Assam: Axom Nagarik Samaj accuses corporate land acquisition and denounces govtment evictions.

The Axom Nagarik Samaj has strongly condemned recent government eviction drives in Assam’s Dhubri and Goalpara districts, alleging a conspiracy to facilitate land grabs for multinational corporations under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s leadership. In a press release, the organization accused the government of systematically alienating land from ordinary citizens and handing it over to corporate groups, including Adani and Ambani, for major projects. Highlighting examples such as the Barduar satellite town and solar and thermal power projects, the Samaj said the evictions disproportionately harm indigenous, tribal, and immigrant communities who often lack formal land rights. The statement urged the government to prioritize granting land rights to local farmers and condemned ongoing policies that, according to the organization, benefit large corporations at the expense of Assam’s vulnerable populations.

Two are detained by the NIA in an Assam IED conspiracy connected to ULFA(I).

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two individuals, Bhargob Gogoi and Sumu Gogoi, from Assam’s Dibrugarh district in connection with a plot by the banned militant group ULFA (Independent) to carry out a series of IED blasts across Assam during last year’s Independence Day celebrations. According to officials, the accused were directly involved in the conspiracy to plant explosives aimed at spreading fear and destabilizing the region. The arrests bring the total number of suspects held in the case to three. The NIA, which took over the investigation from Dispur Police in September 2023, continues to probe what it describes as a terror conspiracy aimed at disrupting peace and threatening national security.

In the follow-up to a forest eviction in Assam’s Goalpara, violence breaks out, resulting in one death.

Tensions erupted in Assam’s Goalpara district after evicted settlers clashed with security personnel during efforts to prevent re-encroachment in the Paikan Reserve Forest. The violence began when a joint team of forest officials and police resumed work to dig a channel, leading to an attack by former settlers wielding sticks and stones. Security forces opened fire in response, resulting in one death and multiple injuries on both sides. The incident underscores ongoing conflicts over forest land evictions in the region, with authorities vowing to continue their efforts to protect the area.

Assam: To guarantee error-free voter rolls, Barpeta provides thorough BLO training.

A comprehensive two-day training programme for 1,094 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 103 Supervisors was conducted across Barpeta district’s Legislative Assembly Constituencies under the Election Commission of India’s directives. Led by senior election officials, the sessions focused on improving electoral roll management and adherence to updated procedures to ensure accurate and inclusive voter lists ahead of forthcoming elections. ADC (Election) Moushumi Chetia emphasized the critical role of this training in maintaining error-free electoral rolls and facilitating a transparent election process.

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.