Hornbill News

  East Kameng , February 23, 2026: The Arunachal Paragliding Accuracy State Championship 2026 witnessed an enthusiastic turnout as Home Minister Mama Natung attended the event at Lumdung in Papu Valley , East Kameng district, along with Ms. Yashaswini B., Deputy Commissioner of East Kameng. Organised as a multi-day adventure sports competition from February 20 to 23, the championship brought together skilled pilots and young athletes to compete in precision paragliding. The event included a PGA Judge’s Workshop , practice rounds, and multiple competition days culminating in the final rounds and prize distribution ceremony. Addressing the gathering, Mama Natung praised the participants for their determination and sporting spirit, stating that the finals reflected precision, focus and courage as athletes soared across the skies with confidence. He highlighted the growing culture of adventure sports in Arunachal Pradesh and encouraged youth to embrace such activities to bring pri...

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...

  Banderdewa, February 22, 2026:  Banderdewa Police arrested two alleged drug peddlers on Saturday afternoon and seized 10.95 grams of suspected heroin during an operation at Niya Colony. Acting on specific intelligence, police intercepted a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle (AS-07W-0148) and apprehended Shivaji Morang (28) and Sarat Kutum (30), both residents of Lakhimpur district in Assam. The contraband, reportedly concealed inside a blue soap case, was recovered from Morang’s possession. Seized item A case (BDW/PS/C.No. 12/26) has been registered under Sections 21(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act, and further investigation is in progress. Superintendent of Police, ICR Naharlagun, Dr. Nyelam Nega, appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the fight against drug trafficking.

  Aalo , February 22, 2026: West Siang District Police have registered a major success against narcotics trafficking after cracking two separate drug-related cases in Aalo, leading to the arrest of two accused — Ronal Reyal , a Head Constable (SG) in the Arunachal Pradesh Police , and Henge Bagra . Acting on sustained surveillance and intelligence gathered by the Anti-Drug Squad, the operations were carried out under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Kardak Riba. Officials said the back-to-back cases highlight the district’s intensified campaign to curb drug peddling. Case No. 1 – Aalo PS Case No. 07/2026 (u/s 21(b) NDPS Act ) A team led by DySP Duto Bagra conducted a house search at the residence of Henge Bagra after serving notice under Section 50 of the NDPS Act. The search was carried out in the presence of a town magistrate and independent witnesses to ensure transparency. Police recovered suspected heroin stored in ten tobacco containers, weighing approximately 12...

  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 ...

 Pakke kessang, February 21, 2026: In a significant development for Assam–Arunachal relations , the first official border pillar between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam has been successfully constructed at Seijosa , signaling progress toward resolving the long-standing inter-state boundary dispute . The milestone follows the spirit of the Namsai Declaration and is being viewed as a concrete step toward ensuring administrative clarity and lasting peace along the shared boundary. The construction process was jointly supervised by senior officials from both states to maintain accuracy and mutual agreement. Among those present were the Deputy Commissioners of Pakke Kessang and Biswanath, ZPC Pakke Kessang Shri Pani Tayam, SSP Biswanath, Divisional Forest Officers from both states, the Nodal Officer (Survey) from Assam, administrative officials, community leaders, and Gao Burahs . Officials, villagers and Gaon Burahs from both states. Minister Biyuram Wahge, while sharing the update, expre...