in November 2014, has been built at a cost of 8,071 crore. Engineering feat The 51.38-km line, passing through the Kolasib and Aizawl districts, is an engineering feat, with over half its length running through tunnels and bridges. It includes 48 tunnels spanning 12.85 km, 55 major and 87 minor bridges, five road overbridges, and six road underbridges. The line has three intermediate stations at Hortoki, Kawnpui, and Mualkhang. Among the bridges, Bridge No. 144 over the Kurung River near Sairang has earned the distinction of being the worlds second-tallest pier bridge, rising 114 metres above the ground. The tallest is the Noney Bridge in neighbouring Manipur, standing 141 metres tall, which is being built as part of the under-construction 111-km JiribamImphal railway line. World's second tallest pier bridge over Kurung river at Sairang station Challenges faced The railways faced huge challenges in building the BairabiSairang line due to its rugged Indo-Burmese tectonic terrain, marked by steep slopes, deep valleys, and fragile, clay-like soil prone to erosion. Northeast Frontier Railway (Construction), the agency which executed the project, with design and safety aspects reviewed by IIT Guwahati and IIT Roorkee, had to build 223 km of approach roads as well. Reaching construction sites for hill excavation and pier construction was extremely difficult, as there was no road access. NFR (Construction) built 223 km of approach roads, which have since benefitted several villages in Kolasib and Aizawl districts, a railway official explained. In addition to the topographical challenges, the project encountered other obstacles as well, including opposition to workers brought in from other states and the non-availability of construction materials in Mizoram, which meant they had to be transported from Bihar and Jharkhand. To address local resistance, the Railways eventually engaged local people from Mizoram in the construction work. The project progressed at a slow pace due to the regions short working season of just 67 months a year. Despite higher wages, many labourers left the project because of the remote location and lack of internet connectivity at worksites, the official added. Tunnel in BairabiSairang line Expectations Locals in Dawrpui told TNIE that the railway line will help tackle the high cost of road travel from Silchar to Aizawl, which currently costs between Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,000 along the hilly two-lane highway. During the monsoon season, which lasts for more than five months, landslides frequently cut off road access. Flights, too, are unreliable as they often get cancelled due to bad weather, and there are no departures after 4 pm, said Anthony Zohmingliana, a resident. M. Sathish Kumar, a project associate at Mizoram Central University and a resident of Aizawl for 15 years, noted that over 8 lakh of Mizorams 14 lakh population live in and around Aizawl. This project will benefit a large section of the population, reducing dependence on flights and cabs, he said. Joel Lalengmawii of Lengpui said, My family often travels via Silchar to reach Manipur, Punjab, and Kerala. But the 154-km journey to Silchar takes 910 hours by road. We have been told train fares will be cheaper, but only when services begin will we know how much difference it really makes. S. S. Ajin, a PhD student at Mizoram University, said, We mostly rely on flights or road transport. There are times when vegetables and other essentials do not reach the city for a few days due to landslides on the national highways, and there are no other public transport options. Train connectivity will greatly benefit people from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and other states traveling to Mizoram. Once the line becomes operational, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be able to transport freight for the public distribution system by train, significantly reducing the cost of transporting goods, vegetables, and other items from other states. Initially, passenger services may run between Sairang and Silchar, the railway official added. Rail connectivity to northeast At present, the railway line through Assam's capital, Guwahati, serves as a gateway to the seven other Northeastern states. From Guwahati, branch lines extend to Bairabia station just 7 km inside Mizoram on the SilcharBairabi sectionwhere a passenger train currently runs daily between Bairabi and Silchar. This link to Silchar connects Mizoram with northern and southern states via Guwahati. Additionally, it provides connectivity to Manipur and Nagaland. Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) are the other state capitals with rail connectivity. Work is under way to connect the capitals of Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, and Nagaland. NFR officials said they expect these works to be completed by December 2029. It may be noted that Sikkim remains the only Northeastern state without rail connectivity, mainly due to local opposition. Extending to Myanmar Highlighting plans to develop Sairang station with state-of-the-art facilities, the railway official said the government is also exploring the feasibility of extending the line from Sairang to Myanmar. The proposed route would cover 230 km within Mizoram and the remainder in Myanmar. If realized, this would reduce freight transport from South India to Mizoram via Visakhapatnam and Kolkata ports from 2,000 km to just 500 km, the official explained. Fact File: BairabiSairang Broad Gauge Line New Line: BairabiSairang (51.38 km) Key Locations: Bairabi: Border station on AssamMizoram border Sairang: 20 km from Aizawl, Mizoram Project Cost: Rs 8,071 crore Railway Connectivity in the Northeast Guwahati (Assam): Only railway gateway for all eight Northeastern states Line from Guwahati runs to Bairabi (7 km from Assam border via Silchar) BairabiSilchar (105 km): Daily passenger train operational New Line: SairangSilchar (155 km), passenger services to be introduced Road Access Two-lane National Highway is the only mode of access to Aizawl Travel Cost: Rs 1,000Rs 1,600 per person (Silchar Aizawl) Travel Time: 89 hours by road; train will reduce it to 3 hours States with railway connectivity to capitals Assam Guwahati Tripura Agartala Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Mizoram Sairang (to be inaugurated)
PM Modi likely to visit Mizoram, Manipur on September 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Mizoram and Manipur on September 13, with preparations underway in both states, officials said. In Mizoram, PM Modi is likely to inaugurate the 51.38-km BairabiSairang railway line, a key infrastructure project under the Centre's Act East Policy aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic integration in the Northeast. The new rail link will connect Aizawl with Assams Silchar, and by extension, with the rest of the country. Mizoram Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena held a high-level meeting on Monday to review preparations, including security, traffic control, and public participation. Following his Mizoram visit, the Prime Minister is expected to travel to Manipur, his first trip to the state since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023. However, officials in Imphal said they have not yet received formal confirmation of the visit. 'Lacks empathy': Congress slams PM Modi as he leaves for '35th' trip abroad since start of Manipur ethnic conflict
Eviction drives to be carried out in Barak valley: Himanta
Silchar: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that eviction drives to clear encroachment on forest land will be undertaken in the Barak valley districts in the same way the exercise is being carried out in the Brahmaputra valley. Speaking at a programme after unveiling a 24-feet-tall statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose 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 .
CBI arrests 3 in Assam for illegal SIM card racket
One of the three arrested from Silchar in southern Assam is a territorial sales manager for a private telecom company
PM to inaugurate Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Bairabi-Sairang railway line in Mizoram on September 13, marking Aizawl's entry onto the railway map. This 51.38-km project, a key part of the Centre's Act East policy, will connect Aizawl with Silchar and the rest of India.
Fake doctor in Assam handles 50 caesarean sections in a decade, held
GUWAHATI: The Assam police arrested a fake doctor after he allegedly handled several pregnancy cases and performed more than 50 caesarean sections for a decade. The accused, Pulak Malakar, hails from southern Assams Barak Valley. The locals knew him as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. He practised at a private hospital in Silchar of Cachar district. According to reports, Malakar worked as a fourth-grade employee in various hospitals prior to becoming a doctor with a forged MBBS certificate, allegedly obtained from a racket by shelling out a huge amount of money. The accused was arrested two days ago. He was produced in a local court and it sent him to a six-day police remand. Senior Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta told the media the police had received inputs about the man treating patients by using a fake degree. A resultant investigation revealed his certificate from a government medical college in Odisha was forged. During the course of investigation, we learnt that he had been working in Silchar since 2016 using a fake medical degree. A case was registered against him with the Sadar Police Station, Silchar under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the SP said. He suspected that the racket selling fake MBBS certificates was operating from the Barak Valley. He warned that the police would dig deep and arrest all those involved in it. In January this year, the Assam government formed an anti-quackery and vigilance cell, a special unit that works in tandem with the police. Several arrests involving fake doctors and quacks were made in following months. The state Assembly had in February last year, passed The Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024, 'criminalising non-scientific' magical healing practices conducted by individuals with malicious intent. The Bill aims to bring social awakening in society and create healthy, science-based knowledge and a safe environment to protect human health against the evil and sinister practices thriving on ignorance and the ill-health of people.
Real Life 'Munna Bhai MBBS'? Fake Assam Doctor Who Performed 50 C-Sections Arrested
Pulok Malakar, posing as a doctor for over a decade, was arrested in Silchar, for performing over 50 surgeries without valid qualifications
Assam's 'Munna Bhai MBBS', Who Performed Over 50 C-Sections, Arrested
The accused, Pulok Malakar, was a known gynaecologist and performed surgeries for over a decade at two private hospitals in Silchar.
The Meghalaya government has initiated the land acquisition process for the construction of the Rs 22,864-crore high-speed corridor from Umiam Lake near Shillong to Silchar in lower Assam, officials said on Tuesday.
Was Scared, Shivering: IndiGo Flier Slapped During Panic Attack
Hussain Ahmed Majumdar, a resident of Assam, suffered a panic attack when he was travelling from Mumbai to Silchar via Kolkata on Thursday.
Assam man allegedly thrashed to death by BSF personnel
A 30-year-old man, Nirmol Namasudra, died in Cachar district, Assam. Allegedly, Border Security Force personnel beat him near the India-Bangladesh border. The incident occurred on Friday night. Nirmol succumbed to his injuries on Saturday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. Locals protested, demanding action against the accused BSF personnel. Authorities are trying to control the situation in Katigorah.
Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, 32, went missing after experiencing a panic attack on a Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight and being slapped by a co-passenger. He was supposed to take a connecting flight to Silchar but disappeared instead, sparking panic in his family. A viral video of the incident added to public outrage. Nearly a day later, he was found in Barpeta, Assam, after travelling by train. Questions remain around the airline's response and mental health handling onboard.
Man Slapped On IndiGo Flight Goes Missing, Found Later At Railway Station
A missing complaint was filed, and police found he hadn't taken the flight to Silchar or left Kolkata airport.
A young man from Assam went missing after being slapped on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kolkata, sparking outrage. Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, possibly experiencing a panic attack, was assaulted and then disappeared after failing to board his connecting flight to Silchar.
IndiGo passenger goes missing after fellow flier slaps him during in-flight panic attack
A young man, Hossain Ahmed Mazumdar, from Cachar, Assam, is missing. He was slapped by a co-passenger on a Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight. A video shows the incident. Hossain was traveling home. He did not arrive in Silchar. His family is worried. IndiGo says the unruly passenger was handed over to security. The airline did not confirm if Hossain received help.
Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria threatened to kill my son, alleges Punjab Congress MP Randhawa
CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, has alleged that the jailed gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has threatened to kill his son, Udhayveer Singh Randhawa. Randhawa, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, who is currently in the national capital for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, said that a person named Parminder Singh from Fatehgarh Churian and a few other party supporters came to meet his son at 10 am on Thursday. An hour after a picture from the meeting was posted online, there was a firing at his son's turban shop. But thankfully, no one was injured. I have brought the matter to the notice of the Punjab DGP, he said. He alleged that even from inside prison, Bhagwanpuria was threatening people and that one of his associates had also received a threatening call. After the firing incident on Thursday evening, one person repeatedly wrote objectionable comments on my son's social media post, Randhawa added. He questioned the functioning of the states law enforcement agencies, asking, Where is their intelligence, where is their cyber crime unit? If a common individual posts a status with a gun in hand, they are arrested immediately. But those who are openly threatening otherswhat action is being taken against them? Threats didnt deter us even during the days of terrorism. We are not afraid. But my concern is: where does the law and order situation in the state stand today? Alleging that law and order has collapsed in Punjab, Randhawa pointed to a recent incident where a prominent businessman was shot dead in broad daylight outside his showroom. There have been several other serious crimes. What is the situation today? he asked. This latest incident comes just over a month after Bhagwanpurias mother, Harjit Kaur, and a relative, Karanvir Singh, were shot dead in Batala, Gurdaspur district, on June 26. The rival Davinder Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the killings. Randhawa said that after the Batala incident, an MLA from the ruling AAP claimed the killing of Bhagwanpurias mother was a political murder. The police should have taken his statement and questioned how it was a political murder. What are the police doing? I have repeatedly brought to the notice of senior officers the issue of a police officers nexus with gangstersa matter that threatens national securitybut no action has been taken, he said. Earlier, Randhawa also posted on X, stating: Jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has threatened to kill my son. One of my associates met my son and within an hour of leaving, he was fired upon today. Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal have turned Punjab into a gangster's paradise where law and order have totally collapsed. I am in Delhi for the Parliament session. No gangster can shake me! Randhawa has previously accused Bhagwanpuria of influencing voters in Dera Baba Nanak during elections, including the November 2023 assembly bypoll, where he alleged the gangsters family intimidated locals to support AAP candidates. Responding to the allegations, AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said Randhawa should provide full details so the matter can be investigated. He added, Everyone knows that gangsters got patronage under previous Congress governments. The AAP government has zero tolerance towards gangsterism. We do not spare anyone who tries to disturb law and order. Since coming to power, we have jailed several gangsters and even attached their properties. Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a gangster with over 128 criminal casesincluding murder, extortion, arms smuggling, and drug traffickingis currently lodged in Silchar Central Jail, Assam, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He was shifted there from Bathinda Central Jail in March this year. He was already in the custody of Punjab Police in connection with the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala and faces several other criminal charges. Reacting to Randhawa's claims, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said, A jailed gangster openly threatening a senior INC leader, former Deputy CM, and sitting MPthis is not just a law and order failure, its a damning indictment of the complete collapse of governance under Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal. If gangsters can intimidate elected representatives from behind bars, what chance does the common man in Punjab stand? Is this the badlav AAP promiseda state where criminals rule and citizens live in fear? Bajwa accused the AAP government of turning Punjab into a playground for gangsters, saying, While Kejriwal remains busy marketing false narratives, Punjab has become lawless under AAP. Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also condemned the incident, saying, A gangster has the audacity to threaten a senior INC leader from inside jail! Imagine the plight of common people in Punjab. This reflects the complete collapse of law and order in Punjab.
Pointing out that the three visa centres in Assam located in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, and Silchar which was processing 50-55 visas every day, are now issuing only around 15-18 visa a day, security sources said that the decline has affected multiple sectors, including education and healthcare
MoRTH to frame IRC guidelines after adopting new-age machines for faster highway construction
NEW DELHI: After the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) decided to adopt Automated and Intelligent Machine-aided Construction (AIMC) for highway development to ensure timely project completion, it announced that Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines will be prepared based on feedback from contractors and concessionaires. The ministry has already sanctioned atleast 16 projects, where innovative machines will be used. According to the officials, Cabinet approval is awaited for 10 projects envisaged for implementation of AIMC system. With a significant growth in the national highways network including a significant increase in Greenfield and Brownfield highways with high embankments requiring a significant amount of earthwork and proper compaction in the last one decade, it has been felt appropriate to induct AIMC in highway construction, said officials. The decision to formally adopt the system was taken after evaluation of efficacy in a pilot; Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway Project, where in GPS-aided Motor Grader, Intelligent Compactor and Stringless Paver were used. The ministry also took into consideration the feedback from stakeholders and international guidelines and specifications. The ministry has also sought feedback on adoption of AIMC to formulate IRC guidelines, added officials. Officials added that the ministry would facilitate the concessionaire or contractor with the required license for the radio frequency range from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for the use of machines. The list of projects, which are already sanctioned, includes Western Bypass Gwalior (29 kms), 6-lane Greenfield Ludhiana Bypass (25 kms), Deoghar Bypass (49 kms), Shillong-Silchar Corridor (167 kms), Vrindavan Bypass (15 kms) and Patna-Arrah-Sasaram (125 kms) in Bihar. The projects which have been submitted for the Cabinet approval are Satellite Township Ring Road of Bengaluru (STRR) Karnataka (144 kms), BadveI Nellore Corridor (108 kms) in Andhra Pradesh, 4-lane access controlled Sirhind-Sehna section of NH-205AG (107 kms) in Punjab, and Nashik-Ahmednagar- Solapur-Akkalkot segment of the Surat-Chennai Expressway (374 kms). The ministry, in December, sought feedback from roads construction agencies, public work departments in states and union territories and other stakeholders on the proposal for adoption of the construction facilitated by innovatory. The benefits of AIMC are expected high adherence to design specification, improved rideability, performance durability and longevity and reduced wastage as well. The technology-driven construction also increases productivity, helps in real-time documentation, brings better transparency and minimises human interventions.
Trains Halted, Highway Closed After Massive Landslide In Assam's Dima Hasao
Train and road connectivity between the Assam towns of Haflong and Silchar has been severely disrupted following a landslide near the Jatinga-Lampur section.
NEW DELHI: Officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) held a meeting with insurgent Kuki-Zo groups and persuaded them to relocate and shut down seven designated camps under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement that are located near Meitei-dominated areas, sources said. They added that the MHA officials also stressed the recovery of looted weapons and the reopening of National Highways. Notably, security agencies on the ground in Manipur had earlier proposed the closure of seven out of 14 existing camps situated close to Meitei-inhabited areas in the Valley, the sources said. A source familiar with the talks said, The second round of talks was held earlier this week, where the two sides reached an understanding on the closure and relocation of at least seven SoO camps located close to Meitei-populated zones. He, however, clarified that there was no discussion on the extension of the SoO agreement, as the talks primarily focused on revising the ground rules, which is seen as a more immediate priority. FIR registered after Kuki student leader allegedly threatened Meiteis attending Shirui Festival The locations for the new camps would be discussed in a third meeting, which is yet to be scheduled. It has also been agreed in principle that any relocated camps should be in tribal areas, the source added. Rajya Sabha MP and ceremonial King of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, wrote in a Facebook post: The SoO Pact was signed in 2008 during the then State Congress Government with two Kuki-Zo umbrella insurgent groups UPF and KNO, comprising 25 groups with around 2,200 cadres. Earlier, their demand was autonomy, but after May 2023, they demanded a Union Territory or separate administration with a Legislative Assembly for the Kuki-Zo people. Such grave missteps of the previous government led to the chaotic situations in the state. The UPF and KNO had signed the tripartite SoO agreement in 2008 with the Centre and the state as parties to the pact, and since then, around 2,200 cadres from these 25 constituent groups have been residing in 14 designated camps across the hill districts of Manipur. As there was no discussion on the extension of the SoO agreement, representatives of the insurgent groups reportedly presented new proposals involving security arrangements. The MHA emphasised two key concerns the recovery of looted weapons and restoring full operation of National Highway-37 (ImphalJiribamSilchar) and National Highway-2 (DimapurImphalMoreh), both of which have remained blocked since ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023.
The student of Arignar Anna Government Higher Secondary School at Pachaperumalpatti village, Thuraiyur, had secured seat in NIT Silchar after clearing JEE Mains 2024 with 91.23 percentile
Assam: Harang bridge at Kalain-Silchar road collapses; restoration underway
A bridge collapsed in Assam's Bhangarpar, causing trucks to fall into the river. Rescue efforts are ongoing. Earlier, a bridge collapse in Pune, Maharashtra, resulted in four deaths. The district administration announced financial aid for the victims' families. An investigation team has been formed to probe the Pune incident.
