The flood situation in Assam remained critical on Sunday as two more people died in separate incidents, taking the death toll from this year’s floods to 100, according to an official bulletin.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said one person each drowned in floodwaters in Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts during the last 24 hours.

More than 1.37 lakh people are currently affected by the floods across seven districts — Charaideo, Darrang, Golaghat, Jorhat, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and Sivasagar.

Golaghat worst hit

Golaghat remains the worst-affected district, with nearly 70,000 people impacted by the floods. Sivasagar has around 40,000 affected people, while more than 16,000 people have been affected in Jorhat.

The flood situation has shown a slight improvement compared with Saturday, when nearly 1.5 lakh people across eight districts were affected.

Authorities are currently operating 125 relief camps and relief distribution centres across six districts. Around 49,061 flood-affected people are taking shelter at these facilities.

Relief supplies distributed

Over the last 24 hours, authorities distributed 710.44 quintals of rice, 127.85 quintals of dal, 38.34 quintals of salt and 3,773.7 litres of mustard oil among people affected by the floods.

Despite the slight improvement, 456 villages remain inundated. The floods have also damaged 11,933.46 hectares of cropland.

Floodwaters have caused damage to embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure in several districts.

Rivers above danger level

According to the ASDMA, Dhansiri at Golaghat and Numaligarh, along with the Kushiyara at Sribhumi, are currently flowing above the danger level.

The floods have also affected 43,331 domestic animals and poultry across Assam.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that police have arrested all suspects involved in a plot to carry out bomb blasts at four key locations across the state, including the recent grenade attack in Bokakhat.

The authorities have also recovered grenades intended for the attacks, though the mastermind remains at large but is expected to be apprehended soon.

Addressing reporters in Guwahati, Sarma revealed that the planned explosions targeted Bokakhat, Guwahati, Tezpur, and Lakhimpur. “The police have detained all individuals tasked with executing these blasts. We’ve recovered three grenades and a pistol from the residences of the accused,” he said.

The Bokakhat attack on June 24 saw two motorcycle-borne assailants lob a grenade at a CRPF camp, injuring three police personnel stationed there.

Sarma clarified that the plot was orchestrated by “criminal-minded” individuals rather than organized militants. “Investigations are ongoing to uncover who instigated these attacks.

The suspects are giving conflicting statements,” he said, noting that while one accused had past ties to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and served a long prison term, most were involved in unrelated criminal activities like cattle theft and drug offenses. “These are not members of any militant group but criminals with prior records,” he added.

The chief minister, who also oversees the Home portfolio, said the key figure behind the plot is still absconding but is not in Assam. “We have his location, and he will be arrested soon,” Sarma assured.

Dismissing speculation about the reinstatement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in response to such incidents, Sarma said, “AFSPA applies to prolonged insurgency, not isolated events. It’s currently enforced only in Tinsukia, Charaideo, and Sivasagar districts, and we have no intention of expanding it.” He emphasized the state’s commitment to maintaining peace without resorting, to additional security measures.

Stand-up comedian and YouTuber Jaspreet Singh appeared before the Assam Police’s Crime Branch in Guwahati on Saturday, April 12, for questioning in a case accusing him and four others of promoting obscenity through a publicly accessible online show. The case, filed on February 10, alleges that the content featured sexually explicit and vulgar discussions, offending public decency and morality.

A police officer confirmed that Singh met with the investigating officer (IO) in the afternoon, where his statement was recorded. “He was examined thoroughly as part of the ongoing probe,” the officer stated. Singh’s appearance follows that of fellow YouTuber Samay Raina, who was questioned on April 5.

Of the accused, only Apoorva Makhija has yet to appear, having previously cited being out of the country alongside Singh in emails to the police, prompting fresh summons.

The Guwahati Police initiated the case against Singh, Raina, Ranveer Allahabadia, Ashish Chanchlani, Makhija, and others, including the owner of the venue where the controversial show was filmed.

The charges fall under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, the Cinematograph Act of 1952, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act of 1986, reflecting the severity of the allegations.

Allahabadia faced questioning on March 7, cooperating fully during a session lasting over four hours and pledging continued assistance, including future visits to Guwahati if required.

The Supreme Court granted him protection from arrest but labeled his remarks in the show as “vulgar.” Chanchlani, the first to appear on February 27, secured anticipatory bail from the Gauhati High Court on February 7.