Sonakshi Sarkar

From the wetlands of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) emerges an ecological narrative regarding the evolution of the one-horned rhinoceros, influenced by climate change, vegetation shifts, invasive species, and herbivore activity. Factors such as rapid urbanization, industrialization, deforestation, and natural disasters contribute to global ecological degradation, particularly impacting biodiversity in Northeast India—a critical region within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot known for its endangered species. Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences utilized pollen from sediment cores extracted from KNP’s Sohola swamp to uncover long-term palaeoecological records related to palaeoherbivory. Their research, published in the journal 'Catena,' reveals a stark…

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are carrying out an intensive search operation along the stretch of the Gangadhar River in western Assam’s Dhubri district to trace three students who went missing on Tuesday after a country boat ferrying them capsized in the river. A group of 22 students had travelled to the riverine island to perform shraddh , a traditional funeral ritual when the mishap took place at Belpara Char in the Tamarhat area. According to witnesses, the boat lost balance midway through the return journey and overturned in the river. Even as most of the other…

On Tuesday morning, a tragic incident occurred in Khairani (Beltol Supa) village, located in the Baksa district of Assam, where two elderly individuals fell victim to a wild elephant. The incident took place around 5:30 am, as the elephant strayed from a nearby forest and attacked Gobinda Mizar, aged 75, and Umi Mizar, also known as Umi Maya Sarki, aged 60. Both suffered severe injuries as a result of the attack. Despite being rushed to Dr. Ravi Boro Civil Hospital for medical attention, Gobinda Mizar was pronounced dead upon arrival. Umi Mizar sustained serious injuries primarily to her left leg…

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership following the announcement of an India–United States trade understanding that will lower tariffs on Indian products exported to the American market. Under the new understanding, tariffs on Made in India goods entering the United States will be reduced to 15 per cent. The Chief Minister described the move as an important step for India’s manufacturing and export sectors, saying it would help Indian products reach a wider global market and improve competitiveness. Taking to social media platform X, Sarma said the decision would create fresh…

The Assam Police organised a National Capacity Building Workshop in Guwahati with a focus on cybersecurity, cyber hygiene, and financial safety. The day-long programme brought together police officers, members of civil society, and representatives of community-based organisations to discuss growing digital risks and ways to respond to them in a practical manner. The workshop was held under the Sishu Mitra Programme and aimed at improving awareness and preparedness at both the institutional and community levels. With the increasing use of digital platforms for communication, banking, and services, the organisers said there was a clear need to strengthen understanding of cyber…

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has petitioned the Supreme Court of India, contesting remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which they label as communal, divisive, and inconsistent with the Constitution’s principles. The petition, filed by Maulana Mahmood Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, calls for the formation of strict guidelines for officials in constitutional positions to prevent the misuse of public office for spreading hatred against any community. It references a speech from January 27, 2026, where Sarma suggested removing a significant number of so-called "Miya" voters from electoral rolls and expressed opposition towards the Miya community. This term is considered derogatory…

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) general manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava announced that the railway line connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan is expected to be completed within three years. This project includes a 69-km Kokrajhar-Gelephu line and a 20-km connection between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan). Chief Administrative Officer, NFR (Construction), Hitendra Goyal, noted that the Assam project will proceed swiftly once construction begins, supported by a positive state government. However, the West Bengal segment is experiencing delays due to land acquisition issues. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw previously highlighted these projects' potential to enhance trade, tourism, and bilateral…

The Supreme Court has provided interim relief to IAS officer Talo Potom by staying a Gauhati High Court order that had revoked his bail. The original bail was granted on November 4, following his remand to judicial custody on October 27, but was cancelled by the Gauhati High Court on January 23. A division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar, issued the interim order, halting the high court's decision and allowing four weeks for the filing of counter affidavits, with the matter to be revisited in six weeks. Additionally, Potom was permitted…

In East Khasi Hills, the District Magistrate has enacted an immediate ban on the transportation, storage, sale, and distribution of illegally imported fish from Bangladesh. This order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, prohibits any movement or marketing of such fish without appropriate legal documentation, and forbids the use of vehicles for these activities. The directive responds to significant reports of fish smuggling through various routes, citing risks to public health, legal compliance, biodiversity, and economic stability. Violators will face serious legal consequences under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, as…