Daily News - The Sentinel

1. Water Resources Department resumes 48 work on embankment schemes - The Water Resources Department has resumed all the 48 works that got halted owing to the two earlier lockdown phases. These projects pertain to repairing, reconstruction and protection of critical and vulnerable embankments, closing of breaches, pro-siltation and anti-erosion measures across Assam under the 'State Owned Priority Development Flood Damage Repairing' (SOPD FDR) scheme.

2. Lockdown: Private Bus Operators not to ply vehicles - The private bus operators have refused to ply their vehicles even after the Assam Government gave relaxation in the ongoing third-phase of lockdown. The operators said that running of buses with 50 per cent capacity would prove 'suicidal' for their business that have been already hit by lockdown.

3. NRL benefits through crude oil imports from Petronas, Malaysia - Taking advantage of plummeting prices of crude oil in International Market , NRL is importing 21 TMT of Crude oil from Petronas, Malaysia. The crude oil vessel MT S-Trader has sailed off from Miri Port of Malaysia on 05 May, 2020 and is expected to reach Haldia on 12. May, 2020. Crude Oil is presently traded in the market in the range of 19 USD per BBL to 24 USD per BBL against normal crude oil average price of 50 to 55 USD / BBL. Crude oil price varies based on its characteristics.

4. Assam Liquor shops earn Rs 25 crore revenue in just two days - Liquor has literally brought cheers to depleting coffers of many States including Assam. Nearly 50 per cent liquor vends in the country opened on Monday, after the Union Home Ministry (MHA) granted shops permission to reopen in green and orange zones, as well as those located outside COVID-19 hotspots or containment areas in red zones. Soon after reopening of liquor shops on Monday, the Assam Government has earned revenue to the tune of Rs 25 crore till Tuesday. The total liquor sale was more than Rs 75 crore in the State.

5. One more tests positive for Coronavirus in Assam, tally rises to 44 - One more person has tested positive for novel coronavirus in Assam, taking the tally to 44 in the state so far. The person is from Kokrajhar. Revealing this Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , on Tuesday night tweeted, "One person from Kokrajhar district with a travel history of Koch Behar has tested positive for COVID-19. Total COVID-19 cases in Assam now stands at 44."

6. 368 vehicles seized, 230 fine cases over Rs 32 lakh fine collected on first day - Despite the third phase of the lockdown kicked in on Monday with several relaxations, as many as 368 vehicles were seized and 230 fine cases were detected under the Guwahati Police Commissionerate for violation of the norms. Out of the total seized vehicles, 323 are two wheelers, 6 three wheelers and 39 four wheelers. A total fine of Rs. 32,7,000 was realized and 223 non-FIR cases were sent to the court.

7. Assam Teachers’ body demands jobs regularisation - A teachers’ organisation in Assam has raised demand for their job regularisation. The Sodou Asom Betan Banchit Shiksyak Snatha Secretary Basanta Neog said that the salary deprived teachers in the state are worst hit by the ongoing lockdown.

8. ASDMA revised guidelines for third phase of lockdown in Assam - In continuation of order no. ASDMA 24/2020, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), on Tuesday, issued a set of guidelines for the third phase of the lockdown.

9. Two women drug peddlers arrested in Guwahati City - The sleuths of CID (Crime Investigation Department), on Monday, arrested two women drug peddlers on Tuesday. The sleuths have recovered 11 containers of heroin and two mobile phones from the accused - Rahina Begum and Reena Begum.

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1. Joblessness staring at Assam! Dispur lacks tangible strategies - It seems that the Assam Government has no effective strategy, as of now, to tackle the problem of joblessness that is staring at the State in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. The State has around 20 lakh registered unemployed persons, and the number is set to go up as many SSIs (Small Scale Industries) and MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) in the State are compelled to downsize their work forces after the lockdown. The situation of joblessness will worsen further when thousands of people of the State working in other States in the country will arrive in Assam in the wake of corona scare.

2. Niti Aayog lauds 12 Northeast districts for containing COVID-19 - Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Monday said that 112 Aspirational Districts across India are doing well as far as containing Coronavirus is concerned. This statement assumes significance as there are 14 Aspirational Districts in the eight north-eastern States. The Aspirational Districts in the Northeast are Barpeta , Baksa, Darang, Dubri, Goalpara, Hailkandi & Udalguri (Assam); Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh), Chandel (Manipur); Ri Bhoi (Meghalaya); Mamit (Mizoram); Kiphire (Nagaland); West Sikkim (Sikkim) and Dhalai (Tripura).

3. Shops to operate with rosters of building owners: DC Biswajit Pegu - Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu has said that the building owners will make rosters, in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, for shops to remain open on their premises. He asked the shop keepers to follow the rosters to be formed by their respective building owners.

4. Blood banks face stock crisis; lockdown relaxation brings hope - Lockdown relaxation in Assam has brought hopes for the blood banks to increase its stock and mitigate the present crisis. The last 40-day lockdown had resulted in major stock crisis at the blood banks across the State. The blood bank at Assam State AIDS Control Society (ASACS) had stock only for two days on Sunday.

5. Lockdown violation: 3,870 people arrested; over 23,000 vehicles seized across Assam - The Assam Police on Monday informed that it has arrested 3,870 people across and collected Rs. 1,79,00,400 as fine across the State in the last 41 days for violating the lockdown norms. In its daily report on the lockdown, the department said 1,838 cases have been registered for 2,621 incidents since the beginning of the restrictions.

6. Coronavirus: Sonitpur Magistrate prohibited movement of people, vehicles - In view of the situation arising out of Coronavirus pandemic and as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Sonitpur District Magistrate has u/s 144 CrPC prohibited the movement of people between 6 pm to 6 am. Moreover, use of private vehicles and commercial passenger vehicles has also been banned between 6 PM to 6 AM, except for emergency services like medical services, police, fire services and emergency response services for restoring telecom and electricity.

7. Total lockdown in orange zones except essential services: Himanta Biswa Sarma - Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that only pharmacies, grocery shops, petrol depots, supply of vegetables and construction of flood mitigation works would be permitted in orange zones. It means that total lockdown continues in orange zones in Assam.

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Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Metro, Biswajit Pegu, held a meeting with representatives of trade and commerce to address concerns of small business and shop owners after the government decided to lift COVID-19 lockdown restrictions from Monday. Clarifying doubts over which shops would be open and if shops in market complexes can be opened, the deputy commissioner said that all shops in market complexes and malls to remain shut. Some of the other decisions taken at the meeting are: Only stand alone shops to be open Only one-third of the shops to be open. Meaning if there are three shops in a row, only one to be open. All shops to remain shut on Sundays and Mondays. Building owners have been given the responsibility to decide on which shop to open and ensure that a proper roster is maintained.The administration has requested building owners to either waive off the rent or reduce the rent amount. However, representatives of certain trade associations do not seem happy about the 'only one-third shops to open' norm. There are over 65,000 retailers and over 1200 wholesalers in and around Guwahati. The norms would apply to retailers as well as wholesalers. The meeting was attended by representatives of 35 trade and commerce associations of Kamrup district.
Passengers need to provide travel details for Inter State permissions during lockdown. Kamrup Metro District Administration had sent out a tweet on this, "Kamrup Metro District Administration Officials taking requests of inter state permission.Passengers asking for Inter State permissions are requested to provide RC of vehicle, Passengers travelling details ( name, age, gender) and contact details ( whats app no preferred)."
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Bongaigaon to check on COVID-19 facility. Sarma has also expressed his gratitude to Gujarat Chief Minister for ensuring smooth transition of Assamese students back to the state amid lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.
Youngster from Assam has died from COVID-19 in Mumbai. Mohammad Badaruddin from Hojai passed away at Saint George Hospital in Mumbai. He died on Sunday late night. He was admitted to the hospital after he complained of diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
26 nationals from Bangladesh have been taken into custody in Dhubri, Assam. They were on their way to Bangladesh from Jorhat in upper Assam. The men in two vehicles were detained on Sunday. They did not have passed to travel during lockdown. "While they (the Bangladeshi citizens) themselves are claiming that they have come to Assam to work in various sectors of the fishing industry," claim reports.
Essay on Srimanta Sankaradeva by Assam scholar is now part of Harvard course material. An essay by Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, a Nagaon-based industrial economist is now part of Department of Religion's course material at Harvard University. The essay titled Unique features of Srimanta Sankaradeva's religious philosophy Vivaratanvâda: Comparison with other Sanâtana Hindu philosophies was uploaded in his blog a decade ago. "But I found out last week when the university uploaded a part of the treatise as Religion S-1010 probably because of pandemic-related online dissemination of course," the scholar told media.
Liquor shops in Delhi shut after opening as large number of people gathered outside shops which violated social distancing rules amid lockdown. Delhi is seeing rising number of infections of coronavirus. India. Meanwhile, State government has allowed liquor shops to open in Assam.

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1. Assam Irrigation Department set to sell Solar Power! - The State Irrigation Department hopes to export surplus power to the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd) when it will complete the first phase of PMKSY- HKKP (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Har Khet Ko Pani). The Department hopes to complete the yojana's phase-I within May-June, 2020.

2. Coronavirus: Sarbananda Sonowal constituted economic advisory panel - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Sunday, constituted an economic advisory committee as a measure to revive the economy of the State and break the stagnation brought by coronavirus pandemic. The eight-member committee led by retired IAS officer Subhash Das would study the various aspects of the State's economy and provide recommendations to bring back economic buoyancy through systematic interventions.

3. Public shouldn't be tortured in the garb of lockdown: Gauhati High Court - A division bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Chief Justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Soumitra Saikia has disposed of a PIL (25/2020) filed against alleged police atrocities on people during the lockdown in the State, with a considered view and observation. Hearing the petitioner as well as the respondents, the bench said, "With the considered view that in the garb of such lockdown, surely innocent public should not be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment, particularly because at this point in time, the innocent citizens/ordinary persons are highly sensitive and emotionally volatile. Such conditions surely cannot be aggravated by inhuman treatment given by the public servants.

4. ICC organized Webinar on impact of coronavirus on textile industry - The Indian Chamber of Commerce organized a webinar on "The Impact of Corona Virus Outbreak on Handloom and Handicrafts of North East India and its revival strategy'', here on Saturday.

5. MGNREGA works resumed amidst lockdown - Assam Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) Department has started to work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

6. NDRF, Guwahati conducts sanitization drive at Kamakhya Temple - The personnel of 1st Battalion NDRF Guwahati under the supervision of Commandant Randhir Singh Gill carried out a sanitization drive on the premises of the Kamakhaya Temple, on Sunday. The teams sprayed out disinfectant consisting of Sodium Hypochlorite. Meanwhile, the NDRF medical team carried out thermal screening and distributed masks to needy people on the temple's premises.

7. Assam Police collected over Rs 1.7 crore fine during lockdown - The Assam Police on Sunday informed that it has arrested 3,823 people and collected Rs. 1,72,97,100 as fine across the State in the last 40 days for violating the lockdown norms.

8. Evaluation of HS final copies almost complete: AHSEC - The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council has completed around 90 per cent of the evaluation process and is likely to declare the HS 2nd year results within June 25, said a source from the department.

9. African Swine Fever: Minister Atul Bora traces origin to China - State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Atul Bora said that African Swine Fever had first occurred in Xinjiang province in China adjacent to Arunachal Pradesh in April 2019, and from there it might have come to Assam via Arunachal Pradesh. The flu has been spread in 306 villages in Assam.

10. Guwahati Municipal Corporation evicts poultry shops in city - The Assam Police on Sunday informed that it has arrested 3,823 people and collected Rs. 1,72,97,100 as fine across the State in the last 40 days for violating the lockdown norms.

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Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that borders with NE states (except Sikkim) will open from tomorrow. Sarma has also said that residents of Assam can come back to the state. This does include Sikkim as people will have to come through Bengal, he said. But except Sikkim, residents of Assam stuck in other NE states can come back. No pass is required. Once they receive respective zillas they will be taken care of according to protocol and health examination will be carried out. People must be sure that they reach before 6 pm. ASTC buses will be sent later but it will take some time.
Assam government has provided helpline numbers and email to stranded residents of the state in other places. Missed call can be given to 7428159966 within 48 hours. People will have to send details of their address and information. The information will be approved by Assam police nodal officer. Information will be sent to them based on availability of trains and buses and when they can come to state. Email: assamtransportrelief@gmail.com has been provided for people seeking travel back to Assam through private vehicles. A group from Bihar has come back and they have been quarantined. Group from Gujarat is expected to come back soon. Additionally, 15th of every month economical help will be given to those who need assistance or those who have not been able to avail services. Rs 2000 will be provided to them. Sarma informed that people who do not want to stay at government quarantine facilities can choose to stay at hotels where doctors will come and check them. Private quarantine facility of this sort might be started soon. Those people will have to bear the cost on their own.
Bongaigaon Block Public Health Centre was sealed after two employees from there tested COVID-19 positive. The decision was taken by Bongaigaon district administration. However there were allegations that the two people were not kept in home quarantine after their samples were collected for examination.
Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) - an alliance partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed disappointment after the decision to dissolve the Bodoland Territo-rial Council (BTC) and place it under the di-rect administration of the Governor was taken.
State government has allowed liquor shops to open in Assam. The decision taken on May 2 allow sale of wholesale vends of foreign liquor and country spirit in the state. Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) “Off” and country spirit “off” shops located in districts, which has come under the Green Zone, will be allowed to operate. "Off" are wine shops that sell only liquor, "on" shops that sell liquor and the consumption is allowed on the premises. This includes bars and restaurants. Shops will be open from 11 AM to 5 PM on permitted days. Old rates will apply for now.
While authorities have been urging people to maintain social distancing amid lockdown, some animals have been doing better than humans in teaching how such rules can be followed. A bunch of monkeys at Assam-Arunachal border have been doing just that. Sports minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted, “A perfect #SocialDistancing seen near Bhalukpong in Arunachal Pradesh along Assam-Arunachal boundary. If we observe carefully, animals can teach us many vital lessons that we may have missed in the haste of our normal daily lives. (Picture taken by Arup Kalita, Tezpur).”

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Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that 3 more patients have been discharged from hospitals and that there are 9 active cases that remain as of today. He tweeted,”Glad that 3 more patients are being discharged today. # 2 Morigaon patients from MMCH, Guwahati # 1 patient from Civil Hosp, Golaghat. Additionally, one patient of Nagaland admitted at GMCH, Ghy is also being discharged. Only 9 active cases remain, as on date.” Sarma had also tweeted earlier to inform that 30 out of 33 districts in the state have fallen under Green Zone.@ Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa said that the state has sufficient ICU beds and quarantine centres, PPE kits and COVID-19 facilities. He said during a press conference that Assam is in talks with Centre to rescue stranded citizens outside state and a workable solution might soon arrive. Sarma also said that Government employees will also get their full salary in the month of May. They will receive this on 8 May
Two COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection and have tested negative, informed Chief Minister of state Conrad Sangma. He sent out some latest updates on this through his tweets. Meghalaya has also declared 10 out of 11 districts as “Green Zone.” Inter-district movement of vehicles will also be allowed now, official say.
1 tonne of COVID-19 medical supplies for Arunachal reach Guwahati via Delhi. Pema Khandu, CM of Arunachal Pradesh tweeted on this saying, “Protective equipments to fight #COVID19 continue to pour in. Nearly 1 tonne of medical supplies consisting of PPEs, VTM kits & medicines for Arunachal today reached Guwahati via #AirIndia cargo flight from Delhi. A testimony to relentless effort by the centre to keep us all safe.”
Rebroadcast of Ramayana smashes viewership records worldwide, Doordarshan informed through twitter handle. The decision to broadcast the show was taken due to lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic that has left thousands dead all around the world. Doordarshan had tweeted, “WORLD RECORD!! Rebroadcast of #Ramayana on #Doordarshan smashes viewership records worldwide, the show becomes most watched entertainment show in the world with 7.7 crore viewers on 16th of April.”

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Five new corona positive cases in Assam; total cases stand at 42 - On Thursday, five new corona cases were reported in Assam taking the total number of such cases across the state to 42. While four fresh cases are from Bongaigaon, one is from Karimganj in the Barak valley. The patient from Karimganj had secondary contact with a returnee from Nizamuddin Markaz, informed sources.

2. Prolonged lockdown will lead to new cancer cases in Northeast: Health Experts - Health experts have warned that prolonged lockdown might result in an alarming rise of new cancer cases in the North East. The warning has come after a large number of cancer patients are not able to avail treatment at the B. Borooah Cancer Institute and other cancer care centres in the region owing to the ongoing lockdown. Many patients are even missing their chemotherapy treatment which has raised the fear of more cancer deaths particularly in Assam.

3. Ineligible people to get ‘Rejection Slips’ from NRC authority post-lockdown - The process for distribution of ‘Rejection Slips’ to the people found ineligible for entry into the final NRC will begin after the lifting of lockdown by the government. Moreover, all documents presently in custody of the 2,500 NRC Sewa Kendras will be securely preserved in the offices of Revenue Circles across the State in the days to come. Talking to The Sentinel on Thursday, NRC State Coordinator Hitesh Dev Sarma stated, “Owing to the lockdown over Coron pandemic, the distribution process of ‘Rejection Slips’ is presently put on hold.

4. Lockdown: Tea Estates in Tinsukia district flout labour norms on salaries & wages - Stalemate over the payment of wages and salary to tea garden employees in Assam during the period under closure due to lockdown is yet to be resolved as the managements of several tea gardens in Tinsukia district continue to defy previous government orders, even after a warning letter was issued to several tea garden managers by the Assistant Labour Commissioner Tinsukia on Tuesday following receipt of complaints.

5. Coronavirus: Vegetable market opens in Jagiroad, people express serious concern - Following identification of four novel coronavirus positive cases in Jagiroad in Morigaon district, the Government of India declared the district as one of the red zones of the pandemic. As such complete lockdown is imposed in the district till May 3. But surprisingly, it has been observed that in many places within the heart of the town, the lockdown guidelines are not being followed.

6. Assam Tea producers’ associations donate to Assam Arogya Nidhi - Assam based indigenous tea producers’ associations — Assam Tea Planters’ Association, North Eastern Tea. Association and Bharatiya Cha Parishad, have donated a sum of Rupees nineteen lakhs to Assam Arogya Nidhi fund as support toward the fight against coronavirus pandemic.

7. NFR transports over 530 rakes of freight train till April 29 - N.F. Railway has transported huge quantity of Food grains, sugar, salt, coal, cement, edible oil and POL products etc. to every nook & corner within its jurisdiction as per requirement and demand received. During the lockdown period from March 23 to April 29, 2020, NFR carried more than 530 freight rakes to and from various parts of our country.

8. Chandra Mohan Patowary visits Industrial Units of Sun Pharma and ITC, Rampur - Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary visited two industrial units – Sun Pharma, Palashbari and ITC, Rampur – today to inspect the compliance of Coronavirus safety norms. These units are manufacturing essential medicines and essential food commodities respectively.

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1. Assam government spells out austerity measures in the wake of Corona outbreak - As anticipated, the State government has taken a slew of measures to cut its cost in the wake of the new Coronavirus pandemic outbreak. Announcing the austerity measures taken by the government before the media here on Wednesday, State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Not only Assam, the entire nation is ridden with a financial crisis in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.”

2. Bhutan extends relief packages to border villagers in India during nationwide lockdown - The Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA – Gelephu Chapter) of Bhutan has extended generous help to border villagers on the Indian side who are suffering due to the nationwide lockdown. The BIFA distributed relief packages to 610 families in the Datgari and Hatisar areas of India through the Village Council Development Committees.

3. Three media persons arrested on charges of extortion in Namrup - Three media persons of Namrup have been arrested on a number of charges and legal action initiated against them. The trio identified as Bitu Boruah, Hiren Gogoi and Samiron Boruah was sent to Dibrugarh Jail on Wednesday. Based on an email received at the office of the DC, Dibrugarh, an FIR was registered as Namrup PS case No 62/20 u/s 120B/342/353/387/419/468/34 IPC on Tuesday. This relates to an incident where some media persons of the Namrup area were found stopping vehicles to check documents citing authorization by the DC, Dibrugarh. They had, allegedly, demanded money from truck drivers.

4. Licenses of 8 Fair Prices FP shops suspended in Dibrugarh - District Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department has suspended licenses of eight fair prices shops scattered in the district so far on charges of corruption in distribution of subsidized commodities to the beneficiaries and other irregularities. Superintendent of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Forum (FCS&CA),Jugananda Changmai, who is functioning as a licensing authority, FCS&CA, Dibrugarh, has cancelled the PDS license granted in the name of Nikhil Bhagawati under Nigam Balijan village, Naharkotia with immediate effect on charges of corruption in distributing rice to beneficiaries under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.

5. 13 swab samples from Lakhimpur sent for Corona test - The Lakhimpur District Health Department sent 13 swab samples to the Regional Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, ICMR, RMRC of Dibrugarh district for novel coronavirus test on Wednesday. Of them, 11 swab samples were sent for repeat test while the rest two are the swab samples collected afresh from two persons with suspected coronavirus exposure.

6. Sale of high-yielding rice variety at Regional Agricultural Research Station, North Lakhimpur - The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), North Lakhimpur under Assam Agriculture University (AAUA) has managed to sell the seeds of high yielding rice variety innovated in various research stations under the university. The seeds of the rice variety are suitable for the upcoming kharif season. Intending seed wholesalers, retail sellers and farmers can purchase the seeds at Rs. 38 per kilogram, the price fixed by AAU, at the outlet of the RARS located at Boicha-Gorumuriya during the office days from 10 am to 2.30 pm.

Coronavirus update: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal rings up senior citizens - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday called several senior citizens of the State over the phone and enquired about their health condition in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic. Chief Minister while talking to them informed about various steps taken by the State government to deal with the pandemic.

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Two COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospital. With this total active cases in Assam stand at 7. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had sent out a tweet on this.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa said that the state has sufficient ICU beds and quarantine centres, PPE kits and COVID-19 facilities. He said during a press conference that Assam is in talks with Centre to rescue stranded citizens outside state and a workable solution might soon arrive. Sarma also said that Government employees will also get their full salary in the month of May. They will receive this on 8 May
There has been 80% drop in GST revenue collection this Apr compared to Apr 2019, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. The collection in April 2019 was Rs 932.36 cr April 2019 and this year it is Rs 193 crore in the same month. However, Government employees will get full salary in May month. On the 8th of the month the salary will be received. Some austerity measures such as organising conferences, fair; staying at 5 star hotels; spendings government resources, traveling first class has been taken looking at economic situation in the country. Sarma also said that he is discussing ways to streamline education within lockdown period.
Tripura has become the fifth North Eastern state to become coronavirus free. The Centre has declared five of the eight northeast states — Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura — coronavirus free.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has urged Union Home Minister to facilitate transport that can bring back stranded students in different parts of the country back to state. Tripura Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath informed that the request got a positive response from Shah.
The Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) has sought CM Sarbananda Sonowal’s intervention in making sure that tea garden workers must get their full wages amid lockdown caused due to coronavirus pandemic. The association said that the CM must take action against Golaghat based tea planters’ association for publishing “false reports” citing Rs 1200 crore loss for tea industry amid lockdown. This was done to evade payment to workers, the association claims.
CRPF sub-inspector who was a resident of Assam’s Barpeta district has died from coronavirus in Delhi. SI Ikram Hussain was posted with 31st Battalion of the CRPF in Noida. He contracted the infection from a nursing staff within the force. He died due to “breathlessness” on Tuesday at Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi.
Manipur police has booked several people who had criticised the government on the way COVID-19 pandemic was handled in the state. People have been booked under sections of Disaster Management Act and Indian Penal Code. In Imphal West, 10 cases were there. Three cases were there where people were charged with sedition.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma inaugurated a telemedicine facility in Shillong. He tweeted,”Inaugurated the #Telemedicine facility at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong. Use of technology for health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication is crucial in our fight against #COVID19.”
Actor Irrfan Khan is no more. He breathed is last on Wednesday. The actor was 53 years old. He is survived by wife Sutapa Sikder, and sons Babil and Ayan. He was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital due to a colon infection, his spokesperson said

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1. Assam Coronavirus positive cases rise to 37; nine active cases in State - The total number of new Coronavirus positive cases in Assam on Tuesday rose to 37 with a case each reported from the districts of Bongaigaon and Goalpara. Of the 37 cases, nine are active cases in the State.

2. Time-bound roadmap to revive Assam’s economy must: CM Sarbananda Sonowal - As part of his efforts to reach out to various sections of the society, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday held an interactive session with the leading economists of the State at the Assam Administrative Staff College here and sought their suggestions to revive Assam’s economy in the post Coronavirus scenario. the Chief Minister highlighted the need to prepare a time-bound roadmap for achieving short and long term goals to rejuvenate the economy which has been hit by Coronavirus pandemic.

3. Pigs’ death toll rises to 2,226 in Upper Assam; Minister Atul Bora hints at Chinese link - The death of 2,226 pigs across six districts of Upper Assam has a Chinese link, suspects State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Atul Bora. The Minister told media persons that the infection in the Piggery sector might have originated in China and then affected Arunachal Pradesh. He pointed out that such deaths were first reported in Arunachal Pradesh where pig carcasses were disposed of in the rivers of the Himalayan State.

4. Inter-district transport services arranged for stranded people in Chirang district - Along with other districts of the State, the Chirang district administration also arranged for movement of those stranded persons in the district who had already applied for passes to go to their home districts within the State.

5. Coronavirus update: Drones to be used for strict lockdown enforcement - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become vital tools in the fight against Coronavirus across the country with law enforcement agencies using such flying gadgets to monitor public gatherings, ensuring social distancing, spraying disinfectants over villages, overseeing cargo, among others. Assam with 37 Coronavirus positive cases is also not lagging behind. The Assam Police has been using drones to ensure strict enforcement of the lockdown to prevent spread of the dangerous coronavirus in the State.

6. Duo held for selling illicit liquor by Excise Department in Guwahati - There seem to be no end to the menace of illicit liquor in the region. In this regard, the officials of Excise Department, on Tuesday, held two people from Birubari Tiniali. The accused – Akash Thapa and Bikash have been sent to judicial custody. The officials have seized 60 bottle of IMFL and 15 litres of country-made liquor.

7. Assam Police arrested 3,344 people across State for violating lockdown guidelines - As many as 3,344 people have been arrested across the State for the violation of lockdown and Rs. 1,44,28,400 has been realized as fine, stated Assam Police in its daily report. The department has seized a total of 20,896 vehicles till Monday.

8. NDRF distributes food packets, masks to more than 650 needy passengers in Guwahati - The rescuers of 1st Battalion NDRF Guwahati under supervision of Commandant Randhir Singh Gill distributed food packets, biscuit packets and masks to more than 650 needy passengers at Machkhowa Bus Stand, Paltan Bazar Bus Stand and ISBT, in Guwahati on Tuesday.

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16-year-old girl, who was secondary contact of Markaz attendee tests COVID-19 positive in Assam.The girl is from Salmara Bongaingaon. Another Secondary contact of Markaz attendee from Goalpara tests COVID-19 positive in Assam.The number of #COVID19 patients in Assam now stands at 37. Active hospital cases 9 informed Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through a tweet
Assam government carried out discussion with Centre to determine intra and inter-state transport movement of vehicles amid lockdown.Meanwhile, Assam has extended inter district travels within the state until May 2.
Permission from DCs is mandatory to move within districts of Assam. Violators will be apprehended and quarantined. A tweet was sent out by Kumar Sanjay Krishna, Chief Secretary, Assam. “No inter district movement of people allowed without authorisation by DCs. In case persons found travelling unauthorisedly, they shall be apprehended and kept in quarantine in the district where they are apprehended only. No District will push these persons to other districts.”
Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora suspected that a lot of pigs in the state could be suffering from ‘African Swine Fever’ and that the infection might have crossed over from China or Tibet into Assam. "It has also been reported in China. In Arunachal, it began. After the pigs died in that state, the corpses were dumped in the rivers from where the infection has probably come to Assam," told media. More than 2000 pigs have died from the disease. He said that the disease is highly contagious and could be carried by humans. However, this flu cannot affect humans, he added.
Meghalaya permits “conditional” movement of vehicles from Assam amid lockdown. The decision was taken after government of two states decided to coordinate to rescue stranded citizens. The vehicles were given passes from Assam government.
PM Modi applauded the Sikkim government in handling COVID-19 situation in the country. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang shared a post on this on FB
Top Indian athlete during an Instagram chat with Indian cricketer Suresh Raina recollected the time when she had scribbled Adidas on her shoes. “When I started running, I ran barefoot. But in my first Nationals, my father brought running shoes with spikes on them. It was just a normal pair of running shoes. I wrote ‘Adidas’ on the shoes with my hand. You never know what fate can do, Adidas is now making shoes with my name,” she said. Das said that she got really emotional when she had met Sachin Tendulkar who is her role model.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) seeks probe in alleged gang-rape of a woman in Rajasthan amid lockdown. The woman was allegedly raped by three men at a school where she was put up. The place was provided by local authorities as she was unable to reach her village amid lockdown.
Centre has asked states to stop using kits from two Chinese Companies.After the Govt. issued advisory on kits imported from China, the embassy in New Delhi has come out with a statement on this issue. “It is unfair and irresponsible for certain individuals to label Chinese products as “faulty”; and look at issues with preemptive prejudice,” said the Spokesperson. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday that no payment has been made by the ICMR for the faulty Chinese testing kits for Covid-19.
Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed $1.5 billion loan to support immediate priorities that can help fight COVID-19. This includes disease containment and prevention, as well as social protection for the poor and economically vulnerable sections of the society, especially women and disadvantaged groups, according to a press release.

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1. Standalone shops to open in rural areas: Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary - The State Cabinet has decided to open shops, but not markets or haats, in rural areas across the districts that have been tagged as ‘Green’ and ‘Orange’ zones. This apart, the inter-district movement in the State has been extended up to May 2. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that standalone shops in rural areas in the ‘Green’ and ‘Orange’ zone districts except the containment areas will open during the ongoing nationwide lockdown. The Assam State Cabinet has decided to open shops, but not markets or haats, in rural areas across the districts that have been tagged as ‘Green’ and ‘Orange’ zones. This apart, the inter-district movement in the State has been extended up to May 2.

2. North-eastern States for extending nationwide lockdown beyond May 3 - Most of the north-eastern States are in favour of extending the nationwide lockdown beyond May 3 with relaxations in economic activities and public services in the ‘Green Zones’. After the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video link, on Monday the Chief Ministers of eight NE States tweeted their views vowing to strengthen the collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Over 20 lakh people may become jobless in Assam, says AMDB Chairman Mominul Aowal - Around 20 to 25 lakh people may become jobless across the State till the lockdown is over, said Assam Minority Development Board Chairman Mominul Aowal on Monday. Talking to The Sentinel, Aowal said that the lockdown has shackled the economy of the State and lakhs of people have lost their sources of income.

4. Drinking water schemes to resume immediately in Assam: Minister Rihon Daimari - All schemes related to safe drinking water across the State will be resumed with immediate effect following the government guidelines related to new Coronavirus. The direction in this regard was issued to the Department officers by Public Health Engineering Minister Rihon Daimari on Monday. Owing to lockdown, many ongoing works worth approximately Rs 400 crore remained suspended in this ‘Essential Services’ sector.

5. Six high-risk contacts of Corona positive case from Dima Hasao released - The people of Dima Hasao breathed sigh of relief as the six high-risk contacts of the new Coronavirus positive case from Dima Hasao were discharged officially in presence of Executive Member, N C Hills Autonomous Council in-charge medical, Samuel Changsan, Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Rajkhowa, Additional SP Dr Manabendra Gogoi, Joint Director of Health Services Dipali Barman and other dignitaries on Monday.

6. Assam Police arrested 3,242 people across State for violating lockdown norms - 3,242 people have been arrested across the State for the violation of lockdown and Rs. 1,39,00,600 has been relalized as fine, stated Assam Police in its daily report. The department has seized a total of 20,498 vehicles till Monday. Out of the total seized vehicles, 18,544 are two wheelers, 1,645 are four wheelers and 275 are three wheelers. Along with the vehicles, the department has also seized 20 country boats and 5 machine boats.

7. Bar Council to provide financial assistance to advocates who are affected due to lockdown - The Bar Council of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have taken an initiative to provide financial assistance to advocates who are affected due to the coronavirus pandemic. An amount up to Rs. 5,000 would be given as a one-time measure of financial assistance to the affected people.

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After chairing a meeting of Council of Ministers at Janata Bhawan, Guwahati, some decisions have been taken on implementation of lockdown in Guwahati.“In Green Zone districts, standalone shops in rural areas will be open from April 28. However, markets will remain closed. Moreover, no lockdown relaxation in Red Zone districts – Dhubri, Golaghat, Nalbari, Morigaon & Goalpara and their adjoining areas within 5 km radius,” tweeted Sarbanada Sonowal, CM of Assam.
Assam govt. will extend inter-district travel for stranded people within state until Apr 30. The dates provided earlier were from 25 to 27 April during which permission for movements were granted. Thousands of people had reached home within Assam due to this service provided by the Assam government.
Nagaland which has no COVID-19 cases within the state has decided to relax some rules amid lockdown. Shops that fall under municipalities and town councils, such as, neighborhood shops, stand alone shops, shops in residential complexes will be open. Malls will stay shut. Home deliveries from food outlets have been permitted. 50% workforce can be employed in such venues where proper hygiene standards need to be maintained.
391 students from Kota reached Guwahati amid lockdown. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had sent out tweets on this.Sarma had said that the Assam students who will return to the state from Rajasthan’s Kota will be screened and quarantined as per COVID-19 prevention procedure
Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu has thanked PM Narendra Modi in fighting COVID-19 situation in the country.The Arunachal Pradesh government has also provided a list of numbers of respective district control rooms where people can call with queries on COVID-19. Also, No masks, no fuel rule has been implemented in Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh. People working at petrol depots and gas agencies have been directed to not provide fuel to customers who arrive without wearing masks.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has not made payments to companies whose test kits were found faulty, informed Government. ICMR had asked States to stop usage of rapid testing kits of COVID-19 for at least two days as they were giving inaccurate results.When West Bengal accused the ICMR of sending faulty kits, it refuted the charges saying the kits should be stored in below 20 degree Celsius temperature to get accurate results. It also said if the variation in results was not big then there was no need to worry. But now the ICMR has said any new observation about the testing kits would not be taken lightly and would be cross-checked thoroughly.Meanwhile, as of now, 6,184 people have been cured from coronavirus with a recovery rate of 22.17%. Since yesterday, an increase of 1396 new cases has been reported. A total of 27,892 people have been confirmed positive as of now for COVID-19 in India
Serum institute in Pune will start producing COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University. The process will start in a few weeks and the vaccine will come to the market by October if human trials become successful.
In PM Modi’s interaction with Chief Ministers of various states, he said that COVID-19 patients should not be treated as criminals. This is his fourth such interaction with CMs of various states organised to get an update on the coronavirus situation in the country. Modi asked the CMs to take care of areas where the virus is spreading and help people deal with mental stress in such a situation. Modi also said that in case any state reports more number of coronavirus cases then they will not be held guilty but it is important for states to implement lockdown rules strictly to contain the situation.

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1. Coronavirus update: Assam records 77% recovery rate; eight more discharged - Assam, on Sunday, discharged eight more Coronavirus patients from hospitals taking the tally of recovered persons from the deadly disease to 27. Of the eight, four each were from the Golaghat Civil Hospital and the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital at Pan Bazar. Seven more COVID patients currently undergoing treatment are expected to be discharged before April 30. Thereby the state has recorded 77% coronavirus recovery rate, said Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

2. Tezpur Central Jail releases 7 declared foreigners as per Supreme Court order - Coronavirus has compelled the State authorities concerned to free 224 declared foreign nationals from the different detention centres, from April 18-23, 2020; and that too at much reduced sureties. Meanwhile, as per an order of the Supreme Court, the Tezpur Central jail released seven declared foreigners on Sunday. They had completed two years in the detention centre, informed Mrinmoy Dawka, Superintendent of the Jail.

3. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari blames it on delay in land acquisition by State - Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has blamed the Assam Government for delay of the construction of 4-lane roads in the state. In his reply to a letter from former Tezpur MP RP Sarmah, Nitin Gadkari has admitted to the delay in the execution of four-laning works of NH-37, NH-37A and NH 15 from the end of Nagaon bypass to Holongi (166 km) under Tezpur Parliamentary Constituency. He has, however, squarely blamed it on the district authorities in Assam for their delay in land acquisition that has led to the delay in the execution of these works.

4. Rural land connectivity works under PMGSY affects badly due to lockdown - Owing to lockdown, rural land connectivity works under PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) have suffered badly. Implemented in the State by the PWD (Public Works Department), the fund is released by the Ministry of Rural Development. Department sources informed The Sentinel that such road and bridge construction works of approximately Rs 3,000 crore were in full swing prior to the lockdown.

5. ‘Haphazard construction of more artificial highlands in KNP may be harmful’ - Four conservation biologists and wildlife conservationists of Assam, Dr Anupam Sarma who is the Coordinator of WWF-India North Bank Landscape, Dr Bibhab Talukdar — secretary general and CEO of Aaranyak, Dr Rathin Barman, Joint Director of Wildlife Trust of India, and Kaushik Barua, CEO of Assam Elephant Foundation, have expressed their opinions as to why haphazard construction of more artificial highlands in KNP may be harmful. The joint statement by the four conservation biologists and wildlife conservationists was issued after the Union Government asked the State Forest Department to develop more highlands for wild animals to take shelter in the time of floods in the KNP.

6. Northeast vigilant over Coronavirus threats from across borders - Even as four of the eight north-eastern States are free from novel coronavirus and its spread tamed in other four states, authorities have kept a tight vigil on India’s borders in the region as threat of the disease spilling over from Bangladesh and Myanmar looms large. Eight north-eastern States share India’s around 5,500 km borders with five countries, including China, but the northeastern region’s main worry lies over 1,880 km borders with Bangladesh and 1,643 km with Myanmar.

7. Assam Police SBHQ Cyber Dome enlisted Uber cabs for emergency needs - The Assam Police SBHQ Cyber Dome has enlisted 25 Uber Taxi operators for providing service in the city to patients and people having other emergency needs. To avail of the services, people can contact ASP Papari Chetia at her number -919864012060.

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1. Dhubri & Kokrajhar under corona scanner: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - The steep rise in the number of corona cases in West Bengal is a cause of concern for Assam that has two districts – Dhubri and Kokrajhar – sharing borders with the neighbouring State. The State Health and Family Welfare department has intensified its vigil against corona manifold in the two districts.

2. Will train youths to enrich Assamese Wikipedia: AXX President Kuladhar Saikia - The Axam Xahitya Xabha will train youths across the State to enable them to make value addition to Assamese Wikipedia, the Assamese language edition of Wikipedia. After lifting of the lockdown the AXX will organize workshops in different districts to impart training to youths. The Assamese Wikipedia came into existence on June 2, 2002. Any registered volunteer can contribute facts, history and other valuable insights about Assam and the Assamese language to the website for free.

3. ‘DhanWantari Scheme’ Now home delivery of scarce medicines! - The State government is going to start home delivery of scarce medicines on three conditions – if the medicine is not available within a 10-km radius of the patient, not available in the district and the State. Informing the media of this on Friday, State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We’re going to do it under Dhanwantari Scheme.

4. Assam DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta ask SPs to be strict on Coronavirus guidelines - Assam DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta has asked a section of SPs and battalion commandants of the State to be strict in the adherence to new Coronavirus guidelines and make people obey the rules and regulation of the lockdown. He has asked them to be tough on those violating the lockdown.

5. Assam Government to take decision on relaxation of lockdown on April 27 - Assam Government will take a decision on relaxation of lockdown on April 27. Prime Minister Modi had urged people to follow lockdown measures until May 3.

6. India goes online for paying bills, banking, etc during COVID-19 lockdown - India is learning to go online for paying bills, banking, shopping, work and even praying during the new Coronavirus lockdown and this will be the new normal, according to Gipsi Research.

7. Muslim organizations appeal to stay indoors during Ramzan month amid lockdown - Various Muslim organizations across Assam have issued guidelines for observing fast during the month of Ramzan, which is set to begin on April 23, amid the coronavirus pandemic. The bodies have appealed the people to have their sehri (meal before sunrise) and iftar (evening meal to end fast) at home and also offer Tarabi Namaz (evening prayer) from within their houses only.

8. Northeast Frontier Railway parcel trains ensuring supply logistics during lockdown - Since the country-wide lockdown from March 24 has disrupted passenger-carrying train movements; a dedicated team of railway personnel were working round-the-clock to convert this disruption into an opportunity by running parcel freight trains on a fixed time table so that the supply chain logistics is maintained unhindered. This has ensured that there is no shortage of food and essentials in the Northeast for people in general and the front-line fighters against new Coronavirus in this crucial time.

Guwahati Refinery Workers’ Union distributes ration to 100 needy families in Noonmati - The Guwahati Refinery Workers’ Union along with Noonmati Students’ Union and Noonmati Police distributed rations to 100 needy families in the Noonmati area, on April 21. According to a release, the workers’ union aims to provide rations to a total of 400 lockdown affected families in the area.

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6459 people have been tested so far COVID-19 in Assam, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. Sarma also said after conducting Rapid antibody tests at Spanish Garden in the city, 91 samples have tested negative. Sarma also said that given the situation in Dhubri, sudden random testing will be done after collecting some 150 sample.
51402 requests from people requesting transit within state, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma. More than 12206 passes have been issued. Over two days 19000 pass will be issued and 19000 forms have been rejected. This is for people who have private vehicles. This will be there for three days. 41651 requests have come from people who do not have a car. There will be an attempt from the government to accommodate people as much as possible. Uber and Ola services will start so that people can reach spots within the city for transport. There will be no fee that will be
Under Dhanantari Seva, people can dial in at 104 for medicines unavailable in locality. Health officials or Asha workers will then deliver the medicines to people. This is a new initiative started by the state, informed Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.Sarma also said that the state govt. has disbursed Rs 30 cr in providing one time financial assistance to more than 1.5 lakh people stranded outside Assam due to lockdown. More forms are being scrutinised, he informed.
Assam Government will bring back students stranded in Rajasthan. special bus will be arranged for them. They will arrive from Rajashthan at Kushinagar, UP from where they will come to Guwahati. The students had earlier sought help from the state government as they are facing shortage of food and other necessities amid lockdown. The arrangement will be coordinated in presence of Assam police. A team has already left for Kota in Rajasthan.
Tripura Chief Minister has said that the state has become corona free. A tweet was sent in this regard by the CM Biplab Kumar Deb.Meanwhile, two women from Bangladesh who had travelled to Tripura have tested positive for COVID-19. Reports claim the women from Dhaka and Brahmanbaria had tested positive for the virus and that they had visited the state recently.Some 11 close contacts of the women have been identified and full vigil is being kept at the border to prevent infiltration.
India has build a bridge in Arunachal Pradesh to ward off possible threat from China. The bridge can handle 40 tons of weight, claim reports. Daporijo Bridge over Subansiri river was completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) during lockdown, so as to open up this strategic line of communication in Arunachal Pradesh.
Supreme Court has granted protection to Arnab Goswami from coercive action for 3 weeks. This happened after FIRs were filed against him in different parts of the country because of his remarks on Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi. Arnab had slammed Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during a discussion related to Palghar lynching incident. The bench of justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah issued notices to many state and the Centre where FIRs have been filed against the journalist. The court has stayed all FIRs against him except the FIR in Nagpur which has been shifted to Mumbai which will be investigated there. Republic TV’s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami & his wife and Republic TV Editor Samyabrata Ray Goswami were allegedly attacked by Congress party workers. The attack took place 500 metres from their house. The attackers were caught by Arnab’s security. An FIR has been lodged against them.
A complaint has been filed against Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut over her remarks she made in a recently released video. This happened after Twitter had suspended her sister, Rangoli Chandel’s account after the latter posted some controversial tweets on Tablighi Jamtees.

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1. Coronavirus tally reaches 35 in Assam; fresh case in Dhubri district - After a break of seven days, Assam on Thursday registered a fresh Coronavirus positive case, taking the State’s tally to 35. The new case has been reported from the Bilasipara area in Dhubri district.

2. Kamakhya Devalaya Committee to give Ambubachi Mela a miss this year due to Coronavirus - The Kamakhya Devalaya Committee has decided to give the Ambubachi Mela a miss this year by only observing the rituals with very few people. Such an unprecedented decision has to be taken by the Devalaya Committee in view of the outbreak of new coronavirus, and the guidelines issued in that connection.

3. Coronavirus19 impact: AHSEC cancels HS 1st year exams, students to be promoted to HS 2nd year - The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council has cancelled the HS 1st year examinations and promoted all the candidates who filled in forms for the examinations to HS 2nd year due to the outbreak of new Coronavirus. The Council is likely to declare the results of the HS final examinations 2020 by June 25.

4. Fast movement of green leaves: Tea Board of India’s initiatives to minimize lockdown loss - Faced with the ongoing lockdown, the Tea Board of India has decided to take certain initiatives to ensure fast movement of tea within the system — from gardens to consumers — by reducing the turnaround time at every step.

5. Asom Sattra Mahasabha condemns Palghar lynching of 2 mendicants - The Asom Sattra Mahasabha has condemned the mob lynching of two sadhus and their driver in the presence of the police in Gadchinchale village, Palghar district in Maharashtra on April 16, 2020.

6. Assam Panchayat and Rural Development bring laurels from Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj - The State Panchayat and Rural Development department has bagged a number of awards from the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj in lieu of its works in the recent times.

7. Several Organizations of Assam sent a memorandum to CM to release anti-CAA agitators - Claiming it as an injustice done by the government by throwing democratic protestors into jail for a long period of time, many organizations of Assam sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister of the State and demanded release of the anti-CAA agitators. Different organizations, including the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva-Chatra Parishad, Anusuchit Jati Yuba Chatra Parishad, All Assam Nath-Yogi Students Union, Goriya Moriya Deshi Janagosthiya Parishad and other organizations appealed to the government to release the political prisoners of Assam, including Akhil Gogoi.

8. Assam government to bring back students stranded in Rajasthan - Assam Government will bring back students stranded in Rajasthan. Special bus will be arranged for them. They will arrive from Rajashthan at Kushinagar, UP from where they will come to Guwahati. The students had earlier sought help from the state government as they are facing shortage of food and other necessities amid lockdown.

9. 221 Foreigners Tribunals Members’ postings again hang in balance due to Coronavirus - A typical situation has arisen with respect to the 221 Members of Foreigners Tribunals in Assam. Though they are drawing salaries since September 11, 2019, none of them has been able to take up any assignment as the Home & Political Department is yet to provide them the places of posting. As the Members have been appointed initially for a year-long term, they have approximately four more months left for this term to end. The issue is likely to get further delayed with the extended lockdown over COVID-19 in process.

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A man from Bilasipara, Dhubri has tested #COVID positive. He has a history of being in touch with another patient, who was part of Athgaon Majid congregation in Guwahati. Total cases in state now stands at 35. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tweeted on this.
Assam govt. has started Rapid Antibody tests at Spanish Garden in Guwahati. An official tweet was sent out on this. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tweeted, “After final nod from ICMRDELHI, we’ve started Rapid Antibody tests for #COVID19 from Spanish Garden – a containment zone. GoI has given 9600 Rapid Antibody test kits for IgM/IgG to Coronavirus. Test is non-confirmatory yet useful for mass surveillance. Gives results in 15 mints.”
Assam government is trying to ensure academic year for students is not lost. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on this. He had organised a video conference to discuss ways on this matter. The tweet read, “The #COVID19 crisis poses new challenges & at at the same time allowed us new ways of working. I held a video conf with 17 VCs of Assam to discuss ways to ensure that academic year is not lost, and to seek ideas & innovations for the learning & teaching framework.”
Facebook post on Syed Abdul Malik’s poem ‘Moi Axomiya’ is in the middle of a controversy. Jorhat’s AASU unit now seeks legal action on this. The poem by the great stalwart has been misinterpreted after someone uploaded a few stanzas of it on social media claiming that the poem glorifies the Mughal. An FIR against Rupa Rani Bhuyan, who teaches English at Mangaldai College has been lodged by Sadou Asom Goria-Moria-Deshi Jatiya Parishad. Many well-known writers and dignitaries have condemned this vilification of one of the greatest literary figures of Assamese literature.
Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) has canceled Higher Secondary 1st year exams. Students will be promoted to Class XII. The exams were earlier scheduled from March 25 to April 10.
Manipur CM lauds state police staff making masks to fight COVID-19 pandemic. He shared pictures of cops making masks and expressed his gratitude towards them.
Meghalaya intends to complete evaluation of papers for SSLC by May 31. “The evaluation of papers for the SSLC should start immediately. We want that the results to be declared by June 10,” Meghalaya Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui told reporters. It was earlier decided that curfew passes will be arranged for evaluators so that the process can begin.
Two people have died and three have been injured in thunder strike in West Khasi Hills. Hailstorms in Maweit area also derailed life. 65 homes were damaged on 20 April at around 2.00 AM due to this. Government officials are taking stock of the situation and assessing the damages.
Republic TV’s Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami & his wife and Republic TV Editor Samyabrata Ray Goswami were allegedly attacked by Congress party workers, claim reports. The attack took place 500 metres from their house. The attackers were caught by Arnab’s security. An FIR has been lodged against them. Arnab had slammed Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during a discussion related to Palghar lynching incident where two ‘sadhus’ or monks and their driver, proceeding from Nashik to Surat, were cornered and lynched by a 200-strong mob outside Gadchinchle village in Palghar district on April 16 in the presence of police personnel amid rumours that they were robbers or child kidnappers. BJP president J P Nadda tweeted condemning the incident.
Picture of first lady, Savita Kovind, stitching masks for shelter homes in Delhi has gone viral. BJP Karnataka tweeted on this."Here is Our First Lady, Smt Savita Kovind stitching Face Masks to be distributed at numerous Shelter Homes in New Delhi. Thank You Amma for leading by example".

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1. Epidemic Diseases Act amended: Attacking medics can cost up to 7 years in jail - In a significant move, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday amended the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 through an ordinance in order to ensure safety of health workers at a time when there has been a spate of attacks on them. Any violence against health workers may now bring steep fines and even imprisonments of up to seven years.

2. Inter-district movement allowed for three days in Assam; Call 104 for permission - Subject to Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, the Deputy Commissioners in Assam can allow the inter-district movement of certain categories of people stranded across the State, for three days – April 25, 26 and 27. According to State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Deputy Commissioners are the sole authority to grant permission for such movement of people.

3. Waive 50% fees for April: State Education Department to private schools - The State Education Department has said that the private schools in the State will have to waive 50 per cent of fees for the month of April, 2020; and also that such institutions cannot hike fees without approval from the department.

4. Tezpur Central Jail inmates donate to Assam Arogya Nidhi - In a bid to fight against COVID-19, the Superintendent of Tezpur Central Jail, Mrinmoy Dawka handed over an amount of Rs 12,000 on behalf of all convicts of Tezpur Central Jail. The convicts donated their one day’s wages to the Assam Arogya Nidhi through the Deputy Commissioner of Sonitpur.

5. Online initiatives undertaken for students in Lakhimpur - The Lakhimpur District Education Department has come up with some policies in order to carry on the teaching-learning activities for the benefit of the students’ community during the lockdown period. In this regard, while inquired, Lakhimpur District Inspector of Schools, Mridul Kumar Nath informed The Sentinel that various activities had been carried out in the district in order to continue the learning opportunities of students during the lockdown period.

6. Mob lynches two youths at Aathiyabari near Barpeta Road - Two brothers – Biswajit Das and Haradhon Arya alias Heba -were allegedly killed brutally by miscreants at Aathiyabari under Simlaguri police station near Barpeta Road on Wednesday. The brothers were imprisoned a few days ago for attacking some people without any reason. They were in Nalbari Jail but due to the lockdown they were released.

7. Coronavirus outbreak: Essential items distributed by many NGO - Amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, a frontline NGO of Tezpur, Bhoomi distributed food packets to 25 poor daily wage worker families at Chandmari area under Lalmati Outpost recently. The programme was initiated by secretary of Bhoomi, Dip Kumar Kalita, member Parwaj Banu, Ranjit Barua, advisor of Bhoomi, Dr Pradip Kumar Lahkar and others.

8. SAGMDJP in charge president Ismail Ali registered FIR against professor - The Sadou Asom Goria-Moria-Deshi Jatiya Parishad, Guwahati City Committee in charge president Ismail Ali has registered a case against a female professor, on Wednesday. According to reports, the professor had uploaded a few lines from noted literature Syed Abdul Malik’s poem “Moi Axomiya” into her social media handle and alleged the latter of being a ‘pro-Mughal and attacker of Assam’. Responding to the professor’s statements, Ali has registered a case against her at Hatigaon Police Station.

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Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that home bound or office bound workers will be provided transport on 25, 26, 27 April. For this e-pass needs to be acquired from DCs of localities. Only after proper permission is obtained the travel can take place. The first category of people will be patients. Second category of people will be those who have private cars and want to reach home. Additionally, contractors with limited number of migrant workers can move after complying with MHA guidelines. For those who are stuck within the state, transport will be arranged via ASTC which will ply on certain designated routes on 25, 26, 27 April. To avail services people can call on 104. As much as possible, requests will be accommodated by the state, informed Sarma. He also shared a link on his Twitter account.
No school can increase fees without prior approval of govt. informed Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. Also, all private schools can charge 50% fees in April, he said. There will be no salary cut for teachers, employees in private schools. Schools violating rules will be shut down under disaster management act.
State govt has helped 34 people from Assam stuck outside the country, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. $1000 has been sent, Additional thousand dollars will reach them soon, he said. 717 people with severe health issues seeking treatment outside the state have been helped, informed Sarma. State has also helped 1 lakh 2000 families stuck outside Assam, informed Sarma.
From April 22, Assam government has decided to increase fuel prices by Rs 1 litre of petrol will cost Rs. 77.46 while diesel will cost Rs. 70.50 per litre.
Youngsters who feasted on deer, wild cat in Nagaland have surrendered, informed Nagaland Forest Department. The suspects who were tracked down after the incident was reported surrendered before the Wildlife Wing of the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change of Nagaland. In a viral video, some youngsters in Nagaland were seen feasting on wild animals such as deer and wild cat to celebrate ‘lockdown festival."
Government to impose Rs 2-5 lakh fine to 7 years jail for those who attack health workers. Cabinet has approved promulgation of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 making such acts of violence as cognizable and non-bailable offences and to provide compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property, said Information and Broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar during media briefing. “Investigations will be completed in 30 days. There will be stringent punishment including fines up to Rs 2 lakh. If serious cases, the punishment will be imprisonment up to seven years and fine up to Rs five lakh…The message is clear. No attacks on health staff and doctors will be tolerated,” he added.
Facebook has bought 10% stake in Jio worth Rs 43,574 crore. This makes it the biggest FDI in India, claim reports. Jio owned by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) said in another statement, “Facebook’s investment will translate into a 9.99 per cent equity stake in Jio Platforms on a fully diluted basis.” The FB deal is part of value unlocking by RIL to cut its debt.
An employee working at Ministry of Civil Aviation has tested positive for COVID-19. The Ministry tweeted and informed that the person who attended office on 15 April 2020 has tested positive for COVID19 on 21st April. All necessary protocols are being stringently followed on the Premises. All colleagues who came in contact are being asked to go into self isolation as a precaution

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1. Observe Ramzan without lockdown violations, says Assam Wakf Board - Muslims across Assam will have to offer namaz and do iftar (breaking fast) at home during the coming Ramzan month starting Saturday due to ban on congregations at mosques/shrines during the extended nation-wide lockdown to prevent spreading dangerous coronavirus.

2. Teachers will get salaries without online class diaries: Sarva Shiksha Abhijaan - Faced with protests and resentment, the State Education department has made it clear that teachers of the government schools will not have to submit diaries about conducting online classes during the ongoing lockdown to receive their monthly salaries.

3. National Food Security Act card holders to get 1 kg pulses for three months - The State government will be providing 1 kg Masoor dal free of cost to each family having the National Food Security Act (NFSA) card for three months till June. This is the first time that pulses will be given to such beneficiaries. The distribution will commence from this week in a phased manner. The pulses to be made available by NAFED (National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation) will be distributed by the Food & Civil Supplies Department through the PDS (public Distribution System) outlets.

Following the death of 1,374 pigs across five districts of upper Assam during the last few days, the State government has decided to send five-member veterinary doctors’ teams to each of the districts to study the causes of the disease and also suggest remedial measures. This was informed by Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Atul Bora here on Tuesday.

5. All Tai Ahom Students’ Union organize online short story competition - The All Tai Ahom Students’ Union, Demow Regional Committee will organize an online short story competition. Interested candidates can contact Sumeet Kumar Handique, secretary of ATASU Demow Regional Committee.

The subdivisional administration under Lakhimpur district, in association with several institutions and organizations, has constituted a charitable unit named Sarathi to help the needy people of the subdivision. With this purpose, an account was opened in the Dhakuakhana branch State Bank of India in the name of Sarathi.
Massive storm-lashed Kokrajhar and Chirang districts on Tuesday and caused heavy damage to property. The storm began at 1 pm in certain parts of the district and it was accompanied by heavy rain.

8. Coronavirus Lockdown has not affected placements, says IIT Guwahati - With the coronavirus related Lockdown being extended further until May 03, IIT Guwahati will be compliant to the lockdown rules and regulations. In a release, IITG stated that placements have not been impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown so far and no job offers withdrawn.

9. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviews Coronavirus preparedness in State - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to hold review meeting with Minister-in-charge of the respective districts on the implementation of lockdown guidelines and maintenance of social distancing norms once every three days.

The Assam Police has been active over their social media handles during these tough times that arose due to coronavirus outbreak. The social media team of Assam police has been acting upon tweets and facebook messages and providing all kinds of help to the citizens.

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Another person has tested positive in Meghalaya. With this total cases reported in the state stands at 12, tweeted Meghalaya CM while updating status of COVID-19 patients in the state. One deceased and other 11 are stable.
The state government has suspended rapid antibody tests, informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through a tweet. The advisory was given by ICMR. Sarma had earlier announced that rapid antibody tests were to be carried out in Spanish Garden in Guwahati.
Jadav Gogoi reached home in Assam after completing 2,800-km trip from Gujarat’s Vapi region. He was a migrant labourer who started his journey with Rs 4000. He walked, hitchhiked often for a fee to reach his destination by which time he was exhausted. He was robbed of his money while he was on his way. Finally he managed to contact his family via someone’s phone. The man is from Gadharia village in Nagaon district.
Daily wage workers stranded in Assam will be allowed to return home, informed DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta on April 20. The transportation for the workers will be arranged by the Assam government. There are thousands of people who will be provided help. There are more than 40,000 workers from Assam stranded outside the state. 13,000 of them have been provided help by Assam Bhawans. The lockdown has made things really difficult for the migrants.
Arnab Goswami, face of TV news channel Republic TV, has resigned from Editors Guild of India on Live show. He has condemned silence of many editors on the killing of seers that took place in Palghar Maharashtra.
Amid lockdown, various instances of how nature is healing itself have been reported. In once such instance, pics of Flamingoes flocking in thousands are being seen in Navi Mumbai. They have caught the attention of many who have shared pics widely through twitter.
In a latest version of Sky map which is China’s authority on digital maps, Arunachal Pradesh is shown as part of China. China calls Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, a claim India rejects.
Factory in China criticized for holding kissing contest as it reopens. The video of participants kissing through plexiglass have been reviewed millions of times. 10 couples were invited to take part in kissing contest. The contest was organised restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic have started easing. This happened in Suzhou, Jiangsu. Twitter users posted pictures of the event.

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1. Rs 17.20 crore deposited in accounts of 86,000 stranded persons: Himanta Biswa Sarma - The State government has deposited Rs 17.20 crore in the bank accounts of 86,000 people from Assam who are stranded outside the State during the ongoing nationwide lockdown. An amount of Rs 2,000 has been given to each of them.

2. Medical colleges, civil hospitals to reopen for general patients from April 24 in Assam - In what can be called as a quantum leap in the fight against COVID-19, the State Health and Family Welfare Department has started rapid tests in the corona vulnerable areas including the ‘Spanish Garden’ at RG Baruah Road and Athgaon Kabarstan Masjid here as well as Lahorighat in Morigaon district.

Each of the 27 lakh farmers would be given financial aid of Rs 2,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Krishak Yojana to help them during the lockdown period, said State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora here on Monday. In the first phase, 10 lakh farmers will be given Rs 2,000 each.

4. Coronavirus patient discharged from Telahi Model Hospital at Lakhimpur - COVID-19 patient of Lakhimpur, Babu Ali was discharged from the hospital on Monday. The 18-year old youth was detected positive for fatal coronavirus on April 4 and then he was admitted in the Lakhimpur new Coronavirus Hospital set up at Telahi Model Hospital.

State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ranjit Kumar Das held a video conference with party MLAs and District presidents to take stock of the situation in various constituencies due to the lockdown.

6. Health Department distributed masks among tea labourers in Dibrugarh - As a preventive measure to protect tea labourers from new coronavirus, the Health Department has started distribution of masks among them in Dibrugarh district through National Health Mission from April 20.

7. CM Sarbananda Sonowal requests other CMs for safekeeping of stranded Assamese - In view of the ongoing nationwide lockdown put in place to fight the Coronavirus pandemic, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today called his counterparts of Jharkhand, Goa and Delhi, where several people of Assam got stranded and requested them to take adequate steps for their “safekeeping”.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation, on Monday, sealed the Samsung Smart Plaza in Rajdhani Masjid for allegedly selling stale groceries and poultry products illegally.

9. Northeast Frontier Railway strategies to fight against COVID-19 - In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Indian Railways took the unprecedented decision of suspending all its passenger train operations from March 22. However, goods and parcel train services are being carried out 24/7 to ensure an uninterrupted and seamless supply chain of goods and essential commodities to people at every corner of India as per requirement.

Since the lockdown from March 24, a total of 1,906 people have been arrested and 15,551 vehicles have been seized till Monday. Out of the total seized vehicles 14,124 are two-wheelers, 1245 are two wheelers and 157 three wheelers. 13 trucks and 8 trucks have also been seized. A total fine of Rs. 80,88,400 have been realized in the State so far. The Assam Police has been vigilant on the spread of Fake News on social and in this regard 85 cases have been registered with 46 arrests.

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With the release of a patient from Lakhimpur, Assam’s total cured COVID-19 cases stands at 19, informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
9600 Rapid kits have been sent by Centre, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. Out of these, random testing will be done. 25 kits will be utilised for Athgaon Kabrstan; 50 Spanish Garden and 250 for Lahori Garden; other kits will be in Medical Hospitals and Civil hospitals. Also, 24th April onwards hospitals except Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital will be open for people. Sarma also said that measures are being put in place to take care of residents of Assam who might return to Assam from other states. Most Assam migrants are based in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala. Measures will be taken to ensure that they get necessary care and facilities as the state tries to deal with COVID-19 pandemic.
With some services resuming in the state, Assam police have announced that some protocols on lockdown will be followed strictly. Electricians, plumbers can function; 2 people will not be allowed to ride together; fine will be imposed on people who spit; any kind of attack or vulgarity displayed towards health workers will not be permitted; social distancing must be practiced at all costs, informed Assam police during press conference.
Shillong civil hospital is preparing to handle 200 COVID-19 patients. “We are almost 80 percent ready with our plan of handling upto 200 cases of COVID-19 patients. The whole hospital will have to be converted into COVID-19 hospital. We would need to shift all the in-patients to the other hospitals,” Shillong Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr. S.S. Nongbri told media.
In a viral video, some youngsters in Nagaland are seen feasting on wild animals such as deer and wild cat to celebrate 'lockdown festival." The youngsters said “We are going to stay around this place for the next seven days, and it is going to be party-time for us.” Investigation is going on after the video emerged through social media. Most likely the incident took place at Intaki National Park in Nagaland.
A one-and-a-half-month-old baby died in Delhi hospital, according to reports. The baby who was brought to Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital attached to the Centre-run Lady Hardinge Medical College was admitted to SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) ward and died a few days later.
While strict measures have been imposed in containment zones where only essential services will be allowed to operate, certain activities will now resume. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will start collecting toll; healthcare, horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries ill begin operations; tea, coffee and rubber plantation will work with 50 % workforce; construction activities will operate, government offices will stay open; workers under MNREGA will work but will have to maintain social distancing and wear masks; e-commerce outlets can deliver non-essential items.
Horrific video of a mob beating a sadhu went viral yesterday. The incident took place at Gadchinchale village in Maharashtra. The villagers reacted angrily as there were rumours floating around that some thieves were around to kidnap kids and harvest their organs. The two sadhus and their driver are seen getting beaten by the mob as they plead for their life. Reports claim that cops have also been injured in the incident. The video shows the presence of cops but in front of a violent mob they failed. The ones killed have been identified as Sushil Giri Maharaj (35), Nilesh Telgane (35), who was the driver of the car, and Chikane Maharaj Kalpavrikshgiri (70). Two of them were sadhus. They were travelling towards Surat to attend a funeral service.

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1. Janata Bhawan to resume functioning from April 21 with only 33% attendance of employees - Janata Bhawan is going to resume functioning from April 21 with only 33 percent attendance of employees. Adequate arrangement has been made for the transportation of employees from different areas of greater Guwahati. However, the public will be barred from entering the Janata Bhawan till further order.

2. Coronavirus Concern: Bodoland Territorial Council election hangs in balance - The ongoing second phase of the nationwide lockdown till May 3, the Council polls now hang in the balance. Mentionable is that the five-year term of the BTC expires on April 27. Election to the BTC was earlier slated on April 4.

3. Number of Corona patients to decline fast in Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma - Health & Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday asserted that the number of new Coronavirus patients in the State would decline fast in the next few days even as Dispur was creating more facilities to quarantine suspected coronavirus-infected persons. Five COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at MMCH and GMCH, were discharged on Sunday after their four successive tests came negative.

4. NRC employees’ association contributes to Assam Arogya Nidhi - In response to the appeal made by the Government of Assam, NRC Employees’ Association Assam came forward and contributed an amount of Rs. 2,43,300 towards Assam Arogya Nidhi. In a press statement, secretary of the association, Barnam Kumar Deka stated that a bank draft (No. 888768 dated 17/04/2020) was handed over to the State Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma at the headquarter of National Health Mission Office, Guwahati on Saturday.

5. Vehicle carrying vegetables Skids off in Demow Chariali - A vehicle carrying vegetables skidded off the NH-37 Road in Demow Chariali on Sunday morning. According to sources, the vehicle (AS 25 EC 2801) carrying vegetables was coming from the Besimari area of Darrang district and going to Duliajan.

6. District administration seized tobacco products in Biswanath Chariali - A good number of tobacco products were seized in Biswanath Chariali town on Sunday by the district administration. According to information, a team comprising Executive Magistrate Biswajit Saikia, Excise Inspector Sharat Timung, sub-inspector of the Food and Civil Supply Department.

7. No new coronavirus case; most patients recovering across eight North-eastern States - No fresh coronavirus cases were reported from any of the eight north-eastern States in the past 24 hours even as several people, who had earlier tested positive, were discharged from hospital as they recovered from the dreaded disease, Ministers and officials said on Sunday.

8. Northeast Frontier Railway launches SETU initiative to ensure goods transportation - To bridge the gap between demand and supply, some officials of the Indian Railways have launched the innovative initiative named ‘SETU’ (Swift and Efficient Transport of Utilities). This has been launched rising to the call for action by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal, during the present new Coroanvirus crisis.

9. Help stranded Assamese due to lockdown: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to CMs - Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday made telephone calls to his counterparts Naveen Patnaik in Odisha, Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, Manohar Lal Khattar in Hariyana and Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh and urged them to provide all necessary help to the people of Assam stranded in those states due to the nationwide lockdown.

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Assam COVID-19 patients’ age range between 18 and 71, informed Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. Most cases of COVID are seen from 50 to 60 years. As of now 79 percent of COVID patients are male and 21 percent are female.
4 COVID-19 patients recovering in Assam are from UP, said Sarma. Out of 34 COVID-19 cases in Assam 32 related to Tablighi Jammat, informed Assam Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
So far 725 people from Assam stuck outside the state have been provided financial assistance of Rs 25k. Amid lockdown the state government had decided to provide economic benefit to residents of Assam with severe health issues seeking treatment outside state.
Police have arrested 23-year-old Mohammad Amir Elias for spitting on a woman from Manipur. The incident took place at Kalina Military Camp located in Santacruz East on April 6 post which the girl lodged a complaint with the police. The man allegedly removed his mask and spat at the girl who was there to collect food items distributed amid lockdown. After CCTV footage was analysed, the man who is a resident of Kurla (West) was arrested. He said that it was an accident and he did not do it deliberately. He has been booked under various sections of IPC.
After a relative of a sanitation worker at Gate number 17, in Pocket-A in President’s Estate died from coronavirus, his house was sealed. 30 families who live in the Estate had to be quarantined. The worker had visited a relative of his undergoing treatment. None of the families have shown any symptoms of coronavirus so far.
After HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ released new academic calendar of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), CBSE has begun working towards a revised/rationalised syllabus of classes 9 to 12 to compensate for loss made during lockdown.
An 85-year-old man died at a hospital in Malappuram after recovering from coronavirus. He tested negative for coronavirus on April 7, 10 and 13, Malappuram District Collector Jafar Malik told media. The man was undergoing treatment for coronary artery disease kidney ailment and diabetes. He died from these complications and the death will therefore be not treated as COVID-19 death. Funeral services will be carried out as per protocols set during lockdown but no COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, claim reports.
Switzerland’s 14,692-foot mountain Matterhorn was lit up with the Indian flag. This was part of a series organised by renowned Swiss light artist Gerry Hofstetter to show solidarity in a world affected by COVID-19. The 800 meters high projection soon went viral and has been shared widely on Twitter.

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1. Embankment Works to resume after April 21 in Assam following Coronavirus guidelines - The embankment works to resume after April 21 in Assam. State Water Resources Minister Keshab Mahanta toured Kamrup, Darrang, Biswanath and other districts of the State and instructed departmental officials and contractors to go ahead with the works of vulnerable embankments after April 21.

2. Guwahati to run short of fruits; fruit-laden trucks are not allowed to enter State - The supply of fruits remained restricted as the fruit-laden trucks are not allowed to enter the State in view of the corona outbreak. According to Guwahati city vendors, the stocks of fruits in cold storages will also be exhausted within a few days.

3. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal talks to Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma - In view of the situation created by the outbreak of novel coronavirus across the country and its fallout in the Northeast, State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal spoke to his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma on Friday over phone and requested him to ensure hassle-free transportation of the vehicles carrying essential commodities from Guwahati to Barak Valley and vice versa through Meghalaya.

4. ‘Lay emphasis on storage of food grains, essential items’ Says Phani Bhusan Choudhury - Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Forum Minister, Phani Bhusan Choudhury, during a review meeting with the officials of his departments and local traders’ association at circuit house here on April 16 had asked officials of his department and district administration to put emphasis on storage of food grains and other essential items to avoid crisis at least for one month in the district.

5. Take action against unauthorized individuals & vendors selling fish: Fishery dept. to DC - Even though the Kamrup (M) district had assured to make arrangement door-to-door sale of local fish in the Greater Guwahati areas, a section of unauthorized persons and vendors are selling fish among consumers by violating new coronavirus protocols and causing health concerns. As such, the State Fishery Department has directed the Kamrup (M) administration to take step against the unauthorised persons and vendors, who are selling fish.

6. NFR transports 408 rakes of freight carrying trains during lockdown period - The Northeast Frontier Railway carried more than 408 freight rakes to and from various parts of the country during the lockdown period from March 23 to April 16 to check scarcity of food essentials in the region.

7. Corona guidelines: Pillion riding banned; only two allowed in one car in Guwahati - The Assam Police has introduced new traffic rules to the guidelines on new coronavirus management under Disaster Management Act 2005, on Friday. The rules include – Ban on pillion riding on two wheelers; In case of private cars, only driver and one person on back seat is allowed and wearing of face masks has been made compulsory.

8. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal telephones eminent persons of State - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Friday called several eminent personalities from different walks of life of the state belonging to Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains. Sonowal while greeting them on the occasion of Rongali Bihu and Assamese New Year talked to them over the prevailing situation in the state. CM Sonowal in his usual demeanour enquired about the health and wellness of the personalities and talked to them.

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Four people have been discharged from Golaghat Civil Hospital. With this total count of patients cured from COVID-19 in Assam stands at 9. Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on this.
Golap Gogoi, a 52-year-old man, from Assam’s Hojai decided to help the needy instead of performing wife’s shraddha. This year, instead of organizing his wife’s yearly funeral rites he decided to help the needy by providing food to 32 families.
Due to lockdown imposed because of coronavirus pandemic, Rongali Bihu festival was not celebrated in its usual fashion in the state as a result of which entrepreneurs making traditional Assamese delicacies, such as pitha, suffered huge losses. According to reports, money worth lakhs was lost as people stayed indoors and avoided mass gatherings.
Zavesuddin died after his motorcycle hit a roadside tree. This happened while he was trying to escape from cops. He died on the spot. The deceased who hails from Nilbagan Methigaon area had gone to Kaki Tangia to buy some broiler chicken when the incident took place.
Barpeta police seized 9 four-wheeler vehicles and arrested 29 labourers on Wednesday night at Bajali. The labourers were released on bail and later arrangements were made to send them for 14 days quarantine. The drivers of the seized vehicles were sent to judicial custody.
China has said that Wuhan’s death toll due to COVID-19 was 50 % more than what was reported. Now, 1,290 deaths have been added to an original count of 2, 579. There has been widespread speculation that China has been hiding the actual number of people who died from the virus.
For the last seven days, doubling rate of coronavirus infections has been 6.2 days. Before lockdown, doubling rate was 3 days. And in 19 states and Union territories doubling rate has been less than national average, informed Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said during a media briefing.
Around 150 people defied lockdown to participate in Temple Chariot Festival In Karnataka. A case has been registered against 20 people.
Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumarswamy married Revathi amid lockdown. Pictures of the couple have been circulated widely. People have slammed the event which was organised during such a period when mass gatherings are not allowed. People who gathered for the wedding were not seen wearing masks. No social distancing was practiced
According to reports experimental drug remdesivir is proving effective against coronavirus infections. The patients taking part in clinical trials have shown signs of recovery. They were suffering from severe respiratory problems and fever, claim reports.
Facebook will soon let users know if they have liked bogus ads on coronavirus that is false or not in agreement with WHO guidelines. FB will let users know if they have liked or shared such posts in the past.

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1. Release ‘Declared Foreigners’ in 7 days, Gauhati High Court to Assam Police - In view of the new coronavirus outbreak the Gauhati High Court has asked the Border wing of the Assam Police to release on bail within seven days those ‘Declared Foreigners’ who have completed two years in detention camps, to comply with the apex Court’s order, officials said on Thursday.

2. Corona positive cases rise to 34 in Assam; 32 of 34 cases have Nizamuddin links - With the detection of two more corona positive cases in Morigaon district, the tally of COVID-19 cases has risen to 34 in Assam. While 32 of the corona positive cases have direct or indirect links with the Nizamuddin returnees to the State, one of the other two cases has a travel history to Saudi Arabia and the remaining one is a resident of Spanish Garden in Guwahati.

3. Morigaon district Deputy Commissioner & Superintendent of Police sent to quarantine - The Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police and the Circle Officer of Bhuragaon Revenue Circle of Morigaon district have been instructed to go on home quarantine from Thursday. The trio was in contact with one of the two persons who tested corona positive on Thursday

4. Lockdown: Axom Xahitya Xabha enriching Assamese Wikipedia - The Axom Xahitya Xabha has started making value addition to Assamese Wikipedia, the Assamese language edition of Wikipedia. The Assamese Wikipedia came into existence on June 2, 2002. Any registered volunteer can contribute facts, history and other valuable insights about Assam and Assamese language to the website for free.

5. Golap Gogoi from Assam helps needy instead of performing wife’s shraddha - Golap Gogoi, a 52-year-old man, from Assam’s Hojai decided to help the needy instead of performing wife’s shraddha. This year, instead of organizing his wife’s yearly funeral rites Golap Gogoi decided to help the needy by providing food to 32 families during the lockdown.

6. Assam Police gives 4 helpline numbers for elderly people in view of lockdown- The Assam Police has given four helpline numbers – 6026900974, 602690097, 9435215029 and 9132699735 – for people to seek help for elderly people for every emergency situation during the lockdown.

7. Sub-team of 1st Bn NDRF, Guwahati carries out sanitization drive in Kamrup (M) district - A sub-team of 1st Bn NDRF, Guwahati conducted its sanitization drive at LGBI Airport Guwahati, BPCL & IOCL Aviation Fuelling Stations in Kamrup (M) district. NDRF rescuers sprayed out disinfectant consisting of Sodium Hypochlorite in Airport terminal area, checking points and domestic air cargo of LGBI Airport, Guwahati.

8. Gauhati University withdraws summer vacation to compensate the loss of classes - In view of the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown, Gauhati University has revamped its academic schedule by withdrawing the summer vacation that falls in July so as to compensate the loss of classes due to the pandemic. This revamp in the academic schedule is meant for all departments of the university and colleges/institutions affiliated under it.

9. No-entry to Airport without a mask, says Airport Authority of India, NER - In view of the outbreak of new Coronavirus the Airport Authority of India, North-East Region has taken an initiative that no one without mask enters the airport premises. The authority will ensure that each and every person who enters the airport premises and the airport colony wears a mask.

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Two persons from Morigaon tested COVID19 positive; both are secondary contacts of Markaz attendees
Dibrugarh joint director of health services was suspended over dereliction of duty. Udayan Kumar Baruah who was suspended by the State Government was missing from action. He was even absent during review meetings chaired by CM Sarbananda Sonowal. Currently, sub-divisional medical officer Nabajyoti Gogoi is in charge of Baruah's services after suspension, claim reports.
Guwahati to come under Orange zone, informed the Central government. Golaghat, Morigaon, Nalbari, Goalpara and Dhubri have been identified as hotspot districts with cluster. Union health secretary Preeti Sudan said, "Hotspots (designated red zones) will be assumes to be undertaking effective containment activities, if no case is reported in next 14 days (designated orange zones) and will be deemed successful in containment, if no case is reported for 28 days (designated green zones)."
Meghalaya’s doctor, who died from coronavirus laid to rest at the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Cemetary after he could not be cremated at the electric crematorium as locals opposed the move fearing spread of the virus to residential areas and TB Hospital nearby.
72 families in South Delhi have been asked to self quarantine after a Pizza delivery boy tested positive for COVID-19. The patient was now recovering at a hospital. "We have found that 72 houses had taken delivery from that outlet and hence everyone has been told to follow precautionary measures and be under self- quarantine," District Magistrate of South Delhi B.M. Mishra. Authorities have also decided to quarantine 16 of his colleagues. A detailed trail was followed and 72 families in South Delhi were then asked to self quarantine. The food from the outlet was delivered using Zomato. "All the co-workers of the said rider have tested negative and as a precaution, the restaurant where the rider worked has suspended operations," a statement by Zomato reads.
Google has honoured packaging, shipping and delivery workers by creating a Doodle. Amid coronavirus crisis, such workers are working round the clock to make sure that essential commodities reach people in time.

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Ensure compliance of 2.0 Lockdown norms: MHA to States and UTs - The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday communicated to all States and Union Territories to ensure compliance of the new lockdown measures and direct the authorities concerned for their strict implementation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In the written communication from Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla to the Chief Secretaries of all the States and the UT administrations, it was clarified that “these guidelines are communicated to all the field agencies and wide publicity is given for the benefit of the public and that stricter measures should be imposed as per the requirement of the local areas”.
Release of almost all corona patients by April 20: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - Releasing two of the three recovered corona, positive patients, from the District Hospital at Sonapur on Wednesday, the State Health Department has expressed hopes of releasing almost all the Coronavirus positive patients of the State by April 20. This is the first such release of cured corona patients in the State. Addressing the media here on Wednesday, a beaming State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “We’ve released two corona patients – Jonab Ali and Nuruddin Ali— from the District Hospital at Sonapur. We hope to release three such patients tomorrow from the hospital in Goalpara. We had 31 patients with us. With the release of two, we’re le…
Coronavirus lockdown: All Assam Students’ Union flays Education department - The nationwide corona lockdown has left the future of the students in Assam, especially of colleges and universities, hanging in the air. The college and university students in the State are not sure if their respective academic years will remain intact. All Assam Students’ Union president Dipanko Kumar Nath, holds the State Education department largely responsible for such uncertainty.
Union Health Ministry tagged 5 Assam districts as Coronavirus hotspots - The Union Health Ministry has identified five districts in Assam as Coronavirus hotspot districts with clusters. Golaghat, Morigaon, Nalbari, Goalpara, Dhubri are the districts in Assam which have been put under hotspot districts with cluster.
Businessman, media persons offer Phulam Bihuwan to police personnel - In recognition of the humble and dedicated service of all the police personnel and to honour them on the very first day of Assamese New Year, Nimai Saha, a prominent businessman of the district based at Kharupetia, came forward with a unique idea to greet each and every policeman on duty with a phulam Bihuwan as a token of love and honour in the traditional way. Media person Hemanta Kumar Barua and Shrawan Kumar Jha also extended a helping hand to Nimai Saha and greeted the ‘Men in Khaki’ at Kharupetia, Dhula and Mangaldai Police Station area.
Relief materials distributed by All Bongaigaon district Karmachari Parishad - The All Bongaigaon district Karmachari Parishad distributed relief materials among 200 families of Bongaigaon on Wednesday. “We did it as per appeal of State Finance and Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma,” said Satyanarayan Ray, president of Bongaigaon district Karmachari Parishad. Several noted persons, including Pankaj Sarma and Sankar Sarkar were present on the occasion.
Coronavirus Outbreak: Low-key Rongali Bihu celebration Across Assam - Coronavirus pandemic dampened Bihu celebration throughout the State this year. On April 13, which was Garu Bihu, people washed their cows. On April 14 was Manuh Bihu. This year people could not wear new clothes but they sought the blessings of their elders and ate delicious delicacies.

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Meghalaya reports 6 more positive cases. "Of the 68 tested so far, 6 have come out positive who are all family members & helpers of the first #Covid19 positive case. 6 other cases are being retested. All the rest of the cases are negative," Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya tweeted. The 69 year old senior doctor who passed away from coronavirus contracted the infection from his son-in-law who was a pilot with Air India who had travelled to New York.
A nurse from Manipur working at a private hospital in Delhi has tested positive for coronavirus. The 24-year-old woman was carried away in an ambulance. Nine of her family members staying with her have been quarantined.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has come up with consolidated revised guidelines during lockdown that will stay until May 3.“The objective of the revised guidelines is to consolidate the gains achieved during the 1st phase of lockdown and further slow down the spread of Covid 19 and at the same time provide relief to farmers, labourers and daily wage earners,” according to a press release. During the lockdown, travel by air, rail and road will not be allowed. Mass gatherings stay suspended as usual. Post April 20, 2020 assessments will be made at various states and UTs.
Health Services including AYUSH to function amid lockdown informed MHA in a statement. Hospitals. nursing homes, clinics and telemedicine facilities will function. Veterinary hospitals, medical research labs, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, medical equipment shop, manufacturing unit of drugs, construction of medical health infrastructure, movement (inter and intra state) of medical and veterinary personnel, nurses, scientists, lab technicians and mid-wives including ambulances are permitted.
ICMR researchers have detected coronavirus in two species of bat. “To assess the presence of CoVs in bats, we performed identification and characterisation of bat CoV (BtCoV) in P. medius and Rousettus species from representative states in India collected during 2018 and 2019,” according to a paper published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research on April 13.
Prashant Singh alias Pravesh was admitted to hospital after he was shot at by Jai Veer Singh alias Gullu. The latter is absconding. A ludo game was underway at a temple in Dayanagar village. An argument escalated soon after which shots were fired.“Prashant and three others were playing ludo at the village temple on Tuesday night when Gullu arrived there. An argument broke out between Prashant and Gullu when the former coughed. Gullu got angry thinking he was doing it deliberately,” a police official told media. Coughing, fever are some of the most common symptoms of coronavirus.
3500 jurists, artistes, writers and many others have slammed the UP government for filsing an FIR against The Wire’s editor Siddharth Varadarajan. The FIR was filed against Varadarajan because of this tweet on CM of UP Yogi Adityanath
An FIR has been registered against journalist over a report that states that migrant workers should be given Jan Sadharan special trains so that they can return to their native villages instead of being stuck. This could have prompted the gathering of migrant workers near Bandra railway station, claim reports. Rahul Kulkarni, based in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra has been booked under several IPC Sections.

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PM Modi, in his address to the nation at 10 am today urged people to follow lockdown measures until May 3. The lockdown was about to end on April 14. He urged young scientists to take lead in creating coronavirus vaccine.
Modi said that an evaluation of places will soon happen to see if lockdown has been followed in tne region or not. He said that until 20th April, every town, every police station, every district, every state will be evaluated on how much the lockdown is being followed. The extent to which the region has protected itself from Coronavirus will be noted. Areas that will succeed in this litmus test, which will not be in the hot-spot category, and will have less likelihood to turn into a hot-spot; maybe allowed to open up select necessary activities from 20th April.
As PM Modi extends lockdown until May 3, all passenger train services on Indian Railways including Premium trains, Mail/Express trains, Passenger trains, Suburban Trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway etc shall continue to remain cancel till the 2400hrs of 3rd May 2020, announced Minstry of Railways through tweet.
A 26-year-old woman from Mizoram tested positive for coronavirus in Mumbai. She has been admitted to a hospital in Mizoram where she is undergoing treatment, claim reports. Mizoram has become the 5th Northeast State to get COVID-19 testing lab.
Swiggy is now all set to deliver essential commodities including groceries, medicines during lockdown. It has now started services in 125 cities. It has now partnered with Hindustan Unilever Ltd., P&G India, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., Dabur India Ltd., Marico Ltd., Vishal Mega Mart Pvt. Ltd., Adani Wilmar Ltd., Cipla Ltd, to make sure customers get timely supply of essential commodities. Customers can access tabs called Grocery and Genie for their requirements.
As Assam & Meghalaya resume sale of liquor, more states might follow soon. There might be some ease in liquor sales in other states to raise revenue, claim reports.
The government in Karnataka might soon start auctioning 12,000 Bengaluru Development Authority sites to raise cash. It might also allow regularization of unauthorised construction sights in the state for a fee. According to reports, liquor sale might also resume soon.
World over vaccine trails are being carried out to find a solution for coronavirus. According to World Health Organization, 70 potential vaccines are currently under consideration out of which few have reached advanced stage. An experimental vaccine developed by Hong Kong-listed CanSino Biologics Inc. and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, which is in phase 2, is undergoing trials. U.S. drugmakers Moderna Inc. and Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc are developing treatments separately. These are now being tested on humans having bypassed preliminary stages, claim reports.
South African leader Tshekede Pitso loved his car so much that he wanted to be be buried with it. The 72-year-old was buried in his Mercedes Benz E500 in a bright outfit. He was buried in a seating position right behind the wheels. He love his car very much. That's where he took his last breath while listening to music. The funeral was carried out amid restrictions caused due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The tally of Assam has reached to 30 as a new case of COVID-19 has been reported from Dhubri this morning (Monday) State health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to twitter to announce the new case in Assam and he said, Alert ~ Another person from Dhubri, connected with #TablighiJamaat...
Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal urged people to light bonti (diya) tomorrow at 6 pm to show unity in fighting coronavirus. He wished people of Assam on Bihu and urged them to follow lockdown measures as well as social distancing. He also thanked health workers for putting up a fight against coronavirus and thanked them for their contribution in fighting the situation.
21 residents of Assam stranded abroad will be paid $1000 by April 25, informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. Sarma had earlier said that Assamese people stranded abroad will be given $2000.
213 people of Assam stranded outside with severe health reasons paid Rs 25,000 so far informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference. So far, 913 people have called on helpline number; 213 people have been verified and 700 cases are still in pipeline where people’s details are being verified. Amid lockdown the state government had decided to provide economic benefit to residents of Assam with severe health issues seeking treatment outside state.
Helpline no. launched for those from Assam stuck outside & need financial assistance, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma in a press conference. Those in need can give a missed call on 9615471547. Officials and volunteers will then follow up After this due registration process will take place and economic benefit will be provided after verification.
As Nagaland's first COVID-19 patient undergoes treatment, Nagaland’s Zion Hospital has been sealed where the patient was earlier admitted as an indoor patient.Nurses, doctors and health workers have now been quarantined. The state government has also sealed various areas including the patient's residential area. The patient had arrived in the State on an Air India flight from Kolkata on March 24.
As 21 days lockdown comes to an end, PM Modi will address the nation at 10 am tomorrow. It was in his address to the nation where he had announced 21 day lockdown.
Two people from Gujarat's Morbi area were detained after pan masala was home delivered via drone. This happened despite nationwide lockdown being imposed in the entire country.
Radical Maulvi Abbas Siddiqui based in Bengal was caught on tape pleading with Allah to send a virus to kill 50 cr Indians. After he was criticised for making such statements, he said that he was quoted out of context and that he had a lot of respect of India’s secularism.
Bala Krishna Nakka from Hyderabad, working as Chief Accountant at Dubai’s Moro Hub Data Solutions Company was sacked after he allegedly shared Islamophobic posts on coronavirus through Facebook. A few incidents have taken place in the past where some Indian expats were fired for making Islamophobic comments.
Karnataka Congress leader D K Shivakumar has slammed Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar for posting pics of him enjoying with his kids in a swimming pool. Shivakumar tweeted, "When the whole world is going through a health crisis, the Corona in-charge Minister Dr. Sudhakar is behaving irresponsibly by spending time in a swimming pool. It's a matter of moral & ethical standards. He must resign out of his own accord & CM should sack him from the cabinet." Sudhakar is the key figure in carrying out the government's COVID-19 campaign in Bengaluru.

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Let’s strengthen Team Assam spirit and beat Coronavirus, CM Sonowal tells political leaders - As the outbreak of novel coronavirus infection has created a new wave of health hazard across the globe and Assam is not immune to this infection, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the leaders of all political parties to strengthen the “spirit of Team of Assam” to work together and help the State tide over this health emergency.
Coronavirus outbreak: Hailakandi SHG chips in to address shortage of masks - At a time when Hailakandi district is facing shortage of masks in wake of coronavirus outbreak, a group of women has stepped in to provide the protective gear to people at an affordable rate. The district has been facing an acute shortage of masks since the last 15 days and whatever is available, is being sold at a premium.
Rotting vegetables to impact agrarian economy: Ideal farmer Pandit Soneswar Konwar - Krishi Pandit Soneswar Konwar has questioned as to why the State Agriculture Department hasn’t procured vegetables and allowed them to rot in the field during the COVID-19 lockdown. “Such a lapse on the part of the department will have adverse impact on the agrarian economy in the State,” he said.

4. Coronavirus Update: Assam Tests One More Positive of Coronavirus; Tally Reached at 30 - The tally of Assam has reached to 30 as a new case of Coronavirus has been reported from Dhubri this morning (Monday). State health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to twitter to announce the new case in Assam and he said, Alert ~ Another person from Dhubri, connected with #TablighiJamaat meet at #NizamuddinMarkaz, has been found #COVID19 positive. The total number of #Covid patients in #Assam now stands at 30.

‘Pothar Konya’ Nabanita Das extends helping hand to marginal rural farmers in Jorhat - ‘Best Lady Farmer of the country’ award recipient and progressive farmer Nabanita Das of Potia Fokola Gaon in Jorhat district came forward to stand beside the rural marginal farmers in this hour of crisis. With the active cooperation and help of her elder sister Junu Moni Das, ‘Pothar Konya’ Nabanita Das on Saturday met 60 rural marginal farmers of Chari Gaon No. 2, Natun Gohain Gaon and Purani Gohai Gaon near Nimati Ghat of Jorhat and extended a helping hand with packets of essential food commodities containing dal, potato, salt, mustard oil, biscuits and green vegetables.

6. Assam govt. to extend financial help Rs 25,000 to each cancer, kidney & heart patients - The Assam government is going to extend financial help amounting to Rs 25,000 to each of the State’s cancer patients and also patients who are in other States for heart and kidney transplantations during the Coronavirus lockdown. Many such patients from Assam are now stuck in other States of the country.

Lockdown extension: Assam Cabinet to follow the Centre’s instructions - The State Cabinet will take steps on whether to extend the lockdown beyond April 14 or not only on the basis of instructions and guidelines received from the Centre. The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of the Sarbananda Sonowal Cabinet held at Assam Administrative Staff College at Khanapara here on Sunday.
Christian community in Northeast celebrate Easter at homes due to ongoing lockdown - As religious places have been kept out of bounds from people due to the ongoing lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Christian community in Assam, as well as other parts of the North East on Sunday, celebrated the Easter by keeping themselves confined to their homes.

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Amid lockdown, Assam police have urged Bihu Committees to only have five people to hoist flag. Additionally, hoisting can be restricted to 30 minutes. Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta tweeted on this.
A 30-year-old man, who hails from Assam’s Nagaon district, committed suicide. He was admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Akola, Maharashtra. He had developed symptoms after which he got himself admitted to the hospital and was found coronavirus positive. The man had allegedly slit his throat. He was found lying unconscious on the bathroom floor of the hospital, claim reports. The man later succumbed while undergoing surgery. According to reports he had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin Delhi.
Andhra Pradesh police have rescued a girl from Meghalaya after receiving a tip off from Meghalaya police and KSU New Delhi unit.“The DGP of Meghalaya, R. Chandranathan had contacted the DGP of Andhra Pradesh to brief about this girl. Following this conversation, the Andhra Pradesh police followed up the case and the girl was rescued from the house of the owner of the parlour,” East Khasi Hills SP, Claudia Lyngwa told media. The girl who was working at Anees Ladies Beauty Parlour, Hair Spa & Solutions has alleged harassment by employer of the parlour. The 21-year-old girl had to stay at the house of the owner as the lockdown was suddenly imposed. “The victim had planned of returning home prior to the nation-wide lockdown. But due to the sudden national lockdown she could not return home. The victim had attempted to commit suicide because of the abuse and threats by owner of the parlour,” KSU New Delhi unit vice president said.
A teacher in Lakhimpur has been arrested for posting communally offensive comments on social media. A case has been registered against the teacher, Pranabjyoti Sarma of Jamunakhat in Narayanpur, at Narayanpur police station. Sarma was arrested from his residence. Lakhimpur Police have so far registered 17 cases against those violating lockdown norms; arrested 28 people and seized 16 vehicles.
Two people have been detained for producing fake permit to transport vegetables during lockdown. The permit was actually issued to Mofizul Rahman, a vegetable seller of Borghuli village in Kaliabor but it was forged by the duo. Police seized two vehicles, loaded with vegetables from the duo. The ones detained had forged signature of additional district magistrate in-charge of Kaliabor Sub-division. It was an FIR lodged by sector magistrate S. Baruwati that detected the forged document and got the two people detained. The two were found at a vegetable market at Neauville Road in Jorhat.
After attending CMs meeting with PM modi, Delhi CM Kejriwal has tweeted, “PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it.”
BJP legislator A.S. Jayaram from Karnataka celebrated his 51st birthday at Karnataka Tumakuru district defying lockdown orders that prevents mass gatherings. Gubbi police inspector P.M. Nagaraj said that the BJP legislator said that the birthday was organised in a house compound at Ankalakuppe village in Gubbi taluk. “As Jayaram’s birthday coincided with the Hanuman Jayanthi function in the area, food was served to the people who gathered at the Anjaneya Swamy temple in the adjacent Manikuppe village,” Nagaraj told media. Social distancing was not observed when lemon rice was served, “as the village folk scrambled to grab the food packets,” admitted Nagaraj. The legislator was not available for comments.

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1. Athgaon Kabarstan Masjid declared containment zone; sealed for 14 days in Guwahati - The Athgaon Kabarstan Masjid in Guwahati has been declared a containment zone and sealed for 14 days from Friday in the fight against COVID-19. Of late, it has come to light during investigation that around 100 people – including eight Nizamuddin returnees, three of whom have tested corona positive later – met in this masjid on March 12.

Dibrugarh District Administration orders strict adherence to Coronavirus protocols - More than two weeks after the nationwide lockdown clamped to prevent spreading of the dangerous coronavirus, the Dibrugarh district administration on Friday ordered a resumption of the tea gardens’ operation in the district from Saturday with strict adherence to the various precautionary measures as laid down in new coronavirus protocol.
May extend lockdown hints Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has hinted at extending the ongoing 21-day lockdown which is going to expire on April 14. Replying to a question from journalists during his visit to Goalpara district on Friday, he said, “It is clear that so far no medicine for this virus has been invented. We’re not left with many alternatives, except maintaining strict social distancing. So, you may guess what the government will do.”
Compensating Academic Losses; Online classes for students if lockdown extended - Faced with uncertainty over the lifting of the ongoing lockdown many private as well government schools in Guwahati are mulling the option of starting online classes for their students. While a few of the private schools have already started online classes, parents and guardians are putting pressure on other private schools to start the same.
NTPC distributes food packet to poor families in Kokrajhar - As part of the various initiatives undertaken for community welfare, the NTPC, Bongaigaon on Thursday distributed food packets to villagers of nearby villages viz. Henabill and Naljibari, Bhumiki in Kokrajhar district. Sources said around 150 families were benefitted from the aforesaid programme.
Agriculture Minister Atul Bora assures Morigaon farmers to help - Altogether 6 lakh farmers of the State will Rs 5,000 each under the Chief Minister SA-SAJULI Yojana and out of this amount, Rs 2500 for each farmer has already been released by the Finance Department, said State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora on Thursday during his visit to Morigaon.
Guwahati Border Security Force seizes 3,400 Yaba tablets in South Salmara - Troops of Guwahati Frontier of Border Security Force seized 3,400 Yaba tablets, from Deepchar village in South Salmara on Friday. BSF troops of Border Out Post Deepchar, Ex-06 BN BSF seized the tablets, while the consignment was being thrown over the fence from India to Bangladesh at the border.
FISHFED starts door-to-door delivery of local fish in Guwahati City - The Kamrup (M) district administration, as a part of its COVID-19 precautionary measures, allowed to door-to-door sale of local fish in Guwahati from April 10. The fish are being sold at the FISHFED outlet in Rupnagar and the rate of the category of fishes is as per the existing rate of the body. FISHFED is issuing passes to maximum five vehicles for carrying fishes.
Violation of lockdown continues; total 1,359 people have been arrested by Assam Police - Since the lockdown from March 24, a total of 1,359 people have been arrested and 8,533 vehicles have been seized till Friday. While out of the total seized vehicles 7,816 are two-wheelers, 632 are two-wheelers. A total fine of Rs. 29,42,300 have been realized in the State so far.

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Assam had its first death for coronavirus as the 65-year patient Haji Haque Barbhuyan who had a visit record of Nizamuddin Markaz died this morning at Silchar Medical College and Hospital. The news was announced by the health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in his twitter account.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state has ordered for 1 lakh Rapid test kits that can help determine results for coronavirus infections faster. This will take a while as the Central government will prioritize coronavirus hotspot states before us, but the order has been placed and at lease a few thousands will be expected soon, informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Athgaon Masjid to be converted into contanment zone, informed Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Health Minister. The decision was taken after the administration learned that a meeting of 100 people was organised at the Masjid on March 12. Three people tested COVID-19 positive from there. This included people from the Markaz from Delhi as well as local people.
COVID-19 patient who tested positive from Spanish Garden is recovering well. He will be released after completing his quarantine period. The information was given by Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Health Minister during a press conference.
Helpline no. provided for patients with severe health issue seeking treatment outside state 03612558955: Landline number where patients have to give address, hospital and residential address in Assam. 6901281862: WhatsApp number where patients can provide bank details so that economic benefit can reach
Nagaland has released 109 undertrials in keeping with Supreme Court's directions to all States and Union Territories to constitute their respective high-level panels to determine prisoners who could be released on parole for four to six weeks to prevent overcrowding in jails to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. In Nagaland prisoners were released from 11 jails.
40 people have been booked by police for defying lockdown rules by offering namaz at a mosque in MP. PM Modi in a previous meeting had urged religious leaders to make sure that people within their specific communities follow lockdown orders.
A Congress leader who tested positive for coronavirus has been booked for hiding his travel history. He had attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi. His village in Deenpur, Najafgarh has now been declared a containment zone. The man's wife and child have also tested positive.
Joint Secretary in the Union health ministry Lav Aggarwal said that India has enough hydroxychloroquine to meet domestic demands. The explanation comes as India exported vast quantities of the drug touted to be quite useful in fighting coronavirus infections in patients.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, was quick to express gratitude to PM Modi as he somewhat relaxed ban on export of hydroxychloroquine to other countries. In a thank you letter to PM Modi he wrote, "Just as Lord Hanuman brought the holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana, and Jesus healed those who were sick and restored the sight to Bartimeu, India and Brazil will overcome this global crisis by joining forces and sharing blessings for the sake of all peoples."As India exports HCQ to other countries, media reports have suggested that there is a shortage of the drug in India itself. The Government has refused such claims.
ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary who is stuck in his ancestral village in UP is now having to climb trees to access mobile network connection so that he can access ICC’s online programmes for umpires. His two sons with him are also having problems to access online lessons.

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Assam's 28th COVID-19 patient's health has worsened and he is being shifted to ICU, informed Assam Health Minister Himanta Biwa Sarma through a tweet.
Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal has donated one month’s salary towards PMCARES fund.Anand Kumar Jain, a Guwahati based businessman and social activist has donated Rs 2 crore for fight against coronavirus.
Residents of Manipur cooperated with authorities and followed lockdown rules to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Lakhs of people were screened at eight entry points in the state.
Meghalaya police has made PPEs and masks to deal with shortage of equipment amid COVID-19 pandemic. In several police battalions, isolation units have been set up. In addition to this, makeshift tents have also been set up by police units.
Tea gardens located in Assam, Darjeeling, stare at 22 percent loss in revenue, claim reports. The 21 day lockdown will have an impact on tea industry as plucking season has just begun.
SEBA will take a decision on announcement of matric results after lockdown. SEBA chairman Ramesh Chandra Jain informed that more than 80 percent of answer sheets have been corrected before the 21 days lockdown that began on March 25.
A 23-year-girl from Manipur’s Churachandpur district returned from China via Myanmar has tested negative for coronavirus. The test was conducted at VRDL in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.
Central government has issued pending income-tax refunds upto Rs 5 lakh & GST/Custom refunds with immediate effect. The government has announced immediate relief to taxpayers in context of COVID-19 situation in the country.
Locals defied lockdown to attend funeral of militant killed in Sopore encounter in North Kashmir. Sopore police have lodged FIR against unknown persons who attended the funeral of JeM militant Sajad Nawab Dar.
Government has sanctioned Rs 15,000 cr package to bolster India's coronavirus fight. The fund will go to 'India #COVID19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package'
A private security guard who allegedly attended Tablighi Jamat event at Nizamuddin in Delhi has been booked. He was absconding. Three members of a family he worked for also tested coronavirus positive.An FIR was lodged at the Defence Colony police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The security guard was later traced from his resident at Okhla. The guard is now undergoing COVID-19 test.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated that India will do everything possible to help humanity's fight against coronavirus. He said this while replying to US President Donald Trump's tweet where the latter thanked him for the gesture on the release of Hydroxychloroquine drug despite a ban on export. Trump had tweeted, "Thank you India and the Indian people for the decision on HCQ." Modi tweeted back saying, "We shall win this together."
Odisha has extended lockdown until April 30. It has urged the Centre to not start bus and train services. Educational institutions in the state will stay shut until mid June, claim reports.
After recreated number Masakali 2.0 featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Tara Sutaria was released, musician A R Rahman took to twitter urging people to enjoy the original Masakali song.The original song was from the movie Delhi-6 which featured Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor. Twitter users have also expressed their support for the original song.

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1. Social distancing in Assam Glaring violations! - The most powerful weapon that can ensure man’s win over coronavirus is the strictest adherence to social distancing. However, during the lockdown in Assam social distancing has been going for a toss on a number of occasions! The State government has made certain relaxations in the lockdown, especially for essential commodities, including free of cost rice to the needy people. However, with a view to availing these facilities, some sections of the public have been violating social distancing norms. Various district administrations in the State are also not that prompt to enforce social distancing to the letter.

2. Coronavirus Infected woman from Tripura visited Guwahati; panic grips residents - Detection of the first COVID-19 positive case in Tripura has sent the Assam capital’s city into a tizzy. The infected person, Gita Rani Karmakar (45), had visited the city before reaching her home State (Tripura) and testing positive for the dangerous coronavirus. Karmakar arrived at the Guwahati Railway Station on March 15 and then went straight to the historic Kamakhya temple premises atop the Nilachal Hills here.

3. Assam Govt. show cause notice to Juria BDO & two suspended panchayat secretaries - The State government has issued a show cause notice to Juria BDO Mainul Haque Choudhury and suspended two panchayat secretaries – Pompi Deka and Asadus Zaman – on the charge of anomalies in the selection of beneficiaries of various schemes.

Coronavirus scare: Shutdown to stay, indicates Prime Minister Narendra Modi - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told all the floor leaders of various parties in the Parliament that the kind of response and suggestions he has received does not indicate that the lockdown should be lifted, said sources. The Prime Minister is also slated to meet the Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories on April 11, through video conference, where a final decision on the issue is slated to be made. This will be the third such conference with the CMs.
Krishna Upadhyay Senior journalist of Tinsukia assaulted by unknown people - Krishna Upadhyay, a senior journalist of Tinsukia, was allegedly physically assaulted by two unknown persons in presence of his wife, who was also manhandled, in front of his residence at Kuhmar Patty located at GNB Road on Wednesday afternoon.
Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association demands release of full wages to tea garden workers - The central committee of Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association has expressed vehement resentment over the reluctance of some tea garden management to release the full wage and due ration for tea garden workers for the period of lockdown. In this regard, the organization strongly demanded the tea garden management to release full daily wage to them along with the due ration for the period concerned in accordance with the government’s instruction or to face agitation.
Kamrup Metro District Administration permits five Garages for maintenance of vehicles - The District Administration has given permission to five Garage and Tyre Repairing Centres in Kamrup Metropolitan District for maintenance of Government on-duty vehicles as we as private vehicles carrying essential commodities.
In view of Coronavirus outbreak & lockdown vegetable vendors permitted for online delivery - In view of the outbreak of novel and lockdown situation in the city, the following vendors have been permitted for home delivery of vegetables through online mode.

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As of now 32 cases of coronavirus infections have been reported from the North East. 28 of them are related to the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi.
State transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary is working with Indian Railways and Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure uninterrupted supply of goods to the state. In a meeting with senior officers he asked them to ensure that vehicles are available to bring in food and essential commodities into the state.
Various Islamic organisations of the state have urged followers to observe Shab-e-Barat (day of forgiveness/atonement) from their homes.No Namaz has been organised for the day. The organisations asked followers to maintain social distancing and follow lockdown.
Gauhati High Court has put a stay on order passed by NIA Court directing bail of KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.On April 1, Gogoi was arrested by Dibrugarh police under a case filed against him at Chabua police station.
Assam Arogya Nidhi has collected Rs 24.63 crore so far. People can donate towards the fund the money from which will be utilised to fight coronavirus battle in the state.
Doctors at Sonapur Civil Hospital were given a warm send-off after they left the hospital facility to attend 14 days mandatory quarantine period at Taj Vivanta.Doctors and nurses will have to go on quarantine for 14 days after 7 days duty. They will be put up at Taj Hotel, said Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said during a press conference.
Due to coronavirus outbreak, Assam CEE (Combined Entrance Exam) 2020 has been postponed until further notice. The Application deadline has been extended till April 24. An official notification was released by Assam Science and Technology University.
More than 50 people from Assam which include social activists, writers, filmmakers, journalists, physicians and members of civil society have written to President, Chief Justice of India, Prime Minister and chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to draw their attention to plight of migrants during the lockdown.
Suleman Narzary, a resident of Kokrajhar town filed an FIR against Promod Boro, the chief of United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), for “spreading false information” on number of coronavirus infection in India. He misquoted number of covid infections in the country in a TV interview. Boro had claimed that 30,000 people have been infected in India from coronavirus which is incorrect because government data claims otherwise.
Mizoram has begun testing of coronavirus infections within the state itself after a COVID-19 testing laboratory was set up in just eight days.So far 15 sample (which includes health workers taking care of patients) have been tested in the lab. 11 samples have tested negative and the results of the rest are awaited.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Assam government asking it to release people in detention centres as it might cause spread of coronavirus. The plea submitted by voluntary organization ‘Justice and Liberty Initiative’ on March 25 demanded the release of those people who have completed two years in those camps.According to reports there are 988 persons lodged in six detentions centres in the state so far.So far 30 people have died in the camp so far.
So far, India has reported 5,194 infections; 402 have recovered and 149 people have died.
Odisha has reported its first COVID-19 death after a 72-year-old man who had history of chronic hypertension passed away.The person belongs to Jharpada area of Bhubaneswar.
After a high-level meeting with various political leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi might extend lockdown beyond April 14, claim reports. The meeting was held through video conferencing with political leaders from various states who insisted that the lockdown should be extended or should be lifted in a phased manner.

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1. Government may extend lockdown as multiple State governments & experts are requesting - The Narendra Modi Government would probably extend the on-going lockdown as multiple State governments and experts have requested to do so to deal better with the novel coronavirus pandemic. Sources said that the Central Government is deciding to extend the ongoing 21-day lockdown further.

2. Assam Cabinet to cut salaries of Ministers, MLAs by 30% for one year - The State Cabinet in its meeting held on Tuesday decided to deduct 30% of the monthly salaries of the Chief Minister, Ministers, and all MLAs for one year; and the amount will be deposited in the fund for treatment of COVID patients in the State.

3. Assam Police held MLA Aminul Islam over controversial audio clip about Coronavirus - Assam Police, on Tuesday arrested MLA Aminul Islam of the AIUDF for allegedly circulating an audio clip full of controversial comment on novel coronavirus pandemic and its precautionary measures adopted by the state and the Union government.

4. Assam Coronavirus positive cases rise to 28: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - With two more novel coronavirus positive cases detected in Assam on Tuesday, the State’s active cases rose to 28 while the total number of positive cases in the north-eastern region rose to 33.

5. Coronavirus impact: Frequently forwarding WhatsApp messages limited to one chat at a time - In a bid to curb the flow of misinformation in Coronavirus times, Facebook-owned WhatsApp on Tuesday announced to introduce a new limit on frequently forwarding messages where a WhatsApp user can forward such messages to one chat at a time.

6. Muslim Religious leaders & Imams make awareness videos against Coronavirus in Darrang - As the issue of Tablighi Jamaat has been rocking Assam, a section of Islamic religious leaders has prepared short videos to create awareness among the common people of their community living mostly in the remote areas of Darrang district in the state.

7. Reserve Bank of India extends overdraft facility for States & Union Territories - To ease the cashflow mismatches which might occur due to new Coronavirus lockdown, the Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday extended the time period for States and Union Territories to avail overdraft facilities. Accordingly, the RBI has decided to increase the number of days for which a State or UT can be in “overdraft” continuously to 21 working days from the current stipulation of 14 working days.

8. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati develops low-cost system to disinfect areas - The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati on Tuesday said its researchers have developed a low-cost UVC LED-based disinfection system amid the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country. The team is also addressing the critical need of the material required for the PPE i.e. a fabrication material with waterproof ability.

9. Ensure availability of commodities, Chandra Mohan Patowary tells Transport officers - Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has directed the senior officers of Transport Department to ensure that adequate numbers of trucks are made available for carrying of essential food commodities in the districts during the ongoing nationwide lockdown.

10. 90 tonnes air cargo of medical kits, medicines sent to Northeast: officials - Over 90 tonnes of air cargo, comprising medical kits, personal protective gears and medicines, have been transported to north-eastern states from Delhi and other places to thwart the scarcity during the on-going nationwide lockdown.

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Assam police has launched tele-counseling helpline numbers to deal with mental stress amid lockdown, which has been imposed to deal with coronavirus pandemic. The helplines will operate from 9 am to 3 pm.
The 23-year-old woman from Manipur who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 23 has now recovered. With this she becomes the first patient from the North East to have recovered fully.
Manipur government has decided to transfer a financial assistance of Rs.2000 from the CM's COVID-19 RELIEF FUND to the Bank accounts of each person who are stranded outside the State during the lockdown.
Yumnan Devjit, a man in Manipur has been booked under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, after an audio clip emerged where he was heard urging people to not participate in PM Modi’s 9 min 9 pm call citing power failure.
Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Golay took a stock of situation amid lockdown in a high-level meeting where he instructed ministers that relief work during the crisis should be carried out with efficiency. Also essential commodities and food items should reach people within the next 48 hours.He said that relief materials should be distributed through tokens issued by the district collectors and there should not be overcrowding at all.
Meghalaya government has said that it is going to relax lockdown restrictions from April 15 onwards. Government offices will start to function. Vehicles will be allowed on the road. Agricultural activities will resume. However, private business places will remain shut. Additionally, Rs 700 will be paid to daily wage earners who were unemployed during the time the lockdown was in place. The state has not reported any coronavirus positive case so far.
4 more Markaz attendees who belong to Tripura have tested positive for coronavirus at UP. “All of them had attended the congregation in Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz on March 21. Among the eight persons, two tested positive in Delhi, four in Uttar Pradesh and two in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. None of them returned to the state after attending the congregation,” informed state nodal officer for COVID-19, Dr Deep Kumar Debbarma.
Educational institutions in Meghalaya will stay shut until April 30. Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters after attending a cabinet meeting. The situation will be reviewed and decisions will be taken accordingly.
Police is yet to trace a youngster from Arunachal Pradesh reportedly abducted by China's People's Liberation Army on March 19 from Asapila sector. According to reports, Togley Singkam along with two of his friends had gone fishing.
Parts of north east India are expected to experience fresh rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds between April 8 and 9. An orange alert has been issued on this front.
Nagaland government while issuing a slight modification to the lockdown has informed that grocery shops, bakeries, vegetable vendors, pharmacies as well as shops selling essential commodities are permitted to open only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Only one member of each family will be allowed to venture out. Only pharmacies will also stay open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Movement of vehicles will be restricted.
People in MP’s Morena area defied lockdown and attended a Shraddh ceremony that has now caused panic in the area. 12 people who have attended the ceremony tested positive for coronavirus and 800 people have been quarantined. The ceremony was organised by a man who had just returned from Dubai.

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1. Nizamuddin Markaz Participants: Report for test or face action, warns Assam Police - The Assam Police, on Monday, appealed to those who either attended the religious congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in West Delhi or visited a State or country affected by novel, to immediately report at the nearest hospital or Primary Health Centre (PHC) by 6 am on Tuesday (April 7).

2. State Government Release Rs 4.70 crore As initial relief for agriculture farmers - The State government will release an initial amount of Rs 4.70 crore for the agriculture farmers affected during the lockdown so that they can go for small-scale farming at least on their respective household farming patches.

3. Non-Hotspot Areas: PM Narendra Modi for graded plan to slowly open departments - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has at hinted at partial lifting of on-going nationwide lockdown, imposed to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic, after April 14,2020. He said on Monday that a graded plan to slowly open departments should be made where hotspots do not exist. Addressing a meeting of the Council of Ministers, PM Modi indicated that a graded opening up of the lockdown will be initiated.

4. Union Cabinet: 30% salary cut for MPs; MPLADS suspended - The Union Cabinet on Monday approved an ordinance amending the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954 to reduce allowances and pension by 30% with effect from April 1, for a year, apparently to tackle the economic crisis due to the lockdown, imposed by the Union Government to check the spread of novel coronavirus pandemic.

5. Coronavirus: One more tests positive in Assam, total reaches 27 - One more people has tested positive for coronavirus in Assam, reaching the state’s total to 27 so far. Announcing this Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said on Tuesday the latest case is detected in Dhubri.

6. State level committee constituted to take care of vegetable supply in Assam: Ag Minister Atul Bora - State level committee constituted to take care of vegetable supply and essential food in Assam due to the on-going nationwide lockdown. Agriculture Minister Atul Bora in a press conference said this, on Monday. He added, “Rs 4,70,00,000 has already been given for the benefit of farmers.”

7. Entry passes for stranded people: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - Thousands of people from Assam are stranded in other States. When the lockdown will be withdrawn, such people will rush to the State in hordes. Since every such person has to be quarantined for 14 days, the available arrangements for quarantine in the State may be out of sync with the rush of people. To avoid such a situation, the State government is going to issue entry date-specific temporary documents in line with ILP (Inner Line Permits) to such people after the lockdown is withdrawn.

8. Assam Gramin Vikash Bank donates Rs. 10 lakh to Assam Arogya Nidhi - Assam Gramin Vikash Bank donated Rs. 10 lakhs to the Assam Arogya Nidhi on Monday as its commitment to stand by the people of Assam in their fight against novel coronavirus pandemic. The cheque of the said amount was handed over to Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Minister for Finance, Health and Family Welfare, PWD, Education, etc, by the Chairman of the Bank, Upendra Sabar at the office of National Health Mission, Guwahati.

9. Dispur committed to check Assam fake news about Coronavirus - Assam Government is gearing up for checking fake news about the novel coronavirus pandemic. As a part of it Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Hrishikesh Goswami on Monday reviewed steps and measures taken by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Assam to check fake news.

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Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided updates related to Spanish Garden COVID-19 case. So far 98 samples collected out of 112; 85 negative out of them.
Sarma said that so far 128 samples related to the Nizamuddin Markaz are yet to be collected. According to the list obtained, 831 people from the state had attended the Markaz. 50 have not arrirrived in the state. 100 people are not related to the event. 617 samples were to be collected. 491 samples have been collected and 128 samples are yet to collected.
Sarma said that post lockdown the number of residents of Assam entering the state from outside needs to be regulated. For that purpose, the state government is thinking of launching a website from which permit could be obtained by residents to enter the state. Sarma said that residents will enter in phased manner so that they can be quarantined properly.
A website will be launched to invite volunteers to help the state during this period of crisis, said Health Minister of State, Himanta Biswa Sarma. Doctors and nurses who do not stay in the state can also enroll themselves to help people out or provide their expertise.
Doctors, nurses, paramedics of Private hospitals which have signed MoU with Assam government will be provided with Rs 50 lakh insurance cover if something happens to them while treating coronavirus patients. The announcements were made during a press conference.
State level committee constituted to take care of vegetable supply and essential food in Assam, informed Agriculture Minister Atul Bora during a press conference. Farmers can dial in at a helpline number between 6 am to 6 pm in case there is a problem.
Muslim Council Dimapur has said that one person from Nagaland had attended last month’s religious congregation at Nizamuddin in Delhi. The person and his contacts have been traced. They have been handed over to the medical authorities, claim reports. The council has asked Tablighi Jammat members of Nagaland to voluntarily come out and disclose their travel history.
To deal with the financial situation in India that has been impacted amid lockdown Union minister Prakash Javadekar has said that PM, Union Ministers and parliamentarians will receive a 30 % pay cut. Besides, the President, Vice President and all the Governors have also decided to take a 30 percent cut in their salaries for a year. The Cabinet also decided to cancel allocation of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds. MPLADS will be 'suspended for two years, 2020-21 and 2021-22.
BJP Mahila Ziladhyaksh Manju Tiwari fired in the air to respond to PM Modi's 9 minutes at 9pm call yesterday. She had lit lamps first after which she fired from the revolver that belonged to her husband.
Telangana’s BJP MLA Raja Singh lit torches and shouted slogans 'Chinese Virus Go Back' in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal was to switch off the lights in homes for nine minutes on April 5.The MLA was seen with dozen supporters in this act.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and managing director of the diversified Reliance Industries' worth dropped 28% to $48 billion in two months due to coronavirus pandemic. According to Hurun Global Rich List, his global ranking is down by eight places and currently stands at 17th.

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1. Coronavirus: Health Ministry issued fresh guidelines for disinfecting public places - As a preventive measure against new coronavirus pandemic, the Union Health Ministry has issued fresh guidelines for disinfecting public places including offices in areas reporting the pandemic. For ease of implementation, the guideline divided these areas into (1) indoor areas, (2) outdoor areas, (3) public toilets. According to the Ministry, outdoor areas have less risk than indoor areas due to air currents and exposure to sunlight. Indoor areas such as office spaces, including conference rooms should be cleaned every evening after office hours or early in the morning before the rooms are occupied. The guidelines said that prior to cleaning, the worker should wear disposable rubber boots, gloves (heavy duty), and a triple-layer mask.

2. Singer Kanika Kapoor discharged after report of 6th test came out negative for Coronavirus - Singer Kanika Kapoor has been discharged from Lucknow’s Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) after report of her 6th test came out negative for coronavirus. A few days ago, she had tested positive for coronavirus for the fifth time. She is now under 14 days’ quarantine as a precautionary measure.

3. One killed in retaliatory police firing close to Assam-Nagaland boundary - In a major development amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Khatkhati Police, Karbi-Anglong district in Assam, shot dead an unidentified gunman in an exchange of fire at the Lalmati area of Karagoan along the Assam-Nagaland boundary on Saturday evening.

4. Coronavirus: Samples of 32 people of Sadiya, Tinsukia sent for tests - As many as 31 persons hailed from Santipur of Assam-Arunachal border, Masjid Patty of Chapakhowa, Haripur and Mugolpur under Sadiya subdivision, the other was from Dholla. All the persons were brought to Tinsukia GNB Civil Hospital in special 108 ambulances under heavy security cover and kept in quarantine wards.

5. Coronavirus: Ward no 11 of North Lakhimpur declared as containment zone - District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, Dr Jeevan B has declared the Ward No. 11 under North Lakhimpur town as containment zone in the wake of the detection of one COVID- 19 patient in the district who stayed at the Abdul Letif Baruah Path of the ward concerned.

6. Nine members of Tablighi Jamaat found hiding in Kharupetia - A team of Darrang Police on Sunday morning successfully traced nine members of the Tablighi Jamaat who returned from Mumbai. Despite the appeal by the State Government to all people from Assam who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Markaz in New Delhi to come forward, these nine attendees were secretly taking shelter in the house of a villager in Kharupetia area of the district. Significantly, neither the villagers, members of Tablighi Jamaat nor the local gaon burha felt the need to inform the police of their arrival in the village.

7. NFSA Rice Misappropriation: FIR lodged against One in Hailakandi - An FIR has been lodged against Secretary, Mohanpur GPSS Limited, Aftabuddin Laskar for gross misappropriation of NFSA rice to the tune of Rs 40 lakh. An FIR was loged by Sub Inspector, Food and Civil Supplies and Corporate Affairs, Dibyajit Pathak at Algapur Police Station against Laskar on Saturday. A case no.100/20 under Section 420/409 read with Section 7 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 was registered against Laskar.

8. No Dearth of Essential Commodities for NE States, says DoNER Minister - Minster for Development of North-eastern Region, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that there is no dearth of essential commodities for people of the region due to the on-going nationwide lockdown.

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1 more person from Lakhimpur tests positive for coronavirus. Total count is 25. All cases from Assam are related to the Nizamuddin Markaz event, said state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
After a person tested positive in Guwhati's Spanish Garden, the area will be turned into a containment zone for 14 days, says Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma . No one will be allowed inside or to leave the place. Except medical emergency, people from the Spanish Garden cannot come outside. Essential services will be taken care of.
The authorities in Assam's Golaghat district have informed that those quarantined from Nizamuddin Markaz in Golaghat, Assam allegedly spat around the ward. They even spat at doctors. Totally 42 people have been quarantined at the centre. According to reports, authorities had to climb from outside to close the windows of the ward. The incident happened just before state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's visited the hospital.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that more than Rs 15 lakh has been sent to residents of Assam stranded outside India. Sarma had earlier said that people of Assam stranded abroad will be given $2000.
24 people related to Nizamuddin Markaz have tested positive for coronavirus in Assam. 812 tests have been carried out on people related to the Markaz out of which 24 positive cases have emerged. 636 negative cases have been reported but after 14 days another test has to be done to confirm. Nizamuddin is an evolving story, said Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Assam government has said that the state government employees and pensioners will get their full salary on the 9th of the month. One day's salary will be given toward building a new hospital, but if there is any objection then the person can inform the authorities, said Health Minister of state Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Doctors and nurses will have to go on quarantine for 14 days after 7 days duty. They will be put up at Taj Hotel, said Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference.
Arunachal Pradesh Health Minister Alo Libang has offered an apology for saying that critical patients from the eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh will be treated at Assam Medical College (AMC) at Dibrugarh in Assam. He spoke to media that he was being misunderstood and that everyone is an equal in the state. The East-West comment was made so that patients can speedily recover. He said that he mentioned Dibrugarh until a hospital was ready. But all patients will be brought TRIHMS and that is the priority.
A dentist in Shillong has prescribed whiskey to one of his patients who had complained of withdrawal symptoms amid lockdown as all over the country only essential services have been operating. Many people have criticised the doctor for prescribing the patient whiskey.
Licypriya Kangujam , 8-year-old climate activist from Manipur has designed “safety face shields” for doctors amid lockdown.
Two men from Tripura who attended Markaz at Nizamuddin in Delhi have tested positive for coronavirus. Health secretary Debashish Basu said that the two had come in direct contact with the first COVID-19 patient in Assam. After attending the event in Delhi they went to Bikaner in Rajasthan where they were tested positive. They have now been kept under quarantine.
Manipur government is trying to trace 30 passengers at high risk who flew with the state’s second COVID-19 patient in Air India flight from Delhi to Imphal on March 11.He had travelled via Air India flight AI 889 and had sat on 8D.

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Pub Guwahati Iddgah can be used as isolation centre for corona patients: Nekibur Zaman - The State Health Department can use the Pub Guwahati Iddgah at Islampur area in the city as an isolation centre for corona positive patients, said Nekibur Zaman, president of Sarania Kabarastan Committee.

2. Assam is faced with a fresh challenge apart from Tablighi returnees: Himanta Biswa Sarma - State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that Assam is faced with a fresh challenge – apart from the Nizamuddin Tablighi returnees, Tablighis from other States did enter Assam from March 21-22, and three of them have tested corona positive. The total number of corona positive cases in the State so far is 25.

3. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviews preparedness for corona in JMCH - Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed preparedness for corona in Jorhat Medical College and Hospital on Friday. He was accompanied by his deputy Pijush Hazarika, and Minister Atul Bora and other officials.

4. Bodoland People’s Front alleges violation of model code of conduct by UPPL - The Khalingduar Block Committee of Bodoland People’s Front in Udalguri district has alleged that the United People’s Party Liberal members have been conducting hectic election campaigning in remote villages under the constituency in the wake of indefinite postponement of BTC polls and lockdown to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus.

5. Assam Police arrested 2 youths and seized Brown sugar at Doomdooma - Police arrested two youths of Kakapather on Thursday and seized brown sugar worth rupees several lakhs from their possession. The youths have been identified as Bhaijan Neog of Dirak Thepabari and Putul Baruah of Takoupathar

6. Despite corona fear, Railway workers continue doing their duty - Without caring for own lives Indian Railway personnel like many others continue to provide service. As for instance, through New Bongaigaon junction of North East Frontier Railway, regularly 30 to 40 goods trains pass upward and downward. All category staff related to train movement like station master, signal and telecommunication, electrical, trackmen, gateman and gangmen are performing their duties regularly without caring about their personnel safety.

7. Assam Police has made over 900 arrests with 393 cases being registered amid lockdown - Amid the 21-day nationwide lockdown, Assam Police has made 930 arrests in the state with 393 cases being registered till 4 pm, Friday.

8. 70 people will be quarantined for 14 days at Sarusajai camp in Guwahati - A total of 70 people will be quarantined for 14 days at the Sarusajai Camp, who came in contact with five identified corona positive patients from Morigaon and Nalbari. While 45 people arrived at the camp on Thursday, 25 arrived on Friday.

9. GMC along with Fire & Emergency Safety Department continues sanitization drive - The Guwahati Municipal Corporation along with the Fire and Emergency Safety Department continued the disinfectant spraying drive, on Friday. The sanitization programme started from 2:30 pm after the teams assembled at Bharalumukh Division 1 GMC office.

10. 5,475 persons stranded in other States assisted: Assam Government - Altogether 5,475 persons from Assam presently lodged in various States across the country have been provided assistance of various kinds from the government side in view of the public health emergency and the 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain novel coronavirus.

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State Health Minister has informed that , 4 more people have been found positive for coronavirus in Assam. Three of these are from Nalbari, and one is from South Salmara, taking total no in Assam to 20. All these 4 people are also associated with #NizamuddinMarkaz event.
Minister of State Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika visited quarantine centres at Sarusajai and in Lahorighat, Marigaon. He expressed his full support to people who are under quarantine. At the same time he urged people to not ostracize people under quarantine. Meanwhile, those people from Assam have tested positive for coronavirus. All of them had attended Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi.
Madhuriya Bhuyan, a 36-year-old senior audit officer who passed away in Mizoram’s Aizawl has tested negative for coronavirus. According to reports, he was living alone in his rented apartment. He had developed a fever the previous night and the next day he was found dead. It is suspected that he might have died from cardiac arrest. He had sent his wife and kids to his hometown in February.
Nashik police has arrested a man who posted a video of him saying coronavirus is Allah’s punishment for you. He is also seen licking and wiping his nose with Rs 500 denomination currency notes.
Members of Tablighi Jamaat have been booked under National Security Act (NSA) for misbehaving with nurses and female staff at the isolation ward of a hospital in Ghaziabad. According to reports, they started misbehaving with nurses, made lewd gestures at them, including incidents where they were walking around naked in the ward.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with eminent sportspersons via video conference. Modi praised the sportspersons for bringing glory to the nation through stellar performances on the field. He urged sportspersons to play an active role in “boosting the morale of the nation as well as spreading the message of social distancing along with asking people to continuously follow advisories given during lockdown.”
Amid lockdown, Jalandhar witnesses a scenic view of snow-capped mountains. According to reports, air pollution has gone down as people are compelled to stay indoors amid coronavirus pandemic. That effect was visible in Jalandhar where residents woke up to a wonderful view of Dhualdhar’s mountain ranges.
A baby girl has been named “corona” by her uncle and a baby boy has been named “lockdown” in Uttar Pradesh, India. The boy’s father said that since the child was born during lockdown, he was named such. "The lockdown is in national interest and so we decided to name the child as Lockdown," said the baby's father Pawan. The baby girl was born on the day of “Janata Curfew”. Nitesh Tripathi, the girl’s uncle, said that the baby was named lockdown as several people have inculcated some good habits during the period. “This baby will be the symbol of people's unity to fight the evil," he said.
World Bank Group has approved a sum of $1 bn emergency financing for India to deal with COVID-19 pandemic.The group has approved funding for many countries so that this health crisis can be handled better.
Saudi Arabia has asked Hajj pilgrims to delay bookings because of the uncertainty over COVID-19 pandemic. This February, Saudi Arabia had abruptly stopped travel to the holiest sites in Islam over coronavirus fears, as the Middle East recorded more than 220 confirmed cases.
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has launched relief food fund with $12 million amid COVID-19 pandemic. US has now become one of the major hotspots of coronavirus pandemic which has left thousands dead in the country.With thousands of homeless people living out on the streets there is a dire need for food and shelter for the most vulnerable.

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1. Coronavirus positive case rises to 20 in Northeast region: officials - The total number of corona positive cases in the entire region went up to 20 on Thursday, officials said.

2. Adopt community approach against coronavirus: PM Narendra Modi to States - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with Chief Ministers via video conferencing to discuss measures to combat coronavirus. The Prime Minister thanked the States for supporting the decision of lockdown due to which India has achieved some success in limiting the spread of coronavirus.

3. Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurates 54 new Intensive Care Units in GMCH - With the help of the public, the State administration has been able to establish communication with 488 of the 503 people who have returned from the religious congregation at Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi recently. With this development, only 15 Nizamuddin returnees are still to be traced.

4. Dispur-Mathura Nagar Jame Masjid Committee prohibits entry of Tablighi Jamaats - In the wake of the controversy regarding Tablighi Jamaat in holding its religious congregation at Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi, the Dispur-Mathura Nagar Jame Masjid Committee has prohibited the entry of Tablighi Jamaats in the masjid.

5. Entry and exit of vegetable carriers prohibited in Tinsukia - To prevent the spread of coronavirus in Tinsukia district, Pranabjit Kakoti, Additional District Magistrate, by an order under 144 CrPC prohibited entry of all vegetable carriers from other districts and exit of all vegetable carriers from Tinsukia district to outside the district.

6. ONGC functioning 24×7 to combat coronavirus crisis at Sivasagar - The outbreak of coronavirus pandemic in India and across the world is a matter of great concern for the entire human race. While the entire nation is fighting against the spread of coronavirus by staying at home and maintaining social distancing, ONGC and its energy soldiers are functioning 24×7 to ensure production and delivery of oil and gas.

7. Cotton University Students’ Union, Line Mime Theatre organizes coronavirus awareness competition - In view of nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus outbreak and the Cotton University Students’ Union in association with Line Mime Theatre comes out with the first of its kind competition.

8. IIT Guwahati alumni develop drones for spraying disinfectants in public spaces - A start-up, Marut Dronetech Private Limited, founded by IIT Guwahati alumni has developed and deployed drones for spraying disinfectants in public spaces to prevent Coronavirus. To control coronavirus situation, drones have proved to be of great use as seen in countries like China and South Korea.

9. Coronavirus impact: Publication Board Assam to donate a day’s salaries to Arogya Nidhi - The employees of the Publication Board Assam have announced that they will donate a day’s salaries to the Arogya Nidhi for the fight against coronavirus, Board Secretary Promod Kalita said this.

10. Sub-inspector of food and civil supplies Kamrup (Metro) spelt out rules for fair price shops - The sub-inspector of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs, Kamrup (Metro) district, Bichitra Kumar Nath has spelt out certain rules for each and every fair price shop to obey.

11. Regulation of Gauhati High Court work extended till April 19, 2020 in view of lockdown - The regulation of working in the Gauhati High Court that was imposed on March 24, 2020 has been extended till April 19, 2020 in view of the lockdown issued by the Government of India.

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As of now 16 people from Assam have tested positive for coronavirus. All of them had attended Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi.
15 people with Nizamuddin connection yet to be traced in Assam, informed state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Assam Health Minister has said that 162 ICU beds with ventilators have been prepared for patients who test positive for coronavirus at at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). A new super-specialty place at GMCH was created with an investment of Rs 10.13 crores by the PWD. Before Bihu, GMCH will have 200 ICU beds with ventilators, Sarma said. He added that 11000 PPP kits and more than 1 lakh N95 kits are available with the state government.
2 Assamese, 13 Bangladeshis who attended Tablighi Jamaat Markaz in Delhi's Nizamuddin area and then returned to Thane in Maharashtra have been put under home quarantine. "Their test reports will be available by tomorrow. On the basis of the report, further action will be taken," Subhas Burse, DCP Mumbra told media.
Nagaland government has announced that it will provide a sum of ₹10Lac to health workers in the event of some accident while treating #COVID2019 patients. The sum will be provided in addition to the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme provided to COVID-19 health workers under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
A man from Manipur who attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi has tested positive for coronavirus. This takes the state count to two patients found COVID-19 positive.
After the first COVID-19 positive case was reported from Arunachal, 12 more people who had gone to Delhi's Nizamuddin to attend Islamic religious congregation have been traced. There were 19 people from the state who were attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi last month.
Aldrin Lyngdoh, a migrant worker from Meghalaya, committed suicide in Agra. He accused his employer in a FB post for not supporting him during the lockdown period. He also stated that he was a thief when he was young and that he had left the state for better opportunities.
Tabligi Jamaat chief Maulana Saad Khandhlawi has released an audio message saying he is in quarantine. He has also urged his followers to follow the law.“Quarantine yourself, no matter where you are, it is not against Islam or Shariyat,” he said.“I am in self-quarantine in Delhi as advised by the doctors and appeal to all Jamaat wherever they are in the country to follow the directives of the law,” Khandhlawi is reportedly saying in the clip. An FIR has been lodged against the Maulana for organizing a religious gathering at Nizamuddin in Delhi. This despite the government urging people to cancel all religious gatherings. The police have conducted raids at some of his residences and are on the lookout for the Chief of the sect. Khandhlawi’s great grandfather was the founder of the movement
Government has launched Aarogya Setu which is essentially a COVID-19 tracker app that can let users know if they have accidentally come in contact with anyone who later tested coronavirus positive.The app uses the location of the user and Bluetooth data to determine the results.
Dharavi in Mumbai has reported its first death from coronavirus. Dharavi is considered to be Asia’s biggest slum therefore the probability of spread of infection can be much higher in the area. After the death of the person, the area where he stays has been sealed. The person who owns a garment shop did not have any travel history. Those in touch with the person have been stamped and quarantined. His family members’ swab has been taken and results are being awaited.

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Assam now has total five positive cases of coronavirus. 4 new cases have tested positive in Guwahati. But the numbers can go up with more positive cases that can be expected from Dibrugarh & Jorhat, said state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The numbers can even touch double digit, he informed during a press conference.
Sarma also told that four residents of Assam have tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi. The names are: Naskar Ali of Baska (72), Fahruddin of Baska (48), Mustafa Ahmed of Barpeta (60), Md Ali of Nagoan (65). Sarma urged that people who came in touch with these four people should get themselves tested.
Sarma provided some update on Assam’s first COVID-19 patient. Sarma said that the patient who is currently being treated at Silchar hospital had gone to Delhi by Rajdhani Express. Between March 6 and March10, he attended the religious gathering in Nizamuddin, Delhi. After that he took Rajdhani train and came back to Guwahati. He had stayed at Morigaon and then went to Badarpur. Those people who were in touch with him have been quarantined.
More than 100 people with Nizamuddin connection are yet to be traced in Assam. Sarma mentioned that total of 547 people who attended the function in Delhi were from Assam. So far 68 people have not returned to the state. 134 have not been suspected prima facie. The remaining number is 347 out of which 230 people have been recognized so far. As of now 196 people’s sample have been collected so far.
AIUDF supremo Maulana Badruddin Ajmal has said that the Nizamuddin incident was unfortunate given that the world and the entire country is suffering from COVID-19 pandemic.
KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi has been arrested by Dibrugarh police for under a case filed against him at Chabua police station. He was arrested before the hearing of the case could take place at Sivsagar jail. The due date for the hearing was in fact today. Gogoi said that the arrest was illegal as police did not have any warrant to make the arrest.
Nizamuddin has now emerged as a hotspot for COVID-19 in India. Despite warnings from the government which had banned mass gatherings, authorities at Nizamuddin had gone ahead with the margaz where more than 2000 people from the country as well as all around the world had participated.
After Nizamuudin incident, lyricist Javed Akhtar now bags a fatwa that requires mosques to shut operations until corona crisis is over. Mani twitter users have posted against this tweet of Akhtar asking him why a fatwa is needed if the government has declared a lockdown already.
Andhra Pradesh police have finally taken the help of Yamraj to stress the importance of lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic. Theatre actors dressed as Yamaraj and his assistant Chitragupta were seen accompanied by police to spread the message of lockdown.
Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi has announced a sum of Rs 1 crore for families of sanitation workers, doctors or nurses or any other staff, temporary or permanent, from private or government sector, if they die while treating patients.
Rapper Badshah has been accused of plagiarism as the lyrics of his latest song Genda Phool featuring Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandes has been stolen from Ratan Kahar, a folk artist from Bengal. The line “Borlok er Bitilo, lomba lomba chul.....lal genda phool,” has been stolen from a popular folk song “Borloker Betigo, lomba lomba chul go.” Khatar has claimed that many times his lyrics have been used by other singers who have not given him due credit.
Tik Tok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, has donated medical gear worth Rs 100 crore to India amid COVID-19 pandemic. This includes 400,000 hazmat medical protective suits and 200,000 masks for medical staff treating patients.

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Assam records first coronavirus positive case: Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - Assam, on Tuesday, recorded the first coronavirus positive case on Tuesday. The person, whose condition is stated to be stable, hails from Karimganj district, informed Health Minster Himanta Biswa Sarma.
No relaxation of 21-day nationwide lockdown norms: CM Sarbananda Sonowal - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said that norms of the 21-day nationwide lockdown have not been relaxed in Assam by the State government.
456 persons from Assam were in Nizamuddin Dargah meet: Himanta Biswa Sarma - Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that 456 people from the State had taken part in the recently held religious congregation at Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi.
Coronavirus: CMs, student body concerned over racial bias against North East people - Chief Ministers of the north-eastern States and North East Students’ Organisation have raised serious concern over the alleged incidents of racial discrimination in different parts of the country against the people of the region, officials said on Tuesday.
Organizations Needed Permission to distribute relief materials - The Tinsukia district administration has requested all political and non-political organizations, NGOs and other establishments to refrain from distributing relief materials among the public, stated a press release, adding that necessary permission had to be obtained if desirous to distribute relief materials among public.
One dead, three critical after consuming spirit with cold drink - One person died and three are in a serious condition after consuming spirit (thinner) with cold drinks in Tarajan area under Jorhat Police Station, said police sources. The deceased has been identified as Sube Rajak, a plumber, while three others are Vicky Rajak, Manoj Rajak and Jitrendra Rajak.
Assam Agricultural University donates to Assam Arogya Nidhi - The Assam Agricultural University teachers and employees have joined hands with the Government of Assam in its fight against coronavirus by donating one day’s salary amounting to Rs 52, 50,000 to Assam Arogya Nidhi, said Dr. Ranjit Kumar Saud, the PRO of AAU.
Coronavirus outbreak: 41 UTPs released from Sivasagar Jail - In an effort to decongest the jails to fight the coronavirus outbreak, the Sivasagar district jail released 16 under trial prisoners on personal recognized bond on March 30. The jail authorities dropped the inmates at their respective homes due to the lockdown.
SBI Officers Association NE Circle calls for safety measures in view of coronavirus - The State Bank of India Officers Association (North Eastern Circle), on Monday, appealed to the government and the administration to initiate corrective measures and provide safety equipment at various branches in the north-eastern region at the earliest to tackle the risks associated with the outbreak of coronavirus.
Scribe killed in a road accident at Guwahati - A female journalist named Dimpi Baishya lost her life in an accident, in Guwahati on Monday. According to sources Baishya lost control of her scooter and rammed into an electric post in Sundarpur area. She was heading to her residence in Beltola from her office and her colleague was riding pillion, who sustained injuries. She was admitted to the Apollo Hospital; however, she succumbed to her injuries at around 11:30 PM.

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A 52-year-old person has been found positive for #Coronavirus and is Assam's first #Covid19 patient. He is undergoing treatment at Silchar Medical College. His condition is stable.
People from Assam who attended jamat in Delhi asked to report govt. hospital. "If there is anyone from Assam who attended the religious congregation of Tablighi Jamaat at Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi, please IMMEDIATELY report voluntarily to the nearest government hospital or by calling Helpline no # 104, " tweeted Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Meghalaya Govt has ordered liquor to be home delivered amid lockdown. According to an official order, "Meghalaya government has approved home delivery of liquor on health grounds strictly against medical prescriptions issued by the registered medical practitioner...Bonded warehouses may be allowed to sell and provide home delivery of liquor as a special case with immediate effect up to 14th April, 2020 (midnight) until further orders to customers who are 21 years old and above."
Due to coronavirus pandemic that has caused lockdown throughout the country, last date for the renewal of all kinds of Excise licenses has been extended until April 30. Additionally, due to lockdown, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India has extend validity of Driving licence, permits and registration that expired since February 1st 2020. Such documents are to be treated as valid till June 30th 2020, the Ministry said.
The current 21-day lockdown has caused an increase in domestic violence cases in the country. "The number has increased. Men are frustrated sitting at home and are taking out that frustration on women. This trend is especially seen in Punjab from where we have received many such complaints," said Rekha Sharma, chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW).
Singer Kanika Kapoor has tested positive for coronavirus for the fifth time. She is undergoing treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS).
Ministry of Tourism has come up with a portal to disseminate information regarding services that can be availed by foreign tourists who are in India far away from their home land. The portal is titled ‘Stranded in India’ and aims to act as a support network for foreign tourists in various parts of the country.
Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya wants help from Indian Government amid lockdown. With all his companies which have effectively ceased operations and all manufacturing closed as well, Mallya tweeted, "Yet we are not sending employees home and paying the idle cost. Government has to help."
Karnataka Government has developed an app so that people in home quarantine can send hourly selfies. Failure to do this will result in penalty. People will be put under mass quarantine. The data will be corroborated with GPS.
A man from Haryana burnt himself while using hand sanitizer in kitchen. He was sanitizing his keys and mobile phone and his wife was cooking in the kitchen, when his kurta caught fire. The man has received 35 % burns. His face, neck, chest, abdomen have received burns.
Residents in Wuhan claim that the actual death toll in Wuhan is higher than what the government has declared, according to reports.Residents say the number of urns that arrived at funeral houses is an indication that actual figures are higher than what the Chine government has said.
Britain’s Prince Charles has come out of self isolation after testing positive for coronavirus. The 71-year-old prince tested positive for coronavirus after which he self-isolated himself for seven days. He has now come out of self-isolation and will continue to work from home.

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Coronavirus impact: Free rice to 58 lakh families in Assam under National Food Security Act. - In the wake of coronavirus, the Assam Cabinet has taken a slew of decisions for the poor, including free-of-cost rice to 58 lakh families under the National Food Security Act. All the decisions will be effective from April 1.
Asom Satra Mahasabha contributes Rs 1.21 lakh to CM Fund for the fight against coronavirus - The Asom Satra Mahasabha has contributed Rs 1.21 lakh towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the fight against coronavirus.
Assam Police seek hand gloves and other materials in the wake of coronavirus - A section of the Assam police personnel alleged that the materials like hand gloves and other materials for preventing the coronavirus have been supplied to them by the government are not adequate. In this context a question can be raised that how safe are the police personnel from the virus that doesn’t discriminate between police personnel and civilians?
Guwahati Kamrup Metro Administration to provide free Doorstep ration supply for poor - The Kamrup Metro District Administration will provide free ration to the daily wage earners of Guwahati at their doorsteps on Tuesday in view of the nationwide lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus.
Self-sufficiency in ICUs for coronavirus patients soon: Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that Assam is inching towards a comfortable position insofar as ICUs for coronavirus patients is concerned. Talking to media Sarma said, “We’ve decided to use the Singimari Model Hospital in Kamrup district exclusively for the treatment of corona cases. The new hospital was about to open and the appointment of the doctor and nurse was over. However, now we’ve decided to use it exclusively for corona cases.”
Vidya Bharati schools to be used as isolation centres to combat coronavirus in Assam - The Vidya Bharati Shishu Shiksha Samiti, Assam, has offered the State government its school buildings having all infrastructures to be used as isolation centres to combat the threat posed by coronavirus.
Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner Imposed Restrictions on issue of POL - Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner has vide an order instructed all fuel depots/petrol pumps to issue Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants only to Government officials on duty (civil and police) and staff engaged in emergency services (medical, Fire and ES, Electricity, Water Supply, etc.).
Six arrested for possession of narcotic drugs in Lakhimpur - The Lakhimpur police on Sunday night arrested four alleged drug peddlers from an ambulance. The accused were identified as Jiabur Rahman, son of Abdul Jabbar, Kampur, Nagaon, Arup Borah, son of Bolin Borah, Ward No. 3, Bihpuria, Jamiruddin, son of Abdul Matleb, Bandardewa, and Niranjan Konwar, Bandardewa, living near PTC of Arunachal Pradesh. In an another case the police have arrested two alleged drug peddlers identified as Rajiv Saikia, son of Nilomani Saikia, Dhalpur.
Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad distributes food items - Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad Morigaon district committee, supported by its town committee on Monday distributed food items among mentally challenged people, police and media persons who are on duty in Morigaon town.
Darrang Police distribute food items among the poor - Darrang Police, under the bold command of Superintendent of Police Amrit Bhuyan, while initiating strict measures against the violators of the countrywide lockdown in the district, at the same time have taken up some praiseworthy steps for the economically downtrodden section in various places.

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Utpaljit Barman, 44, a senior anaesthetist at Guwahati-based Pratiksha Hospital died from heart attack after he took hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, approved by some authorities to have some impact against coronavirus. Barma passed away at another private hospital where he was admitted due to heart-related complications“Several doctors are using hydroxychloroquine as self-medication to prevent Covid-19. Barman too took it,” said Nirmal Kumar Hazarika, Pratiksha Hospital’s medical superintendent.
The state government of Assam has launched helpline numbers for those residents stuck outside the state amid lockdown. The Chief minister sent out a tweet on this.
Mysore police have arrested 3 people for denying entry to some Naga students at a More supermarket because they looked Chinese. After an FIR was lodged, the staff and the manager at the store were taken into custody.
Migrants who reached Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh after special buses were arranged for them underwent sanitization after officials sprayed disinfectants on them.According to reports, it was bleach or something that was not meant for human. Those officials who took the decision said that there was no other option and that it was a mixture of chlorine and water. Netizens have highly criticised this act.
200 people from Delhi’s Nizamuddin admitted to hospitals after developing coronavirus symptoms. On March 18 a religious gathering was organised where 500 people from different states participated.The area has been cordoned off. Several people who attended this programme and returned to their respective states have tested positive for coronavirus.
Suicide in Kerala increased in last couple of days due to unavailability of liquor for the current lockdown, as Health officials have claimed. Like other states in the country, total prohibition on sale of liquor has been imposed in Kerala, too, on account of the on-going nationwide lockdown, which ends on April 14, 2020.
Prime Minister Modi has said that it is Yoga that keeps him fit. "Practising Yoga has been an integral part of my life..." he posted on Twitter. He shared "Yoga with Modi" videos of 3D animated videos of him doing yoga.
ICICI launches WhatsApp Banking services to help customers avail a host of banking services amid lockdown. The service is available – 24/7 x 365 (even on holidays). Customers can check account balance, last 3 transactions, credit card limit, block/unblock cards and many such offers.
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood star Anushka Sharma has pledged support towards relief fund for helping India fight coronavirus pandemic. Gautam Gambhir, former Indian batsman and Lok Sabha MP had donated a sum of Rs 1 crore towards relief efforts for fighting coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Famous Japanese comedian Ken Shimura died from coronavirus. Shimura who had undergone a lung cancer surgery a few years ago, was admitted to the hospital on March 19 after he complained of respiratory problem and developed fever.Fans took to twitter to express their grief.
As China stumbles back to normalcy, the wet markets in China have also opened again amid coronavirus pandemic.According to various reports, different kinds of animals are back on sale counters with security personnel outside who are preventing people from taking pictures of the markets.

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Follow lockdown, says PM Narendra Modi during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday during his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ appealed to people not to violate nationwide lockdown imposed to fight against coronavirus pandemic and follow the norms even as he apologised for taking harsh steps to contain the spread of the virus and stressed upon “increasing social distancing but reducing emotional distancing.”
No coronavirus positive case in Assam so far: State Health and Family Welfare Department - There is no coronavirus positive case in Assam so far, said sources in the State Health and Family Welfare Department.
NRL to produce more LPG by 8% to prevent any crisis during an ongoing nationwide lockdown - The Numaligarh Refinery Ltd has decided to increase its LPG production by around 8% with an aim to prevent any crisis of the commodity during the ongoing nationwide lockdown.
Masks made from gamosa distributed among children in Lakhimpur - In order to prevent from possible infection of coronavirus, Sulekha Hazarika of Ghilamora under Dhakuakhana subdivision of Lakhimpur district has been making masks from gamosa day and night.
20 arrested for breaking lockdown guidelines in Barpeta District - Barpeta district police administration has till now arrested 20 persons for venturing out during the time of lockdown. The police also registered case individually against those law breakers under Indian Penal Code and Disaster Management Act.
Tinsukia district administration cancelled Permision to Hindustan Unilever Limited - The stand-off between Doomdooma based Hindustan Unilever Limited and the workers’ union has been finally resolved after Tinsukia district administration cancelled the permission accorded to Hindustan Unilever Limited permitting the company to manufacture essential commodities amid countrywide lockdown.
GMC along with Fire & Emergency Services continues sanitization drive to prevent coronavirus - The Guwahati Municipal Corporation along with the teams of Fire and Emergency Services continued the sanitization drive to tackle the corona outbreak in the state, on Friday. Three teams of the GMC are carrying out the sanitization process.
Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna reviews coronavirus management - The daily meeting of State Level Task Force to review the status and action for management of coronavirus was held under the chairmanship of Assam Chief Secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna, on Sunday at Janata Bhawan, Dispur.
Assam College Teacher Association donates one-day salary to fight against coronavirus - The Assam College Teacher Association has decided to offer a one-day salary of its members as a contribution to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Target people for isolation who has come to State from a foreign country: Ganesh Saikia - Who are the target people the entire force of the State Health Department wants to isolate for their and others’ safety in the State? To be specific, this target group comprises anyone who has come to the State from a foreign country, the people who have mingled with them knowingly or unknowingly, anyone to have come to the State from other States of the country. This has been revealed in a conversation on coronavirus which this reporter had with Joint Director of Health, Kamrup metro district, Ganesh Saikia.

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Today's News Wrap from North East India and Updates and Measures for COVID-19 by the Govt. & Organizations

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Xatras pray for defeating coronavirus: Xatradhikar Dr. Pitambar Dev Goswami - Activities in the Auniati Xatra branches in the State have shrunk to only prayers for defeating coronavirus, that too, with just two or three devotees. These religious places of Srimanta Sankardev and Sri Sri Madhavdev have been following the coronavirus guidelines to the letter.
DoNER & NEC to provide Rs 25-crore for North Eastern States to fight coronavirus - The Development of North Eastern Region Ministry and the North Eastern Council would provide Rs 25 crore to the States in the Northeast for gap funding to fight coronavirus.
After Rush in markets, Assam Government to close vegetable markets across State - Assam Chief Secretary on Friday evening issued a slew of directives. As per directive all markets will remain closed until further order except grocery and pharmacy due to the chaos created by some people in almost all market places across the state during the 21-day-long nationwide lockdown.
3 medical colleges in Assam to exclusively treat coronavirus patients - Barring cancer, Gynaecology and emergency patients; the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Assam Medical College and Hospital) in Dibrugarh and the Silchar Medical College & Hospitals are not going to admit any general patients from Saturday so as to make dedicated hospital beds available for facing every eventuality in the outbreak of coronavirus in Assam.
Udalguri villagers build barricades to keep coronavirus at bay - Villagers of a couple of villages in Udalguri, including Bhuyankhat, Kahibari and Pachkiya have taken initiatives to barricades their villages and isolate themselves after Prime Minister Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to fight coronavirus.
Octogenarian walks 100 km on his way home at Laluk in Lakhimpur district - An octogenarian had walked 100 kms on his way home situated at Laluk in Lakhimpur district and arrived here totally exhausted last evening. According to information, one Khagen Baruah (80) of Laluk had gone to Guwahati to meet his son who works there and returned home on the previous day of the ‘Lockdown’ declared.
Guwahati police distribute food to homeless amidst lockdown due to coronavirus - Amidst the nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus, the Guwahati city police personnel distributed food to the needy in different parts of the city, on Friday.
MLA Atul Bora urges CM Sarbananda Sonowal to activate Village Defence Party’s - Dispur Constituency BJP MLA Atul Bora has appealed to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to activate the Village Defence Party, in view of the corona outbreak. VDPs are volunteers of a village and are responsible for safe guarding the area of that particular village’s jurisdiction.
Couple held by Hatigaon Police for pelting stones at police in Guwahati - The Hatigaon Police, on Thursday evening, arrested a couple for allegedly pelting stones at police personnel, at Shah Nagar area in Guwahati. The police were conducting routine checks during the lockdown when they spotted the couple loitering on the road. After the police’s intervention the couple allegedly started to misbehave and pelted stones at the personnel. The stone pelting injured a women Home Guard named Anjuw Begum. The accused are – Noor Alom and his wife Ashima Begum. A case has been registered at Hatigaon P.S.
Government needs to work in a systematic manner to open markets, says Debabrata Saikia - The Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, said that the lockdown will become meaningless without systematic planning to open the markets or distribute essential commodities to the people.

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Kamrup (M) District Administration has shut vegetable selling zones and retail outlets as people engaged in unruly behaviour. People did not practice social distancing and there was complete chaos which is why the administration had to take such a decision.Assam police has said, “We’re saddened to see that even after repeated appeals from the highest in the land, citizens refuse to follow #SocialDistanacing. They’re endangering everyone, including their own parents & children. Given the gravity of situation, all weekly & daily open markets of vegetables, fish & meat are being closed. These visuals show a dangerous reality. Please follow #Lockdown21 guidelines.”
After this incident, the government has announced that throughout Assam only grocery shops and pharmacy shops will be open during lockdown. Rest everything will be shut. Meat and fish shops will be shut. After reviewing the situation on April 1, it will be decided if meat and fish shops can be open. As far as timing is concerned, local Deputy commissioners will take that decision depending on the requirements of their wards and regions. Also arrangements have been put in place where vegetables and other requirements can be delivered to people at their doorstep.
Assam government is planning to deduct 10-20 % monthly salary of state govt. employees due to coronavirus pandemic that has hit the world. However the deducted amount will be refunded during the next fiscal year with an interest rate of 4.5 %, informed Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Sarma has earlier said that Assam is fast entering a tough economic phase owing to coronavirus, and the Government might be compelled to take several hard decisions.
Health Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Assam government has signed a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with 34 private hospitals in the state to combat the coronavirus pandemic. This agreement is on for two months now, he said during a press conference. Some of the hospitals with which this agreement has been signed re Marwari hospital, Nemcare hospital, Agile hospital, Excel care and many others.
Assam’s Hima Das has donated one month’s salary to COVID-19 relief fund in Assam. Generous donations from members of parliament, government agencies and others to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus have started pouring in.
A 33-year-old woman from Mizoram was arrested for lying about her travel history. The woman had returned from Macau and landed in Aizawl’s Lengpui Airport on March 10. But she told the authorities at the airport that she had come from Kolkata. It was through her FB post that she revealed the actual truth. Police have now arrested her.
Amid lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic, a Russian girl was spotted in Guwahati. The girl has been identified as Amina and she was spotted at a bus shelter in Christian Basti area. A Paltan Bazaar police team spotted her. A police officer later informed that she and her boyfriend were staying at Hotel Bandana at Paltan Bazar. According to reports, she had a fight with her boyfriend, which is why she had left the hotel. She had arrived with her boyfriend in the city five days ago from Ahmedabad. They had home quarantine stamps and were not permitted to roam around. Amina has now been shifted to the isolation ward of Contour Hotel. Her boyfriend has also been asked to do join her.
India’s coronavirus infection rate has been growing every day. Right now 724 people have been infected and 17 people are dead.
A 10-month-old baby in Karnataka tested positive for coronavirus. According to reports, the baby was suffering from severe respiratory illness and fever. The swab results of the tests came out positive. The baby’s family and close relatives have been quarantined.

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Union Finance Minister announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package - Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore relief package under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’ for the poor to help them fight the battle against Coronavirus. While addressing the press conference here on Thursday, Sitharaman said, “Today’s measures are intended at reaching out to the poorest of the poor, with food and money in hands, so that they do not face difficulties in buying essential supplies and meeting essential needs.”
Government of Assam to train 700 final-year MBBS, 2000 nursing students & 300 paramedics - The Assam Government will train 700 MBBS final-year students and 2000 final-year students of nursing to strengthen the pool of doctors and nurses currently engaged in the battle against novel coronavirus in the State. The government will also train 300 youths to work as paramedical staffs for the same purpose.
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday tweeted, “In this hour, every help adds to our strength” - Pointing out that “The Government of Assam has been taking every step possible to safeguard health of people in wake of coronavirus outbreak”, State Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday tweeted, “In this hour, every help adds to our strength. Should you wish to contribute, you may do so at the following account: Assam Arogya Nidhi, A/c No. 32124810101, SBI, IFSC Code: SBIN0010755.
Follow social distancing and lockdown guidelines seriously: All Assam Students Union - The All Assam Students Union has appealed to the masses of the State to seriously follow the guidelines issued by the WHO (World Health Organization), the Central and the State governments against coronavirus especially during the 21-day lockdown period.
Provide timetable for goods trains: All India Railwaymen’s Federation - The All India Railwaymen’s Federation, while welcoming the country-wide 21-day lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, appealed to the chairman of the Railway Board to draw out a time table for goods trains carrying essential commodities. In a message to the chairman of the Railway Board, the president of AARF, Rakhal Das Gupta stated that the Railways should make comprehensive plan to draw out roster for skeleton essential staff to run the goods trains. He also appealed to the Board to take steps for cleaning and fogging the Railway colonies, including roadside stations.
Pharmacies & groceries come up with creative idea In Golaghat - The proprietor and staff of Chowdhury Medical Pharmacy of Sarupathar in Golaghat district have introduced the popular children’s game ‘Bounding Circle’ to help people maintain a safe distance from each other as a preventive measure against the pandemic coronavirus.
Coronavirus: 1,387 People Kept In Isolation at Jorhat District - A total of 1,387 people have been kept in isolation while 5,761 people coming to Jorhat via buses, trains or flights have been screened. Total 52 persons have returned from abroad to the district of Jorhat, said Roshni Aparanji Korati, the Deputy Commissioner of Jorhat, on Thursday. The Administration has taken this measure to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus: State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora Calls for people’s Cooperation - State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, who is in charge of Golaghat, Jorhat and Sivasagar districts for monitoring coronavirus preventive measures, while talking to media persons at the conference hall of Jorhat Circuit House on Thursday, called for everyone’s cooperation in the fight against the pandemic.

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To facilitate movement and delivery of essential items, Assam Police will be issuing Essential Service Passes through the local Police. The State government has spelt it out in clear terms that any violation of the 21-day lockdown is punishable under the Disaster Management Act. The government has also assured the people of the State that there won’t be any dearth of essential commodities in the State during the lockdown.
Purabi Dairy of the West Assam Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd., Guwahati, on Thursday said that it has taken adequate measures to ensure that there would be no disruption in the supply of milk and milk products in Guwahati and outstation markets where Purabi has been present.
Bhubaneswar Kalita of BJP has pledged Rs 1 cr 10 lakh towards fighting coronavirus pandemic. He sent out a tweet on this.
Gaurav Vohra, a 40-year-old man, has been arrested by Delhi police for attacking a woman from Manipur and calling her “corona” a few days ago. Vohra, who works at a pressure cooker manufacturing unit, even spat at her. The woman had filed a complaint with the police after which investigations began. Police caught him after analyzing CCTV footage from the area. A white scooty was also seized from his possession. Netizens have condemned the incident. Some even shared details of the incident on Twitter.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court granted bail to KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi. Along with him Dhajya Konwar, Bitu Sonowal, Manas Konwar have also been granted bail.
Due to three-week lockdown, toll collection across National Highways has been suspended. A tweet was sent out by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India in this regard.
CBSE and NIOS will postpone exams and evaluation until 31March due to lockdown because of coronavirus pandemic.
A British national tested negative for coronavirus after going through HIV antiretroviral drug treatment in Kerala. The Ernakulam Medical College Hospital informed that the British patient responded well to a combination of drugs Ritonavir and Lopinavir. The patient was given the drugs for seven days but after three days he tested negative for the virus. The man along with a group of tourists was holidaying in Munnar, Kerala. Now the entire group has been put under quarantine at a hotel.
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has written to finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the possibility of spread of coronavirus through currency notes. “Various credible studies have revealed that currency notes carry major risk of containing various virus, which may lead to number of infectious diseases. In the wake of coronavirus and for other precautionary reasons, we request you to order ‘a larger investigation’ to assess the chances of diseases spreading via notes,” said CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal. The Confederation has also asked Sitharaman to consider change in policies to focus on discovering alternative modes of payment as well as considering polymer notes.WHO has also urged people to use contactless technology instead of using cash notes amid coronavirus pandemic.
As countries face lockdown, people are binging on Netflix. Viewers have now pointed out bizarre similarities between sub-plots of a Korean drama and the current coronavirus epidemic. In 2018, Terrius Behind Me or My Secret Terrius had started airing. In the 53rd minute of the show’s 10th episode a scene unfolds around manmade virus. The doctors in the scene are seen talking about coronavirus, MERS, SARS and common flu “all fall in the same family with the same gene information” and that coronavirus causes respiratory disease

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There won’t be any dearth of essential commodities during the lockdown: Government - The State government has spelt it out in clear terms that any violation of the 21-day lockdown that began from midnight on Tuesday is punishable under the Disaster Management Act. The government has also assured the people of the State that there won’t be any dearth of essential commodities in the State during the lockdown.
Sarusajai Stadium and Nehru Stadium in Guwahati to be converted into quarantine centres - To combat the threat rising from COVID-19 infection, the Assam government has decided to set up two large quarantine centres with capacity of 1,000 persons each in the city-one in Sarusajai Stadium and the other in the Nehru Stadium, said Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
DGP: stringent punishment, including 1-year non-bailable jail for lockdown violators - State DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, who was also present at a press conference along with the Chief Secretary, said police personnel, going against their will, had to be tough in enforcing the 21-day lockdown since midnight on Tuesday. He added, “This lockdown under the Disaster Management Act, first of its kind so far I remember, has provisions for stringent punishment, including one-year non-bailable jail.
Youth arrested in Hailakandi district of Assam’s for concealing travel history to China - A youth who had recently returned from China was arrested in Hailakandi for having concealed his travel history, said an official. The youth has been quarantined, and an FIR has been filed at the Sadar Police Station against the youth and his father, a government employee.
Assam State Excise department has directed 5 companies to produce 1 crore hand sanitizers - Assam State Excise department has directed five companies to produce 1 crore hand sanitizers of 200 ML each to be sold at government-fixed prices. The companies will have to produce the item following the guidelines set by WHO and also the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Pastor from Mizoram tested positive for coronavirus, making it the 2nd case in NE - A 50-year-old man, a Christian pastor from Mizoram has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, making it the second case in the north-eastern region of India, officials said on Wednesday.
Coronavirus cases in India: 42 patients recovered and have been discharged from hospital - In a major relief for the panic-stricken people. There are at least 606 confirmed Coronavirus cases in India as of Wednesday. While 553 are active cases, 42 patients have been discharged from hospital and 10 people have lost their lives, said the Ministry of H&FW Ministry.
Health Services Department: 1,366 home-quarantined in Lakhimpur - In the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus, strict vigil on persons coming back from other States continues in Lakhimpur district. As per report from the Health Services Department, the number of people kept under home quarantine increased up to 1,366 on Wednesday. On the day, home quarantine for 1,002 more such people of the district was ensured by the Health Services Department.
CM directs setting up of 24x7 control room - Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed to set up a 24x7 control with adequate staff to help the people to gather information about essential and emergency services in the state in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic.

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A man from Mizoram has tested positive for coronavirus. He tested positive at Guwahati Medical College Hospital.The man has now been admitted to Zoram Medical College in Mizoram.The man is a 50-year-old Aizawl man with recent travel history to Holland.His family has been kept in isolation.
A nurse from Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon has tested positive for coronavirus. The patient has now been kept at Civil Hospital in Panipat.
A 54-year-old man died in Madurai in Tamil Nadu. He was COVID-19 positive. He also had medical history of prolonged illness with steroid dependent COPD, uncontrolled Diabetes with Hypertension, Dr C Vijayabaskar, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu informed through tweet.
State councilor and foreign minister of China Wang Yi spoke with S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India over the phone. The former urged India to not ostracize China in this hour of crisis. China also hoped that India was “opposed” to the “narrow mindset” of using the phrase “China virus”
Bollywood Singer Kanika Kapoor has tested coronavirus positive for the third time. She is undergoing treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS). The Director of the Hospital Prof RK Dhiman informed that until two of her tests come out negative, she will have to continue her treatment for coronavirus.
India might see a spike in coronavirus cases by Mid-May. The number could be as high as 13 lakh, according to a report published by COV-IND-19 Study Group. "So far, the number of people tested in India has been relatively small. In the absence of widespread testing, it is impossible to quantify the magnitude of 'community transmission', in other words, estimate how many are infected outside hospitals and health care facilities," states the report.
Analysts say that impact of Coronavirus on Indian economy could be as much as Rs 9 lakh crore (USD 120 billion) or 4 per cent of the GDP. But the government may come up with an economic package to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from causing major harm to the economy.
Due to lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic, migrant workers from Gujarat return to Rajasthan. Bus, air and train services around the country are not functioning and people have been asked to stay indoors. Most migrants who work at tea stalls and food joints are going back as the owners do not have money to pay them.
Due to lockdown in India, a groom from Ghaziabad who was unable to travel to Patna for his wedding, decided to go ahead with the ceremony through video conferencing. Therefore, the Nikah took place online.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic viruses, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. PETA has come up with a blog on the origin of such viruses and their link to wet markets.“Experts believe that the novel coronavirus originated at the Huanan Seafood Market, a wet market in Wuhan, China. A wet market (sometimes referred to as a “wildlife market”) sells live and dead animals—including fish, birds, badgers, bats, pangolins (scaly anteaters), and turtles—for human consumption,” PETA states in its blog.
71-year-old Prince Charles, the son of Queen Elizabeth II, has tested positive for coronavirus. Clarence house said in a statement:“The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus. He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.

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Assam fast entering a tough economic phase owing to coronavirus: Himanta Biswa Sarma - Assam is fast entering a tough economic phase owing to novel coronavirus, and the Government might be compelled to take several hard decisions, said State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Strictly adhere to lockdown norms in view of coronavirus outbreak: Sarbananda Sonowal - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday urged people to fully adhere to the norms of the lockdown enforced by the State Government in view of coronavirus outbreak. “As no vaccine has yet been ready, awareness and alertness of people are the basic tools to fight against this virus,” Sonowal said in a statement.
Assam Assembly passes three important Bills on school education - The Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA), on a concluding day on Tuesday, unanimously passed three important Bills related to school education. While one of the Bills proposes to make teaching of the Assamese language mandatory for all schools — government as well as private; the other two Bills is on regularizing the transfers and postings of teachers in the government schools; and fees in the private schools.
Three held for gambling at Katalasuwa Gaon in Demow - All Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) Demow branch activists caught three gamblers and handed them over to Demow Police on Tuesday. According to sources, the gamblers were gambling in a field at Katalasuwa Gaon near the Deroi River near Demow.
Coronavirus Update: Nationwide lockdown for 21 days from today - Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced nationwide three weeks’ lockdown starting from Tuesday midnight. All States and Union Territories will come under its purview.
GMC in association with Fire & Emergency Services starts sanitization in Guwahati - The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) in association with Fire and Emergency Services started sanitization of maximum possible area under the city in a bid to tackle the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, from Tuesday evening.
Coronavirus: Gas agencies suspend home delivery services of LPG refills in Guwahati - The gas agencies in Bharalu Mukh, Hatigaon, Beltola, Ulubari, Ganeshguri have suspended their home delivery services of LPG cylinders, from Tuesday onwards due to the shortage of people who deliver cylinders.
Coronavirus outbreak: ASTC offers services for stranded passengers in Assam - For smooth management of the situation arising due to coronavirus, the Transport Department has launched an operation for transportation of the people arriving at airports and railway stations from March 22, 23 and 24. The Department has taken a slew of measures to help the passengers in this time of duress, said Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary.
Sarbananda Sonowal directs Supply department to ensure delivery of essential commodities - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday, directed the Supply Department to strengthen the supply chain to ensure smooth delivery of essential commodities during the lockdown period in the state necessitated by novel coronavirus outbreak.
Kamrup Metro District administration moves homeless to a night shelter - Ahead of the complete lockdown in the State, the Kamrup Metro District Administration picked up the homeless people from the city streets and moved them to a night shelter home under the Social Welfare Department, here on Tuesday.

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A 23-year-old girl from Manipur who just returned from the UK has tested positive for coronavirus. This becomes the first case of coronavirus from North Eastern part of the country. India’s total tally for coronavirus might soon hit 500. So far nine deaths have been reported.
Amid coronavirus update six out of eight North Eastern states in India will be under lockdown. Assam will be under lockdown from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country. Making the announcement at a press conference held at Janata Bhawan Himanta Biswa Sarma said that people would not be able to come out to the streets and violators of the lockdown would face imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years. Arunachal Pradesh will go on lockdown until March 31. In Tripura lockdown will be effective from 2 p.m. on Tuesday until March 31. All essential services would stay operational and vehicles associated with the health and emergency services will function. The Manipur government declared lockdown, except emergency and essential services until March 31. Mizoram will be under one-week partial lockdown from Sunday night until March 29.
TV personality Meiyang Chang said that he was called “corona” by two men on a bike while he was out jogging. Besides this he was also called corona online. Chang posted about this on his Instagram account
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm today to talk about vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19.
Finance Minister of India has extended IT return until Jun 30. Nirmala Sitharaman, has announced 8-point economic relief due to lockdown amid coronavirus threat. These are related to: Income Tax compliance; GST compliance; Customs compliance; MCA compliance; IBC compliance; Fisheries compliance; Bank-related compliance and Commerce-related compliance.
Kolkata police has come to the rescue of IndiGo staff who was harassed and taunted by her neighbours who accused her of spreading coronavirus. The woman is visibly upset and breaks down while narrating her ordeal. She says that her mother is also denied groceries while she is at work.
A man from Yunnan Province died while he was heading back to Shandong Province for work on a bus on Monday. The 32 other people who were on the same bus were also tested for the virus. Hantaviruses are a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes in people worldwide. Infection with any hantavirus can produce hantavirus disease in people.
A man from Arizona in the United States had died and his wife is critical after the couple took chloroquine phosphate as an effort to self-medicate themselves against coronavirus. The USA had approved ‘chloroquine’ — an anti-malarial drug — for use as a treatment against the new coronavirus, US President Donald Trump had informed.

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Assam lockdown from today till 31 March in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic - Assam will be under lockdown from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country.
Centre asks action against those harassing Northeast people in the name of coronavirus - The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the law-enforcing agencies to take action against anybody found harassing north-eastern people in the metropolitan cities across the country. The directive came after incidents of people from the Northeast living in Delhi and other parts of the country faced racial discrimination in the name of coronavirus.
ACMS demands closure of tea gardens, leave with wages for labourers - The Asam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) has raised the demand that the State Government should take steps for closure of the tea gardens up to March 29 as a novel coronavirus preventive measure.
Xatra Land Encroachment: Asam Satra Mahasabha rues ignorance of Ministers - The Asam Satra Mahasabha — an umbrella organization of all xatras — has alleged that the successive Revenue Ministers of the State have all along been neglecting the Xatras of the State since India’s Independence. The Mahasabha also alleged that its demand for eviction of the xatras’ land from the encroachers has fallen in deaf ears of the concerned authority.
1st case of coronavirus in NE; girl from Manipur with travel history to UK tests positive - A 23-year-old girl from Manipur who just returned from the UK has tested positive for novel coronavirus. This becomes the first case of coronavirus from North Eastern part of the country.
Coronavirus: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s assignment to Ministers - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has deputed each member of his Council of Ministers to various districts across the State for day-to-day monitoring of the ground-level situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak across the country.
Himanta Biswa Sarma reviews Coronavirus preparations at TMCH - Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday paid a visit to and reviewed the various facilities available in the isolation ward set up at Tezpur Medical College and Hospital at Tumuki in Sonitpur district.
Assam’s Gautam Barthakur was the person incharge of sending back stranded Indians in Italy - Gautam Barthakur from Assam was in charge of sending 263 Indian students from Rome to India. Barthakur works as Airport Manager of Air India in Rome, Italy.
Basistha Police arrested 4 youths for blackmailing a man in Guwahati - The Basistha Police has arrested four youths for allegedly blackmailing a person by threatening him that they will release his photos with a woman in a compromising situation. The accused are identified as Moon Ahmed, Abdul Haque, Khairul Hussain and the identity of the fourth person has not been revealed.
Coronavirus outbreak: Mass gatherings during Vyapar Bandh in Guwahati - Most of the business establishments in the city were shut down on Monday in response to the Vyapar Bandh, appealed by Assam Chamber of Commerce; however, a different picture was witnessed in Fancy Bazar Market Complex, Bamunimaidan market and in several other market places. Despite the Government’s continuous appeal to avoid mass gathering in view of COVID-19 outbreak, people thronged at market places to fill their stocks of essential goods
Tea garden owners not following health advisory: Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association - The Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) has alleged that the tea garden owners are not following the health advisory to prevent corona outbreak. Meanwhile, the ATTSA has already called for a 48-hour shutdown from Monday, as a preventive measure against the dreaded virus.

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To deal with coronavirus situation, Assam will go on a lockdown from 6 pm tomorrow until March 31 midnight, said Health & Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.The announcement was made during a Press Conference at 5 pm today.. During the lockdown period pharmacy, petrol depo, grocery shops will be open. Office, educational institutions, government, private offices, industry, and all else will be shut. No one can come out. People will have to stay inside.First instance of violation will cause 6 months jail. Second instance of violation will be penalized with 2 years inside jail under IPC. Fire brigade, hospital, essential services will be open. Ambulance service will go on.
Arunachal Pradesh will go on lockdown until March 31 as a precautionary measure against coronavirus situation. All essential services shall be exempted from this. "No public transport services, including operation of taxis, auto-rickshaws, will be permitted except transport of all kinds to and from hospitals, airport, helipad, railway stations, and goods carriers carrying food and essential commodities," the notification said. All shops, commercial establishments, offices, factories and workshops shall also shut their operations, it said.
Gautam Barthakur from Assam was in charge of sending 263 Indian students from Rome to India.Barthakur works as Airport Manager of Air India in Rome, Italy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Air India for evacuating Indians stranded abroad amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delhi police has booked a man under Sec 509 of IPC who had spat at a Manipuri woman and called her “corona.”The incident took place in Vijaynagar area of North Delhi on Sunday.Netizens have condemned the incident. Some even shared details of the incident on Twitter.
Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced that no domestic commercial airlines will be operational from March 25. Cargo flights will not come under this limitation.
Chief Minister of Punjab Capt Amarinder Singh has announced full curfew with no relaxations as coronavirus cases surge in the state and the country. It is worth mentioning that, India had reported its fourth death from coronavirus after a 70-year-old man died in Punjab.
With several regions of the country under lockdown and government urging people to avoid mass gatherings, various health agencies around the world, such as WHO, are urging people to use the word “physical distancing” instead of “social distancing.” Health officials insist that the current scenario is not about giving up social contacts but to maintain healthy distance from one another so that the spread of virus can be prevented.

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Assam Government Prohibits train services, passenger vehicles & buses - To contain the possible outbreak of coronavirus, the Transport Department has issued an order prohibiting all inter-state passenger vehicles (i.e. contract carriages, stage carriages, taxi cabs, maxi cabs) to and from Assam, to other States and Union Territories up to March 31, 2020. However, it will not be applicable to goods vehicles, personal vehicles, vehicles used for maintaining essential emergency services and vehicles on government duty.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal urges people to stay indoors for two weeks - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday urged people to remain indoors for the next two weeks; and move out only if it is extremely necessary to prevent spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Coronavirus: ‘Janata Curfew’ hits normal life in Assam - Life in Assam came to near standstill on Sunday as the State observed ‘Janata Curfew’ from 7 am to 9 pm along with the rest of the country to prevent spreading coronavirus through social isolation.
NGO creates awareness in Indo-Bangla border villages - Members of Sabuj Sathi, an NGO working on environment and socio-economic issues, visited village after village to create awareness among the villagers along the Indo-Bangla border about coronavirus.
Plot to abolish posts by NF Railway: Debabrata Saikia - Leader of Opposition of the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia has written a letter to Railway Minister Piyush Goel seeking his intervention into the alleged conspiracy to abolish around 1,000 posts in Tinsukia division of NF Railway.
Chamber of Commerce, Lakhimpur ensures supply of essential commodities - Chamber of Commerce, Lakhimpur has declared its decision to ensure supply of essential commodities and medicines during these days of combat against the spread of coronavirus. It has also taken a strong stand against any kind of unreasonable price hike of essential commodities which might take place in such a situation.
Assam Minority Development Board Schemes yet to get pace - At the fag-end of fiscal 2019-20 the Assam Minority Development Board has started only four of the nine schemes under it. All the four schemes are related to training. Not completing infrastructure related schemes seems to be a chronic problem for the Board.
1 killed, 7 injured in accident at Bhootnath in Guwahati - A person was killed and seven others were injured after a pick-up truck carrying chicken collided with a Dead Body Carrier, at Bhootnath in Guwahati on Saturday night.
No Coronavirus positive case in Assam so far:Himanta Biswa Sarma - No novel coronavirus positive case has been detected in Assam so far, said Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday.
New technologies in land survey system - Assam government will introduce in new technologies in land survey system replacing the age-old land survey system.

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Bihu committees have decided to cancel Rongali Bihu functions in Guwahati due to coronavirus threat.A coordination committee of 26 Bihu committees in Guwahati took the decision after taking stock of the current situation.
As a preventive measure to the Coronavirus outbreak, 50 percent employees from government departments in Assam will work from home on a rotation basis, A roster will be maintained and work will happen on a rotation basis. This instruction will not apply to Offices and employees engaged in essential and emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control spread of coronavirus, according to an official notice.
GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara airlines have limited their domestic operations on March 22, the day of ‘Janata Curfew’ IndiGo has said that it will operate 60 per cent of its domestic flights on Sunday. GoAir will be suspending its domestic operations for that day. Spiceject has cancelled all four flights namely two Kolkata-Dibrugarh-Guwahati flights and two Guwahati-Dibrugarh-Kolkata flights from March 24- March 30.
Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority(GMDA) has banned visitors’ entry into its office for a period of two weeks due to coronavirus threat. On Saturday, Malay Bora, the Chief Executive Officer, GMDA, served a notice closing the office for public till April 4
Government has decided to put a cap on hand sanitizer and alcohol prices which will stay until June 30. The retail price of a 200 ML bottle of hand sanitizer is Rs. 100. Additionally, Hindustan Unilever reduced prices of products under Lifebuoy and Domex brands.
Various services within the country have been shut down due to coronavirus scare within the country. Daily wage labourers will be hit quite severely as work across the country is suspended on various fronts.To ease the situation for them, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has announced that the state government will give daily wage labourers and construction workers Rs 1,000 per day to 15 lakh daily wage labourers and 20.37 lakh construction workers so that they can meet their needs.So far 23 people have been infected in UP from coronavirus.
China has apologized to the family of doctor who had sensed the threat of coronavirus quite early on and even tried to raise an alarm about the issue.Dr Li Wenliang warned his colleagues of something strange going around through China’s social media app Weibo where he informed that patients from the local sea food market have been detected with SARS like symptoms and have been quarantined. Post this local police called him and accused him of spreading rumours. He was also made to sign a letter stating that he won’t do something like this again.In a rare and startling admission the Communist party of China has sent “solemn apology” to the family of the doctor who got infected from the virus and later passed away.

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Will feel safer if no coronavirus case is detected till April 6: Himanta Biswa Sarma - Stressing importance upon social distancing to check the spread of the novel coronavirus Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that Assam will be considered ‘marginally safe’ in case no person is found infected by the virus till April 6.
‘Janata curfew’ No passenger trains on Sunday: Indian Railways - Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for a ‘Janata curfew’ on Sunday amid the novel coronavirus scare, the Indian Railways said on Friday that all passenger trains will remain cancelled during the period.
President Ram Nath Kovind to undergo coronavirus test - President Ram Nath Kovind will undergo coronavirus test on Saturday, according to Rashtrapati Bhavan sources.
Street Vendor Association of Assam demand daily wage post-eviction - The Street Vendor Association of Assam (ASVA) on Friday submitted a memorandum to Kamrup (Metro) DC demanding a daily wage of Rs. 500 for vendors who faced eviction during the ongoing GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) eviction drive.
Kamakhya Temple door shut for visitors due to coronavirus outbreak - In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Kamakhya Temple has closed its doors for the devotees from March 20 to March 29. The order was announced by Doloi of Kamakhya Devalaya on Friday.
Coronavirus: Assam Bharatiya Janata Party asks party workers to avoid meetings - In the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus Assam BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) headquarters have advised all of its members, committees and office bearers to avoid having physical meetings from March 20 to March 29
GAD of Assam Govt. issued an advisory to install thermal scanners, sanitizers in offices - As a precautionary measure of the coronavirus the General Administration Department of the Assam Government has issued an advisory to install thermal scanners and mandatory placing of hand sanitizers at the entry of all government buildings.
BTC poll deferred in view of coronavirus scare in State - Assam state Election Commission has postponed upcoming BTC election for indefinite period in view of the corona scare in the State.
Covid impact: Budget session of Assam Assembly curtailed, restricted - In the wake of the coronavirus scare, the all-party meeting on Friday decided to continue the crucial Budget session of the State in a curtailed and restricted manner so as to pass the annual Budget.
All India Bank Employees’ Association & AIBOA called off March 27 strike - All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) and All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) – have called off their March 27 strike, a union leader said.

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State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Assamese people stranded abroad will be given $2000.“Those who have travelled outside the country in the last 30 days for various reasons for attending seminars, exchange students, business related work and even tourists and are not being able to return to Assam as airlines have shut down, they will each be given 2,000 dollars in their respective accounts, “ Sarma said during a press meet on March 20.“Those stuck outside can mail on this email Id, their passport will be checked and they will be provided with the money,” he added. Sarma also mentioned that this is an initial sum and later depending on the situation action will be taken. The Minster said that Assamese people stuck abroad can notify the government on the email id which will help the government to notify the Indian Embassy in that country.
After massive criticism, the state Election Commission has issued notification postponing the upcoming Bodo territorial Council (BTC) polls scheduled to be held on April 4. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Friday, State Election Commissioner Alok Kumar said that the BTC elections has been postponed for an indefinite period due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. He also said that new dates for the polls will be announced later.
As a precautionary measure to prevent coronavirus, Government of Meghalaya has imposed restrictions in movement of public transport and to close all shops, markets and establishments from midnight of 20th March, 2020 to midnight of 21st March, 2020 to enforce the advisories and restrictions for containment of COVID-19.
Nirbhaya rape convicts were hanged at Delhi's Tihar Jail this morning. Asha Devi, mother of Nirbhaya says that finally justice was delivered. "I hugged my daughter's photo," Asha Devi said. "The beasts have been hanged."The Hangman, Pawan Jallad who carried out execution of Nirbaya convicts said that For the first time he was happy to execute four convicts. AP Singh, the lawyer defending convicts in Nirbhaya rape case used crass tactic to cast aspersions on the character of the victim. He said that one should ask her mother what she was doing so late in the night.
Government of India has launched MyGov Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp for Indian citizens. People can now dial in and get answers to their queries related to coronavirus.
With schools shut as a precautionary measure against coronavirus, students can now take to e-learning with the help of Government's e-books mobile app “UMANG” which offers more than 1 crore e-books, videos, and audios on all subjects from primary to secondary level. The UMANG app helps students to access books and study materials using e-pathshala.
Passengers, who arrived in Delhi from Spain, have complained about lack of hygiene in quarantine facility in Dwarka where they were put up for a while for trial treatment and protocols. Currently, a couple named Mrinal Sabharwal and his wife Shelly Dhingra who were vacationing in Western Europe flew back to New Delhi on March 16 due to the ongoing pandemic. Later the duo was taken to the quarantine center in city limit which surprisingly came out to be former police barracks that had been converted into a quarantine center for only 24 hours. Their center was surrounded by police officers and no single medic was present, the couple told media. The toilets were flooded and the bedsheets were stained. There weren’t even separate dorms for men and women. Over 200 people were expected to be housed at the quarantine facility, which had only three toilets, according to reports.
Legendary footballer PK Banerjee passed away at a Kolkata hospital today. He was 83. He was suffering from prolonged illness. He breathed his last at 12:40 pm, claimed a family member.

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41 new Railway Stations constructed in NE since 2014, says DoNER Minister - As many as 41 new railway stations were constructed on account of new lines construction in the north-eastern region (NER) since 2014, said DoNER Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. The minister informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that during 2014-19, a total of 231 km of new lines have been commissioned in the north-eastern region.
Centre approved Rs 53,370-crore projects for Northeast during 2019-20 financial year - The Centre has allocated an amount of Rs 53,370 crore for infrastructure and socio and economic development of the north-eastern region (NER) during the 2019-20 financial year, DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday informed the Parliament. He also said that 548 of projects, at present, are at various Stages of implementation in the region.
COVID-19: NRC ‘Rejection Order’ distribution process again shrouds in uncertainty - The NRC authority has decided to postpone distribution of the NRC ‘Rejection Order’ to those who had been found ineligible for enlisting their names in the final NRC, published in Assam last year in the wake of coronavirus.
PM Narendra Modi calls for ‘Janata Curfew’ on March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm over COVID-19 - In wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has also affected India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the people of the country to opt for a ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday from 7 am to 9 pm. To check the outbreak of the dreaded virus the PM has appealed all not to come out from their homes on Sunday between 7am to 9 Pm.
Kamrup metro district administration formed squads to check ‘black marketing’ of mask - The Kamrup metro district administration has formed squads to deal with black marketing of protective mask as rumours of black marketing of such masks and hand sanitizers have been doing rounds in the State. The district administration has formed two squads – one of Dispur circle and the other of Guwahati circle – to crack the racket if any.
Coronavirus Scare: Anti-Covid steps in all Police Stations of Kamrup (M) district - All the police stations (PSs) in Kamrup (M) district have been directed by the authority to take preventive measures to check the spread of coronavirus. The DCPs in the district have asked the OCs of the police stations under them to take all preventive measures so as to prevent the outbreak of the virus and make people visiting the police stations also aware of it.
NF Railway cancels 50 trains to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus - As a precautionary measure of Covid-19 the NF Railway has, reportedly, cancelled as many as 24 low-occupancy trains mostly March 20 to April 4. Some of the trains have been cancelled up to March 31. It has also cancelled 26 other trains for other reasons.
Balaji Temple management decides to close the temple at 1 pm in view of coronavirus - Balaji Temple management has closed the temple in view of coronavirus. The Temple management has decided to close the temple at 1 pm till further notice. However, the temple will remain open for ‘darshan’ from 8 am to 1 pm. Only 10 peons at a time will be allowed to enter the temple complex to offer prayers.
Assam Govt. decides to close all Aadhaar Enrolment Centres across State up to March 31 - The Government of Assam has decided to close all Aadhaar Enrolment Centres across the State with immediate effect up to March 31 in order to check the spread of covid-19.

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As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, museums, libraries, coaching centres, beauty parlours and barber shops in Assam, will be shut until 31st March 2020, informed Finance, Health, Education and PWD minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
After the Centre invoked a 123-year-old Epidemic Diseases Act, Govt of Assam has come up with regulations for prevention & containment of Coronavirus called ‘The Assam COVID-19 Regulations, 2020’ to deal with the situation better.
Amid coronavirus outbreak, North Easterners have reported increasing cases of racism against them. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has condemned this kind of behaviour and has sent out a tweet “Some incidents of racial remarks against North-East people have emerged in some parts of India in the wake of #Coronavirus due to cultural ignorance, prejudice minset & lack of understanding. Matter discussed with NE Division, MHA. Strict advisory is being issued to the States.
India reports 4th death from coronavirus after a 70-year-old man died in Punjab. A 70-year-old man who returned to Delhi from Germany via Italy on March 7 headed to Punjab on the same day. He was suffering from diabetes and hypertension. On March 18 he was confirmed positive after severe chest pain. The senior officials said that the man was tested positive and was immediately admitted to the hospital. The man died at a civil hospital in Banga in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur. His village and surrounding area up to a 3 km radius have been sealed and the government doctor who treated him is in self-isolation.
Government of India has informed that no scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020 for one week.
In a widely circulated WhatsApp message, a notice touted as an official message from Government of India regarding movement restriction, is actually fake. India’s press information bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Twitter handle informed
Opposition leaders led by Congress walked out of Rajya Sabha as former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India Ranjan Gogoi took oath as Rajya Sabha MP. The Congress members shouted “Shame Shame” and walked out of the hall. The Communist Party of India, DMK and MDMK also joined in the protest.
An unfaithful husband in his late 30s has tested positive for COVID-19 after secretly traveling to Italy with his mistress. The UK man tested positive after he allegedly began showing symptoms for the novel virus while he was vacationing with his mistress. According to reports the man lied to his unsuspecting wife by telling her he was going on a business trip within the country. While returning home from his vacation, the man started feeling symptoms, went to the hospital for tests and was confirmed positive with COVID-19.

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Janata Bhawan closed for public as a preventive measure against Cronovirus - The Assam government has banned common people's entry into the Dispur Janata Bhawan on Wednesday as a part of its measures to check outbreak of the coronavirus. The secretariat administration has served a notice in this regard which came into effect immediately. The restriction will be in place till March 31.
SC uses Art 142 to stop Manipur Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar entering Assembly - Exercising the power under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution the Supreme Court of India has served an order stopping Manipur Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar from entering the state Assembly. The SC also ordered that he will no longer a cabinet minister as the Assembly Speaker did not pursue his disqualification process.A bench headed by Justice RF Nariman passed the order. Shyamkumar was a Congress defector.
Crop Damage in 2019 Floods; Farmers yet to be compensated - Once again the state BJP-led government’s apathy towards the farmers has come into light as it is yet to provide compensation to the thousands of Assam farmers who had suffered huge losses due to the damage of their crops by floods in 2019.
APSC SCAM: Gauhati High Court quashes 49 petitions - Guwahati High court, on Wednesday turned down pleas filed by 49 dismissed gazetted officers, who were arrested for their alleged involvement with the APSC cash-for-job scam. The officers filed petitions in the High Court challenging and seeking a stay order on their dismissal order. The petitioners alleged that their dismissal order was ex-parte. The HC concluded hearing of their pleas a month earlier and reserved the verdict. On Wednesday, the Court dismissed the pleas while delivering its verdict
Bars, parlours & night clubs shut in Assam due to coronavirus scar - Assam government has brought more areas under restrictions as precautionary measures for effective prevention/contamination of coronavirus within the State. All bars, pubs, night clubs, beauty parlours, saloon (unisex) etc will remain closed till further orders with immediate effect from Wednesday.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviews flood prevention measures - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the measures taken by the Guwahati Development Department to prevent artificial floods in the city, at his conference room in Janata Bhawan on Wednesday.
Coronavirus: Tourism, mobile theatres suffer the worst - Two successive blows – one by the massive anti-CAA agitation across the state and the other by the coronavirus scare – have literally left Tourism and Mobile Theatre industries in tottering. While the Tourism industry in the State is going to fall short of meeting its target achievement by around 40 per cent, the foreclosure of its season by the mobile theatres has led the industry to incur a huge loss.
Authorities of Central Jail Guwahati vigilant to tackle Coronavirs - The authorities of Central Jail Guwahati have been conducting awareness campaigns on its premises to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The authorities are maintaining the queue of visitors and are allowing them to get inside the jail premises one by one. The move is to prevent potentially disastrous coronavirus outbreak among prisoners and staff in close quarters where disease can easily spread.
Axam Xahitya Xabha cancels programmes as a precautionary measure against coronavirus - The Axam Xahitya Xabha has canceled all its programmes as a precautionary as well as preventive measure against coronavirus. General secretary of Axam Xahitya Xabha Jadhav Chandra Sarma, on Wednesday, directed every district and branch Xabha to not organize any meeting.

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Health and Family Welfare department, Govt. of Assam State Surveillance Unit,IDSP National Health Mission, Assam has come up with a report on coronavirus situation in the state. Assam state has strengthened the surveillance and control measures against the disease.The report has updated numbers of people screened in the state as well as helpline numbers. Rapid Response Teams have been constituted in all the districts and have been trained and oriented to deal with the situation.
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, Government of Assam has ordered all ‘Bars and Pubs’ in Guwahati to stay shut until March 31.“All IMFL “ON” shops to remain closed upto 31st March, 2020 with immediate effect and until further orders,” according to a notification order from EXCOM, Assam.
Amidst novel coronavirus scare , Guwahati Medical College and Hospital authority has arranged facility of nine exclusive cabins for keeping and treating coronavirus patients. Already, 19 suspected coronavirus patients were admitted and examined in the GMCH, informed superintendent Dr. Ramen Talukdar. However, no coronavirus positive case has been found in the examinations so far, Dr Talukdar added.
Officials have urged people to be aware of reports claiming some people in Dibrugrah have tested positive for coronavirus. The suspected coronavirus patient admitted to AMCH in Dibrugarh has tested negative for coronavirus, the administration said, further adding that reports saying four positive cases of COVID-19 in the region is also false.
Kamrup(Metro) Chief Judicial Megistrate Court has decided to hear only urgent matter till March 29 in a bid to prevent spread of the dreaded coronavirus. The decision has been welcomed by the legal fraternity.
Entry has been restricted into Dispur Janata Bhawan on Wednesday as a part of its measures to check outbreak of the coronavirus. The sceretariat administration has served a notice in this regard which came into effect immediately. The restriction will be in place till March 31.
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria cleared some myths around coronavirus and how it spreads.He said that consumption of non-vegetarian food will not cause coronavirus.“As common healthcare precaution, all kinds of meat should be thoroughly washed and properly cooked,” said the AIIMS Director.Among other claims, he said that weather conditions may not affect the spread of the virus since countries with tropical weather conditions are also getting affected due to coronavirus.He also said that consuming hot water or alcohol will not kill coronavirus.
Amid coronavirus scare, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has sent advisory to members urging them to shut operations until March 31. The decision was taken keeping in mind the safety of staff. It is less to do with business, said the association.
Amid coronavirus scare, Taj Mahal in Agra will be closed until March 31. The world famous monument was shut last in 1971 during Indo-Pak war. For a lot of tourists who wanted to visit the monument, this came as a shocker. Some though made peace with it once they learned the reason for its closure.
A doctor from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh has tested positive for coronavirus.He was treating patients affected with COVID-19.“His sample tested positive for the virus while samples of his 14 other colleagues in the same team tested negative. The doctor who tested positive had collected samples of many patients,” said Dr Sudhir Singh spokesperson at King George’s Medical University.His team members have tested negative, according to reports.

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State government hikes limit for indigenous landless people - The Sarbananda Sonowal government has increased the limit of allotment of land to the state landless rural indigenous people modifying the Assam Land Policy, 2019. As per the new modification a landless indigenous family would get 7 bigha land for agricultural purpose and 1 bigha for homestead.
Guwahati city braces to tackle coronavirus pandemic - In order to check spreading of coronavirus pandemic different state government departments have been carrying out preventive and precautionary drives in a war-footed manner in Guwahati. The Health department on Tuesday set up temporary screening camps in busy areas of the city like Paltan Bazar, Pandu port, Guwahati Railway Station and ISBT. Likewise, the metro district DTO organised an awareness camp in his office premises.
Citizenship Amendment Act, over 25 thousand people to get citizenship - As per the provisions of the amended Citizenship Act people enterered after 2014 from three Muslim dominated neighbouring countries will get Indian citizenship. Accordingly, over 25 thousand people, who entered India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan betweern 2015 and 2019 will get citizenship rights. Union Home Minister for State Nityananda Rai on Tuesday informed the Parliament that under the C(A)A 25,782 people are authorised to get Indian citizenship.
Border trade with four nations continues - India's border trade with four neighbouring countries continues despite the fact that the government imposed restriction on the people's entrance from these countries. In view of the outbreak of the Covid-19 the Narendra Modi government had imposed such restriction on citizens of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan on March 15. But the border trade continues with these countries, government data revealed.
Covid-19: Dispur intensifies pre-emptive measures - In order to check the outbreak of the novel coronavirus the state government has intensified precautionary measures. As a part of such measures Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered all the district authorities not to permit for organising any public gathering.
Resentment in Congress over party’s tie-up with AIUDF - Resentment is brewing among rank and file of the Assam Congress against the proposed move of the party to tie up with the AIUDF in the 2021 assembly polls and beyond. The evidence of such resentment is being seen in the WhatsApp group of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) where a section of the Congress leaders and members especially those from Upper Assam have opposed the move. These leaders are saying that the tie up with the AIUDF will have an adverse impact on the Congress’s performance in Upper Assam in 2021 assembly polls.
‘Coronavirus might lead to drug shortage crisis’ Says Biplab Talapatra - The Assam Drug Dealers Association (ADDA) on Tuesday expressed concern over the coronavirus pandemic. ADDA treasurer Biplab Talapatra stated that there is a possibility that the world might face a shortage of drugs as 90 percent of the raw materials to make medicines are exported from China. “If this situation continues for another one month, then there might be drug shortage crisis across the globe”, he asserted.
Coronavirus: Barpeta Xatra election postponed - Barpeta Deputy Commissoner has postponed the elections to the office-bearers of the historic Barpeta Xatra managing committee as a coronavirus precautionary measure. The elections were scheduled to be held on March 20.

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Pablu Alberto Fernandez Garcia, a Spanish cyclist touring the world, was denied accommodation in hotels in Assam. He arrived in Silchar from Meghalaya on March 12, according to reports.After the cyclist reached out to a local police station he was given accommodation at the government circuit house. He had tested negative for coronavirus. He left for Mizoram the very next day. Dr. Ajit Bhattacharjee, Surveillance Officer, Cachar district, said, "The person had arrived in India several days ago. According to our guidelines, if any person arrives here after spending more than 14 days abroad, that person would be quarantined. When we received information about the Spanish person, we tested him at the civil hospital, and his result came out to be negative."
People in Dhemaji panicked after seeing a South Korean citizen in a public gathering. The foreigner national arrived Dhemaji on March 11 for business purpose. Since then, he has been staying at the Imperial Inn hotel of the town. On Tuesday, he participated in an inaugural function at a Korean therapy centre. Then, the district administration and the Health department quarantined him in his hotel room.
Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb has launched a door to door campaign to create awareness on coronavirus. Deb distributed leaflets among people living in areas bordering Kailashahar at Unakoti district.The Tripura Chief Minister also interacted with local people to let them know how to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.
People of Naharkatiya in Dibrugarh decided to end Akhanda Bhagawat Path ceremony before its scheduled completion due to the dreaded coronavirus scare. The Naharkatia Central Akhanda Bhagawat Path Samity organised the religious function with an eight-day-long agenda starting from March 14. However, the coronavirus scare compelled the organising committee to end the programme before March 22.
National Health Mission, Assam has conducted a day-long novel coronavirus screening camp at busy Paltan Bazaar area in Guwahati on Tuesday,. A group of doctors from the NHM has examined a large number of commuters. However, no suspected coronavirus case has been detected so far in the screening.
The Jorhat district committee of the Asam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad has presented this year’s Maghai Oja Award to author and researcher Dr. Paramanada Majumdar. The Award was presented to the author in a ceremony in Jorhat on Monday.
The Congress and the AIUDF will jointly fight in the upcoming BTC elections slated to be held on April 4. The pre-poll alliance will jointly contest in 20 constituencies out of total 40.
Akhil Gogoi, leader of the peasants’ organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity, has been granted bail by the NIA special court in Guwahati on Tuesday. The KMSS leader was arrested in December, 2019 when the anti-CAA protest spread across Assam. Later, Assam police handed him over to the NIA. The central agency arrested him for his alleged involvement with the Maoists. However, the NIA failed to submit charge-sheet in the court within 90 days of the arrest. On this ground the NIA special judge granted bail to the KMSS leader on a surety of Rs.30 thousand, hearing a bail petition filed by Gogoi’s wife Gitasree Tamuly.
India has reported another death due to coronavirus. A 64-year-old patient has passed away at Kasturba hospital in Mumbai. The first case of death was reported from Karnataka, the second one from Delhi. Meanwhile, the doctor who treated patient from Karnataka’s Kalburgi region has tested positive for coronavirus. The 76-year-old man from Kalburgi was India’s first death case that occurred sue to coronavirus.

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Government directs halt to biometric attendence system - As a part of coronavirus preventive measures the Assam government has issued notification to stop use of biometric system in all offices.
Clause-6 Panel Report: Let people know its present status: AASU - The All Assam Student’s Union (AASU) has urged the Central as well as the state government to release data on the present status of the report submitted by the Justice (retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma led High-Level-Committee on the Clause-6 of the Assam Accord. The Committee submitted its final report on February this year recommending measures for implementing the Clause-6 of the Assam Accord. However, the governments both at the Centre and the state are yet to declare the present status of the report.
Coronovirus Concern: Entry into Janata Bhawan Restricted - The state government has restricted visitor’s entry into the Janata Bhawan at Dispur to check spreading of the dreaded novel coronavirus. The government notification served in this regard has come into effect on Tuesday and would be in place till March 31, 2020. The notification stated that only 100 visitors in a day will be allowed to enter the Janata Bhawan Complex.
Ready to fight virus: Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma - The Assam government has readied all the measures to tackle spreading of the dread coronavirus in the state, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed. Appealing the common people not to panic, the Health Minister said that the state government has prepared itself to fight against the pandemic which claimed lives of more than 3000 people across the world.
President nominates former CJI Gogoi to Rajya Sabha - President of India Ramnath Kovind has nominated former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as a member of the Upper House of Parliament. Gogoi served as a CJI from October 2019 to November 2020. He was the first CJI from the North-east. His nomination has created mixed response across the country.
Rajya Sabha Poll: Candidates seal seats, results on Wednesday - The results of the elections to the three Rajya Sabha seats will be officially declared on March 18, 2020. The nomination papers of all the candidates have been found valid. Only three candidates are contesting in the polls. Despite that people will have to wait till Wednesday for the formal declaration of the results.
Closure notice to Museums, Cotton and Tezpur universities - To prevent the outbreak of the novel coronavirus the respective authorities have served closure notices to the state museum located at Guwahati and the Cotton College University, These institutions will close till March 31.
Congress releases candidate’s list for BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) polls - The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has published its candidates’ list for the upcoming BTC poll. The party will contest only 13 of the 40 constituencies in the Council polls which slated to be held on April 4.
ATTSA demands closure of tea gardens amid coronavirus scare - In view of the worldwide spreading of the dread coronavirus the Assam Tea Tribe Student’s Association (ATTSA) has demanded the government to serve notice directing closure of all the tea gardens in Assam. The student’s outfit has said that all the tea gardens should be closed till March 29 as preventive as well as precautionary measure to check the spreading of the highly infectious viral disease.

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A patient with travel history to Malaysia has been admitted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), according to reports.The doctor told media that the person had fever, cough and fatigue and is currently under observation.The government of Assam has ordered to shut all the educational institutes till March 29 to check the spread of the dreaded coronavirus in the state. Earlier, the state government had taken some precautionary measures to thwart spreading of this highly infectious viral disease. However, a large number of social media users had criticised the government, alleging that the latter did not take convincing measure to protect the students from the impending havoc.
BJP city committee organized Coronavirus awareness programme in Guwahati on Monday. Dr. Pranjal Bharali and Dr. Niranjal Kalita, who participated in the programme, elaborated on precautionary as well as preventive measures that should be taken to deal with coronavirus. Mrigen Sarania, president of the Guwahati district BJP committee, presided over the meeting. Some prominent leaders of the party including State BJP organising secretary Phanindra Nath Sarma attended the awareness programme and addressed the gathering.
State level body building and fitness competition was organized at Jagiroad. Bitumoni Chetia, a BSF personnel and Bipansha Bora won the title of Mr. Muscle Man 2020 and the championship title in the women section of the competition respectively. The completion was held under the aegis of the Muscle World Gym (Jagiroad), a recognised body of the WABBA Assam. Some prominent bodybuilders participated the competition as judges.
Popular Assamese actress and producer of a prominent mobile theatre group Prastuti Parasar has urged the state government to lift the restriction imposed upon holding shows by the mobile theatres. Earlier, the government had ordered the mobile theatre groups to holding shows as a part of its coronavirus precautionary measures. Expressing concern over the government move, the actress said to media that it will create livelihood problem within 150 families.
Three Nirbhaya convicts—Akshay Singh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma—have approached the International Court of Justice (the main judicial body of the United Nations ) to seek a stay on their execution.This comes after, Vinay Sharma, one of the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case approached the Delhi High Court on Friday alleging constitutional irregularities committed by the Delhi government while recommending his mercy plea to the President.
While India gears up to deal with coronavirus infections by rigorously tracing contact and patients with symptoms, pics from some quarantine facilities from the country have drawn criticism from people. Infact, some people with symptoms of infection are fleeing isolation wards with worries of not getting proper treatment. Some are even concerned about hygiene. Meanwhile, Rohit Dutta, the first patient from Delhi, who tested positive for coronavirus, said that he watched Netflix on his phone and did Pranayam during his isolation period at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.He also said that the facility at the hospital was no less than a “luxury hotel.”
India has successfully managed to bring back Indian citizens from Iran.Most of them are students and pilgrims who were stranded in Iran amid coronavirus scare.
Twitter users have slammed an advertisement by a company trying to sell Anti-Corona Virus Mattress. Citizens have been asked to be aware of such products that individuals and companies are trying to sell. Health organizations have also come up with a list of myth busters around coronavirus.

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Covid-19: Uncertainty looms large over BTAD elections - The growing coronavirus scare in the state has pushed the upcoming BTC elections into a great certainty. The State Election Commission of late announced that elections to the 40 constituencies of the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts will be held on April 4.
Registration of 1,374 pharmacies canceled - The Assam state government has rescinded 1,374 pharmacies across the state for being allegedly run by fake pharmacists. It has been learned that the government received an allegation that those pharmacists who registered under Section 32(B) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 were fake pharmacists. The number of such pharmacists is 1,374. The government has canceled their licenses and abrogated the registration of the pharmacies under them.
Citizenship Amendment Act illegal and unlawful: Prafulla Kumar Mahanta - Former Assam Chief Minister and senior AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta once again claimed that the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, is illegal and unlawful, alleging that it has violated the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. Addressing a press conference on Sunday the former chief minister demanded immediate repeal of the controversial Act, which was passed by Parliament during the winter session.
COVID-19: Gauhati University to remain closed - Following the instruction of the state government the Guwahati University administration has decided that to close its campus till March 29. The university has also postponed its annual versity week to check the dreaded coronavirus infection.
Land Encroachment: Sattra Mahabha refutes Dispur claims - The Asom Sattra Mahasabha refused to accept the claims made by the state government on March 2 in the floor of Assembly regarding the encroachment of the sattra’s land. The Mahasabha alleged that the government hid actual data of the encroachment.
Guwahati police issues orders to limit public gatherings - As a part of coronavirus preventive measure the Guwahati police Commissionerate has issued order to limit public gatherings in the Capital city. The order issued by the city police said that only precaution could check the spread of the dreaded virus.

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In view of the threat posed by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the district administration of Sivasagar has banned all kinds of public functions in the district from March 14 onwards.As per a notification, in pursuance of a video conference held on March 13, 2020, on Corona Virus with the Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, all functions like public meetings, Nam Kirtan, Bhaona, Geeta Path etc are hereby banned with immediate effect until further order.
Government of India has announced to treat coronavirus as “notified disaster.” On that front, Government has announced Ex-Gratia payment to families of deceased persons.“ Rs 4.00 lakh per deceased including those involved in relief operations or associated in response activities, subject to certification regarding cause of death from appropriate authority,” the notification states. So far two deaths have occurred in India from coronavirus. More than 80 people have been infected from the virus.
Amid falling crude oil prices around the world, the Government of India has announced a hike on excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre on Saturday.The intention is to build revenue amid falling crude oil prices, claim reports.Special excise duty on petrol increased by Rs 2 to Rs 8 and in case of diesel to Rs 4.
Five people suspected to be infected with coronavirus escaped from isolation wards of Mayo Hospital in Nagpur.S Suryavanshi, Sub-Inspector, Nagpur Tehsil police station said “One of them had tested negative, reports of other four were awaited. We have traced them and they will be brought back to the hospital by the administration…The five suspects left the hospital and to inspect the matter, I visited the hospital. I learned that the suspects left the ward for snacks but didn’t return… Since it is a sensitive issue, we are coordinating with the staff of Mayo hospital.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that all theatres, gyms and swimming pools in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, Pimpri Chinchwad will be shut until March 30 due to coronavirus scare.
IIT-Delhi students came up with an innovative chant to celebrate suspension of classes amid coronavirus scare. A viral video of the students celebrating with chants of “Jai corona” has gone viral. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has banned all conferences, seminars and sports events, including the IPL. There will be no gathering above 200 people in the national capital, Minister said.
Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed China over coronavirus. In a video posted in his YouTube channel, he is visibly upset about the impact of COVID-19 around the world and the economy.In the video called “Cricket is in Danger | The World is at High Risk | Shoaib Akhtar My Take on the Ongoing issue that has Jolted Everything around us. My Prayers for the World” the cricketer says, “I don’t understand why you have to eat things like bats, drink their blood and urine and spread some virus across the globe I’m talking about the Chinese people. They have put the world at stake. I really don’t understand how can you eat bats, dogs, and cats. I’m really angry.The whole world is at risk now. The tourism industry has been hit, the economy is badly affected and the whole world is going towards a lockdown.”

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Congress & AIUDF to have an understanding beyond 2021 Assembly election - The Congress and the Badaruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF would jointly fight in the 2021 Assam Assembly elections. Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Tarun Gogoi on Friday categorically stated this. It is to be noted that senior journalist Ajit Kumar Bhuyan is contesting as a common candidate of the Congress and the AIDUF in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections to be held on March 26. Gogoi also said that the understanding between the two parties will remain like now in the post-2021 Assembly elections. Bhuyan had filed his nomination papers yesterday in the presence of former Chief Minister Gogoi and AIUDF chief Ajmal.
Parliamentary Committee on Commerce asked the tea industry to sell more tea online - A Parliamentary Committee on Commerce has recommended that the country’s tea industry should give importance upon online selling of their produce in order to realise better price in the international market. The Committee said that till today only 40 per cent of the total tea production in the country in a year has been sold in the e-auction portal. It asked the industry to cover more and more tea growers under e-portal auction system so that online selling of tea could be increased.
Corona Alert Sounded in Assam, State govt asks the school to postpone excursions - As a precautionary measure for preventing outbreak of the dreaded CoronaVirus in Assam the state government has asked all the government schools in the state to postpone excursions and such other activities which involve students. The state Health Department on Thursday issued an advisory to all the government school in this regard. As per reports, State Health Department Commissioner Aurag Goel, who is also the nodal officer for Coronavirus-outbreak asked the Directors of the Elementary and Secondary Education Departments. Sources informed that the private schools in the state will also be asked to take similar steps to prevent outbreak of the dreaded disease.
State government trying to disrupt anti-CAA convention to be held on March 18, alleges SFI - The state unit of the Students Federation of India has alleged that the state government created disruption in organising protest against the contentious Citizenship(Amendment)Act, 2019. Addressing a press conference on Friday the SFI state leadership vented anger that the administration had declined to give permission to its All India Secretary Mayukh Biswas and JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh to participate anti-CAA protest in Assam. The SFI has organised a protest meet against the CAA on March 18 in Guwahati.
DPR of three new flyovers underway: NHAI - In order to give a scour to commuters from burgeoning traffic jam the National Highway Authority of India(NHAI) will construct three new flyovers in Guwahat sooni, sources say. The new flyovers would be constructed at Lokhara, Bashistha Chariali and Gorchuk on NH37. Sources also say that the Detailed Project Report(DPR) of these new flyovers would be completed by this month.
Three nominations against as many seats - The fever of the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections to three seats in the state has increased with the filing of nomination papers by three candidates. While former MPs Bhubneswar Kalita and Biswajit Daimary filed their nomination papers as candidates of the BJP-led ruling alliance, senior journalist Ajit Kumar Bhuyan submitted his nomination papers as common candidate of the Congress and the AIUDF. The last day of the filing of the nomination papers for the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections ended on Friday.

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The economy of Assam is progressing in the positive direction, stressed State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while taking part in the general discussion on Budget 2020-21 in the Assam Assembly. The Finance Minister had placed the Budget in the House on March 6. Since Saturday, 22 legislators have participated in the Budget discussions.
To prevent spread of coronavirus , all schools in Manipur will be shut until March 31.“In order to ensure reduction of mass gatherings and to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and as a precautionary measure, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order that all schools, including private ones, located within Manipur shall remain closed with immediate effect till March 31, 2020 in public interest,” a notification issued by Commissioner (Education-Schools) T Ranjit Singh stated.“However, all kinds of examination already scheduled (both theory and practical) conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) and Council of Higher Secondary Schools (COHSEM) will not be affected,” the order copy issued by Governor of Manipur Najma Heptulla reads.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for SAARC Nations to come together and fight coronavirus. He tweeted, “I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.” SAARC stand for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and comprises of eight member States: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; India; Maldives; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka.
Indian Namaste becomes the new form of greeting among world leaders amid coronavirus scare. US President Donald Trump and Leo A. Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland greeted each other with a Namaste at the White House in Washington on March 12. The heads of the countries demonstrated the Namaste greeting after reporters asked them how did they greet each other. A video of Prince Charles greeting people with “Namaste” during Prince’s Trust Awards in London had gone viral on social media.
Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered for the immediate release of National Conference (NC) party president Farooq Abdullah from detention. Abdullah is one of the several politicians, including his son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, who have been detained since August 5, 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 which conferred a special status on the former State.
Peter Dutton, Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Federal Member for Dickson tested positive for coronavirus. He was in the US to attend a meeting with members of five eyes intelligence alliance — Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand. Dutton had attended a cabinet meeting and had come in contact with other minister on Tuesday.New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin — who also met Dutton in Washington will self-isolate and then get tested for the virus. It was also reported that, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of PM of Canada Justin Trudeau has tested positive for coronavirus. Her husband, PM of Canada Justin Trudeau, has also isolated himself for 14 days. The PM has not shown any signs of the infection yet, according to reports.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday made an announcement to hike Dearness Allowance by 4 % (from 17 % to 21 %). The raise which will be effective from January 1, 2020 will benefit 4.8 million govt employees, 6.5 million pensioners.A sum of Rs 14,595 crore as additional expense will be incurred due to this hike.

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Assam economy progressing in a positive direction: Himanta Biswa Sarma. Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the state is performing well in economic front under the BJP-led alliance government unlike the previous Congress rule. Due to the endeavours of the incumbent government the state is currently progressing at the rate of 12 per cent GDP, he said. Such economic progress has enabled the state government to provide pensions to various sections of the society, the minister hinted. He said in the state assembly on Thursday that the government would provide pension to 1lakh widows under the Indira Miri Pension scheme. 10 thousand divyangas will also get pension, he added.
A Congress MLA will join BJP soon: Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Like Madhya Pradesh, defection by some MLAs or senior leaders is likely to startle the Congress in Assam. On Thursday, finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that one prominent Congress MLA expressed willingness to switch the side. Some other Congress leaders will also follow the route sooner or later, claimed Sarma. The minister said, “people of Assam will get many new news in the days to come.”
CAA does not take anybody’s citizenship: Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In an attempt to contain the protest against the controversial Citizenship(Amendment) Act Union Home Minister Amit Shah once again reiterated that the Act would not cut any Indian’s citizenship rights. Appealing the people not to be panic, the Home minister on Thursday said in Parliament that some section of people had created unnecessary ruckus over the C(A)A. He also assured the minority community that they need not be worried over the Act. This way Shah reflected that the Modi government has no intention to roll back the CAA.
Job scam: Railway Protection Force arrested NF Railway employee. An employee of the North-east Frontier Railway on Wednesday night has been arrested by the RPF on charges of issuing fake appointment letters to some persons. Sources informed that Biplab Chakraborty allegedly had issued fake appointment letters to 10 persons. Acting on a tip-of sleuth of the Railway Protection Force arrested the accused from his quarters at Accounts Colony, Pandu. The investigative team recovered some incrematory documents from his possession. Later, he was handed to the police.
Closure of government tols, madrassas from August 15, 2020. Assam government is all set to close all Sanskrit tols and Madrassas in the state by August 15, 2010. Last month Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the BJP-led Assam government will no longer fund any religious educational institute in the state. Keeping the stance, the minister on Thursday said in the state Assembly that all the tols and madrassas will be closed by August 15. He also informed that the private or khertai madrasses must teach science and mathematics.
BASSA protests against State land policy at Dispur Last Gate, Guwahati. The Bhumi Adhikar Sangram Samity (BASSA on Thursday staged protest at Dispur Last gate demanding cancellation of the State Land Policy formulated by the Sarbanada Sonowal-led government. The protesters castigated the Land Policy as anti-farmer and urged the government to stop allocation of land. They also raised slogan for immediate release of all arrested anti-CAA activists. On the other hand, some Special Policer officers staged protest demanding regularization of their jobs.

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State Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state government will recruit 11000 teachers before Bohaag Bihu.The announcement was made in the Assam Legislative Assembly today.He mentioned about two pending cases in the High Court.“…we are sure of winning them and after that the recruitment process of 11000 teachers will begin,” he added.He assured that 322 vacant positions in various colleges of Assam will be filled within the next Assembly election.The date for TET exams for higher secondary school teachers will be announced soon, he assured.
11 people were arrested in Mizoram for spreading fake news on coronavirus infection mainly through WhatsApp.The 11 were arrested on Tuesday after a suo-moto case was file by Mizoram police, said Inspector general of police (headquarters) John Neihlaia . A case under Section 505 (1)(b) (intent to cause fear or alarm to the public) was filed against them. They were then later released on bail. The fake news claimed that a woman who had returned from Singapore was put under house isolation after she refused to get admitted to a hospital.Later, an investigation revealed that the woman who had returned from Singapore was screened twice—first at Kolkata airport and then again at Lengpui airport. In both cases she did not show any symptom related to the virus.
Rahul Pareek of Assam achieved a feat through his art work. His name now features in Asia Book of Records for creating art with mechanical parts.Rahul Pareek is perusing B.Com from the KC das commerce college Guwahati with interest in art of different forms.He has created portrait to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.He has also created portraits of Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, Captain of Indian Cricket Team Virat Kohli and Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.
Prominent singer and frontman of the Indian fusion band North East Breeze Rupam Bhuyan’s wife, Manashree Baruah passed away after giving birth to a baby boy in Guwahati.The incident came to light at around 12 am in the midnight hours on Thursday.Manashree Baruah was admitted to Maruwari Maternity Hospital in Guwahati.As per reports, the health condition of Manashree Baruah remained critical after the delivery of the baby boy; accordingly, she was shifted to ICU ward but was declared dead by the doctors after a few minutes.Her final rites were performed at Bhootnath Mandir in Guwahati at around 3 pm today.
All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure, informed the Ministry of Health.Many major airlines will feel the impact of the order. Some are even planning reducing frequency of flights or cancellation of flights to or from India.
Pune police and its cyber team have announced that actions will be taken against those people revealing identity of coronavirus patients.Divisional commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar said, “The police have been asked to monitorsocial media platforms through their cyber cell to make sure that no rumours are spread and the identity of patients should not be revealed.”A relative of a patient affected with COVID-19 had filed a complaint in this regard.The identity of the patient was revealed through social media after which the family was facing social boycott, according to reports.
Two years after Superstar Rajinikanth announced his political ambitions, speculations have peaked around his role in Tamil Nadu politics.At an event in Chennai today, the superstar outlined his political vision and said that he will not contest as the CM.“I have never imagined myself as Chief Minister. I cannot think of myself in the assembly, it is just not possible. I will be the party chief, “ he said.His intention to take part in politics is to bring about change, he added.

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Assam-Meghalaya boundary issue resonates in Assembly
Rajya Sabha poll picks up pace in Assam
As long as I’m there, BPF will always form government: Hagrama Mohilary
Bharatiya Janata Party to fight BTC polls alone
All Assam PWD Assistant & junior engineers staged protest at Dispur Last Gate
Appointment of KKHSOU Vice-Chancellor irks ruling party members
Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha calls on surgical strike hero Lt. Gen. D S Hooda
Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha constitutes 21-member State committee

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BJP has announced that Bhubaneswar Kalita will be the party candidate from Assam for Rajya Sabha. The party has made announcements for Bihar, Gujarat, MP, Jharkhand, Manipur, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Jyotiraditya Scindia has been announced as BJP’s RS candidate from MP. All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Congress have nominated senior journalist Ajit Kumar Bhuyan as Rajya Sabha candidate from the state for the third seat in Assam. The Rajya Sabha polls will be held on March 26 from 9 am to 4 pm.
The Assam State Election Commission has announced the dates of the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections. According to an official statement, the elections will be held on April 4, and counting will begin on April 8. The poll hours are fixed from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The last date for filing nominations is March 18 while the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is 21 March. The publication of the list of contesting candidates is on 21 March.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has broken his silence over Jyotiraditya Scindia joining the BJP after leaving Congress. He said that his house was always open for him.Gandhi also retweeted an old picture of him with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Scindia. Meanwhile, Yashodhara Raje, an aunt of Jyotiraditya Scindia, welcomed his decision to join the BJP after he quit the Congress, saying it is a courageous step by Scindia.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has withdrawn the suspension of all seven Congress MPs. The Seven Congress MPs which included Gaurav Gogoi were suspended from parliament last week for disrupting the proceedings of the house. They had been suspended for creating ruckus in the House and snatching papers from the speaker’s table.
As a precautionary measure in the wake of the deadly Novel Coronavirus outbreak, Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar hinted that they might limit the usage of saliva to shine the white ball during the first ODI against South Africa. However, Bhuvneshwar said a decision on the matter will be taken during a meeting by the team doctor later on Wednesday.
On Tuesday US President Donald Trump said that he has not been tested for the new COVID-19 as his doctor has advised him not to do so at this time since he does not have any symptoms. The President’s comments was made after his press secretary confirmed late Monday night that the president has not taken a test, despite the fact that the President has interacted with at least 3 individuals who have been exposed to an individual with the disease.

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SPAC, Assam becomes a toothless tiger; Dispur looks the other way
Coronavirus: Contact-tracing of US tourist on who detected positive in Bhutan
Decks cleared to set up 200 Additional Foreigners Tribunals across Assam
Decades-long NDFB struggle ends as organization ensigns pulled down
Northeast Frontier Railway takes initiative to tackle Coronavirus

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Assam State Health Department has quarantined 400 people who came in touch with American tourist who tested positive for coronavirus in Bhutan. Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “State Health Dept has traced more than 400 contacts in different places including MV Mahabahu and resorts where he stayed. Teams of doctors and microbiologists have been keeping a close watch on these people who have been quarantined.”
Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has urged the state government to seal Indo-Mayanmar border over coronavirus scare. The state shares 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar. MPCC said that people from neighbouring countries including China had entered the state without screening.
Investigation agencies are now further trying to ascertain links between Priyanka Vadra of Congress and Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor after it was learned that the latter had bought MF Hussain painting worth Rs 2 cr from the Congress leader. Congress has said that the reports of the purchase were fully files in income tax documents of the Congress leader.Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has taken custody of Kapoor until March 11.
A patient who was admitted to district Wenclock hospital in Mangaluru has escaped from the hospital. According to reports, he had an argument with the staff during which he insisted that he was not infected with coronavirus. The patient who arrived there from Dubai was admitted to the hospital after showing some symptoms of the infection. He also had high fever. After he escaped from the hospital, a complaint against him has been lodged with the police. A high alert has also been sounded in nearby coastal districts after the incident.
A 3-year-old child has tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala. The child and the parents had travel history to Italy, claim reports. The thermal screening being carried out at the airport had detected the infection for the child which was confirmed after tests. The child has been put under isolation at Ernakulam Medical College. The parents are also under observation, though the parents haven’t shown any symptoms of fever, stated a press release.
98-year-old Karthiani Amma honoured with Nari Shakti Puraskar, 2019 event at President House, here in New Delhi on Sunday expressed her wish to study further.“I cleared Class 4 exams recently, now I want to study further,” Ms Karthiani told PM. She had come to Delhi to collect the award. Karthyayini Amma scored a 30 on 30 for her reading test, 40 on 40 for Malayalam writing and 28 on 30 for Mathematics. She started her academic journey January 2018 after working very very hard in her life to take care of herself and her family. Bhageerathi Amma, a 105-year-old achiever from Kerala could not come to receive her awards. Both the super grannies have passed the Class IV literacy equivalent examinations.

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Over 97% of truck drivers bribe police: Survey
Prisons of Assam, 3 other States under Gauhati High Court scanner
Defer public meets, stop gatherings to prevent novel coronavirus: Dispur to DCs
Non-release of MLALAD Funds: 90 LACs yet to submit Utilization Certificates
Advisories dampen the Holi market!
Rajya Sabha poll: BJP sends candidates’ list to party high command
Rajya Sabha Poll in Assam: Five aspirants collect forms for nominations

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Majuli and Jorhat are now under the scare of coronavirus outbreak. A US tourist who had come to visit Jorhat and the river island has been detected positive with the deadly coronavirus disease in Bhutan. People of Jorhat and Majuli are now in grip of fear after the news of detection of coronavirus in the American tourist spread. Employees of Thengal Menor, Jorhat are now under complete medical observation as the tourist had, reportedly, spent two nights there before leaving for Bhutan. As a part of precautionary measure the police of both districts are now searching for the taxi drivers where the tourist had travelled during his visit.
Management at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati had evacuated the second floor of the hotel as the US tourist who tested positive for coronavirus had stayed at that place. The tourist had stayed at room number 224. Over 20 staff of the hotel who had come in contact with the tourist are under observation. The hotel authorities are sanitizing the room and carrying out the necessary procedure.
An Italian national on March 6 was put under observation at a hotel in Tezpur, Sonitpur district after he arrived there amidst the coronavirus scare, an official said. However, the foreigner did not show any of the traditional symptoms of the terrible disease, which has prompted a global panic. After China, Italy is one of the worst-hit countries where the disease broke out. The official said that the visitor’s samples have been collected and sent for testing.
Around 14,640 people have been kept under complete observation for coronavirus, said a Health Department official from Mizoram. At least seven screening centers are set up in different parts of the state along with international and inter-state borders with the Lengpui airport.
Andhra’s Tirumala temple trust withdrew Rs 1,300 cr from the crisis hit yes bank in 2019. According to an official with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, deposits of Rs 1,300 crore were withdrawn some months ago from Yes Bank but it had nothing to do with the crisis in the bank. On Friday before the Reserve Bank imposed a moratorium, Vadodara Smart City Development Company, a Special Purpose Vehicle of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, withdrew Rs 265 crore from Yes Bank.
On March 7, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting lifted the ban on two Kerala-based news channels. The Information and Broadcasting ministry had imposed a 48-hour ban on two Malayalam news channels- Asianet News and Media One on Friday. The reason behind the ban was their coverage of the violence in north-east Delhi. The government accused them of being one-sided and particularly leaning towards one community. In a circuler sent out by the government, it noted that “such address could fuel communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile.”
Sanjay Gupta, Bharatiya Janata Party Legislator from Uttarakhand claimed that ancient Hindu rituals and cow urine can be a medication to kill coronavirus in the “air and within the body”.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He spoke out in favour of CAA and said that the UNHRC has got it all wrong, once again. “Everybody, when they look at citizenship, have a context and has a criterion. Show me a country in the world which says everybody in the world is welcome. Nobody says that,”
With all sorts of preventive measures floating around, WHO has said that spraying alcohol or chlorine all over the body will not kill viruses that have already entered the body. The global health organisation said, “Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.”

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Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma presents Rs 1249.50-crore deficit Budget.
Budget to provide social security to all: CM Sarbananda Sonowal.
Congress walks out over Assam Budget leakage.
Unrest in Meghalaya over CAA & ILP worries Assam House.
Assam Budget 2020-21: Mixed reactions from political parties.

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Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Hima Das will be offered the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The announcement was made at the ongoing session of budget in the Assembly. And some takeaways are there from the budget
Nemcare Hospital in Guwahati has set up a temporary music studio for singer Zubeen Garg so that he can complete his pending work and compose music. A few days ago, Garg suddenly fell sick during a programme at Guwahati Town Club. Garg fell unconscious suddenly during an interaction with the media. After collapsing during the event Garg was admitted to Nemcare Hospital.
Some sporadic incidents of violence were reported from Meghalaya. Two people were assaulted and one man was stabbed by assailants. A truck was also set on fire. The people assaulted were construction workers who were attacked by some unidentified people in Lawsohtun. The man who was stabbed worked as a house painter. A CCTV footage shows some people dragging him. The man admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital is recovering.
First confirmed COVID-19 case in Bhutan has been reported. The patient is a 76-year-old from the United States of America, who had come to Bhutan as a tourist. He had entered the country from Paro International Airport, after embarking Drukair flight KB241 from Guwahati, India on March 2, according to Prime Minister’s Office – PMO, Bhutan’s FB page. According to the post, the patient was touring India from February 21 to March 1. He had started his travel from Washington DC on February 18.
After seven MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha for creating ruckus inside, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress, who was one of the MPs suspended, sent out a tweet in which he said Suspend me, but please discuss Delhi riots. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday suspended Gaurav Gogoi and six other Congress MPs for the rest of the Budget session for creating ruckus in the House and snatching papers from the Speaker’s table.
Sachin Aji Bhaskar, a 23-year-old student from India, who was on a student visa in the US has pleaded guilty to charges of sexually tempting an 11-year-old minor girl. Bhaskar sent out text and email to the girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life, a penalty of $250,000 or both, informed US Attorney James P Kennedy. The messages by the man were sent out on August, 2018. The sentencing in the case is scheduled for June 17.
The International Indian Film Academy Awards 2020 (IIFA) scheduled to be held in March end in Indore, Madhya Pradesh has been postponed amid coronavirus scare. “With due regard to the growing concerns around the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keeping the health and safety of IIFA’s fans and the general community at large, after consulting the Madhya Pradesh government, the IIFA management, and stakeholders from the film industry it has been decided to postpone to a later date the much-awaited IIFA Weekend and Awards 2020 celebrations which were originally scheduled at the end of March 2020,” according to a statement by IIFA.
In a bailout approved by RBI and the government, LIC and SBI are expected to pick up 24.5 percent stake each in Yes Bank.The deal will be worth Rs 490 crore, claim reports.Just yesterday, the Stock exchange had sought clarification from Yes Bank on the news of Government approving a plan to allow an SBI-led consortium to buy a stake in the private lender.

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Public Work Department focus will now shift from quantity to quality says PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
3.64 lakh hectares still under occupation of 2 lakh people: Economic Survey of Assam.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla suspends Gaurav Gogoi and 6 other Congress MPs.
Assam Public Works moves CID for probe into alleged scams in Agriculture department.
State Budget to be tabled today in Assam Assembly at 2pm.
Assam Assembly passes Appropriation Bill, 2020.
4 Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) members arrested by West Guwahati Police.
Ropeway connecting South and North banks in Guwahati to be operational from April.

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260 people from Assam who were rescued from the jungles of Meghalaya reached Guwahati on Thursday.The people had taken refuge in jungles and police station to escape the clashes in Meghalaya that had left three people dead. Most of them were residents of western Assam’s Dhubri, Goalpara and Kokrajhar districts and were working in unorganized sectors in the region.BJP MLA Ashok Kumar Singhi said that the number of people who need to be rescued from violence hit areas happen to be some 1,500 people.Assam’s Inspector-General of Police Deepak Kedia said, “We are in constant touch with the Meghalaya police to bring back more stranded people. Some among the rescued said there are many who have taken refuge in police stations and Border Security Force camps in the hill State.”
A NDRF team consisting of Dr. Gouse-Ea- Azam T Senior Medical Officer, 1st Battalion NDRF along with Surendra Kumar, Assistant Commandant, Paramedic staff and NDRF rescuers organized an awareness program on Coronavirus at LGBI Airport Guwahati. The subjects which were covered during the awareness program were symptoms and complications, prevention, the transmission of Coronavirus and the use of personal protective equipment, face masks, etc. Officials and representatives of different airlines including Air India, cargo staff and workers attended the program.
With the situation improving, authorities in the State relaxed curfew for a few hours on Wednesday even as the security forces continue to maintain a strict vigil for the past six days in different areas of the hill state following clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act and the Inner Line Permit. However, after the relaxation, the curfew was back and would continue till Thursday.
Suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain has been arrested. Hussain whose name was linked to the death of Ankit Sharma had been absconding for a while now. A Delhi high court dismissed Hussain’s plea where he wished to surrender. Soon after the police came and arrested him. Hussain maintained that he was innocent and that the charges were false. Ankit who used to work for the Intelligence Bureau was brutally killed by rioters and his body was recovered from a drain near his house. An FIR had been filed against Hussain after a complaint was filed by Ankit’s father.
The four convicts accused in Nirbhaya rape case will be hanged on March 20 at 5:30 am. The new death warrant has been issued a day after President Ram Nath Kovind rejected the mercy petition of Pawan Gupta. It has taken more than 7 years for parents and well-wishers of Nirbhaya to finally arrive at this conclusion. The convicts were about to be hanged on March 3 at 6 am.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while giving a briefing on coronavirus preparedness in Israel said that one of the best ways to prevent the infection is to avoid a handshake at any cost. The best way is to do a Namastey which is the Indian way. He also demonstrated at the press conference how Indians do ‘Namaste’.
Sunil Karmakar of Ramnagar village in Murshidabad was in for a shock when he went to collect his voter ID. He was issued a voter ID card with a picture of a dog."Yesterday I was called at Dulal Smriti School and this voter ID card was given to me. I saw the photo. The officer there signed and gave it to me but he didn't see the photo. This is playing with my dignity. I will go to the BDO office and request that this should not happen again," he told media. Rajarshi Chakraborty, BDO said that the error will be corrected very soon.

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CBI books one person in Meghalaya coal case
40 CHINESE DAMS: Concerned Assam to seek Centre’s intervention
Copies of Quran donated to Kalapani Masjid in Baksa district
Rs 71-crore work to 1,761 contractors
House calls for peace & amity
Rule being drafted for jobs of martyr’s kin
‘Integrated express highway proposal with Centre now’
NF Railway Mazdoor Union opposes privatization

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Suman Haripriya, BJP MLA from Assam suggested ‘gaumutra’ (cow urine) and ‘gobar’ (cow dung) as possible treatment to fight coronavirus infection. The Assam Assembly which was discussing illegal smuggling of cows to Bangladesh was left quite astonished at her comments.She also gave an example where such treatment was used to cure cancer at an Ayurvedic hospital in Gujarat.
Souradeep Sengupta, guest lecturer in physics at the Gurucharan College was granted bail by a Silchar court. He was given bail on a surety amount of Rs 15,000. He is also required to cooperate with the police. Sengupta cannot leave the town without the court's permission. he was arrested for making offensive remarks on Modi & Hindus
The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) is likely to announce the results of High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Assam High Madrassa (AHM) examinations by the first week of May.On Wednesday SEBA secretary, Suranjana Senapati informed that they are expecting to declare the results earlier than usual as 45 per cent work has been completed.
The BJP led Tripura government will fulfill its poll promise by providing 14,608 undergraduate students with smartphones.“All the 14,608 students of 38 government-run higher education institutions pursuing graduate courses in medical, para-medical, engineering, science, arts, commerce, law, painting and music and nursing would get the one time financial support to purchase a smartphone,” Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath told media.Under “Mukhya Mantri Yuba Jogajog Yojana” a sum of Rs 5000 (maximum) will provided to students by the government. To avail the scheme though, students will have to apply online and furnish identification details along with educational qualification or anything else required.After proper inspection the sum will be deposited in their bank accounts.The entire scheme is expected to cost Rs. 7.30 crores and is meant to benefit students.
Nagaland has launched Interactive Digital Smart Board for Smart Classrooms, Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland said on Wednesday. The aim is to make learning more interactive and useful, the CM said.The boards have been put in place at 15 government colleges in Nagaland.
Fifteen Italian tourists suspected to have been infected with COVID-19 infection have been quarantined in Delhi. The tourists were part of the group which landed in Delhi and then went to Rajasthan. An Italian tourist who was part of the same group had tested positive for COVID-19. His wife has also been put under isolation.The Union Health Ministry had issued a new travel advisory cautioning Indians against non-essential travel to South Korea, Iran, and Italy.
In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will not participate in Holi gatherings this year. The PM tweeted, “Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme.”Amit Shah tweeted, “Holi is a very important festival for we Indians but in the wake of Coronavirus, i have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year.”
Expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 Unnao case for raping a minor has been found guilty of killing the minor’s father. He has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, announced a Delhi court.
In a bid to get ready for the upcoming Bengal elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched another attack on the Centre. She said, Coronavirus scare meant to divert attention from Delhi violence, says Mamata Banerjee. Yesterday, Banerjee said during a public meeting that those who have come from Bangladesh are citizens of India

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‘No coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Assam’ Says Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
New legislation on the cards; Two Cabinet panels formed
Tough to execute Centre’s instructions, say Public Sector Banks
Home Guards demand job regularization, stage rally at Dispur Last Gate
Tough stand taken against cattle smuggling: Chandra Mohan Patowary
RTI activist Dulal Bora arrested by Crime Branch department

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Assam Government will soon put a new law in place that will fix accountability on teachers, said State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the ongoing budget session of the state assembly. Replying to a query of West Guwahati MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Sarma said that the Teacher Accountability Commission (TAC) will be soon implemented in the state. The new law will make it mandatory for teachers to work in allotted districts for ten years failing which they will face labour imprisonment for 3 years.
Doctors from Guwahati Medical College and Hospital will be required to give up private practice from Bohag Bihu. They will be provided salary and amenities which are at par with the doctors from AIIMS in Delhi, said Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Assembly. Sarma also said that he has asked the doctors to resign if they are interested in working at private places or nursing homes. “Now we are going to make a distinction between the government and private sectors,” he added.
A Twitter spat ensued between BJP and Congress Party leaders. This time it is Biplab Kumar Deb, the Tripura Chief Minister who took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the latter made some remarks on PM Modi’s announcement that he was thinking of giving up social media account. Deb tweeted, “So that's the reason Sonia Gandhi doesn't have any Social Media account?: to Gandhi’s tweet “Give up hared, not social media accounts.”
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said during a public meeting that “those who have come from Bangladesh are citizens of India…they have got citizenship. You don’t need to apply for citizenship again. You have been casting your votes in elections, electing PM and CM…now they are saying that you are not citizens…don’t believe them.” She also added that no refugee living in the state will be deprived of Indian citizenship. “We do not want Bengal to turn into another Delhi or another Uttar Pradesh,” she further added.
An Italian tourist who was visiting Rajasthan has tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is undergoing treatment at an isolation ward of the SMS Medical Hospital in Jaipur. After the incident was reported, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot summoned a meeting of top officials on Monday night. Six people in Agra have been kept under isolation at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi after “high-viral load” was detected in their samples. The six people are family members of the man from Delhi who tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. Their samples are being sent to NIV, Pune for further testing. The man from Delhi had a travel history to Italy which has been severely impacted due to coronavirus outbreak.The government is now carrying out contact tracing of people who came in touch with the patients through Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). A 24/7 control room has also been set up to address this issue. PM Modi has said that there is no need to panic.
So far 11 bodies have been recovered from drains of northeast Delhi, claim reports. It is suspected that the ones whose bodies have been recovered from the drain probably lost their lives during the violence in Delhi. According to latest media reports, 47 people have died so far in violence in Delhi.
Looks like, PM Narendra Modi is not going to give up his social media accounts.Instead on March 8, on the occasion of Women's Day, he is going to give away his social media accounts to inspiring women. Modi on Monday surprised everyone after he tweeted that he was thinking of giving up social media accounts.
Five foreigners were asked to leave India for violating visa rules by participating in anti-CAA agitations. "As reported by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), five foreign nationals who violated visa norms by participating in the anti-CAA protests were asked to leave India," informed Union Minister of State for Home.

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The Income Tax department (I-T) will impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on those who failing to link PAN card and Aadhaar card by March 31, 2020. Those PAN cards not linked to the Aadhaar will become inoperative. If the PAN card becomes inoperative, then the assessing officer shall levy a fine of Rs 10,000 under section 272 B of the I-T Act. One must note that ‘Inoperative PAN’ means one will not be able to do several financial transactions where PAN is required. The IT department in the past had given multiple deadlines for linking PAN with Aadhaar and on every occasion, the deadlines were extended. Notably, the deadline for March 31, 2020, will not be extended further, as per an official press statement.
The Assam Police along with security forces apprehended one ULFA(I) cadre and three linkmen in a joint operation at Chikrajan area in Bordumsa on mid-night hours in Tinsukia District. The apprehended ULFA(I) cadre was identified as Mridul Mahanta alias Nibir Asom, Linkmen Nirab Moran, Dipankar Moran and Sharot Moran.
SM Group, the premier real estate builder based in Guwahati is ready with another mega project that will fulfill the aspirations of homebuyers. The well-known reality developer launched the residential project, Surya Aspire recently. The project will provide 1 BHK, 2 BHK, and 3 BHK affordable lifestyle homes to fulfill the growing demands in entire Northeast India.
Indian Army at Se La in Arunachal Pradesh rescued 111 civilians & 70 vehicles stranded in snow at 14000 feet in sub zero temperature. The operation began on the night of 29 February and lasted until March 1. Those rescued thanked the Army profusely for saving their lives.
Bollywood star Yami Gautam who was here in Guwahati to flag off the Great Guwahati Marathon 2020 (Night Marathon) on Sunday got trolled after a video of her arriving at the Guwahati LGBI Airport went viral. In the video, she was seen rejecting the Assamese Gamosa (Assamese scarf) which was offered to her by a fan. Meanwhile, the actor has given a clarification through her Twitter account saying that it was simply self-defense.
Execution of convicts in Nirbhaya case has been deferred until further notice, announced a Delhi High Court. The convicts were about to be hanged on March 3 at 6 am. The decision was made as convict Pawan Kumar Gupta has filed a mercy plea before the President of India. The decision is still pending.
Two people have tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi and Telangana. The one from Delhi had a travel history to Italy and the patient from Telangana had a travel history to Dubai.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that Delhi riots were a “planned genocide”while addressing an event at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata she said. With four bodies discovered, the toll in Delhi is currently at 46.
Lok Sabha was adjourned until Tuesday after a scuffle broke out between members of BJP and Congress.Members of both parties pushed and shoved each other.When the House met at 2 pm, members of opposition started shouting slogans from the well and went into the area of treasury benches. They wanted the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. The opposition party members were also carrying black banners.Members of BJP reacted to this and the entire episode spiraled out of control. The House was adjourned twice—once at 3 pm and then again at 4 pm. Members of opposition also tore papers in the house which was strongly condemned by the BJP. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the opposition members for disrupting proceedings in the house. He also accused the Congress of anti-Sikh riots in 1984.
Tata group’s NELCO partnered with Panasonic Avionics had launched in-flight WiFi services in India. Passenger airline Vistara will be the first to provide such services to passengers.

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On Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Zubeen Garg in Nemcare Hospital where he is undergoing treatment. Sonowal informed the media that he met Managing Director, Dr. Hitesh Baruah of Nemcare Hospital to learn about Zubeen’s health condition. After collapsing during an event at Guwahati Town Club, on Friday Garg was admitted to Nemcare Hospital. The doctor said he is in a stable condition now. Garg is under observation for 24 hours. The doctor said that he has been put on a liquid diet and that he needs rest. Meanwhile, Minister Naba Doley also visited Zubeen Garg at the hospital.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Guwahati extended judicial custody of Sharjeel Imam to another 14 days. He was produced before the court yesterday. Imam was charged with sedition for making offensive remarks on Assam and the Northeast in a video.
A teacher at Silchar’s Gurucharan (GC) College was arrested after students of the college filed an FIR against him for posting derogatory remarks on PM Modi. The students also alleged that the remarks were communal in nature and were against Hinduism. In the post which has now been deleted he has drawn some similar comparison between Delhi violence and Gujarat riots. After the teacher was slammed for his remarks, he posted an apology in which he said, ““I made some irresponsible comments about a communally sensitive issue. It was a lapse of judgment…My intention was not to insult any religion at large.”
Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy has appealed to tribals and non-tribals in Meghalaya to not fall prey to any kind of rumour. According to reports, central forces will be deployed in the region to ensure peace. The situation in the region deteriorated after a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) member, Lurshai Hynniewta was killed following a clash with non-locals at Ichamati, Shella under East Khasi Hills District on Friday evening. As per info received after the meeting against CAA and demanding ILP, non-tribals cornered the KSU leaders; this led to a clash between the KSU activists and the non-tribals who were well armed with machetes and sticks.
In a widely circulated video from Delhi violence, wounded men lying on the ground are being prodded by cops to sing National Anthem by the police. One of the men 23-year-old Faizan has died. He succumbed to his injuries at Delhi’s Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital on Friday.Police had allegedly arrested the youngsters. They were taken into police custody. Faizan was among the group. He was tortured in custody, claim reports. He was then released from custody post which he was taken to a hospital Faizan is a resident of Kardampuri in northeast Delhi.
On Saturday morning six people were detained for chanting, “Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro saalon ko” (“shoot the traitors”) in Delhi inside the Rajiv Chowk metro station. Later, another video surfaced showing a group of men walking around with the national flag and shouting the same slogan in the Connaught Place, where the Rajiv Chowk metro station is located.
Indian government has officially cancelled the visa of Jakob Lindenthal, an exchange student from Germany at IIT-M who was asked to leave the country for flouting visa regulations. He was seen participating in anti-CAA protests holding a placard that read, “Uniformed Criminals-Criminals.” The student said the Indian Embassy in Germany told him that his visa has been cancelled on February 8, but did not give any reasons.

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Good news for the bus commuters of Amingaon as the Kamrup Transport Department (R) has decided to connect it to Guwahati via city bus service. Meanwhile, Gautam Das, the DTO of Kamrup (Rural) stated that buses will also provide services till Baihata Chariali and North Guwahati- Doul Govinda Temple soon.
Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) and the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) have called for a three-day nationwide bank strike from March 11 to March 13. The strike has been called after the unions “talks with the Indian Banks Association” (IBA) over wage revision has failed.
Popular singer Zubeen Garg’s name has been proposed for upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections in Assam. According to reports, former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi has proposed the name of the celebrity from the state. “I have no interest in politics but Rajya Sabha is different. Well-known faces are sent to Rajya Sabha from different states. Let me think about it. Right now, I can’t comment on this, let me reach Guwahati,” he said. Speaking to The Sentinel Digital, Zubeen Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg said, “I am not aware of the matter and I didn’t hear anything as such from my part.”
Forest Man of India Jadav Payeng will be awarded with Swami Vivekananda Karmayogi Award. The ceremony organized by My Home India will take place at 4.30 pm at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on February 29. He was also honoured with a Padma Shri a few years ago. He has made his own identity by planting and tendering trees on a sandbar of the Brahmaputra River and turned it into a forest over the years, Jadav Payeng is a much known and loved name in the state today.
GP Singh, Additional Director General of Police, Law, and Order, applauded the traffic personnel who fined a BJP MLA from Duliajan for Terash Gowalla violating traffic rules in Guwahati. Singh shared a photograph of two traffic staff from Chandmari Police Station who were on duty on February 25, 2020 when the incident occurred.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s Tripura wing has said new laws and exercises such as CAA, NRC and NPR are are “kala kanoon” which are against the secular foundation of India. During a media interaction at Gedu Miah in Agartala state Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief Mufti Tayebur Rahman said that information gathering exercise carried out by the BJP are all part of hidden agenda.
The terrorist organisation ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is using a picture of a Muslim man getting beaten up during violence in the capital of India to justify violence. A tweet from Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times Correspondent who extensively covers ISIS reads—“Unsurprisingly, the viral image of a Muslim man being beaten by a Hindu mob in Delhi has now been repurposed by ISIS, in a poster justifying retaliatory violence in “Wilayat al-Hind,” the Caliphate’s “Indian Province.”
Writer Javed Akhtar was heavily slammed by netizens for tweeting out his views on the arrest of AAP councillor Tahir Hussain. An FIR has been filed against Hussain after a complaint was filed by father of Ankit Sharma. Ankit who used to work for the Intelligence Bureau was killed by rioters and his body was recovered from a drain near his house. Akhtar had tweeted, “So many killed , so many injured, so many house burned, so many shops looted so many people turned destitutes but police has sealed only one house and looking for his owner. Incidentally his name is Tahir. Hats off to the consistency of the Delhi police .”
Amid coronavirus outbreak, India has suspended visas for arrivals from Japan, South Korea. The measure is temporary. Outside China, Korea has seen a huge rise in coronavirus cases. Thousands have been infected by the virus. Reports claim that 13 people have died so far.

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Clearly upset with the extensive confusion over tax and compliance rules, from GST to income taxes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chided government officials for not communicating concerns of industry leaders and common people to her. Nirmala Sitharaman, at a post-Budget meeting in Guwahati, asked Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other officials to take up the regular inquiry of industrialists and common people on a daily basis. Sitharaman also held an interactive discussion with traders and industry officials where she spoke about giving greater access to credit to self help groups located in remote regions of the northeast. She also spoke MSMEs and said that MSMEs can approach public sector banks for restructuring before 31st December 2020. Bankers have been instructed to provide adequate ATMs in 17 districts of the state to cater to the tea garden areas as per mapping by State Govt., she said.
Rajasthan Royals will be playing two of their home games in Guwahati at Barsapara Stadium in the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Guwahati will make its debut on the upcoming season of the T20 tournament after the IPL governing council granted permission to Rajasthan Royals to host the first two of their seven home games. The Barsapara Stadium will host Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders on April 5 and 9 respectively. Both the games will be played in the evening, starting at 8 p.m., as per a BCCI release and the council’s decision to maintain the 4 PM and 8 PM start times for the afternoon and evening games for the season.
Justice S Muralidhar has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court after he criticized Delhi police over the ongoing violence in the city. The bench headed by Muralidhar was hearing petitions related to Delhi violence. The bench had expressed “anguish” over the police’s inaction to register FIRs against those making inflammatory speeches.
Congress delegation led by Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met with Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, to present a memorandum on the Delhi violence. “Congress Working Committee believes that Home Minister and Central Government is responsible. Home Minister should tender his resignation with immediate effect,” she told media. “The President said he will take cognisance of our demands, we feel fairly satisfied,” she said. Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India called Delhi violence a matter of “national shame.” According to latest media reports, Delhi death toll has touched 35. Hundreds have been injured in clashes in north east Delhi.
IAF’s C-17 Globemaster III has brought back 76 Indians & 36 nationals from 7 countries – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India tweeted through his account. The plane had comprising the crew, medical team & support staff, carrying 15 tonnes of medical supplies departed from Air Force Station, Palam on February 26. In another successful operation, an Air India flight carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa and Peru, who were quarantined on board luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to COVID-19 also landed in Delhi from Tokyo.
On Thursday Saudi Arabia abruptly stopped travel to the holiest sites in Islam over coronavirus fears, as the Middle East recorded more than 220 confirmed cases. Saudi Arabia halted travel just months before the annual Hajj pilgrimage. They also suspended travel to Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina.The pronouncement specified the level of concern about the outbreak.

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Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with other important dignitaries attended a banquet hosted in honour of President of the United States of American Donald Trump. Chief Ministers of Karnataka CM B. S. Yediyurappa, Telengana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar were alos invited for the event.
Border Security Force (BSF) seized at least 8,000 kg of sandalwood worth Rs 25 crore from Arundhutinagar Industrial Estate area in a joint operation led by BSF, Tripura forest department, police and civil administration. Shakti Kant Singh, the West Tripura district forest officer said that they received some information from the BSF suspecting something illegal was stored inside a room in the Arundhutinagar Industrial Estate area.
Between 2015 and Januaruy this year, 20,765 people have been arrested by the state police for entering Mizoram without Inner Line Permit (ILP), Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana informed the state Assembly. Within the same period, 5,53,321 ILPs were issued to outsiders visiting the state. The state government is also in the process of upgrading the ILP format within the state. In 2019 December, the government launched an online ILP portal in the state. There is ILP Enforcer mobile apps for state police as well as ILP Mizoram mobile apps for NGOs and public to ensure that ILP can be well implemented in the state.
The second edition of “Jonaki” film festival organized by the Department of Communication and Journalism at Gauhati University from February 28 at Phanidhar Dutta Memorial Hall and AT Hall. The two-day festival will conclude on February 29. This year a total of 12 films will be screened at the festival. The festival has received films from beyond the Northeast. The festival will also organise a short film competition, cine quiz competition, and a workshop on an animation film.
In wake of violence in Delhi, Delhi High Court told Delhi police that there should be no delay in lodging FIRs over alleged hate speeches. Congress party interim president Sonia Gandhi said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah must resign. At press conference in Delhi, Gandhi said that the riots were a “well-planned conspiracy.” The Congress also questioned the manner in which the riots were handled. The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for the intervention of the army to control the situation in Delhi. Yesterday, Kejriwal had called for sealing the city’s border in areas that witnessed violence over the amended citizenship act to prevent “outsiders” from entering the national capital and creating a commotion. So far 20 people have died and hundreds have been injured in the violence that broke out in the city. The clashes between pro and anti CAA group have now taken the shape of full-fledged riots.
After several journalists were attacked during the riots in Delhi, the Editors Guild of India has issued a statement asking the Home Ministry to investigate such incidents and punish the guilty. “The Guild notes that journalists being attacked is tantamount to a direct assault on press freedom and those guilty of having indulged in such violence must be brought to book” according to the statement.
Amid coronavirus threat, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has issued a travel advisory for Indian citizens. “Indians are advised to refrain from non-essential travel to Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy. People coming from Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since February 10, 2020 may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India,” according to the advisory.

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Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi said that he will be launching an indefinite hunger strike in jail from March 1, as a protest movement against the BJP-led Government’s Citizenship Amendment Act. Gogoi shouted to the gathering of media people outside the court and said that he along with other imprisoned KMSS leaders- Dharjya Konwar, Bitu Sonowal and Manash Konwar will launch a hunger strike within the jail premises to “ensure the victory of the Andolan” against CAA. Gogoi and other imprisoned KMSS leaders were produced at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on February 25. They said that the fight against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will continue and have asked people to continue with the agitation.
The government of Mizoram had written a letter to the Central government asking the latter to review the inter-state border dispute with Assam. The letter was sent on December 15 last year. The information was given by Home Minister Lalchamliana at the Assembly in response to a query by Congress legislature party leader Zodintluanga Ralte. The government is trying to figure out a solution to the border dispute at Zophai area near Bairabi town.
With a view to spreading the perennial ideologies of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha across the border of the State of Assam, a biography on the noble figure was published in Kolkata in the Bengali language. The biography titled Amader Bishnu Prasad Rabha was released at St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission College by former Regional Secretary of the Sahitya Akademi, Dr. Ram Kumar Mukhopadhyay.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Home Minister Amit Shah to review the current situation in Delhi.After meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, the Delhi CM said, “The police will be sent wherever they are needed, the centre has told me.” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for sealing the city’s border in areas that witnessed violence over the amended citizenship act to prevent “outsiders” from entering the national capital and creating a commotion.
BJP’s Gautam Gambhir has said that strict action must be taken against people who are guilty of causing violence in Delhi. Fingers are being pointed at BJP’s Kapil Mishra who gave a provocative speech where he asked police to clear CAA protestors within three days from streets of North East Delhi.
The rioting mob in Delhi did not spare journalists. Reports of violence against journalists have flooded social media now. According to reports, some journalists were even asked about their religion. A journalist with JK 24X7 who was shot at is critical. Another journalist lost a tooth during the violence. People took to Twitter to share stories of the violence.
India has sent a formal request to the UK, asking the latter to return a 15th century bronze idol of a Tamil saint Tirumankai Alvar. The statue stolen from a temple is currently housed at Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford. The museum which had acquired the piece in 1967 from Sotheby’s auction house alerted the Indian High Commission in December last year, after the museum learnt about the origins of the statue from an independent researcher in November last year.

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Former Tezpur MP from BJP Ram Prasad Sarmah has joined the Congress on February 24. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal welcomed him to the party. In Delhi, he was accompanied by former CM of Assam Tarun Gogoi. Last year in March, Sarmah has given his resignation from the party after State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s name was forwarded to the central leadership to contest the election from Tezpur Constituency.
Foundation stones were laid for several schemes in the last one week to preserve the biodiversity and beautify the Urpad Beel near Agia in Lower Assam’s Goalpara district. On Monday, Assam Soil Conservation and Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma laid the foundation stone of a project worth Rs 1 crore under the SOPD scheme.
The Edupur Society, a frontier NGO of Tezpur organized a hands-on baking workshop for homemakers and students in the conference hall of the Edupur office to encourage women empowerment by learning a skill through which they can earn from home. Attending the program, secretary of Edupur Society, Amit Rajkonwar said, “In today’s society women also want to contribute in their family and as well as aspire to be independent.
“Draw the election symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party” and “Examine any four negative traits of Nehru’s approach to Nation Building” are questions that feature in the political science paper for Class 12 students in Manipur. The Council Of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM) has been criticized for such questions. “The questions are a part of an attempt to instil a certain mindset among students,” said Congress spokesperson Kh Joykishan, according to reports whereas Manipur education council chairman L Mahendra Singh has said, “Neither of the questions was out of syllabus.” The BJP party in Manipur also says that the questions are “relevant.”
To deal with the rising number of dead, Chaltlang neighbourhood of Aizawl has come up with five storied concrete cemetery which will house at least 163 artificial or ready made graves.The cemetery will help to alleviate the rising graveyard crisis caused by increasing population as a result of migration happening from rural areas.
Like his predecessor Obama, this US President, too, mentioned DDLJ in his speech. Trump, too, referred to this movie in his speech at Gujarat’s Motera stadium. He mentioned Sholay and cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.“This is the country that produces nearly 2,000 movies a year from the hub of genius and creativity known as Bollywood,” he added.
Ahead of his India visit, US President Donald Trump had also retweeted a video of him where he is shown as “Bahubali.”
India’s first coronavirus patient, a 24-year-old girl who was discharged from hospital pose recovery thanked the hospital staff for their support. The girl contracted coronavirus after returning from Wuhan, was discharged from Thrissur Medical College Hopsital a few days ago. The patient has successfully managed to battle the condition which has left many people dead and infected in China.
After actress Sonam Kapoor, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, has expressed his disappointment over the news of a remake of Mr. India by director Ali Abbas Zafar. Shekhar took to social media to express his disapproval.

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Assam NRC coordinator Hitesh Dev Sarma wrote a letter to all Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Registrar of Citizen Registration (DRCR) seeking details of ineligible persons from the final NRC list. The letter dated February 19 reads: “… it has come to the knowledge of the undersigned that after publication of final NRC on 31st August 2019, few names of ineligible persons are found present in the final NRC…As such, you are requested to share the details of such persons who are ineligible for inclusion in NRC but whose names got included in NRC in addition to the list shared earlier….” Around 1.9 million people being left out in Assam where the NRC exercise was concluded on August 31 last year.
The State Bank of India (SBI) will launch a spot Aadhaar enrollment drive during its three-day-long Financial Inclusion Outreach Initiative for North East starting in the city from February 26. The drive is aimed at increasing the number of SBI and other banks’ customers to link Aadhaar with their accounts. The Financial Inclusion Outreach Initiative will be held at the playground of the College of Veterinary Science at Khanapara from February 26 to 28. Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will attend the event on February 27.
A sum of Rs 1 cr donated by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar will be utilized to construct a highland at Kaziranga National Park, claim reports. The construction will tale place at Bandardubi range of the national park to help the animals during floods. Funds will also be utilized to renovate a few forest camps and other infrastructure development. Last year, Kumar was among the first to donate Rs 2 crore towards the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund after ravaging flood situation in Assam wreaked havoc with over 90 human lives lost and hundreds of animals killed in the famed Kaziranga National Park.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh informed the state Assembly that Manipur is considering legalizing cannabis plantation in the state. Singh was responding to a query at the Legislative Assembly. “The primary purpose of the legalisation will be solely for medicinal and industrial purposes,” the CM said.
US President Donald Trump will discuss issues related to religious freedom during his official visit to India, said a White House official. While responding to a query on CAA and NRC during a conference, a White House official said, “President Trump will talk about our shared tradition of democracy and religious freedom both in his public remarks and then certainly in private. He will raise these issues, particularly the religious freedom issue, which is extremely important to this administration.”
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered around 3,000 tonnes of gold worth Rs 12 lakh crore in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.The newly discovered reserve is expected to give a huge boost to the economy. The discovered reserves are five times more than the current reserve of the country. The mines currently spread over an area of 108 hectares. The area will now be demarcated. This will be followed by the process of e-tendering through which mining contracts will be awarded to interested companies, an official told reporters. Officials are also trying to learn if other useful minerals such as uranium can be found within the area. An aerial survey for 15 days was conducted to see if any rare minerals can be located in the area. It was in 1992-93 when GSI had started the work of finding reserves in this area.

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It is Maha Shivaratri tonight. This is a major festival in Hinduism annually observed in honour of Lord Shiva. The occasion is also known as 'Padmarajarathri' and 'The Great Night of Shiva'. On this day devotees worship Lord Shiva, observe strict fast and do various religious activities to please Lord Shiva. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.
Agartala, Guwahati and Imphal airports in the Northeast have completed a year as “single-use plastic-free” terminals. As of now, there are 85 such terminals within the country. Various steps have been undertaken by AAI to eliminate the single-use plastic items at passenger terminals and city side of AAI airports. These steps include banning of singleuse plastic items like straws, plastic cutleries, plastic plates etc. AAI is also enhancing its waste management systems and is promoting the use of ecofriendly sustainable alternatives like use of biodegradable garbage bags in the garbage bins and installation of plastic bottle crushing machine at airports.
Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on Friday paid a visit at the Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) and was dissatisfied to see the attendants sitting on the bed of the patients along with their luggage. During his visit he spotted many attendants were sitting on the bed along with luggage as there was a shortage of seating arrangement in the OPD waiting and consultation area. The Governor immediately called the authorities at the hospital and directed them to make necessary seating arrangements for patient’s attendants.
Amulya Leona, a student activist from Karnataka was charged with sedition and sent to 14 days of judicial custody for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans. In a video widely circulated in social media her speech is disrupted by a group of people who snatch away her mike as soon as she says Pakistan Zindabad. “She (Amulya Leona) wanted to talk about what she had written in her Facebook post in the protest, but unfortunately she started with ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. Organisers should have allowed her to complete her speech,” one of the friend said during an interview.
The numbers just keep rising—from 7 million to now 10 million. “Prime Minister Modi said we will have 10 million people to greet you. Here’s my problem, we have a packed house. We have a lot of people, thousands of people who couldn’t get in. It’s going to look like peanuts from now on. I’ll never be satisfied with the crowd if we have 10 million in India,” the US President said during a campaign rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Trump while addressing the crowd spoke about his upcoming visit to India. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to come to India for a two-day official visit on February 24 and February 25.
Preparations are in full swing to welcome US President Donald Trump in India. The Taj Mahal is likely to be one of the places that the President will visit during his two-day India stay in India. Therefore work is underway to get the Taj Mahal and its surroundings ready for the much-anticipated visit. According to reports, authorities are engaging in a clean-up drive of the Yamuna around the complex.A lot of water have been released into the river to get rid of the foul smell. The UP irrigation government believes that this will also improve the oxygen level in the Yamuna in Mathura and in Agra, and remove the foul smell.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju spoke about structural reforms that can turn India into a sporting powerhouse. “From this year, we are going to start junior TOPS scheme, so that means we will start funding the junior, at the age of 12, 13, 14,” Rijiju said during the launch of a book called ‘Dreams of a Billion India and the Olympic Games’ co-written by Boria Majumdar and Nalin Mehta.

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While rejecting a woman’s plea against a tribunal that placed her under the “foreigner” category, Gauhati High Court has said that documents like bank statements and Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards, land revenue receipts, cannot be used to show proof of citizenship. In the latest order, Justices Manojit Bhuyan and Parthivjyoti Saikia of the Gauhati High Court dismissed Jabeda Begum’s plea as the documents submitted by her could not certify her linkage to her projected father or brother. Jabeda Begum known as Jabeda Khatun had filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court challenging the order of the foreigners’ tribunal that had declared her a foreigner.
Residents and locals of a village in Tinsukia district have expressed their immense love for singer Zubeen Garg by constructing a bridge made with bamboos and also naming it after him. According to reports, the “Zubeen Garg bridge” will connect Thepabari with Tengapani and several other villages to mark the way. Zubeen wrote a message on his official Facebook account where he thanked the people for this gesture. Zubeen will be inaugurating the bridge on February 29.
China is unhappy with Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh. Shah is attending the 34th Statehood Day Function of Arunachal Pradesh in Itanagar. Calling this visit a violation of “territorial sovereignty and sabotaged political mutual trust,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, “China’s position on the eastern sector of the China-India boundary, or the southern part of China’s Tibet region, is consistent and clear.” “The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ and is firmly opposed to the Indian politician’s visit to the southern part of China’s Tibet region as it violated China’s territorial sovereignty, undermined stability of the border area, sabotaged political mutual trust, and violated relevant bilateral agreement,” he added. He urged the Indian side to stop complicating this issue further. China which considers Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet has been involved in a longstanding territorial dispute with India over Arunachal Pradesh.
Zee5, the top domestic streaming platform will fight off competition from of international giants Netflix, Disney by focusing on local contents. The domestic company will also improve on its market share by giving lower price options. “International OTTs have neither legacy nor library with depth,” Chief Executive Officer Tarun Katial told media during an interview. “We can win this content battle,” he added while highlighting that Zee5 has produced more than 100 original shows in several local languages, which is at least 10 times more than any of its rivals. International giants from abroad have been competing with each other to capture India’s growing market.
Former PM Manmohan Singh shared his perspective on the current state of Indian economy during the launch of “Backstage”—a book authored by former planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia. “Today we have a government which does not acknowledge that there is a word as slowdown. And I feel this is not good for our economy. If you do not recognise the problems that you face, you are not likely to find credible answers to take corrective actions measures and that is the real danger,” he said during the event. The former PM also called for expenditure that could boost infrastructure, health, education, defence sectors in the country. He also said that a $5 trillion economy was wishful thinking, and asked the government to rethink fiscal policy along with carrying out bold tax to achieve an annual gross domestic product growth of 8 per cent.

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Tea giant Goodricke Group Limited donated a state-of-the-art e-library building to Garuajhar High School in Udalguri district here on Tuesday. Initiated as a part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme of Goodricke Group Limited, which owns Orangajuli and Nonaipara tea estates in the district, the e-library building was donated to the government-run school along the Indo-Bhutan border which is located 19.5 km from Udalguri. Built at an estimate cost of Rs 10 lakh, the e-library incorporates a modern building and two computer sets with internet connection.
The Women’s College Tinsukia IGNOU study centre (LSC-0403) has been conferred with the best study centre award for excellent support services provided to the learners and to IGNOU Regional Centre Jorhat during the year 2019-2020 out of 24 study centres under Jorhat RC. The award was presented during the 33rd convocation of IGNOU held at Jorhat Planetarium on Monday in presence of degree awardees and distinguished guests.
The state of Mizoram has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in India, followed by Manipur and Nagaland. A total of 21,538 cases have been registered in Mizoram since October 1990, when the first case was identified, state health minister R Lalthangliana told the Assembly. Answering a joint query posed by MNF leader Vanlaltanpuia and Independent MLA Lalduhoma, the minister said that most of the cases were found between the age group of 25-34 years. The minister also said that local bodies, churches, NGOs have been asked for help.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted pictures of him meeting and greeting people at ‘Hunar Haat’ in Delhi. The PM had tasty Litti Chokha for lunch along with a hot cup of tea. Pictures of him at the venue are being circulated widely through social media. He tweeted, “Efforts such as #HunarHaat have given a platform to many talented individuals. I met some of them earlier this afternoon…”
Binay Kumar Sarkar, an Indian crew member stuck in a luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to coronavirus outbreak, posted a video where he is seen singing ”Chal Ghar Chalen mere humdum” sung by singer Arijit Singh from latest Indian film ”Malang.” He also gave an optimistic message through the video.
With US President Donald Trump scheduled to come to India for a two-day official visit on February 24, a lot of experts are trying to anticipate what the visit will mean for India.Trump had said that he was interested in doing a big trade deal with India but he wasn’t sure if the deal could be done before the elections. “We’re not treated very well by India, but I happen to like Prime Minister Modi a lot,” he said, according to media reports. “We can have a trade deal with India. But I’m really saving the big deal for later,” he added.
A UK opposition member of the British Parliament Debbie Abrahams who had alleged that she was unjustifiably denied entry to India has now landed in Pakistan. Abrahams along with some MPs had met Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. “Pakistan has shown an open approach towards resolving the Kashmir issue,” she said. “We are an independent group, we are not anti-India or pro-Pakistan,” she added. Abrahams had alleged that she was denied entry to India because she was critical of Modi’s Kashmir policy. She was deported to Dubai from Delhi airport.
Oscar-winning film producer Guneet Monga says that one should understand the process and be well versed with the business if they expect to be close to the final round of the much-celebrated film awards ceremony. This year, the South Korean film “Parasite” swept the Oscars winning Best Film, Best Director as well as Best International Feature Film among other Oscars, while India’s entry “Gully Boy” couldn’t even make it to the final list of nominees in the last-mentioned category.

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Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami visited the Assamese Department of Visva Bharati University at Bolpur in West Bengal and interacted with the students. Media Advisor Goswami also talked to the Principal of the Institute of Languages, Culture and Literature ‘Bhasha Bhavana’ Prof. Narottam Senapati and in-charge of the Assamese Department, Assistant Professor Sangeeta Saikia on several aspects of the department. On interacting with the students of the Assamese Department, Media Advisor Goswami while reiterating the deep-rooted socio-cultural and linguistic relationship between Assam and West Bengal, said that the present State government has been taking several steps for strengthening this bond even further. He also asked the students to be ambassadors of these long and deep-rooted relations between the two neighbouring states.
Former Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria has revealed some startling details about his career life in his book- ‘Let Me Say It Now’ in which he mentions some interesting details about 26/11 Mumbai blasts to the much publicised Sheena Bora murder case. He talks about close relationship shared between Deven Bharti, former joint commissioner of police (law and order) and the Mukerjeas and that Peter Mukerjea had informed Deven that Sheena had gone missing. Maria also talks about his sudden transfer before he could contribute anything substantial to this investigation.
According to State of India’s Birds 2020, released during 13th Conference of Parties of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals in New Delhi on Monday, 66 bird species from northeast India come under “high-conservation concern” category. Of these, 23 are in Arunachal Pradesh, 22 in Assam, seven in Manipur, three in Meghalaya, four in Mizoram, five in Nagaland and two in Tripura, claim reports. The findings also show that India’s national bird, the Indian Peafowl, has increased dramatically over the past decades. In contrast, 50% of other Indian species of birds have declined over this time period.
Bollywood Director Karan Johar thanked Assam Police and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for their support during the 65th Filmfare Awards hosted in Guwahati on February 15. Karan Johar tweeted to say thanks, to which GP Singh, ADGP, Law and Order, Assam Police tweeted back. “Could fly in & out in a jiffy,” says actor Akshay Kumar also tweeted while thanking Assam Police.
Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP from UK for Oldham East & Saddleworth has been denied entry into India. She was deported to Dubai from Delhi airport. Abrahams claimed that she was treated unfairly because of her views on Kashmir. Abrahams claimed that she had valid visa, but the High Commission of India, London claims otherwise. “Mission has confirmed from the Indian immigration authorities that Ms Debbie Abrahams did not hold a valid visa. Further, there is no provision for visa on arrival for UK nationals. She was accordingly requested to return,” the mission tweeted.
Sachin Tendulkar has won Laureus Best Sporting Moment award for “CARRIED ON THE SHOULDERS OF A NATION”-- the moment when his teammates carry him on their shoulders post 2011 ICC World Cup win where India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets. Tendulkar while accepting the award spoke about the power of sports that can unite people.
Cybersecurity researchers have spotted a widespread hacking by Iranian groups who compromised VPN (virtual private network) servers, planted bugs or ‘backdoors’ and succeeded in gaining access to the networks of numerous companies and organizations around the world. During the last quarter of 2019, the research team from the UK-based ClearSky uncovered a widespread Iranian offensive campaign which is called the “Fox Kitten Campaign”

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Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today took part in the 10th foundation day programme of Karunadhara Trust in the city as the chief guest and announced that the State Government would provide appropriate lands to the Trust in Guwahati for setting up shelter homes for Divyangs. Speaking at the programme, the Chief Minister underlined the need to think for the society and asserted that every citizen must take up the responsibility along with the government to provide social and economic security to the Divyangs so that they could live a life of dignity.
Arunachal Pradesh government has come up with 24×7 State control room at the State Surveillance Unit to improve surveillance on coronavirus. Two Indians stuck in a luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to coronavirus outbreak have tested positive for coronavirus. The Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been kept in quarantine at anchor off the coast of Yokohama in Japan has 132 crew members and 6 passengers who are Indian nationals. There are 3711 persons on-board.
Policeman Ratul Gogoi won hearts after a video of him distributing pens to students appearing for the AHSEC Class 12 examination surfaced on social media. The cop from Sivsagar is seen greeting the students and giving them a pen before the exams. Assam police has announced a sum of Rs 10,000 to the cop for his kind gesture.
22 BJP party leaders from Nagaland have joined Naga People’s Front (NPF) party on Wednesday. The main reason for leaving BJP happens to be Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), according to reports. NPF’s party president Shurhozelie Liezietsu has welcomed the move and said that in the coming days more people from BJP will join NPF. Former BJP leader, Mukibur Rahman had said that the members were upset with CAA as they did not see Inner Line Permit (ILP) as a protection against CAA. “The ILP is not going to stop them from entering to our state,” he said.
The Rubber Board after 23-years of multi-locational field trials in the north-eastern States and West Bengal released a new cold and disease tolerant hybrid rubber clone –RRII 429 – to improve the commercial cultivation of natural rubber in the Northeast. A top official of Rubber Board said that based on 23-years of multi-locational field trials in North Bengal (West Bengal), Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, the Board has evolved the new cold and disease tolerant hybrid rubber clone –RRII 429 – to expand the ongoing natural rubber cultivation in the north-eastern States and increase the production and productivity.
The Supreme Court has directed all political parties to upload details of criminal history of candidates on their website. Details of criminal cases against election candidates and the reasons why a political party had selected them should be mentioned on websites, social media and vernacular medium newspapers within 48 hours of selection. Details should be provided to Election Commission within 72 hours. “The reason to select candidates should be based on merit and not winnability. Winnability can’t be the only justification,” the apex court said. In case of any void of information then the EC could initiate contempt of court proceedings.
An adorable picture of a child, all dressed up in a sweater, topi and muffler, sporting an Arvind Kejriwal moustache, to resemble the Delhi Chief Minister has been widely circulated through social media. The one-year-old child identified as Avyaan Tomar has been invited by AAP to attend Kejriwal’s swearing-in ceremony on February 16.The huge public ceremony on February 16 will take place at Ramlila Maidan.

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The NRC final list published in August last year on ”www.nrcassam.nic.in” has gone offline. The Union Home Ministry assured that the data was safe and cited “some technical issue in visibility on cloud.” The Ministry also said that the issue will be resolved soon. According to officials, the data vanished as the service period of the cloud storage provided by IT firm Wipro had expired. The renewal of the subscription could not be done as there was no coordinator available post the transfer of former coordinator Prateek Hajela. Officials also said that discontinuation of Wipro which was earlier authorized to look after all IT-related works in the NRC update exercise has caused this issue.
Government in Assam will soon disband State run Madrasa and Sankrit tols to introduce reforms that can resonate more with mainstream learning. State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that to mainstream Madrasa education, the government is disbanding the Madrasa Education directorate and making it part of the Secondary Education directorate. The Sanskrit Board too will be dissolved and the academic part will be handed over to the Board of Secondary Education,” he said.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the official notification for the civil services preliminary examination 2020. The application process has begun and March 3 is the last date to apply for the UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020. The Civil Services (preliminary) Examination 2020 is scheduled for Sunday, May 31. Candidates will be able to do their registration for the examination by visiting the UPSC application website.
LPG cylinders will cost more from today. State-run oil marketing companies sharply hiked the price of non-subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders due to spurt in benchmark global rates of the fuel.But to insulate domestic users, the government doubled the subsidy on the fuel to keep per cylinder outgo the same, according to media reports.The hike will affect LPG cylinder rates all over the country.
From February 19, singing National Anthem will become compulsory in colleges of Maharashtra. “Maharashtra government to make singing National Anthem in colleges compulsory from February 19,” Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant told the media. According to reports, in January, Uday Samant had directed colleges and universities in Maharashtra to play the National Anthem at the beginning of their public programs.
Vietnam’s central Thanh Hoa province has reported a bird flu outbreak, leading to authorities to cull more than 23,000 mostly ducks and chickens. The A/H5N6 bird flu outbreak has been detected in 10 households in three communes.
WHO comes up with a name for coronavirus disease which has left hundreds dead and thousands infected.WHO tweeted, "We now have a name for the #2019nCoV disease: COVID-19. I’ll spell it: C-O-V-I-D hyphen one nine – COVID-19". "A virus can have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action. If the world doesn't want to wake up and consider this enemy virus as Public Enemy number 1, I don't think we will learn from our lessons," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General of WHO.

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36 Students caught cheating were expelled during the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination, 2020 will began on February 10 all over the State. According to reports, 21 students were expelled in Dhubri ; 2 in Darrang; 1 in Goalpara; 5 in Hailakandi; 3 in Lakhimpur and 4 in Nagaon district. Misconduct by HSLC/AHM students during examinations may end in rustication of up to three years. The rustication of students for misconduct is part of the SEBA’s (Board of Secondary Education, Assam) bandobast for fair examinations this year.
Shubanso Pul, son of Arunachal Pradesh’s former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul’s, was found dead under suspicious circumstances, at his apartment in Brighton, Sussex (United Kingdom). Shubanso was born to Dangwimsai Pul, who was Kalikho Pul’s first wife. The family is trying to get in touch with the Indian High Commission in London (UK), so that his body could be brought back to India. For a fact Kalikho Pul was found hanging in his room on August 9, 2016, less than a month after the Supreme Court ordered the removal of his government and ruled against his appointment as chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh with the support of some Congress MLAs.
Six pythons belonging to an endangered species were slaughtered for consumption at Simlung near the Tripura-Mizoram border in North Tripura district. The snakes were then publicly decapitated, skinned out, cut into pieces, and eaten, according to media reports. The creatures were killed by people from a local tribal community around 221 km away from Agartala. Authorities are trying to identify the people through video clips and photographs of the incident that has gone viral on social media.
AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal is all set to begin yet another term as the Chief Minister of Delhi. After defeating major political rival BJP in this election, AAP is expected to sweep Delhi polls. While people are waiting for the final results, congratulatory messages have started pouring in from politicians including Election strategist Prashant Kishor and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
A girl student who was India’s first positive case of coronavirus in Thrissur is recovering well. Her condition is now stable, officials said. The girl who had returned from China’s Wuhan was kept in isolation in a hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. “The blood test result of the first patient from Thrissur, from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) testing centre at Alappuzha, shows a negative result. But we need confirmation from the NIV at Pune,” said a senior medical officer. The health department in a statement said that a total of 3,252 people are still under observation across the state, out of which 3,218 are under home quarantine. According to WHO’s latest situation report, 909 deaths have occurred in China due to coronavirus outbreak. 40 235 confirmed cases in China have been reported so far.
A student from Madhya Pradesh’s Hoshangabad has proposed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s name for the Guinness Book of World Records for losing a record 27 elections, say reports. Vishal Diwan, an engineering student has approached Guinness World record in this regard. Rahul Gandhi, under whose leadership the party was reduced to 52 out of 542 seats in the last Lok Sabha elections, had resigned from the top post during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, just two days after the poll results on May 25, 2019.

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After 10 days, KMSS Leader Akhil Gogoi, Dharjya Konwar alongwith various other KMSS leaders were brought before Special NIA Court in Guwahati on Monday. While being escorted to the court, Akhil Gogoi said that anti-CAA protests shouldn’t be done merely to spark agitation but the aim should be to produce results. He urged people to continue showing a united fight against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 and raised the slogan of ‘Jai Aai Axom’ (Glory to Mother Assam) in the court premises.
Assam will carry out a survey to identify Indigenous Muslim population of the state so that they can be segregated from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The survey will identify people from Goria, Moria, Desi and Jolah of the tea tribes, considered to be indigenous. “Assam has about 1.3 crore Muslims population, of which around 90 lakh are of Bangladeshi origin. The remaining 40 lakh are from different tribes and they need to be identified,” Assam Minority Development Board Chairman Muminul Aowal said. The exercise to identify them is therefore important so that the indigenous Muslim people can get access to government welfare schemes in absence of proper identification, Aowal said.
Assam has strengthened the surveillance and control measures against novel coronavirus (nCov), the fatal disease that turned epidemic in neighboring China. A media bulletin issued by State Health & Family Welfare Department on Sunday evening stated that till this date 151 passengers have been screened at the LGBI Airport, Borjhar in Guwahati; 43 at the Mohanbari Airport, Dibrugarh; 25 at the Lilabari Airport, Lakhimpur; six at the Kumbhirgram Airport, Silchar; five at the Roroiya Airport in Jorhat; and nine at the Salonibari Airport in Tezpur.
BJP’s Smriti Irani took to Instagram to praise movie Thappad. Irani said it is “Not ok to hit a Woman.” Thappad takes a very serious note on the issue of domestic violence, particularly focusing on how violent behavior can lead to divorce. Even if it is just one slap, it counts as domestic violence.
DS Bindra, an advocate, is seen serving langar (a community meal) for many days now at around Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh protests site. Bindra said that he has sold his flat to raise money for the langar. The advocate has also served langar in other areas of Delhi. According to media reports he suggested that people in India should show unity and stand with each other at this time.
An ugly fight between Indian and Bangladeshi players in the field proved to be quite a dampener pose U19 World Cup final that saw Bangladesh win by 3 wickets on Sunday. An Indian player reacted after Bangladeshi players used some foul language against them. The altercation turned into an ugly fight, and the umpires and support staff had to intervene to resolve the situation. Indian Captain Priyam Garg calls Bangladesh’s reaction “dirty” after win. India’s team was bowled out for 177. This is Bangladesh’s maiden World Cup win.
South Korean hit “Parasite” directed by Bong Joon Ho made history at 92nd Academy Awards for Oscar in Los Angeles as the first non-English film to win the Best Picture award. The film also won award for–Best original screenplay, Best international feature, and Best director.The film was nominated in six categories and emerged as a winner in four categories.
The second richest man on earth Bill Gates will shell out a whopping $644 million to own a hydrogen-powered environment friendly superyacht which comes with five decks, space that can accommodate 14 guests and 31 crew members along with an infinity pool, helipad, spa and gym. The yacht commissioned by the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft was unveiled at Monaco Yacht Show 2019, according to reports. The superyacht will sail ship in 2024.

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A 5.1 magnitude earthquake jolted the Guwahati city along with neighboring areas of Assam and Northeast at around 6.17 pm this evening. As per the Indian Meteorological Department, the epicenter was located 86 km West of Guwahati. So far no casualties were reported during the incident.
Assam has the highest dropout rate among Primary & Secondary schools, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. He was responding to a query posed by BJP MP from Maharashtra Amar Shankar Sable. Dropout rates in other northeastern states continue to be quite high due to various reasons, such as poverty, health and other economic reasons, Pokhriyal said. However most of the states have been able to bring down the numbers to a single digit, he added. In Assam, during 2017-2018, dropout rate in primary classes stood at 10.1 percent and for secondary classes, it was 33.7 percent. Arunachal Pradesh registered dropout rates at 8.1 percent and 32 percent for primary and secondary category respectively.
Today at around 2.30 am on the basis of a secret information regarding poaching activities at Kaziranga National Park an operation was launched by Nagaon Police in the area of Harmoti under Jakhalabandha Police Station and recovered weapons and ammunition from a person called Pradip Mura who possessed weapons to carry out poaching in the Kaziranga National Park.
Some 200 Indian crew members and passengers stuck in a luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to coronavirus outbreak have urged Indian authorities to evacuate them. In one of his social media posts, the 30-year-old is seen appealing to authorities seeking their intervention. Reports claim that out of 3,700 members in the ship 61 had tested positive and 41 had contracted the virus. Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India said that the authorities are closelt monitoring the situation. Through a tweet. the Cruise company announced that “The Japanese Ministry of Health has confirmed the #DiamondPrincess quarantine end date will be February 19, unless there are any other unforeseen developments.”
War of words ensued between AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and BJP’s Smriti Irani after Kejriwal posted a tweet which Irani deemed anti-women. In a tweet Kejriwal had urged women to go out and vote. The last sentence of the tweet read, “ Please do discuss with men whom it would be better to vote for.” Irani retorted by tweeted, “Do you not consider women capable enough to decide for themselves who to vote for?” Kejriwal did not let it go, so he tweeted, “ Smriti ji, the women of Delhi have decided who to vote for. And this time in Delhi, women have decided on behalf of their family. After all they have to take care of their homes.”
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leadership is alarmed at the rapid disillusionment of the tribal supporters of the Sangh Parivar in recent times and has asked its cadre to take early remedial steps in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The RSS leadership asked its workers to spread out among targeted groups and show results. The top leadership of the Parivar took stock of its shrinking base in the two key states where it ruled for 15 years.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations warned of threatening locust activity along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. Already swarm of locusts have caused tremendous havoc in regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Pakistan government has declared a national emergency to eliminate the attacking swarms of desert locust in Punjab after wiping it out in Sindh, the media reported on Saturday.

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Prime Minister Modi rallies for peace, harmony, togetherness and development in Kokrajhar. Bodo accord marks a new dawn of peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a rally in Kokrajhar on February 7 PM Modi who was here to participate in the celebrations of the signing of the Bodo Peace Agreement spoke about peace and development in the region. Under the Accord, a commission will be created to demarcate the area falling within BTAD. This area will get special development package of Rs 1,500 crore, said PM Modi. He said that the status of the North East has improved from a recipient state to a growth engine. He touched on the fact that a lot of states in the region are not under AFSPA anymore. He also assured the gathering that anti-Assam and anti-national mentality will not be tolerated and forgiven by the country, and that CAA poses no threat to the North East.
Rajasthan Royals are all set to play two of their matches at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The decision was taken at a meeting held between, IMG-Reliance (IMG-R), Rajasthan Royals and ACA (Assam Cricket Association). IMG conducted an inspection at the ACA Barsapara Stadium before giving confirmation. Profit-sharing was the reason why a change of venue to Guwahati from Ahmedabad had taken place, according to reports.
Film actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui was so mesmerized after travelling to Arunachal Pradesh that he announced the next shooting of his film there. Siddiqui was there to join the Mishmi community in celebrating the 52nd central Reh festival. Siddiqui said that he learned about the beauty of the region from Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu’s tweet.
The 12th edition of the International Guwahati Film Festival begins today. Movies on various genres will be screened at Kanaklal Barua Auditorium, Assam State Museum, Guwahati. The event is being organized by Gauhati Cine Club. A total of 11 fictional and non-fictional movies will be screened from various countries including Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Hungary, Turkey, Bangladesh and the Czech Republic.
As death toll in China mounts due to coronavirus, Manipur and Mizoram governments have decided to impose a ban on food items and other products from China. Officials from Manipur Health and Family Welfare Department informed that a circular has been issued to restrict production, distribution, sale of packed food products, which are produced in China, Myanmar and other South-East Asian countries. These same restrictions also apply on products which are not labeled properly.
Suspended Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh along with four other convicts have been sent to 15-day judicial custody by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jammu. Singh was caught while allegedly transporting two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists was sent to will be sent to the Hiranagar Sub Jail in Kathua district. Four others including two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists who were arrested along with him will be lodged in Kotbalwal jail in Jammu. According to reports, Singh had pleaded before the court that he should be kept in Hiranagar Sub Jail as Kotbalwal Jail has many militants that were arrested by him, according to media reports.
Videos of Pakistani students from Wuhan, China requesting Pakistani government to evacuate them due to coronavirus outbreak have been circulated widely.While Pakistan authorities have said that they stand with China in his hour of crisis. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan tweeted-- If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it, but if the plague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place. Many have condemned this stand of the Pakistani government and have indicated that it is the responsibility of the government to evacuate its citizens.

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Assam Police will take custody of Sharjeel Imam who was arrested for making inflammatory remarks against Assam and North East. According to reports, a team of Assam Police headed by Additional Superintendent of Police, Nabaneet Mahanta has already left for Delhi to take Imam into custody. On January 28, Bihar police arrested Imam who will be produced at a Delhi court after which Assam Police will take him into custody for further procedure.
Assam’s Sattriya and Bihu dance will be performed during the upcoming 65th Filmfare awards which will be organized in Guwahati on February 15. Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) chairman said on Thursday that Aimee Baruah and Gayatri Mahanta will be part of the dance performance. He also added that the Bihu dance will be choreographed by Ranjit Gogoi and Padmashri Jatin Goswami will choreograph the Sattriya dance routine.
India Fund Fest which will launch the first ever “North East India Fund Fest” to give budding entrepreneurs of the North East the required impetus to realize their aspirations. After scanning through initial applications, the finale will be held on 28th February 2020 at the Taj Guwahati.
Addressing the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a savage dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. In response to rahul Gandhi’s danda remark, Modi said that he would prepare himself by practicing more surya namaskars.
The Election Commission (EC) issued warning to Delhi crime Branch officer Rajesh Deo who had said that Kapil Gujjar who opened fire in Shaheen Bagh was connected to AAP. Deo had told reporters that photographs and videos recovered from his phone show that he and his father joined AAP party a year ago. The EC said that such a statement was “totally uncalled for” and that his remarks could have“consequences for the holding of free and fair elections”
On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs said that 640 Indians have been evacuated due to coronavirus outbreak in China in a complex operation which was carried out with cooperation from Chinese authorities. 10 other Indians could not return to the country as they could not clear the health screening process. “We are in regular contact with them and exploring all possibilities for their return,” said MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
Govt. to impose fine upto Rs 50 lakh, jail term for objectionable ads on skin fairness, obesity and more. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has suggested amendment of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. According to Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) (Amendment) Act, 2020, severe penalty will be imposed for “Objectionable Advertisements” that suggests misleading remedies to public on disease, disorder or condition such as, skin fairness, obesity and many such conditions.
Products made from cow urine and cow dung manufactured at a gaushala in Bithoor in Kanpur are on sale at the current Magh Mela in Prayagraj. From soaps to incense to toothpaste and eye drops, a lot of products are on sale. Abhishek Bajpai, manager of the VHP-run cow shelter told reporters that this is the first time that such products are up for sale at Magh Mela but they were very much out in the market during 2013 and 2019 Kumbh Melas.
Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, renowned for his intense, spectacular performances in “Spartacus” and “Paths of Glory,” died at the age of 103 on Wednesday. One of the last survivors of the golden age of cinema, the actor, director and producer achieved fame in the late 1940s and never lost his popularity since then. The father of Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Michael Douglas acted in almost 100 movies over a 6-decade career.

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Six samples from Manipur which were sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune tested negative for coronavirus, instead two samples out of those sent tested positive for swine flu. Out of the two positive cases of swine flu, one had just returned from China whereas the other contacted it after coming in contact with the first person. The two people have been detected with mild symptoms and have been isolated in their homes.
Assam registers maximum number of cancer cases within NE region, healthcare experts from Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) said during an event at the Assembly Annexe Aizawl , on Tuesday, February 4 which was also World Cancer Day. Officials also said that approximately 725 people every year in Mizoram die due to cancer, making the North Eastern State the “cancer capital of India.” Early-stage detection of the condition can go a longway to prevent deaths due to cancer.
The Dibrugarh NCC team which was part of the North Eastern Region (NER) Contingent that was crowned champions for the first time in this year’s Republic Day competition in New Delhi were accorded a rousing welcome on their arrival at Dibrugarh Railway Station on Wednesday. The 11 cadets were received by officers, JCOs, NCOs and fellow cadets of NCC Group Dibrugarh on their arrival by the Rajdhani Express.
As performed every year, Purbanchal Shree Ayyappa Mandir, Guwahati is celebrating the Prathistha Dina Puja and association rituals from February 5 to 8. The temple authorities appeal to all the devotees to be part of the puja celebrations and be blessed by Lord Shree Ayyappa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in Parliament that a trust called Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha kshetra will look into matters related to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and related issues. The Prime Minister said the decision has been taken in line with the verdict of the Supreme Court which had called for the construction of Ram Mandir in disputed land and alternative land to be given to Muslims.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave Nirbhaya rape convicts a week’s time to seek any sort of legal help or remedy after which proceedings for their execution will start. The Court also said that all four convicts will be hanged together and not separately.
Gunja Kapoor, a woman who entered Shaheen Bagh protest area in a burqa was heckled by protestors on Wednesday. Protestors grew suspicious after she asked ‘too many questions.’ On frisking her it was found that she was carrying a camera. As the crowd started heckling her she was carried away from the protest venue by the police. Kapoor on her twitter account calls herself an “ Analyst, amateur writer…”
Superstar Rajinikanth said that Muslims have nothing to fear as CAA is not meant for taking away their citizenship. He said that he would be the first to speak up if ever citizenships of Indian Muslims are taken away. He supported NPR and said that the process is important to learn about “outsiders.” Rajinikanth also insisted that students should think before plunging into violent activities as many vested interests could be using them as mere pawns.

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PM Narendra Modi is expected to visit Assam on Feb 7 to address a public rally at Kokrajhar in the Bodo Territorial Area District (BTAD).On January 27, an agreement signed between the Centre, the Assam government and Bodo stakeholders (NDFB and its factions) saw the announcement of various measures to ensure the territorial and cultural integrity of the region. Several institutes will be set up to bring growth and development to the region. Sources say PM Modi will also address the public on issues related to CAA. PM Modi will fly in Guwahati and then take a chopper to Kokrajhar. Later, he will fly to West Bengal and then to Delhi.
The husband-wife duo of an entrepreneurial venture called BigThinx were selected by the supreme fashion house- Prada to participate its first ever fashion tech accelerator program in Milan. Shivang Desai and Assam born Chandralika Hazarika, co-founders of Bangalore based venture BigThinx have flown out to Milan for the next 6 months to take their journey to the fashion capital of the world.
An inclusive global program of the Microsoft designed to support startups would now collaborate with the Assam government to support the startup ecosystem in the state. A team from Microsoft for Startups met officials and authorities of the state industries and commerce department on Monday to discuss the possibilities.
Before Delhi polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has come up with a “28-point guarantee card” to lure voters with promises for a better Delhi. Delhi will vote on February 8. The poll promises include curriculum on patriotism; 24/7 markets and shops; pilgrimage for senior citizens; incentives for farmers and much more.
Nielx (40), a tourist from Denmark was injured after being attacked by a stray cow near Taj Mahal. The tourist suffered minor head injury. His collar bone was also fractured.“A foreign tourist Nielx (40) from Denmark was attacked by a cow near the western gate of the Taj Mahal on Sunday. The tourist was clicking the cow but was taken aback when the animal lifted him on its horns and threw him on the ground,” said Dinesh Singh, in charge of tourism police station here, according to media reports. He was saved after locals intervened and rescued him. The tourist who was travelling with his wife was initially admitted to a district hospital and then shifted to SN Medical College. The tourist spot is visited by people from all over the world. Recently visitors have mostly been attacked mostly by monkeys. Occasionally stray dogs and bovine have also been a bother.
After IndiGo Airline barred Standup Comedian Kunal Kamra for 6 months for heckling TV journalist Arnab Goswami on flight, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap refused to fly IndiGo to show solidarity with the comedian. Instead he chose Airvistara to arrive at Kolkata. Popular stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Saturday has slapped a legal notice on IndiGo airlines, seeking an unconditional apology and compensation of Rs 25 lakh for causing him mental harassment.
Kerala Government has declared coronavirus outbreak as a “state calamity” after another student from Kerala who returned from Wuhan in China tested positive for Coronavirus. The student has been admitted to Kanhangad district hospital in Kasaragod. The first two confirmed cases have also been reported from Kerala. The two patients also had a travel history to Wuhan from where the health hazard was initially reported.
Lewis Pugh, UN Patron of the Oceans, swam under ice-sheet in East Antarctica to raise awareness about climate change. “East Antarctica is the coldest place on earth, and yet I was able to swim down a river under the ice-sheet. It was the most beautiful and terrifying experience of my life, and comes with an important message for us all,” he tweeted. The endurance swimmer wrote about his experiences in a blog post.

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam on Feb 1, Saturday tabled the Union Budget for 2020-2021. This Budget session has seen some important schemes for the North East being announced by the Finance Minister. Some key highlights are as follows:
5 archaeological sites including Shivsagar in Assam will be developed as iconic sites with on-site museums
National Gas Grid to be expanded from 16,200 km to 27,000 km
Krishi UDAN for improving the value realization in North East and tribal districts
Major tax relief announced for individuals:
Income between Rs. 5-7.5 lakh – Tax rate 10%
Income between Rs. 7.5-10 lakh – Tax rate 15%
Income between Rs 10-12.5 lakh – Tax rate brought down to 20% from 30%
Govt. proposes to sell part of its holding in Life Insurance Corporation by way of Initial Public Offering announced Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam on February 1, Saturday while presenting Union Budget for 2020-2021 at the Parliament. Sitharam did not elaborate much on the proposal. She also proposed that the government will sell its stake in IDBI Bank to private investors.
Sivasagar district administration recently launched ‘Project Puhor’. The project is launched under its flagship programme Mission Soulful Sivasagar. Under the project, the district administration endeavours to light up the Sivasagar town and its adjoining areas by installing standalone solar LED lights. The project has been launched under the stewardship of Sivasagar deputy commissioner Dr MS Lakshmi Priya.
The second Air India special flight to evacuate Indians from Wuhan has left Delhi this afternoon. The first special flight with 324 Indians landed in Delhi earlier today. The passengers returning from Wuhan will be put up at a separate facility in Haryana’s Manesar set up by the Indian Army. At the facility, people will be put under observation. A qualified team of doctors and staff members will monitor the situation. Meanwhile, the death tally in China has risen to 258.
Dr Thanikasalam Veni of Rathna Siddha Hospital in Chennai claimed that a certain herbal medicine if taken between 24-40 hours of infection can cure coronavirus. “When we treated the dengue virus with our medicine, many patients with reduced platelets count, acute liver failure, immunity deficiency and low white blood cell (WBC) were cured within 24-40 hours,” said Veni. “In coronavirus too I am confident our medicine will be very effective,” he told media organisations. Dr Veni has 25 years of experience in the field of Siddha and Ayurvedic medicines said that he is willing to help the Chine government or other authorities who need his support.
Fugitive billionaire Nirav Modi, who is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam appeared before a UK court on Thursday through videolink from his London prison and was further remanded in custody till February 27.
Chakrapani Maharaj, President of Hindu Mahasabha told media that cow urine can cow dung can be used to treat coronavirus. A special yagna ritual will soon be performed to kill coronavirus," said Chakrapani. Chakrapani also said that he will carry out a special yagna to kill the virus and: end its effects on the world."

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President Ram Nath Kovind while addressing a joint session of Parliament on January 31said that apart from the geographical distance of the Northeast with Delhi, it was the emotional disconnect that had disheartened the people of the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has changed this through intense work in the last five years, he said. Kovind also spoke about the agreement signed by Tripura, Mizoram, the Bru community and the Central government which has brought solution to the problem of displaced refugees in the area. He also said that he was happy that both Houses of Parliament passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to fulfill the dreams of those who built our country. The President said that the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution by two-thirds majority in both the Houses of Parliament is “historic” as it paves the way for equitable development of Jammu – Kashmir and Ladakh.
Bank employees throughout the country will go on a two-day-long strike starting today after management refused to agree to the demands of bank employees’ union who were asking for a 20% pay hike, a 5-day work week among others. Around 10 lakh bank employees were believed to join the 2-days protest. Due to the strike, private sector banks like ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank will not be affected.
The Economic Survey 2019-20 presented in the Parliament on January 31, Friday was centered around a broad theme of wealth-creation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey. After this, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India (CEA) Dr Krishnamurthy V Subramanian spoke about some of the main points of this year’s survey. In a globalized economy, India too has felt the effect of a slowdown, the CEA said. He added that all groups of countries have slowed down, in a globalized economy and that India too has felt the effect. Peaks and troughs in business cycle phenomena show that we have hit a trough as regards economic growth, hopeful of achieving 6.0-6.5% GDP growth in 2020-21.
A two-day long Kalaguru Sangeet Mahotsav 2020 began this Friday at Tangla HS playground in Tangla town of Udalguri district. There will be an singing competition to tap budding singing talents. Zubeen Garg will also release music video of two songs during the occasion.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, in a statement about cases of novel coronavirus in England said that two patients in England, who are members of the same family, have tested positive for coronavirus. “The patients are receiving specialist NHS care, and we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus,” according to the Department of Health and Social Care. World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus outbreak as a global health emergency. According to the latest Situation Report, death tolls have reached 170 in China. Globally 7818 cases have been confirmed so far. WHO will send international experts to visit China as soon as possible to work with Chinese counterparts on increasing understanding of the outbreak to guide global response efforts.
European Parliament has voted to approve the United Kingdoms’ departure from the European Union. MEPs held a debate on the Brexit withdrawal agreement in Brussels before voting 621 in favor, 49 against and 13 abstentions, Efe news reported. The vote was the final hurdle in the process of the UK leaving the EU, which will take place on January 31, after British MPs previously approved the withdrawal agreement.

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1500 rebels from National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction surrendered in Arms Laying Down Ceremony held at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Auditorium today. Assam Minister, Govt of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma; Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, as well as various police officials, present during the event welcomed the move. Sarma in his address welcomed the move and expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in Bodo agitation. He also thanked members of the police and armed forces who lost their lives while fighting the iinsurgency. Sarma insisted that rehabilitation of the cadres will be a priority so that they can be mainstreamed within society.Sarma thanked Home Minister Amit Shah for his continuous support.Sarma also appealed to (ULFA-I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah & United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to enter into a meaningful peace dialogue with both the Government of Assam and Government of India, ending decade-old militant movement in the state.
Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM) stated that the newly signed Bodo peace accord will create more problems, than resolving any. Convenor of PVM Upamanyu Hazarika in a press release stated that, “The Bodos by virtue of Scheduled Tribe status enjoy more privileges compared to other communities, the BTC Council created virtually for only Bodo welfare has in its working over the last 17 years created a strong sense of discrimination amongst the other indigenous communities in BTAD areas.”
Manipur CM N.Biren Singh has recently proposed that districts in the state of Manipur should be named after fruits and spices. He mentioned it during a consultative meeting-cum-technology exhibition ‘CSIR Connect North East’ held at CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Branch Laboratory, Lamphelpat, Imphal recently. This he said could bring attention to the state’s agricultural produce, such as, oranges in Tamenglong district as well as the indigenous Kachai lemon in Ukhrul district and many more. This idea was criticized by the Congress. Congress spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei in his tweet said that re-writing history in this manner is to essentially belittle the history behind naming all the districts of Manipur.
A 23-year-old man from Tripura died in a Malaysian hospital after getting infected from coronavirus, his family member has claimed. The youth, identified as Manir Hossain, hails from Purathal Rajnagar village in Madhupur police station area. He had gone to Malaysia earlier in 2018 and used to work there in a restaurant. Hossain’s grandfather Abdul Rahim told that he received the news of his grandson’s death from the Malaysian authorities. Rahim urged the government to make arrangements to receive Hossain’s body to India.
This year the Saraswati Puja is being celebrated for two days, on Wednesday and Thursday. The puja timing was from Wednesday 10:45 AM to Thursday 1:20 PM Thursday. Cotton University Mass Com Department, TC Girls School, and few other city schools celebrated the occasion on Wednesday. Various other schools and colleges of the city will hold the puja on Thursday. Guwahati Press Club also celebrated the puja on Wednesday.
A student studying at Wuhan University from Kerala has tested positive for Novel Coronavirus. “The patient has tested positive for Novel Coronavirus and is in isolation in the hospital. The patient is stable and is being closely monitored,” informed the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in a statement. According to reports, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja has called for an emergency meeting

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Army Chief General M.M. Naravane said that there will be significant withdrawal of counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and internal security forces posted in the North East in the coming 18-24 months. He said that two battalions have already been relaxed from such duties and after the Bodoland elections the next relaxation will happen. He also said that the Army will continue to focus on “conventional warfare” which is more of a “long-term objective.” Just a few days ago, 644 rebels belonging to eight insurgent groups surrendered in Arms Laying Down Ceremony held at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Auditorium. Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, as well as various police officials, present during the event welcomed the move.
Human Rights Forum, a Tangla based NGO, has sought the attention of Udalguri Deputy Commissioner and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) over the arbitrary functioning of oil depots of Tangla town in Udalguri district. President of the Human Rights Forum NGO, Sailen Kumar Sarmah in his letter claimed that as per guidelines the business hours of the oil depots are from 5.30 am to 10. 30 pm but a contrary picture is witnessed in the two oil depots of the town as their business hours are purportedly from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm, causing great inconvenience to people. The NGO has also sought action over the defunct oil depot of NRL in Tangla town run by Bharat Petroleum.
The Assam State PDS Kerosene Oil Hawkers’ Union on Monday expressed distress over the deteriorating condition that they are going through. Addressing a press meet here, president of the union Alam Patowary said that the previously determined quantity of each hawker has been reduced drastically in recent times. Alam said that the hawkers are being attached to fair price shops because ration cardholders have to approach these shops for kerosene.
In the run-up to Village Defence Party (VDP) Day celebrations, the Hailakandi District Police organized a day-long programme at district headquarters recently. VDP Day will be observed across the State on January 29. Around 320 VDP volunteers from all the six police station areas participated with great enthusiasm. DC Keerthi Jalli in presence of SP Pabindra Kumar Nath and other senior officials unfurled the VDP flag at Rabindra Bhawan premises.
On Wedmesday, ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal joined BJP. Last year, Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the BJP in the presence of Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. On the occasion, Gambhir, 37, thanked the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for giving him an opportunity to serve the country.
A man with a pistol entered the venue of Shaheen Bagh protests in Delhi. The man reportedly threatened the gathering and asked the protestors to vacate the area. The man with the pistol allegedly shouted, “clear the road or people will die.” The man was soon overpowered by the locals. He was identified as one Mohammad Luqman (50), a contractor and a resident of Shaheen Bagh. A case was registered against him. For the last few days, people have been asking Shaheen Bagh protestors to vacate the area as the protests are causing traffic jams.
Sixteen patients in Punjab and two in Haryana have been quarantined on suspicion of having coronavirus. However, one death in Punjab’s Amritsar was due to swine flu. A 28-year-old man from Mohali in Punjab who had recently returned from China was admitted to the PGI here after he was diagnosed with symptoms of coronavirus. The blood samples of all the patients have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune

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The Centre might struck a peace accord with Commander-in-Chief of United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) chief Paresh Baruah in April, the Outlook has reported. "One of Barua’s childhood friends, Rebati Phukan—who “disappeared” in April 2018—is said to be acting as the intermediary between the banned outfit and the Centre. He was apparently drafted by Indian intelligence agencies to break the ice with Barua,” the Outlook story claims. The talks are in the final stages. State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday addressed a Press Conference where he appealed to (ULFA-I) commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah & United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to enter into a meaningful peace dialogue with both the Government of Assam and Government of India, ending decade-old militant movement in the state.
Sharjeel Imam who was on the run after a case of sedition was filed against him for making controversial remarks on Assam and NE India has been arrested in Bihar on Tuesday. Police teams from Bihar and Delhi conducted raids across various locations to get hold of Imam who is on the run. He will now be taken to Delhi for further questioning. The police had earlier detained Imam’s brother during a raid at his ancestral home in Bihar. Imam’s brother, as well as another person, whose identity has not been revealed, have been detained by police. Some five states including Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have filed an FIR against Imam who was shown making offensive remarks on Assam and the North East in a video.
Assam’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal remembered peasant martyrs of the 1894 Patharughat uprising who laid down their lives to fight the British. He tweeted a picture of Patharighat Martyrs’ Memorial where 140 Assamese peasants were killed by the British Police in 1894 when they had risen in revolt against the British Government’s high taxation on farm products.
Inspired by the Shaheen Bagh protests in New Delhi, a large group of women have launched a similar style of protests from January 26-27 midnight in south Mumbai early on Monday. Terming it a ‘Mumbai Bagh’, they are silently protesting against the CAA-NRC-NPR and by morning the crowds swelled even as Mumbai Police rushed to make tight security arrangements at the site at Morland Road-Thandi Sadak. The protesters are mainly Muslim women from minority-dominated areas of Madanpur, Byculla, Agripada, Jhoola Maidan and surroundings who are staging a sit-in agitation, off the Arabia Hotel, near Mumbai Central station.
Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, Government of India has shared a video to dent a claim made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the latter invited the former asking him to visit Delhi government-run schools. The video shared by Shah shows the abysmal state of schools the BJP team visited. The video shows leaking roof, damaged furniture and horrible conditions of the toilets. February 8 is the date for the Delhi assembly elections.
Three people in Delhi have been quarantined after showing coronavirus like flu symptoms such as cold, cough and respiratory problems. According to reports, the three patients had all returned from China. Until Monday, a total of 33,552 passengers arriving in India from China in 155 flights have been screened. As of now, no positive cases have been detected, according to the Union Health Ministry. A girl from Bihar and a doctor in Rajasthan, who also returned from China, were isolated after showing symptoms.

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A Historic Bodo Peace Accord was signed between the Centre, the Assam government and Bodo stakeholders (NDFB and its factions) today. The Accord saw the announcement of various measures to ensure the territorial and cultural integrity of the region. Several institutes will be set up to bring growth and development to the region. The agreement fully reaffirms the territorial integrity of Assam, said Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. A committee set up by state government will look at the inclusion of new villages that has a substantial population of tribal people within Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD). The ones with no substantial Bodo tribal population will be excluded, Sarma said. According to the agreement, BTAD will be renamed Bodoland Territorial Region More legislative, executive, administrative, financial powers will be given to the authorities within the region from now on. Bodo with Devnagri script will now become Associate official language for the entire state of Assam A Central university in the name of Upendranth Brahma will be established within Bodoland area. National Sports University; Institute of Livelihood management, Regional medical institute; tribal university, rural development centre, veterinary college, music and fine art college and many more centres will be set up in the region to ensure progress.
Non-Bodo organizations like All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union, All Bodo Minority Students Union, All Adivasi Students Union, Kalita Janagosthi Students Union, and many others have called for 12-hour bandh in Assam post-signing of the historic Bodo peace Accord on Monday. Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri and Kokrajhar which fear greater intervention of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) within their region remained on the edge. According to reports effigies were burnt, roads were blocked and shops remained shut. Celebrations broke out in Bodo dominated regions where the accord was welcomed.
The United Liberation Front of Assam Independent (ULFA-I) has claimed responsibility for the five blasts that shook Upper Assam on the 71st Republic Day. In a press statement, ULFA(I) clearly stated that the serial blasts in the morning hours ahead of the Republic Day celebrations were executed by their group. The first blast took place at Teokghat Tiniali of Sonari under Charaideo District, the second blast took place near Duliajan Police Station, the third blast took place at Marwari patty near Gurudwara in Dibrugarh, the fourth blast near Circuit House in Graham Bazaar in Dibrugarh and fifth Doomdooma near 8 no bridge in Tinsukia District.
More than 29,700 passengers from 137 flights have been screened for coronavirus infection at seven identified airports in the country until Sunday. As of now, no positive cases have been detected, according to the Union Health Ministry. “A girl in Bihar’s Chapra (Saran district) who returned from China, is hospitalized after showing the similar symptoms to those of the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus. Now she is on the way to Patna, where she’ll be admitted at PMCH,” the superintendent of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) was quoted by ANI. Another case came up when a doctor in Rajasthan, who also returned from China, showed some symptoms of the infection. The suspected patient’s blood sample will be sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune, said officials from the state’s health department. Apart from that, more than 100 people have been kept under observation in Kerala and Maharashtra for screening purposes to check the spread of this infection, informed the Prime Minister’s Office. In China the virus has killed at least 80 individuals and infected nearly 2800 in the country so far.

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Six militant outfits have called for 12 hour shutdown-6 am to 6 pm- in northeast India on January 26. The factions in a joint statement stated, “Indian rule in our region is theoretically republican, but in reality, deep-rooted oppression of the indigenous is prevalent, which is quite contradictory to republicanism.” They further claimed that the “so-called republican Constitution of India fails to actually entitle the people of this region to republican liberty.” President of Brazil Jair Messias Bolsonaro will be the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26 this year.
State Finance, Health, and PWD minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government will take the course of law to deal with a man named Sharjeel Imam who was shown making offensive remarks on Assam in a video. In a press conference at CM Block, Janata Bhawan, Guwahati, Sarma spoke with reporters regarding the video. Imam in a video is heard speaking to a gathering. He says that five lakh organised people can cut the North-east from rest of India. Soon after the press conference by State Cabinet Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on Saturday, an FIR has been lodged against Sharjeel Imam for his derogatory speech
Ahead of the upcoming State budget, the BJP led state government has announced various subsidies for the poor. In a rally, State Finance, Health, and PWD minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government will offer rice for free to the poor. Pulses and sugar will also be available at subsidized rates in the budget. Under the government’s flagship scheme ‘Affordable Nutrition and Nourishment Assistance (ANNA) Yojna’ two crore people of the State are provided rice at Rs 1/kg. Several other schemes that will benefit people will be announced in the budget, Sarma said. The Minister also hit out at Congress and accused the part of playing vote bank politics by allowing illegal Bangladeshis to settle down at Kaziranga National Park.
In an identity verification exercise carried out by police across coffee estates in Kodagu, around 5000 migrants, mostly from Assam and West Bengal, were gathered at centres in Madikeri, Virajpet and Kushalnagar for purpose of identification. They were asked for their Aadhaar card, Permanent Account Number card and voter IDs. There were 500 migrants who did not possess required documents, according to reports.
A day after Amit Shah said his phone got discharged but he could not avail Wifi in Delhi, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the former BJP chief should keep his phone charged with the free electricity provided by the AAP government as Wifi cannot be used if the phone is off. Speaking to the media, Sisodia said the Delhi government is not just giving free Wifi but also free electricity up to 200 units.
A BJP legislator entered the Rajasthan Assembly building with a decorated basket containing locusts here on Friday to protest against the Congress-led government’s alleged apathy towards the state’s farmers who have suffered crop losses due to locust attacks. The innovative and unconventional form of protest by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Bihari Lal caught everyone’s attention as soon he entered the Assembly building with a basket on his head.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Friday said there is no need to panic or fear about the Novel Coronavirus (CoV) disease for the people in India. Speaking to IANS, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria said: “Mortality due to Novel Coronavirus may not be high but we still need to be vigilant because we don’t want it to spread rapidly here. The important issue here is to have good control to prevent the infection from spreading.”

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An idol of Lord Vishnu has been excavated from the premises of Cotton University on Thursday. As per reports, the idol is expected to be around 11 to 12 centuries old and was found during a construction site inside the university. The recovered idol has been handed over to the Archaeological Department for examination.
Boxer Shiva Thapa (63 kg) of Assam outpunched Ireland’s George Bates at the quarter-final clash to earn a place at the semi-finals at 71st Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Bulgaria. Indian boxers Sonia Lather (57kg), Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg) earned a place at the semis. Nikhat Zareen (51kg) lost to America’s Christina Cruz in the quarters. Last year, boxer Nikhat Zareen kicked off her 2019 season on a high note, winning the 51kg gold at the 70th Strandja Memorial International tournament.
A festival of Bodo folk song and dance was held with a day-long colourful programme at the premises of Kalbari Bathou Temple recently under Tamulpur subdivision in the district of Baksa. It was organized by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs in association with Tamulpur Cultural Centre.
As a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the State Bank of India (SBI) Tinsukia Regional Office (RO) is providing regular assistance to Purbottar Vikash Parishad (PVP) in running a male orphanage at Balupara, Tinsukia. Besides donating grocery items, they celebrate various festivals with orphan children. In June last year during a free health check-up camp, three heart-related diseases were detected among three orphan children of PVP destitute home. As per SBI’s advice, PVP approached the Government of Assam and because of this effort, two of the children were operated in Guwahati and Kolkata for their heart ailment.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi took a dig at BJP over ‘Halwa’ ceremony organised recently. Owaisi while speaking to a gathering of people at Karimnagar said, “Halwa is an Arabic word and not a word of either Hindi or Urdu. Now you have become Arab." Owaisi was talking about BJP’s naming/renaming of places of significance, an effort that contending parties say is aimed towards saffronisation of the country. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday kicked off the countdown to the Union Budget on February 1 by joining the ‘Halwa’ ceremony and with this, the Budget paper printing starts under utmost secrecy.
Writer-activist Arundhati Roy touched upon the current mood of the country and spoke about a whole range of issues at the seventh edition of the Kolkata People’s Film Festival on Thursday. She condemned rising Islamophobia in the country and slammed the communal tone of politics that has taken prominence in the current political scenario.
The Election Commission has sought a report from Delhi chief Electoral Officer on BJP leader Kapil Mishra for violating the Model Code of Conduct in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. The district election office under the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer has issued a notice to Mishra. Mishra had tweeted, ” India vs Pakistan on 8 February. There will be a contest on Delhi roads between these two countries. ” Mishra has been asked to explain his remarks, failing which actions will be taken against him by the commission.
Following the panic triggered by the outbreak of a new coronavirus, China has locked down its Wuhan city with a population of around 11 million people. Sources in Beijing said that the government has shut down the city’s airport, railway stations, short-distance ferries and long-distance coaches in Central China’s Wuhan city. The symptoms of infection include fever, cough and breathing problems.

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644 rebels belonging to eight insurgent groups- ULFA (I), NDFB, RNLF, KLO, CPI (Maoist), NSLA, ADF and NLFB- surrendered in Arms Laying Down Ceremony held at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) Auditorium today. Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal, as well as various police officials, present during the event welcomed the move. 177 assorted weapons were collected during the event. The CM welcomed the move and urged the youngsters to integrate back into mainstream society.
Among the 22 children – 10 girls and 12 boys – from 12 States who have been selected for the ICCW National Bravery Awards-2019 are Kamal Krishna Das from Assam; Lourembam Yaikhomba Mangang from Manipur; Everbloom K. Nongrum from Meghalaya; Master Lalliansanga, Carolyn Malsawmtluangi and Master Vanlalhriatrenga (all from Mizoram). Braveheart from Assam – 11-year-old boy Kamal Krishna Das in September 2018 jumped into the flooded Brahmaputra river thrice to save his mother, aunt and a stranger.
One of the most glamourous cine awards – the Filmfare Awards — will be held in Guwahati on February 15. Tickets ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3 lakh can be availed at Book My Show. Alia Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurrana, Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal will grace the occasion. This is the first time, the grand event will be held outside Mumbai.
Amit Shah lead Group of Ministers will monitor disposal of 9,400 enemy properties. The properties will likely fetch Rs 1 lakh crore to exchequer. Three committees will be formed to dispose of immovable enemy properties. Two high-level committees headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and another by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla will also look into the process. The enemy properties were those left behind by the people who took citizenship of Pakistan and China.
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut slammed senior lawyer Indira Jaising for urging Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother, to follow the example of Sonia Gandhi who had pardoned her husband Rajiv Gandhi’s killer Nalini. Ranaut who was promoting her film Panga said, “She should be kept in jail along with the convicts. How can these women pity the convicts? It is these kinds of women who give birth to such monsters.” According to media reports, Ranaut insisted that the convicts should be hanged publicly to set an example.
Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China has shut down its public transport system as more cases of infections were reported from the new coronavirus. 17 people have died so far and more than 500 people have been infected. China has advised people against traveling in and out of Wuhan

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Supreme Court has refused to grant an interim stay on CAA, instead it has asked Centre to respond to pleas challenging CAA within four weeks. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal requested the bench to put on hold operation of CAA and postpone NPR for now. The court said it will not grant any stay on CAA without hearing the Centre. A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde on Wednesday was hearing a batch of 143 pleas challenging CAA. Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing on behalf of the Centre, informed the bench that the government needs time to respond to pleas that it has not received. Out of 143 petitions, the Centre has received copies of 60 pleas. The court also said a five-judge constitution bench will give an interim order on some 140 petitions on the citizenship law. CAA petitions related to Assam, Tripura will be considered separately.
The apex court has reportedly reinstated the woman staff who had accused former CJI Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment. She had joined the duty post which she went on leave. All her arrears have been cleared, according to the report. The woman employee of the Supreme Court of India, who was working as a former junior assistant at the home of CJI Gogoi, accused him of sexual misconduct for which the apex court held an urgent hearing.
Ankushita Bora clinches gold for Assam in Boxing, U-21, 64kg category at SAI center, Paltan Bazar during Khelo India Games in Guwahati. The boxer hails from Meghai Jarani village in Sonitpur district of Assam. The final day of the games saw Maharashtra emerge as overall winners. Celebrities from Bollywood and a martial art team from China will perform in the closing function of the third Khelo India Games which will be held at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium at Sarusajai Sports Complex today.
An RTI reply to a query sought by Saurav Das, a member of the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI), under the “life and liberty” clause, has cleared some doubts over what transpired at JNU campus on January 5. The JNU administration had earlier claimed in an FIR that some students had entered the Centre for Information System (CIS) office and turned off the power supply. They had also damaged the server which had affected the functioning of biometric systems and CCTV cameras. The RTI reply states that the Centre for Information System (CIS) was shut down on January 3 and had gone down the next day “due to power supply disruption.”
India has slipped 10 spots and landed at 51st position in the latest EIU Democracy Index report which provides a snapshot of the state of world democracy for 165 independent states and two territories. On a scale of 0-10, India’s score fell from 7.23 in 2018 to 6.90 in 2019. Norway topped the list and North Korea ranked at the bottom of the list. Overall, the year has been bleak for global democracy. The average global score has fallen from 5.48 in 2018, to 5.44.
China’s death toll due to the new coronavirus has reached 9. Some 440 people have been affected so far. Public health officials from around the world are monitoring the situation closely. WHO stated that on 31 December 2019, WHO was informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause which was detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Itis closely monitoring this event and is in active communication with counterparts in China.

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Residents from more than 80 villages in Dibrugarh district of Assam donated 45,000 kg of paddy and Rs 80,000 in cash towards funds that will help in driving the anti-CAA campaign led by AASU and its allies. A donation drive in the area is going on for the past two weeks. Each household contributes 4 kg of paddy. The ones who could not do that paid cash as a contribution. AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said that the paddy will be auctioned to raise money for the anti-CAA campaign. He called the gesture of the villagers “priceless.”
Assam's Shivangi Sarma has won another gold medal at Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Centre during Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati. This takes her total medal tally to 5 gold and 2 silver. Shivangi had won her first two gold medals in the Girls U21 200m Freestyle and Girls U21 800m Freestyle event. She also won a gold medal in 100 and 200 m Freestyle swimming event in the ongoing games in Guwahati.
Teachers must ensure all-round development of students, Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said. Addressing the students in the closing function of the silver jubilee celebration of Sankardeva Sishu/Vidya Niketan in the city today, Prof. Mukhi said that since today’s students are likely to become tomorrow’s leaders in their chosen walks of life, the schools need to create a bend of mind among the students helpful for the creation of intellectual excellence.
The 11th edition of Pragjyoti International Dance Festival (PIDF), an annual classical dance extravaganza conceptualized to exhibit the wide range of Indian dance traditions through dance, will be held in Guwahati from January 31 to February 1 at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra. Addressing a press Conference at Guwahati Press Club on Monday, Kalpa, a society for promotion of literature, art, culture, made this announcement.
Zomato, one of the largest food apps in India has acquired Uber Eats in India in an all-stock transaction. The deal is worth $350 million, according to reports. Uber Eats, Uber’s food delivery business, will soon discontinue operations and will direct restaurants, delivery partners, and users of the Uber Eats apps to the Zomato platform.
Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government Of India, announced that One Nation, One Ration Card scheme will be implemented by June 1 throughout the country. The aim of the scheme is to lift their entitlement foodgrains from any FPS in the country without the need to obtain a new ration card, by integrating the existing PDS systems/portals of States/UTs with the Central systems/portals, etc. Early this year, on January 1, Paswan had said that the scheme was already operational within 12 states.
Home minister Amit Shah reiterated that CAA will not be withdrawn under any circumstances. He was speaking at a rally in Lucknow. Shah said the Act will not take away anybody’s citizenship instead it is to ensure that the persecuted living in the country can live with dignity. Shah also took a dig at JNU which was linked with “Tukde-tukde gang” and said that those raising anti-national slogans will be out in jail.
Eight tourists, all hailing from Kerala were found dead during their stay at a resort in Daman area of Nepal. The two couples and four children allegedly died out of asphyxiation as they had turned on their gas heaters and shut the windows and doors. The incident took place while the group was on their way back to Kerala.

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Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the opposition in Assam Legislative Assembly, has criticized the decision of the Union Home Ministry which had downgraded the security cover level of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi from ‘Z+’ to ‘Z’ category. In a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah, the MLA from Nazira Constituency called the current government “vindictive” and blames the government for withdrawing security cover of those who are critical of the BJP.
Singer Zubeen Garg from Assam, who has been participating in anti-CAA agitations in the state, has vowed to not shave until CAA is scrapped. Garg was earlier quoted as saying that he would rather “die” then allow Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam. CAA aims to protect religiously persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan by giving them Indian Citizenship. The cut-off date for those to be given citizenship in India has been fixed at, on or before 31st December 2014.
Patients queued up to avail services at Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital train, which reached Gauripur Railway Station in Dhubri on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner Anant Lal Gyani inaugurated the train. Patients will be treated free of cost, according to reports. Last year, the train reached Churaibari Railway Station of North Tripura district. Lifeline Express, a train healthcare service, was set up as a joint initiative of Impact India Foundation, Indian Railways and Ministry of Health in 1991.
JP Nadda was declared BJP National President for the year 2019-22 at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. The party which tweeted a congratulatory message in Hindi informed that the party’s National Election Officer, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, declared Shri JP Nadda unopposed as the BJP National President for the year 2019-22. Nadda was earlier the party’s working president and Amit Shah was the BJP National President.
In a widely shared TikTok challenge video, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone states three of her favourite looks to a TikTok user @faby_makeupartist. The actress says that her favourite looks being Om Shanti Om, Piku and Chhapaak. The user then tries those looks. Many Twitter users have accused her of being “insensitive” and “demeaning” for turning the look from Chhapaak into a TikTok challenge. The movie directed by Meghna Gulzar is based on the real-life story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Padukone essayed the role of Agarwal in the movie.
Bibek Debroy, author and Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister was conferred the Prolific Author Award at the SKOCH Public Policy Lit Fest. The award is part of an endeavor to bring public policy literature to the forefront of public discourse and decision-making.

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Sanjoy Kishan, MLA from Tinsukia and Jogen Mohan, MLA from Mahmora were sworn in as ministers on Saturday at Raj Bhawan in Guwahati. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance & Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Culture Minister Naba Kumar Doley, BJP president Ranjeet Dass and MPs Queen Oja and Kamakhya Prasad Tasa along with others were present during the event. Kishan belongs to the tea tribe community and Mohan comes from the Ahom community.
Nok Air will temporarily suspend flights between Guwahati and Bangkok starting January 20. The flight which takes off twice a week is expected to resume services on April 12, 2020. The flight schedule for April will be out soon. Passengers who had booked tickets between the period will get a full refund, Nok Air announced in an alert. Nok Air launched its services in the city on September 22, 2019.
With a view to make Sri Surya Pahar a tourist-friendly archaeological site with all the necessary facilities, the Goalpara district administration has taken several recent initiatives to uplift it. The Deputy Commissioner of Goalpara Varnali Deka inaugurated a newly constructed guest house at Sri Surya Pahar Campus which will fulfill a long pending demand of the visiting tourists to this popular site. Besides, the district administration arranged ten numbers of large size dustbins to be placed all over the area which is donated by the Goalpara Municipality Board.
13-year-old weightlifter Golom Tinku won the first gold for the state of Arunachal Pradesh at the ongoing Khelo India Games in Guwahati. The weightlifter won gold in Under-17, 55kg weightlifting competition at Bhogeswari Phukanani Indoor Stadium in Guwahati. Tinku broke the 55kg Junior National record for the clean and jerk in Bihar recently. Tinku comes from a farming family in Arunachal.
All pending cases of sexual harassment on Sports Authority of India (SAI) campuses will be disposed off within the next four weeks, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said. Rijiju’s statement comes in response to a report which said that little or no action has been taken in 45 cases of sexual harassment that were reported from 24 SAI institutes over the last 10 years.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said that the NPR process is “disguised” to carry out NRC in the country. Chidambaram who was in Kolkata to conduct a leadership training camp among state party leaders urged political parties opposing CAA, NRC to come together and stand united. He said that this was a fight to save the Constitution of the country. He also praised students for leading protests against CAA and fighting for “constitutional integrity.”
Senior lawyer Indira Jaising was slammed by many after she urged Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother, to follow the example of Sonia Gandhi who had pardoned her husband Rajiv Gandhi’s killer Nalini. Asha Devi had expressed disappointment over the decision of a Delhi court which issued fresh death warrants against the convicts. The Nirbhaya convicts will now be hanged to death at Delhi’s Tihar Jail at 6 a.m. on February 1st.
Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Government of India told reporters that Sardar Patel’s, Statue of Unity in Gujarat will create an “economic ecosystem around it worth at least Rs one lakh crore in the years to come.” Goyal was in Gujarat to examine the ongoing construction work of the Kevadiya-Vadodara railway line.
Joshy Kalluveettil from Kerala filed a Right to Information application seeking documents that can prove Prime Minister Modi’s Indian Citizenship. Kalluveettil filed the application with the public information officer of Chalakkudy municipality on January 13. Kalluveettil told media that the application reflects concerns of people who will have to prove their citizenship.

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A high-level committee met Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss Clause 6 of Assam Accord which ensures ever-lasting constitutional safeguards on rights over politics, land, culture, language, and employment as well as trade and commerce of the Assamese, indigenous Assamese and other ethnic groups living in Assam. According to reports, “The committee will assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people.” Set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the committee was created to assess and recommend appropriate measures that can ensure the rights of indigenous people.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has warned both Delhi and Dispur not to confuse the people by linking the Clause 6 of Assam Accord with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) even as the influential students’ organization has been submitting proposals to the governments for the last 34 years to ensure Constitutional safeguard to indigenous people of the State. AASU’s chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya while interacting with reporters at Swahid Nyas here on Sunday afternoon, said that Clause 6 is meant to provide Constitutional safeguard to the indigenous people of the State for taking the burden of illegal Bangladeshis who had come to the State between 1951 and 1971 as per the Assam Accord.
A division bench of the Gauhati High Court has summoned the ADGP, CID, Assam with a response as to why proceedings under the ‘Contempt of Court Act, 1971’ be not initiated against him. The High Court bench had to summon the police officer for not complying with an ‘extracted order’ issued by it in a PIL filed against the alleged multi-crore-rupee scam in the disbursement of compensation in connection with construction of the Jhanji-Demow stretch of the four-lane National Highway in Sivasagar district.
Human trafficking from Assam to other states of the country has been on the rise, and there are a number of reasons for such a trend. And one of the emergent causes for such a trend is joblessness in Assam. According to police sources, as many as 91 cases of human trafficking were reported in 2016 in the State, 175 in 2017, 238 in 2018 and 87 till June in 2019. It is seen that the rise in the number of such cases after every successive year is astronomical. What leads to such a situation?
In a joint operation launched by Kokrajhar Police and 25th Rajput Regiment on Saturday a person called Abdul Khaleqe Mandal (22) was arrested. He was suspected to belong to a Muslim Fundamental Organization.
Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has called for unity in this hour of “turmoil.” “Some of our youngsters are out on the street when they should be in their classrooms. Some of them are ending up in hospitals for being out on the streets,” he said while delivering the 26th Annual Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, according to media reports. He had also urged people to stand together and be “simply India.”
Writer Arundhati Roy came out in support of students protesting against CAA at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia. According to media reports, Roy stood in front of gate seven and said, “I have come here to tell you that I am with you,” she told students in front of gate seven of the university, also known as Jamia Square. “Now that we have all come together, no detention centre will be big enough to fill us in. I hope that a day will come when this government, which is trying to break the nation, will be in the detention centre and we will be azaad [free]. We won’t back down.” The crowd repeated after her and cheered her on as she shouted slogans of “Inquilab zindabad” ( “JNU zindabad”, and “Desh ki janta zindabad”

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Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the current situation over CAA as well as indigenous peoples’ issues. According to media reports, discussions were held to ensure measures to protect the language, literature, culture of Assamese people under Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
Activists of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) Tinsukia Unit showed black flags to Chabua MLA Binod Hazarika as a mark of protest against contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.
Amidst widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Assam’s capital city here has worn a sporting look as it is ready to hoist the third edition of the ambitious Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG). About 6,800 athletes across 37 teams have arrived in the city to take part in the Games that will be held on schedule from January 10 to 22. The athletes will compete in a total of 20 sports events, including new additions – lawn bowls and cycling, in eight venues across Guwahati, during the 13-day long event.
Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations rebuked Pakistan during an open debate at the United Nations. “There are no takers here for your malware,” he told Pakistan. The rebuttal was made after Pakistan accused India of imposing unilateral measures on Jammu and Kashmir as “a first step” in the country’s efforts to suppress Muslims.
At Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, women protestors have been peacefully protesting against CAA and NRC for almost a month now. The sit-in protests have continued despite bad weather. The Delhi High Court on Friday turned down a plea filed by IGNOU student Tushar Sachdev asking for the removal of protestors to another area citing traffic movement and damage to public property as reasons.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday held a high-level meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and top officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs on internal security issues. Sources said that law and order issues across the country, as well as security matters linked to Jammu and Kashmir, were discussed in the meeting, chaired by Shah, against the backdrop of recent violent protests in various states against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
While hearing pleas challenging petition on the current situation in Kashmir, the Supreme Court observed on Friday that right to Internet access is a fundamental right and suspending the Internet indefinitely is unconstitutional. The five-judge bench headed by Justice N V Ramana, the Court called for restoring internet services in government websites, localized/limited e-banking facilities, hospital services, etc. It also asked the administration to restore the Internet to facilitate e-banking and trade in Jammu and Kashmir.

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The Government of Assam announces a one-time special incentive scheme for the children of the Employees of Hindustan Paper Corporation. Addressing the press conference at Janata Bhawan, State Finance Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that this educational support is applicable to children of regular, serving employees of Hindustan Paper Corporation as a support to enable them to pursue their studies. Also, students pursuing courses within Assam or outside the state are eligible for a grant under this scheme.
Security of 28 stations in NFR to be monitored by CCTV. The system has already been installed in 13 stations. High definition CCTV cameras are being installed at platforms, circulating and waiting areas of important stations with sufficient number of passengers.
An inter-institution NSS camp on leadership and personality development is being organized by Gauhati University NSS Cell in association with Regional Directorate, NSS, NE Region, Guwahati from 8 – 12 January at Gauhati University campus.
A two-day programme on Eradication of Stress & Enhancing Inner Strength for NDRF personnel in Guwahati, Assam was organized by the Prajapati Brahma Kumaris Iswariya Viswa Vidyalaya at the 1st Battalion National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Guwahati. Around 300 personnel, including officers, sub-ordinate officers and jawans of 1st Battalion NDRF & Frontier HQ BSF Guwahati participated in the programme.
Rajya Sabha MP KG Kenye has been suspended from Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) for voting in favour of Citizenship Amendment Bill which was passed in Rajya Sabha. Kenye who had extended his support to the Bill had said that the issue was being discussed in the House completely out of context. KG Kenye had resigned from the post of secretary-general of NPF, but he had not resigned from the party.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu asserted that the State government will fight the legal battle with all preparations against granting of citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees in the State. Khandu was responding to a question from Congress MLAs Nabam Tuki and Wanglin Lowangdong in the Assembly during Question Hour on the status of the review petition on granting of citizenship to the Chakma-Hajong refugees filed by the State government and the Centre before the Supreme Court.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India S A Bobde refused urgent hearing of plea to declare CAA constitutional. The plea sought implementation of the Act in all states and sought actions against those spreading rumours against the Act. Several petitions have also been filed challenging the Act which aims to protect Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan by giving them Indian Citizenship.
Envoy of 16 countries will visit Kashmir for two days to assess the ground situation in the region. The delegation will have members from Latin American and African countries. According to various reports, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Ian Juster is expected to be part of the envoy. The European Union had informed the centre that they would visit the region later. They have also insisted on a meeting with prominent leaders Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti who are under detention.
The security at the US Consulate here has been beefed up in view of the rising tension between the US and Iran. The Hyderabad Police deployed more police personnel, and security barricades were erected near the office of the US Consulate General, which is located in the busy Begumpet area to prevent any untoward incident.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was about to visit the state for the third Khelo India Youth Games to begin this Friday, has cancelled his visit to avoid anti-CAA agitations. The third Khelo India Youth Games will be held in Guwahati from January 10 to 22. The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), had announced a series of agitations if the PM visited Assam.
Cabinet approves Rs 5,559 crore capital grant to Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) for setting up of North-East Natural Gas and Pipeline Grid. The entire project which will see 1,656 km long pipeline is expected to cost Rs. 9265 crore. The project apart from developing an industrial climate in the region will generate employment and contribute towards economic growth. Expansion of the North-East Natural Gas grid though IGGL will further increase the share of clean fuels in India’s energy basket other than being in line with PM Modi’s vision of ‘Purvodaya-Rise of the East.’
Terming Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as a betrayer, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya on Tuesday said that “from being a ‘Jatir Nayak’ (People’s hero), he (Sonowal) has become a protector of illegal infiltrators”. Bhattacharya was talking to the reporters in New Delhi on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Conservationists working with the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros species have welcomed the birth of a rhino calf at the Manas National Park in Assam. The calf was born to six-year-old mother rhino R3A a few days ago. Laisri, a 15-year-old grandmother of the baby rhino was brought to Manas from the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, according to media reports. Assam is known for its biodiversity. The state has chalked out plans to boost the population of rhinos to 3000 in 2020.
Assam Roll Ball Association announced its team for the 11th Mini National Roll Ball championship, which will be held at Kurukshetra, from January 10.
For Union Budget 2020, the BJP led central government has invited ideas and suggestions from the public. People can share their ideas at mygov.in Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi tweeted, “The Union Budget represents the aspirations of 130 crore Indians and lays out the path towards India’s development. I invite you all to share your ideas and suggestions for this year’s Budget on MyGov.” The Union Budget 2020-21 will be presented on 1 February.
In what can be seen as a nationwide solidarity movement, students of prestigious St Stephens College in Delhi boycotted classes, read the Preamble in support of JNU students. They also opposed CAA as well as NRC. “At St Stephen’s today. Students boycott classes (very, very rare) to read the Preamble to the Constitution and to support and say #WeStandWithJNU. And #NoCAANoNRC,” read a tweet. Leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the attacks on the students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) inside the campus.
Yesterday, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone showed up at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) during a gathering, where JNU students' union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh was speaking. Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was also present during the event. Padukone was seen standing with the students who were there to talk about the attacks that had taken place on the campus a few days ago. Her presence during the event was lauded by a lot of people, but it also invited the ire of many others who called her “opportunistic” and touted her presence as a PR stunt for her upcoming movie ‘Chhapaak.’ Many from the film fraternity stood in support and praised her for taking a stand against violence.

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In a review meeting of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Assam, some 3.12 lakh children have been identified as ‘ghost children’ because they do not exist. According to reports. officials said that the number of students studying in government and provincialized schools in 2018-19 was around 46 lakh, which is lower than the 49 lakh figure of the 2016-17 session. The additional figure was therefore misleading. The government accused the previous administration of this. It accused the previous government of showing these wrong figures in government schools for embezzling public money in the name of textbooks, mid-day meals, uniforms and other paraphernalia for these non-existent students. Sonowal said at the review meeting that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
KMSS leader Dharjya Konwar appealed to student organizations and people of Assam to continue with their non-violent protest against contentious Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 rather than focusing on forming a new regional political party.
‘Jim Corbett National Park’ which attracts wildlife lovers and tourists for the Royal Bengal Tiger, will have new guests. Over a dozen of rhinos from the ‘Kaziranga National Park’ will be sent to the ‘Corbett Park’ in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Wildlife Advisory Board recently approved a proposal for the reintroduction of one-horned rhinos on an experimental basis in the ‘Corbett Tiger Reserve’.
The next edition of the All Assam Arm Wrestling Championship will be held at Dhemaji. The decision was taken in the meeting of the All Assam Arm Wrestling Association held in the city yesterday. Silver Jubilee celebration of All Bodoland Taekwondo Association (ABTA) with prize money for ‘Best of the Best’ got underway from today at Sikhnajhar Taekwondo Gymnasium.
One of the most glamourous cine awards – the Filmfare Awards — will be held in Guwahati on February 15. Shahrukh Khan and Vicky Kaushal will host the 65th Filmfare Awards, according to media reports. The event worth Rs 20- Rs 30 crore will be organized at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium at Amingaon.
The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) along with various sectoral independent federations and associations will participate in a National General Strike on January 8, 2020. Around 25 crore people are expected to participate in the strike, the CTU stated in a release.
A video of one Bhupendra Tomar aka Pinky Bhaiyya President of the Hindu Rashtra Dal has surfaced on social media where he is shown claiming responsibility for the JNU attack. He calls JNU a “communist adda” and vows further attacks on those participating in what he thinks are anti-national activities. A few days ago many students and teachers were severely injured in a direct confrontation between scores of masked goons and JNU students in Delhi. In videos circulating widely, masked goons wielding batons and rods can be seen entering hostels and engaging in vandalism.
After seven long years, respite comes to Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi after a Delhi court issued death sentences to the four convicts involved in the 2012 brutal rape and murder of a young girl in Delhi. The convicts will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail in Delhi. Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi hailed the verdict.
Home Minister Amit Shah said that 52.72 lakh people called on BJP’s toll-free number to express support for the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. To counter nationwide protests against CAA, the party had launched this campaign to drum up support for the Act. It had released a toll-free number and asked those in support of the Act to dial in. That's all for tonight

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The Supreme Court demanded an explanation from Assam government over allegations made against Hitesh Dev Sarma, state coordinator of NRC in Assam. There were allegations that Sarma had posted controversial remarks on his Facebook page prior to his appointment. According to various reports, the posts were communal in nature. A petition also sought removal of the state coordinator, in addition to several other petitions filed relating to NRC in Assam. The bench issued notices to the Centre and Assam Govt and sought response within four weeks.
Condemning suspected ABVP members who attacked on Students in JNU, Students Society on Monday staged protest at Nehru park in Guwahati. Many students and teachers were severely injured in a direct confrontation between scores of masked goons and JNU students in Delhi last night. In videos circulating widely, masked goons wielding batons and rods can be seen entering hostels and engaging in vandalism. Left-leaning students of the University have claimed members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) behind the attacks. The latter obviously denied the claims. Those injured were rushed to AIIMS with many being admitted to the trauma centre and ICU for treatment.
The Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday attended the Dwijing Festival in Chirang District. Addressing the huge crowd of visitors, Sonowal said that the Dwijing Festival had gained popularity within a short time, not only in the State but in the country as well.
Dr Gyan Chandra Jain, a renowned Surgeon breathed his last at the age of 84 yrs on 5th January morning at Guwahati leaving a void amongst the Medical fraternity of Assam. A retired Professor of Surgery from Gauhati Medical College who was very popular among his students and has served relentlessly to the medical fraternity for more than 55 yrs.
Arindita Kalita and Arnav Timsina will make their Bollywood debut in the movie called Bunker, the country’s first anti-war movie, which will be released throughout the country on January 17. The movie directed by Jugal Raja revolves around the lives of army officers, mental health issues they have to deal with and the sacrifices their families have to make while the soldiers serve the country. Kalita will be playing the character of Swara Singh, the wife of Lt Vikram Singh. The actress has pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion and Apparel Designing from JD Institute in Delhi. Timsina will play the role of Sukhram in the film.
A day-long training camp under the farmers’ club Jeevan Jeuti Krishak Sangha was held on Sunday at Oujar. The organization trained altogether 300 youth farmers under the District Agriculture Department for System of Rice Intensification (SRI) farming methodology.
The host state of Assam along with Maharashtra will field biggest contingents during the upcoming third edition of Khelo India Youth Games to be organized in Guwahati from January 10 to 22. Assam will field 656 athletes and former champions Maharashtra will field 751 athletes.
Amid the escalating US-Iran tensions, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday urged the Central government to take urgent steps to ensure the safety and security of the 10 million Indians in the Gulf region. India cannot afford to simply wait and watch, or to just monitor the situation, given the rising stakes in view of the threats and counter-threats between the US and Iran, Singh said, in the context of the Ministry of External Affairs’ statement that it was keeping a close watch on the situation.

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Namghar Samannay Mancha staged protest against Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 at Golaghat Town on Saturday. Jatiya Mohila Parishad, sister organization of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) launched organised a massive rally against Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 in Doomdooma under Tinsukia District.

Manan Nath of Assam lifted singles title in the boys U-14 event of the AITA Super Series Tennis Tournament which concluded at Karnal today. Riyan Parag of Assam scored an unbeaten 104 off 219 balls, helping the side end the day on 237-5 against Uttarakhand. The brilliant century helped Assam end the day well . The 18-year old was part of 2019 IPL for Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad.

With the series of pro-active economic measures taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led State Government, Tripura’s per capita income will cross the national average in the current fiscal (2019-20), said Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. While addressing an official function here on Thursday evening, the Chief Minister said that besides the urban areas, the rural areas of Tripura are also developing economically following which the per capita income has increased.

Devajit Saikia, secretary Assam Cricket Association (ACA) informed that posters, banners, placards, message or any kind of display boards will not be allowed in the first T20I match between India and Sri Lanka to be held on Sunday at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Spectators will be allowed to carry only essentials, such as, phones, keys and purse into the ground.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday took to twitter to thank Assam’'s Zubeen Garg for comments he made in Kejriwal's favour.

Karnataka BJP MLA G Somasekhara Reddy stirred fresh controversy by making what many interpret as objectionable remarks against minorities and anti CAA protestors. Taking a dig at those agitating against CAA, he said, “ We are 80 percent and you are 18 percent. Imagine what will happen if we take charge,” said BJP MLA Somashekar Reddy. The Congress delegation has filed a complaint with police against the remark

UP police served notices to dead and elderly men in their 90s. Banne Khan from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh has been served notice for participating in anti-CAA agitations. Khan will not be able to seek bail because he is dead. UP police have been widely criticized for cracking down violently on those who participated in anti CAA agitations. Yogi Adityanath government defended police actions by saying that they are intended to shock rioters.

Jameel Ahmed Ansari who went missing six years ago during Uttarakhand floods was reunited with his family. He was traced by Uttarakhand police who found him in an old age home at Gopeshwar in Chamoli district. He had been living for the past two years as he had no money to return home.

Indian Captain Virat Kohli on Saturday refused to make any comments on the sensitive subject Citizenship Amendment Act and said that it would be irresponsible on his part to make any comments without gaining full knowledge on the matter. Kohli was asked about the Citizenship Amendment Act during a press conference ahead of the T20 match in Guwahati on Sunday.

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All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and All Assam Mottock Yuva Chatra Sanmilan (Tinsukia District) supported by other indigenous organizations launched ‘Gana Hunkar’ programme against Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 on Friday. Under the aegis of All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU), Chowdang Jatiya Parishad, Artistes Society and others staged a sit-in protest against CAA in Jorhat.
After successfully evicting thousands of alleged Bangladeshi encroachers last year from Langkaijan, a vast stretch of revenue and forest land of Karbi Anglong autonomous district bordering Hojai, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council carried out schematic development works around the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed Krishi Karman Awards to the states at a public meeting in Tumkur, Karnataka yesterday. The state of Manipur bagged the prestigious Krishi Karman Award as the best-performing State in Overall Food-grain Production in Category-III for the year 2017-18. The award includes a trophy, a citation and an amount of Rs 5 crore.
Dates for the annual bilateral summit between India and Japan will be announced very soon, Raveesh Kumar, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, India informed media during a press briefing. This comes, after the meeting between PM Narendra Modi of India and Shinzo Abe of Japan was postponed due to widespread protests in Guwahati, the original venue for the summit where the two leaders were set to meet in December.
Former footballer and ex-BSF Commandant Nikunja Brahma of Kokrajhar, who represented Assam in national level football tournaments, breathed his last recently after a brief illness at a private hospital at Coochbeher in West Bengal. He was 68 and leaves behind his wife, two sons, daughter in law, granddaughter and host of relatives.
Sri Lanka cricket team, lead by veteran pacer Lasith Malinga, arrived in Guwahati this afternoon to play the T20 Series against India. The three-match series will kick off at the ACA stadium, Barsapara on January 5. The match would be followed by two more games in Indore and Pune.

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Former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday expressed his condolence towards those who died due to police firing in the anti-CAA protests in the city. Speaking exclusively to THE SENTINEL DIGITAL, Gogoi said that the people of Assam have now started realizing that both BJP and its ally AGP’s are opportunistic political parties, therefore, there has been a mass movement against BJP’s authoritarian regime.
In a first, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden and wildlife NGO Aaranyak successfully carried out hatching of two Greater Adjutant chicks, a member of stork family, commonly known as Hargila in Assam. The breeding was carried out in an artificial platform within an enclosed area of a zoo. Called ‘Hargila’ (one which swallows bones) locally, the Greater Adjutant Stork is a scavenger whose role in the food chain is crucial. However, owing to its bad odour and loud sound, people drive it away, or worse, kill it.
Animals in Guwahati zoo can now expect some respite from the winter chills. Zoo officials have made special arrangement of heaters for tigers and lion. Paddy straw have been arranged for comfort of deer and other the animals, informed officials.
The state government has banned strikes by employees and staff working in the oil and gas sector for a period of six months from December 31 onward. Strikes by the officers, workmen, contract labourers, drivers and their helpers of tankers in the sector have been prohibited under the Essential Services Maintenance (Assam) Act, 1980, informed the government.
Manipur which has stared implementing Inner Line Permit (ILP) to those coming into the state has issued 163 permits on the first day. 330 advance application forms were received. ILP will be applicable in the entire state. Those who are not indigenous people of the state or permanent residents of the state will have to apply for ILP which will be issued for 15 days.
At least 100 babies have died in JK Lon Hospital in Kota Rajasthan this month alone. More than 900 babies had died in 2019. The hospital has been plagued by infant deaths for many years now. Investigations have shown that most equipment of the hospital were defunct and that there was acute shortage of staff. Investigating agencies also found broken windows and pigs roaming inside the premises.
Wife divorced for committing adultery will not entitled for maintenance. Bombay High Court dismissed a petition filed by a divorced woman challenging a Sessions Court order that cancelled the allowance she was entitled to post divorce. The lower court had rejected her plea under section 125 of code of criminal procedure.
The Ministry of Defence announced the selection of 22 tableaux proposals for Republic Day Parade 2020. A total of 56 proposals were received for consideration. A circular from the ministry mentioned that the tableau proposal of Govt. of West Bengal was examined by the Expert Committee in two rounds of meetings, but did not make the cut.
Dami Kohli, a Hindu refugee from Pakistan, who fled the country after facing religious persecution in Pakistan, was informed by her school that she will not be allowed to appear for her exams. The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education has asked her to provide eligibility certificate to appear for her 12th exams next year. State Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasara assured her and her family that the government will ensure that she can appear for her exams, and if required rules will be changed.

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• Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal announced Rs 75 crore corpus Fund for Assam Sahitya Sabha which includes 22 indigenous apex literary bodies. The CM met representatives of Asam Sahitya Sabha and various indigenous Sahitya Sabhas in Guwahati. For now, the government will provide Corpus Fund of Rs 10 crore to Assam Sahitya Sabha, Rs 5 crore to Bodo Sahitya Sabha and Rs 3 crore to other indigenous Sahitya Sabhas of the state. Under the Bhasha Gaurav Achoni, the government will encourage 1,000 new authors from different communities of Assam by providing them Rs 50,000 as one-time financial assistance.

• The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department organised a two-day training programme on poultry farming for skill development of the stakeholder farmers of Hailakandi district. As many as 39 farmers were oriented on different aspects of poultry and duck farming, namely feeding, management, health care, with focus on entrepreneurship development.

• During the intervening nights of December 30 and 31, BSF troops deployed at border outposts in Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills districts of Meghalaya seized 180 cattle worth Rs 23.16 lakh. These cattle were to be smuggled from India to Bangladesh. The above operations were carried out on intelligence inputs. The smugglers tried to exploit the unfenced area but the vigilant BSF jawans foiled their attempts.

• Troops of Guwahati Frontier of Border Security Force carried out a joint operation for the destruction of illegal cultivation of hemp in the bordering area of Dinhata (Coochbehar). During the operations, 64 patches of cultivated land consisting of approximately 43000 plants of hemp were destroyed.

• Last night a few unknown miscreants vandalized All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) office in Rupohi under Baksa District. The miscreants burned down all important officials’ documents and destroyed television and furniture. Those in the office somehow managed to escape from the spot.

• This year onward passengers travelling by trains will have to shell out more for their travels. Indian railways revised passenger fares over non-suburban sections. There will be no change over suburban fare and season tickets. The increase in fare is applicable only for tickets bought on or after January 1, 2020, informed the railways in a statement.

• 2020 promises to be an uplifting year for the Indian Space landscape. Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan informed that India's next moon mission, Chandrayaan-3 has been approved by the government. The launch may shift to next year. Four astronauts will begin training for crewed orbital spacecraft Gaganyaan in Russia this January.

• Prevention of Money Laundering Act court in Mumbai has allowed banks which had lent money to fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya to utilize his seized assets. As many as twelve state-owned banks had petitioned for ex-billionaire Vijay Mallya to be declared bankrupt over 1.15 billion pounds in unpaid debts.

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