Latest news with #Silchar
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bairabi-Sairang passenger train likely to roll out in Sept
Silchar: In a major boost to Mizoram's connectivity, Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is gearing up to flag off passenger train services on the Bairabi-Sairang route as early as next month — before the Durga puja festival. The move will mark the first time the hilly state sees passenger trains running through its mountainous terrain. An NFR spokesman earlier said the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has already given green signal for operations. "With the approval in place, we are now finalising the launch date and working towards commencing services from Sept," he said. The spokesman expressed optimism that the inaugural run could happen before the Durga Puja festivities, calling it a "significant milestone" for the northeastern state. Railway experts hailed the development as a potential game-changer for Mizoram's tourism sector, predicting a surge in visitors and a much-needed boost to the state's economy. Since Independence, Mizoram has relied solely on roadways to stay connected with the rest of the country. With rail connectivity finally on track, experts believe it will transform travel, trade and transportation for the state's residents. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Nine Rohingya refugees nabbed in Cachar dist
Silchar: In a crackdown on illegal cross-border movement, nine individuals suspected to be Rohingya refugees were apprehended near the India-Bangladesh border in on Tuesday evening. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The group was reportedly trying to re-enter Bangladesh. According to locals, around 7 pm, suspicious activity caught the attention of Katigorah residents. They approached the individuals and questioned them, leading to the revelation of their identities and intentions. The nine — including women and children — reportedly confessed that they had entered India illegally 20-22 years ago with their families. They claimed to have been living in Hyderabad, working in various professions.
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
12-hr bandh called in Sribhumi on Sept 3 over dist's name change
1 2 Silchar: The Committee to Resist the Renaming of Karimganj District, which has been spearheading protests against Assam govt's decision to change the name of the district as Sribhumi, on Sunday announced a 12-hour total bandh across the Sribhumi district on Sept 3. Assam govt announced the change of the name of erstwhile Karimganj district on Nov 19 last year. The decision of calling a bandh was taken in a meeting held under the chairmanship of committee convenor Sunit Ranjan Dutta. The meeting expressed "deep concern" that despite continuous protests since Feb, the state govt has not taken any positive steps. The bandh call, leaders said, is aimed at making the people's voice heard more forcefully. Speakers also condemned BJP IT cell leader Amit Malviya's reported remarks describing the Sylheti dialect as a "Bangladeshi language" and criticised attacks on poor Bengali-speaking communities in Assam and other states. They alleged the name change move was taken "unilaterally" with "communal intent" and in violation of democratic traditions, erasing Karimganj's role in landmark struggles such as the Nankar Rebellion, the Chargoala Muluk Chalo movement, and the language movements of 1961, 1972, and 1986. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo The meeting also highlighted long-standing grievances in the Barak Valley, including the closure of the Cachar Paper Mill in 2015, reduction in assembly and district council seats, and recruitment policy changes that allegedly deprive local unemployed youth of lower-grade jobs in govt offices. Speakers criticised the poor condition of connectivity, the medical college, and the district hospital, terming them evidence of the state's "parochial and discriminatory attitude. " They accused the govt of "inhuman and communal" actions by evicting poor residents without rehabilitation. Leaders vowed to continue the united fight of Bengali, Manipuri, Bishnupriya, Hindi-speaking and other communities against the renaming. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ethnic groups take out rally, renew demand for bifurcation of Dima Hasao district
1 2 3 4 5 6 Silchar: Tensions have resurfaced in Assam's hill district of Dima Hasao after hundreds of protesters from non-Dimasa tribal communities took out a massive rally in Haflong on Wednesday, renewing their longstanding demand for the bifurcation of the district. R epresentatives of ethnic groups including the Hmar, Zeme Naga, Karbi, Beite, Bhaipe, Rangkhal, Kuki, Khasi, and Jaintia marched through the streets of the district headquarters, holding placards and chanting slogans in support of a separate district for non-Dimasa communities. The rally concluded with a gathering outside the office of the deputy commissioner, where community leaders addressed the crowd. Organised by the Indigenous People's Forum (IPF) along with its sister bodies — the Indigenous Students' Forum (ISF) and the Indigenous Women's Forum (IWF) — the protesters submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, with demands addressed to Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. At the heart of their demand is the renaming of the district from North Cachar Hills to Dima Hasao in 2010, which they claim is exclusionary and fails to reflect the region's demographic diversity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "We have no objection to a separate district for the Dimasas. Let the Dimasa-majority Maibang sub-division be called Dima Hasao. But we want the Haflong sub-division, which comprises other indigenous tribes, to retain the original name — North Cachar Hills," said an IPF spokesperson. He added that non-Dimasa communities constitute nearly 57% of the district's population and should not be identified under a nomenclature that translates to "land of the Dimasa". The demand, which has simmered since the 2010 renaming decision, has seen recurring agitations over the past decade, including bandhs, rail blockades, and rallies. "We will continue our agitation until the district is bifurcated," the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the Dimasa community — the single largest ethnic group in the region — remains firmly opposed to any move toward division. Dimasa leaders argue that bifurcation would fragment the region and hinder its development. Observers warn that unless the demand for administrative bifurcation is addressed, the district — once scarred by insurgency and ethnic unrest — may again face renewed tensions.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NGO urges PM to relocate greenfield airport from Doloo to Kharil
1 2 Silchar: Assam-based NGO Forum for Social Harmony has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, urging the relocation of the proposed greenfield airport from the Doloo tea estate in Cachar to the nearby abandoned Kharil tea estate. The appeal, sent via Cachar DC, highlights environmental, social, and economic concerns regarding the current site. The forum's convenor, Arindam Deb, expressed gratitude to the Centre for selecting south Assam for airport development but alleged that the choice of Doloo tea estate was influenced by vested interests. "The current location undermines the vision of inclusive development. The destruction of productive tea plantations and displacement of workers threatens the livelihood of thousands," Deb said. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had initially identified three potential sites for the project, including Doloo and Kharil. Although Doloo was ultimately selected, the Forum points out that Kharil tea estate — already surveyed and deemed feasible — remains a more suitable alternative. As an abandoned and sparsely inhabited site, Kharil poses minimal social and ecological risks compared to Doloo, which remains a fully functional tea estate. The NGO alleges that over 42 lakh tea bushes and thousands of shade trees were uprooted at Doloo under heavy police presence and the invocation of Section 163 of the BNSS, despite widespread public resistance. According to the forum, displaced workers are now jobless and struggling to provide for their families. A case challenging the forcible land acquisition is currently pending in the Supreme Court, which has stayed further action until a proper Environmental Clearance (EC) is obtained. The forum also criticised the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, calling it "misleading and deceptive." It claims the report falsely asserts public consent and resolution of worker issues, while failing to address the ecological impact on Doloo Lake and the nearby Barail Wildlife Sanctuary. Noting that 2,486 workers have formally objected to the project, the forum urged the Prime Minister to relocate the airport to Kharil tea estate to protect the interests of workers, the tea industry, and the environment.
