In a shocking incident that underscores the ongoing threats to press freedom in Pakistan, senior Baloch journalist Abdul Latif Baloch was shot dead early Saturday morning in front of his wife and children in Mashkay, Awaran district of Balochistan. The 55-year-old journalist was associated with Daily Intekhab and Aaj News.
The Geneva-based media rights organization, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), has strongly condemned the killing and demanded a transparent and credible investigation to ensure justice. PEC President Blaise Lempen expressed deep concern, stating, “We condole the untimely demise of Abdul Latif Baloch and urge the concerned authorities to launch an authentic probe to nab the perpetrators for necessary punishments under the law. He becomes the 65th journalist killed globally since 1 January this year.”
According to the victim's family and colleagues, Abdul Latif was a courageous and committed journalist who had long reported on the human rights situation in Balochistan. They allege that he was targeted by a Pakistan state-sponsored militia due to his bold journalism.
PEC’s South and Southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria added that Abdul Latif’s family had been under threat for weeks. “A few weeks ago, four members of his family were abducted and later killed by security forces. The Pakistani authorities have yet to acknowledge these deaths or initiate any investigation,” he said.
Balochistan has remained a volatile region, with growing unrest as Baloch nationalists demand independence from Pakistan. The federal government has responded with intensified military operations, often accompanied by reports of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
This incident follows the killing of Sindhi journalist Allah Dino Shar on 11 April 2025 in Khairpur. In 2024 alone, 12 journalists were murdered across Pakistan, reflecting the deteriorating safety conditions for media professionals in the country.
PEC has reiterated its call to Pakistani authorities to uphold the freedom of the press and ensure that journalists can work without fear of violence or retribution.
The second edition of the Kaziranga Chess Carnival concluded successfully today at Borgos Resort, Kohora, drawing 140 chess players from across India in what has quickly become one of Assam's notable sporting and tourism events.
The one-day tournament was held across three categories — Under-10, Under-15 and Open. In the Open category, Amlan Mahanta claimed the top prize of ₹25,000, with Iftikar Alom Mazumdar and Tanmay Rajbongshi finishing second and third respectively. Total prize money for the event stood at ₹1 lakh.
In the Under-15 Boys category, Abhirup Handique topped the standings, followed by Ankit Doley and Bishwajit Boruah, while Debangee Parijat led the Under-15 Girls field...
In a significant initiative to preserve and promote Assam's rich manuscript heritage, the Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, in collaboration with the International Council on Monuments and Sites, India, North-East Zone (ICOMOS), is organizing a special Internship Program on 'Manuscript and Manuscriptology' beginning July 1, 2026.
The two-week residential training program, designed in alignment with the New Education Policy, is open to college and university students of all disciplines, including Arts, History, Archaeology and Museum Science.
Participants will receive hands-on training in traditional Sanchipat preparation, use of natural pigments such as hengul and haital,...
Nirjuli, June 3: The 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), under the aegis of the NCC Group Headquarters Tezpur, has commenced its Combined Annual Training Camp (CATC-37) cum Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme (YAMS) programme at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli. The ten-day camp began on June 1 and will continue until June 10.
A total of 350 NCC cadets from Group Headquarters Tezpur are participating in the camp, including 56 cadets enrolled under the Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme. The camp is being conducted under the leadership of the Commanding Officer and Administrative Officer of 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC, supported...
The Kaziranga Rhino Cup 2026, a major national-level boxing selection tournament, will be held at Golaghat Stadium in Assam from June 5 to June 7, 2026. The event is being organized as a qualifying platform for the upcoming Pro Boxing League (PBL) of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation.
The tournament will serve as the second qualifying stage ahead of the Pro Boxing League scheduled to be held in New Delhi in July 2026. Through the competition, eight boxers—including five men and three women across different weight categories—will be selected for participation in the professional league.
Speaking about the event, Dr. Rakesh Mishra, National President of the Indian Amateur Boxing...
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged expenditure of ₹509.59 crore incurred by the Assam government during 2024-25 without any budget provision, supplementary grant, or re-appropriation order, raising concerns over financial management and legislative oversight.
According to the CAG's State Finance Audit Report for Assam (Report No. 2 of 2026), the expenditure was incurred in 13 cases under the head "Public Debt and Servicing of Debt" despite the absence of authorization through the state's budgetary process.
The audit report observed that such expenditure was in violation of Article 204 of the Constitution, which mandates legislative approval before funds can...
The granting of environmental clearance for oil drilling inside the Upper Dehing Reserved Forest has reignited concerns among environmentalists and local residents over the future of one of Upper Assam's ecologically sensitive forest landscapes.
According to a public notice issued by Oil India Limited (OIL), the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Assam, has accorded environmental clearance for the diversion of 3.73 hectares of forest land for drilling four oil wells at the old Bogapani-2 plinth in the Upper Dehing Reserved Forest (West Block) under the Digboi Forest Division.
The clearance, granted under the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)...
Vishwa Samvad Kendra (VSK) Assam has announced the annual Devarshi Narad Jayanti lecture programme, which will be held on Sunday, June 7, at Sudarshanalay in the Barbari area of Guwahati. The event will begin at 10:30 am.
Nationally acclaimed news presenter and Senior Advisor of the News Division at Delhi Doordarshan, Prakhar Shrivastava, will deliver the keynote lecture focusing on the life and contributions of Devarshi Narad, regarded as the world's first media professional.
On the occasion, senior journalist and editor of Ishan Darpan, Nava Thakuria, will be conferred the Devarshi Narad Jayanti Award 2026 in recognition of his long-standing contributions to journalism. Three...
Livino K., from the Sumi community in Nagaland, has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. Hailing from Yemishe, a small village in Zunheboto district, Livino is set to embark on a transformative six-month study trip to Taiwan.
Her journey into the world of Mandarin began unexpectedly in 2025 while exploring opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Stumbling upon the online Mandarin programme offered by the Taiwan Education Center at Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU), Livino was intrigued by the centre’s reputation, quality teaching, and the opportunity to sit for standardized proficiency examinations. She...
The second edition of the Kaziranga Chess Carnival is set to be held on June 7, 2026 at Resort Borgos, Kohora, near Kaziranga National Park. Organised by Adian Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in association with Assam Chess Club and Aaghun, the one-day rapid chess tournament will feature competitions in Under-10, Under-15 and Open categories.
The event is expected to draw over 200 participants, including FIDE-rated players, state champions, junior talents, coaches and representatives from academies across India and neighbouring regions.
The tournament will be conducted under the supervision of International Arbiter and former Indian chess coach Biswajit Bharadwaj under a 7-round Swiss...
Assam continues to witness an alarming number of suicide cases, with concerns growing over economic distress, unemployment and mental health challenges among vulnerable sections of society.
According to the latest “Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) 2024” data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Assam recorded 3,203 suicide cases in 2024, compared to 3,051 cases in 2023.
The issue has remained a major social concern through 2025-26, particularly amid rising living costs, unstable income sources and growing financial pressure on low-income families. Reports and field observations indicate that daily wage earners,...
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