Assam - The Purbottar

08 Jan

Aaranyak–SBIF Promote Beekeeping to Mitigate Human–Elephant Conflict in Assam

SonaliAssam

Leading biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation (SBIF), has introduced community-based solutions to strengthen livelihoods while promoting peaceful coexistence between people and elephants in human–elephant conflict (HEC)-affected areas of Assam. As part of the initiative, Aaranyak distributed 20 bee boxes with live colonies to community members in No. 3 Bholatar, No. 2 Bamunjuli and No. 1 Tankibasti villages in Udalguri district. The programme aims to provide alternative and supplementary livelihood options for families facing repeated crop losses due to frequent elephant movement. In these villages, most households depend on paddy cultivation. However, recurring crop damage caused…

08 Jan

India–Israel film co-produced in Assam makes it to Pune International Film Festival

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Indo–Israel feature film ‘Murders Too Close – Love Too Far’, co-directed by Assamese filmmaker Manju Borah and Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman, has been selected for screening at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2026 in the Global Cinema section on January 17 and 19. This selection is a landmark for Assamese cinema, being the first international co-production involving Assamese and foreign entities, supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting through NFDC. The film was shot entirely in Assam with a local crew, highlighting the region's growing capabilities in cinema. Co-produced by Borah, Amir Gedalia, and Wolman, this 108-minute…

08 Jan

Gauhati High Court Bar Association takes to hunger strike over plan to shift Gauhati High Court

Banasree SarkarAssam

As resistance to the proposed judicial township in Rangmahal grew, members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) started a three-day hunger strike on January 8 in protest of the government's proposal to move the Gauhati High Court's principal seat to North Guwahati. The protest began at 10 a.m. in front of the former High Court building in Uzan Bazar and was set to last for six hours every day. It comes after a resolution that was approved earlier this week at the Bar Association's emergent extraordinary general meeting. The agitation is being led by K N Choudhury, president…

08 Jan

Bangladesh Approves Tk 1,462 Crore Diesel Import from Assam’s Numaligarh Refinery via Friendship Pipeline

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Bangladesh has decided to import a large volume of diesel from India to meet its fuel demand for the year. The neighbouring country will procure 1.8 lakh tonnes of diesel from Assam’s state-owned Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) by December 2026, under an ongoing long-term fuel supply agreement between India and Bangladesh. The decision to go ahead with the import plan was taken at a meeting of the Government Purchase Advisory Committee held at the Dhaka Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply of…

08 Jan

Kaziranga authorities impose ban on community fishing as Magh Bihu approaches

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Traditional community fishing during Bhogali (Magh) Bihu has been banned in the wetlands of Kaziranga National Park as per a directive from the Gauhati High Court. In response to the court ruling, officials from the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) convened with representatives from the Golaghat district administration, Kaliabar sub-divisional administration, and local residents to communicate the prohibition and discuss its enforcement. The ban is specifically in effect within the National Park and its wetlands, which are considered critical breeding grounds for fish across Assam. Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of KNPTR, reiterated that no traditional fishing activities…

08 Jan

Disciplinary action: Assam Congress ousts senior leader

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A day after his suspension, Shahnawaz Ahmed was expelled from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) due to serious breaches of party discipline. The expulsion, mandated by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, cited Ahmed's involvement in violent behavior and actions that cultivated severe political animosity among party members, ultimately harming the party's reputation. The order, issued by APCC general secretary Bipul Gogoi, detailed allegations against Ahmed regarding a violent incident that occurred in Nilambazar, where he reportedly attacked Zila Parishad member Zillur Chowdhury with a sharp weapon, resulting in significant injuries. Chowdhury is currently receiving treatment at Silchar Medical College and…

08 Jan

Seat-sharing arrangement with NDA allies to be finalised by Feb 15: Himanta

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The ruling BJP in Assam is poised to formalise its seat-sharing arrangement with its NDA partners by February 15, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an official programme on Wednesday, Sarma said he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the seat-sharing agreement with NDA partners for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, scheduled to be held in March-April this year. “Our seat sharing and other details related to the alliance will be finalised by February 15. Last night, I went to meet the union home minister and…

08 Jan

On 25th Martyrs’ Day, AKRSU renews demand for ST status and Kamtapur dialogue

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union marked its 25th Martyrs’ Day in Sidalsati, Bongaigaon district, Assam, advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Koch-Rajbongshi community and calling for discussions regarding a separate Kamtapur region. All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union General Secretary Balaram Barman warned the state government that neglecting the tribal status issue before the 2026 Assam Assembly elections could have serious political repercussions. He urged the Government of India to engage in dialogue regarding Kamtapur and criticized the Coordination Committee of Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) for rejecting the Ministerial Group’s report on ST status. Barman cautioned that delays in…

08 Jan

Expanding its tea footprint: Maa Kamakhya Associates unveils ‘The Gardener’ & ‘Amsoi’ brands

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Building on decades of experience in tea cultivation, Maa Kamakhya Associates has launched its packet tea portfolio under the brands ‘The Gardener,’ a super-premium line, and ‘Amsoi,’ which caters to both premium and value-driven segments with offerings like Amsoi Premium and Amsoi Kadak. Currently available in several Indian states, including Assam and West Bengal, the brands will expand to Odisha and other regions in coming phases. The teas are sourced from the company's own estates and trusted partners, maintaining high quality across various blends, including both CTC and orthodox styles. The Director of Nutratea Industry Group underscored the importance of…

07 Jan

Cong takes public opinion to incorporate in manifesto for Assam polls

SonaliAssam

As part of its Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress Abhiyan, the Congress today took public opinion on diverse issues concerning the state from various parts of Lower Assam, including Nalbari and Rangia.The party will take the views expressed by the public into account while preparing its manifesto for the upcoming Assam Assembly polls.In Rangia, a delegation led by Manifesto Committee Chairman Pradyut Bordoloi, at the initiative of Kamrup (Rural) District Congress President Pranjit Choudhury, interacted with local party and social organisations, prominent personalities and a section of senior journalists. Former MP Abdul Khaleque was also part of the delegation.It may be…