CPI(ML) leader Balindra Saikia condemned Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi for barring women journalists from a New Delhi press conference, calling it deeply disrespectful and criticizing the Indian government for permitting such discrimination. He urged a strong stance against these practices to uphold gender equality in official and media interactions.
The Bangladesh Army arrested 14 officers following an International Crimes Tribunal order issued on October 8 and placed them in the “log area” pending police custody. Despite internal dissent, the army complied with the order, while a press briefing revealed that Major General Kabir Ahmed had reportedly escaped, with his location still unknown.
A Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) delegation met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati to discuss building a Sri Venkateswara Swami temple, with the state government allotting 15 acres of land for the project. TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu said the initiative is part of a plan to establish temples of Lord Venkateswara in every Indian state and eventually abroad.
Since the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 13, Aizawl district police have issued 4,064 Inner Line Permits (ILPs) to visitors from four counters at Sairang railway station. At a review meeting chaired by Home Minister K Sapdanga, officials noted additional personnel were deployed to manage the ILP counters and discussed improving verification systems. In Kolasib district, 14 policemen have been assigned to railway stations where 38 ILPs were issued, with authorities reporting a 30–40% drop in ILPs at the Vairengte check-gate and fewer maxicabs operating between Mizoram and neighbouring states.
The Arunachal Pradesh government has approved a 3% hike in dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR), raising them from 55% to 58% for state employees, pensioners, and AIS officers, effective July 1, 2025. Chief Minister Pema Khandu said arrears for July to September will be paid in cash and the revised rate will appear in October salaries and pensions. He stated that the move underlines the government’s commitment to employee welfare. This is the second DA/DR enhancement in 2025, following a May increase from 53% to 55%. The Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) welcomed the decision, saying it will benefit more than 75,000 employees and pensioners and motivate them toward greater productivity and state development.
Since the inauguration of the Bairabi–Sairang railway line on September 13, Mizoram has issued at least 4,102 Inner Line Permits (ILPs) to visitors arriving at various railway stations, with 4,064 issued at Sairang station alone. Police officials reported a 30–40% decline in ILP issuance at the Vairengte check-gate and a similar reduction in maxicab services connecting Mizoram with neighbouring states, following the railway’s launch. The ILP, mandated under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, is required for entry into protected areas like Mizoram. The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, the state’s apex student body, raised concerns over visitors bypassing ILP requirements and called for enhanced enforcement at railway stations to address illegal entry and smuggling, particularly of alcohol, in the dry state. The railway line, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati’s Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (MFSDS&AI) celebrated a milestone with the graduation of its first BTech batch in Data Science and AI (2021–2025). Launched in 2021 in collaboration with the Mehta Family Foundation, the programme is one of the IIT system’s first dedicated undergraduate courses in this field. The inaugural batch, trained across math, computer science, and AI specialties, saw 91% placement, with offers from top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Warner Bros Discovery. Students engaged in advanced projects, some published or under review, and participated in national competitions. The School, supported by esteemed faculty and international advisors, offers multiple degree programs and aims to grow as a leading centre for AI research and education.The Government of Assam has ordered an independent inquiry into allegations against Tezpur University’s Vice Chancellor, following escalating campus tensions. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, acting as Chancellor, formed a three-member Fact Finding Committee chaired by Prof Devendra Jalihal of IIT Guwahati, with Prof Jiten Hazarika of Dibrugarh University and IAS officer Narayan Konwar as members. Tasked with meeting stakeholders, reviewing records, and recommending preventive measures, the panel must submit its report within seven days. The committee may consult legal, financial, or audit experts, with costs borne by the university. Findings are expected to influence the institution’s governance and leadership reforms.
The Election Commission of India is set to conduct a phased special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, starting with states holding assembly elections in 2026, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. The exercise aims to update voter lists by adding eligible voters, removing duplicates, and verifying birthplaces to exclude illegal foreign migrants. States with ongoing local body elections are excluded to avoid overburdening poll machinery. Bihar has completed its revision with over 7.42 crore names published. The move strengthens electoral integrity ahead of upcoming polls, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar confirming final rollout plans will be decided soon.
Political dynamics in Bangladesh are undergoing subtle but significant changes, as seen in recent diplomatic engagements and rising dissent against Muhammad Yunus’s regime. The visit of the Norwegian, Danish, and Dutch ambassadors to Saber Hossain Chowdhury, a prominent Awami League politician, signals shifting international attention and concern over the country’s governance. Meanwhile, growing disillusionment is evident within the Yunus administration and its allies, with some reportedly seeking safe exit strategies amid mounting failures and contradictions.
A violent clash over disputed paddy lands broke out near Assam’s Tapat village on Thursday, with one man killed and another injured, following tensions between villagers from Assam and Meghalaya. Police intervened with tear gas to prevent escalation, as officials reported that local unrest over ownership of the farmland had persisted for over a week. Senior authorities have reinforced security, and peace committee directives temporarily halted activities in the contested zone. The situation remains tense but is currently described as under control by police.
Barak Bolchhe!
