Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

19 Mar

International Scrutiny Intensifies on Bangladesh’s Human Rights Record

Sonakshi SarkarBangladesh

Bangladesh is under increasing international scrutiny following allegations of human rights violations by security forces. Reports suggest instances of torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances. Human rights organizations are urging the Bangladeshi government to conduct thorough investigations and hold perpetrators accountable. The government, however, denies these allegations, asserting that security operations are conducted within legal frameworks. The situation has raised concerns among international observers about the state of democracy and rule of law in Bangladesh.

19 Mar

15 Bangladeshis apprehended in Assam, sent back

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said a total of 15 Bangladeshi nationals were sent back to their country through Sribhumi district of the state. "Stern action against illegal infiltration. Continuing with their strict vigil along the Indo-Bangladesh border, @sribhumipolice intercepted 2 Bangladeshi nationals and pushed them back," Sarma said in a post on X. Assam's Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts share 267.5 km of international border with Bangladesh.

18 Mar

Bangladeshi infiltration attempt foiled in Assam, 2 pushed back

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said two Bangladeshis were intercepted along the international border in Sribhumi district and pushed back. "Stern action against illegal infiltration. Continuing with their strict vigil along the Indo-Bangladesh border, @sribhumipolice intercepted 2 Bangladeshi nationals and pushed them back," Sarma said in a post on X. Assam's Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar districts share 267.5 km of international border with Bangladesh.

18 Mar

CAG highlights ₹2.69 crore loss from SMU tariff error

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged a misclassification in electricity tariffs, leading to an undue benefit of ₹2.69 crore to Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) over five years (2017-18 to 2021-22). The audit report revealed that SMU was incorrectly classified under the Bulk Supply High Tension Industrial Supply (HTIS) category, instead of the standard HTIS category, which applies to most industrial and institutional consumers. This misclassification resulted in revenue losses for the Power Department of Sikkim (PDS). According to the CAG report: SMU was charged ₹12.33 crore in energy costs under the incorrect category. If classified correctly…

18 Mar

Carney Visits Macron and Starmer to Strengthen Ties Against U.S. Trade Policies

Sonakshi SarkarCanada

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is on his first overseas trip to France and the UK, seeking stronger alliances in response to President Donald Trump's trade policies affecting Canada's sovereignty and economy. In Paris, Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron presented a united stance against economic and geopolitical challenges, implicitly referencing Trump's trade war and "America first" diplomacy. Carney emphasized Canada's position as the "most European of the non-European countries," highlighting the importance of reliable allies. The trip underscores Canada's efforts to navigate the complexities of current international trade dynamics and reinforce partnerships with key European nations.

18 Mar

Former Georgian President Saakashvili’s Prison Term Extended

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been sentenced to an additional four years and six months in prison on charges of illegal border crossing, bringing his total jail time to 12½ years. Saakashvili and his defense team argue that the charges are politically motivated. Serving as president from 2004 to 2013, Saakashvili led significant reforms but faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies. After his party's 2012 election loss, he moved to Ukraine and returned to Georgia in 2021, where he was arrested. Currently, he is in a prison hospital receiving treatment for chronic conditions. His lawyer denounced the recent verdict, declaring…

18 Mar

Assam MP asks centre to name two trains after Vaishnavite saints

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

BJP MP Dilip Saikia on Monday urged the railway ministry to name two long-distance trains from Assam to Delhi and Chennai in honour of revered Vaishnavite saints Srimanta Sankardeva and Srimanta Madhdeva, respectively. Participating in a debate on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2025-26, the MP from Assam's Darrang-Udalguri constituency also urged the government to start a Vande Bharat Express train between Dibrugarh and Guwahati via Rangia and Udalguri, besides a direct train from Guwahati to Odisha for the benefit of the 45 lakh people of Odisha-origin living in Assam. "Two long-distance…

18 Mar

Dhubri MP files FIR over de*th threats on Facebook

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam MP Rakibul Hussain has filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Dhubri Sadar Police Station after receiving multiple death threats on Facebook. The Dhubri Member of Parliament alleged that a social media user had made repeated threats against his life, escalating concerns over online harassment and safety of public figures. According to the complaint filed on Monday, a Facebook user identified as Ansar Ali, a resident of Sunakhuli village in Dhubri district, allegedly issued violent threats against Hussain during live sessions on the platform. The first instance occurred on January 4, 2025, when Ali allegedly commented in Assamese, threatening…

17 Mar

Sikkim Buddhist delegation joins protest for Mahabodhi Temple control

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A delegation of Buddhist monks from Sikkim, led by Ongdi Pintso Bhutia, state convenor of the All India Buddhist Forum, has joined the ongoing protest in Bodh Gaya, demanding Buddhist control over the administration of the Mahabodhi Vihara. The protest, organized by the All India Buddhist Forum, seeks to repeal the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Act of 1949, which currently mandates a nine-member committee to oversee the temple’s administration. Protesters argue that only four of these members are Buddhists, while the rest, including the chairman—who is the District Magistrate—may not be from the faith. Demonstrators, including volunteers from Ladakh, have…

17 Mar

Auburn Secures Top Seed in NCAA Tournament Bracket

Sonakshi SarkarInternational

The 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket has been unveiled, with Auburn University earning the No. 1 overall seed despite a recent loss in the SEC Tournament final. Auburn leads the South Region, while Duke, Houston, and Florida secure the other No. 1 seeds in the East, Midwest, and West Regions, respectively. The tournament's "First Four" games are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, determining the final entrants for the main bracket. The first round of March Madness kicks off on Thursday and Friday, with 68 teams vying for the national championship.