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Barak360 Delivering handpicked News & Insights from Barak Valley, Assam, and the NorthEastern Region of India.

India's defence exports are set to grow at an 18% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from FY24 to FY30, thanks to the 'M...
10/09/2024

India's defence exports are set to grow at an 18% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from FY24 to FY30, thanks to the 'Make in India' initiative and a strong focus on local manufacturing. According to a report by global investment firm Jefferies, factors like geopolitical tensions and the government's push for indigenization are driving opportunities for Indian defence companies. The report also highlights the government's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties to boost global exports.

The Defence Acquisition Council recently approved 10 capital acquisition proposals worth ₹1,44,716 crore, signaling a major push for indigenous defence manufacturing. Almost 99% of these acquisitions will be sourced locally, underlining India's commitment to self-reliance in defence. These initiatives are expected to lead to a significant increase in defence equipment orders, with companies poised to tap into a market opportunity valued at $90-100 billion over the next 5-6 years.

India, the world's second-largest importer of defence equipment, is rapidly enhancing its export capabilities. Defence exports have surged 14 times, reaching $2.6 billion between FY2017 and FY2024. The country’s export portfolio now includes advanced systems like missiles, radars, naval systems, helicopters, and surveillance equipment, positioning India as a key player in the global defence landscape.

Tensions in Manipur have sharply escalated, culminating in the death of a former Indian Army soldier, Limkholal Mate, af...
09/09/2024

Tensions in Manipur have sharply escalated, culminating in the death of a former Indian Army soldier, Limkholal Mate, after he accidentally crossed into a “buffer zone” separating the Meitei and Kuki areas late Sunday night. Mate, a former Havaldar in the Assam Regiment, was reportedly beaten to death in Sekmai, Imphal West district, after inadvertently entering the zone while driving. This incident reflects the deepening divide and mistrust between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with central paramilitary forces struggling to maintain peace in these buffer zones since ethnic violence erupted last year.

Meanwhile, government sources express deep concern over the rising aggression between both sides. There are allegations that ex-servicemen may have joined militant activities, prompting the government to consider revoking their pensions if proven guilty. The conflict has seen the use of advanced warfare tactics, including drone strikes by Kuki militants, which have intensified violence and made it challenging for central forces to maintain control. Both groups have escalated their attacks, utilizing newer technology, further complicating the situation and threatening to spread the conflict to other regions. The government is focused on initiating comprehensive dialogue and taking stringent actions to restore peace.

Indian boxer Deepali Thapa has carved her name in history by becoming the first-ever Asian Schoolgirl Champion at the AS...
09/09/2024

Indian boxer Deepali Thapa has carved her name in history by becoming the first-ever Asian Schoolgirl Champion at the ASBC Asian Schoolboys Boxing Championships. Competing in the 33kg category, Thapa defeated Kazakhstan's Anelya Ordabek in the semi-finals and went on to outclass Ukraine's Liudmyla Vasylchenko in the final, leveraging her height and technical superiority to claim the gold. Thapa’s achievement spearheaded India's successful campaign, where Indian boxers went on to win seven titles in total at the tournament.

India's success continued with stellar performances from Bhoomi in the 35kg category, who outperformed Kazakhstan's Assel Jalimbekova, and Nischal Sharma in the 37kg class, who narrowly defeated Ukraine's Maria Matsiura. Both bouts were intense, showcasing India’s emerging talent and strategic edge in the championship. India's Rakhi added to the tally in the 43kg division, while Naitik and Trushana Vinayak Mohite clinched victories in the 52kg and 67kg categories, respectively. Gurseerat Kaur wrapped up the event by winning the 15th and final title in the schoolgirls' section, marking a dominant presence for India in the championship that featured athletes from 26 nations.

Assam is gearing up for the launch of Orunodoi 3.0, a significant expansion of the state’s flagship welfare program, whi...
09/09/2024

Assam is gearing up for the launch of Orunodoi 3.0, a significant expansion of the state’s flagship welfare program, which aims to uplift the socio-economic status of its citizens. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who chaired a high-level meeting, confirmed that an additional 20 lakh beneficiaries would be added to the scheme, raising the total number of recipients to 47 lakh. The program, starting in September, will require beneficiaries to possess both Aadhaar and ration cards, ensuring smooth distribution of aid.

The state is also set to ramp up its agricultural procurement efforts, with plans to triple the mustard procurement target from 11,000 MT to 30,000 MT and expand paddy procurement. In addition, the Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan initiative will provide Rs 2 lakh each to 30,000 local entrepreneurs in a bid to strengthen the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The first phase of funding is scheduled for September 30th, with beneficiaries selected through district-level interviews.

Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh met with student representatives from various schools in Imphal to address their conc...
09/09/2024

Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh met with student representatives from various schools in Imphal to address their concerns regarding the ongoing violence in the state and its impact on their education. During the meeting at his Secretariat, Singh emphasized the government's commitment to resolving the unrest swiftly so that students can resume their studies in a peaceful environment. He assured the students that their voices would be heard, and steps would be taken to address their grievances.

Earlier, students from different schools, colleges, and universities in Imphal held a protest march towards the Raj Bhavan, demanding the resignation of key officials including the Director General of Police and the Governor, citing their mishandling of the crisis. They also called for the withdrawal of paramilitary forces and the resignation of 50 MLAs on moral grounds. The students expressed their fears about safety in the region and urged the Central government to give unified command to the Chief Minister to regulate the actions of security forces.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge fiercely criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of neglecting the e...
09/09/2024

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge fiercely criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of neglecting the escalating violence in Manipur, including recent drone and gr***de attacks. Kharge condemned Modi for not visiting the troubled state in the past 16 months, despite the ongoing unrest. He highlighted that even former Governor Anusuiya Uikey voiced the people’s dissatisfaction with Modi’s inaction.

Kharge called for the immediate dismissal of Manipur's Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, and urged the Union Government to take responsibility for the state's deteriorating security situation. He emphasized the need for a crackdown on insurgent groups and demanded a swift investigation by the Supreme Court-monitored Manipur Commission of Inquiry. Kharge also questioned why PM Modi seems uninterested in resolving the violence that continues to grip Manipur.

Students from various educational institutions in Imphal took to the streets on Monday, marching towards Raj Bhavan to d...
09/09/2024

Students from various educational institutions in Imphal took to the streets on Monday, marching towards Raj Bhavan to demand the resignation of key officials, including the Director General of Police, the Security Advisor, and the Governor, following a surge in violence in Manipur. Holding banners and chanting slogans, the students called for the withdrawal of paramilitary forces and the resignation of all 50 MLAs, citing a lack of safety and governance.

The protestors highlighted the escalating crisis, emphasizing the need for a unified command under the Chief Minister to regulate the actions of Assam Rifles and other central forces, who they accuse of misconduct. Security around Raj Bhavan was intensified, with riot control vehicles and personnel deployed to maintain order. This comes after Chief Minister N Biren Singh extended financial aid to families affected by recent violence, underscoring the fragile situation in the region.

In the wake of the online trading scam involving controversial actress and choreographer Sumi Borah, more figures from t...
09/09/2024

In the wake of the online trading scam involving controversial actress and choreographer Sumi Borah, more figures from the Assamese film industry are expected to come under investigation. The Assam government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into the fraud, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) Department overseeing the broader inquiry.

Borah, who is currently evading capture, began her career as a dancer in Dibrugarh and later ventured into Assamese cinema. She allegedly leveraged her industry connections to channel investments into Bishal Phukan’s company, promising high returns through online trading. Phukan, known for extravagant parties and generous gifts, reportedly used these tactics to attract investors, including many from the Assamese film scene. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warned that any industry members found complicit would face consequences, emphasizing that Borah too would eventually be held accountable.

In the midst of a massive Rs 2,200 crore online trading scam, Assamese actress and choreographer Sumi Borah has come und...
09/09/2024

In the midst of a massive Rs 2,200 crore online trading scam, Assamese actress and choreographer Sumi Borah has come under scrutiny for her alleged involvement. Investigations reveal that Rs 20 crore was deposited into Borah’s bank account by Bishal Phukan, the mastermind behind the scam. Phukan, who reportedly lavished Borah with expensive gifts and funds, is accused of using her connections in the Assamese film industry to attract investors for his fraudulent scheme.

Phukan's spending spree included purchasing Rs 1 crore worth of designer clothes for Borah and funding a Rs 2.5 crore overseas trip. Borah allegedly played a key role in securing substantial investments by enticing clients with promises of high returns. The scam, which has led to the arrest of 39 individuals, is under investigation by Assam Police's SIT, with the focus now on the financial activities and connections of both Phukan and Borah.

The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is drafting a new law to restrict land transactions in ...
09/09/2024

The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is drafting a new law to restrict land transactions in key revenue circles, specifically targeting those who have not resided in the state since 1951. The proposed legislation aims to protect the rights of indigenous people and provide land to eligible landless residents. It mandates that only families listed in the 1951 voter roll or National Register of Citizens (NRC) can buy or sell land in these areas. Expected to be introduced in March, this law forms part of the government's broader initiative, Mission Basundhara, to safeguard Assamese land and cultural heritage.

Additionally, new amendments prohibit land transactions in areas such as the undivided Goalpara district among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes to preserve community interests. The law also restricts the sale of land within a 5-kilometer radius of iconic cultural and religious sites to maintain their sanctity. Any unauthorized sale of tea cultivation land for non-tea purposes will also be penalized. The government will soon gather information from district commissioners to enforce these laws across Assam effectively.

Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Nath, the suspended principal of Cachar College, has resigned and is set to return to Assam Unive...
09/09/2024

Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Nath, the suspended principal of Cachar College, has resigned and is set to return to Assam University, where he had been on leave for the past five years. His resignation came on August 22, just after his suspension was extended for another 45 days. The Higher Education Department, led by Pomi Baruah, confirmed the resignation and stated that departmental proceedings against Dr. Nath are now dropped, although any financial liabilities would be recovered from him.

Dr. Nath's tenure at Cachar College was clouded by a series of controversies, including an incident during the Higher Secondary final exams where he was caught providing answer notes to his relatives in a sick room. This led to multiple suspensions over the past year. With his extended suspension set to expire on October 7 and his lien period ending on October 17, sources suggest Nath had little option but to resign. The Assam University has not yet received a formal rejoining request from him for his original position in the Electronics and Telecommunication department.

A third-semester B. Tech Computer Science student at IIT Guwahati, identified as Bimlesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, was f...
09/09/2024

A third-semester B. Tech Computer Science student at IIT Guwahati, identified as Bimlesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, was found dead in his hostel room early Monday morning. Kumar was discovered hanging in his room at Brahmaputra Hostel. The cause of his death is currently unknown, and the police have sent his body for post-mortem. This marks the second su***de at the institute within a month, following the death of M.Tech student Saumya on August 9.

The institute has faced a series of tragic incidents recently. In April, another student from Bihar committed su***de at the Dihing Hostel. Additionally, IIT Guwahati has been in the news for other controversies, including the recent arrest of student Tauseef Ali Farooqui for his alleged interest in joining ISIS. The investigation into Kumar's death is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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