Guwahati:

Assam’s flood situation has turned critical following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters in Guwahati on Monday.

“Since last evening, the flood situation has turned critical in Upper Assam. The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level,” Mr Sarma said.

Even in Kaziranga National Park, 95 out of a total 233 forest check posts are submerged. The animals have started moving from the reserve forest to nearby hills.

The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall for the next two to three days, Mr Sarma said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah called me and assured of all help to deal with the situation,” the Chief Minister said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the army will be on standby to deal with any emergency, he said.

All ministers, MLAs and officials have been asked to closely monitor the situation, he added.

Officials said 2.7 lakh people in 14 districts, including Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys, have been affected by the floods.

Guwahati:

Assam’s flood situation has turned critical following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level, Mr Sarma said at a press conference here.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall for the next two to three days, he said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah called me and assured of all help to deal with the situation,” the Assam CM said.

The NDRF and Army will be on standby to deal with any emergency, he said.

“All ministers, MLAs and officials have been asked to closely monitor the situation,” he added.

Altogether 2,70,628 people in 14 districts, including Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, are reeling under the deluge, officials said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Bokaro, Jharkhand:

Underscoring the BJPs pledge to push for resolution of the Gyanvapi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi cases, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said if his party fulfils its campaign pitch of ‘ab ki baar, 400 paar’ (400-plus seats) in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, it will construct temples at the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura and the mosque in Varanasi.

Addressing a public meeting in Jharkhand’s Bokaro in favour of BJP candidate Dhullo Mahto on Wednesday, the Assam CM listed the accomplishments of the party when it won 300-plus seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“After securing 300 seats (in 2019), Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that the Ram Mandir came up in Ayodhya, winning the hearts of Hindus. We freed Ram Lalla from the makeshift tent and helped him return to take his throne. We organised a grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. When you gave us 300 seats, PM Modi abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, in a move aimed at restoration of peace in the erstwhile state. He also used the mandate to provide permanent Indian residency or citizenship to minority Hindus (from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh through the CAA),” Mr Sarma said.

Urging people to vote the BJP-led NDA back to power at the Centre on June 4, the Assam CM said, “Give 400 seats to Modi-ji, we will raise temples at the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura and the Gyanvapi mosque in Kashi (Varanasi).”

“Our work is still incomplete. Still today, at Krishna Janambhoomi, there is a Shahi Eidgah. In place of a Gyanvapi Mandir, there is a Gyanvapi Masjid. Modi-ji ko 400 seat dijiye, hame Krishna ka janabhoomi bhi banana hai aur Gyanvapi Mandir bhi banana hai (give 400 seats to PM Modi as we have to accomplish our unfinished tasks of building temples at Krishna Janmabhoomi and at the Gyanvapi mosque.”

Invoking Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Assam CM said, “There are two parts of Kashmir, one that is with Pakistan and the other one that is with India. Give Modi-ji 400 seats and see how we bring Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir back to India. He will also make India a ‘Vishwaguru’ and the world’s best economy.”
Taking a jibe at the Congress, JMM, and INDIA bloc, Mr Sarma claimed that the Opposition doesn’t have any problem with Prime Minister Narendra Modi returning to office for a third term but they cannot see the NDA winning 400 seats. “The Congress, JMM, and INDIA bloc ask us why PM Modi wants 400 seats. They don’t have any problem if we get 300 seats, and they don’t have any problem if Narendra Modi becomes PM again. Their problem is why Modi-ji wants 400 seats. All they want is to ensure that PM Modi doesn’t get 400 seats.”

Mr Sarma also took a dig at the JMM, claiming that the Opposition-ruled Jharkhand was in a mess. “The JMM leaders, while holding rallies and addressing the people, seldom chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’.
They say ‘Assalam Walekum.’ In India, you cannot practise the politics of insulting the Hindus,” Mr Sarma said.

The Assam CM also spoke at length about the benefits the people of Jharkhand received derived under PM Modi, saying, “Modi-ji has always worked for the upliftment of the poor in Jharkhand. After becoming PM, he constructed 16 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, he provided free health treatment to 1 crore people through the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat, gave domestic cylinders to 37 lakh women under Ujjwala and tap water connections to 21 lakh families. And, mind you, all this work was done despite there being a single-engine government in the state. Once a double-engine government is formed here, the work will be doubled and tripled and our Jharkhand will also become a developed state.”

Speaking to reporters after addressing the rally, the Assam CM took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying, “I want to ask Rahul Gandhi: how many backward, tribal and Dalit people were made industrialists by Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi? Narendra Modi made an Adivasi the country’s President.”

“I wish to tell Rahul Gandhi: just saying that he is not against the Hindus won’t work. He will have to become a Hindu lover as India is a Hindu civilisation… For 5000 years, the Hindus have nurtured and built India,” he added.

Mr Sarma targeted Congress for not obeying the Constitution, saying, “What is the need to change the Constitution? The Congress never followed what BR Ambedkar wrote in our Constitution. Once we come back with 400 seats, PM Modi will ensure full compliance with what is enshrined in the Constitution.”

Claiming that inflation was lowest in BJP-ruled states, he added, “In BJP-ruled states, the cost of petrol-diesel is the lowest. Today, in BJP-ruled states, inflation is the lowest. We also have the maximum number of welfare schemes. Our mothers get Rs 1200 monthly, and the government employees get 50 per cent DA.”

Notably, the JMM is part of the INDIA bloc and is contesting elections in alliance with the Congress in Jharkhand and Odisha. Bokaro will go to the polls in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25.

In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 seats in Jharkhand, with the former alone winning 11. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress got one seat each.

The general elections are being held in seven phases and the counting is scheduled for June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke of a fresh to-do list if the NDA gets 400 seats in the ongoing general election. Countering the Opposition allegations of a change in Constitution, Mr Sarma said today that the focus would be on making Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir a part of India. His list also has two building projects — temples at Krishna Janambhoomi in Mathura and in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi. “You think Hindus would be satisfied with Ram Janmabhoomi alone,” he questioned.

As for Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Mr Sarma, speaking at a rally in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh, said it was a natural progression of the party’s plans.

“When we crossed 300 (seats) we scrapped Article 370, built the Ayodhya temple. Once we cross 400, we will ensure that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir merges with India,” he said.

“The real game will start after crossing 400. For the last few days, slogans of freedom are being raised in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Crossing 400 means return of PoK to India,” he added.   

“Agitation is taking place every day in PoK and people are protesting against Pakistan, holding the Indian flag,” he added.

Mr Sarma said during Congress rule, no discussion was held in Parliament regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“When the Congress government was in power, we were told that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan. It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has ‘Occupied Kashmir,’ it is actually ours,” he added.

The issue of protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir was highlighted by foreign minister S Jaishankar also.

People in PoK must be comparing their situation with those living in Jammu and Kashmir, in view of the progress there, he had said yesterday. The BJP has ascribed the high turnout in the election for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat to the scrapping of Article 370.

From 14 per cent polling in 2019, the figure this time rose to 38 per cent, the highest since 1989.

Guwahati, Assam:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday lauded state police after it intercepted a vehicle and recovered 637. 28 grams of heroin in Karbi Anglong District.

The driver has been arrested, the Chief Minister informed.

“As part of our ongoing Assam Against Drugs campaign, @karbianglongpol intercepted a vehicle coming from a neighbouring State and recovered 637.28 gms of heroin contained in 50 soap boxes. Good job @assampolice,” Mr Sarma posted on X.

As part of our ongoing #AssamAgainstDrugs campaign, @karbianglongpol intercepted a vehicle coming from a neighbouring State and recovered 637.28 gms of heroin contained in 50 soap boxes.

The driver has been apprehended in this regard.

Good job @assampolice! pic.twitter.com/n25Qhc5AgP

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 28, 2023

Earlier in September, Assam Police arrested two drug peddlers and seized 575 grams of heroin in the same district.

According to police, the drug traffickers, identified as Nur Uddin and Azhar Uddin were arrested based on credible information.

Earlier on September 25, Karbi Anglong district police apprehended one person named Samsul Haque and recovered 47 soap boxes of heroin weighing 583.08 grams.

Assam police on September 23 arrested a drug peddler and seized a large quantity of contraband drugs from his possession in Cachar district, officials said.

The estimated value of the seized contraband drugs was Rs 2 crore, they said.

According to police, the accused was identified as Azad Uddin Barlaskar (31).

Cachar Superintendent of Police, Numal Mahatta had said that based on a tip-off, a team of police from the Cachar district carried out an operation and intercepted a vehicle at Banskandi-Silchar road.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jairam Ramesh. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have engaged in a war of words over Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s ‘Akbar’ remark made during a public speech in poll-bound Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha.

The Congress on October 26 moved to the Election Commission (EC) against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging a poll code violation by the latter during a speech made in poll-bound Chhattisgarh.

Taking to ‘X’, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote, “Yesterday, the Congress party brought to the attention of the Election Commission of India serious electoral malpractices by senior leaders of the party in power. The ECI has observed prima facie the violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Assam CM for his obnoxious hate speech on the 18th of October in Chhattisgarh. He is actually a serial offender”.

“We hope that the ECI will follow through and take this case to its logical conclusion. Politicians, especially those holding Constitutional positions, cannot and should not be allowed to get away with such blatant violations of the Model Code of Conduct. It is the only way to stop the poisoning of our public discourse and protect the sanctity of our elections and democracy itself”, he added.

Following this, the EC issued a show-cause notice to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma over his speech during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign. The Election Commission (EC) in the show-cause notice mentioned that certain parts of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s speech on October 18 have been found to be “prima facia violative”.

The EC has asked Assam CM Himanata Biswa Sarma to be present before 5 p.m. on October 30, 2023.”You are hereby called upon to show cause by 17:00 hrs of 30th October 2023, (Monday) as to why appropriate action of violation on Model code of conduct should not be taken against you.”, the notice read.

The notice further mentioned that in case of the absence of the BJP leader, the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision. Meanwhile, in response to the allegation by the Congress party, Assam CM took to ‘X’ and wrote, “Congress has withheld the material information from the Hon’ble Election Commission that Mohammed Akbar is their candidate from Kawardha Constituency. Therefore legitimate criticism of a candidate does not amount to communal politics”.

“Congress will have to face the legal consequence of not revealing this crucial fact in their representation. I have full faith in the collection wisdom of the Hon’ble Election Commission”, he added.

Guwahati, Assam:

In line up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to improve rail connectivity between various parts of North-eastern states with major and important cities of India, extension of service of one train upto Silchar and another upto Agartala along with introduction of two new train services were flagged off on Thursday.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha were present at Guwahati and Agartala Railway Stations respectively.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology virtually joined the flagging off programmes at different stations.

MPs, MLAs, senior railway officials of division and other state dignitaries were present during the flagging off ceremony at different stations.

Fulfilling the long-standing demand of the people of Barak Valley, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off the train no.15617/15618 (Guwahati – Dullabcherra – Guwahati) Express from Guwahati Station. Kripanath Mallah, MP (Lok Sabha) and Bijoy Malakar, MLA/Ratabari were present at Dullabcherra station.

Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway along with senior railway officials of Headquarters were present at Guwahati Railway Station.

The tri-weekly regular service of train no. 15617/15618 (Guwahati – Dullabcherra – Guwahati) Express will run on Monday, Wednesday & Saturday commencing journey from 21.10.2023 leaving Guwahati at 22:00 hours to reach Dullabcherra at 09:45 hours next day. In return journey the train will depart at 11:10 hours on Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday from Dullabcherra and reach Guwahati at 23:15 hours on same day. This new train will be the first direct train service between Guwahati the capital of Assam and Dullabcherra bordering Mizoram.

This will provide in better rail connectivity with ease of travel for the people of the bordering areas of Assam and Mizoram.

Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha flagged off the extension of train no. 12519/12520 (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Kamakhya – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) Express upto Agartala and new services of daily DEMU train no. 07688/07687 (Agartala – Sabroom – Agartala) from Agartala Railway Station.

Kumari Pratima Bhoumik, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Sushanta Chowdhury, Minister of Transport, Tourism, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Govt. of Tripura and Mina Rani Sarkar, MLA/Badharghat, Tripura were also present during the flagging off ceremony.

The extended service of train No. 12519/12520 (Lokmanya Tilak Terminus – Agartala – Lokmanya Tilak Terminus) Express will commence its regular journey from 22.10.2023, Sunday at 07:50 hours from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and reach Agartala at 17:50 hours on Tuesday. In return journey the train will depart at 07:20 hours on Thursday from Agartala and reach Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 16:15 hours on Saturday. The extension of this train service will connect capital of Tripura with Western part of India i.e. Mumbai.

The regular service of train No. 07688/07687 (Agartala – Sabroom – Agartala) daily DEMU Special will commence from 20.10.2023 leaving Agartala at 13.40 hours to reach Sabroom at 15:55 hours. In return journey the train will depart from Sabroom at 16:20 hours and reach Agartala at 18:50 hours.

Introduction of DEMU train will enhance connectivity for the people of remote areas of Tripura with the state capital i.e. Agartala.

One escalator was also inaugurated at the Agartala station by the Chief Minister of Tripura giving a further boost to the existing passenger amenities. This newly constructed escalator will be helpful for senior citizen and patients during boarding of trains and interchanging platforms.

Train no. 12514/12513 (Guwahati – Secunderabad – Guwahati) Express which was extended upto Silchar was also flagged off from Silchar Railway Station.

The extended service of train No. 12513/12514 (Secunderabad – Silchar- Secunderabad) Express will commence its regular journey from 21.10.2023, Saturday at 16:35 hours from Secunderabad and reach Silchar at 23:20 hours on Monday. In return journey the train will depart at 19:50 hours on Wednesday from Silchar and reach Secunderabad at 03:35 hours on Saturday. This new train will be the first direct train service between Barak Valley (Silchar) with one of the Southern cities Secunderabad.

The extension and introduction of these train services will serve the purpose of passengers who travel frequently for medical, education, business etc. from northeast to other parts of the country and within northeast. Selling of tickets has already started thorough different available platforms.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged on Wednesday that the Congress did not condemn the Hamas and declared its support for Palestine at the insistence of party leader Rahul Gandhi, keeping an eye on the coming assembly elections in Telangana.

Mr Sarma also said that there is no unity among the constituents of the newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and that it was constituted just to “cheat people” of India.

“See there was a CWC meeting (recently). The issue of Hamas was discussed there. Everyone said at the meeting that it is necessary to condemn Hamas at this point of time. But Rahul Gandhi said that election in Telangana is coming so we should support Palestine. I am telling you the inside story of the CWC. After that this resolution was passed,” he told reporters here.

At its last meeting on October 9, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) reaffirmed its support to the Palestinian cause without mentioning the horrific attack carried out by the Hamas on Israel on October 7.

The Assam chief minister, who was in the Congress for over two decades before joining the BJP in 2015, pointed out that there was “not a single word” about the Hamas in the CWC resolution.

“They could have been balanced by saying that we condemn Hamas but at the same time we stand by India’s position of supporting an independent Palestine. But they did not do that,” he said.

Mr Sarma said that strong action must be taken against terrorism but the Congress, due to its appeasement politics, is not saying anything against terrorism despite the fact that India is a victim of terrorism.

“It is a matter of sadness. The Congress, the oldest party in the country, should have openly condemned the Hamas. At the same they can say that we support Palestine. That is a different issue. Since the Congress is eying the vote bank of Owaisi (Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi), it is siding with the Hamas,” he said.

The chief minister said since Rahul Gandhi is a biker, there is a possibility that someday he may go and ride a bike in Gaza or hop on a tractor there.

Asked about NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s reported criticism of the government for “standing with Israel” despite India’s long-term support for Palestine, Sarma said there are some people in India who are giving clean chit to the Hamas as they can’t see anything beyond appeasement.

“Even Hamas is not condemning Israel the way some people in India are condemning Israel. Even Hamas has accepted that it was in fault. Hamas knows that they kidnapped kids and that is a sin,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati (Assam):

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been awarded the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship for his distinguished contribution to public service, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) informed through an official statement on Sunday.  

After receiving the honour, Chief Minister Sarma expressed his “profound gratitude” at receiving the award and termed it as a recognition of Assam’s growing global stature, the statement read. 

The Assam chief minister was also extended an invitation to visit Singapore as a Lee Kuan Yew Fellow for his “dedicated leadership in public works and development”.

The prestigious fellowship is conferred on outstanding individuals in “recognition of their potential contributions to the development of their nation and to bilateral relations with Singapore”, read the statement further. 

The Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship was launched as a tribute to Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, for his contributions to the nation.

The Singapore Prime Minister is the patron of the fellowship.

Chief Minister Sarma was chosen for the award “in recognition of his immense role in championing the cause of development and international harmony”, the official statement added. 

Mr Sarma is the first Assam Chief Minister to have been bestowed with this prestigious fellowship. With the conferment of this award, Mr Sarma joined the likes of former Union Minister Arun Shourie, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and former Vice Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia to have received this honour.

Established in 1991, the LKYEF invites outstanding individuals for high-level visits to Singapore.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a jibe at the leaders of INDIA alliance on Thursday following their announcement of boycotting some of the journalists and said that the opposition leader has proved their “intolerant attitude”.

Mr Sarma further attacked the INDIA alliance claiming that if INDIA alliance came to power they would be imposing press censorship.

“Today, the INDIA alliance has boycotted a few journalists. The same people who were lecturing us on freedom of speech, by boycotting news anchors they have proved their intolerant attitude. If these people come to government, the first thing they will do is impose the press censorship,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma.

INDIA bloc released a list of the names of the 14 TV anchors that will be boycotted in the upcoming days. Informing about the decision, Congress leader Pawan Khera took to X and said, “The following decision was taken by the INDIA media committee in a virtual meeting held this afternoon. Judega Bharat Jeetega India.”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the decision of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to boycott certain shows of journalists and called their mindset “highly repressive, dictatorial and negative.”

“The Bharatiya Janata Party today strongly criticised and condemned the decision of all the constituents of the “ghamandiya” alliance – I.N.D.I Alliance to boycott some journalists and the threat issued to them. By taking such a highly deplorable decision, the “ghamandiya” alliance has once again revealed its highly repressive, dictatorial and negative mindset. The Bharatiya Janata Party severely criticises the unfortunate step of the I.N.D.I Alliance,” an official statement issued by the party said.

BJP said that it severely opposes such a derogatory mentality which hinders freedom of expression.

Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Thursday accused the Opposition bloc- INDIA of “bullying the media” and “threatening individual journalists”.

In his post on X, JP Nadda also came down heavily on Congress, alleging that the grand old party has several instances of ‘silencing’ those with differing views. “The history of Congress has many instances of bullying the media and silencing those with differing views. Pandit Nehru curtailed free speech and arrested those who criticised him. Indira Ji remains the Gold Medal winner of how to do it- called for committed judiciary, committed bureaucracy and imposed the horrific Emergency,” Mr Nadda said.

He further said that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi tried to bring media under state control but failed “miserably”. “Sonia Ji-led UPA was banning social media handles simply because the Congress did not like their views,” he added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)