A Royal Bengal tiger was brutally killed by a mob of around 1,000 villagers in Golaghat, Assam, following claims that it had attacked livestock and a local resident. Three individuals have been arrested, with authorities launching an investigation into the incident. The tiger’s body was recovered, but some parts were taken before officials arrived. This marks Assam’s third tiger death this year, raising concerns about human-wildlife conflict and conservation efforts in the region.
Topcem Cement, in collaboration with Mission Smile, has launched its 8th ‘Free Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery’ camp in Guwahati, providing life-changing surgeries for 25 children from Assam. The initiative, hosted at Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital, ensures free consultations, surgeries, and comprehensive post-operative care. Since 2018, Topcem Cement has supported over 165 surgeries, reaffirming its commitment to social impact. Mission Smile, with over 25,000 surgeries facilitated in the past decade, continues to work closely with the governments of Assam and Meghalaya to provide essential cleft care.
Indian Oil’s Banipur depot in Dibrugarh, Assam, faced allegations of selling contaminated fuel after multiple vehicles broke down on Tuesday night. The incident left motorists stranded, prompting authorities to suspend fuel sales. Repairs and water drainage efforts are underway, while local residents expressed frustration over the negligence. Dibrugarh Police arrived to assess the situation.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a high-level review meeting with the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC) to assess the progress of ongoing development projects in the city. Addressing the meeting, Sonowal underscored the importance of transforming the historic Upper Assam town into a modern, well-planned, and visually vibrant urban centre.”
The Centre has announced an additional ₹1,000 crore investment in Inland Waterways projects across Assam and the Northeast by 2026, aiming to boost cargo movement, passenger connectivity, and economic growth. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed ongoing projects with officials from key agencies, emphasizing advanced maritime skill development to align with industry needs. Major infrastructure upgrades are planned for NW2 (Brahmaputra) and NW16 (Barak), alongside feasibility studies for water transport projects in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.
The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has raised concerns over severe dust pollution caused by highway construction in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Despite directives from the Deputy Commissioner, the contractor failed to implement dust control measures, prompting a meeting between JNC leaders and the site engineer. Following discussions, the engineer committed to watering roads twice daily. The JNC vowed to monitor compliance and warned of further action if pollution persists.
Dr. Vinay Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) in Assam, inaugurated the 4th Residential Orang Nature Camp, 2025, at Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve. The four-day camp aims to educate 32 students from six local high schools about biodiversity conservation. Organized by Aaranyak and supported by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), the program includes classroom sessions, expert-led discussions, and outdoor activities like safaris. Conservation leaders emphasized the camp’s role in inspiring the next generation to protect Assam’s rich wildlife heritage.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the commencement of projects worth over ₹60,000 crore following the Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, which attracted investment proposals totaling ₹5.18 lakh crore. Speaking at a MoU signing event for 20 new projects valued at ₹22,900 crore, Sarma emphasized that the state aims to secure ₹1.5 lakh crore in actual investments within the first year post-summit. Major infrastructure initiatives—including the Guwahati Ring Road and the Guwahati-Silchar Expressway—are underway, alongside ventures in waste management, renewable energy, and agro-industries. Highlighting Assam’s investment-friendly environment, Sarma stressed inclusive development, employment generation, and the integration of indigenous practices with modern innovation.
The reopening of two key India-Bangladesh border haats in Meghalaya remains stalled, with the Government of Bangladesh yet to grant clearance nearly ten months after their closure. Located at Balat and Kalaichar, these haats have served as vital economic lifelines for border communities since their inception in 2012. Their continued suspension has disrupted traditional cross-border trade and affected hundreds of local vendors who rely on the duty-free micro-markets for daily sustenance. Despite repeated communications from Indian authorities, the situation remains unresolved, highlighting the broader need for renewed grassroots-level cooperation between the two nations.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that investment proposals worth ₹23,000 crore under Advantage Assam 2.0 have progressed to the execution stage, promising 6,000 new employment opportunities. During a high-level investment conclave in Guwahati, over 20 MoUs were signed, marking a major push for industrialization. Assam has signed investment deals amounting to ₹5.18 lakh crore, with large-scale infrastructure projects, including the Guwahati Ring Road and the Narengi-Kuruwa bridge, set to commence. The ₹23,000 crore Guwahati-Silchar Express Highway project has also received cabinet approval. Notable investors include Hinduja Renewables Energy Pvt. Ltd. (₹14,000 crore) and NEEPCO (₹2,400 crore). CM Sarma emphasized the need to create dignified employment within the state, reversing youth out-migration.
Barak Bolchhe!
