Latest news with #NumalMahatta
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Rohingya couple & 5 minors detained
Silchar: A Rohingya couple and five minors were detained near Hilara railway station in Cachar district on Saturday evening for allegedly attempting to enter Bangladesh illegally. After their "suspicious behaviour" raised alarm, locals and VDP members in the Katigorah constituency apprehended the group. According to reports, the group hired an autorickshaw from Hilara railway station with the intention of travelling to Kalain. However, their inconsistent behaviour and inability to clearly specify their destination prompted locals to alert the police. Police arrived at the scene and questioned the group. They initially claimed to be from Delhi but failed to provide details about their identity or destination. The autorickshaw used by the detainees was seized as evidence. Police transferred the group from Katigorah to Silchar Sadar police station for further investigation. Speaking to media, SP (Cachar) Numal Mahatta said the group was living in Jammu and Kashmir and were in India illegally for some time. Mahatta added that they were likely attempting to enter Bangladesh via the border, a route reportedly exploited by Rohingya to return to their homeland. Sources indicate that Rohingya individuals living in India have frequently use such routes to attempt re-entry into Bangladesh, with several apprehensions in recent years.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Assam bridge collapse: 5 arrested, action taken against cops; magisterial probe ordered
Five people have been arrested and disciplinary action has been initiated against three police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, in connection with a bridge collapse incident in Assam's Cachar district, a senior police officer said. The newly repaired bridge over the Harang River on the Silchar–Kalain Road collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday when two overloaded trucks were passing through it, violating weight restrictions. Though there were no casualties, the incident disrupted road connectivity between Assam's Barak Valley and neighbouring states — Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur — via Meghalaya. Locals alleged that the trucks exceeded the permissible weight limit and that police officials were complicit in allowing the overloaded vehicles to pass. Cachar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Numal Mahatta said that preliminary evidence suggests the collapse was triggered by an accident involving one of the trucks. 'It was raining heavily, and one of the trucks, likely speeding, hit a portion of the bridge while crossing. We are investigating the matter, and action has been taken against three police personnel for allowing the trucks through the checkpoint,' Mahatta said. The incident has massively impacted local transportation, as the police, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have begun operating boat services to assist residents. Assam minister Kaushik Rai has ordered a high-level probe and directed officials to submit a detailed report on priority. 'I inspected the site and have ordered an investigation. Boat services have been arranged for residents, and alternate routes have been opened for light vehicles,' Rai said. Cachar district magistrate Mridul Yadav said two alternate routes have been arranged for light vehicles from Barak Valley and neighbouring states. 'It is not true that Barak Valley has been cut off from the rest of the country. We've arranged alternate routes for the movement of light vehicles,' he said. Yadav also announced that a new bridge will be installed over the river using pre-fabricated materials sourced from Patna. 'It's a ready-to-install Bailey bridge. The materials will take five days to reach, and installation will take another 10 days. We expect normal traffic to resume in 15 days,' he said. A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed, and the police have arrested five people: Nizam Uddin Barbhuiya, Kripashindu Baishnab, Altaf Hussain Barbhuiya, Sankhu Bhattacharjee, and Gautam Chandra Paul. Three of the arrested individuals are employees of the Central Weighbridge, an Assam government-approved facility, while two are staffers of Bharat Electronics Weighbridge, a Haryana-based construction firm. Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal and former Silchar MP Sushmita Dev alleged that a syndicate engaged in the illegal transportation of limestone and other materials from Barak Valley is behind the incident. 'The bridge collapsed just weeks after repairs, despite crores being spent. The trucks were overloaded, and yet they passed through multiple checkpoints. I believe a major conspiracy is at play, and big names in the government are involved,' Dev said. She also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said, 'When a bridge collapses in West Bengal, the PM calls it an 'act of fraud.' But now that a similar incident has occurred in BJP-ruled Assam, he is silent.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bridge collapses in Cachar, snaps link to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur
Silchar: A key bridge over the Harang river near Bhangarpar in Cachar district collapsed late Tuesday night as two overloaded limestone-laden trucks attempted to cross it, severing a critical road link between Assam's Barak Valley, Tripura, Mizoram, parts of Manipur, and the rest of the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The collapse has halted traffic on NH-6, triggering disruption and panic across the region. The Harang bridge served as a vital artery after the closure of the nearby Gammon Bridge over the Barak river, which has been undergoing repairs for the past two months. Sources said the incident occurred around midnight when two trucks — reportedly exceeding the permissible load limit — tried to cross the bridge simultaneously. Though the bridge had a 40-tonne limit, local reports allege that trucks weighing 70-80 tonnes were routinely allowed passage in exchange for bribes ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per vehicle. Residents awoke on Wednesday to find the region cut off. Authorities suspended vehicular movement indefinitely. Attempts to reroute traffic via alternative roads have proved difficult due to their poor condition; NH-27, connecting Silchar to Guwahati via Dima Hasao, is considered unsafe for heavy vehicles. Cachar SP Numal Mahatta, who visited the site on Wednesday morning, said SDRF teams were deployed to assist in ferrying schoolchildren, elderly residents, and patients across the broken link. District commissioner Mridul Kumar Yadav also assessed the damage and initiated emergency traffic management measures. "We are working on temporary arrangements, but restoring normal connectivity will take time," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The incident has sparked sharp political backlash. Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev accused the BJP-led state govt of administrative failure, noting that the bridge had recently undergone renovation by the public works department.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Suspected drug peddler from Bihar held in Cachar with 3.11cr heroin
Silchar: Police seized 622g of heroin valued at Rs 3.11 crore and arrested a suspected drug peddler hailing from Bihar near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Ramnagar, on the outskirts of Silchar town, on Thursday, SP (Cachar) Numal Mahatta told the media on Friday, reports BB Goswami. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mahatta said acting on a tip-off, police carried out an operation near the ISBT in Ramnagar and arrested Rameshwar Ray (36), who hails from Hajipur in Bihar. After searching the man, police recovered 50 soap cases containing heroin, Mahatta said. The price of the drugs, which were seized in the presence of independent witnesses, is around Rs 3.11 crore. Further investigation into the matter is on, the SP added. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma praised Assam Police in a post on social media on Friday. Silchar: Police seized 622g of heroin valued at Rs 3.11 crore and arrested a suspected drug peddler hailing from Bihar near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Ramnagar, on the outskirts of Silchar town, on Thursday, SP (Cachar) Numal Mahatta told the media on Friday, reports BB Goswami. Mahatta said acting on a tip-off, police carried out an operation near the ISBT in Ramnagar and arrested Rameshwar Ray (36), who hails from Hajipur in Bihar. After searching the man, police recovered 50 soap cases containing heroin, Mahatta said. The price of the drugs, which were seized in the presence of independent witnesses, is around Rs 3.11 crore. Further investigation into the matter is on, the SP added. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma praised Assam Police in a post on social media on Friday.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Rs 63k fake notes seized in Cachar, one arrested
Silchar: Police in Cachar district seized Rs 63,000 in fake Indian currency notes and arrested a suspect. Sonai police team intercepted an autorickshaw in the Kajidahar area along the Silchar-Aizawl NH-306 on Wednesday evening. Officials set up a trap targeting an individual believed to be transporting a large sum of counterfeit currency that was intended to be delivered at the Inter-State Bus Terminal, Silchar. During the search, a bundle of cash containing 126 fake notes of Rs 500 denomination, valued at Rs 63,000 was seized. The arrested suspect was identified as Selim Uddin Barbhuiya of Nagdirgram in Sonai. A high-end smartphone, a SIM card, and a black plastic polythene bag were seized from his possession. The autorickshaw used in the operation was also seized. Speaking about the successful operation, SP (Cachar), Numal Mahatta, stated, "Acting on a specific tip-off, a trap was laid for an individual attempting to deliver a large amount of fake currency. The operation was successful, and the accused has been taken into custody." Further investigations are underway to dismantle the counterfeit currency ring, and authorities reaffirm their commitment to combating such illegal activities to protect the economy and the public. The police have assured that strict action will be taken against those involved in the circulation of fake currency to maintain financial stability and public trust.
