Why is there no celebration for the 4-year government formation in Assam?

Guwahati, May 9 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that there will be no festivities to commemorate the four-year anniversary of the state government due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the horrific terror incident in Pahalgam.

In a statement on X, Sarma remarked, "Tomorrow signifies the four-year milestone of the current Government in Assam. Nonetheless, we will refrain from celebrations for this occasion. A press briefing will be the sole official event."

Previously, the Chief Minister also announced that Assam will cease celebrations of the Bihu festivals starting Saturday. He urged the Bihu committees to comply with this request.

"In the past month, we have joyfully engaged in Bihu celebrations throughout Assam via numerous cultural events. I am deeply grateful to everyone for their enthusiastic involvement and contributions," Sarma expressed, adding, "However, the time has come to conclude this festive season. I earnestly appeal that all remaining Bihu functions scheduled from May 10 onward be cancelled. Let us close this vibrant celebration with the same unity and spirit that it was held in."

It is important to note that the ongoing strife between India and Pakistan has intensified following India's airstrikes against terror enclaves in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, primarily tourists.

In a concerning development between late Thursday and early Friday, Pakistan launched between 300 and 400 drones of Turkish origin aimed at Indian military sites across 36 locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Punjab — stretching from Srinagar to Jaisalmer and Pathankot — according to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who addressed the media on Friday evening in the national capital.

Drones were also spotted over the Siachen Glacier base camp in Ladakh and the Kutch region in Gujarat — nearly 1,400 km apart — indicating the extensive geographical scope of this incursion.

Colonel Qureshi reported that 50 of the drones were neutralized by air defense systems, with an additional 20 neutralized through radio frequency jamming. While most of these drones were unarmed, possibly indicating a test of India's defense capabilities, many were equipped with cameras, potentially relaying live footage back to command centers in Pakistan.

Sources have indicated that Pakistan deployed Asisguard Songar drones, which the manufacturer claims are designed for "day/night military and security operations" and have an operational range of up to 5 km.