Tora Agarwala
Tora covers the Northeast for The Indian Express. Follow her on Twitter @toramatix
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‘Urge those who dream of independent Assam to return to discussion table’: Assam CM in I-Day speech
Last week, the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) called for a “total shutdown” and “boycott” of Independence Day celebrations in Assam.
Mon, Aug 15, 2022
A novel recounts the Mizo ‘independence’ movement, and the life of a young boy caught in its turmoil
It is the 1960s, and Mizoram is in the throes of an armed separatist movement after the Indian government orders air strikes on the hill state. A novel tells the story of a troubled time through the eyes of a teenage boy.
Sun, Aug 14, 2022
Assam: SP among 3 cops suspended over allegations of negligence in 13-yr-old girl’s death case
The 13-year-old was found dead on June 11, “hanging” at the home of one Krishna Kamal Baruah, an SSB jawan residing in Dhula, where she was employed as a domestic help.
Sat, Aug 13, 2022
Decision to teach science, math in English in govt schools not a move away from mother tongue, says Assam Education Minister
Since the announcement last week, opposition parties, literary bodies and student unions have criticised the government saying that the decision violates the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020
Thu, Aug 04, 2022
The ‘outsider’ debate: In Arunachal, old wounds flare up over residence certificates
As civil society groups opposed the practice of residential proof certificates being issued to Chakma and Hajong communities, the government quickly suspended the exercise
Thu, Aug 04, 2022
Cong MLA’s FIR accusing Assam CM of trying to topple Jharkhand govt ‘fabricated’: BJP minister Pijush Hazarika
Assam minister Pijush Hazarika tweeted purported photos of Jharkhand Congress MLA Kumar Jaimangal meeting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma five days before the FIR was filed.
Tue, Aug 02, 2022
Illegal cash: Jharkhand MLAs held, colleague blames Sarma
Assam CM denies, says MLA ‘doesn’t need middlemen’ to meet him
Mon, Aug 01, 2022
BJP accepts junior role in Nagaland alliance, murmurs within state unit
Deputy CM Y Patton, who publicly expressed resentment over being kept in the dark, told The Indian Express that the Nagaland BJP would "have to abide by the decision of the central leadership”, but many leaders in the state “did not approve of the current arrangement”.
Thu, Jul 28, 2022
Meghalaya BJP leader accused of running a brothel arrested in UP
On July 22, the police raided Meghalaya BJP vice-president Bernard Marak’s farmhouse following a complaint registered in February, when a minor girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in the premises.
Wed, Jul 27, 2022
‘Brothel’ row: Warrant issued for arrest of Meghalaya BJP leader Bernard Marak, say police
Police said that state BJP vice-president Bernard Marak, who has been accused of running a ‘brothel’ at his farmhouse in Tura, is not cooperating with the investigation.
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
‘Brothel’ row: Militant-turned-BJP leader who is on the run noted Garo Hills face
When he quit in 2017, Bernard Marak caused an exodus from BJP, damaging its chances in Meghalaya
Tue, Jul 26, 2022
Fresh cracks in Meghalaya’s ruling coalition after raid on farmhouse owned by BJP leader
The Meghalaya Police said a special operation at a farmhouse in Tura, owned by militant-turned-politician Bernard R Marak, now the vice-president of the BJP's Meghalaya unit, had revealed that the premises was being “run as a brothel”.
Mon, Jul 25, 2022
‘Wandering’ in woods for days, 8 of 19 missing men found fortnight after they left BRO project
Ten workers are still “missing”, despite IAF-requisitioned aircraft making two search rounds on Friday — the labourers rescued have, meanwhile, said that three of their colleagues died over the last fortnight.
Thu, Jul 28, 2022
In Assam, half of Opp breaks ranks to vote for Murmu; Cong to take ‘action’
In the 126-member Assam House, the Opposition has 44 MLAs — Congress (27), AIUDF (15), and one each from CPI(M) and Independent ranks. This means half of them voted for Murmu.
Sat, Jul 23, 2022
Gauhati HC grants bail to student held for Facebook post ‘in support of ULFA-I’
The FIR against the student, Barshashree Buragohain, also stated that she had “accepted” that the Facebook post was written by her. The post, however, made no mention of the banned outfit.
Fri, Jul 22, 2022
Missing for 15 days, Assam labourers ‘fled’ border road project, kin wait for answers
The Kurung Kumey district administration says that they first heard about the labourers who had “fled” on July 13, and launched a search operation immediately – to no avail.
Thu, Jul 21, 2022
Assam, Arunachal sign pact to resolve border dispute
The meeting on Friday was the third this year between Chief Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pema Khandu to discuss the vexed border dispute, which dates back to colonial times.
Fri, Jul 15, 2022
UAPA for Facebook post: Now Sarma says stopped 19-year-old girl from joining ULFA
A separate petition seeking bail for Buragohain is pending in the Gauhati High Court, with the next hearing slated for July 21.
Fri, Jul 15, 2022
Assam student in jail for alleged ‘pro-ULFA’ Facebook post; family demands release
Following demands to release her, the Assam Police Special DGP (law and order) G P Singh in a statement on Wednesday said "due process was being followed".
Thu, Jul 14, 2022
Assam: Days after ‘threats’ led to local man’s suicide, house of one accused razed
“It was an illegal structure and they did not have building permission. The building was in a precarious condition…it (also) violated certain norms,” a senior district administration official told The Indian Express.
Tue, Jul 12, 2022
Assam’s Muslims: why some have been declared ‘indigenous’ and some left out
The state Cabinet has approved the identification of five sub-groups as ‘indigenous’ Assamese Muslim communities. What is the history of these groups, what led to the decision, and which Muslim groups have been left out of the definition of ‘indigenous’?
Wed, Jul 13, 2022
Assam man detained, released later for playing Lord Shiva in street play on price rise
Birinchi Bora said his play intended to "highlight price rise" and there was “no intention to hurt anyone’s beliefs”. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma later said street plays on current issues are not "blasphemous".
Mon, Jul 11, 2022
How, what will follow: Questions trail Assam’s ‘indigenous Muslim’ plan
In accepting the recommendations of a panel on this, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma fulfilled the long-standing demand by these groups -- Goriyas, Moriyas, Julhas, Deshis and Syeds -- for a “distinct identity”.
Thu, Jul 07, 2022
Assam Cabinet approves ‘indigenous’ status for five Muslim communities
A note from the cabinet said that the move will “ensure their development in health, cultural identity, education, financial inclusion, skill development and women empowerment.”
Thu, Jul 07, 2022
A Letter From Silchar, Assam: Down a town, on a boat with a body
Nine days after Silchar saw its worst flood, water lies stagnant, power supply is still out at some places, officials are struggling with rescue, and people have questions over if things will ever change.
Wed, Jul 13, 2022