Latest news with #Saikia
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Oppn: Govt's arms licence to destabilise state peace
Guwahati: Assam opposition parties have voiced strong objections to state govt's special arms licence scheme for original inhabitants and indigenous Indian citizens in vulnerable and remote areas saying it would destabilise peace and create divisions among the people. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They called for the Centre to step in and cancel the policy immediately. The state cabinet last Wednesday approved this scheme, which it said will act as a deterrent to unlawful threats and enhance the personal security and confidence of the indigenous communities. Newly appointed state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi described this decision a "dangerous step" backwards towards "lawlessness and jungle raj". He added that the chief minister must reverse the decision immediately and focus on restoring public trust through responsible leadership. "Instead of strengthening police and border forces, the govt is intent on distributing arms amongst BJP-RSS sympathisers and local criminal syndicates. This will lead to gang violence and crimes based on personal vendettas. Local businessmen and traders are bound to be harassed," Gogoi wrote on X. Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Debabrata Saikia also denounced the decision, saying it undermines constitutional principles and threatens regional stability. In letters to union home minister Amit Shah and union minister of state for law and justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Saikia requested urgent central intervention to withdraw this divisive policy. Saikia suggested the decision reveals the govt's inability to maintain institutional effectiveness. "Arming civilians along communal lines is a recipe for disaster. The Assam govt's promotion of vigilante justice demonstrates an abdication of its constitutional responsibility to support law enforcement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They should remember that peace cannot be sustained at gunpoint," Saikia added. Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev said this relaxed arms licensing policy undermines the authority of the police and Border Security Force. "It shows that the chief minister no longer trusts his police force or the Centre's BSF. This is an insult to them," she added, noting Sarma's dual role as home minister. Dev questioned the control mechanisms over firearm usage once distributed.
Scroll.in
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Assam Opposition leader raises concern about state ‘pushing back' allegedly undocumented migrants
Assam's Opposition leader Debabrata Saikia on Friday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raising concern about the state government's recent exercise to 'push back' allegedly undocumented migrants to Bangladesh. In his letter, Saikia accused the Assam Police of carrying out the crackdown in violation of constitutional rights and due process. The leader of the Opposition in the Assembly said that the state's actions 'appear to target Muslim communities, undermining India's secular fabric'. Saikia alleged in the letter that since May 23, hundreds of Indian citizens 'not involved in any citizenship-related legal proceedings' had been 'arbitrarily detained'. While many have been released, the detentions highlight 'serious procedural lapses', the Nazira MLA said. In several cases, families were not informed about the whereabouts of the detainees, violating basic norms of transparency, he added. Citing media reports, Saikia also alleged that several detainees, including women, were forcibly pushed into the no man's land along the border between India and Bangladesh, 'leaving them stateless as Bangladesh refuses to accept them'. On May 10, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that several inmates of the Matia detention centre in Assam – Rohingya refugees and undocumented migrants from Bangladesh – had been ' pushed back ' into Bangladesh as part of a nationwide operation by the Union government. On Friday, Sarma said that the state was 'duty bound to protect the interests" of Assam and ' expel all illegal immigrants from the state through any means and as per directions of Supreme Court'. The chief minister appeared to be referring to the court's February 4 ruling that the state must deport persons who had been declared foreign nationals. Sarma claimed that persons who have pending citizenship cases in courts had not been detained. On Tuesday, Scroll reported that a former teacher from Morigaon district, Khairul Islam, whose citizenship case was still being heard in the Supreme Court, had been picked up from the Matia detention centre and forced out along the Bangladesh border near Assam's South Salmara district in the early hours of May 27. In the video recorded by journalist Mostafuzur Tara from Bangladesh's Rangpur division, Khairul Islam alleged that he was among 14 persons 'pushed' into Bangladesh by India's Border Security Force on Tuesday morning. Islam and the others were reported to be in no man's land, between the two countries. On Thursday, the nephew of two men from Kamrup district moved the Gauhati High Court, seeking information about his uncles. The two men, Abu Bakkar Siddique and Akbar Ali, were summoned to the Nagarbera police station on May 25. 'Since then, the authorities have refused to give details of their whereabouts,' Aman Wadud, one of the advocates representing them in the court, told Scroll. The petitioner, Torap Ali, had said that he was 'apprehensive that his uncles will be pushed back into Bangladesh, in light of recent reports'. The court has issued a notice to the state government, seeking its response. Saikia said in his letter to Jaishankar on Friday that since several cases are pending before the Supreme Court, the detentions and pushbacks were a 'clear violation of the judicial process'. He also alleged that the Assam government's actions violated international human rights standards. 'This action directly contradicts India's stated position on deportation,' the MLA said. Saikia said that he was seeking the Union government's intervention 'before more lives are destroyed' and urged the state government 'to make public the number of persons in detention and their respective places of confinement'.
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Tribute to Operation Sindoor at IPL final: BCCI invites all three service chiefs
NEW DELHI: The BCCI on Tuesday said it has invited all three service chiefs of the Indian armed forces to attend the IPL final on June 3 in Ahmedabad, where the event's closing ceremony will also feature a tribute to their "heroic efforts" during the recent Operation Sindoor. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia made the announcement in a media statement. "We have extended an invitation to all Indian Armed Forces chiefs top-ranked officers and soldiers for the IPL final in Ahmedabad to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor," Saikia told PTI on Tuesday. Saikia said that the BCCI salutes the "bravery, courage, and selfless service" of the country's armed forces. He lauded the "heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor" which protected and inspired the nation. "As a tribute, we have decided to dedicate the closing ceremony to the armed forces and honor our heroes. While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country," Saikia said. While General Upendra Dwivedi is the Chief of Army Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is the Naval Chief. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is the Chief of Air Staff. Operation Sindoor was triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which 26 peopls, mostly tourists, were gunned down by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The retaliatory action led to a brief military showdown between the two arch foes before India agreed to halt its operations on Pakistan's request for a cease fire.
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First Post
27-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
IPL 2025 Final: BCCI to pay tribute to Operation Sindoor with all three service chiefs in house
The BCCI has invited the three service chiefs to the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad to honour their role in Operation Sindoor. The closing ceremony will pay tribute to the armed forces' bravery and sacrifices on 3 June. read more The Indian armed forces were paid tribute during the RCB vs KKR game after the tournament resumed. Image: BCCI New Delhi: The BCCI on Tuesday said it has invited all three service chiefs of the Indian armed forces to attend the IPL 2025 final on June 3 in Ahmedabad, where the event's closing ceremony will also feature a tribute to their 'heroic efforts' during the recent Operation Sindoor. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia made the announcement in a media statement. 'We have extended an invitation to all Indian Armed Forces chiefs top-ranked officers and soldiers for the IPL final in Ahmedabad to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor,' Saikia told PTI on Tuesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Saikia said that the BCCI salutes the 'bravery, courage, and selfless service' of the country's armed forces. He lauded the 'heroic efforts under Operation Sindoor' which protected and inspired the nation. 'As a tribute, we have decided to dedicate the closing ceremony to the armed forces and honor our heroes. While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country,' Saikia said. While General Upendra Dwivedi is the Chief of Army Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is the Naval Chief. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is the Chief of Air Staff. Operation Sindoor was triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which 26 peopls, mostly tourists, were gunned down by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The retaliatory action led to a brief military showdown between the two arch foes before India agreed to halt its operations on Pakistan's request for a cease fire. 'It's a gracious gesture by the BCCI to invite the three service chiefs as the armed forces have done the country proud during Operation Sindoor. We are forever indebted to our forces for keeping us safe,' former BCCI acting president C K Khanna said reacting to the Board's decision.
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Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
IPL 2025 Final: BCCI plans special tribute for Operation Sindoor heroes
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that it has invited the chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to attend the IPL 2025 final on June 3 in Ahmedabad. As part of the closing ceremony, a special tribute will be paid to the armed forces in recognition of their valor during Operation Sindoor. BCCI to honour all three Army chiefs BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia shared the news in an official statement, noting that senior officers and personnel from the Indian Armed Forces are being welcomed to the final in honor of their courage and commitment. 'We've extended invitations to the top leadership of the Indian Armed Forces and their personnel for the IPL final in Ahmedabad to commemorate the success of Operation Sindoor,' Saikia told PTI. He emphasized the BCCI's deep respect for the armed forces, stating, 'This is our way of saluting the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of our soldiers. While cricket holds a special place in the hearts of Indians, the safety and sovereignty of our nation are paramount.' The tribute is in recognition of the military's swift response during Operation Sindoor, which followed a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The assault, carried out by Pakistan-backed militants, claimed 26 lives—mostly tourists. India's counter-response was met with a short military escalation before Pakistan sought a ceasefire. The current heads of the three armed forces are General Upendra Dwivedi (Army), Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi (Navy), and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (Air Force). IPL final shifted to Ahmedabad The final for the IPL 2025 tournament has been shifted from Kolkata Eden Gardens to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad after the tournaent was stopped due to tensions between India and Pakistan. Usually, the team that wins the title the year before gets to host the IPl final next year.
