Dibrugarh Today

08/07/2025

| Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi has sharply criticised the ongoing mass eviction drive in Assam’s Dhubri district, labelling it as “inhuman, destructive, and communal in nature.” His remarks come shortly after being released from police detention during his visit to the eviction site at Chapar.

In a series of emotional Facebook posts on Tuesday, Gogoi condemned the state government’s actions, accusing it of using development as a pretext to displace thousands of marginalized people. He also questioned the moral legitimacy and humanitarian considerations behind the operation.

“Dhubri police pushed me out of the district and left me in Goalpara. I am now on my way to attend a public meeting in Krishnai. But 11 of my fellow activists are still being held at the Chapar police station,” Gogoi wrote.

The MLA was reportedly detained by Dhubri police when he attempted to visit the eviction-affected areas. Authorities later released him and escorted him out of the district. Gogoi has since vowed to continue his protest and support those impacted by the eviction.

The eviction drive in Dhubri, which the government claims is part of an anti-encroachment initiative, has sparked widespread political and civil society backlash, with critics alleging targeted actions against minority communities.

As tensions rise, several opposition leaders and rights groups have called for an immediate halt to the eviction and demanded rehabilitation measures for the affected families.

08/07/2025

08/07/2025

: The District Transport Office (DTO), Dibrugarh, conducted a road safety counselling session for traffic rule violators.

The initiative aims to sensitise offenders about traffic laws and the consequences of reckless driving.

Officials briefed participants on safe driving practices and the importance of following traffic norms.

Awareness materials were also distributed during the session.

The DTO plans to continue such drives to curb violations and promote road discipline across the district.

08/07/2025

: In a shocking case of financial fraud, a Kerala-based husband-wife duo has allegedly scammed over 1,300 investors in Bengaluru.

The couple, identified as Tomy A.V. and Shiny Tomy, ran a chit fund company named A&A Chits and Finance.

They lured investors by promising unusually high returns between 15% and 20% on their investments.

Initially, the couple paid out regular dividends, gaining the trust of their clients.

Over time, the scheme attracted crores of rupees, with many people investing money meant for education, medical needs, and weddings.

However, in recent weeks, payments stopped abruptly. Their phones are now switched off and the office has been locked.

Panic spread among investors when they realised the couple had vanished without any warning.

A victim shared, “They promised to double our money. I sold property and put in my savings. Now they’re gone.”

An FIR has been registered at Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. Authorities believe the couple may have liquidated assets before fleeing.

A large-scale manhunt is underway to trace the absconding duo.

Police also suspect the company had already been in financial trouble before the disappearance.

08/07/2025

: India is set for a major shutdown on Wednesday as over 25 crore workers, backed by farmers and rural labourers, prepare to join a nationwide strike called Bharat Bandh. Organised by a coalition of 10 central trade unions, the protest targets what they call the Centre’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies.

The strike is expected to severely affect key sectors such as banking, insurance, coal mining, postal services, public transport, and informal industries. Months of grassroots mobilisation have brought together workers from both organised and unorganised sectors.

“All sections of the working class are angry,” said AITUC general secretary Amarjeet Kaur, noting that the government has shown no intent to resolve long-standing issues. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha warned of major disruptions in essential services.

At the core of the protest is a 17-point charter of demands submitted last year, including minimum wage, pension and social security for all, an end to contract labour, a halt to privatisation, price controls, and protection of farmers’ rights. Unions say the government has failed to respond meaningfully.

08/07/2025

: Motor transport workers across Assam have announced a 24-hour ‘Chakka Bandh’ from 5 AM on July 9, joining a nationwide general strike led by central trade unions and national federations. The protest targets the Centre’s alleged “anti-worker” and “anti-people” policies that unions claim have worsened conditions in the transport sector.

The bandh is expected to halt buses, taxis, and other transport services, disrupting daily life statewide. Key issues include the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which introduced steep fines that unions call “inhuman,” and Clause 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the so-called “Hit and Run Act,” which allegedly imposes unjust criminal charges on drivers.

Workers are also demanding long-pending social security benefits like pensions, healthcare, and educational support. Unions accuse the government of undermining public transport to aid corporate interests, calling the strike a fight for justice, livelihood, and dignity.

Citizens have been urged to support the bandh in solidarity with transport workers and the broader working class.

08/07/2025

: The central government will train 50,000 youth from the Northeast in maritime skills over the next decade, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on July 7. The initiative aims to build a skilled workforce for the region’s growing inland water transport sector and boost job opportunities.

Training will be conducted through the Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati and a new ₹200-crore Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh. Together, they are expected to create about 500 jobs annually.

“Our goal is to empower 50,000 youth with world-class maritime skills, ensuring employment and growth. The centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will be key to this transformation,” said Sonowal.

This initiative is part of a broader ₹5,000-crore plan to enhance waterway infrastructure in the Northeast. Of the ₹1,000 crore in projects launched over the past two years, ₹300 crore has been completed, with the rest targeted for completion by 2025.

08/07/2025

: Mawsynram in Meghalaya, the wettest place on Earth with an annual rainfall of around 12,000 mm, is set to host the world’s first rain museum.

As per reports, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that tenders have been floated and construction will begin after the current monsoon season.

With a budget of ₹35 crore, the museum will offer immersive rain experience zones, cultural exhibits of the Khasi community, and a cutting-edge research centre equipped with rain gauges and monitoring tools. Collaborations with IMD and ISRO are also being explored.

The aim is to position Mawsynram as a unique global destination that combines science, culture, and sensory experiences to celebrate Meghalaya’s natural beauty.

08/07/2025

🚨| In a significant development in India’s fight against terrorism, US-based Khalistani t@rrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, is being extradited to India, according to recent reports. Happy was arrested in April this year and has since been in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Harpreet Singh is accused of orchestrating a series of gr***de bl@sts in Punjab and is believed to be a key operative in a terror nexus involving Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and the banned Khalistani outfit, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

Indian authorities have long pursued Happy for his alleged role in planning and facilitating violent attacks intended to destabilize the region and revive the Khalistan movement through terr@r operations.

Sources reveal that the extradition is part of ongoing cooperation between Indian and US security agencies. Once brought back to India, Happy will face trial under various charges including t@rrorism, sedition, and conspiracy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Officials believe his extradition will be a major breakthrough in unearthing transnational links between pro-Khalistani extremists and Pakistan’s ISI, and may provide crucial leads into sleeper cells operating within and outside India.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to make an official statement following Happy’s arrival in India. Security has been beefed up in Punjab and Delhi in light of the extradition to pre-empt any retaliatory acts by sympathizers.

07/07/2025

: In a major policy shift, the United Arab Emirates has introduced a ₹23 lakh Golden Visa for Indian nationals, eliminating the previous requirement of property investment or a trade license.

This new version of the Golden Visa grants a 10-year residency and is now more accessible to professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors from India.

Previously, applicants needed to invest at least AED 2 million (approximately ₹4.7 crore) in property or hold a trade licence. That requirement has now been scrapped.

Indians are among the first to benefit from this revised visa scheme, highlighting the UAE’s aim to deepen ties with key global partners.

The visa allows holders to live, work, and study in the UAE without needing a local sponsor. It also enables family sponsorship and access to top-tier healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Applications can be made online or through official centres, with no need to travel to Dubai for the initial process.

The move is expected to attract skilled Indian talent and boost the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation and business.