ASSAM/ NORTHEAST NEWS

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma while inaugurating the ceremonial distribution of scooters to meritorious candidates who cleared the last 12th exams has appealed to the youths of the state to have a basic idea about new-age technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, among others.

According to sources, the Xatra Commission will submit an interim report on the encroachment of xatras in Assam to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shortly. The content of the report is still a secret. Sources, however, claim that the commission has found encroachment of lands of some xatras during its field visit.

Dibrugarh University Anti-Ragging Committee has expelled four students for three years for their involvement in ragging while also barring them from admission to any institution during the three-year expulsion period. The committee also suspended three hostel wardens.

HIV-positive cases rise in Assam from 78 cases in 2002-03 to 2269 cases detected between April to October 2022-23. As per Assam State AIDS Control Society, 81.6 per cent of HIV transmission is through heterosexuals, 5.5 per cent through HIV-infected syringes and needles, 4.7 per cent from parents to children, 4.6 per cent through homosexuals etc.

Adding grandeur to the famous Kongmu-Kham (Golden Pagoda) in the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, two new structures - an ordination hall and a Buddha temple were dedicated to the people on Wednesday by His Eminence Loung-Phow Somphon from Thailand in the presence of state Deputy CM Chowna Mein and others.

In a viral video, a wild elephant was seen chasing off people in a paddy field at the Rongjuli Kahibari Allibari area of Goalpara district on Nov 29. A senior forest department official said that around 70 wild jumbos are currently taking shelter in different parts under Rongjuli Forest Range Office area.

Darrang DC Pranab Kumar Sarma while addressing a public function organised on International Adoption Month on Nov 30 stressed the need of strong legal action against illegal practices in child issues. He said that he has already asked the SP to take strong legal action in cases where child rights have been seriously violated.

The National Green Tribunal on Nov 30 directed to constitute a joint committee to be headed by the Mizoram Chief Secretary with other members. In an order passed on Nov 28, the NGT bench stated that the State may ensure disbursement of compensation to the victims by taking such coercive measures as may be necessary against the contractor firm, failing which the State itself will be liable for payment.

In response to constant public demand, DD Assam will broadcast its evening news bulletin for 30 minutes instead of the present 15 minutes. The bulletin will now be broadcast for 30 minutes beginning Dec 1. On Monday to Friday, the bulletin will air from 6:15 pm to 6:45 p.m., whereas on the weekend, it will continue to air for 15 minutes from 6:30 pm.

Special Investigation Cell SP Anant Mittal said that the police have arrested two more persons in connection with the question paper leakage in Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) examination, 2017 and another examination. 22 people have been arrested by the SIC in the case so far.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar while presiding over a seminar on ‘New Horizon of Educational Development in Tripura’ at the Maharaja Bir Bikram College in Agartala said that Tripura and other NE States are the pillars of India’s Act East Policy. VP Dhankhar appealed to the students to follow fundamental duties as these would help them become better citizens of the country.

The Srikona Battalion of Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with Manipur Commandos, apprehended one active cadre of the insurgent group People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur. The arrested cadre was involved in misleading and recruiting innocent youth of the border areas of Assam and Manipur into PLA.