Paddy harvesting will begin after a peace deal calms the Assam–Meghalaya border.

Border tensions between Pnar villagers of Lapangap in Meghalaya and Karbi villagers of Tahpat in Assam have eased after both sides reached a peace pact, enabling farmers to resume paddy harvesting. The agreement followed an October 20 meeting at Khanduli Border Outpost, jointly attended by officials from West Jaiñtia Hills and West Karbi Anglong districts. The talks were aimed at restoring calm after the October 8 clash that claimed one life. Both communities pledged to uphold peace, support investigations, and ensure unrestricted farming. Authorities called the truce a vital step toward rebuilding trust and maintaining stability along the Assam–Meghalaya border.

Truckers in Kolasib, Mizoram, declare a four-day strike due to the state of NH-306.

Truckers and commercial vehicle operators in Mizoram’s Kolasib district will observe a four-day strike from October 23 to protest the poor condition of National Highway-306, the state’s main route to Assam. The agitation, organized by the Mizoram Tipper Association and the Joint Action Committee of vehicle owners, will block key highway stretches between Sairang–Vairengte and Kolasib–Bairabi. Association leaders alleged that the roads, freshly repaired a few months ago, have again become dangerously damaged, causing frequent accidents. While government officials say repairs are underway, protesters have accused the NHIDCL of negligence and urged authorities to expedite the work before winter sets in.

Guwahati’s Diwali atmosphere is muted as the state laments Zubeen Garg.

This year, Diwali in Assam is marked by quieter markets and a restrained festive spirit as the state mourns the loss of beloved singer Zubeen Garg. Traditional preparations like purchasing banana plants, diyas, and bamboo sticks continue, but crowds are noticeably smaller and enthusiasm tempered by grief. Many festivities and Kali Puja events are dedicated to Garg’s memory, blending devotion with remembrance. High prices and a somber mood have led many to limit their purchases, with some avoiding firecrackers altogether. Amidst the soft glow of lamps and quiet rituals, the festival is a poignant tribute to one of Assam’s brightest cultural icons.

To safeguard elephants, NFR will install acoustic technology throughout the rail network.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is set to roll out an advanced acoustic-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) by April 2026 to prevent elephant fatalities caused by trains. The IDS uses optical fibre sensing to detect elephant movement near railway tracks, generating real-time alerts for train drivers and control rooms to take timely action. Trials of the system have been successfully completed on four important sections, covering 64.03 km of elephant corridors and 141 km of railway block sections. NFR plans to extend the system to cover the remaining 146.4 km of elephant corridors in its network. This initiative balances wildlife conservation with safe and efficient train operations in forested, elephant-inhabited zones, reaffirming NFR’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

This national-level project sets a benchmark for responsible railway operations in biodiversity-rich areas. It integrates technology with conservation to ensure passenger safety while protecting elephants from train collisions.

This Diwali, Ayodhya Deepotsav breaks two Guinness World Records.

Ayodhya’s Deepotsav 2025 unfolded with record-breaking splendour, lighting up the Saryu River with 26.17 lakh earthen lamps and a synchronised aarti by 2,128 devotees, earning two Guinness World Records. The sacred celebration reaffirmed Ayodhya’s global recognition as a spiritual epicentre and a showcase of India’s cultural heritage.

Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar hailed the event as a moment of national pride, calling it a symbol of continuity and devotion. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who presided over the festivities, emphasised Ayodhya’s cultural renaissance since 2017 and drew a contrast between current development efforts and past political neglect.

Political undertones were evident as Rajbhar criticised opposition leaders, accusing them of “disregarding Lord Ram,” while dismissing Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks as politically motivated. Yadav, in turn, pointed to Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya’s omission from official Diwali promotions, fuelling speculation of internal rifts.

Despite the exchanges, the grand spectacle of diyas, chants, and synchronised devotion on the Saryu ghats captured national and global attention — a striking blend of faith, festivity, and political symbolism.

Assam: Cachar captures another “fake doctor”.

Assam Police arrested Bipul Chandra Nath in Cachar district on Monday for allegedly posing as a doctor under the name “Dr. B.C. Nath,” despite only having matriculation-level education. Acting on a tip-off, police raided the Ambicapatty area in Silchar, seizing forged medical documents, including a fake MBBS certificate.

Cachar SSP Numal Mahatta confirmed that the accused had been deceiving patients for years using fabricated credentials. A case (No. 978/25) has been registered at Silchar Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

With this arrest, the number of fake doctors caught in Cachar has reached 13, while at least 22 imposters have been apprehended across Assam in recent months under a joint operation by the State Health Department and police. Authorities have intensified verification drives at clinics and hospitals, warning that the campaign against quackery will continue with strict legal action.

SIT team likely to leave for Singapore today to probe Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore in Assam.

A two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Assam, led by Special DGP (CID) and SIT Chief Munna Prasad Gupta along with Investigating Officer Tarun Goel, departed for Singapore to follow crucial leads in the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death.

The visit marks the SIT’s first overseas operation since the probe began, emphasizing the case’s cross-border significance. During their stay, the team will coordinate with Singapore Police, inspect places visited by the late singer, track financial and digital trails, collect CCTV and documentary evidence, and meet individuals who had direct or indirect contact with him.

Investigators acknowledged that 10 Assamese expatriates in Singapore had earlier provided valuable input, helping trace Zubeen’s last interactions abroad. The SIT aims to reconstruct his activities and verify the sequence of events during his trip.

Growing public demand for transparency continues in Assam, with fans urging justice and accountability. The SIT will submit a detailed report to the state government after completing its international mission.

In Mizoram, Assam Rifles confiscate areca nuts and poppy seeds that were smuggled in from Myanmar.

Assam Rifles recovered a major consignment of smuggled goods valued at about ₹1 crore during a targeted search operation near the Myanmar border. The raid in the Farlui Road area of Ruantlang, Champhai district, led to the seizure of 90 bags of poppy seeds and 120 bags of areca nuts, allegedly trafficked from Myanmar.

Officials handed the contraband to the Customs Preventive Force, Champhai, for investigation. A defence spokesperson stated that the operation reflects the border force’s zero-tolerance stance against illegal trade.

Authorities say poppy cultivation fuels opium trafficking, with one kilogram fetching ₹4–5 lakh on the black market. Smuggling of Burmese areca nuts has similarly harmed local growers in Assam and Tripura, triggering multiple protests.

Champhai and neighboring border districts share a 510 km frontier with Myanmar’s Chin State, known for cross-border trafficking. Assam and Manipur security forces frequently destroy illegal poppy fields under the “War on Drugs” campaign. Officials have also connected Manipur’s ethnic unrest to illegal immigrants involved in poppy farming. Myanmar’s 1,643 km unfenced border with Northeast India remains a conduit for narcotics like heroin and methamphetamine.

Sribhumi dedicates the stage to Zubeen Garg and celebrates Kali Puja with a pandal with the theme “Operation Sindoor.” in Assam.

The vibrant Kali Puja celebrations in Sribhumi have taken on a patriotic hue this year, as Raktimab Club unveiled an “Operation Sindoor”–themed pandal honoring India’s military valor and unity. Dedicated to late Assamese music legend Zubeen Garg, the 28th annual celebration—led by MLA Kamalakshya Dey Purkayastha—beautifully blends devotion, national pride, and cultural tribute, drawing admiration from visitors and dignitaries alike.

False Allegations Against Ashish Raha During PMAY Geo-Tagging Spark Strong Public Backlash.

During ongoing geo-tagging work under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Borjalenga, Ashish Raha became the target of politically motivated false allegations reportedly initiated by Jitendra Shuklabaidya, husband of the elected Ward No. 7 member of the 45 No. Borjalenga Gaon Panchayat. The accusations, circulated through certain media channels, sparked strong community backlash. Residents of Ward No. 7 issued a public statement condemning the claims as baseless and reaffirming their support for Raha’s integrity.

A solidarity meeting held on October 18 at Yogirbond village brought together key local figures including Dharmendra Tiwari (District Council Member), Ajay Dev (President, BJP Borjalenga Mandal), Partha Sen (Vice President), Bunty Raha (Gaon Panchayat President), and Binandan Rabidas. Speakers warned that such falsehoods damage the image of honest workers and disrupt rural development efforts. The gathering reflected a collective defense of transparency and truth in the implementation of government welfare schemes.