Assam Police seized banned cough syrup worth ₹3.4 crore at the Churaibari check post on the Assam-Tripura border, arresting two persons from Kolkata. The haul included 30,420 bottles of codeine phosphate concealed in oil tins inside a vehicle coming from West Bengal and headed for Agartala. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma called it a “solid strike against the drug menace.” Police said the seizure is among the largest in recent times and investigations are underway to uncover the smuggling network.
Suzuki Motor Corporation will invest ₹70,000 crore in India over the next 5–6 years, announced at the launch of Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV, the e-Vitara, in Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the first export batch, marking a major step toward India’s green mobility push. The e-Vitara will be produced at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant and exported to over 100 countries. Suzuki also began local production of lithium-ion batteries in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s sustainable mobility vision.
The Ministry of DoNER has canceled four long-delayed infrastructure projects in Assam worth nearly ₹20 crore, citing lack of progress and poor execution. The state has been ordered to refund ₹7.68 crore to the Centre, with Dima Hasao district the worst hit as two crucial drinking water schemes were shelved. Projects scrapped include the Haflong Water Supply Scheme, the Greater Mahur Town Water Supply Scheme, the Demow-Dehing Road project, and the NH-31 to Kashimpur Suplekuchi road project. Officials said despite repeated extensions and fund releases, the initiatives showed negligible progress, reflecting accountability issues that continue to stall development in backward districts. Ironically, even as residents face cancellation of essential projects, a public hearing for a proposed coal mining project in Dima Hasao has been scheduled on September 23 by the Assam Pollution Control Board.
The Assam Rifles has renamed its National Integrity & Educational Development Organisation (NIEDO) centre at Zokhawsang, Mizoram, as the Bevela Centre of Excellence in honour of Rifleman Bevela Lushai, the first Mizo soldier to be posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra. The announcement was made on August 25 by Major General Suresh Kumar Bhambhu, IGAR (East), in the presence of Lushai’s family, veterans, and students. The centre, jointly run by Assam Rifles, NIEDO and Axis Bank, will continue to provide mentoring and coaching for competitive exams. The renaming coincided with Purr Day, commemorating Lushai’s bravery during the 1960 defence of Purr Post in Nagaland.
Mizoram police have arrested at least 460 foreign nationals, including 439 from Myanmar, over the past five years for offences ranging from drug and arms trafficking to visa violations and child sexual abuse, official data reveals. Arrests rose sharply after Myanmar’s 2021 coup, peaking at 124 in 2022. Drug-related crimes accounted for the majority, with 185 Myanmarese booked for narcotics smuggling.
Between 2020 and May 2025, police also seized narcotics worth more than ₹770 crore, including ₹211.63 crore in 2024 and ₹106.56 crore in just the first five months of 2025. Authorities warn that cross-border smuggling, primarily from Myanmar, remains a pressing security and law-and-order challenge for the state.
Of the 70 promotion files involving senior Bangladesh Army officers, only a handful were cleared last week by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus’s office, sources confirmed. Among the most significant outcomes was the abrupt retirement of Maj Gen Moin Khan, the influential Savar-based GOC of the 9th Infantry Division and a close confidant of Army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman. His removal, effective August 21, coincided with Zaman’s week-long visit to China.
At the same time, Brig Gens Nazim Ud Daula and Sajjad were elevated to the rank of Major General, with Nazim tipped to take over as GOC 11th Infantry Division in Bogura. Maj Gen S M Asadul Haque has been shifted from Bogura to Savar, replacing Moin Khan as GOC of the crucial 9th Infantry Division. Meanwhile, the proposed transfer of Maj Gen Abu Mohammad Sarwar Farid, current DG of NSI, to Ghatail’s 19th Infantry Division remains pending.
Sources noted that Maj Gen Nazim Ud Daula, now rising rapidly within the force, played a key operational role during the student-led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government and earlier was involved in pressuring ex-Chief Justice S K Sinha to leave the country.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday lashed out at rights activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed for her remark that “Bangladeshis can live here,” calling it an attempt to legitimise illegal infiltrators. In a post on X, Sarma alleged that such statements were aimed at “realising Jinnah’s dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan.” He warned that Assamese identity was under threat due to such tacit support and vowed, “We will fight till the last drop of our blood to save our State and our identity.”
The Chief Minister further asserted that “Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam,” adding that sympathisers of infiltrators could accommodate them in their “own backyards.” Sarma also highlighted findings of a state commission report, which revealed over 15,288 bighas of Vaishnavite Satra land across Assam had been encroached upon, with the highest encroachment recorded in Barpeta district.
In a major political development in Arunachal Pradesh, several prominent leaders from the BJP, AAP, and other social organizations joined the Indian National Congress on August 25 at the APCC Headquarters in Itanagar. Welcoming the new entrants, APCC President Bosiram Siram termed it a “historic and significant moment” for the party and reaffirmed Congress’ commitment to restoring democracy, transparency, and people-centric governance in the state. The induction of key figures, including former MLA and MP candidates, senior advocates, and grassroots leaders, has given the Congress renewed strength and momentum ahead of upcoming political battles.
A devastating fire broke out in the early hours at the boys’ hostel of Papikurung Government Residential School in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi-Yomi district, resulting in the death of a student and injuries to three others, police reported. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday. The injured—Lukhi Pujen (8), Tanu Pujen (9), and Tayi Pujen (11)—are being treated at Zonal General Hospital in Aalo, West Siang district. Authorities have yet to identify the deceased.
Superintendent of Police S.K. Thongdok stated that a police team has been dispatched to the remote village, which lies 17 km from Monigong and near the last Indian Army post at Tadadege, to investigate the cause of the blaze. Notably, the area lacks electricity, and officials are probing possible reasons behind the tragedy.
A buffalo in critical condition was found at a slaughterhouse in Majitar, Pakyong district, exposing serious lapses in animal welfare enforcement in Sikkim. The discovery, reported by People For Animals member Ramu Bishwakarma, revealed the animal had visible injuries, swelling, and severe damage to its legs. Veterinary teams confirmed multiple wounds but struggled to provide treatment due to the buffalo’s frail state and unhygienic conditions at the facility.
The case has raised questions over the implementation of the Sikkim Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 2017, which requires official authorisation and humane practices for slaughter. Activists have demanded stricter monitoring of transport routes and slaughterhouses, stressing that ignoring such suffering is both unethical and a violation of law.
Barak Bolchhe!
