APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (20/05/2025)
For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is vital. This blog covers most important topics from the Assam Tribune today (20-05-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
✨ Current Affairs Crash Course for the APSC Prelims 2025
🟢 Topic: Charaideo Witch-Hunting Case: 23 Convicted and Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
📘 GS Paper 1 (APSC): Indian Society | Social Issues – Superstition and Traditional Practices
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Social Justice | Vulnerable Sections
📘 GS Paper 4: Ethics and Human Values | Social Evils and Justice Delivery
🔹 Introduction
In a historic verdict, a Charaideo district court sentenced 23 individuals, including 11 women, to life imprisonment for the brutal witch-hunting murder of Fuleswari Halua in 2012. This case reflects the grim persistence of superstitious practices in rural Assam and highlights the urgent need for strong enforcement of anti-witch-hunting laws, especially in tribal and remote regions.
🔑 Key Points
| Element | Details |
| Victim | Fuleswari Halua (married woman, accused of witchcraft) |
| Incident Date | February 9, 2012 |
| Conviction Date | May 19, 2025 |
| Total Convicted | 23 (12 men and 11 women) |
| Method of Murder | Beaten, tied to a tree, burned alive with kerosene |
| Place of Incident | Haluagaon village, near Nagajan river, Sonari, Charaideo |
| Legal Provisions Invoked | IPC Sections 302 (murder), 34 (common intention), 202 (neglect by VDP) |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment + ₹5,000 fine each |
| Compensation to Victim’s Kin | ₹8 lakh by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015: Criminalizes witch-hunting as non-bailable offence; provides imprisonment up to 7 years to life for causing death.
Section 302 IPC: Punishment for murder – death penalty or life imprisonment.
VDP (Village Defence Party): Local security volunteer body under Assam Police.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): Tracks witch-hunting deaths under “offences against women and children”.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Causes Behind Witch-Hunting in Assam
| Cause | Explanation |
| Lack of Awareness | Deep-rooted belief in witchcraft in tribal and tea garden areas. |
| Gender Discrimination | Victims are often women, especially widows or elderly. |
| Healthcare Gaps | Lack of medical access leads to attributing illnesses to “witches.” |
| Property Disputes | Witchcraft allegations used to grab land or settle personal scores. |
| Weak Law Enforcement | Poor police response and community support for perpetrators. |
B. Significance of the Judgment
Justice After Delay: Sets an important precedent despite a 13-year delay in final verdict.
Gender Justice: Shows the legal system taking action even when women are both victims and perpetrators.
Deterrent Effect: Demonstrates the utility of the 2015 Act and fast-track legal mechanisms.
Revival of Legal Awareness: Brings renewed focus on enforcement of anti-superstition laws.
C. Challenges in Eliminating Witch-Hunting
Social Endorsement: Villagers often protect the accused or remain silent.
Delayed Prosecution: Cases drag for years; poor legal aid in remote areas.
Victim Protection: Survivors and families face ostracization and further danger.
Lack of Data: Witch-hunting not uniformly reported or categorized across states.
D. Way Forward
Community Awareness Drives: Use of NGOs, schools, and SHGs to spread scientific temper.
Mobile Health Units: Quick medical access can prevent attributing illness to “witchcraft.”
Fast-Track Courts: For cases under the Witch Hunting Act.
Police Sensitization: Special training for handling witch-hunting cases.
Rehabilitation for Victims’ Families: Psychosocial support and livelihood assistance.
📚 Relevant Acts & Schemes
Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition) Act, 2015
Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
Nirbhaya Fund – can be used for victim assistance
National Commission for Women (NCW) – takes suo motu cognizance
Article 51A(h) – Fundamental duty to develop a scientific temper
🧩 Conclusion
The Charaideo verdict is a critical victory for justice, human rights, and scientific thinking. But one judgment is not enough—societal change must accompany legal action to eliminate witch-hunting and superstition from Assam’s rural heartlands. It is time to move from fear to reason, and from silence to justice.
🟢 Topic: First Ever ‘Kuklabiya Mahotsav’ Held in Goalpara to Celebrate Tribal Heritage
📘 GS Paper 1 (APSC): Art & Culture | Tribal Traditions of Assam
📘 GS Paper 2: Tribal Welfare | Government Schemes
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam-Specific Cultural Heritage | Social Cohesion
🔹 Introduction
For the first time, the ‘Kuklabiya Mahotsav’, a tribal cultural festival celebrating the heritage of the Rabha and other indigenous communities, was held in Goalpara district, Assam. The event featured traditional dances, rituals, crafts, and tribal games, and was aimed at reviving vanishing traditions while strengthening inter-community harmony and tribal identity in Lower Assam.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Details |
| Festival Name | Kuklabiya Mahotsav |
| Venue | Goalpara district, Lower Assam |
| Organized By | Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) with State Cultural Affairs Dept. |
| Participants | Tribes like Rabha, Garo, Bodo, Hajong, Koch, and other plains tribes |
| Core Themes | Tribal folk music, traditional cuisine, community rituals, children’s cultural shows |
| Special Performances | Kuklabiya dance of the Rabha tribe; Wangala dance by Garos |
| Objective | Preserve indigenous culture, language, art, and community bonding |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
Rabha Tribe: One of Assam’s plains tribal groups, primarily inhabiting Goalpara, Kamrup, and Darrang districts.
Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC): Constitutional body for Rabha tribal self-governance under Sixth Schedule (though not fully Sixth Schedule yet).
Wangala Festival: Celebrated by the Garo tribe, also known as the 100-drum festival.
Assam State Cultural Policy (2020): Aims to preserve and promote ethnic and linguistic diversity.
Tribal Cultural Research Institute (TCRI): Established in Assam to document and revive tribal practices.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Festival
Preservation of Indigenous Culture: Revives endangered folk art forms, dances, and dialects.
Social Integration: Promotes unity among tribal and non-tribal communities in Lower Assam.
Tourism Potential: Opens new avenues for eco- and ethno-tourism based on cultural festivals.
Youth Engagement: Involves young generation in documenting and performing traditional arts.
Cultural Diplomacy: Showcases Assam’s pluralism and indigenous diversity on a larger stage.
B. Challenges Facing Tribal Cultural Preservation
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Language Attrition | Many tribal languages are unwritten and disappearing. |
| Urban Migration | Youth move to cities, leading to cultural disconnection. |
| Commercialisation | Folk culture is often repackaged, losing authenticity. |
| Policy Neglect | Lack of funding and documentation for lesser-known tribes. |
| Religious Tensions | Tribal animist practices often suppressed under mainstream pressures. |
C. Government and Institutional Support
State Cultural Affairs Department: Provides grants for tribal festivals and artists.
Zonal Cultural Centres (NEZCC): Organizes inter-state cultural exchanges.
Digital India for Culture: Archiving of tribal songs and oral histories.
TCRIs and Universities: Conduct research on folklore, social structure, and history.
Schedule Tribe Development Boards: Set up to fund development and cultural activities.
D. Way Forward
Institutionalise Kuklabiya Mahotsav: Make it an annual calendar event under government patronage.
Tribal Language Inclusion in Schools: Promote Rabha, Garo, Bodo languages at primary level.
Local Cultural Entrepreneurs: Help tribal artists market crafts and performances via digital platforms.
Tribal Heritage Tourism Circuits: Integrate Goalpara and adjoining areas into tourism maps.
Documenting Oral Traditions: Use audio-video tools to archive rituals, myths, and songs.
📚 Relevant Schemes & Reports
Tribal Festival Grants under Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Initiative – Promotes cultural integration
Assam Autonomous Council Act – Supports RHAC and other tribal self-governance models
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Framework – Relevant for preserving oral traditions
SDG 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage
🧩 Conclusion
The Kuklabiya Mahotsav marks an essential step in reviving the rich tribal cultural mosaic of Assam, particularly in Goalpara. Through sustained support, documentation, and integration with development plans, such festivals can be leveraged to preserve identity, promote livelihoods, and foster unity in diversity.
🟢 Topic: India Foils Turkish Drone Attack Orchestrated by Pakistan-Based Groups
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Border Management | Defence Technology
📘 GS Paper 2: International Relations | Cross-border Terrorism
📘 APSC GS Paper 5: Security Threats in Northeast | Assam’s Counter-Terrorism Framework
🔹 Introduction
India successfully intercepted a drone attack attempt reportedly originating from Pakistan-backed terror groups using Turkish-made drones. The incident, though classified, has raised concerns over the emerging use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in cross-border terrorism, especially near sensitive zones such as Punjab, J&K, and even parts of Northeast India like Assam.
🔑 Key Points
| Feature | Description |
| Incident | Drone-based infiltration attempt, foiled by Indian forces |
| Drones Used | Turkish-origin tactical UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) |
| Perpetrators | Pakistan-based terror outfits (suspected Jaish, Lashkar elements) |
| Location (General) | Northern border, alert extended to Northeast |
| Indian Response | Electronic countermeasures + surveillance coordination |
| Strategic Concern | Weaponised drones used for reconnaissance, arms drops, or surveillance |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems): Includes drones, remote control interface, and communication systems.
DRDO Anti-Drone Systems: India’s indigenous tech includes radar, RF jammers, and kinetic weapons.
Drones Banned Under Aircraft Rules (2021): Unauthorised UAVs are banned near border areas.
LoC and IB: Most drone incursions reported near Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).
MALE UAVs: Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones like Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Emerging Threat of Drone Warfare in India
Low-Cost, High Risk: Drones are inexpensive but can carry explosives, narcotics, or surveillance gear.
Difficult to Detect: Fly at low altitudes and avoid radar detection.
Proxy War Tool: Allows state-sponsored terror without direct involvement (plausible deniability).
Cross-Border Smuggling: Arms, counterfeit currency, and drugs often air-dropped using drones.
Targeted Surveillance: Used to track army movement, vital installations.
B. Security Implications for Assam & the Northeast
| Concern | Impact |
| Porous Borders | Assam shares open borders with Bangladesh and proximity to Myanmar |
| Insurgent Groups | NSCN, ULFA-I may attempt similar drone tactics |
| Border Infrastructure | Dense forests and riverine terrain make ground surveillance difficult |
| Lack of Drone Detection Systems | Few border posts equipped with anti-drone radars |
| Potential for Narco-Terrorism | Synthetic drugs trafficked using UAVs across Northeast corridor |
C. India’s Counter-Drone Capabilities
DRDO Anti-Drone Systems: Include soft-kill (RF jammers) and hard-kill (laser, gunfire) options
Integrated Surveillance Grid (ISG): Combines CCTV, radars, drones, satellite inputs
BSF and Assam Rifles Modernisation: Equipping border forces with drone neutralisers
Ban on Import of Chinese Drones: Promoting Make in India UAV systems
Training Programs: Special Forces and NSG trained in UAS warfare and interception
D. Way Forward
Drone Zoning Maps: Clearly defined ‘No Fly Zones’ for sensitive areas using GIS platforms
Deploy AI-based Counter-UAS: Auto-detect and neutralise drone threats in real-time
Strengthen Border Tech: Thermal imagers, acoustic sensors, and net guns at key border posts
Public Reporting Systems: Encourage civilians to report drone sightings near border
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with Israel, US for advanced anti-drone tech transfer
📚 Relevant Laws & Policies
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 – governs drone usage in India
National Counter Drone Policy (Draft)
Customs Act, NDPS Act – invoked for cross-border smuggling via drones
Defence Procurement Policy 2020 – enables fast-tracked acquisition of drone systems
Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPRD) Guidelines on Anti-Drone Ops
🧩 Conclusion
The recent thwarted drone attack reflects a paradigm shift in cross-border terrorism tactics, where technology is replacing infiltrators. For a border state like Assam, integrating early detection, community vigilance, and real-time countermeasures is essential to maintaining sovereignty and internal security in the age of unmanned threats.
🟢 Topic: Assam on High Alert Along Borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Border Management
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Centre-State Relations | Role of Agencies
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam-Specific Security Challenges | Cross-Border Dynamics
🔹 Introduction
Following heightened security concerns, the Assam government has sounded a high alert along its international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. The move comes amid reports of increased infiltration attempts, arms trafficking, and potential spillover of ethnic unrest in neighbouring regions. Security agencies have intensified patrolling and surveillance in districts like Karimganj, Cachar, South Salmara, and Churachandpur-adjacent areas.
🔑 Key Points
| Element | Details |
| Trigger for Alert | Intelligence on cross-border movement of insurgents and traffickers |
| Districts Affected | Karimganj, Hailakandi, South Salmara (Bangladesh border); Churachandpur side (Myanmar) |
| Security Measures Taken | Sealing of vulnerable routes, deployment of BSF & Assam Rifles, surveillance drones |
| Concerns Raised | Drug trafficking, arms supply, illegal immigration, insurgent regrouping |
| Coordinating Agencies | Assam Police, BSF, Assam Rifles, Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Bureau |
⚙️ Prelims Pointers
India-Bangladesh Border Length in Assam: Approx. 263 km
India-Myanmar Border (NE states): Shares border via Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh
Free Movement Regime (FMR): Allows movement up to 16 km along Indo-Myanmar border; now under scrutiny
Golden Triangle: Southeast Asia’s drug production region (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand)
Assam Rifles: India’s oldest paramilitary force, operating under Ministry of Home Affairs but under Army control operationally
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Strategic Significance of Assam’s Borders
Porous Terrain: Dense forests, riverine zones make surveillance difficult
Ethnic Linkages: Tribes like Kuki, Chakma, and Rohingyas have trans-border familial ties
Drug Route Vulnerability: Assam is part of the Golden Triangle drug trail
Insurgency Spillover: ULFA-I, NSCN-K, and newly emerging groups may use Myanmar as a safe haven
Demographic Pressure: Illegal immigration from Bangladesh strains local resources and fuels identity politics
B. Current Security Challenges
| Issue | Explanation |
| Illegal Immigration | Influx from Bangladesh continues despite fencing efforts |
| Drug Smuggling | Methamphetamine and heroin increasingly trafficked via Mizoram and Assam |
| Cross-Border Arms Supply | Small arms and explosives entering from Myanmar |
| Human Trafficking | Women and children trafficked from NE into Southeast Asia |
| Fake ID Networks | Facilitates illegal settlement and electoral manipulation |
C. Government Measures and Coordination
Smart Fencing Projects (BOLD-QIT): Electrified fencing, sensors along Bangladesh border
Surveillance Drones: Real-time monitoring of infiltration-prone zones
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Assam Zone: Strengthened to curb drug networks
Coordinated Border Patrolling: BSF and BGB (Bangladesh) conduct joint patrols
Data Sharing Systems: Real-time alerts through Crime & Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS)
D. Way Forward
Integrated Border Management System (IBMS): Strengthen digital surveillance and quick response units
Community Policing: Involve local youth, VDPs in alert networks
Bilateral Talks with Neighbours: Regular border coordination with Bangladesh and Myanmar
Border Economic Zones: Develop legitimate trade hubs to reduce illegal movement incentives
Amend FMR if Required: Balance traditional ties with modern security needs
📚 Relevant Acts & Frameworks
Foreigners Act, 1946 and Citizenship Act, 1955
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
Assam Accord (1985) – identifies 1971 as cutoff year for citizenship
Border Area Development Programme (BADP) – infrastructure push in sensitive zones
India-Bangladesh Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP)
🧩 Conclusion With increasing security volatility in South Asia, Assam’s border vigilance is essential for India’s national integrity. A robust combination of technology, bilateral cooperation, and community participation is key to preventing transnational threats from undermining peace in the Northeast.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
✅ Topic 1: Charaideo Witch-Hunting Case – 23 Convicted
Q1. The Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015 provides which of the following features?
- Declares witch-hunting as a non-bailable and cognizable offence.
- Provides life imprisonment if death occurs due to witch-branding.
- Only applies in Sixth Schedule tribal areas of Assam.
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
- The Act applies across Assam, not just Sixth Schedule areas.
- It criminalizes witch-branding and provides for life imprisonment in extreme cases.
Q2. Under the Indian Constitution, promoting scientific temper is included in:
A. Directive Principles of State Policy
B. Fundamental Rights
C. Fundamental Duties
D. Preamble
✅ Answer: C. Fundamental Duties
Explanation:
- Article 51A(h) of the Constitution obligates every citizen to develop scientific temper, humanism, and reform spirit.
✅ Topic 2: Kuklabiya Mahotsav – Goalpara Tribal Festival
Q3. Which of the following statements about the Rabha tribe is/are correct?
- The Rabha tribe primarily inhabits Lower Assam districts like Goalpara and Kamrup.
- The Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council is governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
✅ Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. While RHAC has autonomous status, it is not yet fully brought under the Sixth Schedule.
Q4. The Wangala dance, featured in Kuklabiya Mahotsav, is associated with which tribe?
A. Bodo
B. Rabha
C. Garo
D. Mishing
✅ Answer: C. Garo
Explanation:
- Wangala is a post-harvest festival of the Garo tribe, also called the 100 Drums Festival.
✅ Topic 3: India Foils Turkish Drone Attack via Pakistan-Based Networks
Q5. Which of the following statements best describes “soft kill” anti-drone technology?
A. Use of surface-to-air missiles to destroy drones
B. Jamming and disabling drone communication or GPS systems
C. Deployment of birds of prey to intercept drones
D. Manual shooting of drones using sniper rifles
✅ Answer: B.
Explanation:
- Soft kill refers to non-destructive neutralization, such as jamming radio signals or spoofing GPS.
Q6. What is the name of India’s indigenous anti-drone system developed by DRDO?
A. Netra-AK
B. Varuna Shield
C. D4S (Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy System)
D. Trinetra-1
✅ Answer: C.
Explanation:
- D4S is India’s anti-drone solution with radar, jammers, and laser-based hard-kill capability.
✅ Topic 4: High Alert Along Assam’s Borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar
Q7. Which of the following districts of Assam share a border with Bangladesh?
- Karimganj
- Dhubri
- South Salmara
- Baksa
A. 1 and 4 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B.
Explanation:
- Karimganj, Dhubri, and South Salmara share a border with Bangladesh. Baksa borders Bhutan, not Bangladesh.
Q8. The “Free Movement Regime” (FMR), recently under review, is applicable to which country?
A. Bangladesh
B. Nepal
C. Myanmar
D. Bhutan
✅ Answer: C.
Explanation:
FMR allows tribal communities living along the Indo–Myanmar border to travel up to 16 km across the border without a visa.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question:
Q. Witch-hunting continues to plague parts of Assam despite legal safeguards. Analyze the social roots of this practice and suggest measures to eliminate it effectively.
*(GS Paper 1 – Indian Society | APSC GS Paper 5 – Assam-Specific Social Issues)
Word Limit: 250
✅ Model Answer:
🔹 Introduction
Witch-hunting in Assam remains a brutal manifestation of superstition, gendered violence, and community fear, particularly in tribal and rural belts. Despite the enactment of the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2015, several incidents persist, including the recent life sentence to 23 people in Charaideo for a 2012 case.
🔍 Social Roots of Witch-Hunting in Assam
| Factor | Explanation |
| Lack of Scientific Awareness | Illness, crop failure, or death often attributed to “witches.” |
| Patriarchy & Misogyny | Elderly women and widows are frequent targets. |
| Land Grabbing Motives | Witch-branding used to evict or dispossess vulnerable individuals. |
| Healthcare Gaps | Inaccessibility leads people to consult local “ojhas” or witch doctors. |
| Weak Policing & Delayed Justice | Community silence and slow legal proceedings embolden culprits. |
⚠️ Challenges in Elimination
- Deep-rooted belief systems resist legal deterrence.
- Survivors and victims’ families face social ostracism.
- Underreporting due to fear or community complicity.
- Limited legal aid and poor forensic investigation in rural areas.
🛠️ Way Forward
- Grassroots Awareness Campaigns: Involve ASHAs, teachers, and SHGs in spreading rationality.
- Health Outreach: Mobile medical units in high-incidence districts to reduce superstition.
- Fast-Track Courts & Legal Aid: Ensure quick and victim-sensitive judicial processes.
- Rehabilitation & Compensation: Victims’ families need psychological and livelihood support.
- Curriculum Integration: Include scientific temper and human rights in school syllabi.
🧩 Conclusion
Witch-hunting is not just a crime—it is a failure of social conscience and state capacity. Combating it requires a multi-pronged approach of legal enforcement, cultural change, and welfare measures to end the violence driven by fear and ignorance.
✨ APSC Prelims Crash Course, 2025
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