West Bengal Minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia said the proposed project aims to control soil erosion by the Ganga in Malda, close to the Bihar and Jharkhand borders
Malda migrant workers family backs Mamata claim of harassment by Delhi police
Sanjur Parveen and other members of the family who hail from Malda in West Bengal held a press conference at the Trinamool Congress party office in Kolkata and alleged torture by Delhi police. The Delhi police said that the video shared by the Chief Minister about migrant workers family alleging harassment in the national capital was fabricated.
2 from Bihar held with brown sugar worth Rs 1 cr at West Bengal station
Railway Protection Force (RPF) apprehended two individuals from Bihar at the Malda Town railway station in West Bengal on Monday night. The suspects, identified as Riham Reza and Md Talib Reza, were found acting suspiciously. During the search, RPF officials recovered 203 grams of brown sugar, estimated to be worth Rs 1.
Didi claims linguistic assault in Delhi, cops call video fabricated
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Monday dismissed Mamata Banerjees allegation that a Bengali-speaking woman and her child were assaulted in the national capital for speaking their language, and termed the viral video shared by her, fabricated and politically motivated. On Sunday, Banerjee posted a video claiming that the woman and her sonmigrant residents from Malda districts Chanchal areawere victims of linguistic terror by Delhi Police personnel. Even a child is not spared... Where are they taking our country now? she wrote on social media. DCP (East) Abhishek Dhania refuted the charges and dubbed the video misleading. He identified the woman as Sanjanu Parveen and stated that during questioning, she alleged that four men in plainclothes, posing as police officers, took her and her child to a secluded spot on the night of July 26 and extracted Rs 25,000 from her. Mamata Banerjee alleges 'linguistic terror' against Bengalis in BJP-ruled states Dhania added that an investigation involving CCTV footage and local intelligence revealed inconsistencies in Parveens account. During questioning, the woman confessed that a relative of hers, a political worker from Malda, had asked her to make the video. It was first circulated locally in Bengal before appearing on social media, he said. Calling the episode a deliberate attempt to malign cops, Dhania said the claims were baseless and fabricated. However, Banerjee stood by her claims on Tuesday, asserting that the woman and her child were threatened after the incident. They were taken to various police stations, just as I had predicted... We want them to come back. The truth will come out, she said at a public event in Birbhum. BJP unleashing linguistic terrorism on Bengalis: Didi
Didi Challenges Delhi Police Rebuttal On Malda Kid's Assault
The CM added, We want the affected to return home. Only then, it will be proven who spoke the truth. Her response came a day after Delhi deputy commissioner of police (East) Abhishek Dhania refuted her claims that she had posted on X about the incident.
Mamata Banerjee challenges Delhi Police over alleged assault on migrant child, mother
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday challenged the Delhi Police, a day after they refuted her allegation that officers had brutally beaten a child and her mother, members of a Bengali migrant workers family, in the national capital. On Sunday, Banerjee had posted a video on her X handle and made the allegation for the first time. In her address at a public meeting at Bolpur in Birbhum district on Monday, she reiterated the claim. Later on Monday evening, Delhi Polices DCP (East), Abhishek Dhania, held a press conference to refute the allegation. Challenging the Delhi Police on the issue, the Chief Minister said, I had spoken about that child yesterday. They were taken to one police station after another. I had said this in the meeting yesterday. Check the record. I had said that they would be threatened. That is what happened. We will want them (the affected people) to return. And it will be proven who is true and who is false. She was addressing an administrative meeting at Illambazar in Birbhum on Tuesday. Sharing a video on her X handle on Sunday, where a young man was heard accusing the police of beating his wife and infant son, Banerjee had said, Atrocious!! Terrible!! See how Delhi Police brutally beat up a kid and his mother, members of a migrant family from Malda's Chanchal. See how even a child is not spared from the cruelty of violence in the regime of linguistic terror unleashed by BJP in the country against the Bengalis! Where are they taking our country now? she had asked. In the video posted by the Chief Minister, a young man is seen showing some injury marks on his infant son and saying, Look what the police did to my son. The police beat him and broke his forehead. He is also heard complaining in the video that all their essentials had been thrown away. The young man's wife is also seen in the video. He is seen pointing to his wife and saying, The police also beat her up a lot. (Although The New Indian Express has not verified the authenticity of this video.) After Banerjee posted the video on her X platform, Delhi Police launched an investigation. DCP (East) Abhishek Dhania said on Monday that investigators went to the womans house after identifying her from the video. During interrogation, the woman alleged that four Delhi Police personnel in plain clothes came to her house at 10:30 pm on 26 July and took her to a secluded place. After that, they allegedly demanded 25,000 from her. Dhania said that a special team was formed to investigate the incident after understanding the gravity of the situation. Police examined CCTV footage and used other technical resources during the probe. When the woman was questioned, she allegedly confessed that she has a relative in Malda who is a political activist. According to police, the woman claimed that she made the video under his instructions. Later, it was circulated. Dhania said, The video was deliberately spread on social media to tarnish the image of Delhi Police. The investigation into the incident is underway. Armed with the Delhi Polices statement, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, I have asked Soumendu (Suvendus brother and BJP MP from Contai Lok Sabha constituency Soumendu Adhikari) to file a complaint at the police station. Taking a dig at the Chief Minister, he added, The Chief Minister is spreading false news. She can get an international award for spreading rumours. Later in the day, Soumendu lodged a complaint against Mamata Banerjee at the Cyber Crime Branch of Delhi Police for the dissemination of fake and communally provocative content on social media. He said, Based on the complaint of a woman from Malda, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trying to destroy communal harmony by posting a fake picture. I have filed a written complaint against the Chief Minister in Delhi, mentioning that incident.
Migrant family 'beaten' by Delhi police: Mamata reiterates 'linguistic terror' charge against BJP
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday reiterated her charge against the BJP of unleashing a regime of linguistic terror on Bengalis in the country, claiming that members of a migrant family were beaten up by the police in Delhi. Banerjee shared a video on X of a child and his mother belonging to a migrant family from West Bengal's Malda district, who were allegedly beaten up by the police in the national capital. PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. Atrocious!! Terrible!! See how Delhi police brutally beat up a kid and his mother, members of a migrant family from Malda's Chanchal. See how even a child is not spared from the cruelty of violence in the regime of linguistic terror unleashed by BJP in the country against the pic.twitter.com/IwAXkQwy9V Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 27, 2025 Atrocious!! Terrible!! See how Delhi police brutally beat up a kid and his mother, members of a migrant family from Malda's Chanchal. See how even a child is not spared from the cruelty of violence in the regime of linguistic terror unleashed by BJP in the country against the Bengalis! Where are they taking our country now? she said in the post in which the video was attached. Banerjee, who is also the TMC supremo, had earlier in the week accused the BJP of unleashing linguistic terrorism on Bengalis, asserting that the fight for identity and language will continue until the saffron party is defeated. Speaking at the TMC's annual Martyrs' Day rally, she had announced that from Sunday, a movement would start in West Bengal to protest against attacks on Bengalis, the Bengali language and linguistic terrorism. TMC leaders and activists have been holding rallies over the matter in different parts of the state on Sunday. Mamata cites Human Rights Watch report; slams 'illegal deportation' of Bengali-Muslims from BJP-ruled states
Sk Amir, a Malda resident, was wrongly pushed into Bangladesh after being arrested in Rajasthan. His family has presented land documents dating back to the 1950s to prove his Indian citizenship. Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam supports Amir's claim. This incident follows similar cases where Bengali-speaking migrants were wrongly deported, raising concerns about identity verification processes and BSF's actions.
Four migrant workers from Bengal's Murshidabad allege assault in TN; file police complaint
KOLKATA: Four migrant workers from West Bengal's Murshidabad district have alleged assault by locals in Tamil Nadu's Thiruvallur district earlier this month for speaking in Bengali, suspecting them to be illegal migrants from Bangladesh. According to a police complaint filed in Murshidabad on July 18, the incident took place on July 15 when Sujan Sheikh, his brother Milan Sheikh, and two others Sahil Sheikh and Babu Sheikh were working at a construction site in Thiruvallur, after travelling to Chennai around three weeks ago in search of work. Some local residents confronted us, asked our names and where we were from. When they heard us speaking in Bengali, they started beating us with iron rods and sticks. They kept accusing us of being Bangladeshis, Sujan Sheikh told PTI over phone from his home in Murshidabad. The workers were initially taken to a government hospital in Thiruvallur for treatment. Sujan, who suffered a fractured hand during the alleged assault, had to undergo surgery and remains under medical care. The labourers also alleged that they had earlier approached the local police in Chennai, but no action was taken. We have been travelling to Chennai for work for the last four years. Nothing of this sort has ever happened before. We are still in shock, Sujan said. He also claimed that they were not paid for 11 days of work at the site before returning home. Police in Murshidabad have acknowledged receiving the complaint, and said they are in touch with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu. The incident comes amid heightened political discourse in West Bengal over the safety of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states. Earlier this month, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had alleged that Bengalis were facing discrimination and linguistic profiling in states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Odisha, claiming many were being harassed or pushed back across the Bangladesh border despite possessing valid documents. Banerjee's remarks drew sharp rebuttals from the BJP, which dismissed the charges as aseless fear-mongering. However, incidents like the one reported from Murshidabad have reignited concerns over the vulnerability of Bengali migrants, especially those from minority-dominated border districts like Malda, North Dinajpur and Murshidabad, According to migration data, thousands of labourers from Bengal's hinterland migrate annually to southern states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala to work in the construction, textile and hospitality sectors. Political analysts say the issue of Bengali migrant workers' safety is likely to become a flashpoint in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, with ruling and opposition parties trading allegations over identity politics.
West Bengal man held in Hyderabad with drug worth Rs 7.6L
Hyderabad: A man from West Bengal on July 17 was held for drug peddling in Hyderabad. Amphetamine drug and a mobile phone all worth Rs 7.6 lakh were seized from him. The accused was identified as Rajikul Haque, who migrated to Hyderabad and worked as a mason. Haque went back to Malda and began working 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 .
Railways working to roll out 100 new Amrit Bharat trains across India
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Railways, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a future-ready railway network, is working on an ambitious project to roll out 100 modern and hi-tech Amrit Bharat trains for various parts of the country. With the inauguration of four more Amrit Bharat trains from across Bihar on Friday by Prime Minister Modi, the total number of operational Amrit Bharat trains in the country has now reached seven, including the three that were already running including two in Bihars North and eastern regions. The Amrit Bharat train sets are being manufactured under the 'Make in India' initiative, using entirely indigenous technology, with a running capacity of 130 kmph. Working towards the realisation of his vision for a future-ready railway network, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged-off four new Amrit Bharat trains scheduled to run between Rajendra Nagar (Patna) and New Delhi; Bapudham Motihari and Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal); Darbhanga and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar); and Malda Town and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur. On the sideline of this inaugural event, speaking to the TNIE on Friday here, a senior railway official said the Amrit Bharat train sets are being manufactured with the objective of providing a safe and comfortable travel experience for middle-class and economically weaker passengers. As a total of 3 Amrit Bharat trains have been currently operational across the country, now the number reached 7. The Ministry of Railway is working to roll out 100 new Amrit Bharat rakes in coming days this year and next to ensure safe and faster affordable rail services to poor and middle class people, added an official. He said that earlier, two Amrit Bharat trains had been running between Bihars Darbhanga Anand Vihar Terminal and Saharsa Lokmanya Tilak Terminal. Now, the four more Amrit Bharat trains will start running in Bihar again with all passenger amenities like foldable snack table, mobile holder, foldable bottle holder, fast mobile charging ports, improved and comfortable seating, radium illuminated flooring strips, airline-style lighting that guides the way even in the dark and air spring body which ensures shock-free travel experience. A senior railway official, speaking about the features of Amrit Bharat trains, further added that the trains were equipped with modern and Divyangjan-friendly toilets, an electro-pneumatic flushing system, and automatic soap dispensers. On the safety front, the Amrit Bharat trains have been equipped with the facility of an EP-assisted brake system, and their coaches have been fitted with sealed gangways and vacuum evacuation systems. He further added The most interesting feature is that the railway has made the talk-back unit available in every coach of Amrit Bharat trains running in Bihar in a majority with fire detection system properly installed for the first time in non-AC coaches. Meanwhile, a railway official cited a conservative estimate that the four Amrit Bharat trains flagged off by PM Modi will ferry more than 56 lakh people from economically weaker and middle-class sections per month.
Calcutta HC seeks answers from Odisha on detention of Bengali migrant workers
KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary to appoint a nodal officer to get in touch with the authorities in Odisha and take necessary steps to ensure release of Bengali speaking migrant workers from the state who were detained there. A division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Mitra of the Calcutta High Court also directed the West Bengal Government to act immediately and submit a report to the court in this regard on Monday. There have been allegations of Bengali speaking migrant workers from West Bengal being detained in Odisha. The Calcutta High Court has sought answers to several questions in this case. The bench asked, why were Bengali migrant workers detained? On what basis were they detained? Has any FIR been filed? What action has been taken against those migrants after their detention? Where are they now? The High Court has directed the West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to send these questions of the court to the Chief Secretary of Odisha. The bench will take its next decision after seeing his reply. Counsel for petitioner Razzak Sheikh from Hariharpara in Murshidabad submitted to the bench that his son Samiur Islam went to Odisha in search of a job. The counsel submitted that the Bengali speaking person was held up by the Odisha Police during a special identification drive and arrested on June 30, 2025. The arrested person has not been produced in court since then. There was no arrest memo issued, and the family of the person in custody was not informed about the arrest. This is nothing but illegal detention, the counsel submitted. Odisha releases 25 after verifying documents amid crackdown on suspected illegal immigrants He also said that the family was not even aware in which correctional home Islam was in custody. The counsel prayed for compensation of the victim by the Odisha Government and also urged for disciplinary action against the authorities who made the illegal arrest. The counsel submitted that a similar prayer by another victim Rakibul Islam was pending and prayers by other two would come up before the bench on Friday. Citing newspaper reports, senior counsel Kalyan Banerjee submitted that 200 Bengali speaking people from West Bengal and some others in Assam had been arrested because of their mother tongue. This has become a serious issue, he added. Advocate Generatel Kishore Datta representing the West Bengal Government submitted that there was a problem with the identity and the place of residence of the person arrested. The state will give all support to the person regarding his identity, he said. Datta also urged the division bench to appoint a nodal officer who would coordinate with the Odisha Government and sort out the problem. Allegedly, several migrant workers from West Bengal were detained in Odisha. Some of them are residents of Malda, some of them are residents of Murshidabad, and some of them are residents of Birbhum. The matter came to light only after their families could not contact them for several days. The West Bengal Chief Secretary had also written a letter to his counterpart in Odisha in this regard.
Bihar to get four more Amrit Bharat express trains. Check details
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced four new Amrit Bharat Express trains for Bihar, bringing the total to seven nationwide, with five originating from the state. These semi-high-speed trains, designed similarly to the Vande Bharat, include a daily Patna-Delhi service and weekly routes connecting Darbhanga to Gomti Nagar, Malda Town to Lucknow, and Saharsa to Amritsar.
Railway Minister announces key projects for poll-bound Bihar; says Rs 10,000 crore budget allotted
NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to Patna on Monday ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, announced the introduction of four new Amrit Bharat trains and that a budget of Rs 10,000 crore has been sanctioned to strengthen railway infrastructure in the state. Speaking at the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for a new level crossing gate near Karpoori Gram railway station in Samastipur district, the minister also inaugurated several upgraded passenger amenities at the station. The NDA government at the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore in this year's budget for rail infrastructure in Bihar, Vaishnaw told reporters. In the past 11 years, over 34,000 km of new railway tracks have been laid, and 1,300 stations are being redeveloped as modern Amrit Bharat stations, he added. The four new trains will include a daily train from Patna to Delhi, weekly services from Darbhanga and Malda to Gomti Nagar in Lucknow, services from Saharsa to Amritsar in Punjab, and a daily service from Jogbani to Erode in Tamil Nadu. The minister also announced that the Karpoori Gram railway station would now come under the Samastipur railway division. Earlier, it was under the jurisdiction of Sonpur railway division. Speaking about upcoming railway infrastructure projects, the minister announced that a third rail line between Bhagalpur and Jamalpur, covering a distance of 53 kilometres, will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,156 crore. He further added that the doubling of the BakhtiyarpurRajgirTilaiya rail route, spanning 104 kilometres, will be carried out at a cost of Rs 2,017 crore. Another major project the doubling of the RampurhatBhagalpur route is also being planned, with an estimated budget of Rs 3,000 crore and a total distance of 177 kilometres. The minister also spoke about developments in the technology sector. He announced that two new Software Technology Parks of India (STPIs) for Bihar are ready and will be inaugurated soon. One is the new STPI building in Patliputra, Patna, which has been built at a cost of around Rs 53 crore, and the other is an upcoming STPI in Darbhanga, with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore. Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, son of Karpoori Thakur, was also present on the occasion. Earlier in the day in Patna, the railway minister inspected passenger facilities at Digha Bridge halt station and gave necessary instructions to officials.
BSF ADG reviews Bengal border security amid Bangladesh tensions
Additional Director General Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal of BSF Eastern Command recently concluded a three-day visit to Nadia, Murshidabad, and Malda, focusing on bolstering border management and security. Amidst the evolving situation in Bangladesh, Aggarwal emphasized reinforced operational preparedness to thwart smuggling and infiltration attempts.
West Bengal in talks with Jharkhand, Bihar on project to stop Ganga-Padma erosion
The West Bengal government is planning a project with Jharkhand and Bihar. This aims to stop the Ganga-Padma erosion. Mamata Banerjee's approval is awaited. Manas Bhunia highlighted the erosion's impact on Malda and Murshidabad. Many acres of land have been lost. The state government has provided land deeds to affected people. Villages in both districts are facing submersion.
Two IAS officers, one PCS officer suspended in Uttarakhand land scam case
DEHRADUN: In a decisive move, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government has launched a major crackdown on a significant land scam in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district, suspending a total of 12 individuals, including two IAS officers and one PCS officer. The sweeping action has implicated high-ranking officials, including the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, and a former Municipal Commissioner. The case has now been handed over to the Vigilance Department for thorough investigation. According to official sources, the alleged scam involves the purchase of a 15-crore-rupee plot of land for an exorbitant 54 crore rupees. The Haridwar Municipal Corporation reportedly acquired an unsuitable and practically useless piece of land at an inflated price. The investigation report highlighted severe irregularities, stating, There was no immediate need for the land, nor was transparency maintained in the purchase process. The scam was executed by brazenly disregarding established government rules. Following the submission of the investigation report, immediate action was taken. Haridwar District Magistrate Karmendra Singh, former Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary, and SDM Ajayveer Singh were among the first to be suspended. The list of suspended officials also includes Senior Finance Officer Nikita Bisht, Kanungo Rajesh Kumar, Tehsil Administrative Officer Kamaldas, and Senior Personal Assistant Vicky. This unprecedented action marks a significant moment in Uttarakhand's governance. It is the first time a ruling government in the State has directly targeted top officials within its own system with such stringent measures. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's resolute decision in the Haridwar land scam is not merely an expose of corruption but signals a decisive shift in Uttarakhand's administrative and political culture, a senior government official remarked. Earlier, in the initial phase of the inquiry, In-charge Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ravindra Kumar Dayal, Executive Engineer Anand Singh Mishrawan, Tax and Revenue Superintendent Laxmikant Bhatt, and Junior Engineer Dinesh Chandra Kandpal were also suspended. Additionally, Property Clerk Vedwal's service extension has been terminated, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him. The Vigilance probe is expected to delve deeper into the nexus behind the fraudulent transaction.
Two gruesome murders shock West Bengal; bodies recovered in separate incidents
In Malda, mans body found buried in a wall; in South 24 Parganas, accused parades severed head of sister-in-law
I am going nowhere, will work with renewed vigour to make Bengal violence-free: Guv
West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose dismissed removal speculations, vowing to restore the state's reputation and combat violence. He plans to visit rural areas, including Murshidabad and Malda, to foster community harmony. Bose aims to ensure free and fair elections, emphasizing his role in upholding the Constitution during the upcoming assembly polls.
In Sindoor Khela land, promise against terror will be discussed: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in West Bengal, asserted that Operation Sindoor is ongoing, referencing a terror attack in Pahalgam and the army's response. He criticized the Trinamool government for violence in Murshidabad and Malda, accusing them of corruption in SSC recruitment, destroying the education system, and failing to ensure women's safety.
TMC hits back at PM Modi's claims, counter questions on Manipur, paper leaks and unemployment
Addressing a rally in Alipurduar on May 29, PM Modi said incidents of communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda are grim reminders of the TMC regimes cruelty and indifference to the sufferings of ordinary citizens
PM Modi tears into Trinamool Congress over Murshidabad violence, teacher scam in West Bengal
PM Modi said incidents of communal violence in Murshidabad and Malda are grim reminders of the TMC regime's cruelty and indifference to the sufferings of ordinary citizens
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy by 3 per cent (Rs 69) to Rs 2,369 per quintal, while up to 9 per cent rise in pulses and oilseeds rates for the 2025-26 kharif marketing season. The agriculture ministry's proposal on MSP for the new kharif season was approved in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement comes amid southwest monsoon reaching earlier than usual, giving a boost to the sowing of kharif crops, which contribute over 50 per cent of India's total annual foodgrain production. Briefing media after the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, Two key decisions were taken for the welfare of farmers -- kharif crops MSP and interest subvention scheme . In the last 10-11 years, there has been a massive increase in the support price of 14 kharif crops in line with the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, he said. For the 2025-26 kharif marketing season, the support price for 'common' and 'A grade' varieties of paddy has been increased by Rs 69 each to Rs 2,369 per quintal and Rs 2389 per quintal, respectively. Among other cereals, the support price of ragi has been raised by by Rs 596 to Rs 4,886 per quintal, jowar by Rs 328 to Rs 3,699 per quintal (hybrid) and Rs 3,749 per quintal (Maldani),maize by Rs 175 to Rs 2,400 per quintal and bajra by Rs 150 to Rs 2,775 per quintal for 2025-26. Pulses MSP has been increased by up to 5.96 per cent, while that of oilseeds by up to 9 per cent from over the previous year to boost domestic production and reduce the import dependency. The support price for tur has been increased by Rs 450 to Rs 8,000 per quintal, urad by Rs 400 to Rs 7,400 per quintal and moong by Rs 86 to Rs 8,768 per quintal for the said period. Similarly, groundnut MSP has been raised by Rs 480 to Rs 7,263 per quintal, soyabean by Rs 436 to Rs 5,329 per quintal, sunflower seeds by Rs 441 to Rs 7,721 per quintal for the 2025-26 kharif marketing season. Sesamum support rate has been increased by Rs 579 per quintal to Rs 9846, while that of nigerseed by Rs 820 per quintal to Rs 9,537 for 2025-26. Among cash crops, cotton MSP has been increased by Rs 589 per quintal each to Rs 7,710 (medium staple) and Rs 8,110 (long staple), respectively, for 2025-26. In recent years, the government has been promoting the cultivation of crops other than cereals, such as pulses and oilseeds, and nutri-cereals/shree Anna, by offering a higher MSP for these crops. The increase in 2025-26 kharif crops MSP is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the All-India weighted average cost of production. The expected margin to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be highest in the case of bajra (63 per cent), followed by maize (59 per cent), tur (59 per cent) and urad (53 per cent). For the rest of the crops, margin to farmers over their cost of production is estimated to be at 50 per cent, the minister added. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for nigerseed, followed by ragi, cotton, and sesamum.
Rarest Of Rare: Malda Youth Who Killed 4 Of Family In Water Coffins Sentenced To Death
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose discharged after 23-day hospital stay, advised to slow work pace
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose was discharged from a Kolkata hospital on May 15, 2025, after a 23-day stay. He was admitted with shoulder pain following visits to violence-hit Murshidabad and Malda, where doctors discovered mild coronary artery disease and performed an intervention procedure. Raj Bhawan confirmed his good health and high spirits upon his return.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has submitted a report on the recent riots in Murshidabad district to the Ministry of Home Affairs, stating that the win spectre of radicalisation and militancy poses a serious challenge to the state. In the report, he suggested a few measures, including setting up an inquiry commission and outposts of central forces or the BSF in districts bordering Bangladesh, besides writing, eedless to add, the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution also remain. The imposition of Art 356 refers to the President's rule in a state. Asked about this, an official told PTI, The governor has not proposed implementation of Art 356. He meant that the provisions of Art 356 are open to the Centre if the situation in the state further deteriorates. The TMC described the report as politically motivated while the BJP hailed it. Apprehending a spillover of the Murshidabad violence to other districts, Bose said the Centre might consider constitutional options to put a check on the current situation besides generating confidence of people in the rule of law. He also claimed that the riots appeared premeditated and the state government was aware of the imminent build-up of a threat to law and order. The twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy poses a serious challenge for West Bengal, especially in two of the several districts sharing an international border with Bangladesh, viz., Murshidabad and Malda. In both these districts, there is an adverse demographic composition with Hindus being minorities. Another district, viz., Uttar Dinajpur, has a plurality, Bose mentioned in his report. The governor suggested several measures in the aftermath of Murshidabad violence that left three people dead. Prime accused in riot-hit Murshidabad double murder arrested by STF, fourth arrest in violence case The riot occurred amid anti-Waqf Act protests. The report mentioned formulating an overarching legislation to empower the Union Government to maintain law and order when the state machinery fails to act effectively. It also said about appointing a commission of inquiry to look into the eported acts of omission and commission and to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in future and needless to add, the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution also remain. Of late, there are indications of radicalisation and polarisation, the report said. The divisions are so deep that even in the face of escalation of violence, the chief minister's repeated undertaking that she would protect minority interests, and that the Act would not be implemented in the state, have done little to assuage the Muslim community or stem the tide. It is imperative that the rule of law must be firmly established, and the police must prevent violence, Bose wrote in the report. Going by the state's history of political clashes, there is a possibility that the Murshidabad violence would spill over to other districts, he said. After the Waqf (Amendment) Act was notified on April 8, conflagration unfolded in Murshidabad district and continued for several days, Bose said adding that the authorities suspended internet services on the same day. Thus, the state government was aware of the imminent build-up of threat to law and order in Murshidabad, he alleged. The sequence of events shows woeful lack of coordination among administration and law enforcement agencies that were either too feeble to rise to the challenge or were reluctant to do so, he said. Referring to his trip to the district, Bose said that the atrocities inflicted appear to be systematic and reek of an intention to destroy the identity of a particular group. 'Proactive action' will be taken: Bengal Governor Bose meets family of deceased in riot-hit Murshidabad The incidents can be termed as attempts at cultural erasure, the governor said. Such a grave violation of human rights causing immense suffering and loss has very few parallels in recent history, he said. Bose also stated that intensifying political rivalry between the ruling party and the Opposition has led to both parties increasingly leveraging religious identity to consolidate their voter bases.. The narrative is now religion-driven. The TMC has positioned itself as a protector of Muslims who constitute over 30 per cent of the state's electorate and holds sway in roughly 125-130 of the 294 Assembly seats, he said. Bose alleged there was a marked rise in law and order issues ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. In the surcharged political spectrum, parties are vocal at highlighting the fault lines and communal fissures leading to tension and violence, he said. Bose observed that the police were ineffective and central forces are needed to bring back normalcy. Hitting out at Bose, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, This is the report of his political assignment. He knows the situation is under control and that is why he mentioned that if the situation deteriorates, the provision of Art 356 is open. The governor should have mentioned the role of BSF, the jurisdiction was increased to 50 km from the border. BJP MP Shamik Bhattacharya said, We are grateful to the governor that he has filed the report. The final call would be taken by those who are the custodians. Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury called the report very general. He said if the situation deteriorates, Art 356 is open. So he thinks the situation is yet to deteriorate, Chowdhury said. Terming the report frivolous, CPI(M) MP Bikash Bhattacharya said, It is just a political gimmick. NCW team meets riot-hit people in Bengal's Murshidabad, TMC describes commission as BJP's wing
Borderlands Of Flux: Malda, Murshidabad, And The Vanishing Voter
Kin of IB officer slain in Pahalgam terror attack demand justice from Centre
PATNA: A pall of gloom enveloped Aruhi village in Bihars Rohtas district after Manish Ranjan, a native and Intelligence Bureau officer posted in Hyderabad, was killed in Tuesdays terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Manish was attacked when he, along with wife and two children, had gone to Jammu and Kashmir on a personal tour. Alok Priyadarshi, uncle of the slain IB officer, said that he had also planned to go with Manish Ranjan to have a glimpse of Maa Vaisno Devi but could not accompany him due to ill health. We want justice from the union government, he told this reporter over the phone. Priyadarshi said that Manishs wife Asha alias Jaya and their two kidsa 12-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter are stated to be safe. The terrorists shot Manish with sophisticated weapons in front of his wife and children, who escaped towards the opposite direction after the firing. Manishs father, Manglesh Mishra, lives with his family in Malda district of West Bengal, where he was posted as a teacher in a college. He is living with his family in Malada after he retired from service. Manish was the eldest among three siblings of Manglesh, Priyadarshi said. Manishs second brother Rahul Ranjan is employed in Food Corporation of India (FCI) while the youngest brother, Vineet Ranjan, is posted in Excise department in West Bengal. Family sources said that Manish was transferred to Hyderabad from Ranchi in Jharkhand about three years ago. His grandfather Parasnath Mishra, a retired headmaster from a government school, died about a decade ago. The family has an ancestral house in Gorakshni locality of Sasaram, the district headquarters of Rohtas. Manishs uncle Alok Ranjan, who lives at Sasaram, said that Manish had called him over the phone while going on a personal tour in Jammu and Kashmir. The family was delighted over the tour programme. But destiny had willed it otherwise, Alok Ranjan said with a heavy heart. Another relative of the slain IB officer said that Manish had gone to Jammu and Kashmir three days ago. The family was elated over the trip to Jammu and Kashmir, recalled Dr. Surendra Mishra. Meanwhile, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and chief minister Nitish Kumar strongly condemned the terrorist attack and killing of innocent tourists in Pahalgam. The Governor expressed deep anguish over the incident and termed the terror attack a cowardice act. CM Nitish said he is deeply saddened by the loss of the lives of innocent citizens.
Heaven on earth turned to hell: Families in grief, horror after Pahalgam terror attack
What was meant to be a celebration of love, family, and dreams turned into one of the bloodiest chapters in recent Kashmir history. The serene valley of Pahalgam, famously known as Mini Switzerland, became the site of horror on Tuesday as terrorists opened fire on unsuspecting tourists. At least 28 lives were lost newlyweds, fathers, sons, and professionals who had come seeking peace but instead met brutality. Among them was Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, a 26-year-old naval officer from Karnal, Haryana, on his honeymoon with his wife Himanshi. The couple had married just five days prior, on April 16. Vinay, who had been commissioned into the Navy two years ago, was dining with his wife when he was shot in the head. His grandfather, a retired police officer, recounted how Vinay had always dreamt of serving the armed forces. He was just a boy when he started asking questions about military vehicles. That dream brought him here and now, took him away, he said. From Karnataka, another family is shattered. Manjunath Rao , 48, a Bengaluru-based realtor, was vacationing with his wife and son to celebrate his sons excellent results in the Class XII exams he had scored 96%. They had planned to return home on April 24. Instead, the family is returning with his lifeless body. His wife Pallavi, still numb with shock, recalled the harrowing moment when her husband was gunned down in front of her. After killing my husband, I asked them to kill me too. One of them said, Nahin marenge, Modi ko boldo... and walked away, she said. Prasant Kumar Satpathy , 43, from Balasore, Odisha, had been saving for months to show his family the snow-clad landscapes of Kashmir. The accounts assistant from CIPET was with his wife and nine-year-old son when he was gunned down near the ropeway. He just wanted to show us heaven on earth, his grieving wife told relatives. Now, his younger brother is on his way to bring his body back home. Shubham Dwivedi, a 31-year-old businessman from Kanpur, had been married for just two months. He was in Pahalgam with 11 family members when he was shot point blank after terrorists confirmed his identity. His wife Aishanya, who hails from Lucknow, watched in helpless horror. They asked me who he was. When I said, My husband, they shot him in front of me, she said. The couple had taken a train to Delhi, a flight to Srinagar, and were to return on April 23 the day of his final journey. In Aruhi village of Bihars Rohtas district, sorrow hangs thick in the air. The dusty lanes are unusually quiet, the faces somber. News that Manish Ranjan, an Intelligence Bureau officer, had been gunned down in front of his wife and two young children during the Pahalgam attack has left his entire village and family across two states in stunned disbelief. The 42-year-old officer, originally from Aruhi but posted in Hyderabad, had taken a rare break from work to travel with his wife Asha (also known as Jaya), 12-year-old son, and 8-year-old daughter. It was supposed to be a bonding trip a pilgrimage and a vacation wrapped into one. He was excited about visiting Vaishno Devi. I was going to join them too, but couldnt go because of my health, said his uncle Alok Priyadarshi, his voice trembling over the phone. Now we only want justice from the government. He served the nation and they shot him in front of his children. His family, originally from Rohtas but currently settled in Malda, West Bengal, is shattered. His father, Manglesh Mishra, a retired college teacher, had hoped to see all three of his sons thriving. Now the eldest is gone leaving behind grieving parents, two brothers employed in government services, and children too young to understand the finality of death. He had called me just before leaving, said his other uncle, Alok Ranjan, from Sasaram. The kids were excited. The family was happy. But destiny had willed it otherwise. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar both condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly and despicable act. But no statement can ease the devastation in Aruhi, where a decorated officers life ended in a valley that was meant to bring peace. 32-year-old Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local horse rider was the sole provider for his family. Adil wasnt a tourist. He wasnt part of any convoy. He was one of Kashmirs own a man who saddled up horses for visitors, offering them rides through the stunning slopes of Baisaran,That day, he had gone to Pahalgam for work as usual, unaware that he wouldnt return home again. When bullets flew, they hit locals and visitors alike. One of them struck Adil, ending a life that had been holding together an entire household. We called his phone when we heard about the firing, said his father, Syed Haider Shah, his voice trembling as he recalled the hours of helpless waiting. It was switched off. Later, it rang once, but nobody answered. We rushed to the police station. Thats where they told us my son had been martyred. Adils family lives in modest conditions no riches, no safety nets. His work as a horse rider was their only income. Now, his wife, children, elderly parents, and relatives are left shattered, not just by grief but by the uncertainty of what comes next. He was our only support, cried his mother, barely able to speak through her tears. He fed us, clothed us, did everything. Now, we have nothing. His uncle, Shaheed Bug Singh, painted a fuller picture: Adil had a young family his wife, his children. He was the eldest son, the backbone of this family. Poor as we are, we could still sleep at night knowing he was there for us. Now we have no one. Relatives and neighbours from the region echoed the same pain, and a shared feeling of betrayal. Adil represented the real Kashmir hardworking, peace-loving, said Mohiddin Shah, a relative. And yet he was gunned down like his life meant nothing. This isnt just a tragedy, its a wound on our Kashmiriyat. The Shah family is now pleading for help financial, emotional, and most of all, judicial. We want justice, his father said. We want answers. Why was an innocent Kashmiri man killed? Who will now take care of his family? Across the nation the reaction is the same: silence, disbelief, and mourning. Entire communities have been left reeling.
KOLKATA: Teachers who have been rendered jobless following a Supreme Court verdict and on an indefinite sit-in before the West Bengal School Service Commission headquarters, on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of making false promises of job security. They also alleged that the SSC has lost all credibility after its failure to publish the list of untainted candidates and, by extension, identifying the deserving teachers, by the deadline of 6 pm on Monday. The CM, earlier in the day, urged the protesting teachers to return to work, assuring them that her government will protect their salaries. You don't need to worry about who is tainted and who is not. You only need to worry about whether you have your job and whether you are getting your salaries on time. The list to identify the tainted and untainted teachers remains with the government and the courts, Banerjee said at an administrative programme in Midnapore. We assure that your jobs are safe for now, and you will get your salaries. Please return to your schools and resume classes. I have spoken about this several times since last night. We are with you, she said. Banerjee also warned the protesting teachers not to fall prey to those trying to provoke them. Had I been in Kolkata, I could have solved the issue within seconds. Do not pay heed to those who are provoking you. Let the state government look after it, she said. The CM asked us not to be apprehensive about the list of the tainted and untainted. She said the government will take care of that. After their failure to come up with the list of untainted candidates on the SSC website as promised on April 22, do they have any more credibility? Samirul Islam, a retrenched teacher of Malda district, told PTI sitting in front of the SSC office. He alleged that the state government is only trying to buy time so that the movement fizzles out. About Banerjee's statement that the state has not put a brake on their salary, Dipankar Bhowmik, a jobless teacher of Dakshin Dinajpur district, said, What she has claimed will not stand judicial scrutiny. She has not uttered a single word about the continuation of our job till retirement after the annulment in the Supreme Court order on April 3. We are not ready to buy her hollow promises. The Supreme Court on April 17 extended till December 31 the services of terminated teachers found untainted by the CBI. Promita Mallick, a teacher of Malda, asserted that the CM's promise of solving the impasse in seconds had she been in Kolkata holds no significance. She hasn't cared to visit us or meet us all this while. She is only interested in rhetoric. What prevented her from addressing the issue in the past one year? she asked. Altogether 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff of state-run and -aided schools lost their jobs after the Supreme Court found large-scale irregularities in the 2016 recruitment process and scrapped the entire panel on April 3. Education Minister Bratya Basu also requested the agitators to refrain from doing anything that might weaken the review petition that the state government was planning to file before the Supreme Court. Speaking to reporters in the afternoon, the education minister informed that the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, in its April 17 appeal before the Supreme Court to modify its April 3 order, had submitted by means of an affidavit that 17,502 recruited teachers and non-teaching staff from the 2016 panel have 'not been specified as tainted. Those who lost their jobs claimed that the reason behind their plight was the inability of the SSC, which appointed them, to differentiate between the candidates who secured employment through fraudulent means and those who did not.
NCW chief meets West Bengal Governor over violence in Malda, Murshidabad
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar addressed West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose regarding the violence in Malda and Murshidabad, highlighting the serious condition of women and children. She urged the West Bengal government to ensure their safety and security, while emphasizing the NCW's commitment to rehabilitation efforts without politicization.
West Bengal Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose visited violence-hit Malda and Murshidabad, met displaced families, and urged urgent rehabilitation and stronger border vigilance.
BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty targets Bengal police, calls for President's rule in state
Actor turned BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty on Saturday called for President's rule in West Bengal, stating that the military should be deployed in the state at least for two months during the elections. Ive requested many times, and Im still requesting the Home Minister. At the very least, please deploy the military inside for two months during the elections. If they are deployed, then fair elections will happen, IANS quoted Chakraborty as saying. Criticising the Bengal police for its alleged inability to control violence during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that rocked the Murshidabad district of the state, resulting in three deaths, the BJP leaders said, Whenever theres a riot or disturbance, they just bring a chair, sit down, and watch like its a performance. And once it's over, they pack up their chairs and go home. Thats their job. Eyes closed, everything ignored Attacking Chief Mamata Banerjee, Chakraborty alleged that she could have prevented the violence if she really wanted to. If that madam (Mamata Banerjee) really wanted to, everything could be shut down in just one day. Just one day, and it would all be over. But until now, she hasnt even said anything, he alleged. In Bengal right now, Sanatani people, Christians, Sikhsall our brothersthey are not going to vote for this party. Their time is over now, so you have to keep their vote bank happy. Thats why no matter what wrong is done, nothing will be said against them... Chakraborty said. Chakraborty's statements come amid West Bengal C V Ananda Bose's visit to the violence-hit areas of the Murshidabad district. Commenting on the visit, Chakraborty said, He should have gone earlier. They delayed it; they werent allowing him to go. The people dont need money they need the mental strength that someone is standing with them. But even if they want to go, they wont be allowed. Just sit and keep getting beaten, what can I say? On Friday, despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's request to postpone his visit , Bose had visited Malda and met people who have taken shelter in a temporary refugee camp after fleeing the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district. 'Proactive action' will be taken: Bengal Governor Bose meets family of deceased in riot-hit Murshidabad
VHP protests in Nagpur against Murshidabad violence; seeks President's Rule in West Bengal
Around 400 people, mostly women and children, ran away from their homes in Dhulian, Shamserganj in Murshidabad to Malda's Baishnabnagar to escape the violence, which occurred in Muslim majority areas
NCW team meets Murshidabad riot victims as TMC fumes
A delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by its chairman Vijaya Rahatkar, met with riot-affected women in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, assuring them of safety and demanding an NIA probe into the recent communal clashes. The women narrated their harrowing experiences and demanded permanent BSF camps in select areas of the district. The NCW team also visited relief camps in Malda district and assessed the condition of women affected by the violence.
KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday met family members of a man and his son, who were killed during violence over anti-Waqf Act protests in Murshidabad district, and assured them of all possible support, a senior official said. The bodies of the two, identified as Harogobindo Das and Chandan Das, were found in their house in Jafrabad locality in Shamsherganj with multiple stab wounds. The governor visited their house, spoke to the family members and assured them of support. They have demanded a CBI probe into the murder, a Raj Bhavan official said. Bose will also visit other strife-torn places in Dhulian, Suti and Jangipur in the district, he said. At least three people , including the father and son, died and over 274 have been arrested in connection with violence over the anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protests that engulfed these Muslim-majority areas from April 8-12. Before starting his journey for Shamsherganj, Bose spoke to members of some affected families at a guest house in Farakka, the official said. On Friday, despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's request to postpone his visit , Bose had visited Malda and met people who have taken shelter in a temporary refugee camp after fleeing the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district. He assured them that proactive action would be taken to address their grievances. I met the family members who are at the camp here. They have briefed me in detail. There will certainly be proactive action taken, the governor had said. NCW team meets riot-affected people in Bengal's Murshidabad; assures Centre's support
NCW team meets riot-affected people in Bengal's Murshidabad; assures Centre's support
KOLKATA: A delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by its chairman Vijaya Rahatkar, met the riot-affected people in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Saturday and assured them that all steps would be taken by the Centre to ensure their safety in future. The affected women narrated their plight during the violent days and demanded that permanent BSF camps be set up in select areas of the district and an NIA probe into the communal clashes which claimed three lives. The NCW chief told the victims that there was o cause for worry as the Centre was beside them. We have come here to see your plight. Please don't worry. The country and the commission are beside you all. Don't feel that you are alone, Rahatkar told the victims at Betbona town in Murshidabad. She said NCW would submit its report to the Centre. The NCW team had also visited a relief camp in Malda district on Friday and met those displaced by the Murshidabad riots. The commission had assessed the condition of women affected by the recent communal violence in parts of the state. The NCW had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the violence that broke out in Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur areas of Murshidabad on April 11 and 12. Three people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless during the clashes, which occurred in Muslim-majority areas, amid protests against amendments to the central Waqf Act. Murshidabad riots pre-planned; BJP, BSF, section of central agencies involved: Mamata Banerjee
NCW visits violence-hit Murshidabad; Women demand permanent BSF camps, NIA probe
A National Commission for Women (NCW) team visited Murshidabad, responding to demands from women for permanent BSF camps and an NIA probe following communal violence. Governor CV Ananda Bose also assessed the situation, while displaced families sought refuge in Malda. The NCW assured assistance and will recommend security measures to the Union Home Ministry, as investigations into the unrest continue.
Murshidabad violence | Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose meets Victim families in Malda district
Guv defies Mamata Banerjee, meets riot victims; NHRC, NCW teams visit Malda relief camps
Amidst tensions in Malda and Murshidabad following recent riots, NHRC and NCW teams visited relief camps to assess the conditions of displaced victims. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose defied the Chief Minister's request and also visited the affected areas, leading to accusations of political provocation.
Molested, driven out of home: Women at Malda camp to NCW
A delegation from the National Commission for Women (NCW) visited a relief camp in Malda, West Bengal, and reported that women were being harassed and threatened by police. The NCW team, led by chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, met with those displaced by riots in Murshidabad and alleged that the women were being coerced to return home without proper safety measures. The team is scheduled to travel to Murshidabad and Kolkata to continue their investigation.
Bengal Burns in Riot: NCW chief arrives in Malda to probe Murshidabad violence, meet victims
Rights Body Team Meets People From Violence-Hit Murshidabad
A team of the National Human Rights Commission arrived in West Bengal's Malda and met people who fled violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district.
West Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose is visiting Malda to meet victims of the Murshidabad communal violence, defying chief minister Mamata Banerjee's request to postpone the trip. He aims to assess the situation firsthand, visiting hospitals, residences, and relief camps to formulate recommendations. The governor plans to meet victims who fled there following recent communal violence in Murshidabad district.
NHRC team arrives in Malda to meet refugees from Murshidabad violence
The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the recent violence in Murshidabad that broke out during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act
West Bengal Governor heads towards Malda, likely to visit violence-hit Murshidabad
KOLKATA: Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting him to postpone his visit to the violence-hit Murshidabad district, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Friday left for Malda where he is likely to meet the victims of the riot who fled there. I am going to the field, Bose told reporters while leaving for Malda on Friday morning. A senior official at the Raj Bhavan said that Bose might also be visiting Murshidabad after Malda. The HG will also review the situation there (in Murshidabad) himself. He may also visit those affected by the violence, the official told PTI. Three persons were killed in communal violence in the Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian and Jangipur areas of Murshidabad district having a Muslim majority population during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 11 and 12. Several people fearing for their lives fled to the neighbouring Malda district and have taken shelter there. Paramilitary forces, along with the state police, have been deployed in the riot-affected areas of the district, from where 274 people have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in vandalism and rioting. Murshidabad riots pre-planned; BJP, BSF, section of central agencies involved: Mamata Banerjee
Left With Just The Clothes On Our Body: Murshidabad Violence Victims Now Refugees In Their Own Land
Hundreds of Hindus from violence-hit villages fled to Malda and are now residing in temporary shelters or camps in the area, unsure of what the future holds for them
NCW takes suo motu cognisance of Murshidabad incident, forms panel to probe molestation of women
NEW DELHI: Taking serious note of the West Bengal incident, the National Commission for Women (NCW) announced setting up an inquiry committee to investigate the alleged molestation and displacement of women during the recent communal violence in Murshidabad. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar took suo motu cognisance of the incident and will visit the affected areas to assess the situation and meet victims, the statement said. Violence erupted on April 11 and 12 in pockets of Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian and Jangipur, during protests against the amended Wakf Act. At least three people were killed and several injured in the violence. In the Mandirpara area of Dhulian, numerous women were allegedly molested during the violence. The violence forced hundreds of women to flee their homes, with many crossing the Bhagirathi river to seek shelter in neighbouring Malda district, the commission said. This follows reports of several women enduring horrific molestation during communal unrest in the Mandirpara area of Dhulian, Murshidabad district. The violence has led to the exodus of hundreds of women, many of whom were forced to cross the Bhagirathi River in search of safety, seeking refuge in the nearby district of Malda. These women have been torn from their homes, living in fear and uncertainty, facing unimaginable trauma and loss, the statement added. Life returning to normal in violence-hit Murshidabad; nine arrested over clashes with police in Bhangor The four-member committee, headed by the NCW chief, will also include Dr. Archana Majumdar, Member of the NCW, and Dr. Shivani Dey, Deputy Secretary of the NCW, to support the inquiry and ensure a thorough investigation. They members will arrive in Kolkata on April 17 and proceed to Malda the next day to meet the affected women and families displaced by the violence in Murshidabad. The committee will also hold meetings with the Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate of Malda, along with other relevant authorities. On April 19, the committee will visit violence-affected areas in Murshidabad, including Shamsherganj, Jaffarabad, and other impacted locations. During the visit, the team will interact with local victims, their families, and also meet with the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Murshidabad, the statement added. The Committee will investigate the circumstances that led to the incident and evaluate the response and measures taken by the concerned authorities. It will engage with the victims, their families, officials, and other relevant individuals to gather facts and suggest remedial measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The Committee is empowered to hold meetings at times and locations it deems appropriate and will regulate its own procedure, it added.
'TMC netas may've sparked violence with aid of Bangladeshis'
Reports indicate that TMC members allegedly incited Bangladeshi individuals to instigate minor disturbances during protests against the Waqf Act in Murshidabad. However, the situation escalated into communal violence, resulting in three deaths and the displacement of Hindu families to Malda.
Bengal Violence: Families Migrate To Jharkhand, Relief Camps Set Up in Malda
Several families have been displaced, with many migrating to Jharkhand's Pakur district, while others have taken refuge in relief camps set up in Malda, following the unrest in Murshidabad triggered by protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Following the 2021 election, violence and attacks on Hindu properties in districts like Murshidabad and Malda have driven many families to leave these areas
Refugees In The Free Country: Hindu Women Of Murshidabad Describe Horrific Experiences
Many Hindu families of the Murshidabad district have become refugees suddenly. They were forced to leave their homes and fled to neighbouring Maldah district. Those Hindu families are now staying in a government run School. From the relief camp, Hindu women have made serious allegations against the TMC leaders and Islamist. Hindu women alleged that Continue reading Refugees In The Free Country: Hindu Women Of Murshidabad Describe Horrific Experiences The post Refugees In The Free Country: Hindu Women Of Murshidabad Describe Horrific Experiences appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
Trinamool Congress Minister Firhad Hakim has shamelessly downplayed atrocities committed against Hindus in Murshidabad and their eventual exodus to the nearby Malda district. While speaking to news agency ANI on Monday (14th April), he claimed, There is no such situation here. They are going from one part of Bengal to another. Bengal is safe, so Continue reading They Are Migrating Within Bengal: TMC Minister Firhad Hakim Downplays Exodus Of Hindus Due To Muslim Onslaught In Murshidabad The post They Are Migrating Within Bengal: TMC Minister Firhad Hakim Downplays Exodus Of Hindus Due To Muslim Onslaught In Murshidabad appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
WB violence: With broken homes, vandalised shops people face uncertain future
Hundreds of people take shelter in camps in adjoining Malda district, in Murshidabad violence signs of violence evident on streets
Murshidabad Violence Latest Updates | BJP Opens Up A Control Room For Distressed Hindus In Malda
| Sukanta Majumdar is in Malda. opens up a control room for distressed Hindus in Malda. n18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Jangipur still on boil; Youth hurt in mob-BSF clash, 200 homeless flee to Malda
During the day, angry villagers were seen rushing to a high level police team, on the patrol in Dhulian, and complaining against Farakka Trinamul Congress MLA Monirul Islam's elder brother Kausar Ali for vandalising their houses and shops with 200 armed associates
Union Minister Shukanto Mojundar To Meet Displaced Hindus In Malda Amid Rising Tensions | News18
Union Minister Shukanto Mojundar is set to visit Malda to meet displaced Hindus residing in a school, following recent violence in Murshidabad. This visit aims to showcase BJP's support amid rising concerns over safety and government protection under Mamata Banerjee's administration. n18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Bengal: Hundreds flee violence-hit Murshidabad, cross river to take shelter in Malda
Following communal violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, hundreds have fled across the Bhagirathi River to Malda. Victims, primarily from areas like Dhulian, cite attacks and arson related to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Displaced families are being sheltered in schools with food provided by the local administration.
BJP MP urges Centre to declare four Bengal districts as 'Disturbed Areas' under AFSPA
BJPs Purulia MP alleged that districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and South 24 Parganas have witnessed violence against Hindus, with the State administration turning a blind eye
BJP MP urges Centre to declare 4 Bengal districts as Disturbed Areas under AFSPA
KOLKATA, Apr 13: BJPs Purulia MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the Centre to declare select bordering districts of West Bengal as disturbed areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), alleging repeated attacks on the Hindu community. In his letter dated April 13, Mahato alleged that districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and South 24 Parganas have witnessed violence against Hindus, with the state administration turning a blind eye due to [] The post BJP MP urges Centre to declare 4 Bengal districts as Disturbed Areas under AFSPA appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
BJP MP Urges Centre to Impose AFSPA In Murshidabad
Mahato alleged that districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and South 24 Parganas have witnessed violence against Hindus
KOLKATA: BJP's Purulia MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the Centre to declare select bordering districts of West Bengal as disturbed areas under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), alleging repeated attacks on the Hindu community. In his letter dated April 13, Mahato alleged that districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and South 24 Parganas have witnessed violence against Hindus, with the state administration turning a lind eye due to what he called the ruling Trinamool Congress' appeasement politics. He claimed that over 86 Hindu homes and shops were looted or destroyed in Murshidabad district recently and that civilians, including a man named Hargobindo Das and his son, were murdered. In Jhaubona village, he said, betel leaf plantations were set ablaze in what he described as argeted economic sabotage. These are not isolated incidents. Similar unrest has unfolded across bordering districts, leaving the 'Hindu population vulnerable and voiceless', the MP said. Referring to violence that broke out over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Mahato alleged that mobs attacked Hindu homes, public property and even police forces. The Calcutta High Court had to intervene and order central armed police force deployment, highlighting the state's administrative failure, he added. Drawing a parallel with the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the BJP MP warned that a similar situation could emerge in Bengal if immediate steps were not taken. I most respectfully urge you to consider declaring AFSPA in the bordering districts of West Bengal, he wrote, adding that such a move would help restore law and order, deter future violence and assure Hindus that they are not abandoned. Mahato concluded the letter with a plea for decisive action to ensure justice, security and the rule of law. Meanwhile, Ranaghat BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar also wrote to Shah and urged the Union Home Minister to intervene urgently in the light of the deteriorating law and order situation in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. He requested a high-level investigative and monitoring team from the Ministry of Home Affairs and reinforcement of central forces in vulnerable areas. Sarkar stressed the need for strict legal action against the perpetrators to restore peace and uphold constitutional rights.
Over 110 arrested in Murshidabad in violence over Waqf Act; raids on in other districts: WB Police
KOLKATA: Over 110 people were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police said on Saturday. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts over the new legislation on Friday. Raids were underway in all these districts, with over 110 arrested in Murshidabad, police said. About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence, a police officer said. The situation in these violence-hit places remained tense on Saturday morning, but no untoward incident was reported, officials said. In the worst-hit Murshidabad district, prohibitory orders have been imposed and internet services suspended in places that saw violence, they said. Patrolling in Suti and Samserganj areas is going on. Nobody is allowed to regroup anywhere. We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation, an officer said, appealing to the people to not pay heed to umours on social media. Meanwhile, a teenage boy who was injured allegedly in police firing during the clashes in Suti was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata, police said. The districts that saw violence have significant Muslim populations. The BJP attacked the Mamata Banerjee government, stating that if it was incapable of handling the situation, it should seek help from the Centre. Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear amongst other Communities of our Society, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X. I am deeply outraged and vehemently condemn the atrocious incident of vandalism at the Jalangi BDO Office in Murshidabad District, carried out by radical elements masquerading as protestors against the Anti-Waqf Law. Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a pic.twitter.com/vexakFnNBi Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) April 12, 2025 Public property was destroyed, Government Officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created, all under the false guise of dissent. The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening, he said. Adhikari said that those behind the violence must be identified, arrested and prosecuted under the strictest sections of law. Muslim groups protest Waqf Amendment Bill in Kolkata
Violent protests against Waqf Act rock parts of Bengal
Protests against the Waqf Act turned violent in parts of West Bengal on Friday, with demonstrators setting ablaze vehicles, disrupting traffic and rail movement, and injuring several policemen. The unrest erupted in Suti, Murshidabad district, where protesters defied prohibitory orders, hurled stones at security personnel, and torched police vans and public buses during processions. Police responded with lathi charges and tear gas, while some officers were forced to seek refuge in a nearby mosque. Similar protests were held in Malda and Kolkata, prompting Governor C V Ananda Bose to direct the state government to take swift action against those responsible. The governor also contacted Union Home Minister Amit Shah and held discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was recently passed by both houses of Parliament, aims to improve the management of Waqf properties, safeguarding heritage sites and promoting social welfare.
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari visits clash-hit Mothabari in Bengal's Malda
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari visited Mothabari in West Bengal's Malda district, meeting families affected by recent clashes. He stated he needed court permission after his requests to the police superintendent went unanswered. Adhikari urged the families to remain united and have faith in the law.
West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari visits clash-hit Mothabari in Malda
Keep faith in the law, Suvendu Adhikari told the affected families, while asking them to stay united
In two other incidents in the Malda region, jawans of the 88th Battalion and 71st Battalion had foiled smuggling attempts and rescued 11 animals, says the BSF
Couple Dies By Suicide On Video Call After Families Disapprove Relationship
A couple from Malda, Fultus Mandal and Rakhi Mandal, died by suicide after their families disapproved of their relationship. They ingested poison during a video call. An investigation is ongoing
19-year-old allegedly gang-raped by 23 people for a week in Varanasi; six arrested
LUCKNOW: A 19-year-old girl in lodged an FIR with police claiming that she was raped by 23 people who shot the videos of the act within 7 days since she left home in Varanasi on March 29. In her written complaint, the victim, named 12 of the accused while the remaining 11 were described as unidentified men. However, the police have taken six persons into custody in connection with the incident. The victim, who is preparing for admission into a sports course, had reportedly gone missing from her home on March 29. Significantly, the girls family filed a missing person complaint on April 4, and she was found the same day. However, then no complaint of sexual assault was registered either by the victim or her family. On April 6, the family approached the Lalpur Pandeypur police station to lodge a formal complaint by her mother based on which an FIR was registered by the police. Police confirmed that a total of 23 men were named in the FIR, of which 11 were unidentified. The police confirmed that they were questioning staff members of the hookah bar and were examining CCTV footage from the area to verify the girl's account and identify those involved in the alleged crime. The complainant, however, refused to undergo a medical examination. She maintained that she was sexually assaulted by the accused after being drugged at separate locations during a span of seven days from March 29 to April 4 when she was away from home. As part of preliminary investigations, police are on the lookout for the people named as accused in the complaint and verifying specific details mentioned in the FIR. DCP Chandra Kant Meena of Varuna Zone said the girl had initially gone out on her own with a friend, and the investigation was on. He also clarified that, despite some media reports, the girl was not a minor. As per the details of the complaint, the victim has five siblings. After class 12th, the victim had been taking part in athletic events at the school and college level. Currently, along with studies, the victim had been working in the spa centre of a city hotel. The complainant claimed that her daughter (victim) used to be away from home often for a couple of days in connection with her work. However, this time, she was away for a week. In the complaint, the victims mother claimed that after finishing her work on March 29, while the victim was returning home, she met one of her friends, Raj Vishwakarma, who took her for an outing. The complainant claimed that Raj took the victim to a hotel where he raped her and shot the video of it. On March 30, when the victim tried to go home, Raj called his friends Sameer, Ayush Singh and others and they asked the victim to stay back in the hotel or else they would make her video with Raj viral on social media. Then she was raped by all of them. The complainant claimed that the perpetrators had taken away the mobile phone of the victim, so she could not call anyone. After keeping the victim in that hotel for a day, the perpetrators called some more persons named Suhail, Sajid, Anmol, Danish and Zaheer. They made the victim sit in a car and took her to Continental Caf in Maldahiya locality in a sub-cautious state as they had forcibly made her sniff some intoxicated substance. They assaulted her sexually and called more persons, including Imran, Shoaib and Zaib, who also took turns with her. In the meantime, one of the accused Sajid made the victim sit in a car with 5-6 persons and they raped her in moving four-wheeler before throwing her out in the dead of April 3 night. So far, around half a dozen persons including Sajid, Ayush Singh, Danish Khan, Anmol, Imran and one more person, were taken into custody by the police in connection with the case.
Tension flares in WB during Ram Navami as arms brandished in rallies; BJP, TMC trade barbs
KOLKATA: Amidst heightened security, Ram Navami celebrations were marked by political tension and instances of open display of arms in parts of West Bengal, sparking a fresh war of words between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress. In Kolkata alone, more than 70 rallies were planned, prompting the deployment of nearly 4,000 to 5,000 police personnel. Drones and CCTV surveillance were used extensively to monitor the situation. Quick response teams were stationed in sensitive areas such as Entally, Cossipore, Khidderpore, and Chitpore. Celebrations began across the state on Sunday morning with vibrant processions, devotional music, saffron flags, and tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana, as devotees thronged the streets chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'. However, several rallies reported open display of weapons. In Malda, a large procession started from Ramakrishna Palli Maidan with participants openly brandishing swords and other arms. Similar scenes were reported from Sankrail in Howrah, where organisers allegedly did not have official permission to carry weapons. Police sources confirmed that legal action is likely to be taken for violating the events terms. Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh stirred controversy during the celebrations by defending the presence of arms at religious processions. Whats wrong if someone carries a weapon? he said. Targeting Jadavpur University, Ghosh added, If slogans like Bharat tere tukde honge can be tolerated, whats the problem with chanting Jai Shri Ram in Jadavpur? Meanwhile, BJP state president Sukanta Majumder said, Lakhs of Hindus are expected to hit the roads on Ram Navami. I would urge the state government to take steps so that it can be celebrated peacefully. Any attempts to forcefully halt the celebrations wont be tolerated. Ram Navami celebrations will be held, no matter what you do. In New Town, BJP leader Locket Chatterjee claimed her Ram Navami rally was stopped by police, prompting a change in route. She was seen engaging in a heated argument with police personnel after the procession was halted near Keshtopur on the citys northern fringes. Police said barricades had been placed at the Keshtopur crossing near VIP Road after the rally attempted to enter Salt Lake. Chatterjee later walked past the barricades and instructed participants to take an alternative route to avoid further confrontation. She was seen riding a two-wheeler at the beginning of the rally from a Ram temple in New Town, joined briefly by party leader Arjun Singh. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, after laying the foundation stone of a Ram Mandir in his Nandigram assembly constituency in East Midnapore, said, The TMC is afraid of Hindus and that is why in various parts of the state they are trying to create unrest. The Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP of trying to communalise the religious occasion. The BJP is trying to turn Ram Navami into a political event. They are not into the politics of development. They want politics over religion and create some sort of disturbance. Bengal will not tolerate this, said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. In the districts, senior IPS officers were deployed to oversee the celebrations in Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman, Purba Burdwan, Malda, Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri, and Siliguri to ensure peaceful conduct of events. This years Ram Navami celebrations are being held against the backdrop of recent incidents of violence against Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh and the politically charged run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
