Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times.
Articles by Utpal Parashar
450 families evicted from reserve forest in Assam
Nearly 450 families, comprising around 2,000 people, had been residing in the Bandarmatha Reserve Forest area for many years and around 55 hectares of forest land had been encroached upon by them
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 07:59 PM IST
NGT stays construction of road inside Assam’s Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary
A petition alleged that 15 hectares of forest land inside the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary had been diverted illegally to construct a road leading to the top of Bhuban Hill
Updated on Sep 23, 2024 02:08 PM IST
Assam: 15 held for alleged involvement in planting bombs on Independence Day
Ten improvised explosive device-like objects were found at various places, including four in Guwahati, on the Independence Day this year
Published on Sep 22, 2024 04:10 PM IST
In Assam’s Nagaon, 17-yr-old girl on way home abducted, raped by 2 men: Police
Nagaon SP Swapnaneel Deka said the girl was returning home with her younger brother when the two suspects who were on a motorcycle abducted her
Published on Sep 20, 2024 03:33 PM IST
Heatwave like conditions in northeastern states; Assam, Arunachal record 38°C
Manipur’s capital Imphal recorded 33.7°C —a figure 3.7°C above normal and Tripura’s capital Agartala recorded 37.6°C
Published on Sep 20, 2024 01:50 PM IST
Assam Cabinet decides to hand over all 32 cases of online trading scam to CBI
The scam had come to notice last month after one person named Dipankar Barman went missing after collecting an estimated amount of ₹7,000 crores from investors
Updated on Sep 14, 2024 09:10 PM IST
FIR filed against Assam police over alleged staged encounter
The FIR was lodged by three persons who were shot by police in Assam on charges of trying to flee from custody by snatching a pistol from an officer
Published on Sep 13, 2024 07:24 PM IST
2 killed, 35 injured in police firing, clashes during eviction drive in Assam
According to officials, the incident happened when hundreds of alleged illegal settlers attacked police and administration personnel present at the site with sticks, stones, daggers and sharp weapons
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 01:02 PM IST
Assam online trading scam: Actor Sumi Bora, husband arrested
Assam Police chief GP Singh said a Special Task Force (STF) traced the couple Sumi Bora, 29, also a choreographer and social media influencer, and Tarkik Bora, to Dibrugarh
Published on Sep 12, 2024 12:14 PM IST
IIT-Guwahati dean puts in his papers after protests over student’s death
The dean of academic affairs of IIT Guwahati has resigned following protests by students after the death of a 3rd year student allegedly due to suicide.
Published on Sep 11, 2024 04:23 PM IST
Utpal Parashar, Guwahati
Unified command in focus as fresh spate of violence hits Manipur
Of the 60 MLAs in Manipur, 10 are from the Kuki-Zo communities who have demanded a separate administration for their people in areas where they are in majority.
Published on Sep 10, 2024 06:08 PM IST
Assam to implement most suggestions of indigenous populace
The 14-member committee was set up in 2019 following widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA), and submitted its report to then CM Sarbananda Sonowal in Feb 2020
Published on Sep 05, 2024 11:08 AM IST
Assam TMC chief resigns citing lack of support from Mamta Banerjee
Ripun Bora said that despite efforts over the past two years the party has failed to get electoral success in Assam due to the perception of TMC being a regional party of West Bengal
Published on Sep 01, 2024 07:39 PM IST
Assam assembly scraps 2-hour Friday namaz break for Muslim leaders
The assembly amended Rule 11 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business which dealt with sittings the House.
Updated on Aug 30, 2024 05:01 PM IST
Assam makes registering Muslim marriages and divorces mandatory under new law
The new legislation replaces the earlier law, the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorce Registration Act, 1935, which had the provision of registering marriages and divorces through Kazis
Published on Aug 29, 2024 07:25 PM IST
18 oppn parties file complaint against Assam CM over alleged communal statements
The complaint alleged that the CM and other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were part of a criminal conspiracy to “create a riot-like situation in the state”
Published on Aug 28, 2024 06:41 PM IST
Himanta Biswa Sarma promises white paper on demographic changes in Assam
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been accused of deepening the religious divide, insisted he was trying to secure communal harmony and peace
Published on Aug 28, 2024 02:59 PM IST
Jharkhand Police’s intelligence wing spied on Champai Soren: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Sarma said two officers allegedly spying on Soren were detained in Delhi and admitted to working at the behest of a “senior person” holding a “constitutional post” in Jharkhand
Published on Aug 28, 2024 01:15 PM IST
30,113 Bangladeshis pushed back since 1985 Accord, Assam govt tells assembly
The Assam Accord was a tripartite agreement signed in 1985 between the Centre, the All Assam Students Union and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad.
Published on Aug 28, 2024 11:57 AM IST
Assam House to discuss bill over Muslim marriages, divorces tomorrow
On the day the new bill was tabled, the Opposition parties on Tuesday accused chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of making communal and unconstitutional statements
Published on Aug 28, 2024 09:39 AM IST
Would not let Bengali-speaking Muslims ‘take over’ Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma
The Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India United Democratic Front , and Raijor Dal moved adjournment motions seeking a discussion on crimes against women
Published on Aug 27, 2024 04:41 PM IST
Assam: BJP secures two Rajya Sabha seats uncontested
Rameswar Teli and Mission Ranjan Das, two BJP candidates who had filed their nominations last week were handed their certificates by the returning officer.
Updated on Aug 26, 2024 07:09 PM IST
In Assam, rebel Ulfa-I eyes divisions in bid to revive its flagging influence
The banned separatist group Ulfa-I threatened Assam with bomb claims on Independence Day, leading to searches, recoveries, and ethnic tensions. No explosions occurred.
Updated on Aug 26, 2024 10:25 AM IST
In Assam, rebel Ulfa-I eyes divisions in bid to revive its flagging influence
“Although the influence of Ulfa-I has declined considerably, it is still very much there," said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Published on Aug 26, 2024 05:07 AM IST
NGT seeks affidavit on action taken over encroachment at Assam’s reserve forests
Assam filed an affidavit last month saying nearly 300,000 people had encroached on parts of three protected forests, and built houses besides cultivating betel nuts, tea, etc
Published on Aug 23, 2024 08:35 AM IST
Assam govt tables Bill to abolish existing Muslim marriage, divorce Act
Assam revenue and disaster management minister Jogen Mohan tabled the Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, aimed at abolishing the Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935
Published on Aug 22, 2024 08:05 PM IST
Assam: Media bodies slam CM for targeting journalist over religious identity
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Journalist Union of Assam (JUA) slammed Sarma for the personal attack on the Muslim reporter based on his religion
Updated on Aug 22, 2024 07:26 PM IST
Assam to enact new laws on Muslim marriages and protection of heritage sites
The Assam cabinet on Wednesday approved three new draft laws regulating the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces and the protection of heritage sites and tribal lands. The new bills will be tabled in the autumn session of the state assembly, which is starting on Thursday.
Updated on Aug 22, 2024 03:00 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Guwahati
BJP candidates file nominations for two RS seats in Assam; none from opposition
BJP state chief Kalita mentioned that Das was given the ticket as a mark of appreciation for the voters of Karimganj Lok Sabha seat from where the party candidate Kripanath Malla won in this year’s general election
Published on Aug 21, 2024 06:34 PM IST
If Kolkata incident had happened in Assam, we would have delivered swift justice: Himanta
There has been an increase in police encounters in Assam ever since the BJP-led government under Sarma took charge in May 2021.
Published on Aug 20, 2024 09:03 AM IST