INDIA
Civilian killings could complicate Naga peace process, result in retaliatory attacks
The Central government is likely to face a major hurdle in bridging the trust deficit caused by the Mon killings. Already, the killings have revived the demand for a repeal of the draconian AFSPA in the Northeast
INDIA
Repeal of 3 farm laws revives CAA debate in the Northeast
In large parts of the country, those opposing CAA see it as anti-Muslim but in the Northeast, the citizenship debate is complex and is linked to identity and indigeneity
TRENDS
Assam land encroachment is real; former CEC-led panel found 8 lakh indigenous families are landless
The panel found that 63 lakh bighas (20.83 lakh acres) of government land, including forest land, grazing ground and others, is being held by encroachers across the state.
TRENDS
Analysis | No need for AFSPA in Assam as insurgency on the wane: Security experts, human rights activists
On September 11, the Assam government issued a brief press statement saying that it has declared the entire state of Assam a "Disturbed Area" for up to six months from August 28.
POLITICS
Assam Accord panel: Key stakeholder AASU says Bangladesh must be involved in migrants’ deportation matter
Over the years, numerous committees were formed on Assam Accord; however, the full implementation of the agreement is still a far cry. Now, one more panel will be constituted to prepare a roadmap for implementation of the accord.
POLITICS
Analysis | Eye on assembly bypolls, Assam Congress on lookout for new allies after snapping ties with AIUDF
Assam byelections will be held in Gossaigaon, Tamulpur, Bhabanipur, Mariani, Majuli and Thowra constituencies although the Election Commission is yet to announce the poll schedule
TRENDS
Exclusive | Pinky Karmakar, London Olympics torch-bearer, says Assam govt turned its back on her all these years
The government has offered Pinky Karmakar a job for only three months as “Contingency Menial” by the Assam Tea Employees Provident Fund Organization at its Dibrugarh Zonal Office.
POLITICS
Fear of land grab by ‘illegal migrants’ could be factor behind frequent Assam-Mizoram border clashes
There are conflicting accounts of what led to the bloodbath on July 26, with people on the Mizoram side blaming alleged illegal migrants from Bangladesh trying to encroach upon their land.
POLITICS
As coup and Covid batter Myanmar, India’s Northeast faces influx and infection risk
Mizoram and Mainpur are bearing the brunt of the refugee crisis in the absence of proper mechanism to handle it. Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga recently urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help mitigate the “humanitarian crisis”
INDIA
Exclusive | Assam’s war on drugs to continue, it’s a very focussed operation: State Police chief Mahanta
A total of 723 cases have been registered, 1,253 people arrested, and drugs worth Rs 131.89 crore seized between May 10 and June 29, 2021. From being a transit route, the state has become a narcotics destination from the notorious Golden Triangle, which, in turn, is well backed by rebel groups
TRENDS
Protracted unrest in Myanmar could put India’s ‘Act East’ policy in limbo
The Sittwe deep-water port and a 1,360-km highway to connect India and Thailand via Myanmar are among the Indian infrastructure projects that could be affected if the unrest continues.
POLITICS
BJP’s cow protection Bill goes against Assam’s syncretic traditions
By introducing the cow protection Bill in Assam, the BJP would hope that it will convince its supporters and potential voters in Uttar Pradesh which will go to the polls in early 2022
POLITICS
Why BJP picked Himanta Biswa Sarma as Assam CM and what happens to Sarbananda Sonowal now
As a chief minister, Sarbananda Sonowal was known for his ‘zero-tolerance’ against corruption. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday described Sonowal's tenure as one “unblemished without a single charge of corruption or any other allegation”.
POLITICS
Himanta Biswa Sarma to be Assam’s next chief minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP Assam unit's 'master strategist' pips incumbent Sarbananda Sonowal for the state's top job
TRENDS
Sonowal or Sarma? Who will be the next chief minister of Assam?
Himanta Biswa Sarma's handling of the first wave of Covid-19 as state health minister earned him praise, while Sarbananda Sonowal is known for taking a strong stance against corruption in the state. Whom will the BJP central leadership choose to lead Assam for the next five years?
POLITICS
Assam Election 2021: How BJP managed to stay ahead in tea belt and marched to victory
The state government launched a string of welfare schemes such as free rice and a financial aid of Rs 12,000 for every pregnant woman aimed at the tea tribes, which play a decisive role in 40 of the Assam’s 126 constituencies.
POLITICS
The Congress failed in Assam because it focused on the CAA
Organisationally, the Congress has been weak for the past 6-7 years. It has failed to induct fresh blood ever since the youth brigade led by Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the BJP in 2015.
TRENDS
Assembly Election 2021 | Assam BJP 'declares' NDA victory in 83 seats ahead of the May 2 verdict
These are key contenders and constituencies to watch in Assam, as poll results start coming in tomorrow.
TRENDS
Ex-Congress leader Tripura ‘Maharaja’ makes a strong comeback, says he won’t accept any post in new tribal council
Earlier this month, The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) and ally won council polls in Tripura. The party is meeting today to announce its candidate for the top post in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
POLITICS
Assam polls: BJP’s silence on CAA gives Congress, regional outfits room to manoeuvre
In Assam, the citizenship debate is much more complicated given its links to the questions of identity and indigeneity
POLITICS
Opinion | Unmet promises could be ruling BJP’s Achilles’ heel in Assam
NRC, flood control and ST status to six communities are among the issues that will likely trouble the BJP, as the party’s showing has been far from satisfactory in the last five years.
INDIA
Assam Election 2021 | After Bodo party’s entry, Congress-led ‘grand alliance’ upbeat about its prospects
Until last month, the opposition failed to generate much interest giving an impression that it would not be able to make any impact in the forthcoming polls. The situation could now change drastically.
POLITICS
Assam Congress a divided house, still undecided over alliance as polls near
Organisationally, the party is weak and it has lost touch with the people. There has been no young blood in the Congress ever since the youth brigade led by ‘master strategist’ Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the BJP in 2015.
WORLD
Not just per capita GDP, Bangladesh outpaces India on key social indicators too
Bangladesh has made substantial progress in several social indicators, including education, sanitation and health.
