Utpal is an assistant editor based in Guwahati. He covers all eight states of North-East and was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times .
Articles by Utpal Parashar
Assam logs highest-ever daily Covid-19 cases at 6,982; positivity rate crosses 10%
Like the rest of the country, Assam has witnessed a rise in Covid-19 cases since the beginning of this month with new infections doubling nearly every three days. The overall recovery rate, which was over 98% at the end of last month, came down to 95.18% on Monday.
Published on Jan 17, 2022 10:11 PM IST
Human traficking from Assam worsens during Covid-19 pandemic: Rights activists
While Assam has been a hub for human trafficking in the past, it is feared the scenario has worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Published on Jan 17, 2022 02:49 PM IST
Assam commission seeks CBI inquiry into illegal coal mining worth ₹4872 cr
The one-man commission of inquiry was set up by Assam government in September 2020 to inquire into allegations of illegal coal mining.
Published on Jan 15, 2022 12:52 AM IST
Mount Victoria Babax bird species spotted in India after 25 years
In a very rare find, two birders have come across and photographed a Mount Victoria Babax, a bird species not seen in India since 1997, in Mizoram on Wednesday.
Updated on Jan 15, 2022 01:24 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Guwahati
Assam Police’s new joinee packs a punch - it’s Olympic star Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina Borgohain is the second sportsperson from the state to be appointed a DSP in Assam Police as per a new sports policy. In February last year, top sprinter Hima Das was given the same honour
Updated on Jan 13, 2022 05:00 PM IST
‘Assam, Meghalaya reach understanding on 6 disputed areas’:Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Meghalaya’s Conrad Sangma last year decided to first focus on six of the 12 disputed areas along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
Updated on Jan 13, 2022 03:12 PM IST
48-hr internet shutdown in Itanagar over bandh to demand Pema Khandu resignation
The Itangar district’s order to shut down ‘mobile internet including wi-fi services’ came in context of a 36-hour bandh call by All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA) from January 13 to seek chief minister Pema Khandu’s resignation
Published on Jan 13, 2022 12:05 AM IST
Gauhati HC seeks detailed affidavit from Assam govt on alleged fake encounters
A petition filed in the high court said 80 incidents of fake encounters had happened in the state since May 2021 and resulted in 28 deaths and left 48 injured.
Updated on Jan 11, 2022 05:01 PM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
‘We don’t come under ambit of CAA’: Chakma-Hajong group responds to Rijiju
Union law minister Kiren Rijiju said this week that under CAA, no refugee in the state can claim the rights of indigenous tribals, and that the Centre has already asked Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh to look for an alternative place.
Updated on Jan 08, 2022 02:43 PM IST
NSCN-IM warns of ‘unpleasant incidents’ in Arunachal for ‘hurting’ Naga interest
Naga rebel outfit NSCN-IM accused Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu and deputy chief minister Chowna Mein of “acting irresponsibly and failing to restore and fulfil the wishes of Naga people” in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of the state.
Published on Jan 08, 2022 09:56 AM IST
Regions near international borders will soon get 4G connectivity: Arunachal CM
Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu said the country has made a departure from the earlier policy of discouraging development near the LAC (Line of Actual Control).
Published on Jan 07, 2022 11:48 PM IST
‘Will presume all Covid cases to be of Omicron variant’: Assam CM amid new curbs
Omicron: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said genome sequencing, which is needed to confirm if the coronavirus disease is caused by the Omicron variant, takes 4-5 days. “By this time, the patient recovers from Covid-19, but has already transmitted the Omicron variant.”
Published on Jan 07, 2022 07:39 PM IST
Assam: Three kids killed in fire accident in Charaideo district
A fourth child, also aged around 5-6 years, who was in the shed in Assam’s Charaideo district when the incident took place told police that they were trying to light up a cigarette.
Published on Jan 07, 2022 06:33 PM IST
Assam aims to vaccinate 15-18 age group within 7 days, 2nd dose before exams
Assam health minister Keshav Mahanta said special camps will be set up in schools and junior colleges across the state to vaccinate students in the 15-18 age group
Published on Jan 01, 2022 09:58 AM IST
Assam Congress MLA Sashi Kanta Das who extended support to BJP suspended
A statement by the Assam Congress said Raha MLA Sashi Kanta Das has been suspended for repeatedly violating party discipline and indulging in anti-party activities.
Updated on Jan 01, 2022 09:46 AM IST
High positivity rate due to active testing: Mizoram govt on Covid-19 figures
On Friday, Mizoram recorded 243 new Covid-19 cases, the highest among all states in the northeast and one death. There are 1,471 active cases in the state at present. Till date the state has recorded 141400 cases and 543 deaths.
Published on Dec 31, 2021 10:45 PM IST
SIT meets soldiers in Nagaland firing case
The team, comprising six members, recorded the statements at the Rainforest Research Institute at Jorhat in Assam, said army officials familiar with the matter.
Published on Dec 31, 2021 12:08 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Guwahati
MP seeks FIR against Assam chief minister for alleged hate speech
Khaleque called Sarma’s reference to revenge a “wanton provocation” to the public “to commit further acts of rioting against a particular community”
Updated on Dec 30, 2021 09:44 AM IST
Assam’s Himanta Biswa Sarma goes on overdrive against drunk driving on New Year’s Eve
The Himanta Biswa Sarma government in Assam has made an exception in its night curfew rule for December 31 and has asked people to maintain social distancing and take precautions as they celebrate the new year.
Updated on Dec 28, 2021 06:47 PM IST
Nagaland shooting: Army inquiry team to visit incident site on Wednesday
In a botched operation, 13 civilians were killed by 21 Para Special Forces of the Indian Army on December 4 at Tiru-Oting area in Mon district of Nagaland and another civilian killed by security forces in Mon town on December 5.
Updated on Dec 28, 2021 03:40 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, Guwahati
Govt panel to review Afspa amid Nagaland killings row
According to news agency PTI, Vivek Joshi, who is Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, will head the five-member committee while Additional Secretary in the Union Home Ministry Piyush Goyal will be the member secretary of the panel.
Published on Dec 27, 2021 03:34 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, Guwahati
Centre to form panel to look into withdrawal of AFSPA in Nagaland, says Neiphiu Rio
In a botched-up operation, 13 civilians were killed by 21 Para Special Forces of the Indian Army on December 4 at Tiru-Oting area in Mon district of Nagaland and another civilian was killed by security forces in Mon town on December 5 in a chain of related events which also resulted in injuring 35 people.
Published on Dec 26, 2021 04:59 PM IST
Assam writer pens children book to address discrimination; gets lauded in India and abroad
Puhor and Niyor’s Mural of Family Stories has already sold nearly 9,000 copies in India and abroad and a second edition is underway
Published on Dec 26, 2021 04:09 PM IST
There were no illegal immigrants among those evicted in Assam’s Darrang: Report
The study, ‘Dhalpur-The Truth Behind’ by Guwahati-based Centre for Minority Studies, Research and Development (CMSRD) was carried out by 14 members who stayed in the area for 15 days and interacted with 517 of the 963 evicted families.
Updated on Dec 25, 2021 03:27 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, Guwahati
Evicted families of Assam’s Dhalpur not illegal immigrants or land grabbers, says report
On September 23, 2 civilians were killed in clashes between evicted families and police and 18 other people including policemen were injured during the eviction drive. The state government had evicted the area to make way for an agricultural project for the local indigenous people.
Published on Dec 24, 2021 08:34 PM IST
Om Birla expresses concern over ruckus in Parliament, state assemblies
There should be agreements and disagreements, but the expectations of the public should be reflected in the Houses, Birla said, adding that elected representatives should also articulate the ideologies they represent.
Updated on Dec 25, 2021 03:58 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, Guwahati
Assam amends law to allow seizure of properties of illegal cow trade accused
Amid a heated debate in the assembly, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he wants to convey the message that Assam is a “tough state” while dealing with unlawful cattle trade
Updated on Dec 24, 2021 04:59 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, Guwahati
Speaker nod to merger of Congress MLAs with TMC in Meghalaya
Meghalaya assembly speaker Metbah Lyngdoh on Thursday recognised the merger of the 12 Congress MLAs with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) -- a month after the legislators decided to switch sides in a sudden move.
Updated on Dec 24, 2021 04:31 AM IST
Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times, Guwahati
Assam assembly allows seizure of properties of those accused of illegal cow trade
The BJP-led government had sought two major amendments to the Bill, four months after it was passed in the state assembly. One of them allowed the state government to auction vehicles seized while transporting cattle illegally.
Updated on Dec 23, 2021 10:29 PM IST
Meghalaya Speaker recognises merger of 12 Congress MLAs with Trinamool
Congress had, however, challenged the merger and sought disqualification of the MLAs. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh had, on November 29, filed 10 petitions with the Speaker seeking disqualification of the 12 defected legislators. She filed two more similar petitions earlier this month.
Published on Dec 23, 2021 09:18 PM IST