Sonakshi Sarkar

The first phase of the much-anticipated panchayat elections in Assam kicked off on Friday morning with an encouraging voter turnout, as thousands of citizens queued up across 14 districts to cast their votes. The polling process marks a vital step in strengthening local self-governance and holds significant implications for the state’s political landscape. Polling began early in the day and was met with enthusiastic participation from voters in districts including Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat, Majuli, Golaghat, Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi. Long queues were seen outside polling stations even before dawn, reflecting strong engagement in the…

In a sweeping crackdown following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Assam Police have arrested 34 individuals across several districts for allegedly expressing support for Pakistan. The arrests include All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator Aminul Islam, who is now facing sedition charges. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made the development public through a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Tuesday evening, stating, “Total: 34 Anti Nationals put behind bars in Assam.” He described the accused as individuals who defended Pakistan on Indian soil, a stance the state government has condemned as "anti-national." The arrests were carried out…

At least three suspected NSCN cadres, who entered Assam allegedly to demand extortion money from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), were killed in an encounter with security forces in Dima Hasao district on Tuesday, officers said. The operation was planned and monitored by the highest level of Assam police for a month now, sources said. Over 300 security force personnel led by the Assam police were part of this operation.  The encounter took place at a place between N Kubin and Herakilo under Haflong police station limits after the NSCN cadres came from neighbouring Nagaland, police sources added.…