AIUDF chief and Member of Parliament Maulana Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday threatened to smash the head of a journalist, who asked him about the prospects of an alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Ajmal, who represents Dhubri Lok Sabha seat in Assam, allegedly tried to hit the journalist too, while his supporters forced the scribe to tender apologies publicly.

During a press interaction after a function where he felicitated the panchayat election winners of South Salmara district, the journalist asked AIUDF chief if he would ally with the Congress or the BJP in the future.

In response, Ajmal hurled abuse at the journalist "You all are the same who just want to target me. Go dogs. For how much money have you been bought by the BJP? Go, even your father is on sale there. Get out of here or I will smash your head. Go file case against me. I have thousands of men employed to fight for me."

Snapping back at the journalist with a counter-question, the AIUDF chief said, "How much of money will you give? Is this a reporting? Journalists like you defame the entire community."&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal in Hatsingimari, Assam threatens to smash head of journalist who asked him if he'll ally with Congress or BJP in future: Go dogs, for how much money have you been bought by BJP? Go away, I will smash your head. Go register a case against me. <a href="https://t.co/XQvp5mZ4it">pic.twitter.com/XQvp5mZ4it</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1077951234328416262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The journalist is believed to have filed a complaint with the police against the lawmaker.

However, AIUDF chief informed the media that his party was looking forward to 'Mahagathbandhan,' which is going to take place in New Delhi. "We are looking forward to the formula being worked out under Mahagathbandhan in New Delhi," said Ajmal.

AIUDF chief and Member of Parliament Maulana Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday threatened to smash the head of a journalist, who asked him about the prospects of an alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state.

AIUDF chief and Member of Parliament Maulana Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday threatened to smash the head of a journalist, who asked him about the prospects of an alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state. Ajmal, who represents Dhubri Lok Sabha seat in Assam, allegedly tried to hit the journalist too, while his supporters forced the scribe to tender apologies publicly. During a press interaction after a function where he felicitated the panchayat election winners of South Salmara district, the journalist asked AIUDF chief if he would ally with the Congress or the BJP in the future. In response, Ajmal hurled abuse at the journalist "You all are the same who just want to target me. Go dogs. For how much money have you been bought by the BJP? Go, even your father is on sale there. Get out of here or I will smash your head. Go file case against me. I have thousands of men employed to fight for me." Snapping back at the journalist with a counter-question, the AIUDF chief said, "How much of money will you give? Is this a reporting? Journalists like you defame the entire community." #WATCH AIUDF Chief Badruddin Ajmal in Hatsingimari, Assam threatens to smash head of journalist who asked him if he'll ally with Congress or BJP in future: Go dogs, for how much money have you been bought by BJP? Go away, I will smash your head. Go register a case against me. pic.twitter.com/XQvp5mZ4it — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × The journalist is believed to have filed a complaint with the police against the lawmaker. However, AIUDF chief informed the media that his party was looking forward to 'Mahagathbandhan,' which is going to take place in New Delhi. "We are looking forward to the formula being worked out under Mahagathbandhan in New Delhi," said Ajmal.

'I will smash your head', AIUDF chief threatens journalist, tries to hit him

WION Gravitas: PM Modi inaugurates Bogibeel bridge in Assam

PM Modi to inaugurate India's longest railroad bridge in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government has changed the "dilly-dallying" work culture regarding the implementation of development projects.

Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, at Bogibeel in Assam, he said completion of projects within a given time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a reality.

"We have changed the earlier 'latkane bhatkane' (dilly-dallying) work culture... Completion of projects within a time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a truth in the real sense," he said in a apparent dig at the previous Congress-led UPA government.

If former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a second term, Bogibeel Bridge would have been ready by 2008-09. After his government, no attention was paid to the project till 2014, the prime minister said.

''About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed,'' Modi said.

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PM Modi: About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BogibeelBridge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BogibeelBridge</a>. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed. <a href="https://t.co/qFyeQiuhCu">pic.twitter.com/qFyeQiuhCu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1077512145670033409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Asserting that the Bogibeel bridge will strengthen the country's defence prowess with movement of vehicles and trains, he said, it is not only a bridge, it is a lifeline for crores of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The bridge will cut down rail distance (between Dibrugarh in Assam to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh) to below 200 km from 700 km now, Modi said.

After inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express, which will run five days a week and use the 4.9-km bridge to cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours.

Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is just over 15 km from Naharlagun.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government has changed the "dilly-dallying" work culture regarding the implementation of development projects. Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, at Bogibeel in Assam, he said completion of projects within a given time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a reality.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government has changed the "dilly-dallying" work culture regarding the implementation of development projects. Addressing a rally here after inaugurating the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge, at Bogibeel in Assam, he said completion of projects within a given time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a reality. "We have changed the earlier 'latkane bhatkane' (dilly-dallying) work culture... Completion of projects within a time frame is no longer confined to paper but has become a truth in the real sense," he said in a apparent dig at the previous Congress-led UPA government. If former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a second term, Bogibeel Bridge would have been ready by 2008-09. After his government, no attention was paid to the project till 2014, the prime minister said. ''About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the Bogibeel Bridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed,'' Modi said. PM Modi: About 16 years ago, Atal Ji came here. He had a vision for the development of the #BogibeelBridge. This Bridge is also a tribute to his vision. When Vajpayee ji's Government lost power in 2004, several key infrastructure projects of his era were not completed. pic.twitter.com/qFyeQiuhCu — ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2018 × Asserting that the Bogibeel bridge will strengthen the country's defence prowess with movement of vehicles and trains, he said, it is not only a bridge, it is a lifeline for crores of people in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The bridge will cut down rail distance (between Dibrugarh in Assam to Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh) to below 200 km from 700 km now, Modi said. After inaugurating the bridge, the prime minister flagged off the Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express, which will run five days a week and use the 4.9-km bridge to cut down the train-travel time between Tinsukia in Assam to Naharlagun town of Arunachal Pradesh by more than 10 hours. Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh is just over 15 km from Naharlagun.

Bogibeel bridge tribute to Vajpayee's vision: PM Modi in Assam

PM Modi inaugurates India's longest rail-road bridge

PM Modi inaugurates India's longest rail-road bridge Bogibeel Bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel is be the country's longest rail-road bridge.&nbsp;

The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel was flagged off by PM Modi, PTI reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

December 25 is also the birth anniversary of late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is observed by the government as "Good Governance Day".

Bogibeel&nbsp;connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh.

The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours.

"It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said.

The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week.

(With inputs from PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel is be the country's longest rail-road bridge. The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel was flagged off by PM Modi, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam on Tuesday. Bogibeel is be the country's longest rail-road bridge. The first passenger train passing through Bogibeel was flagged off by PM Modi, PTI reported. December 25 is also the birth anniversary of late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is observed by the government as "Good Governance Day". Bogibeel connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours. "It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said. The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week. (With inputs from PTI)

Modi inaugurates Bogibeel bridge in Assam, it will be India's longest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-longest-rail-road-bridge-today-186250">Bogibeel bridge</a> in Dibrugarh, Assam. Bogibeel is the country's longest rail-road bridge.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister also flagged-off first passenger train passing through Bogibeel.

Bogibeel connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh.

The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours.

"It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said.

The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week. &nbsp;

The bridge was inaugurated on the occasion of the Good Governance Day which commemorates the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.&nbsp;

Here are some top facts about the bridge.&nbsp;

1. The foundation of the bridge was laid over two decades back in the year 1997.

2. The bridge is built across the mighty Brahmaputra river.

3. The bridge is sturdy enough to support the movement of tanks and fighter jet landings. As reported by PTI, the bridge's three-lane roads can act as landing strips for the Air Force

4. The bridge is said to have a lifespan on around 120 years. It is the country's only fully-welded bridge.

5. On the lower deck the bridge there exists a two-line railway track while on top it has a three-lane road. It will reduce the Delhi to Dibrugarh train travel time by nearly three hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam. Bogibeel is the country's longest rail-road bridge. The Prime Minister also flagged-off first passenger train passing through Bogibeel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the Bogibeel bridge in Dibrugarh, Assam. Bogibeel is the country's longest rail-road bridge. The Prime Minister also flagged-off first passenger train passing through Bogibeel. Bogibeel connects the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dibrugarh district with Silapathar in Dhemaji district, bordering Arunachal Pradesh. The 4.9-km bridge will cut down train travel time between Tinsukia in Assam and Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh by over 10 hours. "It will take five-and-a-half hours compared to the 15-20 hours it currently takes. Passengers had to change trains multiple times and take a long-winded route," Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Nripen Bhattacharya said. The Tinsukia-Naharlagun Intercity Express will run five days a week. The bridge was inaugurated on the occasion of the Good Governance Day which commemorates the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Here are some top facts about the bridge. 1. The foundation of the bridge was laid over two decades back in the year 1997. 2. The bridge is built across the mighty Brahmaputra river. 3. The bridge is sturdy enough to support the movement of tanks and fighter jet landings. As reported by PTI, the bridge's three-lane roads can act as landing strips for the Air Force 4. The bridge is said to have a lifespan on around 120 years. It is the country's only fully-welded bridge. 5. On the lower deck the bridge there exists a two-line railway track while on top it has a three-lane road. It will reduce the Delhi to Dibrugarh train travel time by nearly three hours.

Fighter jets can land on India's longest rail-road bridge Bogibeel & other facts about it

A unique theatre festival that unites the villages of Assam

Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for filing claims and objections on the inclusion of names in the draft National Register of Citizen (NRC) for Assam by those who have been left out in the draft NRC from December 15 to December 31, 2018.

The SC issued the order after NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela told the court that out of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670">40 lakh people who were left out of the final draft NRC</a>, 14.8 lakh people have filed claims&nbsp;with the authorities for inclusion in the NRC.

There has been a surge in such applications in last few weeks and hence, the deadline be extended by one more month, he said.

The draft NRC was published on July 30 in which names of 2.89 crore of the 3.29 crore people were included. The names of 40,70,707 people did not figure in the list. Of these, 37,59,630 names have been rejected and the remaining 2,48,077 are on hold.

A special bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice R F Nariman considered the plea of Assam government that the deadline of December 15, fixed for filing claims and objections by those left out in the draft NRC, be extended by till January 15 next year.&nbsp;

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NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela tells Supreme Court,"Out of 40 lakh people who were left out of the final draft NRC, 14.8 lakh people have filed claims."
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1072781648054444032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In his filing, the NRC coordinator said that it was not possible for semi-literate people to fill up the forms.&nbsp;

The state government in its petition said those panchayat elections is the other reason that they are seeking an extension.&nbsp;

The apex court also told Hajela that the draft should be made available at the local offices to enable those who want to file claims and objections.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for filing claims and objections on the inclusion of names in the draft National Register of Citizen (NRC) for Assam by those who have been left out in the draft NRC from December 15 to December 31, 2018.

Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the deadline for filing claims and objections on the inclusion of names in the draft National Register of Citizen (NRC) for Assam by those who have been left out in the draft NRC from December 15 to December 31, 2018. The SC issued the order after NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela told the court that out of 40 lakh people who were left out of the final draft NRC, 14.8 lakh people have filed claims with the authorities for inclusion in the NRC. There has been a surge in such applications in last few weeks and hence, the deadline be extended by one more month, he said. The draft NRC was published on July 30 in which names of 2.89 crore of the 3.29 crore people were included. The names of 40,70,707 people did not figure in the list. Of these, 37,59,630 names have been rejected and the remaining 2,48,077 are on hold. A special bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice R F Nariman considered the plea of Assam government that the deadline of December 15, fixed for filing claims and objections by those left out in the draft NRC, be extended by till January 15 next year. NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela tells Supreme Court,"Out of 40 lakh people who were left out of the final draft NRC, 14.8 lakh people have filed claims." — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018 × In his filing, the NRC coordinator said that it was not possible for semi-literate people to fill up the forms. The state government in its petition said those panchayat elections is the other reason that they are seeking an extension. The apex court also told Hajela that the draft should be made available at the local offices to enable those who want to file claims and objections. (With PTI inputs)

NRC coordinator tells SC semi-literate people cannot fill out objection forms

Eleven persons were injured in an explosion in an intercity train in Assam's Udalguri district on Saturday night, railway and police sources said.

The explosion occurred in a coach of the Kamakhya-Dekargaon Intercity Express at the Harisinga railway station around 7.04 pm, a Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson said.

Eleven persons were injured, one of them critically, and rushed to a hospital. Railway and police officials have rushed to the site -- around 95 km from Guwahati, the sources said.

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Police say on 11 persons injured in an explosion inside Kamakhya-Dekargaon Intercity Express in Udalguri, "explosion took place in the running train at around 6:45 pm. Investigation underway to ascertain if it was a bomb". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Assam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Assam</a> <a href="https://t.co/417XW5PDpk">pic.twitter.com/417XW5PDpk</a>
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Investigations are on and it was yet to be ascertained whether the explosion was caused by a grenade or an improvised explosive device (IED), the sources added.

Eleven persons were injured in an explosion in an intercity train in Assam's Udalguri district on Saturday night, railway and police sources said. The explosion occurred in a coach of the Kamakhya-Dekargaon Intercity Express at the Harisinga railway station around 7.

Eleven persons were injured in an explosion in an intercity train in Assam's Udalguri district on Saturday night, railway and police sources said. The explosion occurred in a coach of the Kamakhya-Dekargaon Intercity Express at the Harisinga railway station around 7.04 pm, a Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson said. Eleven persons were injured, one of them critically, and rushed to a hospital. Railway and police officials have rushed to the site -- around 95 km from Guwahati, the sources said. Police say on 11 persons injured in an explosion inside Kamakhya-Dekargaon Intercity Express in Udalguri, "explosion took place in the running train at around 6:45 pm. Investigation underway to ascertain if it was a bomb". #Assam pic.twitter.com/417XW5PDpk — ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 × Investigations are on and it was yet to be ascertained whether the explosion was caused by a grenade or an improvised explosive device (IED), the sources added.

Assam: Blast inside Kamakhya-Dekargaon intercity express in Udalguri, 11 injured

Prohibitory orders were clamped in three police districts of the city and security beefed up in view of the Assam secretariat gherao programme called by several organisations on Friday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Barricades were placed around the secretariat and Assam Police and CRPF forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent the protestors from staging their Sankalpa Shikha Jatra against the Bill.

The 'Janata Bhawan Gherao' called by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a peasant organisation, and Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP), a student organisation, was likely to see the participation of 68 other organisations from other parts of the state during the day, the organisors said.

KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi along with members of 70 organisations staged a protest meeting on the premises of the Dispur Press Club, adjacent to the secretariat, accusing the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP Assam government of working against the interests of indigenous people of the state by supporting the bill.

The bill threatens the identity, language and culture of the indigenous people and unity of Assam, he charged.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Large sections of people, organisations in the northeast and leading political party AGP, which is an ally of the ruling BJP, are opposed to the bill saying it will nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for deportation of illegal immigrants irrespective of religion.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC had been imposed in the three police districts of Guwahati city with immediate effect on Thursday, ahead of the gherao programme against the Citizen (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Other speakers at the meeting alleged that protestors who had taken out motorcycle rallies from different parts of the state were not allowed to proceed to Guwahati.

Stating that the organisers had prior police permission for holding the meeting, the demonstrators accused the administration of imposing the prohibitory order "to muzzle the democratic voice of the citizens".

Accusing the chief minister of functioning "under the orders of the RSS", the speakers urged Sonowal to "give up his Hitlerian rule as it was against the people of Assam".

Bike rallies starting from Jonai, Diphu, Sadiya and Dhubri were allowed to proceed to Guwahati one at a time and not in a group as permission for Friday's meeting was given for a gathering of 1,000 people and it had already exceeded that number, police said.

Protestors travelling from Sadia, Dhubri and Diphu travelling by trains to participate in the protest alleged that they were not allowed to board trains and instead detained to prevent them from proceeding further.

Assam Director General of Police Dr Kuladhar Saikia had Thursday warned that the administration would take strong action against anyone trying to break the law and strict vigil would also be kept in Guwahati.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in three police districts of the city and security beefed up in view of the Assam secretariat gherao programme called by several organisations on Friday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in three police districts of the city and security beefed up in view of the Assam secretariat gherao programme called by several organisations on Friday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Barricades were placed around the secretariat and Assam Police and CRPF forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent the protestors from staging their Sankalpa Shikha Jatra against the Bill. The 'Janata Bhawan Gherao' called by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a peasant organisation, and Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP), a student organisation, was likely to see the participation of 68 other organisations from other parts of the state during the day, the organisors said. KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi along with members of 70 organisations staged a protest meeting on the premises of the Dispur Press Club, adjacent to the secretariat, accusing the Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP Assam government of working against the interests of indigenous people of the state by supporting the bill. The bill threatens the identity, language and culture of the indigenous people and unity of Assam, he charged. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. Large sections of people, organisations in the northeast and leading political party AGP, which is an ally of the ruling BJP, are opposed to the bill saying it will nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for deportation of illegal immigrants irrespective of religion. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC had been imposed in the three police districts of Guwahati city with immediate effect on Thursday, ahead of the gherao programme against the Citizen (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Other speakers at the meeting alleged that protestors who had taken out motorcycle rallies from different parts of the state were not allowed to proceed to Guwahati. Stating that the organisers had prior police permission for holding the meeting, the demonstrators accused the administration of imposing the prohibitory order "to muzzle the democratic voice of the citizens". Accusing the chief minister of functioning "under the orders of the RSS", the speakers urged Sonowal to "give up his Hitlerian rule as it was against the people of Assam". Bike rallies starting from Jonai, Diphu, Sadiya and Dhubri were allowed to proceed to Guwahati one at a time and not in a group as permission for Friday's meeting was given for a gathering of 1,000 people and it had already exceeded that number, police said. Protestors travelling from Sadia, Dhubri and Diphu travelling by trains to participate in the protest alleged that they were not allowed to board trains and instead detained to prevent them from proceeding further. Assam Director General of Police Dr Kuladhar Saikia had Thursday warned that the administration would take strong action against anyone trying to break the law and strict vigil would also be kept in Guwahati.

Security beefed up for secretariat gherao programme in Assam

A four-member Trinamool Congress delegation arrived in Assam on Sunday morning and headed to Kheronibari village in Tinsukia district to meet the family members of the five people killed by suspected militants.

Led by Derek O'Brien, the TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, the team comprises the party's Lok Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur, Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haq and MLA Mahua Moitra.

"This is a humanitarian visit. This is a visit to stand with the grieving families. We hope to reach Tinsukia in about two hours and spend some time with the families," O'Brien told reporters outside the airport here.

Unidentified gunmen in battle fatigue shot dead five individuals, including three members of a family, near the village in the district on Thursday night.

Strongly condemning the incident, the senior TMC leader said, "What has happened is a dastardly killing of the most deprived and poorest Indian citizens... They have been murdered in cold blood."

On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anguish over the killings and said an "environment of violence" was prevailing in the country.

A TMC delegation of six MPs had gone to Silchar on August 2 to assess the situation in Assam in the wake of the publication of the complete draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) on July 30, but was stopped at the airport.

They were not allowed to leave the airport and were sent back the next day.&nbsp;

A four-member Trinamool Congress delegation arrived in Assam on Sunday morning and headed to Kheronibari village in Tinsukia district to meet the family members of the five people killed by suspected militants.

A four-member Trinamool Congress delegation arrived in Assam on Sunday morning and headed to Kheronibari village in Tinsukia district to meet the family members of the five people killed by suspected militants. Led by Derek O'Brien, the TMC parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha, the team comprises the party's Lok Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur, Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haq and MLA Mahua Moitra. "This is a humanitarian visit. This is a visit to stand with the grieving families. We hope to reach Tinsukia in about two hours and spend some time with the families," O'Brien told reporters outside the airport here. Unidentified gunmen in battle fatigue shot dead five individuals, including three members of a family, near the village in the district on Thursday night. Strongly condemning the incident, the senior TMC leader said, "What has happened is a dastardly killing of the most deprived and poorest Indian citizens... They have been murdered in cold blood." On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anguish over the killings and said an "environment of violence" was prevailing in the country. A TMC delegation of six MPs had gone to Silchar on August 2 to assess the situation in Assam in the wake of the publication of the complete draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) on July 30, but was stopped at the airport. They were not allowed to leave the airport and were sent back the next day.

Tinsukia killings: Four-member Trinamool delegation arrives in Assam

Two pro-talk ULFA leaders were arrested in Assam Friday for their “provocative remarks” as a massive combing operation was launched to nab those behind the gunning down of five persons in Tinsukia district with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal blaming “hate speeches” by political parties for the killings.

The Assam government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a job for the next of the kin of the deceased. Though the police suspect that the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were dressed in battle fatigue, ‘publicity department’ member of the outlawed group Romel Asom, in an e-mailed statement, however, denied its involvement in Thursday’s incident.

In neighbouring West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress organised protest marches and sought a court-monitored inquiry into the killing of the five Bengali-speaking individuals. They also called for the resignation of the Assam chief minister over the incident. Left parties, too, took to the streets in Kolkata to protest the killings.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep anguish over the incident and said: “a sense of sadness descended on my mind seeing innocent and poor persons being killed in a village in Assam”.

She changed her display picture to black on Twitter along with other leaders of her party. “I don’t know why these people were killed, but one thing is for sure, the ominous signals have started surfacing,” she said. The TMC also sought to link the attack as a “fallout of the draconian NRC exercise”.

Over 40 lakh people are facing deportation from India as their names have been excluded in the NRC draft, TMC Youth Congress president and MP Abhisekh Banerjee told a rally in Kolkata. He sought a court-monitored inquiry into the incident. On Thursday night, a group of assailants called out six villagers of Kheronibari.

They then took them to the edge of Dhola-Sadiya bridge in the area and opened indiscriminate fire, killing five of them on spot, police said, adding one of them survived the firing.

Sahadeb Namasudra, in his early 20s, said he had a “providential escape” as he fell off the edge of the bridge, where the gunmen had lined them up. Though he did not sustain injuries, he fell unconscious out of fear and nervousness.

On regaining consciousness, he found one of the five persons still alive beside him, Namasudra claimed, adding the man died before any arrangement for help could be made.

Chief Minister Sonowal warned of strong action against those who make inflammatory statements. “The perpetrators of this dastardly violence will not go scot-free. We will not tolerate such cowardly act,” he said.

“For this situation today, I hold responsible a section of political parties, organisations, news media, social media and people’s representatives for their inflammatory statements,” Sonowal told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Guwahati.

Assam Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia said several operations were underway to nab the culprits. He said pro-talk ULFA leaders Jiten Dutta and Mrinal Hazarika were arrested for making provocative statements. Asked about the involvement of ULFA factions in the killings, the DGP said, “It isn’t about taking random names. We will take action as per law.”

Political parties and organisations across Assam condemned the killings and demanded that the culprits be immediately nabbed. A bandh, called by All Assam Bengali Federation, was observed on Friday in Tinsukia district. Vehicles were off roads and shops were closed. No untoward incident was reported in the morning, a police officer said.

The ruling BJP said the incident was a result of the Congress party continuously making provocative statements on sensitive issues such as the NRC and the Citizenship Bill.

Assam BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass also criticised a section of the media for broadcasting provocative statements uninterruptedly, thereby vitiating the atmosphere. He asked the Assam government to set up a judicial probe into the incident.

Countering the BJP leader’s claims, veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Tarun Gogoi said the Sonowal-led government has failed to maintain law and order in the state. He also sought a CBI probe into Thursday’s incident.

Two pro-talk ULFA leaders were arrested in Assam Friday for their “provocative remarks” as a massive combing operation was launched to nab those behind the gunning down of five persons in Tinsukia district with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal blaming “hate speeches” by political parties for the killings.

Two pro-talk ULFA leaders were arrested in Assam Friday for their “provocative remarks” as a massive combing operation was launched to nab those behind the gunning down of five persons in Tinsukia district with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal blaming “hate speeches” by political parties for the killings. The Assam government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a job for the next of the kin of the deceased. Though the police suspect that the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were dressed in battle fatigue, ‘publicity department’ member of the outlawed group Romel Asom, in an e-mailed statement, however, denied its involvement in Thursday’s incident. In neighbouring West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress organised protest marches and sought a court-monitored inquiry into the killing of the five Bengali-speaking individuals. They also called for the resignation of the Assam chief minister over the incident. Left parties, too, took to the streets in Kolkata to protest the killings. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep anguish over the incident and said: “a sense of sadness descended on my mind seeing innocent and poor persons being killed in a village in Assam”. She changed her display picture to black on Twitter along with other leaders of her party. “I don’t know why these people were killed, but one thing is for sure, the ominous signals have started surfacing,” she said. The TMC also sought to link the attack as a “fallout of the draconian NRC exercise”. Over 40 lakh people are facing deportation from India as their names have been excluded in the NRC draft, TMC Youth Congress president and MP Abhisekh Banerjee told a rally in Kolkata. He sought a court-monitored inquiry into the incident. On Thursday night, a group of assailants called out six villagers of Kheronibari. They then took them to the edge of Dhola-Sadiya bridge in the area and opened indiscriminate fire, killing five of them on spot, police said, adding one of them survived the firing. Sahadeb Namasudra, in his early 20s, said he had a “providential escape” as he fell off the edge of the bridge, where the gunmen had lined them up. Though he did not sustain injuries, he fell unconscious out of fear and nervousness. On regaining consciousness, he found one of the five persons still alive beside him, Namasudra claimed, adding the man died before any arrangement for help could be made. Chief Minister Sonowal warned of strong action against those who make inflammatory statements. “The perpetrators of this dastardly violence will not go scot-free. We will not tolerate such cowardly act,” he said. “For this situation today, I hold responsible a section of political parties, organisations, news media, social media and people’s representatives for their inflammatory statements,” Sonowal told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Guwahati. Assam Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia said several operations were underway to nab the culprits. He said pro-talk ULFA leaders Jiten Dutta and Mrinal Hazarika were arrested for making provocative statements. Asked about the involvement of ULFA factions in the killings, the DGP said, “It isn’t about taking random names. We will take action as per law.” Political parties and organisations across Assam condemned the killings and demanded that the culprits be immediately nabbed. A bandh, called by All Assam Bengali Federation, was observed on Friday in Tinsukia district. Vehicles were off roads and shops were closed. No untoward incident was reported in the morning, a police officer said. The ruling BJP said the incident was a result of the Congress party continuously making provocative statements on sensitive issues such as the NRC and the Citizenship Bill. Assam BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass also criticised a section of the media for broadcasting provocative statements uninterruptedly, thereby vitiating the atmosphere. He asked the Assam government to set up a judicial probe into the incident. Countering the BJP leader’s claims, veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Tarun Gogoi said the Sonowal-led government has failed to maintain law and order in the state. He also sought a CBI probe into Thursday’s incident.

Assam killings: 2 held for ‘provocative remarks’, ULFA (I) denies role

Three members of a family were among five people shot dead by suspected ULFA (Independent) while two others were injured at Kheroni in Assam's Tinsukia district Thursday night, police said.

A group of assailants with sophisticated weapons came to this village near Dhola-Sadiya bridge and called out five-six people from their house around 8 pm, they said.

They then opened indiscriminate fire upon those people before fleeing under the cover of darkness, a police officer said.

Police suspect the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were in battle fatigue.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned "the killing of innocent people" and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families.

"Strong action will be taken against the perpetrators of this dastardly violence. We will not tolerate such cowardly act," he told PTI.

Sonowal said he has directed state ministers Keshav Mahanta and Tapan Gogoi along with DGP Kuladhar Saikia to rush to the spot.

"We will not spare the culprits of the killings and they will be brought to book," he said.

The chief minister appealed to the people of Assam to maintain peace and harmony.

He also directed all deputy commissioners and SPs to remain alert. 
According to Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mukdhajyoti Mahanta, the bodies have been taken to the Sadia Civil Hospital for postmortem.

Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, opposition Congress state president Ripun Bora, AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam and the Assam Sahitya Sabha were among those who also denounced the incident.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a Twitter post, wondered if the attack was related to developments around the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"Is this the outcome of recent NRC development," she questioned. 
Banerjee strongly condemned the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

"Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia... We have no words to express our deep sorrow to the grieving families. The perpetrators must be punished at the very earliest," she added.&nbsp;

Three members of a family were among five people shot dead by suspected ULFA (Independent) while two others were injured at Kheroni in Assam's Tinsukia district Thursday night, police said.

Three members of a family were among five people shot dead by suspected ULFA (Independent) while two others were injured at Kheroni in Assam's Tinsukia district Thursday night, police said. A group of assailants with sophisticated weapons came to this village near Dhola-Sadiya bridge and called out five-six people from their house around 8 pm, they said. They then opened indiscriminate fire upon those people before fleeing under the cover of darkness, a police officer said. Police suspect the gunmen belonged to the ULFA (Independent) faction as they were in battle fatigue. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned "the killing of innocent people" and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved families. "Strong action will be taken against the perpetrators of this dastardly violence. We will not tolerate such cowardly act," he told PTI. Sonowal said he has directed state ministers Keshav Mahanta and Tapan Gogoi along with DGP Kuladhar Saikia to rush to the spot. "We will not spare the culprits of the killings and they will be brought to book," he said. The chief minister appealed to the people of Assam to maintain peace and harmony. He also directed all deputy commissioners and SPs to remain alert. According to Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mukdhajyoti Mahanta, the bodies have been taken to the Sadia Civil Hospital for postmortem. Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, opposition Congress state president Ripun Bora, AIUDF general secretary Aminul Islam and the Assam Sahitya Sabha were among those who also denounced the incident. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a Twitter post, wondered if the attack was related to developments around the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "Is this the outcome of recent NRC development," she questioned. Banerjee strongly condemned the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. "Terrible news coming out of Assam. We strongly condemn the brutal attack in Tinsukia... We have no words to express our deep sorrow to the grieving families. The perpetrators must be punished at the very earliest," she added.

5 shot in Assam; strong action against perpetrators, says CM

The government today&nbsp;deported seven Rohingya immigrants, who were&nbsp;staying in Assam illegally, to their country of origin Myanmar, in a first such move.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-intervene-deportation-7-rohingya-refugees-myanmar-169333">Also Read:&nbsp;Supreme Court refuses to interfere in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-intervene-deportation-7-rohingya-refugees-myanmar-169333">deportation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-intervene-deportation-7-rohingya-refugees-myanmar-169333"> of 7 Rohingya refugees</a>

The illegal immigrants were detained in 2012 and since then they had been lodged in Cachar Central Jail in Assam's Silchar.

"Seven Myanmarese nationals have been deported today. They were handed over to the authorities of Myanmar at Moreh border post in Manipur," Assam Additional Director General of Police (Border) Bhaskar J Mahanta said.

Consular access had been given to Myanmar diplomats, who confirmed the identity of the immigrants, Mahanta said.

The confirmation of the Myanmarese citizenship of the illegal immigrants came after the government of the neighbouring country verified their addresses in Rakhine State and all of them were given travel documents by Myanmar.

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Upon reconfirming their willingness to be repatriated on Oct 3, 2018 &amp; with the full concurrence of the Government of Myanmar, in accordance with established procedures and laws, the Government of Assam has arranged for the repatriation of these seven individuals to Myanmar: MEA
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This is for the first time Rohingya immigrants were sent back to Myanmar from India.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected the plea made by one of the Rohingya refugees seeking to restrain the Centre from deporting them to Myanmar.

Allowing the deportation of the seven Rohingya Muslims, the Supreme Court said they were found by the competent court as illegal immigrants and have been accepted by their country of origin as citizens.

"Having considered the prayer, we would not like to interfere with the decision taken. The petition is dismissed," a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph said.

"Even the country of their origin has accepted them as its citizens," it said.

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In accordance with established procedures&amp;previous precedent&amp;with the assistance of MEA, the Embassy of Myanmar was able to establish the identity of these individuals as residents of that country: MEA
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The Centre told the apex court that the seven Rohingya illegally migrated to India in 2012 and were convicted under the Foreigners Act.

The Centre also informed the court that Myanmar has issued a certificate of identity to the seven immigrants along with one-month visa to facilitate their deportation.

The seven immigrants were apprehended on July 29, 2012, for violating the Foreigners Act.

Those who were deported include Md Jamal, Mohbul Khan, Jamal Hussain, Md Yonus, Sabir Ahmed, Rahim Uddin and Md Salam and are in the age bracket of 26-32 years.

Another official said all the Rohingya immigrants were "keen" to go back to their country and thanked the Assam government for the treatment meted out to them during their incarceration.

The Indian government had informed Parliament last year that over 14,000 Rohingya people, registered with the UN refugee agency UNHCR, stay in India.

However, aid agencies estimate there are about 40,000 Rohingya people in the country.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, described by the UN as the most persecuted minority in the world, fled their homes last year to escape an alleged crackdown by the Myanmarese military.

Human rights group Amnesty International has blamed Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's government for "burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine State".

The government today deported seven Rohingya immigrants, who were staying in Assam illegally, to their country of origin Myanmar, in a first such move. Also Read: Supreme Court refuses to interfere in deportation of 7 Rohingya refugees The illegal immigrants were detained in 2012 and since then they had been lodged in Cachar Central Jail in Assam's Silchar.

The government today deported seven Rohingya immigrants, who were staying in Assam illegally, to their country of origin Myanmar, in a first such move. Also Read: Supreme Court refuses to interfere in deportation of 7 Rohingya refugees The illegal immigrants were detained in 2012 and since then they had been lodged in Cachar Central Jail in Assam's Silchar. "Seven Myanmarese nationals have been deported today. They were handed over to the authorities of Myanmar at Moreh border post in Manipur," Assam Additional Director General of Police (Border) Bhaskar J Mahanta said. Consular access had been given to Myanmar diplomats, who confirmed the identity of the immigrants, Mahanta said. The confirmation of the Myanmarese citizenship of the illegal immigrants came after the government of the neighbouring country verified their addresses in Rakhine State and all of them were given travel documents by Myanmar. Upon reconfirming their willingness to be repatriated on Oct 3, 2018 & with the full concurrence of the Government of Myanmar, in accordance with established procedures and laws, the Government of Assam has arranged for the repatriation of these seven individuals to Myanmar: MEA — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2018 × This is for the first time Rohingya immigrants were sent back to Myanmar from India. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected the plea made by one of the Rohingya refugees seeking to restrain the Centre from deporting them to Myanmar. Allowing the deportation of the seven Rohingya Muslims, the Supreme Court said they were found by the competent court as illegal immigrants and have been accepted by their country of origin as citizens. "Having considered the prayer, we would not like to interfere with the decision taken. The petition is dismissed," a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph said. "Even the country of their origin has accepted them as its citizens," it said. In accordance with established procedures&previous precedent&with the assistance of MEA, the Embassy of Myanmar was able to establish the identity of these individuals as residents of that country: MEA — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2018 × The Centre told the apex court that the seven Rohingya illegally migrated to India in 2012 and were convicted under the Foreigners Act. The Centre also informed the court that Myanmar has issued a certificate of identity to the seven immigrants along with one-month visa to facilitate their deportation. The seven immigrants were apprehended on July 29, 2012, for violating the Foreigners Act. Those who were deported include Md Jamal, Mohbul Khan, Jamal Hussain, Md Yonus, Sabir Ahmed, Rahim Uddin and Md Salam and are in the age bracket of 26-32 years. Another official said all the Rohingya immigrants were "keen" to go back to their country and thanked the Assam government for the treatment meted out to them during their incarceration. The Indian government had informed Parliament last year that over 14,000 Rohingya people, registered with the UN refugee agency UNHCR, stay in India. However, aid agencies estimate there are about 40,000 Rohingya people in the country. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims, described by the UN as the most persecuted minority in the world, fled their homes last year to escape an alleged crackdown by the Myanmarese military. Human rights group Amnesty International has blamed Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the country's government for "burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine State".

Government deports 7 Rohingya immigrants to Myanmar

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/centre-has-decided-to-cut-fuel-prices-by-rs-25-with-immediate-effect-state">Centre has decided to cut fuel prices by Rs 2.5 with immediate effect: Jaitley</a>

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday briefed the media over looming concerns of relentlessly tumbling rupee and the unabated rise in fuel prices.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-deports-7-rohingya-immigrants-to-myanmar-169424">Government deports 7 Rohingya immigrants to Myanmar</a>

The government today deported seven Rohingya immigrants, who were staying in Assam illegally, to their country of origin Myanmar, in a first such move.

The illegal immigrants were detained in 2012 and since then they had been lodged in Cachar Central Jail in Assam's Silchar.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/several-indian-companies-barred-by-world-bank-in-2018-169408">Several Indian companies barred by World Bank in 2018</a>

Several Indian companies and some Indians have been barred by the World Bank from its various projects across the globe, the multilateral lending agency said in its first report on its efforts to fight corruption and safeguard donor resources.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-left-out-of-portugal-squad-169438">Cristiano Ronaldo left out of Portugal squad</a>

Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming fixtures against Poland and Scotland.

However, it is still unclear if his omission is related to the rape allegations against him.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/four-russians-agents-expelled-on-cyber-attack-dutch-intelligence-169413">Four Russians agents expelled for cyber attack: Dutch intelligence</a>

Dutch intelligence thwarted a Russian cyber attack targeting the global chemical weapons watchdog in April and expelled four Russian agents, the government said Thursday.

Centre has decided to cut fuel prices by Rs 2.5 with immediate effect: Jaitley Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday briefed the media over looming concerns of relentlessly tumbling rupee and the unabated rise in fuel prices.

Centre has decided to cut fuel prices by Rs 2.5 with immediate effect: Jaitley Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday briefed the media over looming concerns of relentlessly tumbling rupee and the unabated rise in fuel prices. Government deports 7 Rohingya immigrants to Myanmar The government today deported seven Rohingya immigrants, who were staying in Assam illegally, to their country of origin Myanmar, in a first such move. The illegal immigrants were detained in 2012 and since then they had been lodged in Cachar Central Jail in Assam's Silchar. Several Indian companies barred by World Bank in 2018 Several Indian companies and some Indians have been barred by the World Bank from its various projects across the globe, the multilateral lending agency said in its first report on its efforts to fight corruption and safeguard donor resources. Cristiano Ronaldo left out of Portugal squad Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming fixtures against Poland and Scotland. However, it is still unclear if his omission is related to the rape allegations against him. Four Russians agents expelled for cyber attack: Dutch intelligence Dutch intelligence thwarted a Russian cyber attack targeting the global chemical weapons watchdog in April and expelled four Russian agents, the government said Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The groundwater of 24 districts of Assam has been contaminated by arsenic, while that in 13 districts affected by fluoride, the state assembly was informed on Thursday. 
Assam has 33 districts.

Replying to a query by AGP MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita during Question Hour, Public Health Engineering Minister Rihon Daimary said groundwater in 6,881 areas of 24 districts is contaminated by arsenic.

Fluoride has also been found across 930 areas in 13 districts, he added.

The government has established 227 and 40 schemes for arsenic and fluoride free water respectively at various locations, Daimary said.

"The Centre has also approved 122 schemes for arsenic-free water in the state. But we have not been able to implement these as we have not got land for them. I request all the MLAs to help us in acquiring land for this purpose," he added.&nbsp;

The groundwater of 24 districts of Assam has been contaminated by arsenic, while that in 13 districts affected by fluoride, the state assembly was informed on Thursday.

The groundwater of 24 districts of Assam has been contaminated by arsenic, while that in 13 districts affected by fluoride, the state assembly was informed on Thursday. Assam has 33 districts. Replying to a query by AGP MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita during Question Hour, Public Health Engineering Minister Rihon Daimary said groundwater in 6,881 areas of 24 districts is contaminated by arsenic. Fluoride has also been found across 930 areas in 13 districts, he added. The government has established 227 and 40 schemes for arsenic and fluoride free water respectively at various locations, Daimary said. "The Centre has also approved 122 schemes for arsenic-free water in the state. But we have not been able to implement these as we have not got land for them. I request all the MLAs to help us in acquiring land for this purpose," he added.

Assam: Groundwater of 24 districts arsenic contaminated

The Central government on Wednesday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and its eight police station areas bordering Assam by another six months, news agency ANI reported.

In April, the Ministry of Home Affairs had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/home-ministry-removes-afspa-completely-from-meghalaya-eight-police-stations-in-arunachal-pradesh-132287">removed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Meghalaya</a>, cutting the number of police stations in Arunachal Pradesh to eight from sixteen. Besides this, Meghalaya's 20km border belt with Assam was also reduced to 10km.

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Nearly 40 per cent of Meghalaya was reported to be under AFSPA until September last year.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated a 37 per cent decline in the number of insurgency incidents in the Northeast region last year.

A 30 per cent decrease in security forces casualties and 23 per cent reduction in civilian deaths was registered since 2017.

The Central government on Wednesday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and its eight police station areas bordering Assam by another six months, news agency ANI reported.

The Central government on Wednesday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and its eight police station areas bordering Assam by another six months, news agency ANI reported. In April, the Ministry of Home Affairs had removed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Meghalaya, cutting the number of police stations in Arunachal Pradesh to eight from sixteen. Besides this, Meghalaya's 20km border belt with Assam was also reduced to 10km. Centre extends the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and its eight police station areas bordering Assam by another six months — ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2018 × Nearly 40 per cent of Meghalaya was reported to be under AFSPA until September last year. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated a 37 per cent decline in the number of insurgency incidents in the Northeast region last year. A 30 per cent decrease in security forces casualties and 23 per cent reduction in civilian deaths was registered since 2017.

Centre extends AFSPA in 3 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, 8 police station areas by 6 months

Rima Das, director and producer of 'Village Rockstars' which is India's official entry for the 2019 Oscars in the Best Foreign Language film category, will receive an additional Rs 50 lakh from the Assam government as announced by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Friday, a government release said. 
 
The state government had earlier granted Rs 50 lakh to Das. 
 
Now a total amount of Rs 1 crore will be provided to the filmmaker, said a government release here. 
 
Das had called on the chief minister and expressed her happiness over the selection of 'Village Rockstars' as India's official entry to the Oscars and thanked the Assam government and its people for the ''tremendous support'' to her. 
 
Sonowal extended his best wishes to the filmmaker for the ''incredible success'' of her film and hoped that it would be able to win the Oscars in Best Foreign Language film category apart from highlighting the state's quintessential splendour in front of the global audience. 
 
Rima had on Thursday sought help from the government to promote her film for the award as at least Rs 3 crore is needed to campaign at the Oscars and to ensure that it makes it to the final nomination. 
 
Das said 'Village Rockstars' has travelled to 80 film festivals and has won 44 awards so far. It was screened in Toronto, Berlin, Cannes and Venice festivals. 
 
The film will be released pan India though PVR today with the premiere show held here last night.

'Village Rockstars' is the story about a poor girl aspiring to be a rockstar and is set in her own village at Chayagaon near here. It has won four national awards, including the 'Swarna Kamal' for the best film.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Rima Das, director and producer of 'Village Rockstars' which is India's official entry for the 2019 Oscars in the Best Foreign Language film category, will receive an additional Rs 50 lakh from the Assam government as announced by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Friday, a government release said.

Rima Das, director and producer of 'Village Rockstars' which is India's official entry for the 2019 Oscars in the Best Foreign Language film category, will receive an additional Rs 50 lakh from the Assam government as announced by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Friday, a government release said. The state government had earlier granted Rs 50 lakh to Das. Now a total amount of Rs 1 crore will be provided to the filmmaker, said a government release here. Das had called on the chief minister and expressed her happiness over the selection of 'Village Rockstars' as India's official entry to the Oscars and thanked the Assam government and its people for the ''tremendous support'' to her. Sonowal extended his best wishes to the filmmaker for the ''incredible success'' of her film and hoped that it would be able to win the Oscars in Best Foreign Language film category apart from highlighting the state's quintessential splendour in front of the global audience. Rima had on Thursday sought help from the government to promote her film for the award as at least Rs 3 crore is needed to campaign at the Oscars and to ensure that it makes it to the final nomination. Das said 'Village Rockstars' has travelled to 80 film festivals and has won 44 awards so far. It was screened in Toronto, Berlin, Cannes and Venice festivals. The film will be released pan India though PVR today with the premiere show held here last night. 'Village Rockstars' is the story about a poor girl aspiring to be a rockstar and is set in her own village at Chayagaon near here. It has won four national awards, including the 'Swarna Kamal' for the best film.

Rima Das' 'Village Rockstars' gets additional Rs 50 lakhs from Assam government to campaign at the Oscars 

Assam has witnessed a 10 fold rise in child marriage since 2015-16 with 317 instances recorded during 2017-18, said Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma in the Assembly Friday.

There were 32 instances of child marriage during 2015-16 which rose to 96 during 2016-17 and 317 during 2017-18, the minister told the House while replying to a question of MLA Roselina Tirkey of the Congress.

From zero record in 2015-16, Kamrup district with 59 such instances this year topped the list of child marriage cases, which are recorded by the district child protection units in 27 districts of the state, Brahma said.

Neighboring Barpeta district followed with 39 and Baksa district with 26 instances this year, she added.&nbsp;

Assam has witnessed a 10 fold rise in child marriage since 2015-16 with 317 instances recorded during 2017-18, said Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma in the Assembly Friday.

Assam has witnessed a 10 fold rise in child marriage since 2015-16 with 317 instances recorded during 2017-18, said Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma in the Assembly Friday. There were 32 instances of child marriage during 2015-16 which rose to 96 during 2016-17 and 317 during 2017-18, the minister told the House while replying to a question of MLA Roselina Tirkey of the Congress. From zero record in 2015-16, Kamrup district with 59 such instances this year topped the list of child marriage cases, which are recorded by the district child protection units in 27 districts of the state, Brahma said. Neighboring Barpeta district followed with 39 and Baksa district with 26 instances this year, she added.

317 child marriage instances in Assam during 2017-18: Minister

Star athlete Hima Das, who was among the 20 sportspersons to be conferred the Arjuna Awards from President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday, has now been named as the brand ambassador of Assam.&nbsp;

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made the announcement on Thursday.&nbsp;

The 18-year-old Hima was earlier named the sports ambassador of the state after her heroics in the U-20 World Championship in Finland.&nbsp;

"Chief Minister @sarbanandsonwal announced @HimaDas8 as the state ambassador of Assam. Proud moment," a sports promotion agency tweeted.&nbsp;

Hima created history by winning the gold medal in the women's 400 metre event at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland in July.&nbsp;

Hima registered a time of 51.46 seconds in the final at the Ratina Stadium to become the first Indian track athlete to win gold in a world championship across all age groups.

In the 18th Asian Games, Hima Das claimed the silver medal in the women's 400 metres race after clocking a time of 50.79 seconds

Star athlete Hima Das, who was among the 20 sportspersons to be conferred the Arjuna Awards from President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday, has now been named as the brand ambassador of Assam.

Star athlete Hima Das, who was among the 20 sportspersons to be conferred the Arjuna Awards from President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday, has now been named as the brand ambassador of Assam. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal made the announcement on Thursday. The 18-year-old Hima was earlier named the sports ambassador of the state after her heroics in the U-20 World Championship in Finland. "Chief Minister @sarbanandsonwal announced @HimaDas8 as the state ambassador of Assam. Proud moment," a sports promotion agency tweeted. Hima created history by winning the gold medal in the women's 400 metre event at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland in July. Hima registered a time of 51.46 seconds in the final at the Ratina Stadium to become the first Indian track athlete to win gold in a world championship across all age groups. In the 18th Asian Games, Hima Das claimed the silver medal in the women's 400 metres race after clocking a time of 50.79 seconds

Arjuna awardee Hima Das named state ambassador of Assam 

An FIR has been registered against unknown persons after Assam BJP MLA Aminul Haque Laskar received a letter, along with two bullets, directing him to leave the party within 15 days as he is a "Muslim".

The letter to Laskar, representing the Sonai constituency in Cachar district, came from an unknown group 'Save Secure and Development Protection Force of Muslim, Barak Valley Zone', police said.

"We have registered an FIR against unknown persons for a threatening letter to Laskar on Sunday. Two live cartridges of .32 pistol also came with the letter," Silchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Indrajit Chakraborty said.

The case was registered under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

"I received the letter by post. It said the BJP and the RSS are communal organisations and they are working against the Muslims. So, being a Muslim, I should not be in that party," he added.

He said the letter told him to quit the party within 15 days.

Laskar, however, doubted the authenticity of the demand, saying it might be a handiwork of syndicate mafias involved in urea, drugs and land "against which I have been fighting".

The MLA said he will continue his fight against anti-social elements and demanded a thorough probe by the police.&nbsp

Police said the letter to Aminul Haque Laskar was sent by the so-far unknown group 'Save Secure and Development Protection Force of Muslim, Barak Valley Zone'

An FIR has been registered against unknown persons after Assam BJP MLA Aminul Haque Laskar received a letter, along with two bullets, directing him to leave the party within 15 days as he is a "Muslim". The letter to Laskar, representing the Sonai constituency in Cachar district, came from an unknown group 'Save Secure and Development Protection Force of Muslim, Barak Valley Zone', police said. "We have registered an FIR against unknown persons for a threatening letter to Laskar on Sunday. Two live cartridges of .32 pistol also came with the letter," Silchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Indrajit Chakraborty said. The case was registered under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. "I received the letter by post. It said the BJP and the RSS are communal organisations and they are working against the Muslims. So, being a Muslim, I should not be in that party," he added. He said the letter told him to quit the party within 15 days. Laskar, however, doubted the authenticity of the demand, saying it might be a handiwork of syndicate mafias involved in urea, drugs and land "against which I have been fighting". The MLA said he will continue his fight against anti-social elements and demanded a thorough probe by the police.

Leave BJP in 15 days: Assam Muslim MLA gets threat letter along with 2 bullets

Thousands of protestors today gathered at the Gauhati Commerce College and blocked the busy RG Baruah Road for nearly three hours, leading to massive traffic jam. 
 
The protestors, demanding speedy justice against lynching of two youths in Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Friday night, were subjected to lathicharge by the police. 
 
"Till the time they were peaceful, we had no objection and allowed them to express their feelings. But as it was already around three hours of protest in the form of road blockade, we requested them to leave in the evening and most of the agitators had left," Deputy Commissioner (Central) of Guwahati Police Ranjan Bhuyan told PTI. 
 
However, around hundred protesters refused to leave the spot and even started drinking alcohol on the road, he said, adding they threw stones and bottles on policemen. 
 
"We had no option but to use mild lathicharge to disperse them," Mr Bhuyan said. 
 
Stones and other items were also thrown at media persons present there, but no immediate report of any injury has been received.

Guwahati Police Commissioner Hiren Chandra Nath said "some people" called him last night to tell him about their plans to hold the protest and a candle light procession, but that was an "informal intimation". 
 
"Policemen were present at the spot. We are not objecting to their protest as long as they are peaceful. This is a very sensitive matter and people are emotional," he said.

Mr Nath said three persons have been picked up and their role was being probed. 
 
The call for the protest was given by a Facebook group 'Justice for Nilotpal and Abhijeet'. The group was started yesterday and nearly 60,000 people have joined it within 24 hours. 
 
Two friends, Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath, had gone to a picnic spot Kangthilangso in Karbi Anglong on Friday and while returning, their vehicle was stopped at Panjuri by a mob that pulled them out and beat them to death on the suspicion that they were child lifters. 
 
One of the women protesters said, "We have come out not only for demanding justice for Nilotpal and Abhijeet alone, but for all who have been victims of any kind of superstition. And this case should not continue for one or two years. We want speedy justice". 
 
Another protester Wasim Ahmed said, "First, we demand that the trial be done in a fast track court. Secondly, we want that the deputy commissioner who made an irresponsible statement be sacked immediately. Thirdly, an Act should be brought in to deal with such cases".

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Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner Mridul Kumar Mahanta had reportedly said that the two should have informed the police before visiting the picturesque district, which is in central Assam. 
 
A student of Gauhati University said, "If Assamese people are not safe in Assam, where will we go? This cannot go on. The culprits must get exemplary punishment". 
 
Protests have taken place against the killing at various places across the state.

The All Assam Students' Union, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad and Karbi Students' Association protested at Dokmoka police station, under the jurisdiction of which the incident site falls. 
 
Protests also took place in other places like Numaligarh and Diphu.

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&nbsp;

The protestors, demanding speedy justice against lynching of two youths in Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Friday night, were subjected to lathicharge by the police.

Thousands of protestors today gathered at the Gauhati Commerce College and blocked the busy RG Baruah Road for nearly three hours, leading to massive traffic jam. The protestors, demanding speedy justice against lynching of two youths in Assam's Karbi Anglong district on Friday night, were subjected to lathicharge by the police. "Till the time they were peaceful, we had no objection and allowed them to express their feelings. But as it was already around three hours of protest in the form of road blockade, we requested them to leave in the evening and most of the agitators had left," Deputy Commissioner (Central) of Guwahati Police Ranjan Bhuyan told PTI. However, around hundred protesters refused to leave the spot and even started drinking alcohol on the road, he said, adding they threw stones and bottles on policemen. "We had no option but to use mild lathicharge to disperse them," Mr Bhuyan said. Stones and other items were also thrown at media persons present there, but no immediate report of any injury has been received. Guwahati Police Commissioner Hiren Chandra Nath said "some people" called him last night to tell him about their plans to hold the protest and a candle light procession, but that was an "informal intimation". "Policemen were present at the spot. We are not objecting to their protest as long as they are peaceful. This is a very sensitive matter and people are emotional," he said. Mr Nath said three persons have been picked up and their role was being probed. The call for the protest was given by a Facebook group 'Justice for Nilotpal and Abhijeet'. The group was started yesterday and nearly 60,000 people have joined it within 24 hours. Two friends, Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath, had gone to a picnic spot Kangthilangso in Karbi Anglong on Friday and while returning, their vehicle was stopped at Panjuri by a mob that pulled them out and beat them to death on the suspicion that they were child lifters. One of the women protesters said, "We have come out not only for demanding justice for Nilotpal and Abhijeet alone, but for all who have been victims of any kind of superstition. And this case should not continue for one or two years. We want speedy justice". Another protester Wasim Ahmed said, "First, we demand that the trial be done in a fast track court. Secondly, we want that the deputy commissioner who made an irresponsible statement be sacked immediately. Thirdly, an Act should be brought in to deal with such cases". × Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner Mridul Kumar Mahanta had reportedly said that the two should have informed the police before visiting the picturesque district, which is in central Assam. A student of Gauhati University said, "If Assamese people are not safe in Assam, where will we go? This cannot go on. The culprits must get exemplary punishment". Protests have taken place against the killing at various places across the state. The All Assam Students' Union, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad and Karbi Students' Association protested at Dokmoka police station, under the jurisdiction of which the incident site falls. Protests also took place in other places like Numaligarh and Diphu. ×

Thousands protest lynching of two college students in Assam

As the southwest monsoon makes a steady progress up north, India's west coast was battered today by heavy rainfall, especially the coastal Karnataka, Goa and south Konkan region, the India Meteorological Department said.

The Northern Limit of Monsoon now passes through Thane (including Mumbai), Ahmednagar, Parbhani, Yeotmal, Brahmapuri, Rajnandgaon, Bhavanipatna, Puri, Agartala, north Lakhmipur. Conditions are turning favourable for its advance to Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal, Sikkim and other northeastern states in the next 48 hours, it said.

"Heavy to very heavy rain" was recorded at a few places over coastal Karnataka and south Konkan and Goa while "heavy to very heavy rain" was recorded at isolated places in north Konkan, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, central Maharashtra, south-interior Karnataka and Kerala," the IMD said in its monsoon bulletin.

For tomorrow, the Met department has predicted "heavy to very heavy rain" at a few places in coastal Karnataka, Konkan, Goa, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha and Kerala.

"Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds and lightning are very likely at isolated places over east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand while heat wave conditions very likely at one or two pockets over west Rajasthan," the IMD said. 
Squalls gusting to 60 kmph are very likely along Odisha and West Bengal coasts and over north Bay of Bengal.

Sea conditions are likely to be "rough to very rough", it said, advising fishermen not to venture into the waters.&nbsp 
&nbsp

For tomorrow, the Met department has predicted "heavy to very heavy rain" at a few places in coastal Karnataka, Konkan, Goa, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha and Kerala.

As the southwest monsoon makes a steady progress up north, India's west coast was battered today by heavy rainfall, especially the coastal Karnataka, Goa and south Konkan region, the India Meteorological Department said. The Northern Limit of Monsoon now passes through Thane (including Mumbai), Ahmednagar, Parbhani, Yeotmal, Brahmapuri, Rajnandgaon, Bhavanipatna, Puri, Agartala, north Lakhmipur. Conditions are turning favourable for its advance to Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal, Sikkim and other northeastern states in the next 48 hours, it said. "Heavy to very heavy rain" was recorded at a few places over coastal Karnataka and south Konkan and Goa while "heavy to very heavy rain" was recorded at isolated places in north Konkan, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, central Maharashtra, south-interior Karnataka and Kerala," the IMD said in its monsoon bulletin. For tomorrow, the Met department has predicted "heavy to very heavy rain" at a few places in coastal Karnataka, Konkan, Goa, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Odisha and Kerala. "Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds and lightning are very likely at isolated places over east Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand while heat wave conditions very likely at one or two pockets over west Rajasthan," the IMD said. Squalls gusting to 60 kmph are very likely along Odisha and West Bengal coasts and over north Bay of Bengal. Sea conditions are likely to be "rough to very rough", it said, advising fishermen not to venture into the waters.

Monsoon rain batters west coast, fishermen advised not to venture into high seas

A woman in south Assam's Karimganj district alleged that she was raped by her husband and his two friends within three days of her marriage as his demands for dowry were not met, the police said Sunday.

On the basis of her complaint, the husband was arrested on Sunday, they said.

In her complaint to police, the woman claimed that her husband had demanded gold jewellery as dowry, and when his demand was not met, he along with his friends raped her on April 17, they said.

According to police sources, the incident came to light when she had gone for medical treatment to a government hospital here in a critical condition, the police said.

On the woman's complaint, an FIR was filed on April 20 and a hunt is on to nab the other two accused, they said.&nbsp;

In her complaint to police, the woman claimed that her husband had demanded gold jewellery as dowry, and when his demand was not met, he along with his friends raped her on April 17

A woman in south Assam's Karimganj district alleged that she was raped by her husband and his two friends within three days of her marriage as his demands for dowry were not met, the police said Sunday. On the basis of her complaint, the husband was arrested on Sunday, they said. In her complaint to police, the woman claimed that her husband had demanded gold jewellery as dowry, and when his demand was not met, he along with his friends raped her on April 17, they said. According to police sources, the incident came to light when she had gone for medical treatment to a government hospital here in a critical condition, the police said. On the woman's complaint, an FIR was filed on April 20 and a hunt is on to nab the other two accused, they said.

Newly-married woman allegedly raped by husband, his two friends in Assam

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday visited the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh to inspect the Indian Air Force's Advanced Landing Ground at Pasighat there, a defence spokesman said here.

Sitharaman also visited the Chabua IAF base station in Assam's Dibrugarh to witness its Gagan Shakti Exercise 2018, a pan-India exercise which is in its second phase.

"The scale and scope of #GaganShakti2018 is enormous & like never-before. Given here are only glimpses. Kudos to @IAF_MCC, CAS Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and to all #AirWarriors. @DefenceMinIndia.

"Today at #GaganShakti2018. Appreciate the detail and exhaustive plan with which @IAF_MCC is executing this monumental exercise. Our #AirWarriors displayed agility& great team spirit," Sitharaman tweeted.

The minister inspected operations of SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft, C-17 Globemaster aircraft and rocket loading on Mi-17 V5 helicopters at Pasighat, defence spokesperson Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande said.

She also witnessed a assault drill by the IAF's Garud commandos.

The minister visited the Air to Ground weapons range at Dullong Mukh, where the strike package of Su-30 aircraft was displayed.

Mi-17 V5 Helicopters also demonstrated their strike capability delivering 80mm rockets on a simulated target, the spokesman said.

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Today at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GaganShakti2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GaganShakti2018</a>. Appreciate the detail and exhaustive plan with which <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IAF_MCC</a> is executing this monumental exercise. Our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AirWarriors?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AirWarriors</a> displayed agility& great team spirit. <a href="https://t.co/Z3cAHlzm5Q">pic.twitter.com/Z3cAHlzm5Q</a>
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Sitharaman then visited Chabua, interacted with the air warriors and was also briefed on employment of Air Power in the defence of Eastern Sector, he said.

The defence minister has been visiting various air force establishments to gauge the operational capability and preparedness of the IAF.

Stating Exercise Gagan Shakti-2018 is a large scale IAF exercise which is currently in its second phase, he said the assets have now been deployed along the northern region and operations are taking place in full swing.&nbsp

Sitharaman also visited the Chabua IAF base station in Assam's Dibrugarh to witness its Gagan Shakti Exercise 2018, a pan-India exercise which is in its second phase.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday visited the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh to inspect the Indian Air Force's Advanced Landing Ground at Pasighat there, a defence spokesman said here. Sitharaman also visited the Chabua IAF base station in Assam's Dibrugarh to witness its Gagan Shakti Exercise 2018, a pan-India exercise which is in its second phase. "The scale and scope of #GaganShakti2018 is enormous & like never-before. Given here are only glimpses. Kudos to @IAF_MCC, CAS Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and to all #AirWarriors. @DefenceMinIndia. "Today at #GaganShakti2018. Appreciate the detail and exhaustive plan with which @IAF_MCC is executing this monumental exercise. Our #AirWarriors displayed agility& great team spirit," Sitharaman tweeted. The minister inspected operations of SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft, C-17 Globemaster aircraft and rocket loading on Mi-17 V5 helicopters at Pasighat, defence spokesperson Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande said. She also witnessed a assault drill by the IAF's Garud commandos. The minister visited the Air to Ground weapons range at Dullong Mukh, where the strike package of Su-30 aircraft was displayed. Mi-17 V5 Helicopters also demonstrated their strike capability delivering 80mm rockets on a simulated target, the spokesman said. Today at #GaganShakti2018. Appreciate the detail and exhaustive plan with which @IAF_MCC is executing this monumental exercise. Our #AirWarriors displayed agility& great team spirit. pic.twitter.com/Z3cAHlzm5Q — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) April 19, 2018 × Sitharaman then visited Chabua, interacted with the air warriors and was also briefed on employment of Air Power in the defence of Eastern Sector, he said. The defence minister has been visiting various air force establishments to gauge the operational capability and preparedness of the IAF. Stating Exercise Gagan Shakti-2018 is a large scale IAF exercise which is currently in its second phase, he said the assets have now been deployed along the northern region and operations are taking place in full swing.

Nirmala Sitharaman visits Arunachal, Assam

Varsha Rajkhowa, 26, won the Miss Scuba International beauty pageant in Malaysia in November 2016. Miss Scuba International is a beauty pageant with a slight twist – the contestants all have to be scuba divers.&nbsp;

There were a total of 16 contestants from countries including the US, UK, and the Netherlands, and it was the first time an Indian was competing but Varsha won.&nbsp;

Varsha could now, arguably and with a little hyperbole, be called “chief spokesperson of the world's oceans”.&nbsp;

But, she had told WION when we first met her, the people are not listening to her.&nbsp;

“I tell them not to litter and they say, 'You're a marine environmentalist. Why do you care about littering on land?'&nbsp;

“But all that plastic... it ends up in the ocean,” says Varsha.&nbsp;

“Do you know the five ocean gyres are full of plastic?”&nbsp;

The five ocean gyres are the world's major ocean currents.&nbsp;

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now becoming visible from space.&nbsp;

That “patch” is a gargantuan floating collection of litter in the North Pacific Ocean, most of it having made its way from the land to the sea.&nbsp;

Estimates of the “patch's” size range from 700,000 square kilometres to 15,000,000 square kilometres – that's 8% of the Pacific Ocean or, according to some media reports, up to "twice the size of the continental United States".&nbsp;

There is also an Indian Ocean Garbage Patch.&nbsp;

This plastic – and global warming, and tourism – is beginning to affect the world's oceans beyond repair.&nbsp;

The plastic breaks down into micro-plastics which are then ingested by fish. We eat the fish, along with the plastic in them.&nbsp;

That might be causing cancer in humans.&nbsp;

The toxins released by the breakdown of the plastic are also hurting marine life.&nbsp;

 
Global warming in India 
Varsha says a good place in India to see the effects of global warming is the Andamans.&nbsp;

The most obvious effect of the warming is coral bleaching, or the dying of coral reefs. They go from being vividly colourful to white overnight.&nbsp;

Caused by a sudden rise in water temperature, entire sections of coral reef in the Andamans have been known to bleach overnight.&nbsp;

 
Giving up the crown 
Varsha gave up her crown (all good things must come to an end, and you only get to be queen for a year) in November last year.&nbsp;

What was that like? "Emotional," says Varsha. Any separation anxiety? "Yes," says Varsha, "you get used to the crown. To being a queen."

Did she cry? "Yes, but with a smile." Did she cry when she had won? "Oh yes," says Varsha. "Especially because they announced the winner's name as India, not Varsha Rajkhowa."&nbsp;

 
So, what now?&nbsp; 
"My work as an ocean ambassador starts now," says Varsha, adding that her responsibilities have increased. She means that in the year she was reigning queen, she got to travel and tour with the Miss Scuba International organisation, but that she now has to talk about the world's oceans, their conservation, and scuba diving (remember what the award is called) and safe diving practices — all on her own.&nbsp;

"I'm working with the people I can," says Varsha, "schools and colleges, spreading awareness." She says that she was recently in the Konkan region, where she talked about plastic, the damage it can do, and how to limit it.&nbsp;

Varsha also did an awareness programme recently with the Climate Reality Project, a non-profit working on education and advocacy related to climate change..&nbsp;

What about the public? Are they listening?&nbsp;

“They will listen,” Varsha had told WION after winning her crown. “You tell people that we will be left with no oceans by 2030 if we are not careful – and if there are no oceans, there will be no earth – and they will listen.”&nbsp;

Are they listening now?&nbsp;

"They are,' says Varsha. "They even do what you ask them to for a day or two. But there isn't very much follow-up." &nbsp;

Varsha Rajkhowa, 26, won the Miss Scuba International beauty pageant in Malaysia. She could now, arguably and with a little hyperbole, be called 'chief spokesperson of the world's oceans'

Varsha Rajkhowa, 26, won the Miss Scuba International beauty pageant in Malaysia in November 2016. Miss Scuba International is a beauty pageant with a slight twist – the contestants all have to be scuba divers. There were a total of 16 contestants from countries including the US, UK, and the Netherlands, and it was the first time an Indian was competing but Varsha won. Varsha could now, arguably and with a little hyperbole, be called “chief spokesperson of the world's oceans”. But, she had told WION when we first met her, the people are not listening to her. “I tell them not to litter and they say, 'You're a marine environmentalist. Why do you care about littering on land?' “But all that plastic... it ends up in the ocean,” says Varsha. “Do you know the five ocean gyres are full of plastic?” The five ocean gyres are the world's major ocean currents. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now becoming visible from space. That “patch” is a gargantuan floating collection of litter in the North Pacific Ocean, most of it having made its way from the land to the sea. Estimates of the “patch's” size range from 700,000 square kilometres to 15,000,000 square kilometres – that's 8% of the Pacific Ocean or, according to some media reports, up to "twice the size of the continental United States". There is also an Indian Ocean Garbage Patch. This plastic – and global warming, and tourism – is beginning to affect the world's oceans beyond repair. The plastic breaks down into micro-plastics which are then ingested by fish. We eat the fish, along with the plastic in them. That might be causing cancer in humans. The toxins released by the breakdown of the plastic are also hurting marine life. Global warming in India Varsha says a good place in India to see the effects of global warming is the Andamans. The most obvious effect of the warming is coral bleaching, or the dying of coral reefs. They go from being vividly colourful to white overnight. Caused by a sudden rise in water temperature, entire sections of coral reef in the Andamans have been known to bleach overnight. Giving up the crown Varsha gave up her crown (all good things must come to an end, and you only get to be queen for a year) in November last year. What was that like? "Emotional," says Varsha. Any separation anxiety? "Yes," says Varsha, "you get used to the crown. To being a queen." Did she cry? "Yes, but with a smile." Did she cry when she had won? "Oh yes," says Varsha. "Especially because they announced the winner's name as India, not Varsha Rajkhowa." So, what now? "My work as an ocean ambassador starts now," says Varsha, adding that her responsibilities have increased. She means that in the year she was reigning queen, she got to travel and tour with the Miss Scuba International organisation, but that she now has to talk about the world's oceans, their conservation, and scuba diving (remember what the award is called) and safe diving practices — all on her own. "I'm working with the people I can," says Varsha, "schools and colleges, spreading awareness." She says that she was recently in the Konkan region, where she talked about plastic, the damage it can do, and how to limit it. Varsha also did an awareness programme recently with the Climate Reality Project, a non-profit working on education and advocacy related to climate change.. What about the public? Are they listening? “They will listen,” Varsha had told WION after winning her crown. “You tell people that we will be left with no oceans by 2030 if we are not careful – and if there are no oceans, there will be no earth – and they will listen.” Are they listening now? "They are,' says Varsha. "They even do what you ask them to for a day or two. But there isn't very much follow-up."

The Indian beauty queen that no one has heard of

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday said that China is diverting Arunachal Pradesh's Brahmaputra water to Xinjiang region.

Talking to ANI, Gogoi said that China has already been diverting Brahmaputra water with a dam which will create water shortage for us.&nbsp;

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China has already been diverting Brahmaputra water with a dam which will create water shortage for us. The artificial rainwater harvesting plan of them will create even more danger. PM should take it seriously or our future will be in dark: Tarun Gogoi, Former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Assam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Assam</a> CM <a href="https://t.co/llQuwUOdY8">pic.twitter.com/llQuwUOdY8</a>
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The artificial rainwater harvesting plan of them will create even more danger.&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi should take it seriously or our future will be in dark.

China has been building major dams on Brahmaputra river to generate hydel power. It operationalised Zangmu hydroelectric project in October, 2015 and three more are under construction.

While dams raised concerns of water shortages in India and Bangladesh, which are lower riparian states of Brahmaputra river, China said its dams were aimed at generating power and not storing water.

According to officials, the data shared by upper riparian state, China, to lower riparian states, India and Bangladesh is essential every monsoon to allow anticipation of the flow of the water and take necessary measures to deal with flooding in India's north eastern states.&nbsp;

Chinese engineers are reportedly testing techniques that could be used to build a 1,000 km-long tunnel — the world’s longest — to divert water from the Brahmaputra river in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh to the parched Xinjiang region

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday said that China is diverting Arunachal Pradesh's Brahmaputra water to Xinjiang region. Talking to ANI, Gogoi said that China has already been diverting Brahmaputra water with a dam which will create water shortage for us. China has already been diverting Brahmaputra water with a dam which will create water shortage for us. The artificial rainwater harvesting plan of them will create even more danger. PM should take it seriously or our future will be in dark: Tarun Gogoi, Former #Assam CM pic.twitter.com/llQuwUOdY8 — ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2018 × The artificial rainwater harvesting plan of them will create even more danger. PM Narendra Modi should take it seriously or our future will be in dark. China has been building major dams on Brahmaputra river to generate hydel power. It operationalised Zangmu hydroelectric project in October, 2015 and three more are under construction. While dams raised concerns of water shortages in India and Bangladesh, which are lower riparian states of Brahmaputra river, China said its dams were aimed at generating power and not storing water. According to officials, the data shared by upper riparian state, China, to lower riparian states, India and Bangladesh is essential every monsoon to allow anticipation of the flow of the water and take necessary measures to deal with flooding in India's north eastern states.

Future will be dark: Ex-Assam CM says China diverting Brahmaputra water

A statue of Bhartiya Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee was found vandalised in Kokrajhar town of Assam today, police said.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal strongly condemned the incident and said the government would not tolerate such acts.

The face of Mukherjee&#39;s statue at Rabindra Nagar area of the town was found damaged this morning. The locals immediately informed the police.

Korajhar Deputy Commissioner Niranjan Baruah, who rushed to the spot along with Superintendent of Police Rajen Singh, told newsmen that the statue was damaged apparently with a hammer and stones by miscreants in the early hours.

&#39;&#39;Such acts of vandalism will not be tolerated,&#39;&#39; he said.

The Kokrajhar SP said stern action would be taken against the miscreants.

In a statement in Guwahati, the chief minister directed the Kokrajhar deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to take stern action and book the miscreants under relevant provisions of law.

He also directed the administration to step up the vigil and take all measures to prevent such vandalism.

Executive members of the Bodoland Territorial Council-- Doneswar Goyari and Rajib Kumar Brahma also condemned the incident.

President of United People&#39;s Party-Liberal, U G Brahma demanded stern action against the miscreants.

A bust of Mukherjee was vandalised on March 7 in Kolkata by seven persons, including a woman, allegedly belonging to a left-wing group.

The accused were arrested from the spot. They had told a TV channel that they defaced and vandalised the Jan Sangh founder&#39;s bust to protest against the pulling down of communist icon Lenin&#39;s statues in Tripura.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal strongly condemned the incident and said the government would not tolerate such acts.

A statue of Bhartiya Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee was found vandalised in Kokrajhar town of Assam today, police said. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal strongly condemned the incident and said the government would not tolerate such acts. The face of Mukherjee's statue at Rabindra Nagar area of the town was found damaged this morning. The locals immediately informed the police. Korajhar Deputy Commissioner Niranjan Baruah, who rushed to the spot along with Superintendent of Police Rajen Singh, told newsmen that the statue was damaged apparently with a hammer and stones by miscreants in the early hours. ''Such acts of vandalism will not be tolerated,'' he said. The Kokrajhar SP said stern action would be taken against the miscreants. In a statement in Guwahati, the chief minister directed the Kokrajhar deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to take stern action and book the miscreants under relevant provisions of law. He also directed the administration to step up the vigil and take all measures to prevent such vandalism. Executive members of the Bodoland Territorial Council-- Doneswar Goyari and Rajib Kumar Brahma also condemned the incident. President of United People's Party-Liberal, U G Brahma demanded stern action against the miscreants. A bust of Mukherjee was vandalised on March 7 in Kolkata by seven persons, including a woman, allegedly belonging to a left-wing group. The accused were arrested from the spot. They had told a TV channel that they defaced and vandalised the Jan Sangh founder's bust to protest against the pulling down of communist icon Lenin's statues in Tripura.

Syama Prasad Mukherjee's statue vandalised in Assam

Persistent heavy rain have caused widespread disruption in India's major cities and severe floods in the rugged northeast have killed at least 12, the government said on Friday. 
 
About 50,000 from southern and eastern India had to be evacuated as storms pushed water levels to dangerous levels, damaging crops and causing more than 3,000 houses to collapse. 
 
Flooding, an annual problem during the monsoon season, has been worsened by crumbling civic infrastructure, clogged drains and uncontrolled urban expansion in a country with a fast-growing population of 1.3 billion.&nbsp; 
 
The rains triggered waterlogging and led to massive traffic jams in the city of Gurugram near capital New Delhi. 
 
Deputy police commissioner of Gurugram, T L Satyaprakash, had imposed prohibitory orders preventing gatherings of more than five near Hero Honda Chowk to ease the congestion as thousands of commuters were left stranded on the Gurgaon-Delhi Expressway and the National Highway-8 due to traffic jam. 
 
People vented their anger on social media after being stranded for up to 12 hours as traffic gridlock paralysed roads in the business hub of Gurugram near New Delhi. Trains were also delayed. 
 
"It took me four hours to drive 6 km (4 miles)," said Randeep Dev, a consultant at a private bank in New Delhi. "Our cities are a living hell in the monsoon." 
 
The city police said they have made detailed plans to avert a similar situation in the future. 
 
According to sources, the police force has been deployed in full strength 24*7 at 14 crucial points, mainly on the NH8 and NH-248A. 
 
"At each point, inspector rank officer have been deployed along with police personnel as per requirement of each spot," said the source. 
 
The fourteen points where the police personnel have been deployed are Hero Honda Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Jharsa Chowk, Signature Tower Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Shankar Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Golf Course Extension Road intersection on Sohna Road, Main Chowk in Sohna, Maharana Pratap Chowk, Atul Kataria Chowk, IMT Manesar Chowk, HUDA City Center Station and its vicinity in all directions and Sector 31 red light. 
 
With major arterial roads leading to Gurgaon, including the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway and the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, witnessing massive traffic jams, leaving commuters stranded for hours, transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday directed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) chairman Raghav Chandra to immediately send a team of officials to clear NH-8.&nbsp; 
 
Tracts of the southern technology hub of Bengaluru and the financial capital of Mumbai on the west coast were inundated by flood waters and sewage swirled in the streets. 
 
Fire officials in Bengaluru used boats to rescue people stranded near Electronics City which is home to technology firms and multinationals such as Infosys. 
 
Forecasters warned of a new round of heavy rains and flooding, as the government opened shelters and stepped up emergency rescue operations. 
 
(Agencies) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Deputy police commissioner of Gurugram had imposed prohibitory orders to ease traffc congestion as thousands were left stranded

Persistent heavy rain have caused widespread disruption in India's major cities and severe floods in the rugged northeast have killed at least 12, the government said on Friday. About 50,000 from southern and eastern India had to be evacuated as storms pushed water levels to dangerous levels, damaging crops and causing more than 3,000 houses to collapse. Flooding, an annual problem during the monsoon season, has been worsened by crumbling civic infrastructure, clogged drains and uncontrolled urban expansion in a country with a fast-growing population of 1.3 billion. The rains triggered waterlogging and led to massive traffic jams in the city of Gurugram near capital New Delhi. Deputy police commissioner of Gurugram, T L Satyaprakash, had imposed prohibitory orders preventing gatherings of more than five near Hero Honda Chowk to ease the congestion as thousands of commuters were left stranded on the Gurgaon-Delhi Expressway and the National Highway-8 due to traffic jam. People vented their anger on social media after being stranded for up to 12 hours as traffic gridlock paralysed roads in the business hub of Gurugram near New Delhi. Trains were also delayed. "It took me four hours to drive 6 km (4 miles)," said Randeep Dev, a consultant at a private bank in New Delhi. "Our cities are a living hell in the monsoon." The city police said they have made detailed plans to avert a similar situation in the future. According to sources, the police force has been deployed in full strength 24*7 at 14 crucial points, mainly on the NH8 and NH-248A. "At each point, inspector rank officer have been deployed along with police personnel as per requirement of each spot," said the source. The fourteen points where the police personnel have been deployed are Hero Honda Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Jharsa Chowk, Signature Tower Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Shankar Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Golf Course Extension Road intersection on Sohna Road, Main Chowk in Sohna, Maharana Pratap Chowk, Atul Kataria Chowk, IMT Manesar Chowk, HUDA City Center Station and its vicinity in all directions and Sector 31 red light. With major arterial roads leading to Gurgaon, including the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway and the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, witnessing massive traffic jams, leaving commuters stranded for hours, transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday directed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) chairman Raghav Chandra to immediately send a team of officials to clear NH-8. Tracts of the southern technology hub of Bengaluru and the financial capital of Mumbai on the west coast were inundated by flood waters and sewage swirled in the streets. Fire officials in Bengaluru used boats to rescue people stranded near Electronics City which is home to technology firms and multinationals such as Infosys. Forecasters warned of a new round of heavy rains and flooding, as the government opened shelters and stepped up emergency rescue operations. (Agencies)

Police deployed in India's business hub Gurugram to manage traffic, rain continues to lash major cities

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