Kolkata Police Constable Result 2026 out; PMT, PET from October 28
KP Constable Result 2026: The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board has declared the Preliminary Written Test result for Kolkata Police Constable and Lady Constable Recruitment 2024. The PMT and PET are scheduled to begin on October 28, 2026, with admit cards available from October 15. Candidates can check their results through the official recruitment websites using their application serial number and date of birth. The final answer key was released on October 8.
Video From West Bengal Shared As Delhi Police Transporting Uniforms Amid CEC Protests
BOOM found that the video is from West Bengal and not related to the recent protests demanding the resingation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Man Stabs 30-Year-Old Wife To Death In Hyderabad, Flees
The victim, identified as Ajmera, lived with her husband, Mohammed Mustafa. The couple, who were originally from West Bengal, had reportedly been married for around 15 years
'Misusing democracy': Bengal Minister attacks Cong over INDIA bloc protest
Digital Desk | Newtown, Oct 13 (IANS) West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday slammed the Opposition, saying that its leaders claim democracy has ended in the country while repeatedly criticising the government, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. He further said that they are misusing democracy. Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said, They (the Opposition) claim that democracy has ended in the country, and every day they hurl abuses at the government, the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. They even went to the Supreme Court seeking a resolution, which the public is witnessing. Misusing democracy in this manner is something only the Congress party does, and they will face the consequences for it. Ghosh also criticised Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his remarks on restrictions on protests in Delhi and said that it is because of democracy that you are able to make such statements. It is because of democracy that you are able to make such statements and take to the streets to protest. The people you are associating with were the ones who imposed the Emergency. Remember what happened to your father and the leaders of that time. So, stop making such unnecessary remarks. The public is watching. The Uttar Pradesh elections are approaching, so prepare well. People may give you another chance, but otherwise, you could face the same fate that Mamata Banerjee faced in West Bengal, Ghosh said. His remarks came a day after Yadav criticised the Delhi Police's decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites, describing it as the 'biggest defeat' for the BJP government. Yadav suggested that protesters should be allowed to demonstrate on Lok Kalyan Marg, where the Prime Minister's residence is located. He also said people should be thankful that they had not been directed to an 'underground' location to protest, alleging that the BJP and its associates held secret meetings at such places. Meanwhile, Ghosh expressed confidence that no genuine voter would be removed during the ongoing electoral process. He said the scrutiny of voter names should be expedited and the eligibility of those under review clarified. No genuine voter's name will be removed. The Supreme Court has also stated this, and the process is underway. I feel we need to act a little faster and clarify the names that are still under scrutiny. The names of those who are eligible voters should be included, while those who are not eligible should be removed. That will happen too. Those who are indulging in excessive politics over this can do whatever they want, he said. Commenting on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's planned protest, Ghosh described it as an old political practice and claimed that her party had lost public support. For 15 years, the people gave her an opportunity, and she did whatever she wanted, wrecking Bengal. Now see what we are doing. Bringing in outsiders to make them voters and getting them to vote, this kind of politics will no longer run in the country, he said. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction has planned a protest march in Kolkata on Tuesday against the Centre and the Election Commission, a day after staging a demonstration in New Delhi. The march, organised by the party's student and youth wings, is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. from Rajabazar and proceed towards Park Circus. It remained unclear whether Banerjee would participate and whether the party had obtained police permission for the rally.
Only Congress knows how to misuse democracy: Dilip Ghosh targets INDIA bloc over SC protest
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday criticised the INDIA bloc's protest against the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the opposition of misusing democracy and attempting to undermine constitutional institutions. Reacting to the INDIA bloc's protest, Ghosh alleged that Congress leaders had no faith in the Supreme Court and were attempting to intimidate the judiciary by marching towards it. They have no faith in the Supreme Court; instead, they are putting constant pressure on it and using intimidation tactics. They are threatening, bullying, and trying to weaken the very institutions that safeguard the nation, Ghosh told the reporters. Commenting on the INDIA bloc's march to the Supreme Court, Ghosh said the opposition claimed that democracy had ended in the country but continued to criticise the government, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the judiciary. They (the opposition) claim that democracy has ended in the country, and every d...
West Bengal bypolls proved that BJP does not draw support from just one community: CM Suvendu
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier said that 80% of the Muslims in Nandigram and 60% of the minority population in Rejinagar had voted for the BJP in the bypolls held on October 6
After regime change, colour revolution sweeps Kol pujas
West Bengal defeat UP by 8 wickets to clinch Seva Sankalp trophy
West Bengal SIR appeals pile up: 37 lakh cases await verdict
Seventeen Appellate Tribunals in West Bengal have resolved 126,194 cases while 37,05,235 appeals remain pending. These appeals primarily stem from disputes over the electoral rolls revision. Murshidabad and Malda, two minority-dominated districts, have the highest pending appeals relative to their disposals. While Hooghly district leads in case resolutions, many judges' resignations have led to vacancies in the Tribunals.
Delhis CR Park hosts exhibition on Kolkatas Durga Puja heritage
Major Administrative Reshuffle in West Bengal Ahead of Durga Puja
West Bengals government has reshuffled four IAS officers ahead of Durga Puja, marking significant administrative changes. Major Administrative Reshuffle in West Bengal Ahead of Durga Puja
Mob ransacks North 24-Parganas sabhadhipatis office
Pillion Rider Injured By Chinese Manjaa In Kolkata
Asiatic Society traces Durga Pujas journey through centuries
Carriage Owners, Animal Lovers On Either Side Of Horse Divide
Special lounges, ramps for disabled & elderly visitors
Calcutta University to introduce grading system in undergraduate courses, scores for attendance
Years 13th organ donation in city saves three lives
After stones and bottles at house, Bikash gets police summons
CBCI Condemns Attack on Bible Conference in West Bengal, Calls for Strict Action
The CBCI strongly condemns the attack on a Bible conference in West Bengal and demands immediate action against the perpetrators. CBCI Condemns Attack on Bible Conference in West Bengal, Calls for Strict Action
NFR unloads 1,094 freight rakes in September, Assam accounts for 585
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Oct 12 (IANS) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) unloaded 1,094 freight rakes across its zone in September 2026, ensuring the supply of essential commodities and industrial goods to the Northeastern states and strengthening regional supply chains, officials said on Monday. According to NFRs Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, food grains, food-grade items, fertilisers, sugar, coal, salt, tank wagons and other commodities were handled at various goods sheds across the zone during the month, facilitating their timely distribution and supporting economic activities. Assam accounted for the highest number of unloaded freight rakes at 585, highlighting the crucial role of the Railways in meeting the requirements of public distribution systems, industries and consumers, he said. Sharma said that during September, 102 freight rakes were unloaded in Tripura, 28 in Manipur, 15 in Nagaland, six in Arunachal Pradesh and five in Mizoram. Outside the mountainous Northeastern states, West Bengal recorded the unloading of 208 freight rakes, while Bihar accounted for 145, further strengthening trade connectivity and regional supply chains, he stated. The CPRO said that for NFR, the uninterrupted movement of essential and other commodities was vital for meeting daily requirements and supporting industrial and commercial activities across the region. He added that regular monitoring at various levels had helped reduce turnaround time and improve unloading efficiency, contributing to the smooth handling and distribution of goods. The freight operations underline the Railways' role in supplying essential commodities to the Northeast, where rail connectivity remains important for transporting goods from other parts of the country, the NFR official said. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.
Calcutta High Court grants bail to French refugee
Office-goers+schoolkids+puja shoppers+ revellers = Post-afternoon traffic gridlock
Tukde tukde gang on CM lips at Allen Park
Ensure no more mob attack on Kunal Ghosh: Calcutta High Court to Kolkata Police commissioner
Calcutta High Court proposes metal detectors, ban on paan, gutka, cigarettes on court premises
Monsoon bids city adieu, dry weather ahead
From Green Puja to Green Para: Citys oldest eco-puja award sets bigger goal
Smaller gated communities to share festive joy with poor
'Stay tuned for...': US envoy Sergio Gor on India-US ties after Modi-Trump talks
US Ambassador Sergio Gor emphasized the strengthening collaboration between India and America in defense and healthcare sectors. During an event in Kolkata, he mentioned recent military exercises involving Indian and American forces. Gor also highlighted significant investments in information technology and shared trust in India's pharmaceutical industry. The US is actively engaging with West Bengal to foster ties in various sectors.
Bengal: SSB rescues two minors from Mizoram in human trafficking attempt
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 12 (IANS) Troops of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) foiled a human trafficking attempt across the India-Nepal Border. Two minor girls were rescued, and two accused were taken into custody. One of those arrested is suspected to be the key conspirator. Around 5 pm on October 11, personnel of the Border Intelligence Team (BIT), 41 Bn, SSB, who were deployed on the New Bridge, Panitanki, in West Bengal, intercepted a silver-coloured Toyota Hyryder proceeding from India towards Nepal. There were three persons travelling in the vehicle. One of them was Mahesh Bhuralal Tanna (61), a resident of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The second was Navin Kumar (34), from Muzaffarpur in Bihar. He was driving the vehicle. The third occupant was a 17-year-old girl, a resident of Mizoram. During an on-the-spot preliminary inquiry, the minor girl revealed that she was travelling to Nepal with Tanna, an acquaintance of her father, supposedly for shopping and visiting a casino. She further stated that she had been staying with him at a rented flat near Salugara, Siliguri, lured by promises of employment at his spa centres in Mumbai and Goa, a senior SSB official said. The officials at the site sensed something amiss and alerted the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of Sector Headquarters, SSB, at Ranidanga and NGO partner Kosi Lok Manch, Siliguri. Teams immediately rushed to the SSB post at Panitanki for joint counselling and questioning. During sustained interrogation, Tanna confessed that an agent based in Mizoram had sent the minor girl to him about ten days earlier. He claimed that as she was underage, he engaged her as domestic help for Rs 4,000 until she attained majority. However, inspection of the suspect's mobile phone (iPhone) revealed compromising photographs and videos of the minor girl and another unidentified female stored in the 'Recently Deleted' folder, indicating gross sexual exploitation under the guise of employment, the official said. On being shown this evidence, Tanna was forced to admit that a second minor girl had been kept at his rented accommodation near Salugara, Siliguri. The SSB team immediately got into action and sent the information to the local police and NGO team in Salugara. Help was sought from the police as the area in Salugara was beyond the jurisdiction of the SSB. A police team, accompanied by members of the Kosi Lok Manch, raided the rented flat in Salugara in Siliguri and successfully rescued the second minor girl, the official said. Both rescued minors were taken to Kharibari Rural Hospital, where mandatory medical examinations were conducted in coordination with 41 Bn SSB personnel and the NGO team members. Subsequently, the girls, along with Tanna and Kumar, as well as the seized vehicle, were handed over to the Kharibari Police Station. An FIR was registered with the active assistance and coordination of 41 Bn SSB personnel for further investigation and prosecution under relevant statutory provisions. The NGO is coordinating with child welfare bodies for safe institutional care, counselling, and family repatriation of the two minors. Senior officials have appreciated the role played by the SSB personnel at Panitanki. It was their alertness and prompt action in coordinating with other agencies that resulted in the rescue of both girls and the arrest of the person behind the racket. Human trafficking is a major issue along the India-Nepal Border. Recently, six girls from Tripura, including three minors, were rescued while being taken to Nepal to work at a dance bar. The SSB has sensitised its troops and has strengthened intelligence gathering to prevent such crimes. It also works with NGOs working in this field to help the innocent victims.
Galiff St nearly empty after HC order, pet traders confused about licence
Thousands down with fever and cough ahead of festive season
Triple-engine governance on CM lips after water body inauguration
2 sanitation workers killed in accident
UCC committee to launch website for public opinion in 10 days
Married for 15 yrs, man kills wife over an argument in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad resident, on Monday afternoon, allegedly stabbed his 30-year-old wife to death over a dispute. The incident occurred in New Baba Nagar in Pahadishareef, under Balapur Police Station limits. According to local reports, the couple Ajmera and Mohammed Mustafa hailed from West Bengal and were married for 15 years. They had Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari inaugurates Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity
By Ujjwal Roy West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday inaugurated the 91st Durga Puja of Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity in Kolkata, unveiling the theme
He said that West Bengal would surpass Uttar Pradesh in the number of police personnel within the next two years
5000 water bodies in Kolkata illegally filled up for real estate promotion by Mamata: Bengal CM
Digital Desk | Kolkata. Oct 12 (IANS) Around 5,000 water bodies in and around Kolkata were illegally filled up for real estate promotion during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal, claimed Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday. He made this allegation while speaking at a function organised by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Monday and accused a section of the Trinamool Congress councillors of the now dismantled KMC board of being behind this menace. These councillors were square feet councillors. They were responsible for illegally filling up around 5,000 water bodies in several pockets under the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority from Joka and Haridebpur in the southern outskirts of Kolkata to Barasat, and Madhyamgram on the northern outskirts of the city during the previous regime. These square feet councillors have done everything that needed to be done to destroy the environment of Kolkata, he said. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister was in praise of Agnimitra Paul, the state municipal affairs & urban development minister and fashion-designer-turned politician. She is very active. Just as she works from her office, she also hits the streets for field inspections. The people who have done nothing troll her on social media. I have advised her to totally ignore them, the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, in another back-to-back program, where the Chief Minister handed over appointment letters to 12,000 police constables both in West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police, the Chief Minister said that there will be 9,000 additional recruitments in the police department soon. The police-to-public ratio in Uttar Pradesh is 200 cops for every one lakh of population. I promise that soon West Bengal will surpass Uttar Pradesh both in terms of police personnel and the police-to-public ratio, the Chief Minister said. Speaking on the occasion, he claimed that during the previous regime the police stations in the state were civic-volunteer centric. I do not blame the civic volunteers. They were recruited by the previous administration without following the basic recruitment procedure and without checking their eligibility. No training was arranged for them. They were also exploited, he said. On handing over the appointment letters to 12,000 police constables, CM Adhikari said that these recruitments in the police department were stuck midway because of the flawed Other Backwards Classes (OBC) policy of the previous ruling dispensation. Now we have corrected those flaws, cleared the appointment process, and appointment letters have been handed over to the successful candidates. More will be done in the coming days, the Chief Minister said.
Calcutta HC directs police chief to ensure security of TMC legislator Kunal Ghosh
Digital Desk | Kolkata. Oct 12 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Monday directed the Kolkata Police Commissioner to ensure total security for Trinamool Congress legislator Kunal Ghosh after he reported two consecutive attacks on him and his vehicles last month. A single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya also directed the city police to ensure that such attacks on Ghosh, a journalist-turned-politician and a prominent face of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, are not repeated. The court referred the matter to a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court. The case will be heard simultaneously with the public interest litigation filed concerning incidents of egg-pelting targeting individuals across West Bengal. Justice Bhattacharyya also directed the office of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, Ajay K Nand, to submit a report on the matter on the next date of hearing. On September 28, Ghosh approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection amid fears of further attacks. The Beliaghata MLA moved the Calcutta High Court after he and his vehicle were attacked twice within 24 hours, first near Uttar Parara in Hooghly district on September 26 and again in Kolkata on September 27. The matter came up for hearing on Monday. Justice Bhattacharyya directed the city police chief to ensure the security of Ghosh. During the hearing, Ghoshs counsel expressed concern over his security. He argued that his client, despite being an elected public representative, had been provided with just two police guards. Ghoshs counsel sought enhanced security for him, including a pilot car. The incidents that took place on September 26 and September 27 cannot be seen as mere incidents of egg pelting. Rather, there were attempts on his life, he argued further. In view of this argument, Justice Bhattacharyya raised the question of how a mob attack could have taken place despite the presence of two policemen. The court also questioned why such a situation arose if the security personnel were present. Ghoshs vehicle was allegedly attacked at Uttarpara in Hooghly district on the afternoon of September 26, when he was travelling to Serampore to attend a rally to be addressed by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Ghosh alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were behind the incident. The following day, Ghosh alleged he was targeted again in his Beliaghata constituency in Kolkata. He claimed several people followed his vehicle when he was leaving his residence and that some of them were carrying revolvers. Ghosh further alleged that an attempt was made to break the windows of his car with a hammer, while stones were also hurled at the front and rear windows of his vehicle. He said his vehicle was damaged in the incident. According to Ghosh, his car was chased up to Narkeldanga, and he accused BJP-backed men of being behind the attack. He also alleged that the police had remained inactive despite the incidents. The BJP has denied the allegations of involvement in the attacks.
Maha CM accuses Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc of trying to weaken judiciary through protests
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 12 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday launched a scathing attack on Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc, accusing them of executing a deliberate strategy to pressure and delegitimize India's constitutional institutions, including the Supreme Court, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Chief Ministers strong reaction came as INDIA bloc leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi, staged a high-voltage march in New Delhi towards the Supreme Court. The opposition leaders are demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of subverting electoral integrity and obbing the nation. CM Fadnavis criticised the opposition for brandishing copies of the Constitution while systematically undermining constitutional bodies. He alleged that the current protests are part of an extreme far-left plot designed to reject Dr B R Ambedkars Constitution and breed public distrust against democratic systems. Questioning the rationale behind marching to the apex court to force a meeting with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), CM Fadnavis asked, Which section of the Constitution empowers a political march to demand an audience with the Chief Justice of India? Attempting to exert pressure on the Supreme Court is a direct insult to Dr Ambedkar's Constitution. Drawing a sharp contrast, he invoked the 1975 Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He highlighted how the Congress regime then suspended fundamental rights and restricted citizens from approaching High Courts and the Supreme Court. We fought against constitutional tampering in 1975, and we will fight again today. We will never allow anyone to alter or tamper with Dr B R Ambedkar's Constitution, he declared. CM Fadnavis asserted that Congress's repeated electoral failures have driven it to resort to anarchy. He also pointed to instances during past agitations at Jantar Mantar, where social media algorithms were manipulated to spread chaos, noting that platforms like Meta later issued apologies over ad-driven content and missteps involving Prime Minister Modi's posts. He stated that Congress needs to stop blaming Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for its political setbacks and instead look inward at its failed leadership. Congress needs to find the reasons for its failure not in EVMs, but in its own leadership. This is a rejected leadership that is repeatedly re-launched, only to fail every time, he noted. Emphasising Congresss declining footprint, CM Fadnavis noted that key states across the nation have rejected the party for decades, including Tamil Nadu: 59 years, West Bengal: 50 years, Uttar Pradesh: 46 years, Sikkim: 42 years, Bihar: 36 years, Tripura: 33 years, Gujarat: 31 years and Madhya Pradesh & Odisha: 23+ years. He added that across 18 states, voters have distanced themselves from Congress for decades, forcing the party to rely heavily on regional partners like the DMK, RJD, and BSP to survive. He accused the opposition of systematically trying to instill distrust in the public mind regarding democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Congress leadership directionless, blames institutions for poll defeats: Shivraj Chouhan
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 12 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing its top leadership of being completely directionless and asserting that this was the primary reason behind the party's repeated electoral defeats across the country. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Chouhan said, For several years, Congress has been continuously attacking constitutional institutions. Now, it has stooped to a point where putting the blame on constitutional institutions for election defeats has become a pattern. Losing elections one after another and then taking out protests has become the fate of the Congress... The reason for the repeated election defeats is not the Election Commission, but the directionless leadership of Congress itself, Chouhan said, pointing to alleged internal differences in the party's Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka divisions. The Union Minister further claimed that the Congress had been politically marginalised in several major states for a considerable period, citing Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as examples. Except for three or four states, Congress has been reduced to a junior partner in every other state, he said. Chouhan also accused the Congress of targeting constitutional institutions for political gain. Congress cannot win the country over by attacking constitutional institutions simply for the sake of holding onto power, he added. In a further attack, Chouhan alleged that the Congress routinely criticised institutions whenever their decisions or actions went against the party's interests. Congress is in such a state that when a court verdict goes against it, it attacks the court. When it loses an election, it attacks the Election Commission. When the Army eliminates terrorists, it attacks the Army. Congress has found it impossible to digest India's progress and the trust of the country's 1.40 crore people. That is why I say, with great anguish, that Congress is now joining hands with forces seeking to divide the country, Chouhan said, reiterating that the party's top leadership was completely directionless. Chouhan also took aim at remarks comparing the Congress to Lord Shiva's wedding procession, and said, Just now, they were saying that Congress is like Lord Shiva's wedding procession. They are talking about Lord Shiva's procession while opposing Lord Ram. This is not Lord Shiva's wedding procession; it is a group of troublemakers spreading chaos and trying to create disorder on the streets, he said. The Agriculture Minister also alleged that the Congress and the INDIA bloc were influenced by foreign powers and accused them of associating with groups and individuals whom he described as being opposed to India's interests. Congress and the INDIA bloc have now become puppets in the hands of foreign powers. For the sake of power, they sometimes rely on the Left, sometimes on cockroaches, sometimes on anti-national forces like George Soros, and sometimes on NGOs, he added. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's earlier statements, Chouhan said, Rahul Gandhi had once said that his fight is against the 'Indian state itself'; what does this mean, Rahul Gandhi? This shows how low Congress and Rahul have stooped. The remarks came amid the Congress-led INDIA bloc's march towards the Supreme Court, seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders have alleged irregularities in the revision exercise and raised concerns over the electoral rolls, while the BJP has defended the process and accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
Trade body flags online-offline price gap after 24,000 crore ecom sales
The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations (CWBTA) on Monday expressed concern over the rising volume of online festive sales and the deep discounts offered by e-commerce platforms, saying the widening online-offline price gap was hurting traditional retailers. E-commerce companies have reportedly clocked around Rs 24,000 crore in sales in the first two days of the festive season, it claimed. The apex trade body said such a shift in consumer spending, coupled with aggressive price competition, was putting significant pressure on offline retailers and traditional markets. CWBTA president Sushil Poddar said the issue was not the growth of e-commerce but the large difference in prices between online and offline sellers. Online sales of around Rs 24,000 crore in just two days clearly demonstrate the enormous scale of the shift in consumer purchasing. However, when such sales are driven by substantial price differences, the impact on offline traders cannot be ignored. Traditio
Trinamool to stage rally in Kolkata tomorrow on CEC issue, Mamata Banerjee likely to lead
Trinamool to stage rally in Kolkata tomorrow on CEC issue, Mamata Banerjee likely to lead Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress faction led by the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has announced a mega rally in Kolkata on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar. Although not officially announced as [] The post Trinamool to stage rally in Kolkata tomorrow on CEC issue, Mamata Banerjee likely to lead appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Billboard with Goddess Durga beside biryani sparks row
Kolkata: A biryani outlets poster featuring an image of Goddess Durga alongside the non-veg dish drew objections from locals in West Bengals Hooghly district, with the local BJP MLA demanding its removal, alleging that it hurt religious sentiments. The poster outside a high-rise residential complex in Uttarparas Hindmotor area features a plate of chicken biryani 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 .
A forest staffer, Akash Kerketta, helped save a herd of elephants in West Bengal by waving a red flag to alert an approaching Sikkim Mahananda train on the BagdograNaxalbari route. The train pilots responded in time, preventing a possible accident. An IFS officer's post on X praising Kerketta's quick action has won appreciation online, with users calling him an unsung hero.
West Bengal celebrates Mahalaya at Eden Garden: CM Suvendu's initiative creates new Guinness record
Dilip Ghosh Criticizes Congress Leaders Over Democratic Rights and Protests
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh responds to Congress leaders comments, asserting the BJPs role in granting media rights. Dilip Ghosh Criticizes Congress Leaders Over Democratic Rights and Protests
ED raids multiple locations in Kolkata in chit fund case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 12 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conducting simultaneous raids and search operations in eight locations in Kolkata on Monday in connection with a major chit fund scam in West Bengal. The ED teams were accompanied by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. Sources aware of the development said that a chit fund entity lured thousands of investors to invest in their multi-level marketing scheme by promising lucrative returns. Initially, some investors received returns as promised, prompting them to invest more in such schemes. However, the returns stopped coming gradually, which resulted in severe losses for investors. Later, the same money, as paid by the people, was illegally invested in several real estate projects in the city run by influential promoters extremely close to the previous ruling dispensation in the state. It is learnt that the eight locations, where simultaneous raids and search operations are being conducted since this morning, are mainly concentrated in South Kolkata, such as Tollygunge and Sarat Bose Road. However, further details on the matter are awaited. Last month, the ED launched raid and search operations in this particular financial fraud case. At that time, the investigating officers of the Central agency raided various offices of the investment company and the residences of several officials of the company. Based on the information received in the operation last month, the ED launched another operation on Monday, sources said. It is learnt that during the raid and search operations last month, the investigating officials of the ED examined various transactions and bank-related documents of the said entity and came to know that although originating in Kolkata, the said entity had spread its activities to other states as well. For the last few months, ED has become active again in West Bengal in several cases related to money laundering and bank loan fraud, among others, with raids and search operations by Central agency officials having become regular.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari inaugurates Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja pandal
By Ujjwal Roy West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday inaugurated the Durga Puja pandal at Santosh Mitra Square in Kolkata, which has chosen 'Vande Mataram' as its theme to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song. The inauguration ceremony was attended by BJP's West Bengal in-charge Sunil Bansal, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and other party leaders. Speaking at the event, Adhikari said the Durga Puja celebrations this year would honour Sanatan culture.
Minister signals end of road for traditional horse-drawn carriages around Maidan
Terracotta idol makes journey back to land of terracotta
Festive spirit sets in: City restos & bars rake in the moolah as footfall goes up
UCC committee gets 3 office rooms at Writers Buildings
Commuters Suffer As Auto Extortion Peaks In Puja Zones In Kolkata
Six Kolkata Scientists Get Patent From Centre For Electrical Leak-Check device
Pre-dawn Park St rash driving leads to brawl, cop thrashed
72-yr-old lives in fear after eviction threat
Citizens lose lakhs to power bill, visa frauds
Former driver molests woman, attacks home
Man away in Punjab, cash & jewellery stolen from Mukundapur flat
Teacher held for assaulting toddler inside classroom
Mamata Banerjee Takes Dig At CEC Gyanesh Kumar With Humpty Dumpty Poem
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a dig at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar by reciting the Humpty Dumpty poem. TMC MP Saket Gokhale shared the video, saying he filmed Banerjee during their detention by Delhi Police on Saturday.
Amar Para Maddox Square & Mudiali
Stabbed engg student goes home from hosp
Kolkata: Prabasi Bangali Pujas Stick To Tradition, Stir Up Kol Street Nostalgia
Bengal scientists CO2 research published in Science
Edu data shows surge in admissions to engineering, degree courses
Bengal BJP to invite open applications from professionals willing to contest KMC polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata (BJP) will invite open application from professionals from certain fields who are willing to contest the polls on behalf of the party in the forthcoming election by the year-end for the formation of the new board for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). A drop box will be placed at the BJP's old state headquarters at Muralidhar Sen Lane in central Kolkata where interested professionals from specific fields interested to contest the KMC polls on behalf of the party, said BJP Lok Sabha member from Balurghat seat in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal and Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, who is hearing a four-member committee to oversee the party's organisational preparations for the forthcoming polls for the KMC scheduled by the end of this year. Majumdar, the former State BJP President, told media persons on Sunday that the party is inviting successful professionals like engineers, doctors, legal practitioners, journalists and social workers to come forward, contest and if elected to get involved in betterment of civic amenities within the KMC areas. He also said that during the selection of candidates priority will be given on the clean image and acceptability of the candidates concerned and that is exactly why applications from successful professionals from significant fields are being invited. The drop box for the applications at Muralidhar Sen Lane office will be present there from Monday. Interested professionals would be able to submit their application at the drop box as long as the party office will remain open, Majumdar said on Sunday. Meanwhile, a state BJP committee member said that providing health-related services is a crucial civic service that KMC is supposed to provide. So, if KMC can have successful practicing doctors as Councillor, there will be automatic improvements in this sphere of work. At the same time, engineers play a role in various department like assessment and collections, buildings and lighting, among others. Similarly, getting legal professionals as Councillors will be immense help for KMC's legal department. The political parties running the KMC boards have never thought on these lines, the state BJP committee member added. The polling for formation of the new KMC board will tentatively be in the last week of November this year and the results are expected to be announced in the first week of December.
Muslim artisans weave Durgas hair, crafting a unique story of harmony in West Bengal
For many artisans several challenges have emerged over the years, and their efforts are not yielding sufficient income
Buy biryani from Hindu shops posters spark row in Bengal
Siliguri: A poster campaign by the Hindu Jagaran Manch urging people to buy biryani and puja articles from shops owned by Hindus triggered a controversy here, the largest town in the northern part of West Bengal. The posters were put up across the city by the Hindu Jagaran Manch, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak 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 .
AITC team probes attacks on Christians in Bengal after BJP win
Kolkata: A fact-finding team of the opposition Mamata AITC on Sunday, October 11, alleged that it found during visits to various parts of West Bengal that mobs vandalised churches, denied Christians burial rights and disturbed their prayers after the BJP came to power in the state in May. The partys Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose 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 .
NIA arrests one more in Bangladesh-linked outfit's terror conspiracy targeting Bengal, Northeast
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested one more accused from West Bengal in connection with a terror conspiracy orchestrated by an offshoot of the proscribed terrorist organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), an official said. Several digital devices, including mobile phones and memory cards, were seized from the possession of the accused during the arrest, the NIA official said in a statement. The arrest follows the arrest of 13 accused persons on September 29, after searches conducted at 16 locations across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala in connection with the same conspiracy. Earlier, on June 25, the NIA filed a chargesheet against 11 accused before the NIA Special Court, Guwahati (Assam), under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The NIA investigation revealed the involvement of the accused in a conspiracy hatched by Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), an offshoot of JMB, to spread the banned outfit's extremist ideology and expand its terrorist network in West Bengal and the north-eastern states of India. The conspiracy involved the radicalisation of vulnerable youth, the propagation of extremist ideology and the recruitment of individuals into the organisation, the NIA said. The investigation revealed that Imam Mahmud Habibullah, a senior member of JMB, had established IMK with the objective of promoting the banned organisation's agenda in India, the NIA said. The accused allegedly conspired to expand the activities of IMK/JMB through clandestine meetings, religious indoctrination programmes, circulation of extremist literature and misuse of digital platforms, including Telegram, for radicalisation and dissemination of anti-India propaganda, the statement said. They also sought to promote allegiance to the leadership of IMK/JMB and strengthen the organisation's network in India, it said. The NIA said that it is carrying out further investigation in case RC-01/2026/NIA/GUW to find other aspects of the larger conspiracy.
Bhubaneswar: Two Arrested in Nayapalli for Brandishing Sword and Extortion
Nayapalli Police in Bhubaneswar arrested two men from West Bengal on Sunday for brandishing a 32-inch iron sword in public, terrorizing commuters, and attempting extortion near ID Market. According to police, a patrolling team near Ekamra Park was alerted by a passerby around 9 AM regarding two Hindi-speaking youths creating panic with a sword on [] The post Bhubaneswar: Two Arrested in Nayapalli for Brandishing Sword and Extortion appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Uttarakhand college students meet Bengal Governor under Yuva Sangam initiative
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) A delegation of college students from Uttarakhand interacted with West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi on issues like learning and cultural exchange as part of the Union Education Ministry's Yuva Sangam initiative, an official said on Sunday. The interaction on October 8 provided the students and faculty members of the Uttarakhand delegation with an opportunity to experience West Bengals cultural identity and traditions, the official said in a statement. The students engaged in a discussion on the importance of strengthening connections among young people from different parts of the country, it said. The visit was organised by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, as part of Yuva Sangam Phase VII under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, it said. The objective of the programme is to foster national integration and strengthen people-to-people connections among the youth of the country, it said. The interaction provided the students and faculty members of the Uttarakhand delegation with an opportunity to gain valuable perspectives while experiencing West Bengals distinctive cultural identity and traditions. The programme provides participants from 20 paired States and Union Territories with opportunities to engage with Indias diverse cultural traditions, educational institutions, innovation ecosystems and developmental initiatives, thereby deepening their appreciation of the nations unity amidst diversity. The visit of the Uttarakhand delegation, with Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University as its nodal institute, to West Bengal commenced with a warm welcome on October 7. The delegation is being hosted by IIT Kharagpur, which is facilitating opportunities for the young participants to explore the States rich cultural and spiritual heritage, vibrant traditions and educational landscape, said the statement. The visit reflects the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by encouraging young people to explore new places, interact with diverse communities and build lasting friendships beyond geographical boundaries, said the statement. Through such immersive experiences, Yuva Sangam Phase VII continues to promote national integration, cultural understanding and appreciation of Indias rich diversity, it said.
Uttarakhand Students Explore the Cultural Richness of West Bengal
A group of students from Uttarakhand is discovering West Bengals culture and heritage through the Youth Sangam initiative. Uttarakhand Students Explore the Cultural Richness of West Bengal
Puja Vacation 2026: Is Your School Closing on October 16? Check Latest Reopening Dates
Planning for the Puja break? West Bengal schools are closing from October 16, 2026, with most reopening on October 27. Check your specific school's closure dates, exam shifts, and traffic advisories to avoid last-minute travel issues.
Mamata AITC alleges 'Hindi imposition', distortion of Bengali over KMC poster campaign
Mamata All India Trinamool Congress accused the West Bengal BJP government of distorting the Bengali language. They cited a cleanliness campaign poster that mixed Hindi and Bengali phrases, which sparked controversy. Party leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction, urging corrections to be made to preserve the integrity of Bengali language. No response has been provided yet from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation regarding the allegations.
DRI seizes gold worth Rs 8.98 crore after high-speed chase near Visakhapatnam
Digital Desk | Visakhapatnam, Oct 11 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign-origin gold worth Rs 8.98 crore near Visakhapatnam and arrested two persons. The gold weighing over 5.8 kg was seized from a car after a high-speed chase near Visakhapatnam, the agency said on Sunday. The gold hidden under the car seat was being transported from Kolkata to Hyderabad. According to the DRI, it seized 5,832.90 grams of gold worth Rs 8.98 crore in the market from a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad, following a chase and search on the night of October 8-9. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials maintained heightened vigilance along the National Highway. They intercepted the car carrying two passengers after a prolonged chase. After sustained questioning and a systematic search of the vehicle, officials detected a specially fabricated cavity beneath the leg space of the front co-passenger seat. They recovered three packets containing 5,832.90 grams of 24-carat gold of 999 purity from the concealed compartment. According to the officials, the gold had been smuggled into India through the India-Bangladesh border and was being transported to Hyderabad. Officials seized the recovered gold under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. They arrested and produced both passengers before the jurisdictional magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody. The DRI said in another press release on Sunday that it intensified its crackdown on cross-border gold smuggling from Bangladesh, seizing around 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at more than Rs 11.50 crore in intelligence-led operations conducted on October 8-9 in the eastern region. The operations exposed the use of road and railway networks to transport smuggled gold from border areas towards Kolkata, resulting in the arrest of six persons, the DRI said. The officials seized 50 gold bars, weighing around 6.8 kg and valued at approximately Rs 10 crore, from a four-wheeler at Dankuni Toll Plaza. The vehicle, carrying four persons, was travelling from Banpur, near the Bangladesh border, towards Kolkata. On the same day, DRI teams in West Bengal intercepted passengers on trains at two railway stations, i.e., Malda Town Railway Station and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and seized around 1 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at around Rs 1.5 crore, from their possession.
Child marriage in India declines, but millions of girls remain at risk
With the 2030 target to end child marriage approaching, India still accounts for one in three child brides across the world, while one in every five Indian young women was married before turning 18. While the prevalence of child marriages has come down sharply from over 50 per cent in 1996 to little over 20 per cent now, experts, on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, have warned not to get swayed by the national average, emphasising that the problem is a lot more acute in some states. Five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh -- account for more than half of the total child marriages in the country, according to UNICEF and government data. States and union territories that are doing well include Kerala and Lakshadweep. This year's International Day of the Girl Child theme, End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights, calls for sustained investments throughout adolescence so that girls stay in school, remain healthy and
Rejected by people in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee in Delhi to keep herself relevant: Dilip Ghosh
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) After being rejected by the people of West Bengal, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is currently in New Delhi with a herculean attempt to keep herself relevant in national politics, said state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister and BJPs former national vice-president, Dilip Ghosh, on Sunday. Ghosh, also the BJPs former state president, ridiculed her, claiming she would now go to neighbouring Bangladesh and join any movement there to keep herself more relevant. She and her party, Trinamool Congress, have been completely rejected by the people of West Bengal. The combined vote share of the two factions of Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal has been less than three per cent. Trinamool Congress is non-existent in West Bengal. So, she has gone to New Delhi to keep herself relevant in the media. She should now go to neighbouring Bangladesh and join any movement there to keep herself more relevant. But still her party will never benefit, said Ghosh while speaking to the media persons. Ghosh also launched a scathing attack against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)s ongoing protest in New Delhi over the demand for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, which Mamata Banerjee has been supporting. There is foreign funding behind this movement. A conspiracy by the anti-national forces is behind this movement. The government has done the right thing in taking action in the larger interest of the country and its people, said Ghosh. Ghosh is not the first state BJP leader from West Bengal to ridicule Mamata Banerjee over her eagerness to be a part of the CJP movement. On Saturday, BJPs current state president in West Bengal and the partys Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, without directly naming Congress and the Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee, said that a half-dead political force had joined hands with a dead force to stay relevant over the CJP movement. On the occasion of Mahalaya today, the former West Bengal Chief Minister has gone to New Delhi instead of staying in the state. We want her to stay here during this festivity time and visit various puja pandals. We want to see her doing that. Where have all the big Trinamool Congress leaders gone? Bhattacharya asked on Saturday.
'Good behaviour', 'maintaining peace' placed as conditions for CJP leaders' release: Delhi Police
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in New Delhi on Sunday placed 'maintaining peace and good behaviour' as a condition for releasing the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders, police said. CJP's legal affairs head Ratna Singh earlier confirmed that the outfit's leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released by the SEM court after they were placed under preventive arrest by the Delhi Police. In a post on X, Delhi Police said: Preventive arrest u/s 126/170 BNSS of Sh. Abhijeet Dipke, Sh. Ashutosh Ranka and Sh. Saurav Das was done on 10.10.2026. All due legal procedures were followed and they were produced before the SEM Court, Delhi Cantt on 11.10.2026. A bail bond as Surety Bond of Rs 50,000/- was filled for maintaining peace and good behaviour, for a period of one year, and they were released by the SEM Court, it added. The three CJP leaders were detained on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport as they arrived in the national capital to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI). This came against the backdrop of the CJP's planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered over 20 FIRs in connection with attempts to forcibly stage protests, officials said on Sunday. The FIRs were filed for offences including taking the law into one's own hands, obstructing official duties, and assaulting police personnel, as the protesters gathered around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Saturday, over 3,000 anti-CEC protesters, including opposition leaders like former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, were detained in Delhi as law enforcers threw an unprecedented security ring around the national capital to prevent chaos at Jantar Mantar, forcing the proposed agitation to break into several small gatherings across the city. The authorities had earlier denied permission for the demonstration, warning against unauthorised gatherings, imposing internet restrictions, roadblocks and traffic diversions to prevent a repeat of the CJPs July protest at Jantar Mantar that turned violent. The detained protesters were taken to different destinations, including Chhatrasal Stadium and various police stations, the police said. Most of them, including the opposition leaders, were released later in the evening.
Bengal to soon have 375 fair price medicine shops for pet animals, birds
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) West Bengal will soon have 375 fair price medicine shops for pet animals and birds to be run by the Directorate of Animal Resources and Animal Health under the state Animal Resources Development Department. The department has issued a notification, saying that these fair price medicine shops for pet animals and birds, popularly known as Pashu Aushadhi Vikray Kendras (PAVKs), will be part of the Union Governments Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme. A department insider said that these PAVKs will not only cater to home pet owners but also to those who depend on livestock for their livelihoods. Of the 375 PAVKs, the main one will be at the state level, which will be at the state capital of Kolkata. Similarly, there will be 30 district-level PAVKs and 344 block-level PAVKs, said the department official. At the PAVKs, medicines and vaccines for pet animals, including dogs, will be available at much cheaper rates compared to those sold in private pet shops or pet clinics. It is often alleged, which to an extent is true, that a major scam has been going on for quite some time with animal medicines and vaccines involving a section of the veterinary doctors and representatives of pharmaceutical companies manufacturing veterinary medicines and vaccines, the state government official said. Explaining the nature of the scam, he said that a section of veterinary doctors is often accused of prescribing medicines and vaccines from particular brands instead of generic medicines in return for hefty commissions and other benefits in kind from the representatives of pharmaceutical companies manufacturing veterinary medicines and vaccines. Once these fair price medicine shops are operative, such alleged scams will automatically get restricted, and pet owners will benefit as they will be relieved of purchasing branded medicines at exorbitant prices, the department official said. He also said that these PAVKs will address another major problem faced by people residing in remote areas, and dependent on livestock for their livelihoods. That is exactly why as many as 344 PAVKs will be opened at the block-levels, keeping in mind the requirements of such people, the department official said. The information has brought cheer to the pet lovers. Often, we have to purchase medicines and vaccines for our pets, especially rabies vaccines for our puppies, at exorbitant prices since the veterinary doctors only prescribe branded medicines at premium prices. Now this initiative by the state government will solve that problem to a great extent, said Jayita Srakr, a city-based pet lover.
Delhi Police register over 20 FIRs in CJP Jantar Mantar stir case
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 11 (IANS) The Delhi Police have registered over 20 FIRs in connection with attempts to forcibly stage protests in the national capital, officials said on Sunday. The FIRs were filed for offences including taking the law into one's own hands, obstructing official duties, and assaulting police personnel, as the protestors gathered around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Meanwhile, the Executive Magistrate on Sunday ordered the release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka after the three were placed under preventive arrest by Delhi Police, according to CJP's legal affairs head, Ratna Singh. Singh had earlier said that the three were scheduled to appear before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station after being placed under preventive arrest. Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today. A Delhi police official informed me about this in the morning. As CJP's Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us, Singh had said in a post on X, earlier on Sunday. The three were detained earlier on Saturday at the Indira Gandhi International Airport as they arrived in the national capital to protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI). This came against the backdrop of the CJP's planned demonstration against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. On Saturday, over 3,000 anti-CEC protesters, including opposition leaders like former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, were detained in Delhi as law enforcers threw an unprecedented security ring around the national capital to prevent chaos at Jantar Mantar, forcing the proposed agitation to break into several small gatherings across the city. The authorities had earlier denied permission for the demonstration and warned against unauthorised gatherings, imposing internet restrictions, roadblocks and traffic diversions to prevent a repeat of the CJPs July protest at Jantar Mantar that turned violent. The detained protesters were taken to different destinations, including Chhatrasal Stadium and various police stations, the police said. Most of them, including the opposition leaders, were released later in the evening. Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also detained at his residence in Gurugram on Saturday and released early on Sunday. Meanwhile, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde announced that the protesters will once again march towards Jantar Mantar on Sunday and will rest only after the resignation of the CEC.
Mehboobas condemnation without PDPs participation under scrutiny
Srinagar, Oct 10:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday drew parallels between restrictions imposed in New Delhi during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the communication blackout and security clampdown in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. However, the absence of PDP leaders from the oppositions street mobilisation in Delhi has raised questions about the partys political positioning and its willingness to participate in a coordinated opposition campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. Criticising the restriction on X, Mehbooba posted: Todays Delhi is a chilling reminder of Kashmir after the unconstitutional abrogation of Article 370. People were locked in their homes, the internet was shut down, and an entire region was placed under siege. The BJP then brazenly claimed that nobody had protested. Today, with Delhi under siege, trains halted, and roads to Jantar Mantar sealed, they may repeat the same lie, claiming that nobody protested against Gyanesh Kumar. First crush the protest, then deny it ever happened. This is how enforced silence is passed off as consent. While her words echoed the concerns articulated by most opposition leaders, the partys visible participation in the protests has remained conspicuously limited. The political messaging has raised a question that the PDP has yet to answer publicly. If the restrictions in Delhi evoke such strong comparisons with Kashmir, why has that outrage not translated into PDP leaders visible presence at the protests? Talking to Greater Kashmir, PDP chief spokesperson Mehbooba Beg said, In principle, every sensible citizen protests this naked onslaught of democracy. The institution of the Election Commission of India has got into disrepute. Registering protest is important, whether one does it through tweets, statements, or hits the streets. He said that the Delhi protests are genuine as the vote theft affects the 13.5 crore people including the women of West Bengal, the minorities, and the citizens of the entire country. The senior PDP leader said that the CEC Gyanesh Kumar should tender his resignation as he headed an institution that was once led by an honest person like T N Seshan. CEC Gyanesh Kumar brought such an institution into disrepute and for that history will not judge him kindly, he said. The Indian Express investigation illustrated that anti-BJP voters had been deleted across the country and the protest is important as there was a small winning margin on many seats. Furthermore, the stand taken by the other two Election Commissioners has also made the issue of vote theft clear. Beg said that PDPs stand against New Delhi had been clear after August 2019. It was for the consistent stand taken by the PDP that the PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis mother (Gulshan Nazir) had been grilled by the Enforcement Directorate, he said. While Mehbooba took to microblogging site X on Saturday, all senior PDP leaders and legislators Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Muhammad Fayaz Mir, and Rafiq Ahmad Naik - as well as Mehboobas daughter, Iltija Mufti, were conspicuous by their absence from the Delhi mobilisation. Talking to Greater Kashmir, MLA Kupwara Muhammad Fayaz Mir and MLA Tral Rafiq Ahmad Naik said that no directions had been issued to them for participating in the Delhi protests. Im in Kupwara and, so far, I havent received any such direction, Mir said. Naik said that he was the partys foot soldier and would do whatever was asked of him by the party high command. Their participation could have lent greater weight to the PDPs condemnation of the restrictions and demonstrated that its opposition extended beyond statements and social media posts. PDPs non-participation in Delhi mobilisation leaves the party open to questions about the consistency of its opposition and the extent to which it is prepared to join a campaign beyond its own political platforms. PDP has continued to criticise the BJP-led Centre over the loss of J&Ks special status, restrictions on political activity, and other questions of civil liberties. While Mehboobas latest remarks reinforce the PDPs confrontational public posture towards the Centre, the partys absence from the Delhi protests raises questions about whether it is seeking to avoid antagonising Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government while keeping its options open with the Congress and the wider INDIA bloc. The political metaphor of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds captures the suspicion surrounding this approach, as it has been denouncing the Centres actions but is avoiding an unambiguous demonstration of solidarity with those challenging it on the streets. PDP cannot entirely avoid scrutiny by invoking those complexities. If it believes the restrictions represent an assault on democratic freedoms, PDP leaders must explain whether they consider participation in a common opposition campaign necessary, and if not, why. Silence on that question risks allowing its opponents to portray the partys position as selective. For Mehbooba, the immediate challenge is to reconcile the force of her public condemnation with the absence of her partys prominent faces from the streets. The PDPs statement may have strengthened the oppositions argument about the curtailment of dissent. However, its absence has opened a different debate one about whether the PDP is prepared to match its rhetoric with participation. Until the party clarifies that position, the contrast between Mehboobas words and her partys political presence is likely to remain a source of scrutiny for the PDP.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari praises zero incidents during Tarpan rituals in Kolkata
The News Mill
West Bengal Congress Invites Applications for Urban Body Elections
The West Bengal Congress is inviting applications from party workers for upcoming urban body elections, aiming for a democratic candidate selection process. West Bengal Congress Invites Applications for Urban Body Elections
NKDA flags 38 bldgs for illegal commercial use
24-day drive to boost flyer services ends
