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Nadia bomb blast victim Tamannas mother hospitalisedin Kolkata after condition deteriorates
Opposition blames government and police for the situation; Trinamool says police taking necessary action
Vande Bharat sleeper train clears trials, GuwahatiKolkata to be first route, PM to flag off
Victim's parents approve film on RG Kar rape-murder case
The parents of a young doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College have now given their consent for a film on the incident. This comes after they had initially opposed the project.
PM Modi to soon flag off first Vande Bharat sleeper train
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon flag off Indias first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Kolkata and Guwahati, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said here on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, Vaishnaw said the fares of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah in West Bengal and Guwahati in Assam will be substantially lower Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
India's first Vande Bharat sleeper train will soon be launched as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the train which will run between Kolkata to Guwahati. Union Rail Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said the launch of Vande Bharat sleeper train is expected this month.
Commerical LPG cylinder rates hiked by Rs 111 from Jan 1
New Delhi: Starting from January 1, the price of commercial LPG has risen by Rs 111 per cylinder across all major cities, making it the highest hike since June last year. With this, a single 19 kg cylinder will now cost Rs 1,691.50 in Delhi, Rs 1,642.50 in Mumbai, Rs 1,795 in Kolkata and Rs Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Vande Bharat Sleeper To Run On Guwahati-Kolkata Route, PM Modi To Launch Train Soon
The train will have 16 coaches 11 for 3AC with 611 seats, 4 for 2AC with 188 seats and one for first AC with 24 seats. These coaches will have a collective capacity of 823.
Spiritual Guru Devkinandan Thakur Slams KKR, Shah Rukh Khan Over Bangladeshi Player; Leaders React
Spiritual Guru Devkinandan Thakur: Spiritual guru Devkinandan Thakur has sparked a political debate after criticising Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and its co-owner, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, for purchasing a Bangladeshi player, Mustafizur Rahman, for the upcoming IPL season. His remarks have drawn mixed reactions from political leaders across parties, with most stressing that sports should be kept separate from political and diplomatic issues. Speaking to IANS, Devkinandan Thakur, on Wednesday, accused KKR and Shah Rukh Khan of ignoring the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. He said that Hindus and followers of Sanatan Dharma, who helped make the actor a star, were deeply hurt by the decision to include a Bangladeshi player in an Indian team despite reports of atrocities against Hindus in the neighbouring country. Devotees of Sanatan and Hindus see that, without considering that Hindus in Bangladesh are being killed, burnt alive and girls are being assaulted, a Bangladeshi player is being included in an Indian team, Thakur said. He further argued that the money spent on buying a Bangladeshi player should instead be used for Indias development or as compensation for the families of those killed in Bangladesh. Reacting to the controversy, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo said that human rights violations must be condemned wherever they occur, but cautioned against mixing sports with politics. Wherever minorities are oppressed, in any country, we condemn it. Whether it is Hindus facing atrocities in Bangladesh or minorities facing oppression elsewhere, such acts should not happen and must be strongly denounced, Trumboo said. As far as sports are concerned, if sports and politics remain separate, things will continue smoothly. The real need is that minorities should be protected and treated justly in every country. Congress leader Tariq Anwar also downplayed the controversy, stating that sports should not be influenced by political or diplomatic tensions. I dont know the background of this issue, but sports should be kept separate. Similar discussions have come up earlier as well, including during tours abroad. Whether a player is from another country or someone is a film star, there should be no issue in such matters, he said. However, the BJP echoed Devkinandan Thakurs sentiment. BJP MLA Karnail Singh said concerns over the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh were valid and questioned the intent behind supporting Bangladeshi players. If they are so concerned about Bangladeshi players, then they should go to Bangladesh themselves, he remarked. Religious leaders in Ujjain recently issued a stark warning to disrupt IPL cricket matches by damaging pitches if Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to participate. If they are so concerned about Bangladeshi players, then they should go to Bangladesh themselves, he remarked. Also Read: Live Cricket Score KKR has roped in Bangladesh's pacer Mustafizur Rahman for this years IPL at Rs 9.2 crore. Article Source: IANS
PM Modi to launch Kolkata-Guwahati Vande Bharat sleeper train soon
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said 3rd AC fare will be around 2,300, including food, 2nd AC around 3,000, and 1st AC around 3,600
Vande Bharat sleeper train route announced: Check launch date, fare and other details
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Route: Indian Railways is launching its first Vande Bharat sleeper train in January 2026, connecting Guwahati and Kolkata. Designed for overnight journeys on routes up to 1,500 km, these modern, fully air-conditioned trains offer enhanced comfort and speed. Fares will range from Rs 2,300 to Rs 3,600, positioning them between conventional and luxury services.
Bengal SIR: OBC certificates issued after 2010 invalid for hearings, says ECI
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates issued by the West Bengal government after 2010 earlier scrapped by the Calcutta High Court will not be treated as valid supporting identity documents during the ongoing hearing sessions on claims and objections to the draft electoral roll Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
ATF price cut by steep 7%, commercial LPG rate up 111 per cylinder
In Mumbai, ATF price was revised 86,352.19 per kl, while prices in Chennai and Kolkata were cut to 95,770 and 95,378.02 per kl, respectively
PM Modi to launch Indias first Vande Bharat sleeper train on KolkataGuwahati route
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon launch India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train. The new train will operate on the Guwahati-Kolkata route. Testing and certification are complete. Passengers can expect world-class facilities and a modern travel experience on long overnight journeys. This marks a significant milestone for Indian Railways.
Youth TMC leader killed on New Years Eve in Bengals Raiganj
Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress district youth vice-president in Uttar Dinajpur district was allegedly murdered on New Years Eve, said the police on Thursday. His body was recovered from the Milanpara area near Mohanbati market in Raiganj. The police are investigating whether the murder was politically motivated or if there was another reason behind it. Nabyendu Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Hotels and restaurants across India face higher operating costs. Commercial cooking gas prices saw a Rs 111 rise on January 1, 2026. A 19-kg cylinder in Delhi now costs Rs 1,691.50. Mumbai prices also climbed. Kolkata and Chennai experienced significant price hikes. This impacts service operators nationwide.
Bengal CEO dismisses allegations against EC officials over SIR process
Kolkata: The office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday dismissed allegations made in police complaints against poll officials in connection with the ongoing SIR exercise, describing them as premeditated and unsubstantiated. In a statement, the CEOs office said it has taken note of various press releases indicating that police complaints have Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
On January 1, 2026, gold prices in India range from Rs 13,488 per 1 gram for 24K gold and Rs 12,364 per 1 gram for 22K gold. Silver is priced at Rs 2,38,900 per kilogram. Check city-wise rates here.
Ex-Bengal party chief Ghosh back in BJP spotlight
Dilip Ghosh's return to party meetings during Amit Shah's Kolkata visit signals a potential larger role for the former Bengal BJP chief. However, the absence of key Matua and Rajbangshi leaders from a recent BJP meeting highlights underlying unease within the party ahead of the 2026 polls.
'Want 22 of 28 seats from in and around Kolkata': Amit Shah sets target for BJP cadres
Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged BJP workers in Bengal to aim for victory in the 2026 assembly elections, setting a target of winning 22 out of 28 seats in and around Kolkata. He also expressed concerns about infiltration and a changing demography in the region, while dismissing perceptions of organizational weakness.
Amit Shah urges Bengal BJP to step up grassroots push ahead of 2026
Amit Shah visited Kolkata to strategize for the 2026 Assembly elections. He met with party leaders and workers, emphasizing constituency engagement. Shah also visited a temple. Dilip Ghosh, a former state BJP president, was tasked with strengthening a Lok Sabha constituency and its Assembly segments. The meetings aimed to boost ground-level outreach.
Shah Targets 20 Kolkata Seats for BJP In 2026
On Wednesday, Mr Shah chaired Kolkata Mahanagar Workers Meeting of his party at the Science City auditorium in the afternoon. BJP Mandal and Booth level functionaries of four Kolkata-centric Lok Sabha constituencies Dum Dum, Kolkata North, Kolkata South and Jadavpur attended it along with others.
Collector Urges Farmers To Offer Land For Kuppam Airport
The collector said the proposed airport would facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce from Kuppam, Palamaner, V. Kota and Madanapalle to major cities such as Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai, enabling farmers to access better markets.
Charlie Chaplin to return to Kolkata this New Year in exhibition by top Bengal artist
Through multiple dimensions, he brought joy, influenced people, and even portrayed sorrow often using irony, satire, and humour to respond to the injustices and conditions of the world, said acclaimed artist Shuvaprasanna
With More Investments In Youngsters, IPL 2026 Gears Up For Further Growth
The Indian Premier League: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for yet another season, and there are plenty of things going on in terms of major changes, including opportunities for the growth of the league ahead of the 2026 season. The IPL Mini Auction in Abu Dhabi signified the restructuring of the rosters of the various franchises and has provided a new outlook on how the IPL will operate moving forward with an emphasis on developing a specific strategy for each of the various franchise's positions and creating greater amounts of foreign investment in the IPL, while also increasing the amount of reliance placed on the domestic T20 stars. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made Cameron Green the most expensive all-rounder in IPL history with a record-setting Rs 25.2 crore, demonstrating the significant amount of money being spent in this year's mini auction. However, due to the new auction rules, there are still limits to the amount of money that can be spent on a single player, meaning that the amount paid to Green is capped at Rs 18 crore and that the additional funds must be directed to the Welfare Fund established by the BCCI. The bidding between KKR and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Green was an indication of the overall value that Green provides, not only as a powerful run scorer but also as a quality medium-fast bowler who can perform under immense pressure. The signing of Green meant that Mitchell Starc's Rs 24.75 crore move to KKR in 2024 became the second most expensive overseas buy, but KKR had just begun their acquisition endeavours. With the biggest auction purse in IPL history of Rs 64.30 crore and having only retained 12 players from the previous season, KKR were both aggressive and soon successful with their acquisitions. Along with Green, KKR spent Rs 18 crore on Sri Lankan Matheesha Pathirana, as well as adding Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore. The acquisition of both Pathirana and Rahman showed KKR's intent to dominate not only the powerplay but also the death overs. Despite a modest return for Pathirana during IPL 2025, KKR appeared to gamble on his future potential to fill the void left by Andre Russell as a specialist finisher with the ball. Conversely, while KKR was heavily relying on overseas talent, CSK were focused on developing uncapped Indian players. CSK, with the second-highest purse of Rs 43.40 crore, did so by focusing on developing Indian talent instead of buying international players. CSK added youth and succession planning as priorities and spent a combined Rs 28.40 crore to add uncapped Indian players to their roster. The two most expensive uncapped purchases were Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer and Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma, both of whom were purchased for Rs 14.20 crore each, making them the joint-most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. The previous record, set by Avesh Khans Rs 10 crore deal in 2023, has now been well surpassed. CSK's approach has changed significantly throughout IPL 2025 following an awful performance. By adding younger players, the franchise has improved its performance and has indicated that it will adapt to the current playing conditions of T20 cricket. Prashant is a young player who plays primarily in the lower order, has good potential as a batter and can bowl spin, and has been thought of as the long-term successor for Ravindra Jadeja, who has been an important part of CSK's team for a very long time. The addition of Kartik will also help to create competition for places in the wicket-keeper's position, as MS Dhoni is still expected to play in 2025. Other franchises have placed a great deal of value on domestic fast bowlers; Auqib Nabi, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, signed a contract for Rs 8.40 crore with Delhi Capitals, which will be his first IPL contract, following success in domestic cricket, where he performed well in both red-ball and white-ball formats, as well as his ability to bowl in death overs. Royal Challengers Bangalore, fresh off their long-awaited first title win in 2025, have continued to upgrade their roster. They have brought in left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.20 crore and fast bowling all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore; a substantial drop from the Rs 23.75 crore price tag that the Kolkata Knight Riders paid for him when he was acquired at the mega-auction. The calculated approach of the RCB team appears to be a representation of their recent achievements. After experiencing years of near-victories, losses, and having come in second place three times, they finally got their first title in 2025 by defeating the Punjab Kings. This title has also helped RCB develop a much clearer approach to building their team with an emphasis on not being so rushed to put together a roster as opposed to earlier years and times. Regarding the auction numbers, the trends overall were similar. The total amount of money that was spent on 77 players was Rs 215.45 crore, and uncapped Indian players made up Rs 63.45 crore, which is close to 75% of what was spent on Indian players in the auction. T20 leagues in different states of India continue to be the best resource for scouting, as the players from the UP T20 league, MP Premier league, MP T20 league, and Delhi Premier league have shown their value and therefore, received the highest price tags in the auction. With good scouting practices at the ground level, franchises came to Abu Dhabi for the auction with a solid role profile written out for each player instead of just a list of names. At the other end of the spectrum, reputation alone no longer guaranteed security. High-profile overseas names like Liam Livingstone, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Devon Conway initially went unsold, while Indian batters Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were picked up only at the base price. Even capped internationals outside national reckoning found little traction, with several sold for their minimum value. Regarding the auction numbers, the trends overall were similar. The total amount of money that was spent on 77 players was Rs 215.45 crore, and uncapped Indian players made up Rs 63.45 crore, which is close to 75% of what was spent on Indian players in the auction. T20 leagues in different states of India continue to be the best resource for scouting, as the players from the UP T20 league, MP Premier league, MP T20 league, and Delhi Premier league have shown their value and therefore, received the highest price tags in the auction. With good scouting practices at the ground level, franchises came to Abu Dhabi for the auction with a solid role profile written out for each player instead of just a list of names. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The success of uncapped players attests to the pathway being a regularised model rather than an experimental one. The presence of RCB entering the season as the defending champions, KKR with numerous batsmen hitting the ball, the investment in young players by CSK, and the realignment of other franchises around roles rather than reputation make IPL 2026 a contest that is more about the scouts than the scorecards. Article Source: IANS
Amit Shah Meets BJP Public Representatives in Kolkata, Calls Dilip Ghosh for Discussions
Besides the state leaders, the meeting was also attended by the party's central observers for Bengal like Sunil Bansal, Bhupendra Yadav, Biplab Deb and Amit Malviya.
Shah meets BJP public representatives in Kolkata, invites backbencher Dilip Ghosh for talks
Kolkata, Dec 31: Continuing on his agenda to take stock of the BJP West Bengal units preparedness for the assembly polls scheduled early next year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a meeting with the partys public representatives, past and present, at a hotel in Salt Lake here. The partys former state president, Dilip Ghosh, who has largely stayed away from the forefront of BJPs activities in the state over the past several months, was also invited to [] The post Shah meets BJP public representatives in Kolkata, invites backbencher Dilip Ghosh for talks appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Indian tea industry better placed in 2025 compared to last year
Kolkata: Despite challenges like uncertainty over weather conditions, rain fury, pest attacks, stagnant prices for a major part of 2025 and row over imports of inferior variety, the Indian tea sector fared relatively well this year with increased output and higher exports, stakeholders said. Compared to 2024, when the crop was down by 100 million Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
West Bengal in 2025: a year of religious polarisation
If year 2024 was the year of the protests over the gruesome rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkatas R.G. Kar Medical College, the year 2025 saw an increase in politics of polarisation with construction of a temple, foundation stone for a mosque, and communal riots in Murshidabad
Bengal shivers under cold spell; Kolkata records seasons coldest night of 2025
West Bengal is experiencing severe cold. Minimum temperatures have dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in many areas. The sub-Himalayan districts will continue to face this chill for another week. Light rain or snow is forecast for Darjeeling. South Bengal citizens can expect some relief soon. Morning fog is also predicted across the state.
West Bengal 2025: SIR, Bangladesh unrest and road to Assembly polls next year
Kolkata: As West Bengal edged closer to the assembly polls due next year, 2025 unfolded as a year in which the mechanics of voting, border anxieties and sharpening communal lines eclipsed governance, turning the SIR of electoral rolls and cross-border unrest into the states defining political battlegrounds. If the Lok Sabha elections verdict of 2024 Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
IPL 2026: Schedule, players list, venues and auction highlights
2026 IPL full schedule, teams: The Indian Premier League 2026 will commence on March 26 and conclude on May 31. The auction saw record bids for players like Cameron Green and uncapped talents. Squads for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals have been revealed. The opening match venue remains uncertain.
West Bengal is under a severe cold wave. Dense fog and falling temperatures are disrupting daily life. Air quality has worsened significantly. Kolkata recorded its coldest December morning. Sub-Himalayan districts are experiencing even lower temperatures. Light snowfall is possible in higher reaches. Fog is expected to persist, impacting travel by air, rail, and road.
West Bengal CM says no one will be allowed to touch Waqf or religious places
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asserted that her government would not allow any interference with Waqf properties or religious institutions. The amended Waqf Act came into force on April 8 this year. Several opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, objected to the new law, certain provisions of which were stayed by Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
As 2025 bows out, Kolkatans say there is nothing to cheer about
The City of Joy appears to be bracing for 2026, when many fear the forthcoming Assembly election could create a communal divide, a blow to the eastern metropoliss tradition of harmony
Oman Announce Jatinder Singh-led Squad For T20 World Cup
T20 World Cup: Jatinder Singh will lead Oman once again as the team have announced their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7. Wicketkeeper-batter Vinayak Shukla has been named Jatinder's deputy as Oman made five changes to the squad that played in the Asia Cup earlier in the year. Jatinder, who missed out on selection for the squad in the previous T20 World Cup, is Oman's most experienced player and leading T20 run-scorer. Oman will look to make a mark in their fourth appearance at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. In the upcoming edition, they are placed in Group B alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Zimbabwe. Oman qualified for the tournament through the ICC Asia-EAP Qualifier, finishing second behind Nepal. They will face co-hosts Sri Lanka, 2021 winners Australia, Zimbabwe and Ireland in Group B at the World Cup. The Asian side begin their campaign against Zimbabwe on February 9 in Colombo. The 20-team tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka over 29 days and at eight venues (five in India and three in Sri Lanka). A total of 40 group matches will be played between February 7 and 20, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the Super Eights phase of the tournament, which commences on February 21. The top four sides at the completion of the Super Eights qualify for the knockout stages of the event, with semi-finals to be held in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai, ahead of the title decider on March 8 in Ahmedabad/Colombo. A total of 40 group matches will be played between February 7 and 20, with the top two sides from each group progressing to the Super Eights phase of the tournament, which commences on February 21. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jatinder Singh (capt), Vinayak Shukla (vice-capt), Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Faisal Shah, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra, Shafiq Jan, Ashish Odedra, Jiten Ramanandi, Hasnain Ali Shah Article Source: IANS
Mamata Abetting Infiltration For Poll Benefits; Bengals Demography Changed, Alleges Shah
KOLKATA, Dec 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of facilitating infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral gains, alleging that the practice has dangerously changed the states demography over the past few years. Addressing a press conference here, Shah said infiltration has become a major concern among the [] The post Mamata Abetting Infiltration For Poll Benefits; Bengals Demography Changed, Alleges Shah appeared first on Northlines .
Bengal anxious over infiltration; we will identify and drive out infiltrators: Amit Shah in Kolkata
Mamata abetting infiltration for electoral benefit, alleges Shah
KOLKATA, Dec 30: Alleging that the Mamata Banerjee Government in West Bengal was abetting infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral benefit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that the BJP will drive out illegal immigrants once it comes to power in the state. Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said people of West Bengal were anxious over infiltration. We will not only identify infiltrators, but well also drive them out, he said. Shah said the Centre has not [] The post Mamata abetting infiltration for electoral benefit, alleges Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Give BJP a chance, says Amit Shah; promises to end corruption, infiltration in Bengal
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday the people of West Bengal to give the BJP a chance to govern the state, asserting that the party would replace fear, corruption, and misgovernance with good governance. Addressing press at Kolkata, Shah projected BJP as the alternative to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and other parties that have governed Bengal in the past. Shah accused TMC chief Mamata Banerjee of abetting infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral benefit and said his party would not only identify infiltrators but also drive them out. We will not only identify infiltrators, but we'll also drive them out. Bengal will have a new BJP government after April 15, 2026, as people have made up their minds, he said. He also blamed the state government for delaying the fencing of the Bangladesh border, claiming that the West Bengal government was not providing the required land. Highlighting economic concerns, Shah alleged that West Bengal has witnessed an unprecedented slide in its economy and that industries have fled due to misgovernance. Shah alleged that the TMC has surpassed the Left in establishing the politics of fear and violence. It was believed that the politics of violence and revenge would end once the Communists were defeated, but they have surpassed even the Communists. So far, more than 300 BJP workers have been killed. Over 3,000 BJP workers have still not been able to return to their homes. They are being pressured that they will be allowed there only if they carry the TMC flag, he alleged. Shah said top TMC leaders have been to jails on charges of swindling public money, with machines to count cash recovered from their homes malfunctioning because of overheating. People of Bengal have resolved to replace fear, corruption and misgovernance with good governance, he said. Projecting BJPs plans for the future, Shah promised that the party would stop infiltration from eastern borders and ensure the revitalization of Bengal once it comes to power. He confidently predicted a BJP government in West Bengal by 2026. VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: Addressing a press conference, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ( @AmitShah ) says, Infiltration happening through Bengal borders is not an issue limited only to Bengal, it is now a matter of national security. We have to save the country's culture. If pic.twitter.com/4uQScNU6Ze Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2025
Bengal will have BJP government in 2026, claims Amit Shah in Kolkata
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that West Bengal will have a BJP government in 2026, promising a transformation from what he described as fear, corruption and misgovernance to good governance. Addressing press in Kolkata, Shah said the people of Bengal have resolved to embrace change and development under the BJP. Shah alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is abetting infiltration of Bangladeshis for electoral gain. He added that the BJP will not only identify infiltrators but also take steps to drive them out, emphasizing that the party aims to stop infiltration from eastern borders once in power. Shah also slammed the state government for obstructing border security measures, claiming that the fencing of the Bangladesh border could not be completed because the West Bengal administration has refused to provide land. Reiterating BJPs commitment to Bengals development, Shah said, BJP will ensure the revitalisation of Bengal, bringing good governance and progress to the state. VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: Addressing a press conference, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ( @AmitShah ) says, Infiltration happening through Bengal borders is not an issue limited only to Bengal, it is now a matter of national security. We have to save the country's culture. If pic.twitter.com/4uQScNU6Ze Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 30, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah holds press conference in Kolkata, West Bengal
Man Held From Bihar For Online Abuse Of Bengali Actress After Messi Mayhem In Kolkata
Accused had also made derogatory comments against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC MP Partha Bhowmik.
Lucknow & Kolkata: Centuries of exile, art & community to be spotlight at Sanatkada 2026
Bengal CM lays foundation stone of Dura Angan at New Town, billed to be biggest such shrine
KOLKATA, Dec 29 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today laid the foundation stone of Durga Angan, billed to be the biggest such shrine in the world, to be built on a 17.28 acre of land opposite Eco Park in New Town, the eastern part of the city, at an estimated cost of Rs 262 crore. Describing the laying of foundation stone of Durga Angan, a historic to perpetuate and preserve UNESCO recognised heritage Durga Puja, Ms Banerjee said [] The post Bengal CM lays foundation stone of Dura Angan at New Town, billed to be biggest such shrine appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Man Arrested For Abusive Online Post Against Bengali Actor After Messi Chaos
The police have arrested a man from Bihar for allegedly posting abusive and obscene comments on social media targeting Bengali actress Shubhashree Ganguly, following Argentine football star Lionel Messi's recent visit to Kolkata, an officer said.
Hindon airport is No.1 in country by recording a 3000 per cent increase in patronage over last year
NEW DELHI: The latest Air traffic data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a shot in the arm for Hindon airports ambitions to enter the big league. Located just 30 km from Delhi in Uttar Pradeshs Ghaziabad, the Indian Air Force owned airfield has clocked 1, 22,381 flyers in November 2025 versus just 3,950 flyers in November 2024. This marks a 2,998% growth over its past, marking the highest improvement among all airports in the country. Multiple reasons have contributed to this amazing turnaround, particularly for an airport which is permitted operations only from sunrise to sunset daily due to military restrictions. Airport Director Chilaka Mahesh told this newspaper, Initially we only had Star Air operating here which was connecting our airport to Nanded, Adampur and Keshod under the UDAAN Scheme. Air India Express and IndiGo have commenced operations here since March and July respectively this year. They connect key cities and traffic has been on the rise since then and we now have 25 departures and 25 arrivals on an average daily. The Airport Director said, Public in the Delhi-NCR and Western UP clearly prefer travelling via Hindon as they do not have to commute in the traffic upto Indira Gandhi International Airport to reach other cities. An Air India Express spokesperson said, Our operations from Hindon commenced on 1st March 2025. We connect to 9 direct destinations from Hindon Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Goa, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna and Varanasi. We have 47 departing flights weekly. In a statement, IndiGo said it had 40 weekly departures from Hindon and all operations were carried out using A320 aircraft. IndiGo has daily flights between Hindon and Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata apart from six weekly flights from Hindon to Chennai and Patna. Among the key developments this year was the incorporation of the SITA network for its ticketing centre. Rapido and Buzzway cab operators are functioning while Ola and Uber cabs have recently been allocated parking bays here. Increasing the parking slots for aircraft here would help improve the patronage further, Mahesh added. We had another round of talks with Defence authorities last week. We require 34, 500 square meters of their land to increase our parking slots to six from the present two. AAI began operations at this airport, built at a cost of Rs 46.6 crore, from October 11, 2019, largely to facilitate UDAAN operations.
Goods train derailment: Kolkata bound trains diverted
On Monday, travelers faced a challenging day as train services connecting Patna to Kolkata were severely affected. A goods train derailment necessitated track repairs, causing over 12 trains, including the prestigious Vande Bharat and Janshatabdi Express, to be rerouted. Commuters found themselves dealing with longer journeys and considerable delays as vital routes remained obstructed.
ECI halts hearings for unmapped voters in Bengal, exempts seniors, PWDs and pregnant women
KOLKATA: In a fresh directive, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed district magistrates (DMs), serving as district electoral officers (DEOs) for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, not to issue notices for hearings to voters identified as unmapped. The ECI has also exempted voters aged 85 or above, as well as persons with disabilities (PWDs) and pregnant women, from appearing at hearing centres. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (WBCEO) Manoj Agarwal said, People who are 85 years or older, PWDs, and pregnant women of any age who have been served notices by the Commission need not come for hearings. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will contact them at their doorsteps to verify the documents required to include their names in the electoral rolls. Over 32 lakh voters who could not trace themselves, their parents, or grandparents in the electoral rolls during the last SIR in 2002 in Bengal had been asked to appear at hearings which began on 27 December. The ECI has paused hearings only for voters not found by its central software system but who were listed in the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls. This pause does not apply to unmapped cases flagged by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) after on-ground verification. Sources in Agarwals office clarified, Though hearing notices may have been generated from the central software system for such cases, these electors should not be called for hearings, and the notices should be retained by the ERO/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Officials noted that when poll authorities checked the hard copies of the 2002 rolls, they found that voters or their children marked as unmapped in the ECs software were actually present. In another development, the ECI has decided not to allow Booth Level Agents 2 (BLAs-2) of political parties inside hearing venues. The decision came after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly disrupted hearings in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district, demanding the entry of a BLA-2. He reportedly clashed with the block development officer (BDO) over the issue. On Sunday, Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress, had instructed party BLAs to remain inside camps during hearings and warned of legal action if they were denied entry. Asit Majumder argued that BLAs-2 are meant to assist voters facing issues during SIR hearings. I demanded a BLA-2 should be allowed inside the camp so that any genuine voters name is not wrongly deleted from the electoral rolls during hearings, he said.
After Jagannath Temple, Mamata Banerjee's Next Project Durga Angan, BJP Fumes
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced today that Salt Lake, near Kolkata, will host the world's largest Durga Angan -- a gesture to highlight the UNESCO's cultural heritage tag for Durga Puja.
Big Bang Presser, Key RSS-BJP Meetings In Kolkata: Amit Shahs Bengal Poll Push
With the Assembly poll less than a year away, the closed-door Manicktala meeting is widely seen as a key moment in aligning strategy, cadre mobilisation and booth-level planning.
ECI to discuss proposals for setting up polling stations in housing complexes in Bengal
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI) may hold a meeting with electoral officers of Kolkata North, Kolkata South, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas electoral districts, along with the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and his officials, on Tuesday to discuss its earlier proposals for setting up polling stations inside private housing complexes with multiple high-rise buildings. Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) Gyanesh Bharti is reaching Kolkata from Delhi on Monday to hold the meeting at the office of state CEO Manoj Agarwal. Electoral officers (EOs) of Kolkata North, Kolkata South, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts are expected to be present, sources said. Sources in the ECI said the Commission is keen to set up polling stations inside housing societies as around 10 per cent of voters reside in multi-storied buildings in Kolkata and district towns across Bengal. It was alleged that voters living in housing complexes are reluctant to cast their votes at polling stations located outside due to fear of poll-related violence. That is why the Commission has been showing interest in setting up polling booths inside housing complexes so that residents can cast their mandates in elections, a source said, requesting anonymity. Earlier, the national poll body had pulled up district magistrates (DMs), who also function as district electoral officers (DEOs), for remaining inactive on its proposals related to polling stations inside private housing complexes. On December 10, the ECI had written to Agarwal, directing him to take immediate steps in this regard. As per its guidelines, the Commission had instructed DEOs to conduct extensive house-to-house (H2H) surveys for setting up polling stations in high-rise or group housing societies, RWA colonies with common facilitation areas or community halls on the ground floor within the premises, and slum dwelling clusters in urban areas. The Commission had also directed DEOs to finalise proposals for new polling stations after obtaining its prior approval. According to the Commissions directive, the final report was to be completed by December 31 so that electoral registration officers (EROs) could update the control table on ECINet. In a strongly worded communication to the office of the West Bengal CEO, the Commission had threatened strong action against DMs and DEOs for failing to submit proposals for setting up polling booths inside high-rise housing complexes. The Commission has taken a very serious view of the failure on the part of DEOs in the performance of their statutory duty as laid down under Section 25 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with Section 160 of the said Act. DEOs are also liable under these provisions for any lack of sufficiency of polling stations for electors in the specified residential colonies, the ECI cautioned in its letter. The Trinamool Congress and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have opposed the ECIs proposal to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes. Last month, the Chief Minister wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar objecting to the proposal for the Assembly polls scheduled next year. This proposal is deeply problematic. Polling stations have always been, and must remain, located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality. Private buildings are typically avoided for clear reasons: they compromise fairness, violate established norms, and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public the haves and have-nots, Banerjee wrote.
People wrongly accuse me of appeasement; I am secular in true sense, says Mamata Banerjee
The West Bengal CM was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Durga Angan, a cultural complex dedicated to Goddess Durga, at New Town in Kolkata
Women protesters damage election observers car during SIR hearing in West Bengal
KOLKATA: A Special Roll Observer's (SRO) car was attacked at Sirakol in South 24 Parganas district on Monday. The attack took place hardly 24 hours after Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), asked his partys Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to ensure that not a single bona fide voters name was removed from the final electoral rolls following the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The vehicle of C Murugan, an IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as SRO, was attacked by a group of agitating women this afternoon while he was coming out of a hearing camp near the office of a Block Development Officer (BDO). The handle lock of the car was badly damaged during the incident. The agitators, mostly women, were protesting against the ongoing SIR exercise and the Centres decision to withhold funds for the job guarantee scheme under MGNREGA. They slapped the vehicle and prevented it from leaving the area. Police managed to bring the situation under control after about half an hour. The incident took place in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, which is represented by Abhishek Banerjee. I will not be cowed down by any kind of agitation as an IAS officer. The Election Commission has assigned me this responsibility, and I will carry out its instructions, Murugan told reporters at the spot. Opposition parties BJP and CPI(M) alleged that the agitators belonged to the Trinamool Congress and were instigated to attack the SRO following Abhishek Banerjees instructions issued on Sunday. Significantly, South 24 Parganas district has recorded the highest number of deletionsover eight lakh namesof voters who were found to be dead, permanently shifted elsewhere, or having multiple entries, following the SIR process in the state. BLAs should be present at the hearing centres. If officials of the Commission do not allow them, the party will take up the matter legally, Abhishek reportedly said at Sundays meeting, which was attended virtually by more than 1.2 lakh party workers and BLAs. In another significant development, the ECI on Monday decided not to allow Booth Level Agents-2 (BLA-2) of political parties inside hearing venues. The Commission took this step after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly disrupted a hearing process in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district on Monday, demanding entry of a BLA-2 inside the venue. He was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with the concerned BDO over the issue.
EC bars hearing notices for unmapped voters in Bengal; disallows party BLAs at SIR hearings
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Monday, directed district magistrates (DMs), who have been assigned for the ongoing Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal as district electoral officers (DEOs) across the state, not to issue notices for hearings to voters identified as unmapped. More than 32 lakh voters who could not trace themselves, their parents, or grandparents in the electoral rolls during the last SIR in 2002 in Bengal have been asked to appear before the hearings, which kicked off on and from December 27. The national poll body paused the hearings only for voters who were not found by its central software system but were figured in the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls. However, the pause does not apply to unmapped cases flagged by electoral registration officers (EROs) after on-ground verification. According to sources in the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, Though hearing notices may have been generated from the central software system for such cases, these electors should not be called for hearing or hearing notices so generated in such cases need not be served, and instead be kept with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Officials explained that when poll authorities working on the ground checked the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls, they noticed that voters or their children shown as unmapped on the ECs software were present in the physical records. On the other hand, in another significant development, the ECI on Monday decided not to allow Booth Level Agents-2 (BLAs-2) of political parties inside the venue of hearings. The Commission was prompted to take this step after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly stopped the hearing process in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district on Monday, demanding the entry of a BLA-2 inside the venue. He reportedly got involved in a heated exchange with the concerned block development officer (BDO) over the issue. On Sunday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, had asked party BLAs to remain inside camps during hearings. He also threatened legal action if BLAs were not allowed during the hearings. Asit Majumder said BLAs-2 are meant to assist voters if they face problems during SIR hearings. I demanded that a BLA-2 should be allowed inside the camp so that no genuine voters name is deleted from the electoral rolls during hearings, he said.
EC bars hearing notices for 'unmapped' voters in Bengal; disallows party BLAs at SIR hearings
KOLKATA: The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Monday, directed district magistrates (DMs), who have been assigned for the ongoing Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal as district electoral officers (DEOs) across the state, not to issue notices for hearings to voters identified as unmapped. More than 32 lakh voters who could not trace themselves, their parents, or grandparents in the electoral rolls during the last SIR in 2002 in Bengal have been asked to appear before the hearings, which kicked off on and from December 27. The national poll body paused the hearings only for voters who were not found by its central software system but were figured in the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls. However, the pause does not apply to unmapped cases flagged by electoral registration officers (EROs) after on-ground verification. According to sources in the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, Though hearing notices may have been generated from the central software system for such cases, these electors should not be called for hearing or hearing notices so generated in such cases need not be served, and instead be kept with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Officials explained that when poll authorities working on the ground checked the hard copies of the 2002 electoral rolls, they noticed that voters or their children shown as unmapped on the ECs software were present in the physical records. On the other hand, in another significant development, the ECI on Monday decided not to allow Booth Level Agents-2 (BLAs-2) of political parties inside the venue of hearings. The Commission was prompted to take this step after Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Majumder allegedly stopped the hearing process in his Chinsurah constituency in Hooghly district on Monday, demanding the entry of a BLA-2 inside the venue. He reportedly got involved in a heated exchange with the concerned block development officer (BDO) over the issue. On Sunday, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, had asked party BLAs to remain inside camps during hearings. He also threatened legal action if BLAs were not allowed during the hearings. Asit Majumder said BLAs-2 are meant to assist voters if they face problems during SIR hearings. I demanded that a BLA-2 should be allowed inside the camp so that no genuine voters name is deleted from the electoral rolls during hearings, he said. Mazumdar also launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, accusing it of acting like zamindars and agents of the BJP. He questioned why people holding Indian passports or those who had served in the armed forces were being asked to appear for verification. Calling the process oppressive and unjust, he said the hearings were being used to target genuine citizens and demanded greater transparency, arguing that BLAs must be present so voters are clearly informed about the reasons for any proposed deletion of their names. Party spokesperson and state president of the AITC social media and IT cell, Debangshu Bhattacharya, said BLAs should be allowed as many people are not capable of understanding the reasons why their names might be deleted from the voter list without proper explanation.
Kolkata's iconic trams face final stop as modernisation rolls in
The West Bengal government plans to shut down the 152-year-old system, keeping only a short heritage route
Amit Shah to start three-day visit to West Bengal tonight to charge up BJP ahead of polls
KOLKATA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit West Bengal from tonight to charge up the BJPs organisational machinery ahead of the Assembly elections in the state, scheduled for AprilMay next year. The home minister is expected to arrive at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport tonight and will remain in the state for three days. During his visit, he is slated to attend a series of organisational meetings with the BJPs Bengal leadership unit in phases. After landing at the airport, the Home Minister will head straight to the BJP office in Salt Lake, where he will review the partys organisational preparedness for the Assembly elections, according to sources in the saffron camp. Sources further said, We had a plan to organise a rally where Amitji would be requested to address the crowd but he prefers to hold organisational meetings with our party leadership, including our MPs, MLAs and others during his stay for three days till Wednesday. He wants to focus on our partys organisational set-ups this time in the wake of assembly polls scheduled in the state after few months. He may also be interested in getting some important inputs at the backdrop against when the state is reeling under the Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls exercise since 4 November, a source said, requesting anonymity. Apart from the SIR issue, another significant concern is the Matua community , whose names have reportedly been excluded from voters lists in districts such as Nadia and North 24 Parganas -- two key BJP strongholds -- following the first phase of the ongoing electoral roll revisions. On Wednesday, unprecedented violence between two rival Matua groups , aligned with BJP MP and Union Minister of Shipping Shantanu Thakur and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mamatabala Thakur, rocked Thakurnagar, the administrative headquarters of the Matua community. The unrest followed the deletion of nearly one lakh Matua voters from the electoral rolls. The violence was triggered after a comment made by Shantanu, the BJP MP from Bongaon constituency in North 24 Parganas, last Monday night, stating that the names of nearly one lakh Matuas could be excluded from the draft electoral rolls and that sacrifice was necessary to disenfranchise 50 lakh Muslims. The remark fuelled fresh anxiety within the Matua community and intensified political confrontation in Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled next year. Several hundred Matuas belonging to the Mamatabala group took out a protest procession and marched to the Union Ministers residence in Thakurnagar, demanding clarification over the comment. Deletions of such a huge number of Matua voters ahead of the assembly polls appear to be a bone of contentions to the BJP who had enjoyed a phenomenal rise with Matua vote banks since 2019 Lok Sabha elections when the party had bagged 18 seats from Bengal. Thats why, Matua issue must be there as one of the prime agendas in Amit Shahs meetings with his party leaders, a political analyst said. Anxiety, long queues as 32 lakh unmapped voters attend SIR hearings across West Bengal
Manipur ring road project halted as National Green Tribunal flags environmental, legal lapses
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity stated that the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench at Kolkata, by an interim order dated has directed the immediate stoppage of construction of the ring road in the hill areas of Manipur
Digha Jagannath temple draws one crore devotees within eight months of inauguration
KOLKATA: The Jagannath Mandir at Digha in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district has received 1 crore visitors within just eight months of inauguration, temple authorities said on Monday. Kakoli Jana, a girl from Kolkata's Tollygunge area, became the one croreth visitor on Sunday. She and her family were accorded special 'darshan' and presented with 'mahaprasad' and other sacred offerings by the temple authorities. Chief priest and trustee of Jagannath Dham, Digha, Radharamn Das said the milestone reflected the growing global appeal of Lord Jagannath and the inclusive spirit of the temple. The arrival of the one-croreth devotee is not just a numerical achievement but a reflection of the universal embrace of Lord Jagannath, he said, adding that the temple has become a meeting point of devotees from different countries and cultures. Das acknowledged the role of the West Bengal government in developing the shrine, saying the initiative has helped strengthen the state's spiritual heritage while generating economic activity for local communities. Since its inauguration on April 30 this year, Digha, traditionally known as a seasonal beach destination, has witnessed year-round footfall, boosting demand for hotels, transport services, eateries and small businesses, and creating employment opportunities for locals. The temple has rapidly emerged as a major spiritual destination in eastern India, drawing devotees from across the country as well as a large number of foreign pilgrims, including members of the ISKCON community from several countries. Temple authorities said devotees from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Australia and several Asian countries are now a regular presence at the shrine, underlining Digha's growing stature as an international pilgrimage centre.
Poll panel halts hearings for unmapped electors in Bengal
Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) has issued fresh instructions to district election officials in West Bengal, directing that voters marked as unmapped in the BLO app due to technical issues linked to the digitisation of the 2002 electoral rolls during the ongoing SIR exercise should not be called for hearings, even if such notices have [] The post Poll panel halts hearings for unmapped electors in Bengal appeared first on The Navhind Times .
West Bengal BLO found dead; suicide note cites work pressure, probe on
Kolkata: A Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found dead in West Bengals Bankura district on Sunday, triggering allegations that work-related pressure linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls may have played a role, police said. The incident occurred in Ranibandh block, where the body of the deceased, Haradhan Mandal, was recovered Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Messi event chaos: Court extends police custody of chief organiser till Jan 9
Kolkata: A court in West Bengal on Sunday extended till January 9 the police custody of Satadru Dutta, the chief organiser of Argentine footballer Lionel Messis event that dissolved into disorder earlier this month. After the completion of his initial police custody, Dutta was produced before the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Court, where public prosecutors levelled multiple Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Messi Kolkata event chaos: Court extends police custody of chief organiser till January 9
His bail plea, moved by his counsel, was opposed by the prosecution, which described the incident as pre-planned and alleged that Satadru Dutta was the main person behind the alleged mismanagement
JUP chief Humayun Kabirs son detained for attacking policeman
Kolkata: Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) chief Humayun Kabirs son Golam Nabi Azad was on Sunday detained for allegedly attacking a policeman posted at their residence in West Bengals Murshidabad district, an officer said. Trinamool Congress said Azad, better known as Sohel, committed a cognisable offence by raising a hand on the policeman, who was posted Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
JUP chief Humayun Kabirs son detained for allegedly attacking policeman in Murshidabad
KOLKATA: Janata Unnayan Party (JUP) chief Humayun Kabir's son Golam Nabi Azad was on Sunday detained for allegedly attacking a policeman posted at their residence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, an officer said. Trinamool Congress said Azad, better known as Sohel, committed a cognisable offence by raising a hand on the policeman, who was posted as a personal security officer (PSO) of Bharatpur MLA Kabir, and police took action as per the law, while claiming that the ruling party has nothing to do with it. A senior police officer said Sohel was detained on the basis of a complaint lodged with Shaktipur police station by Constable Jumma Khan, alleging that the legislator's son assaulted him this morning when he applied for a few days' leave. On the basis of the complaint, the accused has been detained for questioning. The matter is being investigated and necessary legal action will be taken, the police officer told PTI . Kabir, who floated his party after being suspended from the TMC and laid the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid-style mosque in Muslim-majority Murshidabad, claimed that police have cordoned off his residence in Shaktipur area following the incident. Kabir, who has announced that his party would contest the upcoming assembly elections in the state, was away from his residence for some work when the incident happened. My son objected to the entry of a policeman inside my house today and this angered the law enforcers who levelled false allegations against my son, accusing him of misbehaviour, he told reporters in Berhampore. Kabir alleged that he was being targeted by the police at the behest of the Trinamool Congress. A police force cannot cordon the house of an elected representative under flimsy pretext, the MLA said. I will gherao the SP's office in Murshidabad on January 1 in protest against this harassment, which is politically motivated. I demand an explanation from senior police and administration officials about today's incident. They cannot intimidate me, Kabir said. Kabir said his son was detained in an illegal manner under false charges, and demanded his immediate release. TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said that as per information available with the party, Kabir's son pushed the police constable when he went inside the house seeking leave for some personal work. He has committed a cognisable offence by raising a hand on a policeman. And police have taken action as per the law. The party has nothing to do with it, Chakraborty said. Kabir laid the foundation stone for a mosque modelled on Babri Masjid on December 6, a day after being suspended from the TMC. Later, he floated the JUP, and announced the new party would contest 182 of the 294 assembly seats in the polls due early next year. He further expressed his desire to form an electoral alliance with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. He also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of doing nothing for the uplift of Muslims and only pursuing appeasement politics since coming to power in 2011.
Another BLO died by suicide in West Bengal; family alleges depression triggered by SIR workload
KOLKATA: Another Booth Level Officer (BLO), who was a headmaster by profession, died by suicide in the Ranibandh assembly area of Purulia district in West Bengal on Sunday. Family members of the deceased alleged that he was suffering from depression triggered by work pressure and strain due to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A suicide note has also been recovered by police from the spot where he hanged himself. With this incident, six BLOs who could not bear the SIR exercise-related workload and stress in Bengal died so far since the drive was launched in the state on 4 November. The body has been sent to the morgue at the state-run Bankura Sammilani Medical College Hospital for postmortem. Police investigating the incident said that the BLO Haradhan Mondal, who was the headmaster of the state government-sponsored Rajakata Majherpara Primary School in the Ranibandh area, hanged himself to death. His body was found hanging from the ceiling fan of a classroom in his school. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had engaged him as a BLO for booth number 206 under the Ranibandh assembly. According to his family sources, several voters of the booth were summoned by the national poll body to appear before a hearing today because they do not have any links with the enumeration forms of the last SIR process held in 2002 in the state. He left his home around 10 am but didnt come back. Members of his family tried to contact him on his phone, but it kept ringing. They became anxious and rushed to his school and found him hanging from the ceiling of a classroom. The Bengali handwritten suicide note recovered by police stated, I cant bear the work pressure. Goodbye. He didnt, according to the note, make anybody responsible for his death. My father died by suicide because the SIR-related workload was unbearable to him. No proper training was given to him by the Commission, said Soham Mondal, son of the deceased BLO. Police sources said that the investigating officials would verify the contents of the suicide note, whether it was written by the BLO himself or some other person. Sources also said that the officials would also explore whether he was suffering from depression caused by the SIR-related stress and work pressure or some other external reasons. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
Y-plus category security given to Bengal CEO amid ongoing SIR
New Delhi/Kolkata: The Centre has provided an armed security cover to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal in the wake of a potential threat to him due to the ongoing SIR exercise in the state, officials said on Sunday. A Y-plus category cover of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been accorded Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Anxiety, long queues as 32 lakh unmapped voters attend SIR hearings across West Bengal
KOLKATA: Hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continued for the second consecutive day across West Bengal on Sunday, with long queues witnessed at 3,234 centres statewide. According to a senior official, around 32 lakh unmapped voters, those unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll, have been called for hearings in the first phase of the revision process. At the Sankrail block office in Howrah district, 75-year-old polio-afflicted voter Sabita Manna waited in an ambulance for her turn, worried over discrepancies in her electoral details. Her nephew Tapas Manna said she could not locate her name in the 2002 roll and had been asked to be physically present despite her disability. Earlier, polling officials and political representatives visited her at home. This time, they have made her personal appearance mandatory, he said. Sabita said from inside the ambulance, It hurts when, at this age, you have to prove your citizenship all over again. Similar anxiety was evident in Barasats Kazipara area, where voter Nirufa Khatoon said she was unable to prove her father had voted in the 2002 polls as both her parents had passed away. I was born in North 24 Parganas and shifted here after marriage. I have all documents, but I am on the edge, she said. Her husband added that she had carried her school leaving certificate, birth certificate, Aadhaar, ration card and existing voter ID to the hearing. In Midnapore town, residents of Hatath colony said only two out of ten voters per household found their names in the draft rolls. One woman, who admitted being born in Bangladesh but said she had migrated to India in the late 1980s and voted regularly since then, expressed hope that her documents would be accepted. In Bardhaman, a 26-year-old woman could not attend the hearing as she was accompanying her three-year-old daughter undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. Her father-in-law said he carried all relevant documents, including medical records, to the camp. Meanwhile, at the Chetla High School camp in south Kolkata, Mayor and local MLA Firhad Hakim said voters who were unmapped due to technical glitches despite submitting all documents need not attend hearings for now. I have been told by CEO personnel that the onus lies with the Election Commission to fix the glitches and properly link names with the 2002 electoral roll, Hakim said. The Election Commission had published the draft electoral rolls on December 16 after the SIR exercise, deleting over 58 lakh names on grounds such as death, migration and non-submission of enumeration forms. Centre provides CISF security to Bengal CEO Amid the ongoing exercise, the Centre has provided a Y-plus category armed security cover to West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal, following inputs from central agencies about potential threats. Officials said the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the order on December 26, deploying 1112 armed CISF personnel from its VIP security wing for Agarwals personal and residential security in Kolkata. The security move comes amid heightened political tensions, with the ruling Trinamool Congress accusing the Election Commission of deleting names of lakhs of legitimate voters to benefit the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. A TMC delegation had also submitted a memorandum to Agarwal on Saturday protesting the SIR exercise. (With inputs from PTI)
Emergency brake issue halts Kolkata Metro Blue Line services briefly
Kolkata Metro's Blue Line faced disruptions on Sunday. Services between Dakshineswar and Maidan stations were truncated for nearly one and a half hours. A technical snag in a train caused an emergency brake application near Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station. Passengers were safely evacuated. Normal services resumed by 1 pm.
Bangladesh participation uncertain in Kolkata International Book Fair amid clearance issue
Publishers and Booksellers Guild say they cannot offer or allot stalls to publishers from Bangladesh until MEA clearance
Railways misses second Kavach deadline on Mumbai-Delhi-Kolkata route, eyes 2026
Sambalpur migrant worker lynching case: Zero FIR filed in Bengal, says CM Mamata
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said a zero FIR has been filed at Suti police station in Murshidabad district in connection with the alleged lynching of a migrant worker from the state in Odishas Sambalpur district. The chief minister also said that a police team from West Bengal has travelled to Sambalpur to investigate the case. The victim, identified as Juel Rana, was allegedly beaten to death following an altercation over a bidi in Sambalpur on Wednesday. Addressing the issue in a post on X, Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned what she described as brutal oppression, harassment and violence against Bengali-speaking people in every BJP-ruled state. The West Bengal Police have already registered a zero FIR at Suti police station and arrested six accused, she said in the post. She added, A police team from West Bengal has travelled to Odisha to carry out the investigation. I strongly condemn the brutal oppression, harassment and violence against Bengali-speaking people in every BJP-ruled state. We stand firmly with those migrant Bengali-speaking families who have been intimidated, victimised and subjected to inhuman treatment, and assure them of all possible support, the chief minister said. It is deeply unfortunate that a young migrant worker from the Suti area of Jangipur in Murshidabad was again beaten to death in Sambalpur on December 24, she added. Banerjee also claimed that migrant workers from Muslim-majority Murshidabad were now returning home in fear. We stand with the families affected by this tragic incident, and financial assistance will be extended to the family of the deceased, she said. Juel, along with other migrant workers from West Bengal, had gone to Sambalpur district to work in construction projects in Shantinagar under the Ainthapalli police station limits. On Wednesday night, while they were returning from work, a group of six men allegedly stopped them and asked for a bidi. An altercation broke out, leading to a scuffle between the two sides, police said. Juel was allegedly thrashed severely and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Sambalpur, police added. Six persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. The episode prompted the ruling Trinamool Congress to claim that Juel was beaten to death over suspicion that he was an illegal Bangladeshi immigrant. Despair and shattered hope for family of migrant worker murdered in Sambalpur The lynching of a Bengali migrant worker in Sambalpur is the direct outcome of @BJP4Indias sustained campaign against Bengalis. A citizen of India was beaten to death because a mob believed the lie that Bengalis are infiltrators who must constantly prove their right to exist, the TMC alleged in a post on X. Deeply perturbed by repeated incidents of alleged harassment of migrant labourers from Bengal working in other states, Mamata Banerjee had, at the end of August, urged them to return to their home state and start their own businesses. The West Bengal government has announced two benefits for returning migrant workers under the Shramasree scheme, launched in mid-August - a one-time payment of Rs 5,000 and a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 for a year during the rehabilitation phase. To avail of these benefits, migrant labourers have to apply through a mobile application. The labour department is seeking police assistance for verification. 'Direct outcome of sustained campaign': TMC slams BJP over lynching of Bengali migrant worker in Odisha
West Bengal braces for 2026 polls amid rising communal rhetoric
KOLKATA: As the 2026 Assembly polls in West Bengal draw closer, the states political landscape is rapidly shifting towards a sharp communal binary. With the two principal political adversariesthe ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)locked in a murky battle of alleged communal politics, an undercurrent that was once latent has now come prominently to the fore. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has emerged as a major flashpoint in the political strategies of both the Mamata Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress and the BJP headed nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Mamata Banerjee has strongly opposed the SIR exercise, fearing the deletion of genuine voters, the BJPled in the state by MLA and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikariclaims that lakhs of Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators and Rohingyas will be excluded once the voter list revision is completed. This politics of religious polarisation in Bengalone of Indias most politically volatile states, traditionally prone to election-related violencehas sidelined fundamental issues and public expectations. Critical concerns such as education, employment generation, industrialisation, road development, civic amenities, and housing have taken a back seat, even as another election approaches. The response of the Trinamool Congress government on these fronts has been widely viewed as inadequate. The consequences of past political conflicts continue to cast long shadows. On the eve of Durga Puja in October 2008, industrialist Ratan Tata announced the withdrawal of Tata Motors from the nearly completed Nano car plant in Singur, blaming Mamata Banerjees antiland acquisition movement for derailing what was intended to be a groundbreaking projectthe worlds cheapest car. That decision marked the culmination of a bitter political confrontation that reshaped West Bengals industrial and political trajectory. Even 16 years later, Singur remains emblematic of missed industrial opportunities. More recently, about 26,000 tainted teaching and non-teaching staff in state government schools lost their jobs after the Supreme Court invalidated the West Bengal School Service Commissions 2016 recruitment panel over alleged cash-for-jobs scams. With unemployment rising and over 30 lakh migrant labourers working outside the state, experts argue that the governments top priority should be rolling out a new industrial policy. This policy should focus on strengthening MSMEs, creating district-specific development plans for north Bengal, and boosting industrial productivity and exports. Industry bodies have highlighted significant untapped opportunities in agriculture, food processing, infrastructure manufacturing, logistics, textiles, leather, and the gems and jewellery sector. At the same time, the closure of more than 7,000 state government schools has led to an alarming rise in dropout rates across districts. The government faces the urgent task of bringing students back to school by improving infrastructure, ensuring adequate teacher strength, and providing sufficient support staff. Against this backdrop, and with an eye on the upcoming Assembly polls, Mamata Banerjee recently released Unnayoner Panchali (Song of Development), a comprehensive report card of her governments performance over the past 14 years since assuming office in 2011. She claimed that 1.72 crore people were lifted out of poverty between 2013 and 2023, over two crore people gained meaningful employment, and unemployment fell by 40 per cent. According to her, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown 4.41 times since 2011 to 20.31 lakh crore, while the states own tax revenue has increased 5.33 times. She further stated that capital expenditure has risen by 17.67 per cent, strengthening infrastructure and long-term capacity, while social sector expenditure has expanded 14.46 times. Under the Lakshmi Bhandar womens empowerment scheme, the government is spending 12,000 crore annually. However, the CPI(M)-led Left Front, which ruled Bengal for 34 years, has demanded department-wise employment data to substantiate the governments claims. It has also pointed out that the states debt burden under the Trinamool Congress regime has crossed 8 lakh crore. As core developmental issues are increasingly pushed aside, identity politics is emerging as a dominant political agenda in Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari has openly articulated the BJPs electoral strategy, declaring, Hindus must rise, unite, and vote for BJPor Bengal will turn into another Bangladesh. The saffron camp has repeatedly accused Mamata Banerjee of Muslim appeasement. In response, Banerjee herself has leaned into identity politics, albeit with a softer Hindutva pitch. Declaring herself a Hindu Brahmin, she said, I sleep beside a Shiva temple and dont need to learn Hinduism from the BJP. Political observers note that both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP are increasingly invoking religious identitiesthrough Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, and Eidnot merely as cultural observances but as political flashpoints. This escalating narrative has been further fuelled by incidents of communal unrest as witnessed recently in the state.
Anand Mahindra wants to buy a rare treasure from Kolkata at premium price
Ninety-four-year-old Kolkata craftsman C.H. Chang continues to handcraft Santa Claus figurines, a tradition threatened by mass production. Industrialist Anand Mahindra lauded Chang's dedication, highlighting the value of skilled artisans and urging support for his unique, handmade creations.
2025: Govt policies give wings to Indian Real Estate
KOLKATA, Dec 27: Proactive government interventions and supportive monetary policies in 2025 emerged as a powerful catalyst for Indias real estate sector, reviving momentum, improving affordability, and driving sustained growth across segments. From the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) calibrated repo rate cuts to the landmark GST 2.0 reforms, policy measures delivered tangible financial relief, simplified taxation, and restored buyer confidence. As a result, the sector not only weathered global uncertainties but also emerged stronger, making homeownership more accessible and [] The post 2025: Govt policies give wings to Indian Real Estate appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kavach installation: Railways misses 2nd deadline on Mumbai- Delhi- Kolkata route, eyes 2026
Indian Railways faces a delay in installing the Kavach automatic train protection system. The New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Howrah routes will now see operationalization in 2026. Significant progress has been made with 25 percent of the work completed. Officials are working to meet the new target. This system enhances train safety by automatically applying brakes.
Four relatives of TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar summoned for electoral roll hearings in Bengal
KOLKATA: Four members of veteran Trinamool Congress MP Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidars family have been asked to appear for hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal. The hearings under the SIR process kickstarted in the state on Saturday. According to sources in the Election Commission of India (ECI), the octogenarian mother, sister and two sons of Kakoli, an MP from the Barasat Lok Sabha constituency in North 24 Parganas district, have been called for hearings after their names figured in the no mapping list of voters. Notices for the hearings have already been served by the national poll body. All four family members are doctors by profession. Sources said they could not establish any linkage through their details in the enumeration forms during the last SIR exercise conducted in the state in 2002. Besides her mother, three other members will have to appear before the hearings. A Booth Level Officer (BLO) will visit Kakolis mother at her residence to verify the documents required for the SIR process, it is learnt. Kakolis mother and sister are voters in Barasat, while her two sons are registered as electors in Kolkata. The Commission has been calling people because it wants to delete anybody from the voters list at their whims. Just think about the plight of common people when members of a peoples representative face such harassment, Kakoli told reporters on Saturday. The hearings under the second phase of the SIR of the electoral rolls in the state commenced on Saturday, with 3,234 centres set up across West Bengal, a senior official said. Around 32 lakh unmapped voters, those unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll, will be called for hearings in the first phase, he said. Voters will be allowed to submit any of 12 recognised documents, including Aadhaar, as proof of identity and address, an official at the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said on Friday.
SIR hearings to begin on Saturday in Bengal; 32 L unmapped voters to be covered
Kolkata: The hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal will commence on Saturday, with 3,234 centres set up across the state, a senior official said. Around 32 lakh unmapped voters, those who are unable to establish linkage with the 2002 electoral roll, will be called for hearings in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Plan to double originating train capacity in 48 cities
NEW DELHI: In a first-of-its-kind initiative amid sustained growth in passenger travel demand, the Ministry of Railways has decided to expand coaching terminals and enhance sectional and operational capacities in a planned manner over the next five years. The objective is to meet emerging and projected travel demand by 2030 across 48 major cities in the country. After extensive deliberations covering all aspects, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has accorded priority to this long-pending requirement, setting a deadline for completion by 2030. The initiative aims to significantly ease congestion at busy stations that witness heavy footfalls of originating and terminating passengers. We are expanding coaching terminals, enhancing sectional and operational capacities in various cities to meet rising passenger demand and reducecongestions, Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday.Under this mega plan, the railways intend to double train-handling capacity in 48 major cities over the next five years. Short- and medium-term measures proposed by railway zones will contribute to the required capacity addition, particularly at high-density stations. The plan includes major infrastructure upgrades such as construction of additional platforms and terminals in and around urban areas, along with multi-functional facilities to handle new originating trains. Cities identified for these developments include Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Gaya, Patna, Puri, Jammu and several others. Existing infrastructure will be augmented to meet future requirements through the creation of additional platforms, stabling lines, pit lines and adequate shunting facilities. As part of the effort to double the number of originating trains, the railways will identify and develop new terminals in and around urban centres, supported by maintenance facilities. A critical component of the plan involves increasing sectional capacity through traffic facility works, signalling upgrades and multi-tracking, which will be essential to manage higher train volumes at key locations. For instance, in Pune, Hadapsar, Khadki and Alandi have been identified for capacity enhancement, alongside additional platforms and stabling lines at Pune station. Following the Railway Ministers directive, a comprehensive, city-wise plan for all 48 major cities is under consideration, covering works that are planned, proposed or already sanctioned to achieve the target of doubling train-handling capacity within a defined timeframe. The cities included in the plan are Delhi, Mumbai (CR, WR), Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Patna, Lucknow, Pune, Nagpur, Varanasi among others. Notably, a majority of these stations experience consistently high footfalls due to pilgrimage traffic throughout the year.
Kolkata Port separates from Cochin Shipyard, plans bigger push in ship repair
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. have reinforced their collaboration to bolster India's ship repair capabilities. A shared profit of Rs 5.94 crore was distributed from their joint venture, the CochinKolkata Ship Repair Unit.
Ship repair JV of SMPK, Cochin Shipyard posts 5.94 crore profit
The profit was generated by the Cochin-Kolkata Ship Repair Unit, a joint venture between the two public sector entities
PATNA: An under-construction ropeway in Bihars Rohtas district caved in on Friday, bringing the project to a grinding halt. The ropeway was scheduled to be opened for tourists on New Years Day, January 1, 2026. Hundreds of tourists and devotees throng Rohtas Fort and the famous Chaurasan temple on New Years Day. Many also visit the Rohitashv temple to offer prayers. Pillars and trolleys of the ropeway were damaged in the incident. However, there were no reports of any casualties or injuries. The ropeway was being built to facilitate tourists visiting Rohtas Fort, also known as Rohtasgarh, one of Bihars favourite tourist destinations. The fort is located at an altitude of about 1,400 feet above sea level. A Kolkata-based company, RRPL, has been assigned the construction work. The 1,324-metre-long ropeway is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 12.35 crore. It was planned to have five towers, with each trolley having a seating capacity of four passengers. The project was in its final stage, and a trial run was about to take place when the collapse occurred. The project was in its final stage, and a trial run was about to take place when the collapse occurred. A senior official of the Rohtas district administration said the cause of the technical snag in the under-construction ropeway was being ascertained. A team of officials has been formed for the purpose. The team will visit the site and submit a report, the official said.
Right-wing forces poisoning India through hate-mongering in garb of religion, says TMC's Abhishek
KOLKATA: TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday launched a scathing reproval of the ight-wing forces of the country, accusing them of deliberately poisoning India's climate through hate-mongering in the garb of religion. Banerjee tagged an archived video clip of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, flanked by then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, making a speech on the need of the ruling dispensation to observe aj dharma without discriminating against people on the basis of their irth, caste or creed. Banerjee's comments coincided with the day the body of the migrant worker from West Bengal's Murshidabad district Juel Sheikh, lynched in Odisha's Sambalpur on Wednesday, was brought back to his native village for final rites. Although the police in Odisha have said that the murder was not a targeted killing but a fallout of a personal dispute, a witness to the crime and a co-victim of the assault has alleged that the migrant workers from West Bengal were asked to prove their nationalities upon suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. India's climate is being deliberately poisoned. Right-wing forces, emboldened by power, are openly attacking Dalits, STs and minorities - through fear, lynching, threats and hate, all under the garb of religion, Banerjee wrote on X. When those in power are the perpetrators and reward the protectors of this violence, impunity becomes policy, he asserted. This is not governance; this is moral collapse. These attacks are unconstitutional, illegal and tear apart the very foundation of India -- our UNITY in DIVERSITY. Silence today is complicity. History will not forgive this, the TMC MP added in the post. In the attached video clip of Vajpayee with the current Prime Minister and former Gujarat CM Modi seated next to him, the former PM sends out a message to the ruling party to observe the moral duty of the ruler. I am trying to observe raj dharma. The king and the ruler cannot differentiate between his subjects, either on the basis of their birth, or their caste or creed, the ex-PM was heard saying. Banerjee has, in a sharply polarised political atmosphere of West Bengal, which is gearing up for its state polls scheduled be announced early next year, led the TMC's campaign against the BJP for allegedly targeting migrant workers from the state, who are Muslim and speak Bangla, by branding them Bangladeshi infiltrators across states ruled by the saffron party.
Injury scare in Vijay Hazare Trophy! KKR star rushed to hospital after 'freak' injury - Watch
A major injury scare unfolded in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a Kolkata Knight Riders star suffered a freak injury and was rushed to hospital mid-match. The incident triggered concern among fans, with updates awaited on the player's condition and availability going forward.
Kolkata Metros Blue Line services disrupted for about 43 minutes after girl jumps on tracks, dies
Earlier, police said that a man tried to jump onto the tracks
Man jumps on tracks, Kolkata Metro services on Blue Line partially affected
Person rescued; services remain suspended across seven stations between Maidan and Mahanayak Uttam Kumar on both up and down lines
St+art present Kolkata Festival 2025-26
The initiative extends Asian Paints vision of making creativity a shared, accessible part of Indian cities blending design, storytelling and public engagement
Hoteliers in Siliguri impose ban on Bangladeshi tourists amid Dhaka's political turmoil
KOLKATA: An association of hoteliers in West Bengal has decided to temporarily stop providing accommodation to Bangladeshis in and around Siliguri in view of political turmoil in the neighbouring country. According to a recent notice issued by the Greater Siliguri Hoteliers Welfare Association, the decision was linked to incidents that have strained India-Bangladesh relations, including alleged disrespect towards the Indian flag and provocative statements by a section of Bangladeshi citizens. The hoteliers' organisation said the move was aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of guests and hotel staff in the current sensitive climate. Members of the association will not permit the check-in of Bangladeshi nationals until further notice, a functionary of the organisation said. Siliguri, located close to the international border in north Bengal and the strategically sensitive Siliguri corridor, connecting mainland India with the northeastern states, has been a major entry point for Bangladeshi visitors travelling to India on tourist, medical and student visas. The association said the restriction would be reviewed periodically based on the evolving situation, with the possibility of reinstating accommodation facilities once conditions are deemed safe and respectful. Member hotels have been urged to strictly adhere to the decision to maintain uniformity and solidarity across the association. Sources said the association has around 180 member hotels in and around Siliguri, all of which are following the decision. Nearly 50 additional hotels, which are not members of the association, have also voluntarily begun adhering to the restriction, they said. Hoteliers in West Bengal's Malda district are considering a similar move. The Malda Hotel Owners Association, which has around 250 member hotels, is expected to hold a meeting to discuss whether to impose restrictions on accommodating Bangladeshi nationals, the sources said.
IndiGo flights cancellation 26 December: Winter fog grounds several flights across the nation
IndiGo has cancelled numerous domestic flights on December 26th due to persistent winter fog and poor visibility impacting operations across North India. Several cities, including Varanasi, Chandigarh, and Guwahati, experienced cancellations due to forecasted bad weather. Major hubs like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata also saw grounded flights as visibility dropped.
