Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

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…

08 Jan

Sikkim Strengthens Export Ecosystem with IIFT Partnership and New Support Cell for Entrepreneurs

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim has taken an important step to strengthen its small businesses and help local entrepreneurs reach wider markets by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata. Along with this, the state government has also launched a dedicated Export Facilitation Cell to support exports and promote the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The MoU was signed between the Commerce and Industries Department of Sikkim and IIFT Kolkata at a programme held at the department’s conference hall on Wednesday, January 7. The signing coincided with the formal inauguration of the Export Facilitation…

08 Jan

Coordinated Assam Rifles Operations Hit Drug Networks in Tripura, Assam and Mizoram; Narcotics Worth Over Rs 100 Crore Recovered

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

The Assam Rifles has carried out a series of coordinated operations across the Northeast, leading to the destruction of a large illegal ganja plantation in Tripura and the seizure of narcotics and counterfeit goods in other states, officials said on Wednesday.Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Assam Rifles launched a joint operation on January 7 in the Dhanpur, Induria, Kacchakhala and Dhanmura areas of Tripura, located around 66 kilometres south of Agartala. The drive was conducted along with the Border Security Force, Tripura Police, Tripura State Rifles and the Forest Department. During the operation, security forces uprooted and destroyed nearly six…

08 Jan

Bangladesh Approves Tk 1,462 Crore Diesel Import from Assam’s Numaligarh Refinery via Friendship Pipeline

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Bangladesh has decided to import a large volume of diesel from India to meet its fuel demand for the year. The neighbouring country will procure 1.8 lakh tonnes of diesel from Assam’s state-owned Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) by December 2026, under an ongoing long-term fuel supply agreement between India and Bangladesh. The decision to go ahead with the import plan was taken at a meeting of the Government Purchase Advisory Committee held at the Dhaka Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of…

08 Jan

Kaziranga authorities impose ban on community fishing as Magh Bihu approaches

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Traditional community fishing during Bhogali (Magh) Bihu has been banned in the wetlands of Kaziranga National Park as per a directive from the Gauhati High Court. In response to the court ruling, officials from the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) convened with representatives from the Golaghat district administration, Kaliabar sub-divisional administration, and local residents to communicate the prohibition and discuss its enforcement. The ban is specifically in effect within the National Park and its wetlands, which are considered critical breeding grounds for fish across Assam. Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of KNPTR, reiterated that no traditional fishing activities…

08 Jan

Research reveals migration of one-horned rhinos to Northeast India from western and northern areas

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The study on the Indian one-horned rhinoceros reveals that this species migrated to Northeast India from western and northern regions during the late Holocene period, driven by climate change and human activities. It traces the palaeoecological history of Kaziranga National Park, indicating that environmental degradation in the west forced herbivores eastward toward stable climatic conditions and abundant resources in Northeast India. The Holocene epoch, spanning the last 4,000–5,000 years, shows that one-horned rhinos were once prevalent across northern India, particularly along the Himalayan foothills, with a range extending into present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. Approximately 3,200–3,300 years ago, the Kaziranga area…

08 Jan

Disciplinary action: Assam Congress ousts senior leader

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A day after his suspension, Shahnawaz Ahmed was expelled from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) due to serious breaches of party discipline. The expulsion, mandated by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, cited Ahmed's involvement in violent behavior and actions that cultivated severe political animosity among party members, ultimately harming the party's reputation. The order, issued by APCC general secretary Bipul Gogoi, detailed allegations against Ahmed regarding a violent incident that occurred in Nilambazar, where he reportedly attacked Zila Parishad member Zillur Chowdhury with a sharp weapon, resulting in significant injuries. Chowdhury is currently receiving treatment at Silchar Medical College and…

08 Jan

Seat-sharing arrangement with NDA allies to be finalised by Feb 15: Himanta

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The ruling BJP in Assam is poised to formalise its seat-sharing arrangement with its NDA partners by February 15, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an official programme on Wednesday, Sarma said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the seat-sharing agreement with NDA partners for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, scheduled to be held in March-April this year. “Our seat sharing and other details related to the alliance will be finalised by February 15. Last night, I went to meet the union home minister and…

08 Jan

On 25th Martyrs’ Day, AKRSU renews demand for ST status and Kamtapur dialogue

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union marked its 25th Martyrs’ Day in Sidalsati, Bongaigaon district, Assam, advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community and calling for discussions regarding a separate Kamtapur region. All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union General Secretary Balaram Barman warned the state government that neglecting the tribal status issue before the 2026 Assam Assembly elections could have serious political repercussions. He urged the Government of India to engage in dialogue regarding Kamtapur and criticized the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) for rejecting the Ministerial Group’s report on ST status. Barman cautioned that delays in…

08 Jan

NSS volunteers pay educational visit to HQ IGAR (East) at Silchar

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

On January 4, 2026, Assam Rifles hosted a visit for 350 students and their teachers from the National Service Scheme (NSS) representing seven North Eastern states at HQ IGAR (East) in Silchar, Assam. The event featured a captivating Khukri dance that showcased the warrior spirit of the troops. Attendees were exposed to a weapon display, enhancing their understanding of various weapons used by the Assam Rifles. Additionally, a drone display educated the students about types of drones, their applications, and their advantages in operational tasks. The visit included tours of living, training, and administrative areas, providing firsthand insights into the…