Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a landmark initiative on Thursday, revealing that Indian Air Force fighter jets will soon be able to land on national highways in the state. The plan, which will be implemented later this year, includes upgrading the highway between Dibrugarh and Jorhat to meet international standards for aircraft operations.

CM Sarma shared the update during a media briefing after a Cabinet meeting held in Dibrugarh. “We are upgrading the national highway between Dibrugarh and Jorhat to meet international standards. Soon, Indian Air Force fighter jets will be able to land on this highway. Assam will witness several significant developments this year,” he said.

Without naming political rivals directly, Sarma also responded to critics, stating that while some may oppose discussions on development, the government remains committed to visible progress through major infrastructure projects like underwater tunnels and high-grade highways.

Assam permits 24×7 business operations in key cities

Alongside infrastructure growth, the Assam government has introduced sweeping changes to business operation hours across the state. Shops in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar—designated as municipal corporations—can now remain open round-the-clock.

Previously, a weekly shop closure was mandated, but that restriction has now been lifted. In other urban areas, businesses are now allowed to operate until 2 a.m., and in rural areas, shops can stay open until 11 p.m.

Measures to protect workers and create jobs

The new policies also focus on workers’ rights. CM Sarma clarified that no employee can be made to work more than nine hours a day or exceed 48 hours a week. For shops operating 24 hours, owners must hire at least three employees to ensure proper shift rotations.

“This initiative will not only encourage business expansion but also boost employment in small-scale enterprises,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the move will particularly benefit local economies during festival seasons like Bihu and Puja.

In a shocking murder case that has gripped Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, police have uncovered disturbing details in the killing of Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy officer, allegedly by his wife Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla. The investigation has ruled out any link to black magic, instead highlighting a premeditated murder driven by betrayal, addiction, and financial tensions.

Affair, divorce talks and prior attempt

Muskaan and Saurabh, who had a love marriage in 2016, reportedly saw their relationship deteriorate within a few years. According to Ayush Vikram Singh, Superintendent of Police, Meerut City, Saurabh discovered his wife’s affair with Sahil back in 2021. Their landlord had informed him after witnessing the two in a compromising situation.

Muskaan admitted that her extramarital affair with Sahil began in 2019. Although Saurabh had filed for divorce in 2021, his family persuaded him to reconcile. Despite this, tensions persisted. Muskaan alleged that Sahil was an alcoholic and in financial distress, often relying on her family for support.

The police revealed that an earlier attempt to kill Saurabh had failed on February 25, just a day after he returned from London, where he worked at a bakery since 2023. The accused eventually executed their plan on March 3.

Murder and cover-up

Saurabh’s dismembered body was found in a drum sealed with cement on March 4. Muskaan and Sahil had fled to Himachal Pradesh following the crime, only to be apprehended upon their return. During questioning, they confessed to the murder, and the weapon used in the crime was recovered.

The drum containing the remains had initially raised suspicions of black magic due to the gruesome nature of the crime. However, SP Ayush Vikram Singh clarified that the investigation found no evidence of occult practices, emphasizing it was a well-planned act.

Financial angle under scrutiny

Muskaan claimed that Saurabh had around Rs 6 lakh in his bank account and transferred Rs 1 lakh to her and Rs 1.5 lakh to his mother shortly before his death. These transactions are being verified by investigators, along with allegations from Saurabh’s family that his in-laws used his funds to purchase property and expensive gadgets.

The police are also examining Saurabh’s past overseas employment records and educational background as part of the ongoing probe.

Discovery and daughter’s chilling words

The murder came to light when the landlord, attempting to vacate the rented house, noticed a foul smell emanating from a heavy drum. Muskaan had told them it was filled with junk and left for her parents’ house. After her mother confronted her, she confessed and was reported to the police.

In a haunting twist, Saurabh’s six-year-old daughter had been telling neighbours, “Papa is in the drum,” indicating she may have witnessed or been aware of the crime.

Two police teams have been formed to collect additional evidence, including details from the couple’s time in Himachal Pradesh. Phones have been sent for forensic examination, and investigators are working to file a strong chargesheet to ensure stringent punishment.

The Congress on Thursday criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for their handling of the farmers’ protest at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, accusing them of “backstabbing” the farmers.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “AAP showed its true character yesterday. We should not forget that Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi government was the first state government to pass the three black farm laws. It is unbelievable that a party born out of a movement would resort to ending the farmers’ movement in this manner. Punjab will definitely take revenge for this backstabbing.”

Her remarks came after Punjab Police removed protesting farmers from the border and detained several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher.

Pratap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, echoed similar sentiments, calling AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “two sides of the same coin.” He alleged that the crackdown on farmers was politically motivated to ensure the victory of AAP’s candidate in the Ludhiana West bye-election, which could pave the way for Arvind Kejriwal to become a Rajya Sabha member.

“This was expected from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Why did they betray the farmers? On one hand, they called the farmers for a meeting, and then they detained them. BJP and AAP are two sides of the same coin. The Haryana government has also started evacuating the borders. They want to ensure that their candidate wins the Ludhiana West bye-election so that Kejriwal can enter the Rajya Sabha,” Bajwa said.

The farmers, united under the banners of the All India Kisan Sabha and Bharatiya Kisan Union, had been protesting at the Shambhu border, demanding various concessions from the government. On Wednesday, Punjab Police dismantled temporary structures at the protest site and detained several farmer leaders, sparking outrage among the farming community.

In response to the crackdown, farmers staged a protest march to the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Karnal on Thursday.

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the government’s actions, stating that the borders needed to be reopened for the sake of Punjab’s economy and youth. He urged farmers to protest in Delhi or elsewhere, as their demands are directed at the Central government.

“The AAP government and the people of Punjab stood with the farmers when they protested against the three black farm laws. The demands of the farmers are against the Central government. It has been more than a year, and the Shambhu and Khanauri borders are closed. Traders and the youth of Punjab are very upset. When traders can do business, the youth will get employment and stay away from drugs,” Cheema told ANI.

“Today’s action has been taken because we want the youth of Punjab to get employment. We want to open Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The demands of the farmers are against the Central government, and they should stage a protest in Delhi or somewhere else but should not block the roads of Punjab,” he added.