NIA conducts raids at 12 places in West Bengal over Maoist links

The NIA conducted raids in Kolkata and West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, Asansol, and other places, targeting alleged Maoist funding links. Alongside the West Bengal STF, they seized laptops, mobile phones, and documents, and questioned former NGO workers, including Sipra Chakraborty and Sudipta Paul.

NIA conducts raids at 12 places in Bengal over Maoists links

Kolkata: Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday started conducting simultaneous raids on 12 premises in West Bengal, including one in Kolkata, belonging to people allegedly linked to Maoists, an official source said. Raids were underway at Netaji Nagar, Panihati, Barrackpore, Sodepur, Asansol and several other places in West Bengal in connection with alleged links of two women and their associates with Maoists, he said. These women had allegedly siphoned off funds sent to them for spreading Maoist networks in eastern India. These raids are underway to find out the exact roles these people were playing in the Maoist organisation, the source said. Several documents were seized during the raids which were underway, he added.

NIA conducts raids at 12 places in West Bengal over Maoists links

KOLKATA: Sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday started conducting raids on 12 premises in West Bengal, including one in Kolkata, belonging to people allegedly linked to Maoists, an official source said. Raids were underway at Netaji Nagar, Panihati, Barrackpore, Sodepur, Asansol and several other places in West Bengal in connection with alleged links of two women and their associates with Maoists. These women had allegedly siphoned off funds sent to them for spreading Maoist networks in eastern India. These raids are underway to find out the exact roles these people were playing in the Maoist organisation, the source said. Several documents were seized during the raids which are underway, an official added. NIA arrests businessman from Kolkata for providing funds to Maoists

21 Cities Under NCAP Cut PM10 Pollution by Over 40 pc Since 2017-18, Shows CPCB Data

New Delhi: Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 levels. Khanna, Durgapur, Kurnool, Dera Baba Nanak, Vadodara, Allahabad, Asansol, Hyderabad, Gorakhpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Akola, Ananthapur, Durg Bhilainagar, Surat and Noida recorded a 20-30 per cent reduction in PM10 levels during the same period, the data showed. A 10-20 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution was recorded in 21 cities -- Delhi, Howrah, Thane, Latur, Nellore, Gajraula, Alwar, Chittur, Kala Amb, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amravati, Patiala, Jaipur, Ongole, Chandrapur, Nashik, Jhansi, Sangli, Kota, Devanagere and Rajahmundry. India launched the NCAP in 2019 with a target to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. The target was later revised to a 40 per cent reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. In practice, only PM10 concentration is being considered for performance assessment. Surat was on Saturday ranked as the top major city in India for air quality improvements, followed by Jabalpur and Agra. The Union environment ministry presented the National Clean Air City Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan - 2024, held at a national workshop celebrating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Jaipur. While Surat, Jabalpur and Agra secured the top three positions among cities with populations of more than 10 lakh, Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amravati (Maharashtra) and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) were recognised as the best among cities with populations between three and 10 lakh. Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Nalgonda (Telangana) and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) topped the list among cities with populations under three lakh. Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an initiative by the environment ministry to rank cities based on the implementation of activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in cities covered under NCAP. These cities were awarded for significant improvements in air quality through various best practices to reduce air pollution. Key activities included paving roads, promoting mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of legacy waste, solid waste management, converting reclaimed land from dump sites into green spaces, greenbelt development, intelligent traffic management systems, and Miyawaki afforestation.

How dare you threaten Assam: CM Himanta on Mamata Banerjee's burn remark

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Wednesday hit back at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her 'If Bengal burns, so will Assam' remark, saying, Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? In a post on X, the Assam Chief Minister said, Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don't show us red eyes. Don't even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language. , ? , ? pic.twitter.com/k194lajS8s Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 28, 2024 Earlier today while speaking at a public in Kolkata West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using his party to cause fire in Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident and warned that If you burn Bengal, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn and your chair will be toppled. Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair, Mamata Banerjee said. Bengal CM Mamata pledges to amend existing laws to ensure death penalty for rapists The brutal rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor on the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital premises sparked outrage all over the country. The incident shook the entire nation, and since then several protests have been staged demanding justice for the victim. The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum held a protest rally in Kolkata today demanding justice for trainee doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The rally coincides with the BJP's call for a 12-hour Bangla Bandh on Wednesday across West Bengal that aims to highlight the growing frustration within the medical community over the need for improved safety measures and swift justice. BJP workers staged a protest in Asansol as well and were seen blocking railway tracks. On August 27, chaos broke out in the streets of Kolkata with security personnel lobbing tear gas shells, used water cannons and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse protestors on the Howrah Bridge marching towards the West Bengal State Secretariat Nabanna, amidst the growing protests over the rape-murder incident. On August 25, Parimal Dey, a teacher from Alipurduar in West Bengal who was honoured with the Banga Ratna award by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2019, has decided to return the award in protest against the state government's handling of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder incident. The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

Kumardubi Station In Bengals Asansol Division Set For Major Overhaul Under Amrit Bharat Project

The station holds significant importance in the coal region and is strategically located on the New Delhi-Howrah chord line.

Flood Crisis Grips West Bengal Amidst Heavy Rains and Water Release Warnings

Kolkata: Wes t Bengal is currently facing a flood-like situation due to heavy rains over the past few days. In Arambagh, located in the Hooghly district, houses and roads are submerged. Additionally, flood warnings have been issued for Coochbehar and Alipurduar districts in north Bengal. In southern Bengal, the state government has expressed grave concern over the release of 1 lakh cusecs of water into the Damodar River. Officials have warned that such an action, taken without consultation with the state government, could have catastrophic consequences. A flood alert has been issued for southern parts of West Bengal due to water releases from two upstream dams in Jharkhand. Heavy rain has already impacted Kolkata, where the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport experienced flooding, though flight operations remained unaffected. Meanwhile, the Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Andal, West Bardhhaman district, had to suspend operations due to flooding. On Friday, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) recovered the bodies of three people who drowned in Asansol. Although the rain has temporarily eased, the potential release of water upstream could worsen the situation, particularly along the Damodar and Ajay rivers. In south Bengal, rainfall of 150-200mm has created flood-like conditions in several districts, including Hooghly, Howrah, Bankura, Birbhum, East Burdwan, and West Burdwan. Visuals from Arambagh show inundated streets and villages, with locals struggling to navigate the floodwaters. Alapan Bandopadhyay, Chief Advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stated, In the next 4-5 days, water levels may rise in areas like Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. Mamata Banerjee is closely monitoring the situation and holding discussions with senior officials. She has instructed them to stay vigilant. The Chief Minister is in constant communication with district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs), issuing directives as needed. The Chief Secretary has also held meetings with DMs and relevant departments, and officers have been dispatched to various districts to oversee the evolving situation. Bandopadhyay added, The Member Secretary of the Damodar Valley River Regulatory Committee has informed us about the release of another 1 lakh cusecs of water. This decision was made unilaterally without consulting the state government, which expects severe consequences for the people. We are requesting the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to avoid releasing such a large volume of water without proper discussion. Efforts are being made to stagger the release process. He urged the public to remain calm but vigilant, especially on the 5th and 6th of the month. If the administration advises people to move from dangerous areas like riverbanks, please comply, Bandopadhyay said. SP MP Awadhesh Prasad Accuses UP Government of Communal Bias in Crackdown on Gangrape Accused Moeed Khan Former UP CM Mayawati Backs Yogi Government's Actions Against Ayodhya Gangrape Accused Bangladesh Witnesses Renewed Protests Over Anti-Quota Agitation Deaths

Man dies as car swept away while crossing submerged bridge in West Bengal

KOLKATA: One person died after his car was swept away by water while crossing a submerged bridge in West Bengal's Paschim Bardhaman district, officials said on Saturday. The vehicle was crossing the submerged Kalyanpur Housing area bridge in Asansol when it was swept away by water. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) recovered the body on Saturday and sent it for post-mortem, they said. Locals said that the driver had been warned against crossing the submerged bridge. Torrential rains have led to waterlogging in both Paschim Bardhaman and Purba Bardhaman districts and in Kolkata. Flight operations to and from the Kazi Nazrul Islam (KNI) airport at Andal in West Bengal's Paschim Bardhaman district were temporarily suspended on Friday due to water logging in and around its premises. Officials said the airport is expected to be operational later on Saturday. Water levels on the runway and other airport service areas are receding, and restoration work is progressing, they said. In Birbhum district swollen rivers have inundated many temporary bridges. The sanctum sanctorum of Kankalitala Temple in Birbhum has been under water since Thursday. The relentless downpour has caused the Kopai River to flow above the danger mark, leading to the closure of Kankali Temple. In Salt Lake City, the Bidhannagar Municipality has deployed pumps to drain out from the IT hub and other areas.

Heavy downpour in south Bengal, more rain likely till August 3

KOLKATA: Heavy downpours lashed parts of southern West Bengal is likely to bring more rain in some districts of the region till Saturday, the Met office said. Bardhaman, Panagarh and Sriniketan recorded nearly 200 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. Purulia, Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum are likely to receive heavy rain till on Saturday morning, the weather office said in its forecast. Light to moderate rain is expected to recieve in Kolkata. Bardhaman and Sriniketan received the maximum rainfall at 192 mm each and were closely followed by Panagarh at 186 mm, the Met office data said. Other places in the region that received heavy downpours are Asansol (148 mm), Canning (138 mm), Kalyani (135 mm), Suri (126 mm) and Kalaikunda (100 mm), it said. The Met office also forecast heavy rain in the sub-Himalayan districts in northern West Bengal, where Kalimpong received 62 mm of rainfall and Darjeeling got 33 mm of rain in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday.

In Bengal's Asansol, This Magician Merges Entertainment, Philanthropy And Social Awareness

The magic show by Kismat Kumar has been organised in the Rupnarayanpur area.