Assam

Taking a dig at the Sangh and the BJP, Ajmal said: "The agenda of Hindu Rashtra is a political gimmick that these 5 per cent Hindus use as a political tool to gain votes. It will forever remain a dream." A few days ago, Ajmal appealed to Muslims in Assam not to sacrifice cows during the upcoming Eid celebration and requested them to offer the 'Qurbani' (sacrifice) using other animals to fulfil the religious obligation.

"India is home to individuals from many different communities, ethnic groups, and religions. The Sanatan faith, which worships the cow as a holy symbol, is practiced by the majority of Indians. Hindus believe cow as a mother," he said. Also, Islam says not to hurt any animals, he added. Ajmal stated: "That is why I appeal to the Muslims not to kill cows during Eid. We strongly object to this practice."

Riniki Sarma's lawyer P. Nayak said that his client submitted the PPE kit as donation under corporate social responsibility activities. Earlier this month, a bitter war of words broke out between Assam Chief Minister and Sisodia with the former threatening to file a defamation suit after Sisodia alleged corruption in the procurement of Covid PPE kits.

According to the State Election Commission, the BJP candidates won all the 26 seats while the Congress was a runner-up in a majority of the seats. The BJP, which contested all 26 seats secured 2,25,999 votes while the Congress, which fielded 24 seats, managed 60,760 votes and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which contested 10 seats, bagged 15,513 votes. Altogether 154 candidates contested the polls, which saw a turnout of 77.96 per cent of the 7,03,298 voters and saw some stray incidents of violence.

Officials of the district administrations said that the prohibitory orders have been promulgated in view of the emerging situation on the law and order front after the controversial statement and protests have been seen in many places of the country as reported in various media. The DMs' orders said that no procession, rally, dharna (demonstration), distribution of leaflets, banners and posters attracting breach of public peace and tranquility will be allowed in these three districts.

The Assam Chief Minister on Sunday tweeted: "Delhi CM suo moto offered to buy PPE kits from anywhere without tender. Why? Does his Deputy CM think the CM is corrupt as he asked someone to arrange PPE kits from somewhere immediately, and said that Delhi Govt will buy them ? No reference to any tender etc."

The opposition Congress, Trinamool Congress, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and other political parties have been demanding a Supreme Court monitored probe or by the central agencies in the matter. Assam's Information and Public Relations Minister Pijush Hazarika, who is also the state government's spokesman, said there was no irregularity in the supply of PPE kits and no member of Sarma's family was involved.

Addressing a press conference, Sisodia said Sarma, the then health minister, had given contracts to firms of his wife and son's business partners to supply PPE kits above market rates in 2020. Referring to a media report, the Deputy CM said that while the Assam government procured PPE kits for Rs 600 a piece from other companies, Sarma gave urgent supply orders to the firms of his wife and son's business partners for Rs 990 a piece taking advantage of the emergency situation.

Mevani, while addressing a grand reception accorded by the Assam Congress in Guwahati, said that after PMO's instructions, Assam Police went to Gujarat to arrest him following his appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge people to maintain peace and harmony after the communal violence in Gujarat.

Mevani was again arrested by the Barpeta police on April 25 on different charges, including "outraging the modesty of a lady police officer" soon after the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Kokrajhar district granted him bail. Mevani's lawyer Angshuman Bora on Friday said that his (Mevani's) bail application was granted by the Barpeta District Sessions court on a personal bond and surety of Rs 1,000.