Updated, Jan. 20, 2024. 8.15 PM.

Almost all disputes and conflicts ended in Assam with the signing of several accords and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is working for a vibrant Northeast, said, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister Amit Shah while launching the book ‘”Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan” written by Arup Kumar Dutta at the Srimanta Sankardeva International Auditorium in Guwahati in presence of Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Addressing at the book launch programme on Saturday, the Union Minister said that the Prime Minister believes in inclusiveness and is working for the welfare of all communities in the northeastern states. He said that multilingualism is a strength for our country rather than weakness.

Mr. Shah said that Lachit Barphukan is not just an icon for Assam alone, he is a national hero and all Indians must know his greatness and valour. We must give him due respect and there should be books on him in all the libraries of our country.

The Minister lauded the effort of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the effort to promote and give proper due to Lachit Barphukan.

The book “Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan” has been published by the State government in English language and translated in 24 Scheduled Indian languages.

Earlier today, Mr Shah attended the 60th Raising Day of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) at Salonibari in Sonitpur district and the passing out parade of 2551 Assam police commandos at Sarusajai Stadium at Guwahati. Later in the day, Mr. Shah will inaugurate the completed part of the Brahmaputra Riverfront in the city before departing for New Delhi.

In a resolute move to curb support for banned militant organizations, Assam’s Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh has issued a stern warning, emphasizing the legal consequences for those endorsing or joining such groups. The message, conveyed in Assamese via the social media platform X, cautions the public to be mindful of their expressions on social media concerning these outlawed outfits.

DGP GP Singh minced no words, declaring, “Anyone willing to join or support any terrorist group banned by the government will be arrested and prosecuted according to law. Please be careful about what you write about banned organizations on social media.” This statement reflects a proactive approach to preemptively address potential threats to the state’s security. This strong stance by the Assam DGP follows a highly publicized exchange with Paresh Barua, the commander-in-chief of the United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I). In a bold challenge, Barua had urged DGP GP Singh to navigate Guwahati without security for a week. Singh’s response has been to reinforce the government’s commitment to safeguarding residents and maintaining constitutional norms, reiterating the police force’s dedication to upholding law and order.

The friction between DGP GP Singh and ULFA-I escalated when Singh openly dared the banned militant outfit to target him if he posed a threat. The subsequent warning to the public appears to be a strategic move to thwart any potential surge in support or recruitment for such organizations in the aftermath of these confrontations. In emphasizing the adherence to legal procedures, DGP GP Singh aims to quell any notion of impunity associated with supporting banned militant groups. The explicit caution regarding social media underscores the increasing role of online platforms in shaping public opinion and potential recruitment grounds for extremist ideologies.

As Assam navigates these challenges, the DGP’s message underscores the delicate balance between maintaining public safety and respecting constitutional principles. The proactive stance against potential threats from banned militant groups showcases the state’s commitment to preemptive measures, even as it operates within the framework of the law.

An earthquake of magnitude 3.5 on the Richter Scale hit Assam’s Guwahati on Thursday morning, according to the National Center for Seismology.

According to the data shared by the NCS, the tremors were felt in the region at 5.42 am on Thursday.

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The epicentre was deemed at a latitude of 26.63 and a longitude of 92.08, the NCS informed, adding that the tremors struck at a depth of 5 km.

“Earthquake of Magnitude:3.5, Occurred on 07-12-2023, 05:42:58 IST, Lat: 26.63 & Long: 92.08, Depth: 5 Km, Location: 63km NNE of Guwahati, Assam, India,” read a post on the official X handle of the NCS.

The state government declared a Literary Pension for the year 2023-2024. A total of 23 litterateurs from Assam are shortlisted for the literary award.

The shortlisted litterateurs are: Sahitya Akademi Award winner Sitaram Basumatary of Baksa district, senior Bengali author from Cachar District Jaya Deb, senior Bishnupuriya author from Cachar District Champa Lal Sinha, author and history writer from Dhemaji District Bagen Gogoi, senior author of Dimasa Language from Dima Hasao district Anupama Naiding, Author and researcher from Goalpara district, Dr. Paritosh Chakkravorty, author and researcher from Goalpara Dr. Malina Rabha, author of mythology from Golaghat district; Jhoola Sharma, noted poet from Golaghat district; Cheniram Gogoi, author of mythology and Ramayani Sahitya from Jorhat district Dr. Malini, senior writer from Jorhat district Dr. Akon Chandra Saikia, senior author from Jorhat district Binanda Chandra Puzari, senior writer from Kamrup (M) Railakshmi Khound, veteran writer and translator from Kamrup (M) Anil Kumar Boruah, Prakashan Parishad Sahitya Bota winner from Kamrup (M) Dr Nandita Devi, Sahitya Akademi Award winner from Kamrup (M) Jayanta Madhab Bora, noted Bengali writer from Kamrup (M) Renuka Biswas, Sahitya Akademy award winner from Kokrajhar district Pratima Nandi Narzaree, noted poet from tea garden community from Sibsagar Bijoy Rabi Das, children litterateur from Sonitpur District Dilip Kumar Bara, noted Nepali writer and author from Sonitpur district Gyan Bahadur Kshetri, senior poet from Kamrup (M) Sumitra Goswami, writer and educationist from Dibrugarh district Mohan Sonowal.

The Supreme Court recently sought data on the beneficiaries of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act in Assam, saying there was no material before it which could indicate that the effect of granting Indian citizenship to Bangladeshi immigrants between 1966 and 1971 was so great that it impacted the demographic and cultural identity of the border state.

While acknowledging the problem of cross-border infiltration in Assam, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud referred to the humanitarian aspect of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war for the liberation of Bangladesh which also led to the influx of immigrants.

The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant, M M Sundresh, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, commenced hearing 17 petitions to examine the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act relating to illegal immigrants in Assam.

Section 6A was inserted in the Citizenship Act as a special provision to deal with the citizenship of people covered under the Assam Accord.

It says those who came to Assam on or after January 1, 1966, but before March 25, 1971, from specified territories, including Bangladesh, in accordance with the Citizenship Act amended in 1985, and since then are residents of the northeastern state, must register themselves under Section 18 for acquiring Indian citizenship.

As a result, the provision fixes March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for granting citizenship to Bangladeshi migrants in Assam.

”But to test your argument there is no material before us to indicate that the impact of granting certain benefits to citizens who came in between 1966-71 was so grave that the demographic and cultural identity of the state was affected by those five years,” the bench told senior advocate Shyam Divan who said the socio-cultural, economic and other rights of the indigenous people are getting affected due to the influx and the special provision.

Anil Baruah, a veteran journalist and former editor of Dainik Asom, breathed his last on Tuesday at the age of 84.

According to sources, Baruah had been admitted to a private hospital in Guwahati on Monday night due to some age-related ailments and was declared dead around 6.50 pm on Tuesday. Born in 1939, the veteran journalist is a recipient of several honorary awards including the Republic Day Journalism Award instituted by the State Government.

Baruah joined the regional newspaper in 1966 and retired as the Editor of the newspaper in 2001. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the death of the journalist saying it is an irreparable loss to the media and social sector of the state. “I am saddened to hear of the passing away of prominent journalist, editor and writer Anil Baruah The death of Mr Baruah, who was known as a socially conscious and brave journalist, is an irreparable loss to the media and social sector of the state I pray to God for the eternal peace of the departed soul of the veteran journalist and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” the chief minister posted on X.