Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

09 Jan

Human–elephant conflict turns deadly in Hojai, three killed within four days

Sonakshi SarkarNews

Hojai district is experiencing an acute crisis due to increasing incidents of human–elephant conflict, as evidenced by three fatalities in the early days of the New Year. The latest victim, Prakash Biswas, was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants in the Radhanagar area on January 4, after the elephants invaded his home, resulting in significant destruction and chaos. The previous incidents included the deaths of Basudev Chouhan on January 1, attacked while grazing his cow, and Anil Kumar Singh on January 2, who was overwhelmed by elephants while returning from a picnic. The frequent elephant incursions into…

09 Jan

Wildlife conservation push: Assam and Madhya Pradesh to exchange animals

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

In a landmark initiative for inter-state wildlife conservation, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati to formalize an agreement for the exchange of wild animals. This collaboration aims to enhance biodiversity and restore species that have locally gone extinct. Under the agreement, Assam will translocate 50 wild water buffaloes to Madhya Pradesh over three years, as well as a pair of one-horned rhinoceroses and three king cobras. The rhinos and king cobras will be acclimatized and displayed at Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, while the wild buffaloes will be reintroduced…

09 Jan

First highway-based emergency landing strip in Northeast coming up in Dibrugarh–Moran

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

Assam is poised to inaugurate its first highway-based emergency landing strip along the Dibrugarh–Moran stretch of the National Highway, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing the facility's launch in February. The project may receive a notable inauguration by the Prime Minister or the Defence Minister. Spanning 4.2 kilometers, the strip is capable of accommodating civilian aircraft as well as Indian Air Force fighter jets like the Sukhoi and Rafale. Sarma highlighted that this alternative landing option is crucial if Dibrugarh airport is inaccessible. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) is executing the project, which is unique…

09 Jan

AIIMS Guwahati inaugurates state-of-the-art Viral Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati formally inaugurated the Viral Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), a state-of-the-art facility established with financial support from the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The laboratory, which will be contributing significantly to diagnostic and surveillance activities, was formally dedicated on Thursday, marking an important institutional milestone. The VRDL was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Puranik, Executive Director, AIIMS Guwahati, in the august presence of Prof. U.S.N. Murty, Director, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati. The ceremony was attended by senior…

09 Jan

IMK terror module busted in Assam, Bangladesh links revealed through arrests

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The recent arrest of 11 suspected jihadi operatives in Assam has unveiled a purported conspiracy linked to Imam Mahmudur Kafia (IMK), regarded as an extension of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Law enforcement officials reported that IMK was actively seeking to incite jihad and execute terrorist operations in Assam and Tripura. Some detainees had traveled to Bangladesh for indoctrination and training. Investigative efforts highlighted that in late 2024, an arrested suspect, Nasim Uddin alias Tamim, encountered a YouTube channel advocating the notion of “Muzaddid,” which in Islamic tradition refers to a religious reformer expected every century to protect the Muslim…

09 Jan

Opposition in Assam lodges FIR against BJP alleging voter deletion

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam's opposition parties have filed a police complaint against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging a conspiracy to remove legitimate voters from the electoral rolls in anticipation of the upcoming Assembly elections. The opposition claims that BJP state president Dilip Saikia instructed party MLAs to eliminate names of voters in 60 Assembly constituencies and specifically charged Minister Ashok Singhal with executing this deletion during a Zoom meeting on January 4, 2026. The complaint emphasizes the need for the preservation of footage from the video conference, as it is deemed essential evidence of the alleged conspiracy. The FIR, submitted to the…

09 Jan

To check illegal influx, Bengal needs BJP-led government, says Himanta

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the need for a BJP-led government across Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal to enhance efforts against illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the progress made in Tripura and Assam under the BJP but pointed out that the lack of a BJP administration in West Bengal has obstructed a unified strategy to tackle this issue. Sarma characterized West Bengal as a "weak link" in the border management and security framework of the region, advocating for BJP's rise to power there due to the party's strong support base. He asserted that…

09 Jan

Sikkim scraps offline permits for foreign tourists, online clearance now compulsory

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has officially ended the system of issuing physical permits to foreign nationals visiting protected and restricted areas of the state. From now on, all such visitors will have to obtain clearance only through an online process, making digital approval mandatory for entry into these areas. The decision was communicated through an official notification issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sikkim. According to the department, the move has been taken following clear and strict instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The central directive states that Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Restricted Area Permits (RAP)…

09 Jan

Textiles Committee and NEHHDC sign MoU on IIPR protection

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The Textiles Committee and the North Eastern Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the North Eastern Region Conclave in Guwahati. This MoU aims to protect unique products from the North Eastern states through Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), specifically Geographical Indications (GI) registration, and to foster post-GI initiatives. Key aspects of the MoU include collaborative development to strengthen the textiles, handloom, handicrafts, and khadi sectors, as well as initiatives to enhance the global visibility of Northeastern products. This effort is expected to empower artisans and weavers by safeguarding their traditional knowledge and craftsmanship, while…

08 Jan

India–Israel film co-produced in Assam makes it to Pune International Film Festival

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Indo–Israel feature film ‘Murders Too Close – Love Too Far’, co-directed by Assamese filmmaker Manju Borah and Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman, has been selected for screening at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2026 in the Global Cinema section on January 17 and 19. This selection is a landmark for Assamese cinema, being the first international co-production involving Assamese and foreign entities, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting through NFDC. The film was shot entirely in Assam with a local crew, highlighting the region's growing capabilities in cinema. Co-produced by Borah, Amir Gedalia, and Wolman, this 108-minute…