In Dibrugarh, Assam, OIL finds hydrocarbons: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma.

Oil India Limited (OIL) has discovered hydrocarbons in the Namrup Borhat-1 well located in Assam’s Dibrugarh district, marking a significant milestone for the state. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the discovery as a “proud moment” and a major step toward energy security and economic resilience. Notably, the Assam government holds a significant stake in the well, making it the first state government in India to become a direct oil producer. The discovery is expected to boost revenue generation, enhance royalty earnings, support successful exploration efforts, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s national energy security.

In Assam, a new species of day gecko named after Brahmaputra was found.

A new species of diurnal gecko, Cnemaspis brahmaputra, has been discovered on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, near the historic Dirgheswari Temple. Unlike most geckos in the region, this species is active during the day and is only the second of its kind recorded in Northeast India. Published in the journal Taprobanica, the discovery highlights a significant biogeographic link between Sri Lanka and Northeast India. Named after the Brahmaputra River for its ecological significance, the species is genetically distinct from its Sri Lankan relatives and adds to Assam’s rich biodiversity.

Assam: Farmers and cattle in Mechagarh are impacted by ONGC pipeline leaks

Weeks after capping a gas blowout at its Rudrasagar oilfield, ONGC is now facing fresh backlash as crude oil leaks from its pipelines have contaminated vast stretches of farmland and water bodies in Assam’s Sivasagar district. Bursting of pipelines in Mechagarh has affected hundreds of bighas of agricultural land, threatened livestock health, and damaged local fish habitats. Residents allege that such incidents have become routine, with poor pipeline maintenance and little to no compensation from the energy major. Local farmers fear major crop losses this growing season due to the continued spread of crude oil across paddy fields.

Assam: Pakistani hackers compromised the remote login system of Gauhati University Library.

The website of Gauhati University’s Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library was hacked on Sunday night by suspected Pakistan-based hackers, disrupting student access to vital e-resources. The attackers defaced the site with pro-Pakistan and anti-India messages, including slogans about Kashmir. University officials detected the breach early Monday and quickly worked to restore control, coordinating with the Indian Access Management Federation to secure the system. While access to the library’s digital resources has been restored, the incident has raised serious concerns among students, who are calling for stronger cybersecurity measures. University authorities have yet to issue a detailed official statement.

To improve access in the isolated Northeast, a passport Seva mobile van was flagged off in Guwahati.

In a move to improve passport service accessibility in remote and rural areas of Northeast India, the Ministry of External Affairs launched the Passport Seva Mobile Van service in Guwahati as part of its “Passport Seva Aapke Dwar” programme. Inaugurated by Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer, the mobile van will enable residents in far-flung regions under the Guwahati Regional Passport Office to complete the entire passport application process without traveling to distant Passport Seva Kendras. This initiative aims to strengthen last-mile delivery of citizen services and promote inclusive, citizen-friendly governance. Dr. Srinivasa highlighted that similar vans have been allocated to each of the 37 Regional Passport Offices nationwide, with plans for further expansion.

A man was detained in Assam for posting offensive videos of his wife on social media.

A 28-year-old man, Zakir Hussain, has been arrested in the Bajarisora Police Station area of Sribhumi district for allegedly recording and circulating objectionable photos and videos of his wife on social media without her consent. According to police, Hussain secretly filmed intimate moments and later shared the content via Facebook and WhatsApp, leading to its rapid spread online.

The victim discovered the breach of her privacy and dignity and promptly filed a complaint with local authorities. Police acted swiftly, arresting Hussain and seizing the mobile phone used in the crime. He was subsequently produced before the local court and remanded to district jail.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with community members expressing outrage over the violation of trust within a marital relationship. Authorities have reiterated the importance of digital privacy and warned of strict action against those misusing social media for exploitative or defamatory purposes.

Himanta Biswa Sharma claims that the Assam police had nothing to do with the reported drone strike on the ULFA(I) camp.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, July 13, clarified that the state government has received no official communication confirming reports of a drone strike on a United Liberation Front of Asom–Independent (ULFA-I) camp. Addressing media queries, Sarma emphasized that Assam Police had no involvement in the alleged incident, which ULFA(I) claims killed several top leaders during a funeral gathering. “There has been no strike from the soil of Assam,” the Chief Minister stated, adding that further clarity would come from the Indian Army if such an operation had taken place. As of now, neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Indian Army has issued any official statement regarding the purported attack, while ULFA(I) has threatened retaliation and accused Indian security forces of responsibility. The situation remains under close watch, with authorities awaiting further information through official channels.

A man from Assam was arrested for disseminating lady pornographic material created by AI.

A man was arrested in Assam’s Tinsukia district for allegedly creating and distributing morphed images and AI-generated pornographic videos of a woman on social media to defame her. The victim lodged a complaint after explicit doctored content, falsely linking her to the adult film industry, went viral. Police investigations revealed the accused, a mechanical engineer and former acquaintance, used AI tools to generate the content and monetized it through a paid subscription service, earning around ₹10 lakh. Multiple digital devices were seized during the arrest, and the case is under multi-agency investigation. Authorities have urged the public to verify content authenticity before sharing online.

Ahead of Independence Day, weapons were found at the Guwahati railway station.

In a major security breakthrough ahead of Independence Day, the Government Railway Police (GRP) seized three 7.65 mm pistols and six magazines from a youth at Guwahati’s Paltan Bazar Railway Station. The accused, Gullo Kumar of Bihar, was arrested while attempting to smuggle the weapons into the city. The recovery has raised serious security concerns, with investigations underway to uncover a possible larger network behind the arms smuggling. Authorities have praised the GRP’s swift action in averting a potential threat during this sensitive period.

On National Fish Farmers’ Day, Meghalaya’s Nobin Arengh received the “Best Fish Farmer Award.”

Nobin Arengh from Monabari village in Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills has been awarded the ‘Best Fish Farmer Award’ at the National Fish Farmers’ Day celebrations in Tripura. Recognized for his innovative and sustainable fish farming practices—including integrated fish-duck farming—Arengh’s venture, launched in 2016 with government and bank support, now yields up to 2 metric tonnes of fish annually and generates Rs 3–4 lakh in gross earnings. His success has set a benchmark for aquaculture in the region and inspired neighboring farmers to pursue similar ventures.