The Assam government in a general order asked at least 63 Muktab schools to drop the word “Muktab” from the names of these schools. Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said since all these schools no longer teach Muktabi education, therefore the syllable should be dropped immediately. Muktab is an Arabic word for elementary school meant to teach children reading, writing, grammar and Islamic studies.

Projects launched

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday laid the foundation of several projects and schemes involving a financial outlay of Rs 141 crore in Majuli district of Upper Assam. Addressing a rally at Jengraimukh in Majuli on the occasion, Sonowal said in a bid to lend dignity of life to 1.8 lakh people in Majuli, the state government has taken the decision to implement these schemes.

Group call to discuss citizen act

The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation on Saturday urged the Nagaland government to immediately call a consultative meeting to end the confusion and blame-game prevailing over the Citizenship Amendment Act in the interest of the future of the Nagas.

In a release, federation vice-president Manpang K. Wangyen and assistant general secretary Khomo P. said they were disturbed at the confusion being created over the Act.

BSF seizes smuggled goods

The BSF deployed in Tripura has seized contraband and other items valued at Rs 3.45 crore in the last 24 hours. On Thursday night, the BSF had seized narcotics and other contraband items valued at Rs 19.84 lakh in the market.

Two held with fake notes

Barpeta police arrested two persons on Friday night for allegedly carrying fake notes with the face value of Rs 1.2 lakh and being involved in the fake currency racket.

AIR feat

The All India Radio (AIR), Dibrugarh, station has managed to attract listeners in optimum level — over one crore. The station has taken several measures to fulfil the theme of this year’s World Radio Day — Radio and Diversity.

Plantation drive

Altogether 1,000 saplings were planted on Saturday by Taru Mitra, an NGO, in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Language Day

International Mother Language Day (Matribhasha Diwas) was celebrated by Rabindra-nath Tagore University in Hojai on Saturday.

Demise

Ramakanta Baruah, former professor of Goalpara College, passed away on Friday night in Guwahati. Hailing from Jorhat district, he lived in Goalpara town.

Training concludes

The combined annual training camp of 12 Assam Independent Company at Golaghat concluded at NCC Academy, Jorhat, on Saturday.

Felicitation

A felicitation programme for youths of lower Assam who recently got enlisted into various army regiments was held at Nalbari army camp recently.

Assam Rifles car vandalised

A mob vandalised an Assam Rifles vehicle in Manipur’s Senapati district on Friday following the arrest of a National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) cadre, officials said. Movement of vehicles on the Mayangkhang-Senapati section of the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway was also stalled by locals. Assam Rifles personnel apprehended the cadre during an operation to locate culprits who had on Thursday snatched the firearm of an officer of the force in the district, an official said.

Truck hijackers

Intercepting a gang of truck hijackers, allegedly involved in incidents in Darrang and adjacent areas, police arrested six members from Tihu in Nalbari district on Friday night. The accused, Golap Ali, Md Sultan Ali, Mirajul Ali, Md Kutub Ali, Khairul Ali and Khairul Ali, were handed over to Mangaldoi police.

Python rescued

A python was rescued and later released in Tarani forest at Duamara tea estate in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district on Saturday.