Former Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Mamata Banerjee, hit out hard at the BJP-led government as well as the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, in a speech she gave at the INDIA block's massive
NCB order to freeze 25 properties worth Rs 20.10 crore upheld in pharma drug diversion case
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has secured confirmation of its order freezing 25 immovable properties with an aggregate invested value of Rs 20.10 crore in an inter-state pharmaceutical drug diversion case, an official said on Sunday. The Competent Authority under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976 and NDPS Acts, New Delhi, by order dated October 30 under Section 68F(2) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, confirmed the freezing order issued by the NCB on October 2 during the investigation of the inter-state pharma diversion case, the NCB official said in a statement. Investigation in this case has so far resulted in the seizure of approximately 34 lakh psychotropic tablets, 10.57 lakh bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, 50,000 Tramadol ampoules, 5,000 Midazolam vials and approximately 2,200 kg of psychotropic powder, including raw material and formulations, said the statement. Seventeen persons have been arrested, and the network has been found to extend across seven States, namely Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, the NCB said. The case originated with the seizure of 5,000 Tramadol tablets at Amritsar on February 7, 2025. Their packaging identified J.R. Pharmaceuticals, Haridwar, as the manufacturer and Tiwari Medical Agencies, Dehradun, as the marketer. Enquiries established that the marketing firm did not exist, the NCB said. A Special Investigation Team constituted by NCB pursued the supply chain, leading to the detection of an inter-state network of pharmaceutical firms in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh diverting medicines to non-existent entities for illicit distribution, it said. Financial investigation revealed that the sale proceeds of diverted drugs were routed and layered through the bank accounts of the firms under investigation. The accused failed to establish lawful sources of income for acquiring the properties held in their own names and those of their family members, said the NCB. The 25 properties comprise industrial plots, commercial units, shop-cum-office units and residential apartments, including properties in Gillco Industrial Park, Mohali City Centre-3, Mohali City Centre Walk, Janta Industrial Estate, Galaxy Heights-2 and Queenstown. The confirmed freezing restricts their transfer or other dealings without prior permission, preserving the assets for proceedings under Chapter VA of the NDPS Act, said the statement. Substantial quantities of psychotropic drugs and raw material were seized from Digital Vision and Vellinton Healthcare, Kala-Amb, Himachal Pradesh. Konic Goyal, Manic Goyal and their father Parshotam Lal Goyal, residents of Ambala Cantt, Haryana, remain absconding despite repeated summons and non-bailable warrants, the NCB said. Their applications for anticipatory bail have been dismissed by the Supreme Court. The confirmed freezing covers properties held in their names and those of their family members, the NCB said.
PM Modi Approves North Corridor Of Bullet Train Project: Delhi-Guwahati Trip In Eight Hours
Proposed extension will connect Guwahati with Delhi through major cities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, cutting travel time to around eight hours.
BJP appoints Priti Nonia as partys spokesperson in West Bengal
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 1 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced the appointment of Priti Nonia as the spokesperson for its West Bengal unit. The key organisational appointment was cleared by the BJP's West Bengal President Samik Bhattacharya, and the announcement was made through the party's X handle. The Bengal BJPs General Secretary and state office-in-charge, Shashi Agnihotri, issued an organisational order stating, State President Samik Bhattacharya has appointed Priti Nonia as a State Spokesperson of the BJP, West Bengal. Samik Bhattacharya also extended warm congratulations on her appointment and best wishes for the new responsibility. Notably, Priti Chauhan is a resident of Asansol district and a journalist by profession. She currently resides in Delhi. The appointment comes into effect with immediate effect, said the official release. Following her appointment, Priti Nonia also took to her social media handle on Facebook to express gratitude to the party leadership as well as special thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bestowing upon her the responsibility. I express my sincere gratitude and thanks to the top leadership and the organisation of Bharatiya Janata Party for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as a spokesperson for the BJP in West Bengal, she said in a post on Facebook. Nonia, making special mention of PM Modi, party national president Nitin Nabin, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and others, added that it was a matter of great fortune and pride for her to have the opportunity to work under the guidance and leadership of the esteemed leaders. I shall work with complete loyalty, dedication, and commitment to ensure that the organisations ideals, spirit of service, and commitment to public welfare reach every individual, she said further in the FB post.
FairPoint: Rahul Gandhi and the desperation of a dethroned prince
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Rahul Gandhi sitting in the front seat of an open bus, with other Opposition leaders behind him, and a man wearing saffron headgear running barefoot with a fluttering Tricolour; the scene could not have been more dramatic. The Ramlila Maidan provided even more eye-catching moments, with thousands of people, mainly from Congress-ruled states, turning up to show solidarity on an issue that Rahul Gandhi wants to turn into a movement for regime change. In an age when spectacles have become favourites on social media and the number of views and clicks matters so much, Rahul Gandhi's event could certainly be termed interesting. But success in the virtual world is quite different from the ground reality. The ground situation is not as rosy as the viral reels and social media posts might suggest. The recent MLC elections in 28 seats across four states offer a reality check. These were not elections fought in the illusory world of social media. The truth is that the Congress won just one seat, and that too largely because of the candidate's own standing rather than any political appeal that Rahul Gandhi might have generated. Earlier, during the Bihar elections, Rahul Gandhi tried his best to make the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) an issue but failed to get the response he was looking for. The people voted in large numbers and handed victory to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA. Then why is he sticking to this issue and trying to create a wave, believing that ordinary voters, who have been casting their votes, will buy his claims? The answer perhaps lies with Rahul Gandhi himself and those who were sitting in that open bus and attending his rally at the Ramlila Maidan. Consider the leaders who have rallied behind him. Mamata Banerjee, who lost the West Bengal Assembly elections; the Left, which lost its hold in Kerala; Akhilesh Yadav, who is trying to regain his political foothold in Uttar Pradesh; Mehbooba Mufti, whose party suffered electoral setbacks in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls; and Farooq Abdullah, whose party is grappling with internal discord. Then there are Sanjay Raut and Supriya Sule, whose respective parties lost power in Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi's mission, and that of those supporting him, seems to be focused on one objective: discrediting a legitimately elected government. With each passing day, this impression is becoming more apparent. Rahul Gandhi seems to be in a hurry to reclaim something that he believes belongs to him. Whether it is questioning the Election Commission, challenging electoral mandates, or organising a mock Parliament to target constitutional authorities, his recent political activities suggest an Opposition leader who is unwilling to accept the limitations of his present position. His stated political objective seems to be to dislodge the government at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has identified his targets and made them known publicly: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi. There is nothing wrong with criticising the government or the ruling party. It is the Opposition's job to question the government, raise its voice and hold the ruling dispensation accountable. It is also perfectly legitimate to seek a change in government. But in India, a change of government can only come through the electoral process or a change in the political equations that sustain a coalition government. What Rahul Gandhi has been doing of late reflects what can only be described as the desperation of a prince who has been dethroned. Instead of focusing on getting his own and his party's act together, he seems more inclined towards discrediting others than proving his own worth. Perhaps he believes that this kind of politics can help him create the wave among the masses that he has so far failed to generate. Former Supreme Court judge (Retd.) Markandey Katju described Rahul Gandhi's paradox as that of he mad wannabe King of India. It is worth recalling that, despite the Gandhi family not having a Prime Minister in office between May 2004 and May 2014, it was widely seen as exercising considerable influence in the UPA government. And no one can forget the moment when Rahul Gandhi, at a press conference on September 27, 2013, denounced and dismissed a controversial ordinance proposed by his own party's UPA government, then led by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He described it as complete nonsense that should be torn up and thrown away. He even tore up a copy of the ordinance while the then Prime Minister was on an official visit to the United States. More than 13 years later, similar political theatrics seem to be playing out again. Rahul Gandhi's repeated attacks on constitutional institutions, even as he makes a show of carrying a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution, are quite paradoxical. The Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court and the office of the Prime Minister are all important pillars of our constitutional framework. They are certainly not above scrutiny or criticism. But attempting to create mass hysteria through allegations that have yet to be substantiated is hardly the way to demonstrate respect for the Constitution. Interestingly, Prime Minister Modi made some striking remarks during his speech in Gujarat on 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas'. He mentioned that certain forces were continuously engaged in conspiracies to divide the nation. He said that attempts were being made to divide and pit against one another the children of Mother India. He also added that, after more than a decade of frustration and disappointment, these people had now come out in the open. We must identify who is secretly meeting whom abroad, which anti-India forces are supporting whom, and who is speaking the language of India's enemies. We must recognise these patterns. We must unite and confront them. Especially the way social media is being used as a weapon, the way rumours are being spread, and the efforts being made to damage India's image, all citizens must come together to deal with these challenges, he said. These are serious statements and point to concerns that have been expressed repeatedly by many. If foreign elements are indeed involved in pushing agendas and creating instability in India, it is high time the government exposed them and placed the evidence in the public domain. Without naming anyone, PM Modi's remarks offered enough hints to invite questions. Why have constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, the Supreme Court and even the Armed Forces, repeatedly come under attack? Are these attacks merely part of domestic political sparring, or is there a larger story that needs to be examined? The government must investigate and bring the facts into the public domain. After all, a dethroned prince may continue to dream of reclaiming his throne, but in India's democracy, it is the people who decide who gets to occupy it. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in)
'Vanish, Vanish, Yes Papa': Mamata Banerjee's Poetic Swipe At CEC Gyanesh Kumar
At the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally, West Bengal Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a blistering attack on the BJP and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging voter disenfranchisement and electoral manipulation. Using a parody of the popular 'Johny Johny Yes Papa' rhyme, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of 'loot and plunder', claimed voters in Bengal had been removed from electoral rolls, and vowed to continue the fight through democratic means.
Bengal researcher bags PharmInnova honour; Shah calls for stronger pharma R&D push
Suvendu Adhikari accuses Mamata Banerjee of dividing Matuas and opposing CAA
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari accuses Mamata of fracturing Matua ties and opposing CAA, as he pledges targeted support for Thakurnagar and the communitys inclusion in State policy
Will provide citizenship to 2.5 lakh under CAA by Dec 31: Bengal CM
Thakurnagar: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday, November 1, asserted that the government would expedite hearing and provide citizenship under the CAA to 2.5 lakh petitioners in the state by December 31. Addressing the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 at Thakurnagar, the traditional stronghold of the Matuas, in North 24 Parganas district, Adhikari Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Bengal to fast-track CAA citizenship for 2.5 lakh applicants by December 31: Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the government will expedite hearings for citizenship under CAA. He stated that 2.5 lakh petitioners will receive citizenship by December 31. Adhikari criticized the previous government for opposing the CAA and neglecting the Matua community. Rs 50 crore has been allocated for the development of the Matua community.
Are you Bangladeshi?: Truck driver Khan asked at toll plaza
West Bengal: An Indian Muslim truck driver was asked if he was a Bangladeshi when he requested the toll plaza employee to speak in Bengali. The incident occurred on October 26 at the Shibpur toll plaza on National Highway 12. Rafikul Khan from Narayanpur was transporting bananas from Karimpur towards Siliguri. His truck reached the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Cockroach Janta Party Backs Vote Chori Fight, But Skips INDIA Blocs Ramlila Maidan Rally
The Cockroach Janta Party has backed the INDIA blocs protest against alleged vote chori and electoral irregularitiesbut it will not join the rally at Delhis Ramlila Maidan. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the organisation supports demands for accountability from the Election Commission, including calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumars resignation. However, Dipke said the CJP wants to remain politically neutral and independent. His announcement came after he met former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Delhi.
Four held from Malda as West Bengal STF busts interstate drug network
Four held from Malda as West Bengal STF busts interstate drug network
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the extension of the Northern bullet train corridor from Siliguri to Guwahati, saying Delhi-Guwahati travel could take under eight hours. PM Narendra Modi has approved the Northern corridor, which will connect major cities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal before reaching Assam.
Students will now have until 3 pm on November 2, 2026, to submit their challenges through the council's official portal.
BJP releases 'Thago Ka Mela' poster ahead of INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Ahead of the INDIA bloc's rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, the BJP's Delhi unit released a controversial poster titled 'Thago Ka Mela' (Fair of Thugs), targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other opposition leaders. Designed in the style of a film poster, the graphic features Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and other INDIA bloc leaders. The poster describes the objective of the purported 'mela' as spreading rumours and creating anarchy in the country at the behest of anti-national forces to protect their political ground. Directed by Rahul Gandhi and produced by Akhilesh Yadav, reads another line on the poster, taking a swipe at the opposition leaders. Sharing the poster on X, the BJP's Delhi unit said: Today, at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, it's going to be held again - 'The Fair of Thugs'. It further alleged that the objective was o spread rumours and anarchy in the country at the behest of anti-national forces in order to save their political ground. The poster comes as the INDIA bloc prepares to hold a major protest gathering at Ramlila Maidan against alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The opposition alliance is set to organise a large-scale 'Chalo Dilli' march, culminating at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. The protest is aimed at highlighting alleged irregularities in the voter list revision process undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI), opposing the SIR exercise and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The INDIA bloc expects a major show of strength, with opposition leaders, party workers and student groups likely to participate in the rally. Meanwhile, Delhi Police have stepped up security arrangements across the national capital ahead of the march. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force across Delhi districts, and gatherings have been prohibited at key locations, including Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission office. According to the security arrangements, leaders will be allowed to reach designated venues in their personal vehicles. Police and paramilitary personnel are also set to be deployed at Ramlila Maidan, with security tightened ahead of the opposition gathering.
CJP's Abhijeet Dipke Meets Mamata Banerjee Ahead Of INDIA Bloc Rally, Says Won't Join Protest
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke met West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Delhi on Saturday, ahead of the INDIA bloc's rally against alleged vote theft. While thanking her for supporting the CJP's protests, Dipke
Census round 2 from Jan 10, house visits from Jan 25
Kali Puja still a week away but crackers start to make their presence felt in city pockets
1 more cyclone in Bay but Kolkata safe: Met
Biddhannagar cops focus on lasers, drones, sky lanterns
Dont let illegal crackers be sold in the first place, urge citizens
Social media agog as food inspectors visit Sealdahs pocket paratha stall
BJPs first official labour union takes off at Kolkata airport
All 300 pending high-rise projects get KMC construction go-ahead
3 JEE top-50 rank-holders opt for JU engg courses
Change of guard at Coast Guard Region North East; Jyotindra Singh takes over as Commandant
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) Jyotindra Singh, IG, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), took over as Commandant, Coast Guard Region North East from Iqbal Singh Chauhan, in Kolkata, on Saturday. An alumnus of the Naval Academy and a recipient of the coveted Sword of Honour, Singh has commanded all classes of ICG ships and held key appointments ashore. He is also a recipient of the Tatrakshak Medal and DGICG Commendations. The change of command was marked by a ceremonial parade held at the headquarters of the region in Kolkata. He takes charge at a time when the ICG is upgrading its assets and inducting modern surface and aerial platforms. The Region North East is extremely crucial for managing the coastal defences along the eastern seaboard. It is in charge of the states of West Bengal and Odisha. In West Bengal, it has an operational base at Haldia that houses both Coast Guard ships and hovercrafts. It also has a hoverport at Fraserganj to monitor activity close to the Sundarbans. The regional headquarters also has an air enclave at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, from where it operates Dornier aircraft. These aircraft carry out regular surveillance of the coastal waters off West Bengal and Odisha, right up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Bangladesh. In Odisha, it operates surface assets from Paradip and helicopters from Bhubaneswar. While West Bengal has a coastline measuring nearly 721 km, Odisha's portion is about 575 km. Both states have several vital assets along the coast, including major ports, private ones, oil refineries and port-based industry. Odisha also has several defence assets, including test centres, along its coasts. All of these require constant surveillance. The headquarters in Kolkata gets real-time feed about all ships moving in Indian coastal waters off West Bengal and Odisha, from radar stations along the coast. This data is monitored 24x7. Several of the ICG's older assets are being phased out and being replaced by new ones. We are getting advanced hovercrafts and fast patrol vessels. The Chetak helicopters are being replaced by Dhruv MkIIIs. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are also being built and will start joining the force soon. The Dornier fleet is also getting upgraded, an official said. The Coast Guard is also engaged in a variety of activities, including anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and anti-piracy operations. It also ensures the safety of the thousands of fisherfolk by issuing timely warnings ahead of depressions and cyclones. The Coast Guard North East Region is also entrusted with protecting the highly endangered Olive Ridley turtles when they arrive to roost and lay eggs along the Odisha coast every year. The force is also the nodal agency mandated to check and control pollution at sea. The new IG's experience, illustrious service record and proven leadership will further strengthen the operational excellence of the Coast Guard North East region, the official said.
CM orders arrest of CPM neta from BJP dais, reopens 2007 Nandigram Suryadaya case
2 youths molest college student in Barrackpore, held
JU VC seeks EC meet nod, writes to govt
Bar brawl leaves 1 dead in Sodepur
Kid, parents safe after SUV jumps Maa divider, rams car; traffic hit for an hour
Ministers meet for single-ticket travel plans
Assault on 4-yr-old, Pocso cuffs on man
Mamata Banerjee Praises CJP, Invites Activists to Bengal
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday praised the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and invited its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and other activists to organise programmes in Bengal after meeting him in Delhi. Dipke said he met Banerjee to thank her for supporting the outfits first protest at []
Samik demands fresh SIR in Bengal, claims voter roll revision incomplete
BJP seniors keep watch as 1,017 cast votes for Tolly technicians poll
West Bengal BJP Calls for Another Round of Voter List Review
BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya urges a new round of voter list scrutiny in West Bengal to eliminate remaining fraudulent entries. West Bengal BJP Calls for Another Round of Voter List Review
Mamata Banerjee Meets Abhijeet Dipke Ahead Of Nov 1 Opposition Rally., Says ''I Am So Proud Of Them\
Trinamool Congress (TMC) president and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, held a meeting with the founder of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Abhijeet Dipke, in Delhi on Saturday before the opposition party's planned protest march against the Chief Election
Mysterious Death of Police Officer in West Bengal Raises Questions
The mysterious death of police officer Jayanta Pal in Bankura raises concerns and questions about the circumstances surrounding his demise. Mysterious Death of Police Officer in West Bengal Raises Questions
Oppositions in West Bengal question ECI over 16.10 lakh appeals against inclusion of voters
Poll body says appeals were filed by State officials under Supreme Court orders, while Opposition parties question who authorised the move and raise concerns over accountability
Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of Three-Year-Old in West Bengal
A 40-year-old man has been arrested in West Bengal for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl, sparking local outrage. Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault of Three-Year-Old in West Bengal
Police seize morphine, cough syrup; five arrested
Man Arrested In West Bengal For Minor Sister-In-Law Rape
A man in West Bengal's Alipurduar district has been arrested for allegedly repeatedly raping his minor sister-in-law, resulting in her nearly seven-month pregnancy. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the survivor's father, and the accused was tracked down after attempting to evade police.
Bengal BJP chief seeks fresh SIR, says earlier exercise incomplete
BJP MP and West Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday sought a fresh SIR of electoral rolls in the state, claiming that the exercise conducted ahead of the Assembly elections was incomplete. He alleged that more names could have been deleted from the voter list had the officials involved in the exercise, from block development officers to anganwadi workers, and BJP workers not been intimidated. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) held in West Bengal is incomplete, Bhattacharya said. Speaking on behalf of the BJP, I want to say that there is a need for a fresh SIR in the state, he said at the inaugural meeting of a trade union of contractual workers at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here. He pointed out that the Assembly elections in Bihar were held after the SIR of electoral rolls in the state, while no such exercise was conducted before the polls in Haryana and Delhi, where the BJP emerged victorious. Around 91 lakh names were deleted from th
No sight, no sweat: Cricketers, musician, teacher show path out of darkness
Digital Desk | Ekta Nagar, Oct 31 (IANS) Anti-Naxal units from across the country showcased their role in operations against Left-wing extremism at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade in Ekta Nagar on Saturday, while a subsequent National School of Drama production brought tribal artists from several formerly Maoist-affected states to the national stage. The parade, held to mark the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, featured specialised forces from Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal, along with units of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Police. The contingents marched past the gathering as officials outlined their deployment areas, operations and personnel who had died in the line of duty. Among the units was Bihar Polices Special Task Force. The announcer said the force operated in 22 districts, including Gaya, Jamui and Lakhisarai, and had killed 167 Naxalites, arrested 7,191 and secured the surrender of 371. PM Modi and officials also paid tribute to 191 personnel who had died. The Sashastra Seema Bal contingent, led by Assistant Commandant Vipin Sharma, was credited with killing 16 Naxalites, arresting 1,382 and recovering 536 kg of explosives. Other contingents included Jharkhands Jaguar, Karnatakas Anti-Naxal Force, Kerala Polices Special Operations Group, Madhya Pradeshs Hawk Force and Odishas Special Operations Group. Maharashtras C-60 commandos, whose strength was described as having grown from seven personnel to 1,100, were credited with killing 372 Naxalites, securing 861 surrenders and making 559 arrests. Telanganas Greyhounds, described as a specialised force of 1,250 commandos, were also part of the parade. The announcer highlighted their operations in the Karegutta hills. The parade also featured West Bengal Polices Counter Insurgency Force, the National Cadet Corps and a CRPF-led dog squad. The latter comprised sniffer dogs trained to detect explosives and assist in identifying ambush-related threats. The event concluded this segment with a National School of Drama production titled Naxal-free India. Conceived, written and directed by NSD director Chittaranjan Tripathi, the presentation traced the movements beginnings in Naxalbari in West Bengal in 1967 and the subsequent efforts to restore peace in areas affected by Left-wing extremism. Its performers included NSD repertory artists and tribal artists from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The announcer said several had travelled from their villages carrying their languages, songs and folk traditions to perform on a national platform. The presentation sought to place the experiences and cultural identities of communities from conflict-affected regions alongside the security forces account of the campaign against Naxalism.
Mahua Moitra flags Muslim, women voter deletions in Bengal | INDIA bloc impeachment
Speaking at the INDIA blocs symbolic public impeachment proceedings against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged that 71% of voters deleted in West Bengal were Muslims and 51% were women.
IHCL and Ambuja Neotia Group announce new hotels in Kolkata and Siliguri
Ambuja Neotia Group plans to invest Rs 2,700 crore in West Bengal's hospitality sector, which includes new hotel launches. The newly opened AltAir House hotels in Kolkata and Siliguri are part of this initiative. A significant expansion of Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa in Darjeeling also forms part of the investment. The collaboration aims to enhance tourism and create unique travel experiences in the region.
BJP worker injured in clash between two factions in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas
The incident took place near Mamata Medical Hall, close to Titagarh police station, following a Bijoya Sammilani get-together organised by the local BJP mandal, an official said
Man arrested under POCSO for assaulting 3-year-old girl in Bengal's Dattapukur
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) A man in his forties was arrested in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district for allegedly sexually assaulting a three-and-a-half-year-old girl, police said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Arjun Sardar, had reportedly visited a relative's house in Dattapukur when he allegedly took the child to the roof of a neighbouring house and assaulted her sexually. The incident is said to have taken place on Thursday and came to light the following day, on Friday, triggering tension in the area. According to the police, the victim's family has been living in Subhashnagar in a rented house under Nilganj outpost in Dattapukur police station area for the last three months. Local residents said they went to file a complaint at Nilganj outpost of Dattapukur police station, but police refused to do so. Later, a case was registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and an investigation was launched. The police arrested the accused on Friday night. Police said the accused has confessed to the crime during interrogation. He was produced before the Barasat court on Saturday. The police sought his custody for further investigation. The child was taken to Barasat Medical College and Hospital for a physical examination. Her family and local residents alleged they had to wait for a long time at Barasat Medical College and Hospital as there was only one female doctor available at that time, and that too was busy. Locals alleged that the girl's medical examination was delayed for several hours due to the unavailability of female doctors, sparking protests at the hospital. The situation was later brought under control. The victim's family has demanded stringent punishment for the accused.
Clash In North 24 Parganas Leaves BJP Worker Injured
A BJP worker, Karan Sheth, was seriously injured in a clash between two factions of the party in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Saturday. The incident occurred late Friday night after a Bijoya Sammilani event, leading to police intervention to restore order.
Buxa tigress crosses into Assam, West Bengal government prepares return
Guwahati: A tigress released in Buxa Tiger Reserve earlier this month has crossed into Assam, prompting the West Bengal government to prepare for its return. Forest Minister Manoj Oraon is scheduled to visit Raimona National Park in Assams Kokrajhar district on October 31, Saturday, to assess the animals condition and decide how it can be [] The post Buxa tigress crosses into Assam, West Bengal government prepares return appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Five Former TMC Ministers Arrested in West Bengal Amid Corruption Allegations
In West Bengal, five former ministers of the TMC have been arrested on corruption charges, with only one currently granted bail. Five Former TMC Ministers Arrested in West Bengal Amid Corruption Allegations
Sebi pushes for resilient capital markets, focuses on investor protection: Chairman
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey emphasized the importance of accessible and efficient capital markets at a recent forum. He highlighted the growth in market capitalisation with significant annual fundraising through equity and debt. The number of investors in West Bengal has dramatically increased, indicating regional market participation. Additionally, various steps have been taken to streamline compliance and fundraising processes for issuers.
Five former TMC ministers arrested under BJP rule, only one gets bail
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) Only one of the five former ministers of the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government arrested during the first six months of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime in West Bengal is currently out on bail. The cases concern alleged wrongdoing during the previous Trinamool Congress government's tenure. The arrests of former ministers began with former state Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose. Three other former ministers were subsequently arrested: Dilip Mondal, who served as Minister of State for Transport; Ujjal Biswas, the former Correctional Services Minister; and Udyana Guha, who held the North Bengal Development portfolio. The latest to join the list is Indranil Sen, former state Tourism Minister and Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs. The singer-turned-politician was arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to festival tours associated with the UNESCO-tagged celebration. Of the five former ministers, Biswas is the only one currently out on bail. Sen is in police custody, while the other three, along with Bose, are in judicial custody. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Bose in connection with the multi-crore cash-for-jobs case involving municipal recruitment in West Bengal. Mondal, Biswas and Guha were arrested by the West Bengal Police in cases involving allegations of corruption, extortion and political violence. Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police earlier this week. He is the only one among the five against whom the ED and the city police have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to tours organised around the UNESCO-tagged festival. The case against Sen has drawn particular attention in view of the ED's investigation, after the name of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee figured in the agency's findings. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming Banerjee in connection with a transaction involving Octave Records, a company owned by Sen. According to the agency, nearly Rs 30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the company's accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen, however, maintained that the payment was made towards royalty. Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the West Bengal government to examine alleged institutional corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress regime has initiated an inquiry involving Sen.
West Bengal steps up efforts to bring back tigress that strayed into Assam
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon is all set to visit the tigress in Assam and finalise the plan to tranquilise it and bring back to Bengals territory
West Bengal steps up efforts to bring back tigress that strayed into Assam
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon is all set to visit the tigress in Assam and finalise the plan to tranquilise it and bring back to Bengals territory
Howrah woman becomes bus conductor to fulfill late father's dream
At 59 years old, Dolly Rana has passionately launched a bus service in Howrah, West Bengal, all to fulfill her late father's dream of bus ownership. Amidst the pandemic and increasing competition, she embraced the role of conductor, showcasing her tenacity. With support from local transport authorities, she obtained a new route permit, driving her business forward. Her journey truly embodies resilience and the honoring of a cherished promise.
When a blunder led to a news scoop
It rarely happens that a reporter makes a big blunder, and the blunder leads him to the biggest news story of his career. Perhaps, it was fate. Exactly 42 years ago, Indira Gandhi was shot by two of her own security guards at her prime ministerial residence around 9:30 in the morning on October 31, 1984. The news spread like wildfire that she has been taken to AIIMS for treatment. This reporter quickly reached AIIMS riding the pillion of the scooter of his professional friend, Anil Tyagi. Acting smart, the duo decided not to go to the emergency ward from the main gate. Instead, they entered AIIMS from the side gate located on the Ring Road, and rode straight to the Directors bungalow. It was an act of sheer stupidity. Why would the Director be at home when the Prime Minister has been shot? That morning, unrelated to the shooting, a top-level routine meeting had already been held in AIIMS to appoint Dr. Sneh Bhargava as the new Director. When the journos reached the Directors bungalow, it was locked. This reporter and his friend felt like fools. They had no option but to turn the scooter around and exit the AIIMS campus and re-enter from the main gate leading to the emergency ward. After all, that was the place to get real news. But, fortunately, the reporters did not need to reach the right place. Fatefully, on the way towards the side gate, the reporters spotted a bunch of young doctors, with grave faces, talking animatedly with one another. Such a scene is almost surely bound to get noticed by a journalist. They were all standing at the gate of the doctors hostel. The reporters quietly parked the scooter and merged into the crowd. The fraternity conversation between the doctors turned out to be a scoop, on a platter, for the reporter duo. The doctors doing the talking were senior residents who were looking after the emergency ward when Indira Gandhi was brought in. They had examined her themselves. They were sharing the story with their colleagues. Indira Gandhi had been brought dead to the hospital. There was no pulse, no heartbeat, no sign of life. They had informed their seniors at lightning speed. Meanwhile crowds had begun to build up outside the emergency ward. The AIIMS administration took two quick decisions. One: They shifted Indira Gandhis body to an operation theatre on the sixth floor. Two: They persuaded all the senior residents present in the emergency ward to vacate their post and go back to their hostel. Free from duty, those doctors returned to the hostel and were sharing their once-in-a-lifetime experience with their fellows. After hearing out all the details, this journalist asked gently, doctor sahib, was Indira Gandhi clinically dead?. The doctors reply was categorical. Not just clinically, even otherwise she was dead. Suddenly, the doctor realised that he was interacting with two unknown faces. He wanted to know their identity. The reporters replied politely that they were just passing by, and had joined the group out of curiosity. Both the journos had got the final news from the horses mouth. Now they did not need to go to emergency ward for confirmation. So they parked the scooter behind the academic block, and entered AIIMS from the rear. There was no one there to stop them. Walking unhindered through the corridors of the academic block, the two reporters reached the backdoor of the emergency ward, and walked right into it. Before anyone could realise what was happening, suddenly the front door of the emergency ward opened, and Chandra Shekhar walked in. The reporters greeted him with folded hands. He caught hold of their hands and took them along with him right up to the sixth floor. This was where Indira Gandhis body was being embalmed because it had to be kept in state at Teen Murti Bhawan for people to have their last darshan. Embalming was proving to be a difficult task. The body was riddled with bullet wounds. A total of 36 bullets, fired at point blank range, had pierced through her frail frame. No human being could have survived such a lethal attack. The doctors walked Chandra Shekhar alone, a little further down the corridor, and whispered something into his ears. He nodded and, with a grim face, returned to leave. The three walked back through the emergency ward, and emerged outside from the front door. This was where a crowd of journalists and Congress workers had gathered, anxious for news. The AIIMS administration had deliberately misinformed everyone. The plan was to keep the news under wraps to enable Rajiv Gandhi to be smoothly sworn in as the next Prime Minister. The AIIMS administration had succeeded in withholding the vital information. The journalists waiting outside the emergency ward were under the impression that a wounded Indira Gandhi is being operated upon, to save her life. This reporters professional senior, Kumkum Chadha, pointed out towards a van parked some distance away, and it was believed that it had brought blood for the operation. When this reporter gave her the news that Indira Gandhi was dead, she did not believe it. Rajiv Gandhi returned from West Bengal to Delhi by 4 p.m. President Zail Singh returned from North Yemen to Delhi by 4:30 p.m. Around 6:30 pm, Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in at Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhawan. Meanwhile, BBC had broken the news by 1 p.m. IST. Major Indian newspapers had brought out special afternoon editions with screaming banner headlines announcing the news. Doordarshan had been obedient, as expected. It finally put out the news at 6 p.m.
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Durga Puja dhakis preserve Bengal's rich heritage
Watching mesmerised as the purohit at a friend's Durga Puja rhythmically waved the silver oil lamp with multiple wicks before the goddess, and then in succession, a silver camphor lamp, incense sticks, red cloth, conch shell, flowers and a silver-handled fly-whisk while incessantly ringing a bell with his other hand, I noticed that the dhak-drum beats changed subtly at every phase of the arati. For the first time I figured the dhaki (drummer) was doing a duet with the priest.A few days later, an old friend recounted that she was sitting in a puja pandal in the longish, quiet interregnum between the end of bhog (community lunch to partake of what was also offered to the Goddess) and the beginning of preparation for the evening arati, when the dhaki suddenly struck up a beat with his drum. The pandal was empty, with even the priest and helpers probably catching forty winks before the evening's prayers. So, who was this serenade for?Also Read: India lifted 496 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, says World BankFor Her, of course, the drummer told her with a smile. I have respectfully reminded her that it is time to awaken. I have also drummed out the message that evening arati will soon commence. He then proceeded to tell her that dhakis have many different beats, each for a specific aspect of the puja. To uninitiated ears, they may sound like just any set of percussive tunes, but their 'bols' (sounds) are like mantras, perfectly complementing the priest's incantations.Like most, if not all, Bengalis, my friend and I love the heart-thumping sound of West Bengal's traditional large dhak drums. They not only joyfully herald the advent of the Goddess long before she can actually be seen arriving at her maternal home, they also devotedly accompany every ritual of Her worship for four days and dolefully sound her inevitable retreat: the long journey back to her husband Shiva in the Himalayas. They are her faithful minstrels.Also Read: India to conduct population census from January 25 to February 28, 2027; March 1 set as reference dateTherefore, the men (and now also women) whose strong hands and arms provide the rhythmic vocabulary through skilled use of two bamboo canes, are very crucial to Durga Puja celebrations. Yet very few of the thousands who flock to the pandals to admire and seek Her blessings pay much attention to the dhakis and what their drums are actually saying. Few note the change in beat and cadence. For many, they are just background music, a kind of white noise.Women dhakis, of late, have got a lot of publicity in many Indian cities, with many puja committees specifically seeking them out - often to enhance their inclusive credentials. Not many go further and ask those women (and men) the significance of the beats they play when, and why. My perceptive friend is an exception. And the answers she got were eye-openers. Their's is a labour of love, time they take out annually from their life as farmers to play for Her.The semiotic language they serenade Her with has been passed down generations, and even the youngest dhakis are hopefully conversant with it too. It is not enough for them to simply know all the rhythmic beats; they must also remember what to play when and why. Before the advent of modern telecommunications made so many traditional ways of sending messages over long distances redundant, drums were the equivalent of the town crier if not the telegraph and radio too.Every aspect of religio-cultural events like Durga Puja has relevance, even if most of us scarcely notice most of them. The semiotic language of the dhakis and drums are one such. Their profession is seeing a revival so younger people are taking it up, but many other puja-associated arts and crafts are down to their last practitioners. Those who appreciate and understand these facets of intangible heritage are even fewer. It's never too late to listen, ask and learn....
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Bengal shifts 12,000 people to safety as glacial lake outburst hits Bhutan
PTI Kolkata/Guwahati West Bengal shifted 12,000 people living along the Sankosh in Alipurduar district to safety, while Assam closely monitored the situation in vulnerable areas of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts after the rivers water level rose following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in adjoining Bhutan, officials said. Water level in the Sankosh, which forms []
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Flood scare: West Bengal moves 12,000 to safety after Bhutan Glof swells Sankosh
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