Hornbill News

  Youth of Assam Being Prepared for Cremation By The Members of Helping Hands Society. New Delhi, May 12: Two young men from Northeast India, both struggling to build a better future in the national capital, tragically lost their lives in separate incidents in Delhi, highlighting the harsh realities faced by many unemployed and underprivileged youths migrating from the region in search of livelihood. According to Robin Hibu, an Assamese youth allegedly died by suicide, while a Manipuri youth reportedly died of a heart attack in Delhi on Tuesday. The Manipuri youth’s mortal remains were flown back to Imphal in a coffin on Wednesday with the assistance of Helping Hands Society. Meanwhile, the Assamese youth was cremated at the Green Park crematorium in South Delhi. Robin Hibu expressed deep anguish over the incident, stating that despite repeated appeals, no member of the Assamese community in Delhi came forward to assist in performing the final rites of the deceased youth. Eventuall...

  Guwahati, May 10: A resident of Arunachal Pradesh was apprehended with Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) worth ₹2.45 lakh during a police operation conducted near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Guwahati, Assam, on Sunday evening. According to police sources, the operation was launched after credible intelligence inputs were received regarding illegal dealings in counterfeit currency in the ISBT area. Acting on the information, a naka checking operation was set up at around 8 PM by a team from the ISBT Police Outpost along with the Officer-in-Charge of ISBT, under the supervision of ACP Azara. During the operation, police intercepted and apprehended one individual identified as Geyon Tayeng (35), son of Arvin Tayeng and a resident of Mariyang in Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Accused Geyon Tayeng during the Apprehension by  ACP Azara and Officer in Charge of ISBT. Upon search, police recovered and seized Fake Indian Currency Notes amounting to ₹2,45,000 fr...

  Representative visual. New Delhi, May 10: Two young women from Assam and Nagaland were allegedly harassed and physically assaulted in South Delhi’s Nehru Place, triggering fresh concerns over the safety and security of people from Northeast India in the national capital. According to the victims, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday while they were at a roadside tea stall in the Nehru Place area. A group of men allegedly approached them, passed lewd remarks, and behaved aggressively. When the women objected to the harassment, the confrontation reportedly escalated into physical violence. One of the victims alleged that her friend was slapped, surrounded, and assaulted by multiple men in public view. She further claimed that the attackers tore her friend’s clothes during the scuffle, while several bystanders recorded videos of the incident instead of stepping in to help. The women also accused the police of responding slowly despite repeated pleas for assistance. The...

  Aizawl, May 1: In a landmark moment for Northeast India, Mizoram has been officially declared insurgency-free, marking the end of decades-long armed insurgency in the state. The declaration follows the surrender of the last remaining militant faction associated with the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic). A total of around 43 cadres, including senior leaders, laid down their arms during a formal ceremony near Aizawl, signalling their return to mainstream society. During the ceremony, the cadres surrendered weapons and pledged to abandon violence, in the presence of senior government officials and security forces. The event symbolised reconciliation, stability, and a decisive shift toward lasting peace in the region. Officials described the development as a major breakthrough, stating that Mizoram is now free from active underground insurgent groups.  Authorities clarified that while routine law-and-order challenges may still exist, organised armed insurgency has effective...

  New Delhi, April 27: Following sustained success in curbing Left-Wing Extremism, particularly against groups such as the Communist Party of India (Maoist), People's Liberation Guerrilla Army, and Maoist Communist Centre, the Centre has redirected its security focus toward ending insurgency in Northeast India, setting an ambitious deadline of 2029. The initiative will begin with Manipur as the primary focus area. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the government plans to redeploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), particularly specialized units like the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), from former Maoist-affected regions to insurgency-affected northeastern states including Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. The phased redeployment is expected to commence after the West Bengal Assembly Elections and the Amarnath Yatra later this year. Officials indicated that Manipur remains the most affected state, accounting for 77% of all insurgency-related i...

  Binila Khumukcham with her parents. (Image source: Jiri Today) Manipur, April 23: In an inspiring display of determination and resilience, Binila Khumukcham, a student from Jiribam Babupara in Manipur, has achieved remarkable success in the Higher Secondary Examination (HSE) 2026 conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM). Despite living with cerebral palsy and being unable to use her hands, she secured 67.4% in the Commerce stream, earning a First Division and reportedly the highest marks in her stream from Jiribam. Binila’s journey has been marked by extraordinary perseverance. With limited physical mobility in her hands, she performs her daily activities, including writing and academic work, using her feet. Over the years, she has adapted to her circumstances with determination, developing the ability to study, write exams, and complete tasks independently through sheer practice and willpower. Her achievement stands as a powerful testament to the f...

  Agartala, April 17:  The Tipra Motha Party has secured a landslide victory in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections, winning 24 out of 28 seats and establishing a commanding majority in the council. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to secure 4 seats, trailing far behind Tipra Motha’s dominant performance across the tribal regions of the state. The emphatic mandate reflects strong grassroots support for Tipra Motha and its founder and leader, Pradyot Bikram Manikya DebBarma. A former chairman of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee and a member of the erstwhile royal family of Tripura, DebBarma founded the Tipra Motha Party with a focus on safeguarding the rights, identity, and socio-political aspirations of the indigenous tribal communities. The party has consistently advocated for “Greater Tipraland,” a proposed constitutional solution aimed at ensuring greater autonomy, development, and protection of tribal interests within Tripu...

  Assam, March 31: The Indian Army successfully neutralised unexploded World War II–era bombs discovered at Ledo’s Burma Camp in Lekhapani, preventing a potential threat to life and property. According to official sources, the unexploded ordnance, comprising a General Purpose bomb and an incendiary device was unearthed by a civilian while digging a pit. The discovery immediately raised serious safety concerns in the area. Acting swiftly on inputs from the civil administration, the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army deployed a specialised Bomb Disposal Team to the site on March 31, 2026. As a precautionary measure, residents in the vicinity were evacuated and a secure perimeter was established, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Unearthed Bombs  The bombs were then carefully secured and transported to a designated safe location away from populated areas. A controlled operation was carried out to neutralise the explosives, successfully eliminating the threat with...

  Villagers clearing hailstones from a road in Manipur on March 15, 2026. (Pic: Kuki People Instagram) Imphal, March 15, 2026: Several parts of Manipur were lashed by heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail on 15 March, as a sudden weather system swept across the state bringing strong winds and intense showers. The storm developed rapidly during the afternoon hours, with dark clouds followed by heavy rainfall and hailstones striking multiple areas. Residents in several localities reported that the hailstorm lasted for several minutes, with hailstones hitting rooftops, vehicles, and open fields. The strong winds and rainfall briefly disrupted normal activities as people rushed indoors for safety while the storm passed through the region. The aftermath of the storm saw damage to houses and property, particularly structures with tin roofs which were dented by falling hailstones. Some vehicles parked in open areas also sustained minor damage as the hail struck during the intense downpour. ...

  New Delhi, March 8, 2026: Two students from Northeast India were allegedly attacked by a group of hooligans near the Saket District Court Complex in Delhi on Sunday evening. The victims reportedly include a woman from Manipur and a transgender student from Assam. According to preliminary information, the two were taking a walk in the area when a group of men allegedly passed lewd and derogatory remarks at them. When one of them objected to the comments, the situation reportedly escalated. The accused allegedly assaulted one of the victims with belts during the altercation. The injured student was later taken to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi for medical examination and treatment. Further details regarding the identity of the accused or any arrests are yet to be confirmed. Reacting to the incident, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma strongly condemned the alleged attack and expressed concern over repeated incidents targeting people from the Northeast in mainland India. In a s...

  New Delhi, March 6, 2026: Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently met the young women from Northeast India who were allegedly subjected to racial abuse in Delhi and helped them relocate to a safer and more secure place. The incident came to light after a video showing a heated altercation between the women and their neighbours in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage across the Northeast. The dispute reportedly began after drilling work for the installation of an air conditioner at the women’s rented apartment caused dust and debris to fall onto the floor below. The situation soon escalated into a confrontation during which the women were allegedly targeted with racial slurs. Following the circulation of the video online, the incident drew sharp reactions from political leaders and civil society groups, who condemned the alleged racist remarks and called for strict acti...

  New Delhi , February 26, 2026: Royal scion of Tripura and founder of the TIPRA Motha Party , Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma , met and interacted with three women from the Northeast who were reportedly racially targeted in Malviya Nagar , Delhi . The meeting came amid growing concern over incidents of racial profiling faced by people from the region in metropolitan cities. In a post shared on his official social media account, Debbarma expressed solidarity with the women and the wider Northeast community. He stated that they have his “unwavering support” and affirmed that he would stand with anyone from the Northeast who has been unfairly profiled or targeted. Emphasising unity, he added that people across the region must remain together as “One Northeast” for the sake of future generations. The interaction has drawn attention online, with several users calling for stronger action against racial discrimination and greater protection for individuals from the Northeast living ou...

  New Delhi, February 25, 2026:  Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested Ruby Jain in connection with a case involving alleged racial abuse and insulting language against three women from Northeast India in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, officials said. The arrest followed an investigation into an FIR registered at the Malviya Nagar Police Station . According to a police statement, the case intensified after relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked. With the addition of these sections, the investigation has been entrusted to an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)-rank officer and is being closely supervised by senior officials to ensure a comprehensive probe. Police sources said the alleged incident involved verbal abuse and the use of derogatory remarks directed at the victims, who are neighbours of the accused in the same locality. Authorities had earlier named a male individual in the FIR, and his ro...

  New Delhi, February 23, 2026: Congress MP from Inner Manipur, A. Bimol Akoijam , has strongly condemned the recent racial harassment faced by three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar , describing the incident as part of a troubling pattern of discrimination against people from Northeast India . Speaking during a press briefing, Akoijam highlighted the repeated instances of racial bias experienced by youths from the region in metropolitan cities across the country. He demanded strong and exemplary action against the accused, stating that strict measures are necessary to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future. The MP also drew attention to what he described as a deeper structural issue, pointing out the limited presence of Northeast India’s history, society, and culture in school textbooks . According to him, the absence of comprehensive representation contributes to a lack of awareness among large sections of mainland India, making the region and ...

London, February 22, 2026 In a landmark moment for Indian cinema, the Manipuri-language film Boong won the BAFTA award in the Best Children’s & Family Film category, surpassing international nominees including Lilo and Stitch , Arco and Zootropolis 2 . The victory highlights the growing global recognition of stories emerging from Northeast India . Debutant director Lakshmipriya Devi delivered an emotional acceptance speech after receiving the trophy from Paddington Bear, the lead character from the West End show Paddington The Musical. She was joined on stage by producers Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani , along with assistant director Rahul Sharda. Using the platform to address ongoing unrest in Manipur , Devi called for peace and expressed hope that internally displaced children — including young actors involved in the film — would regain their joy, innocence and dreams. She emphasised forgiveness as a powerful human strength and thanked BAFTA for offering a global stage to share tha...

  New Delhi, February 22, 2026: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attended the North East Music Festival – Sound Without Conflict at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, highlighting the cultural vibrancy and unity of India’s North Eastern region . Sharing his experience on social media after the event, Gandhi described the evening as a powerful celebration of diversity, stating that the music and spirit of the North East reflect the country’s true strength. Held on February 22, the festival made its Delhi debut as a cultural platform blending folk, indie, rock and hip-hop music rooted in the traditions of the North East. Designed to promote peaceful coexistence and dialogue, the event also featured curated food experiences, storytelling spaces and community interactions aimed at strengthening cultural exchange.  Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam  The lineup showcased a wide range of artists from the region. Performances included folk musician...

  Gurugram , February 19, 2026: A 19-year-old student from Tripura was allegedly subjected to a brutal assault by her live-in partner at a flat in Gurugram’s Badshahpur area. The accused, identified as Shivam from Delhi’s Narela , has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita after an FIR was registered on February 19. According to police, the woman is currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi and was initially declared unfit to give a statement due to the severity of her injuries. In her statement, the survivor alleged that the accused beat her with a steel bottle, smashed her head against a wall, and struck her with an earthen pot. He also allegedly poured sanitiser on her private parts and attempted to set them on fire, attacked her legs with a knife, and threatened to leave her unable to walk or become a mother. She further claimed that he recorded explicit videos of her during the assault. The incident reportedly took place on ...

  New Delhi, February 21, 2026: An alleged case of racial harassment involving three women from Arunachal Pradesh has been reported in Malviya Nagar after a minor dispute inside a residential building escalated into a confrontation. The incident reportedly took place on the evening of February 19, when drilling work was underway in a fourth-floor apartment during an air-conditioner repair. Residents living on the first floor objected after dust and debris allegedly fell into their area, leading to an argument between both sides. According to the complainants, the disagreement intensified and the accused allegedly made offensive and racially insensitive remarks directed at them and people from the Northeastern region . The women claimed that stereotypes and inappropriate comments about their profession and personal lives were used during the exchange. Police were called to the scene, and sources said an FIR has been registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station . The case is now u...

  Margherita , February 15, 2026: A young man from Assam ’s Margherita has become the talk of the town after turning his admiration for political leaders into permanent body art, quite literally. Manab Moran , a resident of Brahmajan in Pengeri , has grabbed attention for tattooing portraits of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and local MLA Bhaskar Sharma across his body. Adding to the buzz, locals say Moran has also placed photographs of the two leaders, along with Minister Pijush Hazarika , inside his home temple. For Moran, the tattoos go beyond fashion or trend; he describes them as symbols of deep respect and emotional connection. While some residents see his gesture as an extreme show of loyalty, others simply call it a bold example of personal expression mixed with political enthusiasm. Love it or question it, Moran’s unusual tribute has sparked lively conversations both on the streets of Margherita and across social media, turning him into an unexpected viral sensation...

  Biana W Momin  from Meghalaya has created history by becoming the first Garo woman to enter Malayalam cinema , earning the JFW Best Debutant Award for her role in the film Eko . The prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone not only in her personal journey but also for representation from the Garo community in Indian cinema. Before stepping into films, Biana W Momin had a distinguished academic career. She served as a lecturer at Government College, Tura and later retired as the Principal of Tura Government College, where she was widely respected as an educator and administrator. Biana w Momin in Eko movie Her transition from academia to the silver screen has drawn admiration for her courage and inspiration, proving that professional reinvention is possible at any stage of life. The JFW Best Debutant Award acknowledges not just her acting talent but also her remarkable journey across two very different professions. The award-winning film Eko is currently strea...