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.

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.

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.

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.