Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

09 Feb

Drones Emerge as New Tool in Northeast Insurgent Groups’ Arsenal

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Insurgent groups in Northeast India are increasingly employing advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance and logistics, causing rising concerns among security agencies and prompting a reassessment of defense capabilities. A Naga insurgent group is reportedly using several surveillance drones, including quadcopters and hexacopters, believed to be sourced through networks in Myanmar’s Kachin region with alleged connections to Chinese suppliers. While these drones are mainly for reconnaissance, officials worry they could be repurposed for offensive actions. Kuki militant groups have also been noted for similar technological advancements, with prior reports indicating experimentation with weaponized drones. A recent incident involved the…

09 Feb

Opposition Leader Approaches Women’s Commission Over Alleged Acts at Assam Rally

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia has formally requested the Assam State Commission for Women to investigate alleged offenses against women leaders of the Congress party that occurred during a "Parivartan Yatra" in the lead-up to Assembly elections. In his letter, Saikia accused individuals affiliated with the ruling BJP of targeting women leaders with obscene and derogatory remarks, thereby compromising their dignity and modesty, specifically during a convoy traveling from Tezpur to Dhekiajuli. The convoy encountered obstruction and violent attacks at Bihaguri, resulting in injuries to several women, including Rupa Kalita Das and Trishna Bora Kakati. Saikia characterized the incidents…

09 Feb

Tea Garden Students Set to Shine at Talent Hunt Grand Finale in Guwahati

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Grand Finale of the Sur Sangam – Tea Garden Student Talent Hunt, a state-wide initiative aimed at fostering music talent among students from tea garden communities, is set to take place at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati on February 10. This project, which is a collaboration between The Hans Foundation and the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Assam, seeks to enhance holistic education and empower young people creatively within these communities. The event will be attended by notable figures, including Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu as the chief guest, and celebrated playback singer Suresh Wadkar, who will also…

07 Feb

‘Obscene Gesture’ Row: Sarma Seeks Women’s Commission Probe Against Congress Leaders

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused senior Congress leaders, including Bhupen Borah and Debabrata Saikia, of making an "obscene and unacceptable gesture" during a public event, which he claims has offended women and girls in Assam. Sarma stated that he would provide more information after a Cabinet briefing, indicating that the incident was captured on video and raised serious concerns about the mindset of the Congress leadership. He emphasized that such conduct should not be tolerated in public life and warned the Congress party to take disciplinary action or face rejection from Assamese society. Sarma suggested the gesture…

07 Feb

₹70 Cr Central Allocation Planned for Dima Hasao, Says NCHAC Chief

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Central Government has proposed an allocation of Rs 70 crore for the development of Dima Hasao district in the Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Debolal Gorlosa, announced during a press conference held at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Bhavan in Haflong. Addressing the media, Gorlosa said the new allocation is part of continued efforts to improve infrastructure, connectivity, and basic services in the hill district, which has historically faced development challenges due to its difficult terrain and scattered population. He stated that the funds are expected to…

07 Feb

Gorkha Body Slams Derogatory ‘Nepali’ Comment, Warns of Protest

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam State Committee of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) has strongly condemned what it described as a derogatory and racially offensive remark made during a televised political debate, calling the incident an insult to the dignity and identity of the Gorkha community. The controversy arose after an Assam Congress spokesperson, Shahijuddin Ahmed, allegedly used the term “Nepali” in a demeaning manner while referring to BJP spokesperson Ranjib Kumar Sarmah during a live debate aired on ND24 television on Friday. The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh stated that the repeated use of the term as an insult was deeply hurtful and unacceptable,…

07 Feb

Disciplinary Action: Assam Congress Suspends Party Spokesman

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has suspended spokesperson Shaizuddin Ahmed effective immediately due to disciplinary violations related to comments made against a specific community on social media. This decision was communicated through an order from Bedabrat Bora, the chairman of the APCC media department. This action marks the second instance of disciplinary measures taken by the APCC within a short period, following a show-cause notice issued to Pankaj Saikia, the APCC Joint Secretary, for inappropriate remarks about former state Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah. Saikia has been given a 24-hour window to respond to the notice.

07 Feb

Chief Secretary Reviews Readiness for PM’s Aircraft Landing on Assam Highway

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota conducted a thorough review and joint inspection of the preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moran in the Dibrugarh district on February 14. Accompanied by the state DGP and senior Indian Air Force officials, Kota focused on significant aspects of the visit, particularly the arrival of the PM's aircraft at Northeast's first highway-based emergency landing strip along the Dibrugarh–Moran route. He meticulously assessed various factors including security arrangements, traffic management, crowd regulation, and the technical readiness of the emergency landing facility. Additionally, Kota reviewed trial runs that began on February 8 and instructed…

06 Feb

From Quantity to Quality: Assam Tea Sector Urged to Rethink Growth Model

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam's tea industry, one of the largest in the world, is at a critical juncture, requiring innovation and structural reform as emphasized during the 88th Annual General Meeting of the Assam Tea Planters’ Association (ATPA). The region, which produces approximately 1.25 to 1.3 billion kilograms of tea annually—half of India's total—is facing an economic challenge where despite global tea production increasing from 1.5 billion kilograms in 1950 to nearly 6 billion in 2023, prices have fallen, squeezing profit margins for producers. Industry leaders have highlighted the need to transition from merely increasing production to enhancing value through quality, branding, and…

06 Feb

Sibsagar Commerce College Hosts Vulture Conservation Awareness Session for Youth

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organization, in collaboration with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), hosted a comprehensive awareness and sensitization program on vulture conservation at Sibsagar Commerce College. The event sought to educate students and faculty about the crucial ecological roles vultures play and emphasize the urgent need for their protection, as articulated in an Aaranyak communiqué. Wasima Begum, a conservation official from Aaranyak, highlighted the dangers posed by harmful bacteria found in animal carcasses and discussed how vultures act as nature’s "sanitation workers," preventing disease spread by effectively disposing of dead animals. She underlined the ecological services vultures…