Assam - The Purbottar

24 Dec

Normalcy Returns to Kheroni After Deadly Unrest as Heavy Security Restores Order

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The law and order situation in Kheroni area of West Karbi Anglong has largely returned to normal following days of unrest that claimed two lives, officials said on Tuesday. Heavy security deployment by police and paramilitary forces has helped bring the situation under control, with authorities maintaining strict vigilance to prevent any fresh incidents. Officials said the situation stabilised on the third day after violence broke out in and around Kheroni, forcing the administration to rush in additional forces. Sensitive locations across the area are now under close watch, and security personnel have been conducting regular patrols to maintain peace.…

23 Dec

Assam Book Fair 2025 to Expand into Major Literary Festival with National Footprint

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Book Fair in Guwahati will transform into a prominent literary festival this year, featuring significant participation from national publishers and enhanced programming, to honor young writers. Scheduled to run for 14 days starting December 24 at the Khanapara Veterinary College playground, this event is organized by the Publication Board Assam in conjunction with the All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association. Pramod Kalita, secretary of the Publication Board, noted that the fair's timing was adjusted to accommodate preparations for Republic Day, celebrated on January 26. This year's fair extends its duration from 12 days to 14, indicating growing…

23 Dec

Assam Minister Blames Misinformation for Karbi Anglong Violence; Hunger Strike Withdrawn

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika attributed the violence in Kheroni, Karbi Anglong on December 22 to misinformation and a misunderstanding among the populace, emphasizing the need for peace and unity. He assured that as clarity emerges, the situation will improve. Hazarika highlighted the importance of communal harmony and respect for the rights of both the Karbi people and other indigenous communities, advocating for collective peaceful progress. Meanwhile, the Karbi community, which had been on an indefinite hunger strike since December 6 over demands for indigenous land rights protection, ended their protest after the Assam government's assurances. Minister Ranoj Pegu acknowledged…

23 Dec

Northeast Zone Inter-University Football Meet to Be Hosted by Royal Global University

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Assam Royal Global University (RGU) is set to host the Northeast Zone Inter University Football (Men) Tournament for the 2025-2026 season. Scheduled to occur at the RGU campus in Guwahati from January 5 to January 11, 2026, the tournament serves as a key initiative for RGU to promote values such as discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship while also strengthening inter-university unity across the region. The opening ceremony on January 5 will feature Kento Jini, the Minister of Law, Legislative and Justice, as well as Sports & Youth Affairs from the…

23 Dec

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at the MMUA event in Bajali: Women must advance in business

Banasree SarkarAssam

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, reiterated the State Government's commitment to women's economic development, stating that any woman may become self-sufficient and that women must advance in business. He was speaking to a sizable crowd while handing out seed capital checks for the Bajali Legislative Assembly Constituency's flagship Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA). Nearly 28,000 women recipients received Rs 10,000 seed capital checks from the Chief Minister during the program, which was a major step toward encouraging women-led entrepreneurship at the local level. The program seeks to support women in launching small enterprises, bolstering self-help organizations,…

23 Dec

IIT Guwahati Hosts State-Level ‘Design for Bharat’ Exhibition Under VBYLD 2026

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Department of Design at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati hosted the State-Level Exhibition for Design for Bharat - Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026, aligning with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ initiative to nurture young leaders toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Launched as a national design challenge, Design for Bharat aims to spur youth-led innovation that addresses significant social, cultural, and economic issues using creative and design-driven approaches. The initiative focuses on promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation, facilitating mentorship from industry experts, and providing a platform for youth to showcase their…

23 Dec

Alleging corruption in Jal Jeevan Mission, the Assam Congress steps up statewide protest

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has intensified its statewide protests alleging large-scale corruption and irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a flagship drinking water scheme. Leading the protest in Dhemaji town, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to uncover what he described as serious financial misconduct and administrative failures under the scheme. The protest in Dhemaji was part of a broader campaign being carried out across Assam under the banner of the Congress party’s public outreach initiative, “Raijor Padulit–Raijor Congress.” Congress workers and leaders gathered at several locations in…

22 Dec

Assam’s revered shrine gets Rs 217 crore facelift

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Batadrava Than, a shrine in Bordowa, Assam, is set to undergo a Rs 217-crore facelift under the Batadrava Cultural Project. The project aims to transform the sacred shrine into a world-class spiritual and tourism destination, preserving and showcasing the religious and cultural legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva. The project, set to be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 29, will be developed on 162 hectares of land that were freed from encroachment. The project includes the world's tallest Guru Asana, guest houses with artistic elements, an art centre inspired by traditional cymbal, a research centre shaped…

22 Dec

Sarbananda Sonowal on Namrup IV stone-laying: Assam is undergoing a comprehensive metamorphosis

Banasree SarkarAssam

Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, stated, "This marks a historic and proud moment for Assam and the entire Northeast," in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone for the Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited at Namrup in Dibrugarh. This initiative, under the visionary and resolute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, would not only improve the nation's fertilizer security but also empower farmers, create a significant number of jobs, and support India's progress towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Namrup IV is more than just an industrial project;…

22 Dec

93 Days On, No Clarity on VC Inquiry: Tezpur University Faces Complete Shutdown from Tuesday

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Tezpur University is moving toward a complete shutdown after its students announced that they will launch full civil disobedience from Tuesday morning. The students have accused the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) of remaining silent for more than three months on the inquiry against Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, who has allegedly remained absent for an extended period. The student fraternity released a long and strongly worded statement on Sunday night. The statement said they were deeply dissatisfied with what they describe as “sustained silence” from the Ministry. They said the Ministry had earlier set deadlines for clarification on December 9…