Encroachers are removed from 1,000 bighas of Dahikata restricted forest land by the Assam eviction effort.

Authorities in Goalpara district began a large-scale eviction drive on November 9, 2025, targeting over 1,140 bighas (approximately 376 acres) of encroached land in the Dahikata Reserved Forest. The operation involved more than 900 personnel including police, paramilitary forces, forest guards, and over 20 excavators. Around 700 families, mostly non-tribal, have been residing illegally on this forest land and have been asked to vacate, with many already doing so voluntarily. The eviction is part of Assam government’s ongoing campaign to reclaim forest land and prevent illegal settlements, aiming to restore ecological balance and strengthen protected forest boundaries under the Assam Forest Department’s conservation plan. Despite some resistance, the administration maintained control, and the eviction follows directives from the Gauhati High Court as reaffirmed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The drive highlights the state’s zero-tolerance policy on encroachment and forms part of broader efforts to reclaim over 29 lakh bighas of encroached land across Assam.​

Starting on November 26, Arunachal Pradesh will have a three-day “Namdapha Butterfly Festival.”

The 8th Namdapha Butterfly Festival will be held from November 26 to 28, 2025, at Khachang village in Miao, Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district. Organised by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with local community groups such as the Khachang-Mattungkhim Youth Forum, the festival celebrates the region’s extraordinary biodiversity while promoting eco-tourism and conservation awareness. The event serves as a gathering for nature enthusiasts, researchers, and local communities, fostering efforts to protect the fragile ecosystem of Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve (NNP&TR), one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.

Namdapha hosts over 500 butterfly species, including spectacular ones such as the Kaiser-i-Hind, Blue Mormon, Peacock Pansy, Zig-zag Flat, and Yellow Veined Lancer. The festival highlights the park’s ecological significance and promotes grassroots involvement in conservation through activities like guided forest trails, educational exhibitions, biodiversity surveys, and cultural showcases of local Singpho and Tangsa traditions.

Entry is free for local participants to encourage community engagement, making the festival a vibrant platform where science, culture, and conservation unite to preserve Arunachal Pradesh’s natural heritage and support sustainable eco-tourism.​

In relation to the Zubeen Garg justice protests, Victor Das was taken for an NSA hearing.

Victor Das, an activist arrested in connection with the violent protests demanding justice for the late music legend Zubeen Garg, was brought from Central Jail on November 8 for a hearing under the National Security Act (NSA). He faces stringent NSA charges for allegedly inciting unrest during the demonstrations. Das denied the allegations, calling the case a “conspiracy” against him, and maintained his innocence while speaking to the media. His hearing was scheduled for later that day.

Earlier, on September 26, Assam Police re-arrested Victor Das along with music composer Ajoy Phukan, both initially taken into custody for allegedly provoking protests that turned violent near Zubeen Garg’s manager’s residence. After being granted bail following their first court appearance, both were rearrested in a separate case linked to the same protests. Ajoy Phukan contested the charges, alleging police excesses and emphasizing that the protests were peaceful efforts seeking justice for Zubeen Garg. Authorities, however, stated the arrests were based on credible evidence of incitement and public disorder

In Morikalong, Nagaon, a former caretaker attacked and stole from a retired government officer and his wife in Assam.

A retired education department employee, Harendra Nath Bora, and his wife, Dipti Bora, were brutally attacked and robbed inside their home in Morikalong, near Nagaon town. The assault was carried out by their former caretaker, Prabhat Hazarika, who fled the scene with cash and valuables. Both victims sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment in stable condition. Local residents expressed shock and outrage, portraying the couple as humble and respected members of the community. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched a manhunt to arrest the accused while investigations continue into the violent robbery

To investigate glacier changes in the Arunachal Himalaya, the 4th Khangri Glacier Expedition was started.

The Khangri Glacier Expedition, led by Dr. Parmanand Sharma, Scientist G and a leading Indian glaciologist, brings together researchers from CESHS, NCPOR, Nagaland University, and NERIST to study the largely unexplored glaciers of Arunachal Pradesh. Director of CESHS, Tage Tage, noted that the region’s glaciers, spread across the Manas, Subansiri, Kameng, and Dibang basins and covering about 223 sq km, remain among the least studied in the Indian cryosphere. The mission aims to assess glacier mass balance, monitor responses to climate change, and evaluate glacial lake hazards such as potential GLOF events. The findings are expected to deepen understanding of the climate–cryosphere–hydrology relationship and support sustainable water management in Northeast India.

Explosives found in Udalguri; former ULFA (I) cadre detained in Guwahati, Assam

In a significant operation, Udalguri Police apprehended former ULFA (I) militant Bijay Asom alias Papu Koch from Sonapur near Guwahati on November 3, 2025. The arrest resulted in the recovery of explosives and ammunition, highlighting a major success in the district’s anti-insurgency efforts. The initial investigation began after Tangla Police registered a case on inputs regarding a plan to form a new militant group called the ‘Revolutionary Front of Greater Assam.’

Earlier arrests related to this case included Rajiv Deka, from whose house a grenade was recovered, and three others detained for alleged involvement. SSP Padmanabh Baruah stated that Bijay Asom, who joined ULFA (I) in 2012 and was trained abroad, was linked to a 2019 grenade blast near Guwahati’s City Center Mall, investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Following his confession, a search in the Dimachanga forest area led to the recovery of two live grenades, 55 rounds of ammunition, and a detonator.

Police officials affirmed that surveillance and drives to seize illegal arms will be intensified in Udalguri to dismantle militant networks and prevent future threats.​

Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University’s foundation stone will be laid by FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Assam.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lay the foundation stone for Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University at Gohpur, Assam, on November 8, 2025. This university is India’s first Technology-based Vocational Education and Training (T-VET) institution, with a project cost of Rs 415 crore aimed at creating a skilled, future-ready generation in advanced fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Drone Technology, and Quantum Computing.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off 270 vehicles carrying soil (“Amrit Kalash”) collected from every village and municipal ward across Assam during the Amrit Kalash Yatra as part of the Bhumi Pujan ceremony. The university will be built over 731 bighas of land at Bholaguri Tea Estate and is described as one of Assam’s most ambitious projects, exceeding even Tezpur University’s land area.

The university is set to offer courses in emerging disciplines including AI, Machine Learning, and Blockchain. Plans are underway for academic collaborations with reputed international institutions. Professor Parameswar Iyer of IIT Guwahati has been appointed mentor to oversee its academic and institutional framework. Financial and rehabilitation provisions have been made for workers at Bholaguri Tea Estate. This initiative is part of Assam’s broader push towards modern, skill-driven education and economic growth.​

A mob smashes a car near Bishalgarh, injuring two BSF officers in Tripura.

“Two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured on Friday after a mob attacked their vehicle in Bishalgarh, Tripura’s Sepahijala district, following a collision involving the BSF vehicle, a private car, and an e-rickshaw in the New Market area. The vehicle was badly damaged as public anger erupted. The injured jawans were treated at a hospital and later discharged. Police have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers, but no arrests have been made yet. Senior BSF officials coordinated with local police on the matter. Despite the attack, the troops did not retaliate to avoid harm to civilians, highlighting ongoing concerns about law and order in the area.”​

A four-day International Tourism Mart (ITM) will be held in Gangtok, Sikkim.

“The 13th International Tourism Mart (ITM) 2025 will be held from November 13 to 16 in Gangtok, Sikkim. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, the event aims to promote tourism in the Northeastern region of India and foster business and cultural exchanges among participants from India and abroad. Chief ministers, tourism ministers, and key stakeholders from all Northeastern states, along with around 300 international delegates from 18 countries, are expected to attend.

The ITM provides a platform to showcase local products, crafts, and innovations, including the North Eastern Bazar, enhancing visibility for local stakeholders and boosting Sikkim’s position on the global tourism map. The event also focuses on strengthening tourism cooperation among Northeastern states, opening new avenues for partnerships, and emphasizing cleanliness, safety, and smooth logistics for visiting delegates.

Preparations have been thoroughly reviewed by the Sikkim government, with full support from line departments to ensure the seamless conduct of the event. The ITM continues to be a vital annual platform bringing together tour operators, entrepreneurs, media, and government agencies to promote the region’s tourism potential and cultural heritage.”​

19 Bangladeshi citizens were repelled: Himanta Biswa Sharma, the chief minister of Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Thursday that 19 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended and repatriated from Sribhumi and Cachar districts in a pre-dawn operation, “Mission ‘Return Ticket’.” According to Sarma, the operation was carried out at 2:15 AM, with 14 detained from Sribhumi and 5 from Cachar, and they were escorted back home via Mahishasan Border Outpost by Assam Police and the BSF. The Chief Minister praised the swift identification and deportation of every illegal immigrant in the two districts. Assam shares a 267.5-km international border with Bangladesh through Sribhumi, Cachar, Dhubri, and South Salmara-Mankachar, and houses an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sutarkandi—one of three ICPs along the India-Bangladesh border in the Northeast. The Assam Police, coordinating with the BSF, reiterated its commitment to preventing illegal entries amid political unrest in Bangladesh, clarifying that Indian passport holders could return through designated entry points.