Latest news with #Ahom
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ahom-Era guerilla warfare training site in Charaideo encroached
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: A historically significant Ahom-era guerrilla warfare training site at Bhojo in the Sonari area of Charaideo district is facing rampant encroachment, raising concerns among archaeologists and local activists. The site, spread over 129 bighas, was once a strategic training ground for Ahom warriors and is dotted with unique earthen mounds and trenches. Despite being declared a protected archaeological site in 2006, lack of fencing and official oversight has led to large-scale encroachment, with portions of the land now being used for vegetable farming. The Ahom kingdom, established by Chaolung Sukapha in 1228, ruled Assam for nearly six centuries until 1826. The Bhojo site served as a crucial training centre for guerrilla warfare tactics, helping the Ahoms resist Mughal invasions. The site features countless man-made earthen mounds, each standing 1.10 to 1.20 metres high and spaced 90-100 cm apart, and trenches used for military drills. Discovered in 2006, the site is among 157 protected monuments under the Directorate of Archaeology, Assam. However, despite its protected status, the site has fallen prey to systematic encroachment over recent months. Locals have illegally occupied vast portions of the historical site, transforming the ancient training grounds into vegetable gardens surrounded by bamboo fencing. Most alarmingly, several of the centuries-old earthen mounds have been deliberately cut down and flattened to create level ground suitable for crop cultivation, permanently destroying irreplaceable archaeological evidence. The gravity of the situation prompted the Tai Ahom Yuba Praishad (TAYPA) to conduct an urgent site inspection on Sunday. Led by president Diganta Tamuly, the delegation expressed serious concerns about the ongoing destruction of the invaluable heritage site. "This is not just simple land encroachment — it's the erasure of history. The Ahoms defended Assam against foreign invasions using these very tactics. To see such a site being destroyed by encroachers is unacceptable. If the govt doesn't act now, this historic site will be lost forever," Tamuly said. He blamed the Directorate of Archaeology for negligence, saying despite the site's protected status, no boundary wall or fencing was erected to prevent encroachment. "For 19 years, this site has been unprotected. Encroachers have taken full advantage. We demand the immediate arrest of those responsible and urgent measures to secure the area. It is disheartening to witness such blatant disregard for our history and heritage," Tamuly added. TAYPA has urged Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene and ensure the site's preservation.
India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Gaurav Gogoi vs Himanta Biswa Sarma: The new gambit
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 9, 2025)It may have been a coronation waiting to happen, but when it came—on May 26, with a year to go for the 2026 Assam assembly election—it rang out like a call to a duel from the days of feudal chivalry. Gaurav Gogoi, like a prince who had the throne snatched from him, has got his chance for avengement. Elevated as state Congress president by the high command, his formal investiture sets the stage for a most intense political slug fest, for Gogoi will be in the ring against a very combative incumbent CM, Himanta Biswa Sarma of the BJP, the mutineer who felled his a classic set piece, meant to end a frustrating decade of eclipse for the Congress, marked by utter BJP dominance over a state it had made a fresh conquest of only in 2016. Part of it rests on legacy. The late Tarun Gogoi's 15-year stint as CM is often associated with Assam's fitful passage out of its old militancy-hit phase into a measure of stability and the package also offers a 'new, improved' version of his son, Gaurav, reimaged as the Grand Old Party's 'face of revival', 'a charismatic challenger'. What aids this is the rise in Gaurav's own stature since his decisive win in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, and his visibility—and audibility—as the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha thereafter. CM Himanta Sarma | Photo: ANI advertisementELECTORAL MATHThe Congress is also seeking to solve Assam's complex electoral math in its usual way. Three new working presidents represent key demographics: Jakir Hussain Sikdar (Bengali-origin Muslim), Roselina Tirkey ('tea garden' tribal) and Pradip Sarkar (Bengali Hindu). Gaurav is from the Ahom community, historically crucial to electoral success in the state. With him positioned as de facto CM candidate, the party is also sending a powerful message—that they're backing him to the hilt despite Sarma lobbing allegations of a 'Pakistani connection' at Gaurav's British wife Elizabeth Colburn. Sarma's campaign over the past few months has included claims that Elizabeth worked for Pakistani agencies and that Gaurav visited the country on ISI invitation. Gaurav has called it a 'C-grade Bollywood movie plot' and questioned Sarma's 'mental state' while offering a nuanced 2024 Lok Sabha election marked a definitive turning point in Gaurav Gogoi's political career and his rivalry with Sarma. Delimitation had eliminated the old Gogoi pocket borough of Kaliabor, forcing him to contest from Jorhat, where his prospects appeared slim. Sarma arrayed the entire state apparatus against him, turning it into a prestige battle. So, when Gogoi won by 144,000-plus votes, it was more than just another LS seat win for the Congress—it shattered Sarma's aura of electoral Within the state unit, there's a mix of enthusiasm and pragmatic acceptance, with veterans aware that Gogoi is their best bet at the top. But his feet aren't planted too solidly: the Congress had a scare show in the recent panchayat polls, not winning a single Zila Parishad seat in Jorhat, Gogoi's on this perilous turf that Gogoi stages his 2026 challenge. It's a clash of personalities. Also, a choice between two visions: Sarma's muscular, growth-focused approach vs Gogoi's social justice to India Today MagazineMust Watch
Mint
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Why did Congress leaders in Assam seek Gaurav Gogoi's appointment as party's PCC president?
All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday named Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi as the president of the party's Assam unit, replacing Bhupen Kumar Borah, who headed the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee for nearly four years. Various Congress leaders played a significant role in his new appointment, as they had reportedly written a letter to the top party leadership. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved Gogoi's appointment as well as announced three new working presidents to steer the state unit of the party. A host of Congress leaders, including former ministers and legislators, Pankaj Bora, Tanka Bahadur Rai, Mohd Nurzamal Sarkar, Rajib Lochan Pegu, Ramprasad Sarma, including ministerial colleagues of former CM, the late Tarun Gogoi, the father of Gaurav, wrote a letter to Kharge in February this year, requesting him to make Gaurav the Assam Congress President, ET reported. The developments in the Assam unit of the Congress as well as letter by party leaders were conveyed to Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal. The Assam leaders had met with senior AICC functionaries to seek support for their demand and submitted a copy of their letter to them, the report added. Emphasising that Gaurav has played a vital role in helping the Congress make "significant progress in reconnecting with the people of Assam" and enjoys support among key social and demographic groups beyond just the Ahom and other communities, these leaders had stated that his grassroots experience and "national exposure" could contribute to strengthening unity within the party's state organisation ahead of the Assam assembly election. 'In the light of these observations, we fervently urge you to appoint Gaurav Gogoi as the state president of the Indian National Congress in Assam. This step would not only energise and motivate party workers but also instil a renewed sense of purpose and commitment as we prepare for the crucial 2026 assembly elections. His leadership will play a transformative role in consolidating our position in Assam and ensuring a resounding success for the party,' the letter read, according to ET. This move also comes amid CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's scathing attack on Gaurav, alleging the latter went to Pakistan and his wife has ties with an NGO in the neighbouring country. Both have indulged in the bitter exchange over the past few months. Notably, Gaurav became the Assam Congress president nearly three decades after his father, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, helmed the post. Gaurav took to X and said, 'Former PCC President Shri @BhupenKBorah led the party from the front and made a tremendous contribution. I would not have been here without the guidance of my parents and the support of my family, especially my wife and children.'
Mint
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Did Congress leaders play a role in Gaurav Gogoi's appointment as party's president in Assam ?
All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Monday named Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi as the president of the party's Assam unit, replacing Bhupen Kumar Borah, who headed the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee for nearly four years. Various Congress leaders played a significant role in his new appointment as they had reportedly written a letter to the top party leadership. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the latest decision. Besides it, the party announced three new working presidents of the state as well. The Congress leaders like former ministers and legislators Pankaj Bora, Tanka Bahadur Rai, Mohd Nurzamal Sarkar, Rajib Lochan Pegu, Ramprasad Sarma, including ministerial colleagues of former CM, the late Tarun Gogoi, father of Gaurav, wrote a letter to Kharge in February this year, requesting him to make Gaurav the Assam Congress President, ET had reported. Sarma It was conveyed to Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal. These leaders had met with senior AICC functionaries to seek support for their demand and submitted a copy of their letter to them, the report added. Emphasising that Gaurav has played a vital role in helping the Congress make "significant progress in reconnecting with the people of Assam" and enjoys support among key social and demographic groups beyond just the Ahom and other communities, these leaders had stated that his grassroots experience and "national exposure" could contribute to strengthening unity within the party's state organisation ahead of the Assam assembly election. 'In the light of these observations, we fervently urge you to appoint Gaurav Gogoi as the state president of the Indian National Congress in Assam. This step would not only energise and motivate party workers but also instil a renewed sense of purpose and commitment as we prepare for the crucial 2026 assembly elections. His leadership will play a transformative role in consolidating our position in Assam and ensuring a resounding success for the party,' the letter read, according to ET. This move also comes amid Sarma's scathing attack at Gaurav, alleging the latter went to Pakistan and his wife has ties with a Pak NGO. Both have indulged in the bitter exchange over the past few months. Notably, Gaurav became the Assam Congress president nearly three decades after his father, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, helmed the post. Gaurav took to X and said, 'Former PCC President Shri @BhupenKBorah led the party from the front and made a tremendous contribution. I would not have been here without the guidance of my parents and the support of my family, especially my wife and children.' He added, 'Their wisdom, experience and dedication to the party has taught me many things. I look forward to working with my seniors and colleagues. In the days to come I will seek the blessings of the people of Assam. I am confident that together we can create a better future for our state. Joi Ai Axom ! Jai Hind!'
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assam set for next-gen fight as Congress makes it Gogoi vs Sarma
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president as part of the party's aggressive preparations for next year's assembly polls. Present APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah has been made chairperson of the campaign committee. Gaurav, who is also the deputy leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has won from Koliabor seat twice. He had to change the seat to Jorhat during the 2024 polls following the delimitation exercise of 2023 which made the Koliabor seat non-existent. Despite BJP making an aggressive campaign in the polls, Gogoi won handsomely and brought back the Congress to the Upper Assam region -- a region which the Congress has been losing at a fast pace with each election. Political observers feel that during the 2026 election, Himanta Biswa Sarma may be pitched against Gaurav Gogoi. Already Sarma has upped the ante against Gogoi over his Pakistan visit. He has been attacking Gogoi for the last couple months. Sarma had left Congress and joined BJP in 2015 following his tiff with Gaurav. Gogoi belongs to the Ahom community which has substantial votes in the Upper Assam and is the son of three-time Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Sarma had recently raised concerns over the inclusion of Gaurav Gogoi from Assam in the proposed all-party delegations to key various countries. Sarma had alleged that Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi has "good relations" with the Pakistan Army. Sarma claimed that Colburn had travelled 19 times between India and Pakistan, and Pakistan Army officials had accompanied her in the neighbouring country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 25 WA tourist attractions - how many have you done? RAC WA Read More Undo Political observers stated that the Congress has retained Jakir Hussain Sikdar as one of the three working presidents. Roselina Tirkey, who belongs to the tea tribe, had earlier held the position of AICC secretary -- a post she relinquished to become a working president now. Pradip Sarkar, the third working president, is a Bengali. The tea tribe community accounts for over 30 assembly seats while Muslim minorities are the deciding factor in 22 seats. Leader of the Opposition in the Assam assembly Debabrata Saikia has been made the chairperson of the co-ordination committee. Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon, Pradyut Bordoloi, will lead the manifesto committee while MP from Dhubri, Rokibul Hussain, will oversee the publicity committee. Live Events
