Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

26 Dec

Guwahati Customs Bust Drug Smuggling Attempt, Seize ₹1.46 Crore Hydroponic Cannabis at LGBI

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Airport Unit of Guwahati Customs has confiscated hydroponic cannabis valued at ₹1.46 crore during standard checks of checked-in baggage at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA). This seizure occurred while screening the baggage of passengers aboard Flight FD-124 from Bangkok’s Don Mueang (DMK) to Guwahati (GAU). Customs officials identified suspicious items during X-ray analysis of the checked luggage. Upon thorough examination, three packets containing approximately 1.463 kilograms of dried greenish material, believed to be hydroponic cannabis, were discovered. A preliminary test conducted with a drug detection kit at the Customs facility confirmed the presence of cannabis. Consequently, a case…

26 Dec

NFR Prevents Accidents, Saves Over 160 Elephants on Railway Tracks in 2025

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Proactive, technology-driven initiatives by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) have significantly contributed to wildlife conservation, saving over 160 elephants from crossing railway tracks in 2025. Central to these efforts is the Intrusion Detection System (IDS), an advanced AI-based technology leveraging Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) principles to detect elephant movements near railway tracks. The IDS alerts loco pilots and control rooms in real time, facilitating timely preventive actions that enhance operational safety. Currently, the system operates in key sections that traverse elephant corridors, covering 62.7 km of these areas and 131 km of block sections, with ongoing installation efforts expanding coverage…

26 Dec

Assam Government Announces Major Administrative Reshuffle

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam government has executed a major administrative reshuffle by transferring thirteen district commissioners and various senior officials to enhance public service, as announced by the Personnel Department. Notably, Aranyak Saikia, a 2020-batch IAS officer and son of retired IPS officer Kuladhar Saikia, has been appointed District Commissioner of Karbi Anglong, succeeding Nirala Phangshopi, who is now the Additional Secretary of the Hill Areas Department. Additional moves include Sumit Sattawan from Kamrup (Metropolitan) to Tinsukia, and Swapneel Paul assuming the District Commissioner role in Kamrup (Metropolitan). Aayush Garg has shifted from Sivasagar to Cachar, while Mridul Yadav has moved in…

26 Dec

Kamrup District Administration Imposes Restrictions at Picnic Spots During Festive Season

Sonakshi SarkarENVIORMENT

In response to growing concerns over public safety, law and order, and environmental protection during the festive season, the Kamrup district administration has enacted a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This order, which remains effective until further notice, imposes strict limitations at picnic spots and tourist locations throughout the district. District Magistrate Deba Kumar Mishra, ACS, issued this directive to address the influx of visitors during the holiday celebrations of Christmas, New Year, and Magh Bihu. The authorities expressed their concerns regarding various issues such as public nuisance, environmental degradation, and risks to…

26 Dec

Police Arrest Assam Cleric Over Alleged Support for Lynching of Hindu Youth in Bangladesh

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A Muslim cleric from Darrang district, Assam, named Bilal Ali, has been arrested for allegedly endorsing the lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh via social media. Das was killed by a mob in Mymensingh district, igniting widespread outrage. Ali, a Hafiz and former imam, is the second arrest linked to online support for the violence, following Mohd. Sheikh Akhtar Ali's detention for posting a supportive video that depicted Das being assaulted and killed. Authorities reported Das, a garment factory worker, was beaten, hanged, and burned, triggering concerns over the safety of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The…

26 Dec

Four Arrested for Vandalism at St Mary’s School in Assam’s Nalbari

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Police have arrested four individuals in relation to the vandalism incident at St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon, Nalbari district, reported on December 24, 2025. The attack, which took place at approximately 2:30 PM, involved a group entering the school grounds without authorization and damaging property, including decorations and flower pots, while also setting several items ablaze. Fr. Baiju Sebastian, the Principal of the school, filed a complaint that prompted Belsor Police to register Case No. 116/2025, citing multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The accused are: Bhaskar Deka (34), the District Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu…

26 Dec

Guwahati Hosts Talk on Optical Tools for Biodiversity Conservation

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

An interactive session in Guwahati has highlighted the transformative role of modern optical technologies in biodiversity and wildlife conservation, stressing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and community participation to address pressing environmental challenges. The event, titled “Scope of Optical Engineering in Biodiversity and Wildlife Conservation in North East India”, was organised by Aaranyak under its Environment Education and Capacity Building Division (EECBD) on December 22 at the organisation’s administrative office. Delivering the keynote, Dr Iftak Hussain, a scientist at Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), explained how optical engineering, artificial intelligence, and smartphone-based technologies can support environmental monitoring,…

24 Dec

ZSI Scientists Identify Neelus sikkimensis in Eastern Himalayas

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Scientists have discovered a new species of springtail in the high-altitude regions of Sikkim, marking the first time this particular genus has been recorded in India. The discovery has added an important chapter to the country’s growing list of insect species and has once again drawn attention to the rich but fragile biodiversity of the Himalayan region. The species was identified by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India, one of the country’s leading scientific bodies involved in documenting animal life. The newly discovered springtail belongs to the genus Neelus and has been named Neelus sikkimensis, after the state where…

24 Dec

Normalcy Returns to Kheroni After Deadly Unrest as Heavy Security Restores Order

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The law and order situation in Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong has largely returned to normal following days of unrest that claimed two lives, officials said on Tuesday. Heavy security deployment by police and paramilitary forces has helped bring the situation under control, with authorities maintaining strict vigilance to prevent any fresh incidents. Officials said the situation stabilised on the third day after violence broke out in and around Kheroni, forcing the administration to rush in additional forces. Sensitive locations across the area are now under close watch, and security personnel have been conducting regular patrols to maintain peace.…

23 Dec

Assam Book Fair 2025 to Expand into Major Literary Festival with National Footprint

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Book Fair in Guwahati will transform into a prominent literary festival this year, featuring significant participation from national publishers and enhanced programming, to honor young writers. Scheduled to run for 14 days starting December 24 at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground, this event is organized by the Publication Board Assam in conjunction with the All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association. Pramod Kalita, secretary of the Publication Board, noted that the fair's timing was adjusted to accommodate preparations for Republic Day, celebrated on January 26. This year's fair extends its duration from 12 days to 14, indicating growing…