Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that his government will withdraw one lakh minor cases, including for social media posts, to reduce the burden on the lower judiciary. Hoisting the national flag at the 76th Independence Day function in Guwahati, Mr. Sarma said there are about four lakh cases pending in the lower judiciary. The government has decided that minor cases registered before midnight of August 14, 2021, will be withdrawn, he said. "This will enable the judiciary to focus on more heinous crimes such as rapes and murders," he added. Asserting that Assam is an integral part of India, Mr. Sarma said that those who are still dreaming of "sovereignty" should return to the discussion table. "Sovereignty is non-negotiable and Assam will never leave India," he said, in an apparent message to militant groups ULFA(I) and NSCN who have called for a "boycott" of Independence Day celebrations and "total shutdown" in five Northeastern states, including … [Read more...] about Assam to withdraw one lakh minor cases: Himanta on Independence Day

The current ruling BJP government and India’s longest-ruling party — Congress — are engaged in shows of patriotism ahead of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (the platinum jubilee of Independence .) While the Centre has launched the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement to instil nationalism and patriotism in Indian youth, Congress has called for the ‘Azadi Ka Gaurav Yatra’ (Independence Pride March) – asserting that it would restore constitutional rule in India if voted to power. With India’s constitutional values being hotly debated, here is a look at major amendments made to the Indian Constitution since Independence. To date, there are 105 amendments made by the Parliament to the original 395 articles of the Constitution. First Amendment Passed under India’s first Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951, the first amendment to the Constitution altered articles 15, 15 (3), 46, 341, 342, 372 and 376, empowering States to ‘make any special provision for the advancement of any socially and … [Read more...] about The changing Constitution since Independence

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya appealed to states and Union territories on Tuesday for timely utilisation of central funds to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and expedite the implementation of people-centric health services at the grassroots. He also urged states and Union territories to accelerate the coverage of precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccines by organising camps at public places under the Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav, the Health Ministry said in a statement. Mandaviya also advised them to widely publicise the availability of heterologous precaution dose of Corbevax vaccine and to organise vaccination camps at public places such as bus stands, railway stations, airports, schools/colleges, pilgrimage routes and religious places to increase the uptake of precaution dose among the eligible beneficiaries. As on date, 12.36 crore precaution doses have been administered, according to the statement. ”Government of India has been working in the spirit of … [Read more...] about Ensure Timely Utilisation of Funds to Boost Health Services at Grassroots: Mandaviya to States

Our Independence Day is, very specially, our Prime Minister’s day. It has been that way since our very first Independence Day, August 15, 1947, when Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister, chiselled his name for all time into that date with his ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech in Parliament House. Independence Day, the Red Fort and our Prime Minister unfurling the national flag from there have come to make up a triptych of freedom. So on this Independence Day we must felicitate our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as he unfurls our flag at Red Fort. And when we felicitate him on this day, we celebrate the helmsman and the helm. PM of all Indians He is Prime Minister for all Indians, whether they voted for him or did not. He is also Prime Minister for those Indian voters who chose NOTA (None of the Above) or chose not to cast their votes at all. And so when he unfurls the national flag, he unfurls it for all of us. In fact, all of us — ‘we the people of India’ — unfurl … [Read more...] about Words of freedom

Five cadres of the banned militant outfit People's Liberation Army (PLA) involved in two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts were arrested in Manipur's Thoubal district on Tuesday, police said. Superintendent of Police, Thoubal, H Jogeshchandra told a press conference that following reliable inputs from Assam Rifles, a cordon and search operation was conducted at Tentha Tuwaband in Thoubal district, during which three militants of the proscribed outfit including a woman were arrested by a joint team of Thoubal district police and Assam Rifles. "As a follow-up operation, two more militants were also arrested by a joint team consisting of a 16 AR column, based on inputs by BSF Koirengei", Jogeshchandra said. Preliminary investigation revealed that they were involved in targeting non-locals in the valley and were involved in the IED blasts at Telipati in Imphal East district and Khongjom Sapam in Thoubal on May 13 and May 30 respectively, the police officer said. Four hand … [Read more...] about Five Militants Involved in IED Blasts Arrested in Manipur’s Thoubal

Indian athletes expressed their elation at being honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their superlative showing at Birmingham Commonwealth Games with Nikhat Zareen gifting him her boxing gloves and sprinter Hima Das giving the traditional Assamese gamocha. Mr. Modi, on Saturday, hosted the Indian contingent at his residence to felicitate the players. The Indian athletes produced a sensational show in Birmingham, claiming 61 medals, including 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze. "Honoured to gift the boxing gloves signed by all the pugilists to our honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi sir. Thank you for this amazing opportunity. A great day spent with my fellow athletes who have made the country proud," Nikhat tweeted. The star boxer, world championship gold medallist, won the yellow metal in her weight category at the Games. Hima wrote on her Twitter handle, "Elated to receive blessings from our honourable Prime Minister - Shri @narendramodi Ji, by virtue of … [Read more...] about Nikhat gifts PM Modi boxing gloves, Hima gives traditional gamocha