Sonakshi Sarkar - The Purbottar

19 Jul

Gorkhas to get multipurpose hall, handloom hub in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarMeghalaya

Chairman of the Gorkha Development Council (GDC), Prem Tamang said that two important facilities, a Gorkha Multipurpose Complex Hall and a Gorkha Handloom Centre will soon be set up for the benefit of the community.Speaking exclusively to Echo of India, Tamang said that these projects are part of his long-term vision to serve the Gorkhas of Assam, a community he deeply cares for and feels responsible towards.Prem Tamang, who has been at the helm of the GDC since 2020, said that it is his “sole duty and responsibility” to work for the welfare of the Gorkhas of Assam. He believes…

19 Jul

2 d*ad, several injured in clash during Goalpara eviction

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Tensions erupted in Assam’s Goalpara district on July 18 during an eviction drive in the Paikan forest area, leading to a violent confrontation between alleged encroachers and security forces. The clash resulted in the death of two individuals and injuries to several police and forest department officials. As of Friday, nine people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on police personnel. According to official sources, the eviction operation was being jointly conducted by the Assam Police and the Forest Department to clear illegal settlements from reserved forest land in the Paikan region. The drive was part…

19 Jul

Gangtok clash sparks political dispute in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Political tensions flared in Sikkim after a reported violent incident near Gangtok’s Sadar Police Station on the night of July 17, involving members of the Citizen Action Party (CAP). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come down hard on the Sikkim Police, accusing them of negligence and demanding full disclosure, including CCTV footage from the site. The incident, which reportedly took place within or near the premises of Sadar Police Station, has reignited debate over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. BJP spokesperson Passang Gyali Sherpa, addressing the media in Gangtok, condemned the alleged attack and questioned…

18 Jul

Himanta Biswa Sarma blames Rahul Gandhi for Goalpara violence

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday strongly blamed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for inciting unrest that led to violent clashes between alleged encroachers and security personnel in the Paikan Reserve Forest area of Goalpara district. The confrontation resulted in the death of one person and left 21 police and forest officials injured. The Chief Minister, in a sharply worded statement posted on his official X handle (formerly Twitter), alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s recent statements during his Assam visit had directly encouraged encroachment on government forest land. “Rahul Gandhi came to Assam and openly encouraged encroachers to occupy forest…

17 Jul

Govt employees in Sikkim barred from seeking political help for promotions

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has issued a fresh warning to all state government employees against using political or external influence to secure personal benefits related to service matters. The directive reinforces long-standing rules meant to ensure transparency and fairness in public service. The circular, issued by the Department of Personnel on July 15, was signed by Chief Secretary R. Telang and serves as a direct reminder of Rule 21 under the Sikkim Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 1981. This rule explicitly bars government employees from seeking political or other forms of external influence to advance their personal interests in areas such as…

17 Jul

Assam CM hits back after Rahul’s corruption charges

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The political temperature in Assam rose sharply on Tuesday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, branding him “the most corrupt chief minister in India.” The remark, made during Gandhi’s visit to Assam, triggered a swift and pointed response from Sarma, signaling the intensifying battle lines ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Addressing a gathering of Congress workers and party leaders, Gandhi accused Sarma of massive corruption and claimed that the BJP leader’s fear was now clearly visible. “Congress’s brave lion will put him behind bars,” Gandhi declared, energizing party cadres. In…

16 Jul

Sikkim empowers police and vets to tackle animal cruelty

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has launched a multi-agency crackdown, equipping police officers, veterinary professionals, and community volunteers with the tools and training necessary to treat animal abuse as a serious criminal offence. The campaign signals a shift in how the state plans to handle cruelty cases—not as minor infractions, but as precursors to deeper societal violence. On July 15, nearly 70 police officers from across the state participated in a dedicated workshop held at the Sikkim Police Headquarters. The session, organized jointly by the State Animal Husbandry Department and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, focused on strengthening…

16 Jul

Asharikandi’s terracotta Gets Bhutan’s attention

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

His Excellency Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General of Bhutan, visited the iconic terracotta village of Asharikandi in Gauripur, Dhubri district, Assam, on Tuesday, July 15. The visit was part of Bhutan’s broader initiative to integrate traditional art and heritage into the forthcoming Mindfulness City project at Gelephu, an ambitious vision championed by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Renowned for its Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged terracotta craft, Asharikandi has long held a prominent place in India's artisanal landscape. The Consul General’s visit underscored growing interest in cross-border cultural synergy, with Bhutan exploring how Asharikandi’s vibrant and intricate terracotta art could…

15 Jul

Rare birds discovered in Kaziranga’s first grassland bird survey

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, globally celebrated for its one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers, has achieved another major milestone in biodiversity conservation. The park has released findings from its first-ever Grassland Bird Survey, revealing the presence of 43 species of grassland birds, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, as well as several birds endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Conducted between March 18 and May 25, 2025, the extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, marking the first time Kaziranga has systematically assessed its grassland avifauna. This effort is being hailed by…

14 Jul

Dorjee Tshering Lepcha demands border be officially named ‘Indo-Tibet’

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dorjee Tshering Lepcha has renewed his call for the central government to officially recognise the boundary between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region as the "Indo-Tibet border", instead of the commonly used "Indo-China border." Citing historical and geopolitical concerns, Lepcha emphasized the need to reflect Tibet’s distinct identity in India’s official communications and policy narratives.During a visit to the border village of Machong in Sikkim on Saturday, Lepcha told reporters that the issue was not new and had already been raised by him during the 2024 Monsoon and 2025 Budget Sessions of Parliament. “This is…