Amid an increase in extortion and intimidation cases, the Assam chief minister suggests that Veer Lachit Sena groups like ULFA-I may be banned.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Monday, October 27, issued a stern warning against the Veer Lachit Sena, saying that the state government is considering strict action, including a possible ban, against the organisation accused of intimidation and extortion. Addressing the media in Guwahati, Sharma said the group has been disrupting peace under the guise of cultural activities and donation drives, adding that the administration will not hesitate to act if necessary. His remarks came after a kidnapping case in Guwahati reportedly linked to individuals associated with the group, prompting intensified surveillance and law enforcement action across the state.

A woman was discovered dead in a Guwahati flat amid claims of drug abuse and a romantic triangle.

Police in Guwahati have launched an in-depth probe following the recovery of Riya Rajbongshi’s body from a rented house in Hatigaon’s Lakhimi Nagar on October 24. The accused, Rohan Kashyap alias Nayan Das, who had been in a live-in relationship with tenant Banjita Rabha, was arrested after initially absconding. Police seized drugs, containers, and ₹1.5 lakh in cash from the scene. Das claimed the victim died of a drug overdose, though investigators are probing possible trafficking links and foul play. He later led police to Maa Kamakhya Hotel in Ulubari, where two mobile phones and 13 grams of suspected brown sugar were recovered. Both accused remain under interrogation as the investigation continues.

Twenty-four hours ago Prof. Chandan Goswami has been appointed as the Registrar-in-Charge of Tezpur University, replacing Hridoy Saikia.

Just a day after Hridoy Saikia was appointed Registrar In-Charge following Prof. Pritam Deb’s resignation, Tezpur University reassigned Prof. Chandan Goswami from the Department of Business Administration to the same position. The order, issued by Vice-Chancellor i/c Prof. Shambhunath Singh on October 15, 2025, entrusts Prof. Goswami with Registrar In-Charge responsibilities until further notice. These back-to-back appointments, including Saikia’s brief tenure, reflect the university’s commitment to maintaining smooth governance during transitions in its senior administration

Near Dehing Patkai National Park, a rare white-cheeked partridge was saved in Assam.

A near-threatened White-Cheeked Partridge was rescued from Lakhipathar Reserve Forest near Dehing Patkai National Park in Upper Assam, after local villagers and environmental workers, coordinated by activist Kalpa J. Sonowal, identified and safely returned the bird to its habitat. The species, rare in human-influenced areas, faces ongoing risks from habitat loss. This rescue is hailed as a small but meaningful success in the community’s ongoing conservation efforts to protect the region’s biodiversity.

Death of Zubeen Garg: Assam police SIT returns to Guwahati after concluding its investigation in Singapore.

“A two-member team from the Assam Police, led by CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta and Titabor Co-District SP Tarun Goel, returned to Guwahati after completing an extensive probe in Singapore into the mysterious death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The team, part of a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), visited key locations including the site of Garg’s reported drowning and held discussions with witnesses and others involved. They collaborated with Singaporean authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to share information.

Singapore Police have so far found no evidence of foul play, but their investigation may take up to three months. The SIT expects to receive vital evidence such as CCTV footage and witness statements from Singapore within 10 days. Several individuals including festival organizers, Garg’s manager, band members, and relatives have been arrested on charges including murder and criminal conspiracy. The investigation continues as Assam awaits clarity on the tragic death of its beloved cultural icon.”​

Tribes, tea tribes, Morans, and Motoks are excluded from the two-child rule, according to the Assam Cabinet.

“The Assam government on Thursday decided to exempt tribals, tea tribes, Morans, and Motoks from the two-child norm for government jobs. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decision was taken to keep these communities outside population control measures and safeguard them from the risk of extinction. ‘The cabinet decided to exempt members of the tea tribes, Morans, Motok and Scheduled Tribes from the provision of restricting the number of children to two under the population policy. If we stick to the policy, these populations will lose their distinct identities and gradually become extinct in the next 50 years,’ he said.

The Moran community’s population is currently estimated at around 1 lakh. Social scientists advised relaxing the two-child norm for these micro-communities, or else they may not survive. The two-child policy, which came into effect in January 2021 under the Assam Public Services Rules, 2019, will continue to apply to other communities.

This move aims to preserve the cultural identities and survival of vulnerable indigenous groups while balancing population control for the wider population.”​

A suspect in the Kokrajhar IED blast has been confirmed by the Assam chief minister.

Train services in Assam’s Kokrajhar district were disrupted after an IED blast damaged a railway track late Wednesday night. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed authorities have identified a suspect, who faces multiple criminal cases in Assam and Jharkhand, and will be apprehended soon. The timely alert from a loco pilot helped avert a major accident. Following the blast, security measures have been intensified, with enhanced patrolling and coordination among police and central forces. Officials are investigating whether the incident was targeted sabotage or part of a wider plan.

IED blast on railway track halts train services in Assam.

Train services in Lower Assam and parts of North Bengal were disrupted for several hours after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a railway track in Kokrajhar district just after midnight on Thursday. The blast, which occurred about five kilometres from Kokrajhar railway station on the line towards Salakati, damaged nearly three feet of track and scattered fragments in the area. No casualties or derailments were reported. Repairs were completed quickly and services resumed after thorough inspections by railway and security personnel. An investigation has been launched, and security has been stepped up along the route.

Hours after a possible track explosion in Kokrajhar, train services were resumed in Assam.

Train operations under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) were temporarily halted early Thursday, October 23, following a suspected explosion on the tracks between Salakati and Kokrajhar stations in Assam’s Kokrajhar district.

According to Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer, a goods train crew heard a loud noise around 1 a.m. and stopped to inspect the line, discovering track and sleeper damage consistent with a possible explosion. The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and state police were immediately alerted.

Emergency repair teams restored the damaged section by 5:25 a.m., and train movement resumed safely. Around eight trains were delayed by one to two hours as precautionary measures were implemented. Patrols and surveillance were intensified, with additional RPF and engineering personnel deployed across vulnerable areas.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast, treating it as a potential security threat while ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols.

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.