The proposed SoP to implement the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, for the detection and deportation of foreigners has met with opposition. Under the new SOP, the deputy commissioner (DC) will give ten days’ time to a suspected person to prove his or her citizenship. If the DC comes to the conclusion that the person is a foreigner, then an order will be issued for evacuation or pushback. Minority-based All India United Democratic Front has criticised the decision to authorise DCs to deal with matters that come under the ambit of foreigners’ tribunals (FTs). Party legislator Md Aminul Islam viewed the move as an overreach of the powers of FTs.
New bent-toed gecko species discovered
A new species of bent-toed gecko has been discovered from the montane forests of Dima Hasao district in Assam and named ‘Cyrtodactylus vanarakshaka’. The discovery was made in the forested slopes of Jatinga, a unique ecological transition zone within the Barail Hills. Characterised by its distinctive morphology and confirmed through molecular analysis, the species belongs to the ‘Cyrtodactylus khasiensis’ group, known for high levels of endemism and restricted distributions. The name vanarakshaka, derived from the Sanskrit words ‘vana’ (forest) and ‘rakshaka’ (protector), has been dedicated to the Forest Department.
CM asks Public Works Dept to close manholes
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the PWD to prioritise closing manholes, repairing all open footpaths, and refurbishing the roads in Guwahati before the Durga Puja festival. He also issued directions to make the under-construction flyover stretch from Noonmati to Dighalipukhuri convenient in the city for the public before the festival. The directions followed the recent death of a three-year-old boy after falling into an uncovered drain while playing near his house in the city’s Kalapahar area. It was left open by a company constructing a flyover. The police had arrested three officials based on an FIR by the victim’s father.
Prasanta Mazumdar
Our correspondent in Guwahati
prasantamazumdar@newindianexpress.com