Blog - The Purbottar

20 Jan

Kokrajhar Violence: One Dead, Four Seriously Hurt as Police Arrest 18

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

One person was killed, and four others were seriously injured in mob violence in Gaurinagar, Kokrajhar district, Assam, on January 19. The deceased, Sikhna Jwhwlao Bismit, was from Bagaribari. The violence erupted around 7:30 PM following an altercation between two groups, escalating when a Scorpio vehicle was set on fire. The injured individuals, including Mahesh Murmu, Sunil Murmu, and Jugiraj Brahma, are receiving critical care at Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital. Initial investigations suggest the conflict may have originated from a road accident involving the Scorpio. Although police have arrested 18 individuals and intensified security in the area to maintain…

20 Jan

Ahead of Assembly Elections, Congress Plans Zonal Conventions in Assam Starting Jan 21

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Opposition Congress is set to conduct a series of strategic meetings in Assam starting January 21, aimed at strengthening the party's organizational structure ahead of upcoming Assembly elections. These meetings will be supervised by three special observers from the All-India Congress Committee (AICC): D.K. Shivakumar, Bhupesh Baghel, and Bandhu Tirkey. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has mandated zonal conventions for various Congress committees across the state. These conventions will take place in phases from January 21 to January 28, beginning in Howraghat for districts such as East Karbi Anglong and Nagaon, followed by Moran for Tinsukia and Dibrugarh…

20 Jan

Assam-Based Vehicle Theft Gang Busted in Aizawl, Four Arrested

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Police in Aizawl have arrested four suspects linked to vehicle thefts, originating from Karimganj and Patharkandi in Assam. The arrests occurred during the investigation of a two-wheeler theft reported at the Bawngkawn police station. All suspects reside in the Durtlang area of Aizawl and, during interrogation, admitted to their involvement in several thefts, stating they sold some stolen motorcycles in Silchar, Assam. On Monday, authorities recovered a stolen motorcycle from the Zuangtui area, along with two additional motorbikes stolen over the weekend. Police continue to work on recovering the remaining stolen vehicles.

19 Jan

IndiaSkills 2025–26 North East regional competition begins at Gauhati University

Business BureauBusiness

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will organise the North East Regional Competition of IndiaSkills 2025–26 at Gauhati University from January 19 to 22, marking a major step in strengthening skill development in the region. This is the first time a dedicated IndiaSkills regional competition is being held exclusively for the North Eastern states, with participation from all eight states. The competition will be inaugurated on January 19 by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The National Skill Development Corporation is the knowledge partner and implementing agency for the IndiaSkills Competition 2025–26. Youth…

19 Jan

IndiaSkills Regional Meet Opens in Guwahati, Inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated the IndiaSkills Regional Competition 2025-26 at Gauhati University, highlighting participation from youth across eight Northeastern states in 26 skills. This marks the first time the competition is held in the Northeast, offering local talent a chance to engage in a national-level contest. The event was attended by key officials, including Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta and Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, emphasizing the region's growing skilling ecosystem under the Skill India Mission. Chaudhary asserted that the competition reflects the Prime Minister's focus on the Northeast, fostering regional confidence and showcasing youth potential. He noted the integration of skill…

19 Jan

FIR Filed by Zubeen Garg’s Wife Leads to Police Questioning of Writer Sikha Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Police today detained writer Sikha Sarma in connection with a case linked to social media posts made about late music icon Zubeen Garg. Police officials said Sarma was taken into custody from her apartment in the Patharquarry area of Guwahati earlier in the day. The action followed a First Information Report (FIR) filed on Sunday by Garima Saikia Garg, the wife of the late singer. In her complaint, she alleged that Sarma had posted objectionable and defamatory content about Zubeen Garg on social media platforms. Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the police station under…

19 Jan

INSV Kaundinya reaches Oman after historic 17-day voyage from Gujarat

Business BureauBusiness

The Indian Navy’s traditionally built sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya reached Muscat, Oman, on January 14 after completing a challenging 17-day sea voyage from Porbandar. The voyage, which began on December 29, is being seen as a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime diplomacy while highlighting the country’s ancient seafaring heritage. Built using ancient shipbuilding techniques, Kaundinya reflects India’s indigenous maritime knowledge and sustainable practices. The vessel has been constructed without modern nails or metal fasteners, with wooden planks stitched together using ropes, drawing inspiration from a 5th-century ship depicted in the murals of the Ajanta Caves. India’s Ministry of External…

19 Jan

Fake Letter Row: Sarbananda Sonowal Files FIR, Denies Reports of Assam BJP Rift

Sonakshi SarkarNews

The Office of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has responded firmly to media reports suggesting an internal conflict within the Assam BJP linked to a purported letter from Sonowal to the party’s National President. This letter, which allegedly calls for leadership change in Assam and makes accusations against current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has been declared entirely fake, fabricated, and forged. It was produced on a counterfeit official letterhead featuring a forged signature of Sonowal. The dissemination of this fraudulent document constitutes serious criminal offenses including forgery, impersonation, and misuse of government identity, likely aimed at spreading misinformation to tarnish…

19 Jan

Across India at major airports, Thums Up brings the Iconic ICC Trophy closer to cricket fans

Business BureauBusiness

Thums Up, India’s homegrown cola brand, has launched a nationwide ICC Trophy Viewing Experience to bring the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Trophy closer to cricket fans at major airports. The initiative, announced on January 15, 2026, is being rolled out in partnership with International Cricket Council, Delhi International Airport Limited and Adani Airports Holding Ltd.. The experience began at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on January 15, followed by Indira Gandhi International Airport on January 16 and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on January 17. The trophy is on display daily from 6 am to 8 pm. While Delhi…

19 Jan

IBM (NYSE: IBM) introduces new software to address growing digital sovereignty imperative

Business BureauBusiness

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced IBM Sovereign Core, the industry's first AI-ready sovereign-enabled software for enterprises, governments, and service providers to build, deploy, and manage AI-ready sovereign environments. Organizations around the world are facing a growing imperative to exercise control over their technology infrastructure. Driven by evolving regulatory requirements and the need for auditable governance, enterprises and governments are seeking self-managed environments where they maintain complete operational authority, particularly as they deploy AI workloads that amplify sovereignty concerns. Digital sovereignty goes beyond data residency. It encompasses who operates and controls the technology environment, how data is accessed and governed, where workloads execute,…