In a major crackdown on the alleged violation of the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, nearly 200 people have been arrested and over 1.7 tonnes of suspected beef seized from across the state, Assam Police officials confirmed on Wednesday
Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, received a six-month term for contempt.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to six months in prison on Wednesday by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a contempt of court case. The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, according to reports by The Dhaka Tribune. This marks the first time Hasina, ousted from office and living in exile, has been convicted since fleeing Bangladesh nearly a year ago. Alongside Hasina, Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha was also sentenced to two months in prison in the same case, highlighting the tribunal’s ongoing efforts to address charges linked to recent unrest.
Earlier in June, the ICT formally charged Sheikh Hasina with crimes against humanity related to her alleged role in orchestrating a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests during July and August 2024. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and his team accused Hasina of being the chief instigator behind the systemic attack on mass protests against her government. The protests, which erupted into widespread violence, saw curfews imposed and an intense government response. According to a UN rights office report, approximately 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15, 2024, during retaliatory violence that extended even after the regime’s collapse.
Tripura CM signals off new ambulances and introduces a vehicle tracking system.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday launched the Vehicle Location and Tracking System (VLTS), a new initiative aimed at enhancing road safety and emergency response in the state. The VLTS enables real-time monitoring of public transport vehicles like buses and taxis from a centralized control room, and features a panic button for passengers to alert authorities in emergencies. At the event in Agartala, the Chief Minister also flagged off 16 new ambulances equipped with basic life support systems, which will be used by the Police and Fire & Emergency Services Department to provide faster and safer transport for accident victims. Additionally, the state has increased the financial reward for Good Samaritans assisting accident victims from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000, further encouraging public assistance in emergencies. Officials believe these measures will significantly improve road safety and emergency response across Tripura.
Six are being held after a water bottle was thrown at the Assam chief minister’s vehicle in Golaghat.
A day after a plastic water bottle was hurled at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s convoy in Golaghat, police detained six individuals, including prominent Congress workers. The incident, which did not cause injuries, has sparked a political row, with BJP leaders calling it a serious security breach and demanding strict action. Congress, however, claimed the detentions were politically motivated and alleged that the arrested youth leaders were not present at the protest site during the incident. The episode has intensified the ongoing political blame game in Assam.
Assam: Due to unlawful entry, two citizens of Bangladesh are detained in Katigorah
Two Bangladeshi nationals—a man and a woman—were apprehended by local residents in the Katigorah area of Assam’s Cachar district on Sunday, suspected of attempting an illegal border crossing. The duo, along with a third individual who managed to escape, were spotted behaving suspiciously near Katigorah Chourangi. After being detained by locals, the two were handed over to police. Preliminary investigations revealed that they had previously entered India illegally and had been working as laborers in Gujarat. Following intensified crackdowns on illegal immigrants in Gujarat, the pair reportedly traveled to Assam, intending to return to Bangladesh via the Katigorah border. Police have taken them into custody for further investigation.
Teachers in government schools in Tripura can now use location-based electronic attendance.
The Tripura government has launched a location-based e-attendance system for teachers in government schools, requiring around 25,000 teachers across 4,912 schools to share their live location upon arrival. Introduced in June, this initiative ensures teachers mark their attendance only after physically entering school premises, with data uploaded in real time to a digital platform accessible by top education officials. While the system currently tracks only arrival times, it has already improved oversight and accountability, leading to better academic performance in several schools. To further enhance compliance, inter-district committees conduct surprise inspections, submitting their findings for necessary action. Officials view the system as a significant step toward boosting teacher presence and the overall quality of education in Tripura.
Death toll from Telangana plant explosion: 36
The death toll from the explosion at Sigachi Pharma Industries in Telangana’s Sangareddy district has climbed to 36, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy confirmed on Tuesday. Addressing the tragedy, the chief minister announced that the state government, in coordination with Sigachi Industries, will ensure Rs 1 crore compensation for the family of each deceased worker. Additional financial support includes Rs 10 lakh for those severely injured, Rs 5 lakh for those with recoverable injuries, and immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 for bereaved families and injured workers, respectively. At the time of the explosion, 143 workers were present; rescue operations are ongoing as several remain missing. The blast, suspected to have been caused by a chemical reaction, has prompted a full investigation, with the chief minister assuring strict action against those responsible. Most victims were migrant workers from various states, and the tragedy has cast a pall over the region as authorities continue rescue and relief efforts.
Assam: The Jal Jeevan Mission has been halted in Pakhiriguri, Bongaigaon, leaving villagers in anticipation of access to clean drinking water.
Allegations of negligence have surfaced over the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in Assam’s Bongaigaon district, where the drinking water project in Pakhiriguri village remains incomplete and non-functional months after work began. Only about 20% of the project has been finished, with construction halted and no information board at the site, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. Locals accuse the contractor of abandoning the work and have called for urgent intervention from authorities to resume and complete the scheme, which was meant to provide clean drinking water to the village.
The Assam government has approved the clearance of encroached Village Grazing Reserve land located in the Nalbari district.
The Assam government launched an eviction drive on Monday morning to clear 82 bighas of encroached Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) land in Bakrikuchi village, Nalbari district, following a Gauhati High Court directive to remove all encroachments from VGR land statewide. The operation, conducted under heavy security with 500 personnel deployed, proceeded peacefully as over 70% of the approximately 300 affected families voluntarily vacated their homes after receiving prior notice. Bulldozers demolished unauthorized structures, including houses, schools, mosques, and Anganwadi centres. Displaced residents have set up temporary camps along the main road and are demanding rehabilitation. This marks the second major eviction in June, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterating the government’s commitment to reclaiming public land and preventing future encroachments.
Meghalaya: Street vendors demonstrate against the eviction campaign in Shillong, calling for a just relocation procedure.
Street vendors and hawkers in Shillong’s Khyndailad area staged a protest on Monday morning against an eviction drive by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), refusing to vacate until relocation issues are addressed by the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC). The eviction followed a June 21 government notification that designated the upper floor of the MUDA parking lot as a vending zone and declared the rest of Khyndailad a no-vending zone. Supported by the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA), the vendors criticized flaws in the relocation process, including the failure of a digital survey and the issuance of vending licenses to shop owners instead of genuine hawkers. The MGSPHSVA demanded transparency and a participatory approach to redesign the hawkers’ space, while activist Angela Rangad condemned the forceful evictions, insisting that relocation must be based on a clear, inclusive plan.
