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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam & Meghalaya villagers protest proposed dam on Kulsi
Guwahati: Hundreds of people from Assam, joined by residents from adjoining Meghalaya, organised a protest march at Chaygaon in Kamrup district on Wednesday, opposing a proposed 55 MW hydel power project along the interstate border near Ukiam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The demonstration comes in response to the joint Assam-Meghalaya move to build the dam by evicting villages located near the Kulsi river. More than a dozen organisations participated in the rally, including units of the All Assam Students' Union, All Rabha Students' Union, Assam-Meghalaya Joint Protection Committee, Ukiam-Kyrsai group, Garo National Council (Assam Zone), and Bongaon Anchalik Committee of the All Assam Tribal Sangha. These groups represent a cross-section of tribal and non-tribal communities — Khasi, Gorkha, Bengali, Koch-Rajbongshi, Garo, Rabha, Bodo, and others. Memorandums were submitted to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, demanding that the project be scrapped. Protesters said the proposed dam, located upstream on the Kulsi river — a major tributary of the Brahmaputra — would devastate agricultural livelihoods in Kamrup, affect wetlands such as Chandubi Lake, and destroy habitats of endangered Gangetic river dolphin. The fishing community downstream has also voiced opposition, raising concerns after CM Sarma announced the proposed project following a meeting with his Meghalaya counterpart. Kulsi is considered the agricultural lifeline of south Kamrup district. The river originates from the confluence of the Khri (Sri), Dilma (Ghoga), and Dron rivers at the "Tribeni Sangam" in Ukiam, flowing onward as a vital Brahmaputra tributary. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The crops and natural vegetation of south Kamrup depend on the Kulsi's flow. Installing a 62-metre-high dam at Ukiam would severely disrupt this ecosystem," read the memorandum sent to the CMs via the Chaygaon circle officer. Protesters also warned of the risks during monsoon, citing past cloudburst incidents. They fear that in the event of excess rainfall, a sudden release from the dam's reservoir could cause large-scale devastation downstream. According to the memorandum, the proposed project is expected to affect several villages in Assam's Kamrup district and Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills. These include Ukiam, Barjhar, Dighalbil, Warygrow, Krishnapur, Umthali, Mekhamdal, Darifang, and others. Kulsi is home to the endangered Gangetic river dolphin, or Sihu, Assam's state aquatic animal, listed on the IUCN Red List, the memorandum stated.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Aasu to sponsor coaching of 40 UPSC aspirants from NE in Delhi every year
Guwahati: All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) on Monday announced a major initiative to provide special support to 40 UPSC aspirants from Assam and the northeast. They will be offered free coaching at selected Delhi institutes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the results for Assam in the UPSC-conducted civil services examination were not promising in the recent past, this year saw a drastic fall in the number of candidates from Assam and the northeast who qualified in the UPSC civil services final examination. On Monday, Aasu announced that every year, it will send 26 students from Assam and 14 students from other northeastern states, through the North East Student Organization (NESO) for training for the UPSC-conducted civil services examination in Delhi. In the first step of the project, this year, under the "Pratyasha" project, 25 candidates from Assam who succeeded in the UPSC prelims will be provided assistance for the main exam. The student union will cover all expenses for these 25 candidates to receive online or offline training at their chosen institution. Interested candidates who succeeded in the preliminary stage can apply by filling out a form on the student union's website The application process will continue until Jun 29. In the first week of July, assistance will be provided to 25 selected candidates. Candidate who have already enrolled in institutions for training can also apply, and the student union will provide assistance with training costs as much as possible. "They will receive training at selected institutions in Delhi. A special arrangement will be made to select and send these candidates to Delhi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Aasu will soon provide a detailed explanation on this matter," Aasu president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Samiran Phukan said in a statement on Monday. Aasu has devised a special plan to encourage students and youth from Assam to appear in the civil services examination and to create a cadre of efficient administrative officers from Assam. To advance this plan, the student union will proceed with advice from former Dibrugarh University VC Alak Kumar Buragohain, Assam Skill University VC Subhas Chandra Das, retired IAS officer Himangshu Sekhar Das, retired senior officer of Indian Railways Robin Kalita, and some former and current civil service officers. During the training in Delhi, the All Assamese Students' Association New Delhi will coordinate the efforts. Notably, in 2001-02, Aasu supported a group of candidates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of whom succeeded in the exam. This time, Aasu said their mission is more elaborate and planned. "Over the years, the number of qualifiers has been gradually decreasing. This has concerned both the people of Assam and Aasu. Various student groups and university groups of Aasu have been organising training camps for competitive exams from time to time. However, there is still much to be done to raise awareness for national-level competitive exams in Assam," said Utpal Sarma. Guwahati: All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) on Monday announced a major initiative to provide special support to 40 UPSC aspirants from Assam and the northeast. They will be offered free coaching at selected Delhi institutes. While the results for Assam in the UPSC-conducted civil services examination were not promising in the recent past, this year saw a drastic fall in the number of candidates from Assam and the northeast who qualified in the UPSC civil services final examination. On Monday, Aasu announced that every year, it will send 26 students from Assam and 14 students from other northeastern states, through the North East Student Organization (NESO) for training for the UPSC-conducted civil services examination in Delhi. In the first step of the project, this year, under the "Pratyasha" project, 25 candidates from Assam who succeeded in the UPSC prelims will be provided assistance for the main exam. The student union will cover all expenses for these 25 candidates to receive online or offline training at their chosen institution. Interested candidates who succeeded in the preliminary stage can apply by filling out a form on the student union's website The application process will continue until Jun 29. In the first week of July, assistance will be provided to 25 selected candidates. Candidate who have already enrolled in institutions for training can also apply, and the student union will provide assistance with training costs as much as possible. "They will receive training at selected institutions in Delhi. A special arrangement will be made to select and send these candidates to Delhi. Aasu will soon provide a detailed explanation on this matter," Aasu president Utpal Sarma and general secretary Samiran Phukan said in a statement on Monday. Aasu has devised a special plan to encourage students and youth from Assam to appear in the civil services examination and to create a cadre of efficient administrative officers from Assam. To advance this plan, the student union will proceed with advice from former Dibrugarh University VC Alak Kumar Buragohain, Assam Skill University VC Subhas Chandra Das, retired IAS officer Himangshu Sekhar Das, retired senior officer of Indian Railways Robin Kalita, and some former and current civil service officers. During the training in Delhi, the All Assamese Students' Association New Delhi will coordinate the efforts. Notably, in 2001-02, Aasu supported a group of candidates for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of whom succeeded in the exam. This time, Aasu said their mission is more elaborate and planned. "Over the years, the number of qualifiers has been gradually decreasing. This has concerned both the people of Assam and Aasu. Various student groups and university groups of Aasu have been organising training camps for competitive exams from time to time. However, there is still much to be done to raise awareness for national-level competitive exams in Assam," said Utpal Sarma.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AASU protests waterlogging woes, warns of intensified agitation in Chabua
1 2 3 Dibrugarh: Frustrated by repeated waterlogging and unaddressed garbage accumulation, members of the All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) staged a demonstration in Chabua on Friday, demanding immediate govt action. The protest was sparked by last week's relentless rainfall, which left large parts of the town, including the vital NH-37, submerged for nearly seven days. Chabua, a key urban centre in Dibrugarh district, saw its streets turned into waterways due to heavy rain, severely disrupting daily life. Shopkeepers, commuters, and residents struggled as stagnant floodwaters made movement nearly impossible. Protesters urged authorities to prioritise two primary issues: the completion of ongoing drainage projects and a thorough cleanup of existing drains to prevent future flooding. They also called attention to the worsening condition of Chabua's daily market, where piles of unattended garbage pose serious health risks. Aasu warned that failure to act would lead to intensified protests. "Every time it rains heavily, the town turns into a lake. The drainage system is either incomplete or clogged with waste, yet authorities have ignored this crisis for years," said Kashyap Kumar Mautt, vice-president of Aasu's Chabua unit. "We've given the administration one week to respond. If nothing changes, we will escalate our agitation. Chabua needs a scientific drainage master plan and regular maintenance—ad-hoc solutions won't fix this issue," he added. The protest concluded with Aasu leaders submitting a memorandum to Chabua circle officer Mitalee Lahon, addressed to Dibrugarh district commissioner Bikram Kairi, urging swift intervention. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Time of India
Aasu ex-leader held in Duliajan petrol station clash case
1 2 Dibrugarh: All Assam Students' Union (Aasu) former general secretary Sankor Jyoti Baruah was arrested by Dibrugarh police on Monday, following an 11-hour interrogation. He was arrested in connection with a violent clash at a petrol station in Duliajan town on May 17. Baruah was initially detained by the Duliajan police on Sunday evening and was brought to the Dibrugarh Police Station around midnight. He was formally arrested at around 11.30 am on Monday, with charges filed under multiple sections of the BNS 2023. On May 17, a clash erupted at Indian Oil's M/s BN Singh Petrol Service Station at 4.20 pm, when a group of around 20 individuals allegedly stormed the premises, leading to a physical altercation with employees. At least four staff members sustained injuries, prompting Duliajan Police to register a case based on an FIR. Baruah, who was present during the clash, had denied involvement in the violence, claiming that he had arrived to mediate. Meanwhile police have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the brawl. As the inquiry progresses, police are examining CCTV footage and witness accounts. Officials said further arrests are likely as the investigation continues.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- The Hindu
Elephant killers will be punished, says Assam tribal council chief
The chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro, has asked forest officials to track down and punish the killers of three elephants in the Manas National Park on Friday (May 2, 2025). The 500 sq. km. Manas, a transboundary protected area, is within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), which the BTC governs. Forest guards found the carcasses of the elephants in the Palengshi Beat area of the park's Panbari Range close to the India-Bhutan border. 'We have taken this incident with utmost seriousness, and the officials have been directed to take all necessary steps to catch and punish the culprits. We will not tolerate any harm to our wildlife and will ensure strict action against those involved,' he told journalists on Saturday (May 3, 2025). He said the BTR saw a sharp decline in poaching over the past few years. Sustained efforts by the government led to the surrender of scores of poachers. He added that the former poachers and hunters were provided one-time financial aid to support alternative livelihoods. The government has also undertaken steps to reduce human-elephant conflicts and fast-track compensation for the families of people killed in such incidents. 'The declaration of the Raimona National Park and the Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park in the BTR was a part of our efforts to protect wildlife and preserve our natural resources,' Mr. Boro said. The poaching incident triggered outrage in the areas around the Manas National Park, where elephants are often revered despite frequent conflicts with humans. The local units of the All Assam Students' Union and the All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam have stepped up pressure on the BTR authorities to crack down on poachers and wildlife body parts traffickers. 2 wildlife traffickers caught On May 1, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel caught two wildlife traffickers at Ghewmari in western Assam's Dhubri district and recovered 202 common sand boas (Eryx johnii) from them. The two were identified as brothers Arif Mal and Talib Mal from North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. They were caught trying to smuggle the snakes in sacks across the border. The common sand boa, primarily found in southern India, is listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Believed to bring wealth and prosperity, this non-venomous snake is in high demand in the grey market. 'The large number of rescued snakes points to a wider trafficking syndicate. We have launched a comprehensive investigation to find the network's reach and connections,' an officer of the Forest department, which took custody of the common sand boas, said.
