Assam - The Purbottar

05 Feb

Assam Cyclist Completes Solo, Self-Supported Expedition Across Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam-based adventure cyclist, astrophotographer and filmmaker Dipankar — popularly known as Stephen — has completed a solo, self-supported bicycle expedition across Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit, one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude mountain routes. Riding entirely under his own power and carrying all essential gear, Stephen successfully crossed the iconic Thorong La Pass at 5,416 metres, a feat achieved by very few Indian cyclists. He is believed to be the first cyclist from Northeast India to complete the Annapurna Circuit in a fully self-supported solo format. The Annapurna Circuit is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes as well as its extreme conditions,…

05 Feb

Illegal Wildlife Trade Busted: 9.60 Kg Elephant Tusks Seized in Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Anti-Smuggling Unit of the Customs Division in Guwahati successfully intercepted a wildlife trafficking attempt by seizing four elephant tusks weighing a total of 9.60 kg. This operation took place in Hazarikapara, located in the Sipajhar area of Assam's Darrang district, following the acquisition of specific intelligence by customs officers. The intelligence indicated that an individual was in possession of the tusks and actively seeking potential buyers. Consequently, a team of customs officers conducted a search at the individual's residence, resulting in the recovery of the contraband items. The elephant tusks have been confiscated under the Wild Life (Protection) Act…

05 Feb

MoU Inked to Conserve Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’s Creative Legacy

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Gauhati University has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the family of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala to preserve his artistic legacy. Agarwala, a significant figure in Assamese art and culture, created around 300 songs and various films, influencing generations and shaping Assamese identity before his passing in 1951. The MoU marks the start of a collaboration to preserve, document, and digitize Agarwala's original manuscripts, film scripts, letters, and architectural sketches held by his family. These materials will be archived at the Krishna Kanta Handiqui Library for academic research and public knowledge, adhering to established archival practices. The Vice Chancellor…

05 Feb

Assam CM’s Remarks: Eminent Citizens Petition Gauhati High Court CJ

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A group of prominent citizens has urged the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to take suo moto cognizance against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his repeated communal remarks. In a letter, notable Assamese intellectual Hiren Gohain and former DGP Harekrishna Deka, alongside other civil society members, expressed deep concern over a series of statements made by Sarma. They argue that these remarks can be interpreted as hate speech, executive intimidation, and vilification of the 'Miyan' community, which consists of Muslims of Bengal origin.

05 Feb

Sun Pharma to Invest ₹500 Cr in Assam, Set to Establish Manufacturing Unit

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Sun Pharmaceutical will invest Rs 500 crore to establish a manufacturing plant in Assam, creating over 500 direct jobs, as announced by Chief Secretary Ravi Kota. Senior officials from Sun Pharma, including vice presidents Rahul Awasthi and Ranjit Mohapatra, discussed the project with Kota, focusing on key aspects like land, water, power, and skilled manpower. The drug formulation units aim to supply the Indian market and will be developed in two phases. The company emphasized sustainable manufacturing practices, including efficient water usage, renewable energy adoption, and responsible waste management. This initiative is part of the Assam government's efforts to attract…

05 Feb

Central Observers Briefed by ECI for Assam and Four-State Assembly Elections

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has organized briefing meetings for the General, Police, and Expenditure Observers designated as Central Observers for the upcoming General Elections in several states: Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. A total of 1,444 officers has been summoned, comprising 477 General Observers, 451 Police Observers, and 516 Expenditure Observers, with the meetings scheduled over February 5 and 6, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, led the briefing sessions.…

05 Feb

UPPL Open to Alliances, Ready to Go Solo in Assam Polls

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief and United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) president Pramod Boro said that his party has decided to contest all Assembly seats in the Bodoland Territorial Region in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. He also said the party plans to contest a few constituencies outside the region, based on what he described as clear public opinion in favour of a wider electoral presence. Speaking about the party’s election plans, Boro said the decision was taken after listening to people across Bodoland. According to him, party supporters and the general public want the UPPL to take part actively…

05 Feb

Extensive SIR of Assam Voter Lists Planned Post-Polls, Says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will be conducted in the state after the upcoming Assembly elections, emphasizing that it will be executed in a “very extensive and proper manner,” surpassing the current Special Revision (SR) process. Sarma explained that while an SR is ongoing, the SIR was requested to occur sooner; however, the Election Commission opted for the SR due to the pending status of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The final NRC, released on August 31, 2019, excluded 1,906,657 individuals and included 31,121,004 from a total of…

05 Feb

Railway Minister Tells Parliament DPR Prepared for Two New Assam Rail Lines

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the preparation of detailed project reports (DPR) for two new railway lines in Assam: The Agthori (Guwahati)–Dekargaon (Tezpur) line, spanning 129 km, and the Dekargaon (Tezpur)–Silghat line, extending 25 km. He noted that the sanctioning of these projects will require stakeholder consultations and approvals from NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance, thus affecting implementation timelines. Currently, Tezpur is served by the Dekargaon railway station, which offers six pairs of train services connecting to Guwahati and other regions. To enhance passenger amenities and rail infrastructure, the Ministry has initiated the Amrit Bharat Station…

05 Feb

Defamation Row: Assam Chief Minister Set to Sue Senior Congress Leaders

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that he will commence civil and criminal defamation proceedings against senior Congress leaders Jitendra Singh Alwar, Bhupesh Baghel, Gaurav Gogoi, and Debabrata Saikia on February 9, 2026. This legal action stems from accusations that these leaders made “false, malicious and defamatory” statements about him during a recent press conference. Sarma took to social media to declare his intentions and emphasized that he will not tolerate what he referred to as “hit-and-run politics.” He challenged his critics to substantiate their claims in a court of law, asserting his resolve to confront intimidation and…