Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Elephants and other animals are returning to the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed on Sunday, September 27, that wildlife moves freely through areas once lost to decades of human encroachment. This recovery follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s praise for Assam’s conservation work during his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast.
Sarma celebrated the progress on X. He stated, "The transformation unfolding at Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary is particularly close to our hearts," while noting the return of native species marks a win for the region. Conservationists also turned the tide for the pygmy hog. This rare mammal hovered near extinction just years ago.
Sustained scientific breeding and habitat restoration boosted the pygmy hog count to nearly 200 animals. Success required a team effort. The government, scientists, forest staff, and local communities worked together to push the project forward. Protecting these forests remains a primary goal for the state. Sarma promised to keep reclaiming encroached land to safeguard the future. He also thanked the Prime Minister for recognizing the mission.
Updated at 28th September 2026 at 2:01pm
Tensions flared in Guwahati on September 27 when police detained Cockroach Janta Party leader Ashutosh Ranka and over 40 volunteers ahead of a private meeting. Ranka claimed officers offered no justification for the detention, citing only orders from the top. The group had gathered to discuss state school conditions, indigenous rights in Kaziranga, and constituency delimitation. NCP spokesperson Anish Gawande called the action unconstitutional, noting the detainees received no formal notice or explanation for their removal from a private residence.
Meanwhile, the state health sector marked a first under the Snehasparsh scheme. A 10 year old boy from Barpeta district donated bone marrow to his younger brother at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the successful procedure on September 28, calling it a milestone for the program which funds treatment for critical illnesses.
Updated at 29th September 2026 at 1:49am
Ranka and 41 associates were held at the 10th Assam Police Battalion headquarters in Kahilipara before their release later that evening. The group had been picked up from the residence of AJP leader Kunki Chowdhury at Chowdhury Tilla. Ranka claimed that during the ordeal, officers admitted they held no specific charges but acted under direct orders from the top. He framed the police action as an attempt by the government to silence criticism regarding man made floods, the state education system, and alleged corporate interests in Kaziranga.
The gathering itself hit another snag when observers flagged a map of Assam displayed on the event backdrop that mischaracterized the state's boundaries. The panel, including NCP spokesperson Anish Gawande, offered no response to the inaccuracy. Controversy deepened when Ranka concluded a post-release statement on social media with the phrase Jai Ai Akom. The use of Akom, which is not a recognized spelling in either Assamese or English, fueled questions about the party's familiarity with the region as they attempt to expand their local footprint.
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