SSB seizes over 325 kg ganja in Arunachal Pradesh, one arrested
Digital Desk | Kolkata/Itanagar, Sep 20 (IANS) The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), in a coordinated operation with the Arunachal Pradesh Police, seized nearly 325.5 kg of cannabis (Ganja) from the West Kameng district of the state on Friday. The operation was carried out by troops of the 61 Battalion SSB, Bhairabkhunda. One person has been arrested in this connection. The seizure comes weeks after the Assam Police seized over 307 kg of ganja near the state's border with Arunachal Pradesh. According to officials, Arunachal Pradesh has now turned into a major producer of narcotics like Opium and Cannabis (Ganja). This illicit cultivation takes place in remote parts of the state. Cultivators and traffickers believe that the terrain and difficult landscape will leave their operations undetected. However, security agencies have launched a drive to prevent the production and trafficking of narcotics. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also directed all agencies to remain alert towards the movement of narcotics through states in northeastern India that are close to the infamous Golden Triangle. This is part of the Government's drive against narcotics as part of its Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The state government in Arunachal Pradesh has also launched a crackdown on the cultivation of illegal drugs. The state has so far destroyed 18.587 acres of illegal poppy (opium) and 64.59 acres of cannabis cultivation in the state, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta said recently. Such operations are crucial to prevent the consumption of narcotics in the strategic border state as well as their transportation elsewhere. This illegal activity is related to crime and even insurgency. There is evidence that insurgent groups promote such trade for profit. It is also a way of recruiting the youth from such states by engaging them in this trade, an official said. Central Armed Police Forces and paramilitary forces like the SSB and Assam Rifles are now assisting local authorities in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura to tackle the menace of narcotics. There is better coordination between the state police and central forces now. Intelligence networks have been created, and there are regular crackdowns on the trafficking of narcotics. Thousands of kg of narcotics - both cultivated locally and smuggled from across the border have been seized over the last few months. This action will continue, the official said. Groups involved in the racket are also being identified, and members are being apprehended during the operations.
Woman Arrested For Extortion With False Cases In Kolkata
A 31-year-old woman in Kolkata has been arrested for allegedly extorting money by threatening individuals with false rape and sexual harassment charges. Police state she filed 11 false cases against at least 14 people, often introducing herself as a model. Her modus operandi involved implicating victims, including a dentist and even her own father, in fabricated cases to demand money.
Students Showcase Talent And Creativity At Schools Junior Fest
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INSV Neelkanth to sail from Visakhapatnam to Andamans for ANCs Silver Jubilee Celebrations
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) The INSV Neelkanth, an ocean-going sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, will sail from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) headquarters at Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The sail ship will embark on a nearly 661.2 nautical miles voyage as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), headquartered at Sri Vijaya Puram (earlier Port Blair). Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief, ANC (CINCAN), interacted with the crew of INSV Neelkanth at Visakhapatnam ahead of the voyage on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The interaction focused on key lessons for the voyage and inspiring the future of sailing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the ANC said. The INSV Neelkanth is a nearly 40-foot-long sailing yacht or ocean-racing vessel. It is one of six ocean-going sailing vessels the Navy uses for expeditions and training. The others are INSV Mhadei, INSV Tarini, INSV Bulbul, INSV Hariyali, and INSV Kadalpura. In 2023, the INSV Neelkanth won first place in the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race by covering 360 nautical miles from Kochi to Goa. During the race, the crew, comprising both men and women, encountered heavy rain and sea states of up to 04, along with speeds gusting over 25 knots for two days. In 2024, the sailing vessel undertook a 100-nautical-mile expedition in 24 hours to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Navys submarine training school INS Satavahana. Earlier, in 2021, it sailed from Chennai to Visakhapatnam to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Navys submarine base INS Virbahu. While these expeditions were along the Indian coastline, the voyage to the Andamans will be through open seas. The crew may experience rough weather when approaching the Andaman Sea, with the possibility of a low-pressure system developing over the area. Southwest winds of 2025 knots may blow over the South Andaman Sea, and the sea state may be rough, with poor visibility. The crew is extremely well-trained, and the vessel is capable of handling all weather conditions. In fact, it will be a very good experience for those participating in the expedition, an official said. The ANC is Indias first and only tri-services Command, established on October 1, 2001. The Command, comprising the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard, was created to defend the strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In addition to regular surveillance along Indias Exclusive Economic Zone around the archipelago for defence purposes, the ANC also protects the region's fragile ecosystem. It is also tasked with Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) operations in one of the worlds busiest maritime zones. The ANC has planned a series of activities for its Silver Jubilee celebrations, some of which, involving island residents, have already begun.
Woman held for fake rape threat against doc
76-yr-old loses Rs 3.5 lakh to KYC fraud
Drunks molest woman, thrash friend after protest over Jessore Rd blockade
Leander Paes Backs IGPL's Global Vision, Hails Yuvraj Singh's Role
Led by Leander Paes' vision of grassroots development, wellness and elite performance, his venture, Flying Man Ventures, has come on board as the franchise owner of the Kolkata leg of the IGPL.
Kolkata Police Submit Chargesheet Against Seven in Taratala Collapse
Mohun Bagan End Eight-Year Wait, Clinch 31st Kolkata League Title With Win Over Mohammedan Sporting
Mohun Bagan secured their 31st Calcutta Football League Premier Division title, and their first since 2018, with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Mohammedan Sporting in a five-goal thriller at the Barasat Stadium on Saturday.
Abhishek mentioned in Roys interrogation, claims CID
Cong neta alleges police coercion over Nandigram nomination withdrawal
West Bengal Party Leader Arrested with Fake Currency and Weapons
A leader of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party was arrested in Kolkata with counterfeit notes and firearms during a police checkpoint. West Bengal Party Leader Arrested with Fake Currency and Weapons
Mamata-Rahul alliance would send big message: Saayoni
Bengal Minister orders special audit for GTA, hill panchayats
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) The West Bengal Minister in charge of Panchayat Affairs & Rural Development, Dilip Ghosh, on Saturday announced a special audit to identify corrupt activities in the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and panchayats in the hills of North Bengal. Ghosh, also the former national vice president and state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, warned that the new BJP-ruled government will adopt a zero-tolerance approach against corruption in administrative functioning. He chaired an administrative review meeting at the North Bengal Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya in Siliguri, Darjeeling district, to assess rural development progress in the hills, Terai, and Dooars regions. He sent a strong message to curb corruption in GTA and panchayat bodies. No corruption in public service activities will be tolerated. Special audits will be conducted in at least 10 per cent of the panchayats, including GTA areas in the hills, where serious charges of corruption exist. Work is underway to fill infrastructure gaps in coordination with the new GTA chief and administrative officials. Initiatives are being taken to quickly recruit people to fill around 11,000 vacancies in the state Panchayat & Rural Development Department to keep services running, Ghosh said. He added that people in West Bengal had brought change in the regime for the sake of development. They are satisfied with the functioning of the new government. This satisfaction will be reflected in the results of the bypolls for two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal next month. BJP candidates will win by heavy margins from both constituencies, Ghosh asserted.
Bengal: Congress candidate for Nandigram bypoll sent to 14-day custody
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in East Midnapore district next month, was on Saturday denied bail by a district court in East Midnapore after being arrested in an old murder case registered against him. The judge remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody, which means he will remain behind bars until October 3. The bypolls for Nandigram, as well as for the Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district, will be held on October 6, with results to be declared on October 9. This effectively prevents Pradhan from participating in the campaign process, and he will likely have to contest the bypoll from jail unless a higher court grants him bail in the meantime. Milan will be produced before the same district court on Monday in connection with another old case registered against him. He was arrested on Friday evening from Chandipur in East Midnapore in connection with a 2007 murder case linked to the anti-land acquisition movement at Nandigram during the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front regime. A total of four cases related to rioting, murder, and criminal intimidation were registered against him during that period. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations for the Nandigram by-election ended on Saturday. Rumours had suggested that the Congress candidate, like Sanchita Dey Pradhan of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in Trinamool Congress, would also withdraw. However, that did not happen. The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee launched a scathing attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the state government over Milans arrest. State Congress leader Ajitesh Pandey said, The police told the district court that they had not found Milan for the last 19 years. Now they have found him after he became a candidate in the election. Isnt it strange? Multiple cases have been filed against him. After this, Milan will be produced in the same court again on Monday in relation to another case registered at Khejuri Police Station in East Midnapore. However, we are not leaving the voting ground.
Agniveer Recruitment Rally 2026: Essential Guidelines and Document Requirements
The Indian Army is hosting an Agniveer recruitment rally from September 21 to 28, 2026, in Kolkata. This event is crucial for candidates who have passed the Common Entrance Exam. The article outlines essential guidelines, including required documents, pre-rally preparations, conduct during the rally, and post-rally actions. Additionally, it covers the tattoo policy for candidates from tribal communities. Stay informed about the recruitment process by following the official website for updates and avoid relying on unauthorized sources.
South Bengal braces for 3-4 days of rain, thunderstorms; alert in Kolkata
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely to lash several districts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, over the next three to four days, the Met office forecast on Saturday. The weather department said all districts in south Bengal could receive rain and thunderstorms on Saturday, with scattered showers expected to continue over the next few days. There is a yellow alert for light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in all districts of south Bengal today (Saturday). Squally winds may blow at 30 to 40 km per hour along with the rain. There will also be a risk of lightning, a Met department official said. The official said rainfall was likely in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia. Gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 km per hour may accompany the showers in these areas. A yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms has also been issued for six districts, including the western districts of the state, for the next two days, amid lightning and strong wind warnings. The Met department is also monitoring developments in the Bay of Bengal amid the possibility of a cyclone forming later this month. However, it has not made any official announcement regarding the formation of a cyclone and is currently keeping a close watch on the evolving weather conditions. Meanwhile, rainfall activity is expected to decline in north Bengal from Saturday. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms may occur at some places across the northern districts. In Kolkata, the sky is likely to remain cloudy, with thunderstorms possible later in the evening. If rainfall does not occur, high humidity may increase discomfort. The possibility of rain is expected to rise in the city from Monday and continue until September 24. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms is likely during this period, accompanied by gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour. On Friday, Kolkata and adjoining areas recorded a maximum temperature of 31.9 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 25.8 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal. Relative humidity ranged between 77 and 96 per cent. The city received 32.6 mm of rain in the 24 hours till Saturday morning.
EMW Global enters Indian market, signs Rinku Singh as first cricket talent
EMW Global has launched its India headquarters and signed Kolkata Knight Riders vice-captain Rinku Singh as its first cricket talent in the country. The agency, which works with global sports names including Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, plans to connect Indian athletes with international brands while bringing global sporting partnerships into India.
BJP Bengal chief seeks RRTS network linking Kolkata with South Bengal towns
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya has urged Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar to consider developing a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) network connecting Kolkata with important townships across South Bengal. In a letter to Khattar, Bhattacharya said a well-researched preliminary feasibility proposal for a West Bengal Regional Rapid Transit System (VVB-RRTS) had been prepared. He said the proposal merited detailed examination by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, given that connectivity between Kolkata and several industrial and tourism hubs was largely dependent on conventional railway routes and highways. Bhattacharya said these conventional transport routes were often congested and, therefore, ill-suited for high-frequency commuter travel. An RRTS network on the lines of NCRTC's Namo Bharat corridors can address this gap through metro-like, high-speed regional connectivity, Bhattacharya pointed out in his letter. The VVB-RRTS proposal, according to him, envisages connecting Kolkata with important townships including Kalyani, Krishnanagar and Mayapur in Nadia district, Bardhaman in East Burdwan district, Durgapur and Asansol in West Burdwan district, Falta and Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district, and Haldia in East Midnapore district, among others. The proposal is designed to minimise land acquisition by aligning corridors along existing highways and railway corridors. It also recommends a special purpose vehicle, the West Bengal Rapid Transit Corporation (WBRTC), on the lines of NCRTC, with joint ownership between the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal, Bhattacharya pointed out in his letter. The proposed network is intended to improve mobility, strengthen links with industrial centres and tourism destinations, and ease pressure on transport infrastructure. He requested Khattar to examine the proposal and, if found suitable, direct a detailed feasibility study covering engineering, demand forecasting and financial analysis in coordination with the West Bengal government. I would be glad to facilitate an interaction with the report's authors, should that be of assistance, and trust this proposal will receive your kind and favourable consideration, Bhattacharya said.
16-year-old girl found dead in West Bengal's Purulia, family suspects murder
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) The body of a 16-year-old girl was recovered from an empty house in West Bengals Purulia district on Saturday morning, with her family alleging that she was murdered by a minor boy with whom she was reportedly in a relationship and his family members. The police have launched an investigation following a complaint lodged by the girl's family. The body was recovered from an empty house in the jurisdiction of Purulia Mufassil Police Station in Purulia town. The girl's brother-in-law told local media persons that she had gone missing on Friday night. The girl had been missing since last night. We searched throughout the night but could not find her. This morning, she was found dead, he said. We came to know that the girl was in a relationship with a local teenager. She used to go to their house for tuition. But later, she refused to go there for tuition. We suspect that the girl was murdered. We have appealed to the government to ensure that she gets proper justice, he alleged. According to the family, the girl had been missing since around midnight. Her body was found on Saturday morning inside an empty house belonging to the family. Her headscarf was allegedly tied around her neck. The incident triggered mourning in the area, with local residents gathering near the spot. Officers from Purulia Mufassil Police Station reached the location, recovered the body, and sent it to Purulia Medical College and Hospital for an autopsy. The police said the exact cause of death would be established only after the autopsy report is received. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and an investigation is underway. The police are also examining the allegations made by the girl's family. The body has been recovered and has been sent for autopsy. A complaint has been lodged by the girl's family. The allegations made by the family are being looked into. No one has been arrested as of yet. Investigation is on, a senior officer of Purulia district police said. The incident comes days after a young man was arrested in Purulia for allegedly killing his girlfriend and carrying her body in a bag on a motorcycle. According to police, the accused rode around with the woman's body for nearly three to four hours before he was caught by personnel from Balarampur Police Station on September 12.
Arrest of Nandigram Congress candidate lawful step: West Bengal Police
BothRahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee have condemned the arrest and criticised the move days ahead of the bypoll
Detained on suspicion of being Bangladeshi, 19 Bengal workers released from Chhattisgarh
Students from Nagaland embark on 10-day Seema Darshan tour organised by Assam Rifles
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) A group of students from Nagaland has embarked on a 10-day Seema Darshan Tour organised by the Assam Rifles under the Army's Spear Corps as part of Operation Sadbhavna, an initiative aimed at exposing youth from remote regions to the country's cultural diversity and strategic frontier areas. Such tours are part of Operation Sadbhavna, through which youngsters from remote areas get an opportunity to visit other parts of the country to learn more about India's rich and diverse culture. It also provides the children a chance to interact with personnel of the defence forces and learn more about their role in defending the country. The present batch includes 20 students and two teachers from the Government Higher Secondary School, Rusoma, in Kohima, Nagaland. They will be visiting Guwahati, Tenga, Tawang and Tezpur before returning to Kohima on September 28. This tour will give the young minds first-hand insight into India's rich diversity, frontier regions and the role of security forces in safeguarding the nation, the Spear Corps has posted on X. Both Tenga and Tawang are in Arunachal Pradesh and play a key role in the defence of India's northern border. At the same time, both places have a rich culture. Tezpur, in Assam, is also of immense strategic importance. It has the headquarters of the Army's IV Corps (Gajraj Corps) and also houses an Indian Air Force fighter base that operates frontline aircraft like the Su-30 MKI. This is the second such tour for the youth in Nagaland this year. In March, 20 students and three teachers from Bhandari in the Wokha district of Nagaland had travelled to Guwahati and Kolkata to explore important educational institutions and historical landmarks. In 2025, students and teachers from the PM Shri Government High School, Yangphi, in the Kiphire district of Nagaland were taken to Delhi and Agra. They visited historical landmarks like the Red Fort and Taj Mahal and also paid tribute at the National War Museum. During the present trip, interactions with senior military officers and community leaders have been planned. This will help foster national integration and empower the youth, the Army said.
Gold rate today: Here are the latest 22k gold jewellery rates from Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the latest 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold prices and the 999-purity silver rate from the Indian Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA) today.
One killed, 22 injured as lightning strikes football match in Bengal's Jhargram
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) At least one person was killed, and 22 others were injured after lightning struck a group of football players and spectators who had taken shelter under a tree during a rainstorm at a football tournament in West Bengal's Jhargram district, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred on Friday evening in Kumarbandh village under the Lalgarh police station area, where a two-day football tournament had been organised for Vishwakarma Puja. According to local residents, play was halted after sudden rain accompanied by lightning. Players and spectators gathered under a tarpaulin erected beneath a tree when a lightning bolt struck the shelter. Officers of Lalgarh police station reached the spot after receiving the information. The injured were rescued and first taken to the Lalgarh Primary Health Centre, where doctors declared one person dead. The condition of four others was critical. They were quickly shifted to the Midnapore Medical College and Hospital. Later, on the instructions of the district administration, the remaining 17 injured were also taken to the same hospital. One person is undergoing treatment at the Lalgarh Rural Hospital. The deceased was identified as Deepen Murmu (19), a Class 11 student and a resident of Kumarbandh village. According to police, a two-day football tournament for 16 football teams was organised at Kumarbandh on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja. This was the first day of the football tournament when the tragedy struck. Recalling the incident, eyewitness Sagen Hansda said a powerful lightning strike plunged the area into darkness. When he regained his senses, he found most of those gathered lying on the ground and helped move them from a waterlogged area of the playground to safer ground. Manav Singla, Superintendent of Police, Jhargram, said police acted swiftly to rescue the victims and ensure their transfer to hospitals for treatment. Local MLA Lakshmi Kanta Sau visited the hospital and met the injured. He said the state government had directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment and extend all necessary support to the affected families.
Abhishek Nayar Offers KKR Move To Rohit Sharma. His One-Word Reply
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Abhishek Nayar stated that star India batter Rohit Sharma would look good in purple and gold, to which the latter had just one response.
Have petrol and diesel prices decreased? Check rates from Delhi to Patna.
In Delhi, petrol prices remained stable at 102.12 per liter. Diesel prices are currently at 95.20 per liter. In Kolkata, petrol is priced at 104.95 per liter and diesel at 99.82 per liter.No change in petrol-diesel prices todayPetrol and diesel prices remained unchanged in major citi...
We saved Trinamool symbol from disgrace, say leaders of Ritabrata-led faction
On Mamata-led factions Nandigram bypoll candidate revoking her nomination, LoP Ritabrata Banerjee said this is only an attempt to play as the B-team of the BJP
Mamatas Nandigram nominee deserts, Congress pick arrested
New symbols: Football player for Mamata unit, envelope for rebel bloc
HC raps Bengal govt for detaining Murshidabad man without citing reason
Taps run dry inKolkata colony for 50 days; residents allege bias
Pillow, scissors, chappals, AC, computer mouse on Election Commissions list of 184 free symbols
IIT Kharagpur gets dean of career development for students holistic advancement
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Congress candidate Milan Pradhan arrested in Kolkata for 2007 anti-land acquisition movement
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan was arrested on Friday for alleged involvement in a 2007 movement. Party leaders strongly criticized the arrest, calling it political vendetta. They stated democracy is on a ventilator in BJP's Bengal. The timing of the arrest raises serious questions about fairness. This action is seen as an effort to ensure an opposition-free India.
KP to get high-tech drones, GPS-enabled radio handsets
Cops arrest Bangla youth for stealing mobiles on Kol streets
Bengal govt identifies 9 mouzas for Kalyani greenfield airport land
Senior BJP leaders including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that it was divine intervention that Mamata Banerjee has lost her partys symbol and name
Celebrating culture: Kol kite show paves way for palash, tea festivals
E-fraud syndicate uses fake bank docus to steal Rs 32L, busted
Rs 155 for 2.7km in cab: App travel cost soars as drivers go scarce
Vishwakarma Puja Debut For ABVP, PVKS On JU Campuses
Nandan Gets Back Vishwakarma Puja Festival After Hiatus Of 9 years
Kolkata at heart of Indias lightning hotspots
Howrah Christian family claims threats, harassment during prayer meet
From red to blue-white to saffron: Salt Lake stadium reflects pol changes
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Aid delayed, claims family of newlywed who suffered burns
Chandrakona OC closed after 20-year-olds death in police custody
Edu dept plans alternative use of zero-enrolment schools
Theme Pandals Debut At Garages, Auto Stands For Vishwakarma Puja In Kolkata
33 cases across 3 states against arrested top Maoist: Cops
IPL star Abishek Porel gets bail in rape case after arrest over medical students complaint
Kolkata Real Estate Director Arrested for Money Laundering
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Amit Ganguly, a Kolkata real estate director, for alleged money laundering activities related to property fraud. Kolkata Real Estate Director Arrested for Money Laundering
Indias metro network has expanded significantly since 1984. The operational network now spans more than 1,155 km across 26 cities. This rapid growth includes new corridors in Tier-II cities and regional transit systems. Hundreds of kilometres of metro lines are currently under construction across the country. Future growth will depend on better integration, affordability and financial sustainability as Indian cities continue to expand.
New Delhi, Sep 18: India on Friday strongly rejected Islamabad's allegations regarding a collision between a Pakistani vessel and an Indian Navy warship in the Arabian Sea, asserting instead that dangerous manoeuvres by the ship from the neighbouring country caused the incident. The incident had happened on Tuesday night after the Pakistani vessel closed in on the frontline Indian Navy warship that was on a routine surveillance mission in the north Arabian Sea, according to the Indian side. India summoned Pakistani charge d'affaires Saad Warraich on Wednesday and lodged a diplomatic protest. The Pakistan foreign ministry subsequently summoned Indian charge d'affaires Satyanjal Pandey and alleged that aggressive manoeuvres by the Indian warship triggered the collision. At a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that Pakistani vessel carried out a dangerous manoeuvre in violation of a 1991 agreement requiring naval ships to maintain a distance of three nautical miles. Jaiswal identified the Indian warship as INS Kolkata, a stealth guided missile destroyer. We have seen Pakistan's response to the protest we had lodged. It is the usual prevarication that we expected. We reject the allegations and insinuations contained therein, he said. Let me reiterate the facts of the matter. INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment in the western Arabian sea when Pakistani Naval ship Hunain conducted itself in an unacceptable and unprofessional manner at sea that resulted in a collision, he said. Jaiswal said the dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by PNS Hunain was in gross violation of Article 10 of the agreement between India and Pakistan on advance notice on military exercises, manoeuvres and troops movements of April 1991, which specifies that naval units at sea are not to be within three nautical miles of each other. The spokesperson said the Pakistani ship also infringed the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. The Pakistan side has once again been advised about the need for all military units to observe due care and respect the provisions of the relevant agreements between the two sides in order to prevent any repeat of such incidents, he said. Jaiswal said the incident did not cause any major damage to INS Kolkata and she remains at sea. The Pakistani foreign ministry had alleged that the incident happened following a highly provocative and unacceptable action by the Indian vessel in the Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
After Mamata vows support, Congress Nandigram candidate held
Kolkata: Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the forthcoming bypoll for the Nandigram Assembly constituency in the East Midnapore district of West Bengal, was arrested on Friday, September 18, in an old case, confirmed an official of the East Midnapore district police. The arrests took place hours after Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate from the 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 .
Bengal: Congress candidate for Nandigram bypoll arrested in an old case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the forthcoming bypoll for Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, was arrested on Friday in an old case, confirmed an official of the East Midnapore district police. The arrests took place hours after Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Trinamool Congress for the bypoll in Nandigram, withdrew her nomination and the former West Bengal Chief Minister announced her support towards Congress in Nandigram. An insider from the district police said that the Congress candidate from Nandigram was accused in an old murder case. A warrant was already also issued in his name, and he was arrested in connection with it on Friday, said the district police officer. The Congress candidates arrest before the bypoll created a stir in the political circles in West Bengal. The Congress alleged that the BJP did not want to have anything called opposition before the elections. West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) president Subhankar Sarkar told media persons that suddenly a case was filed against Milan, and he was arrested thereafter. In this way, the BJP is trying to create a one-party rule in West Bengal. Will there be no opposition politics in this state as well as in the country? questioned Sarkar and said the current ruling party in the state hatched a political conspiracy in the arrest of his party's candidate. However, the BJPs East Midnapore district rubbished the allegation and claimed that the party had no connection with the arrest of the Congress candidate. Nandigram, along with Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district, is going to bypolls on October 6 and the results will be declared on November 9. In the Assembly elections held earlier this year, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari won from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur. He defeated former CM and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and chose to retain that seat, leaving Nandigram vacant and necessitating the bypoll. BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, mother of Adhikaris personal assistant Chandranath Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas on May 6, soon after the Assembly election results were announced. Her candidature has added an emotional element to the campaign.
'Unacceptable and unprofessional': India on PNS Hunain collision with INS Kolkata in Arabian Sea
'Unacceptable and unprofessional': India on PNS Hunain collision with INS Kolkata in Arabian Sea
Bengal: Mahua Moitra files complaint against BJP workers over egg attack
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha member from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district of West Bengal, Mahua Moitra, on Friday lodged a complaint at Tehatta Police Station in the same district against eight Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists over the alleged egg attack on her while she went to attend a party meeting at Tehatta on September 16. Among the eight BJP activists named in the complaint are the panchayat samiti chief and deputy chief of Tehatta-I block. Confirming the development, a district police officer said that based on the complaint filed by the Lok Sabha member, the police had started an investigation. CCTV and video footage of the entire incident is being examined, the officer said. Meanwhile, the BJPs Nadia district leadership denied the allegations. BJP legislator from Tehatta Assembly Constituency, Subrata Kobiraj, said no BJP worker or supporter was involved in the incident. He added that the protest against the MPs controversial comments about Hindu gods and goddesses had aroused strong anger among the people, and Wednesdays development was a manifestation of that spontaneous public anger. On Wednesday, Moitra shared videos of the incident on social media and claimed that BJP office-bearers surrounded the venue of her party meeting and targeted her convoy as she departed. Referring to a recent observation by Supreme Court judge Justice Dipankar Datta that politicians should not be overly concerned about egg attacks when freedom fighters had faced bullets, she said she had confronted the situation in the same spirit. Moitra remarked that on Wednesday she was both an MP in independent India and also a freedom fighter. BJP office-bearers, not the public, surrounded my meeting and pelted eggs as I left. Thank you, MiLord, for upholding our Constitutional protections, she said. She also criticised the officer-in-charge of Tehatta Police Station for allegedly claiming that she attended the meeting without informing him. The Tehatta IC, Supriya Ranjan Maji, said on camera that nobody informed him about my visit. Whereas, the district police superintendent of Nadia issued a letter, cc to him, about my Tehatta visit. Does Mr Maji also have the BJP disease of short-term memory loss? Disgraceful, Moitra added.
Kolkatas ED Arrests Amit Ganguly in Major Land Scam Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Amit Ganguly, director of Ganguly Home Search Pvt Ltd, in a land scam linked to money laundering. Kolkatas ED Arrests Amit Ganguly in Major Land Scam Investigation
Army Mountaineering Expedition summits Mt Khangchengyao in North Sikkim
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) The Indian Armys mountaineering expedition from the Eastern Commands Spear Corps successfully summited Mt Khangchengyao in North Sikkim on Friday, September 18, 2026. The expedition had been flagged off on August 18, 2026, from Rayang Military Station in Arunachal Pradesh. Mt Khangchengyao, at 6,889 metres, is considered an extremely challenging mountain to climb. It has steep ice walls and unpredictable weather conditions. Mt Khangchengyao is the fourth-highest peak in Sikkim and the tenth-highest in India. In this part of the Himalayan region, locals identify most of the mountains, especially the high peaks, as deities. Peaks are also differentiated by gender. Locals deeply revere Mt Khangchengyao, identifying it as a male mountain. Local legend holds that it gets angry when a woman sets foot near it, and folklore suggests the weather worsens whenever a woman climber approaches the base camp. The mountain has a unique dome-shaped structure without a pointed peak. Its nearly rounded top tapers down its sides at 7580 degree angles, making climbing extremely difficult. Officials said such expeditions help build teamwork and camaraderie among troops while also training them to handle challenges in extreme conditions. Under the aegis of Eastern Command, the Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition team under Spear Corps displayed exceptional courage and successfully summited Mt Khangchengyao (6,889 m), achieving a historic milestone. Defying sub-zero temperatures, treacherous terrain and punishing high altitudes, the team triumphed through sheer physical endurance and flawless camaraderie. This monumental ascent stands as a soaring testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army, proving once again that no height is insurmountable when met with relentless resolve, the Eastern Command posted on X. The Spear Corps, also known as III Corps, is a Mountain (Holding) Corps with troops trained in high-altitude operations. It is headquartered in Dimapur, Nagaland, and is involved in counter-insurgency operations in the northeastern states. It also plays a major role in managing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The Corps also participated in the famous Battle of Walong during the Indo-China War of 1962.
Candidate from Mamata Banerjee-led faction withdraws nomination in Nandigram
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) Sanchita Dey Pradhan, the candidate from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the Trinamool Congress for the bypoll in Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, withdrew her nomination on Friday afternoon after a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Soon after, at a press conference at her residence in Kalighat, South Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee, the former West Bengal Chief Minister, announced that she would extend her support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan in Nandigram. Both developments followed the Election Commission of India (ECI) decision earlier in the day to allot new names and symbols to two rival factions in the Trinamool Congress: one led by Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, and the other by expelled party legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. After Sanchita Dey Pradhan withdrew her nomination following the meeting with the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee told media persons at her residence that she had decided to support the Congress candidate in Nandigram. We will not contest in Nandigram. We will support our sister party, Congress. This will strengthen the INDIA bloc, the former West Bengal Chief Minister said. She added that the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had called her on Thursday night, after which she decided to support the Congress. We are all together; we will fight together. We will support all normal alliances. We will support our sister parties, she said. Regarding the Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district, which is also going for bypolls next month, Mamata Banerjee said that a decision would be taken later. After seizing power in the state with the Congress in 2011, ending the 34-year Left Front rule, this is the first time Mamata Banerjee has publicly expressed support for a Congress candidate in Nandigram. Political observers believe this move is possibly a face-saving exercise for the former Chief Minister amid the current situation within her party. Tension over the symbol began Thursday night when the ECI announced its decision to freeze the name All India Trinamool Congress temporarily and the symbol Flowers & Grass. On Friday, the Commission allotted the Mamata Banerjee-led faction the new name Mamata All India Trinamool Congress and the symbol Football Players. The rival Ritabrata-led faction was allotted the name Democratic Trinamool Congress and the symbol Envelope. The dramatic turn in the Nandigram by-election came after Sanchita Dey Pradhan met Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the state secretariat Nabanna and subsequently withdrew her nomination at the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Haldia.
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Bengal: Iconic Howrah Bridge illuminated with dynamic architectural lighting
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 18 (IANS) The iconic Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) has been illuminated with state-of-the-art dynamic architectural lighting by its custodian, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata. The development came after clearance from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, officials said. The dynamic architectural illumination features 3,825 luminaires with a total installed capacity of 385 KW, bringing its structural profile, skeletal surfaces, crowns and main pylons to life through dynamic lighting and synchronised sound. The lighting will be showcased on important national occasions and festivals including Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Durga Puja, Diwali and Holi, creating a renewed visual identity for one of Kolkatas most recognisable landmarks, an SMP Kolkata official said. The project, valued at Rs 22.35 crore, has been executed by M/s M M Brothers with lighting support from M/s Havells Lighting. Jadavpur University served as the Technical Consultant. The dynamic light shows with synchronised sound will be live broadcast for the general public through a dedicated mobile application, offering citizens and tourists a mesmerising experience of this engineering marvel, the official added. SMP Kolkata Chairman Rathendra Raman congratulated the entire team and said: The illumination of Rabindra Setu is not just lighting of a bridge; it is lighting up the legacy of Kolkata. Howrah Bridge is an emotion for the people of this city and the nation. This dynamic architectural lighting will enhance its heritage grandeur and offer a world-class visual spectacle to citizens and tourists alike, while reaffirming SMP Kolkatas commitment to preserving and celebrating our iconic heritage. The illumination is expected to enhance Kolkatas heritage tourism appeal and reaffirm the historic bridge as a beacon of the City of Joy, port officials said. The 705-metre-long steel suspension bridge, connecting the cities of Kolkata and Howrah, was commissioned on February 3, 1943. It was named Rabindra Setu after Rabindranath Tagore in 1965. It continues to remain one of the busiest bridges in the country even after 77 years, with nearly 100,000 vehicles and over 150,000 pedestrians crossing it daily. While the Kolkata port had installed decorative lighting on the bridge earlier, this is the first time dynamic architectural lighting has been implemented.
Pakistani naval ship's conduct unacceptable and unprofessional: MEA
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) India on Friday rejected Pakistan's allegations over the collision between the Indian Navy's INS Kolkata and Pakistani naval ship Hunain in the western Arabian Sea on September 15, terming them as usual prevarication. Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistani naval ship Hunain's conduct was unacceptable and unprofessional , which caused the collision. However, INS Kolkata did not suffer any damage. We have seen the Pakistan's response to the protest we have lodged. It is the usual prevarication that we expected. We reject the allegations and insinuations contained therein. Let me reiterate the facts of the matter for you. INS Kolkata was on a routine deployment in the Western Arabian Sea when Pakistani naval ship Hunain conducted itself in an unacceptable and unprofessional manner at sea that resulted in a collision, Jaiswal told reporters. The dangerous overtaking maneuver by PNS Hunain was in gross violation of Article 10 of the Agreement Between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Maneuvers and Troop Movements of 1991, which clearly specifies that naval units at sea are not to be within three nautical miles of each other. In addition, the Pakistani ship also infringed the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. The Pakistani side has once again been advised about the need for all military units to observe due care and respect the provisions of the relevant agreements between the two sides in order to prevent any repeat of such incidents. The incident did not cause any major damage to INS Kolkata and she remains at sea, he added. MEA's response came after Pakistan had accused an Indian naval ship of carrying out a provocative manoeuvre that resulted in a collision with the Pakistan Navy Ship in the Arabian Sea. On Wednesday, India summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest after the Pakistani naval ship's action at sea. The Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in New Delhi was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today and a strong protest was lodged with him over the unacceptable and unprofessional conduct of Pakistani naval units at sea that led to a collision with a unit of the Indian Navy, the MEA said. The MEA stated that the incident, which took place in international waters, did not cause any major damage, but the Pakistani naval ship's conduct was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements of April 1991. The Charge d'Affaires of Pakistan was advised to convey to the concerned Pakistani authorities the need for all military units to observe due care and respect the provisions of the relevant agreements between the two sides in order to prevent any repeat of such incidents, the MEA mentioned in a statement. The Charge d'Affaires of India in Islamabad has also been instructed to lodge a similar protest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it added.
OPINION | What makes Modi different from other leaders?
BJP celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday as Seva Sankalp Diwas. Motorbike yatras were held from Vadnagar (Gujarat) to Varanasi, and from Ujjain to Kolkata. Blood donations camps were organised and millions of diyas were lighted...
India Rejects Pakistans Allegations Over Navy Ships Collision
MEA Says Pakistani Vessels Dangerous Overtaking Manoeuvre Led To Collision With INS Kolkata
Digital Desk | Ranchi, Sep 18 (IANS) The Jharkhand High Court on Friday extended its stay on the state government's decision to cancel appointments made through the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) examination and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) recruitment process. The court also appointed a retired High Court judge to oversee the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment exercises. A bench of Justice Deepak Roshan heard a batch of petitions challenging the government's decision to annul appointments made through various recruitment examinations, including the JPSC CDPO and JSSC-CGL exams. During the hearing, the court orally observed that while the material available so far suggests that not all appointments were made in a fair manner, it is equally true that not every appointment was tainted. The court expressed concern over the lengthy recruitment process followed by the JPSC, noting that it often takes two to three years to conduct examinations and complete appointments. In such circumstances, the bench observed, a blanket cancellation of appointments could adversely affect many officials against whom no individual wrongdoing has been established. To ensure impartial scrutiny of the allegations, the court appointed retired High Court judge Gautam Kumar Choudhary to monitor the investigation, while retired IPS officer R.K. Malik was designated as the nodal officer for the probe. During the proceedings, both the Jharkhand government and the JPSC submitted their responses before the court. In its affidavit, the state government defended its decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination, arguing that the entire recruitment process had been vitiated by alleged irregularities. According to the government, distinguishing between genuinely successful candidates and those who may have unfairly benefited had become difficult. The government cited Supreme Court guidelines that permit cancellation of an entire examination when the recruitment process is found to be irreparably compromised, and it becomes impossible to separate valid selections from tainted ones. On this basis, it justified its decision to scrap the CGL examination. The affidavit further stated that confidential examination-related work, including question paper printing and distribution to examination centres, had been entrusted to ICN Technology. According to the government, 28 individuals, including the company's CEO Somansh Prakash, have been arrested in connection with the alleged exam scam, while notices have been issued to 265 people. The government also claimed that the investigation had uncovered evidence suggesting that candidates were allegedly coached with answers at locations in Nepal, Asansol, Kolkata, Bihar, Jharia and Bokaro. Of the 28 candidates taken to Nepal, 10 were successful in the CGL examination, the affidavit stated. The investigation is still underway. Senior advocates Rajeev Ranjan, Indrajeet Sinha, Amritansh Vats, Kumar Harsh, Sonal Tiwari and Subhash Rasik Soren, among others, appeared for the petitioners. The state government was represented by senior advocate Meenakshi Arora and Advocate General Rohitashwa Roy, while the JPSC was represented by advocates Sanjay Piperwal and Prince Kumar.
Gold, Silver Prices Today: Check 24K, 22K Gold and 999 Silver Rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
Gold and silver prices today, 18 September: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
India rejects Pakistan's allegations regarding collision of Indian, Pak ships
India has rejected Pakistan's allegations concerning a naval collision in the Arabian Sea. New Delhi summoned the Pakistani Charge d'Affaires to lodge a strong protest. The incident occurred after a Pakistani vessel closed in on an Indian warship. India stated the Pakistani ship acted unprofessionally and violated maritime agreements. The Indian vessel INS Kolkata sustained no major damage and remains operational.
Mamata built TMC through rebellion; 28 years on, revolt strikes at its identity
KOLKATA: Mamata Banerjee once made rebellion her political weapon, breaking away from the Congress to build the TMC, but 28 years on, after weathering a string of revolts, she finds that weapon turned inward, striking at the very party identity she created and made synonymous with her political journey. The Election Commissions interim decision to []
Nikkhil Advani reveals what he consumes in literature, art, and what fuels his creative pursuits
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, who is receiving a lot of good response to his work in the recently released streaming show The Revolutionaries, has shared that history is his strongest area of interest. The filmmaker spoke with IANS along with Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, and Gurfateh Parizada. Nikkhils body of work reflects his interest in telling stories which are strongly rooted in history. Rocket Boys, Freedom at Midnight, The Empire point to his penchant for historical stories with The Revolutionaries joining the league. He told IANS, I just read a lot of history. I devour it, I inhale it. I don't like reading too much fiction. I listen to a lot of podcasts. I keep listening to music more and more. I'm glad that my daughter who's 20, we've gone through a cycle now because for a long time I was listening to her music. Now she's now understood that my music is better than her music. So, anything from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, The Beatles and Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay everything. He further mentioned, But now I find myself just reading scripts. I'm reading scripts all the time. I'm sending notes all the time. I'm sending edit notes all the time.We have found what works for us, which possibly makes me think that now maybe I have to flip everything again and, and, and, and surprise everybody. But, I like to read a lot, and that's where everything comes from. Meanwhile, The Revolutionaries follows 4 freedom fighters, Rash Behari Bose, Pratibha Lahiri, Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Bagha Jatin, who locked horns with the British Raj. The series is inspired by true events and is set against the backdrop of Indias freedom struggle. It also stars Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta, Gurfateh Pirzada and Jason Shah. The show tells the story of Indian freedom fighters who believed that armed resistance was not just vital but indispensable to ending the British Raj. It was because of the sustained efforts of the aforementioned revolutionaries that the British empire had to shift its capital to Delhi from Kolkata. The show is available to stream on Prime Video.
