Assam - The Purbottar

05 Dec

ST Status Demand: Assam Minister and CCTOA Hold First Round of Talks

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations, Assam (CCTOA) met with Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu to discuss the proposal for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities, as per the Assam Cabinet's November 30, 2025 decision. Minister Pegu outlined the Group of Ministers' report and invited the CCTOA to review sections of the report before forming an expert committee to submit feedback within a month. The CCTOA, representing 26 tribal groups, expressed concerns regarding potential impacts on existing ST rights. A second round of discussions with the Group of Ministers is planned after a month, with intentions to engage…

04 Dec

Assam Imposes Ban on ‘Jihadi’ Literature Associated with Terror Groups

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Government has enacted a comprehensive ban on all forms of radical or jihadi literature, invoking Section 98 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This directive specifically prohibits the publication, printing, circulation, distribution, sale, exhibition, possession, and storage—both physical and digital—of materials associated with extreme organizations such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), and Ansar-Al-Islam/pro-AQIS, among others. The ban extends to any digital platforms, including websites, social media, encrypted channels, and online groups that promote extremist content, aiming to safeguard internal security and prevent youth from succumbing to radical propaganda. The directive mandates strict enforcement…

04 Dec

Assam Chief Secretary Reviews Development of IIM Guwahati Transit Campus

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

On Wednesday, Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota visited the Tech City at Bongora, located near LGBI Airport in Guwahati, accompanied by officials from AMTRON, PWD, and other stakeholders. The visit aimed to review the progress of the IIM Guwahati Transit Campus, which is scheduled to become operational for the 2026 academic session. Dr. Kota emphasized the necessity of completing the physical facilities on time, with the Tech City, developed by AMTRON under the Department of IT, Goa, covering 104 acres and 100 acres currently under acquisition. This project is the first Electronics & IT hub in the North East,…

04 Dec

₹65.49 Crore PM-KISAN Fraud Exposed in Audit, Yet Agriculture Department Remains Inactive

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Despite significant evidence of large-scale fraud in the disbursement of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, the Manipur Agriculture Department has not taken substantial legal action to recover ₹65.49 crore erroneously allocated to ineligible beneficiaries. This inaction is highlighted by audits and Right to Information (RTI) proceedings that reveal deep systemic manipulation and collusion by departmental insiders who authorized registrations without proper verification. The initial exposure of these irregularities occurred in an audit conducted by the Principal Accountant General (Audit), Manipur, which uncovered numerous violations, such as unauthorized payments, enrollment of ineligible individuals, and benefits incorrectly…

04 Dec

Tanuska Borah makes Assam proud when she wins gold on the national stage

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam’s young karate player Tanuska Borah has brought honour to the state by winning a gold medal at a major national event. Tanuska achieved this milestone at the All India Inter Zonal Karate Championship 2025, which was held at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The event saw the participation of players from different zones of the country, and Tanuska stood out with her strong performance. Tanuska trains at the Shadow Martial Art Academy in Nagaon. According to her coaches, she has been working hard for several months, balancing her studies and sports practice. Her dedication paid off when…

04 Dec

Centenary Celebrations: Sabha Launches Assamese History Volume, Digital Dictionary, and Online Literature Drive

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Asam Sahitya Sabha announced significant cultural and literary initiatives during its centenary celebrations at Chandrakanta Handique Bhawan, including a revised history of Assam and the Assamese people to address historical gaps. President Dr. Basanta Kumar Goswami highlighted the Sabha's commitment to recognizing digital creativity by publishing literary works from social media in book formats. Additionally, the first Chandra Kanta Dictionary edition will be released digitally, featuring spellcheck capabilities for students. The Sabha also plans a year-long program for young writers, commemorating its journal's centenary in 2026, marked by attendance from esteemed writers and cultural scholars.

03 Dec

Myanmar-linked drug racket busted in Assam, Rs 12.5 cr narcotics seized

Mohini BarmanAssam

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized Rs 12.5 crore worth of “high-grade” heroin in Assam, intercepting a consignment trafficked from Myanmar through a sophisticated riverine route. A senior NCB official on Tuesday said the operation marked a significant breakthrough against an international drug cartel using remote waterways to evade security surveillance. Acting on intelligence developed over several weeks, the NCB’s Guwahati Zonal Unit, in coordination with the CRPF and Assam Police, tracked the illegal consignment as it moved through dense forest corridors in Manipur before being transported via small motorboats along the Barak river. Officials said traffickers increasingly rely…

03 Dec

An Assamese primatologist is admitted to a prominent international conservation program

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A young primatologist from Assam has earned a place in one of the world’s most competitive wildlife conservation programmes, marking a significant achievement for India’s research community. Dr. Joydeep Shil, a senior researcher with the Primate Research Centre and Conservation Himalayas, has secured a fully funded position in the prestigious Endangered Species Management Graduate Certificate (DESMAN) course under the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The scholarship covers his tuition, university fees, accommodation at the Durrell Wildlife Hostel in Jersey, and all food expenses during the 12‑week course, beginning February 16, 2026. The programme, validated by the University of Kent, is globally…

02 Dec

Assam Pays Tribute To Chaolung Sukapha On Asom Divas; Pm Modi Greets People

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

People across Assam on Tuesday paid tribute to the founder of the Ahom kingdom, Chaolung Sukapha, on the occasion of Asom Divas. A central celebration of Asom Divas was organised in Nazira, Charaideo district led by the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Tai Ahom Development Council, with support from the Sivasagar district administration and AASU Nazira Committee. The day-long programme saw the participation of several ministers, MLAs and dignitaries. Before the main event at the Nazira Sports Association playground, a 20-foot statue of Chaolung Sukapha was unveiled in Nazira. The statue, funded by the Tai Ahom Development Council, was…

02 Dec

St. Status Demand: On December 4, a group of ministers from Assam will meet with protesting tribal groups

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Tribal Affairs (Plains) minister Ranoj Pegu, will hold talks with the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) on December 4 to address the latter’s concerns over the report on the proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six OBC (Other Backward Classes) communities in the state. The communities seeking ST status comprise Tai-Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribe (Adivasi). The development comes in the wake of protests led by the CCTOA, an umbrella body of 26 tribal groups, since Saturday, rejecting the proposal by the GoM and warning…