Assam - The Purbottar

21 Jan

Situation Calm in Kokrajhar, Army Deployed in Sensitive Areas

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

No fresh incidents of violence were reported in Assam’s Kokrajhar district overnight or on Wednesday morning following recent communal unrest that claimed two lives — one Bodo and one Adivasi (Santhal). Officials said the situation remains under control. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been in effect across Kokrajhar district since Tuesday. As a precautionary measure, the state government has also temporarily suspended mobile internet services in Kokrajhar and neighbouring Chirang district. To maintain law and order, four Army columns have been deployed in sensitive areas, along with personnel from the Rapid Action…

21 Jan

Under new scheme, Assam announces monthly stipends for research scholars

Banasree SarkarAssam

On February 11, Assam will begin a financial support program for research scientists, providing significant monthly aid to scholars pursuing higher education. Research scholars in the state will receive Rs 25,000 per month under the Atal Vichal Agragami Assam project. In order to provide comprehensive access to academic opportunities, scholars with disabilities would receive increased support of Rs 40,000 per month. The program was announced on social media by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who described it as an effort to improve the state's research ecosystem. The program's objectives are to promote innovation and intellectual growth among Assamese academics. The…

21 Jan

Relief Camps Opened for Displaced Residents Amid Tightened Security in Kokrajhar

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The situation in Assam’s Kokrajhar district is largely under control, with authorities saying that peace is steadily returning after recent incidents of violence. Security has been tightened across sensitive areas, and senior officials are closely monitoring the ground situation to prevent any further unrest. According to officials, security forces including the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Police have been carrying out regular flag marches in vulnerable locations since Tuesday. These marches continued on Wednesday as a confidence-building measure aimed at reassuring residents and maintaining law and order. In view of the tense situation, the district administration imposed…

21 Jan

‘Past Wounds Still Fresh’: Former BTC Chief Pramod Boro Urges Restraint Amid Kokrajhar Unrest

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Pramod Boro, has expressed deep shock and concern over the recent incidents of violence in Assam’s Kokrajhar district and appealed to all communities to maintain peace and restraint. Speaking on Tuesday, Boro said the killing of a young man in the recent violence had deeply saddened him. He said the incident has caused pain to many families and has once again created fear in a region that has already suffered heavily due to past conflicts. He offered his condolences to the bereaved family and said he prayed for peace…

21 Jan

Congress Alleges Corruption, Lawlessness in Assam; Baghel Calls for United Opposition to Oust BJP

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on January 20 launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government in Assam, claiming that the state’s “double-engine government” would come to an end in the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Baghel accused the government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption and misuse of power. Baghel said the Congress, along with other like-minded opposition parties, was preparing to contest the Assam Assembly elections in a united manner. He claimed that the fall of the BJP government in the state would also bring an…

21 Jan

At WEF, Assam CM Says Industry-Driven Education Key to Bridging Global Talent Gaps

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma participated in a session on 'Securing a Future-Ready Workforce for the Next Industrial Era' at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasizing Assam's initiatives to tackle global talent shortages through the Assam Skills University and Skill Development Mission, which features industry-led curricula and modular certifications. He expressed the importance of achieving growth that is "fast but fair, advanced but accessible," leveraging Assam's youthful median age of 22.7 years to enhance India's growth trajectory with appropriate skill development. Sarma highlighted Assam's strategy of integrating workforce preparation into projects like Tata's semiconductor plant to ensure technology…

20 Jan

Assam Cong extends last date to apply for Assembly poll tickets

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has extended the last date for submission of applications for party tickets for the State Assembly elections to January 28.APCC president Gaurav Gogoi made the announcement considering the sudden rush of ticket aspirants, with about 750 people filing their applications for a party ticket so far. Tuesday had been the last date for submission of applications.By 7 pm on Tuesday, more than 150 aspirants had submitted their applications, including MLAs Rakibuddin Ahmed and Diganta Barman, Co-Chairman of the Social Media Department Pratik Bordoloi, party spokesperson Rupa Kalita, and Gautam Bhattacharya.

20 Jan

Assam’s Growth Will Drive Northeast’s Economic Future: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held discussions with Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran ahead of his scheduled meeting with representatives of the global semiconductor industry at the World Economic Forum (WEF) later on Monday. The Chief Minister said the Tata Group is playing a key role in anchoring Assam’s semiconductor sector. He added that the state government is keen to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem by collaborating with major global players. The meeting comes as Assam seeks to position itself as an emerging hub for semiconductor manufacturing and allied industries. Positioning Assam as a regional growth engine, Chief Minister Himanta…

20 Jan

Rural Development Push: Centre Releases Rs 213.9 Cr for Assam’s Local Bodies

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Union Government has allocated Rs 213.9 crore as the first installment of XV Finance Commission Untied Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Assam for the financial year 2025-26. This grant is distributed among 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats, and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti recommend these grants for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), which are subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance. These Untied Grants are designated for local needs across 29 subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding…

20 Jan

Mob Violence in Kokrajhar: One Killed, Four Injured, 19 in Police Custody

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Police have detained 19 people in connection with the killing of a youth in a mob attack at Gouri Nagar under Kokrajhar Police Station on Monday evening. The incident, which took place on suspicion of cattle theft, has led to tension in parts of Kokrajhar district, especially in the Karigaon area.Superintendent of Police Akshad Garg said police have started a detailed investigation into the case. He confirmed that 19 individuals have been detained so far and are being questioned to establish their role in the incident. He added that the situation is being closely monitored.According to police sources, the incident…