July 4, 2024 8:29 AM.

In Assam, flood situation remains critical with over 16 lakh people reeling under the deluge across 29 districts. During the last 24 hours, eight more people lost their lives, taking the total number of flood-related deaths in the state this year to 46. Three persons are reported to be missing. A total of 2800 villages of 105 revenue circles are affected due to flood and over 39,400 hectares of crop areas have been damaged across the state.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed the flood situation with all the District Commissioners through Video Conferencing and directed them to expedite rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister also directed the District Commissioners to conduct survey of flood affected people, as government has decided to release compensation amount before the 15th August. Mr Sarma also visited several flood affected areas in Kamrup district to take stock of the situation.

Flooding in the world Heritage site Kaziranga National Park, where 178 forest check post have been inundated, has triggered the migration of wild animals to the neighbouring hills. The Park authorities issued traffic diversions to ensure the safety of animals. Movement of heavy commercial vehicles through the Park has been restricted.

The Brahmaputra, Barak and all their tributaries are flowing above danger level while river Burhidihing is flowing above the highest danger level. The flood has damaged 100 roads, 11 embankments and 14 bridges during the last 24 hours.

The State Government has opened 181 Relief camps and 334 relief distribution centres. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) teams have also been deployed for rescue and relief operations.

July 2, 2024 2:10 PM.

In Assam, the flood situation has turned critical, with more than 6 lakh people reeling under the deluge across 19 districts. During the last 24 hours, two more people died in Tinsukia and Dhemaji taking the death toll to 36, while another person was reported missing in Golaghat. A total of 1,275 villages across 64 revenue circles have been affected by the flood, and over 14,700 hectares of crop area have been damaged across the state.

Akashvani’s Correspondent Reports that the flood situation has turned critical in Assam due to heavy rainfall and the release of excess water from the Lower Subansiri Dam of Arunachal Pradesh. Airforce airlifted 13 stranded fishermen from the flood-affected Hatiaali char in Dibrugarh district this morning.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will visit Golaghat district today afternoon to take stock of the flood situation. The Chief Minister has directed all the guardian ministers to visit flood-affected districts immediately.

State Government has opened Relief camps and relief distribution centres in all the flood affected districts and NDRF and SDRF teams have also been deployed for rescue and relief opera

The Women Police Station, Itanagar, has been awarded with ISO 9001:2015 certification. This was informed by the Superintendent of Police, Itanagar, Rohit Rajbir Singh in a release today. He stated that this recognition highlights the station’s commitment to dealing humanely and effectively with crimes against women and children.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification is an international standard that signifies the implementation of a comprehensive quality management system.

This certification is an international standard that signifies implementation of a comprehensive quality management system, said Capital SP RR Singh, adding that it confirms that the WPS adheres to highest standards of quality, ensuring consistency and excellence in its operations.

“The achievement underscores the WPS’s dedication to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for most vulnerable members of our community,” he said, adding “The certification process involved a meticulous assessment of its procedures, policies and practices as the evaluation confirmed that the WPS follows stringent protocols and continuously strives to improve its services, ensuring a compassionate and efficient response to incidents involving women and children.”

The certification also reflects hard work and commitment of the WPS team and their unwavering dedication in upholding principles of justice through relentless efforts to create a safer community which resulted in achieving this recognition, Singh said in appreciation.

June 22, 2024 8:33 AM.

In Assam, the famous Ambubachi Mela has begun today at the Kamakhya temple. This will conclude on the 26th of this month. Lakhs of devotees have gathered for the Ambubachi mela. The event celebrates the annual menstruation of the goddess Kamakhya, symbolising fertility and womanhood.

During the festival, the gates of Kamakhya Temple will remain closed. The temple gates will reopen at 9:08 p.m. on the 25th of this month. The Kamrup Metro District administration has made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. 

Worship is stopped and doors are closed in the temple for four days annually, when the goddess is believed to undergo her annual rest.

Devotees from different parts of the country and abroad converge at the annual mela, which is held in the temple premises during the period.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in a post on X in Hindi, welcomed the devotees to the mela.

“On the occasion of Ambubachi Mela, I welcome the sandhus and devotees,” he wrote.

Arrangements have been made by the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration and other agencies for the smooth conduct of the Mela, an official statement said.

June 16, 2024 8:54 PM.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Janata Bhawan Solar Project, a 2.5-MW power generation capacity grid connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV system, at a ceremony held in Guwahati on Sunday.

This project would yield an average of 3 lakh units of electricity monthly and the investment amount of 12.56 crore rupees is projected to be recovered within a period of 4 years with monthly savings standing at approximately 30 lakhs rupees.

The launch of the solar power project has led to the Assam Secretariat Complex becoming the first-ever civil secretariat in the country that relies entirely on solar generated electricity for daily consumption. With a lifespan of 25 years, this solar plant will cut down 3,060 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister referred to the launch of the project as a historic moment in the State’s march towards embracing of green energy. 

Guwahati, Jun 15, 2024,

In view of the heavy rain and the red alert sounded by the meteorological department for the next two days in the Lumding-Badarpur Hill section, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Saturday cancelled eight express trains between Silchar and other cities of Assam for Sunday.

A NFR spokesman said that the authorities have yet to cancel all the trains in the Lumding-Badarpur Hill section, which is a connecting railway route to south Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram. “Depending on the intensity of the rains and condition of the railway tracks, we would decide on the running of the trains Monday onwards,” the spokesman told IANS over phone from the NFR headquarters in Guwahati. He said that as a precautionary measure, the authorities have cancelled and rescheduled some trains passing through this section.

The Met department said that due to cyclonic circulations, Assam and other northeastern states are set to receive heavy rain in the next few days. Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms has been lashing various places in Assam including the southern part of the state since Friday night. Train services have been cut off between Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, southern Assam and the rest of the country for the last few weeks as most railway tracks remained waterlogged and damaged owing to the landslides in the Lumding Division of the NFR because of the incessant rain before and after Cyclone Remal.

Every year during the monsoon, several northeastern states, especially Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and southern Assam, remain cut off from the rest of the country for weeks owing to landslides, waterlogging and damage to railway tracks, leading to hardship for the people of the region.

Trains cancelled between Silchar and Badarpur to Guwahati: IMD Red Alert.

Train No. 15615: Guwahati – Silchar Express, cancelled on 16-06-2024.

Train No. 15616: Silchar – Guwahati Express,
cancelled on 16-06-2024.

Train No. 15617: Guwahati – Dullabcherra Express, cancelled on 15-06-2024.

The environment ministry’s show-cause notice to Special Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) M K Yadava was related to the construction of a commando battalion camp on 44 hectares of forest land in Assam’s Hailakandi district.

The environment ministry’s regional office in Shillong has issued a notice to the Assam government’s Special Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) M K Yadava, asking him to show cause as to why it should not file a complaint against him in court for violation of forest conservation laws.

The notice pertains to the Assam government’s construction of the 2nd Commando Battalion Camp on 44 hectares of forest land in Hailakandi district, which the environment ministry had earlier deemed to be in contravention of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

The notice, sent on May 14, stated that Yadava was “deemed guilty” under the Adhiniyam and was liable for punishment as per provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. Under Section 2 of the Adhiniyam, no state government or authority can issue any order directing the use of forest land for non-forestry purposes without prior permission of the central government.

When questioned about the conclusions drawn by the environment ministry regarding prima facie violation of forest conservation laws, Yadava defended the state’s actions, “The activities have been carried out as per Section 2(B) and they are permissible”.

Under the provisions of the 2023 Rules of the Adhiniyam, the ministry’s Deputy Director General of Forest, Shillong, Imtienla Ao has sought an explanation from Yadava. In case Yadava fails to respond to the notice within 60 days, the environment ministry will proceed with action, the notice said.

Yadava, formerly principal chief conservator of forests, Assam Forest Department, had approved the construction of the 2nd Commando Battalion camp within the Inner Line Reserve Forest in September 2023 relying upon Section 2 (b) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which exempts certain activities relating to conservation of forests from prior central permissions.

The notice to Yadava came to light as a response to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Assam-based environment activist Rohit Chowdhury.

The ministry’s notice to Yadava comes in the backdrop of a site inspection of the 2nd Commando Battalion Camp that the Shillong office carried out in March. The battalion camp, the inspector report had noted, was “large-scale and of permanent structures having a build-up area of 11.5 hectares” and did not have any semblance to any activities which are exempted from obtaining permission under forest conservation laws.

On March 18, the environment ministry had directed the Assam government to stop work on the battalion camp after examining the inspection report of the Shillong office.

Later, on April 13, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote to Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav to intervene in the matter and requested that the environment ministry accord a “post-facto” approval to allow resumption of construction of the commando camp.

Sarma said that without the camp, “the protection of that very forest does not otherwise seem possible”. Sarma justified the camp’s construction to Yadav on grounds of national security and encroachment of forests. Giving the context of the 2021 violence on the Mizoram-Assam border, in which six Assam police personnel were killed, Sarma said that a dedicated commando battalion is needed in the region to not only protect forests but also other encroachments in the inner line reserve forest.

However, a March 2024 site visit by the ministry found large-scale, permanent construction covering 11.5 hectares (28 acres), which did not align with permissible conservation activities.

Yadava declined to comment on the notice, saying he would respond directly to authorities. Ministry officials in Shillong confirmed providing information under RTI but were not authorised to discuss the notice’s contents.

It was reported on April 10 that a forest official in Assam allowed construction of a commando battalion unit in a protected forest to purportedly stop encroachments by Mizo people from the neighbouring state of Mizoram.

The move created a furore among local conservationists, compelling the Union ministry to take note and direct the state government, in March, to halt construction immediately.

“It’s unfortunate that a person who was in service for 35 years in Assam Forest Department has no knowledge of The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan). When the government itself starts violating the law, what moral authority it has got to take action against others for similar violations?,” said Rohit Choudhury, wildlife and RTI activist.

Yadava claimed that he is being victimised as the show cause notice which is a private document was leaked. “I have requested the Ministry to look into the matter,” he said, further questioning, “How can a private notice be leaked? This is unethical.”

Furthermore, the special chief secretary questioned why the Mizoram government has not yet received any notice for encroachment of 5000 hectares of land. Pointing that 6 police officers of Assam sacrificed their lives, Yadava also said, “It seems that there is a vested interest circle against Assam. Why has the Mizoram government not received any show cause notice for encroachment of its land?”

He further raised concerns about the absence of any notice regarding the deaths of police officers, stressing the importance of proper action against the encroachment as well as the claiming of lives of the officers.

The notice against Yadava comes after a probe revealed construction activities spanning 44 hectares of land at Damchera within the Hailakandi district of Assam, which has been designated as Inner Line Reserve Forest. Yadava is subject to penalties as per the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.

May 18, 2024 10:25 PM.

The Supreme Court Collegium has approved the proposal for appointment of two Additional Judges, namely Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund and Justice Mitali Thakuria as permanent Judges of the Gauhati High Court.

The Supreme Court Collegium also approved the proposal for the appointment of Mr Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Additional Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, for a fresh term of one year with effect from 29 July 2024.

The recommendation was made by Supreme Court Collegium comprising Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice BR Gavai.

May 13, 2024.

The vigilance and anti-corruption wing of the Assam government has seized cash amounting to more than Rs 79 lakh from the residence of a government employee after he was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe.

The cash was seized from the residence of Jayanta Goswami, an executive engineer with the Public Health and Engineering (PHE) department in the North Lakhimpur Circle, who has been arrested.

According to an official, Goswami demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a complainant for clearing pending bills. The vigilance and anti-corruption branch was duly informed and a trap was laid to apprehend Goswami.

The state government official was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe on Monday from Guwahati’s Hengrabari area. Following his arrest, the vigilance and anti-corruption wing searched Goswami’s residence in Guwahati which led to the recovery of cash amounting to Rs 79,87,500.

Updated, March 8, 2024. 1.44 PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a 2-day visit to Assam this afternoon. Tomorrow, Mr Modi will inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stones of several projects worth 18 thousand crore rupees from Jorhat virtually.  

The Prime Minister will arrive at Tezpur Airport in Sonitpur district around 4 pm today and will directly go to the UNESCO World Heritage site Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve by a special helicopter.

Mr. Modi will participate in a 16-km long road show from the temporary helipad at Panbari in Bokakhat en route to the Assam Police Guest House at Kohora range of the Kaziranga National Park. The ethnic communities of Assam will welcome the Prime Minister with 36 types of dances during the entire rally.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to stay the night at the National Park and tomorrow early morning, he will undertake a two-hour safari inside the park. Mr. Modi will also witness a line-up of draught elephants and the Park authority will treat the PM to a rendition of the famous popular folk song Hastir Kanya or Elephants Daughter. After that, the Prime Minister will leave for Arunachal Pradesh.

After attending programmes at Arunachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister will visit Jorhat at around 1.30 pm where he will inaugurate an 84-foot-high statue of legendary Ahom warrior Lachit Borphukan at Hollonga Pathar.

Mr. Modi will address a public meeting at Meleng Meteli Pothar in Jorhat and will virtually inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stones of several projects. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Tinsukia Medical College and Hospital, a Child Care Unit at B. Baruah Cancer Institute, Guwahati; Barauni to Guwahati natural gas pipeline and two crude oil pumping stations of Oil India Limited.

The Prime Minister will virtually lay the foundation stone of Sivasagar Medical College and Hospital; Guwahati and Digboi Refinery expansion projects including IOCL’s Bethkuchi Terminal in Guwahati.

Besides, Mr. Modi will dedicate to the nation the doubling of railway lines from Dhupdhara to Chaygaon and New Bongaigaon to Sarbhog.

In addition, Mr. Modi will also virtually perform the ‘Griha Pravesh’ ceremony for over 5 lakh 50 thousand homes constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.