REGIONAL

GUWAHATI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning the traditional Bodo scarf ‘Aronai’ at an official engagement in the Netherlands is a testament to the community’s rich handloom heritage, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. He expressed gratitude to Modi for ushering in peace and progress in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of the state. “Aronai reflects the pride and rich handloom heritage of Assam’s Bodo community. Proud to see Adarniya @narendramodi Ji carrying it with grace on the global stage in the Netherlands,” Sarma said in a post on X. Modi had worn the Aronai around his neck while addressing the Indian diaspora in The Hague. He had reached the Netherlands on Friday on a two-day visit as part of a four-nation trip to Europe. “Grateful to our beloved PM for ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity across Bodoland,” Sarma added. The chief minister was referring to the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord, which increased power and scope of the autonomous council administering BTR and effectively brought to an end the decades-old insurgency problem in the area. (Source: PTI)      

GUWAHATI : ‘Aakuti’ (Longing), an Assamese feature film on the emotional journey of an eight-year-old girl haunted by her mother’s loss, has been chosen at the New York Indian Film Festival, where the movie will have its ‘World Premiere’, the filmmaker said on Sunday. The film marks the directorial debut feature of Snigdha P Roy, and it was also selected for ‘Film Bazaar Recommends’ section at Waves Film Bazaar 2025. Written, directed and edited by Roy, ‘Aakuti’ is part of the official selection of the New York Indian Film Festival 2026 (NYIFF), and it will be screened on May 30. Commenting on the development, Roy said, “Being selected by the New York Indian Film Festival and nominated alongside some remarkable films is an honour for all of us. It feels like a meaningful acknowledgement of the passion and resilience that went into making the film possible.” ‘Aakuti’ was not an easy film to make, and filmed on a modest budget, it was brought to life by a small team bound by conviction rather than resources, she added. The director co-produced the film with Tanuja P Roy under the banner of PKR Films. The film’s cinematography was done by Chida Bora, sound design by Debajit Gayan and background score by Ashutosh Sohoni. Reflecting on the experience and journey of making ‘Aakuti’, producer Tanuja said, “It is the debut feature from PKR Films, and its journey from inception to the international stage at the NYIFF is a significant milestone for our team.” The film is built on a foundation of minimalistic storytelling and raw human connection, she added. The title role of the film, the child’s character, has been portrayed by Kavisha Mahanta. The film also features Nilim Chetia, Anisha Hazarika, Arun Hazarikа and Ananya Hazarika in lead roles. The 1-hour 34-minute film revolves around Lakhi, who lost her mother when she was infant and now constantly longs for her. To cope with the void, Lakhi fills pages with drawings, trying to imagine her mother’s face, but is left frustrated and heartbroken. Her father, Bishnu, loves her deeply, but Lakhi remains withdrawn, caught in a web of inner turmoil and self-doubt. He tries his best to understand her, to offer comfort, but finds himself falling short. Bishnu leans on a close friendship with a woman, who guides him through his difficulties. They also hope for a life together, but are unable to because of the complexities of their situation. And Lakhi remains unaware of this relationship. ‘Aakuti’ traces the emotional journey of a child and the quiet, and the tender bond between a father and daughter as they try to sail through life. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL : A Kuki women’s body held a massive rally in Manipur’s Churachandpur district to protest against the recent killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi. Attendees of the rally assembled at Koite village ground and marched for nearly 2 km to Tuibong, while raising slogans demanding justice. The rally was organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights. They handed a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of the Churachandpur district, addressing it to the Union home minister. Their demands included immediate review and strengthening of the security apparatus and deployment of forces in all Kuki-Zo areas to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of civilians, sources said. It also called for a high-level investigation into the killings of the church leaders and a swift and “decisive action” against two militant outfits, which are allegedly involved in the violence, they said. The protesters also called for recognition and legitimisation of village guards formed for self-protection in Kuki-Zo villages under proper legal and administrative mechanisms. (Source: PTI)        

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday inaugurated “India’s first AI and digital-powered” bank branch in Guwahati, aimed at boosting financial inclusion and opening new opportunities for the youth. The AI-powered ‘phygital’ branch of Slice Small Finance Bank was unveiled at GS Road here. Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said this branch represents another step toward building a more inclusive financial ecosystem across both urban and underserved communities. He said the bank’s opening, with its “unique services”, represents the right kind of investment the state government has been working on for sometime. The inauguration of this branch also speaks about Assam’s readiness in supporting and encouraging the future of Indian banking, the CM said. Sarma said customers in the bank would be able to access credit directly through the UPI interface without a separate application for the same. “This would help small store owners and women entrepreneurs getting access to working capital for their business ventures on their phones in minutes,” he said. Sarma asserted that the Assam government is committed to making the state a destination for responsible and technology-driven investment. He also said that the government is “relentless in creating conditions where businesses can thrive, where young people can find opportunity, and where every resident has access to the financial tools they need to build a better life”. The bank “seamlessly blends physical and digital services through AI-enabled self-service kiosks, paperless cash deposits and withdrawals, and streamlined digital onboarding”, the chief minister said. (Source: PTI)  

AGARTALA : The Centre has sanctioned a proposal to raise one more India Reserve Battalion for Tripura to effectively handle the law and order situation in the northeastern state, an official said on Saturday. The Union government will reimburse one-time financial assistance of Rs 50 crore for raising one IRBn. In a letter to Tripura Chief Secretary J K Sinha, an official of the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “I am directed to convey the sanction for raising of one India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) by the Tripura government. The Centre shall reimburse one-time financial assistance of Rs 50 crore for raising one IRBn”. Currently, the northeastern state has 11 India Reserve Battalions (IRBns). “The recruitment process shall be completed within two years of the date of sanction,” the letter said, adding that a selection board headed by an ADG-rank official will be formed to proceed with the recruitment drive. The force will be deployed for counter-insurgency operations and border guarding, and the state government will be obligated to comply with requests whenever the Centre feels the need to requisition the IRBn, the MHA communication said. Earlier, the state government announced that it would appoint 916 constables, including women, through a direct recruitment process. A six-member recruitment committee has already been constituted. (Source: PTI)            

IMPHAL : Twenty-eight of the 38 people belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities, who were held hostage by armed groups in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Senapati districts, were released, police said on Friday. These people were taken to unknown areas after suspected militants shot dead three church leaders and injured four others in Kangpokpi on Wednesday, while a civilian was gunned down and his wife was wounded in Noney district. “Twelve Naga women from Konsakhul village, who were held captive by armed militants, were released at Makhan village,” a senior officer said. Four men and ten women of the Kuki community, who were held in captivity in Senapati district, were handed over to security forces late Thursday night, he said. The officer also said, “Two Salesian brothers of Don Bosco, including one from Nagaland, were also released by armed groups at separate locations.” Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam had on Thursday said the government was actively holding discussions with civil society groups and political leaders to secure the release of these people. (Source: PTI)