West Bengal Chief Minister Promises to Withdraw Cases Linked to Kurmi Movement
West Bengals CM announced the withdrawal of cases against Kurmi protesters and plans to include Kurmali in the constitutions eighth schedule. West Bengal Chief Minister Promises to Withdraw Cases Linked to Kurmi Movement
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Alfred Cooke's Final Interview: The Dogfight That Defined A Legend
The air battle fought by Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke over West Bengal's Kalaikunda during the 1965 India-Pakistan war is regarded as one of the most remarkable fighter engagements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Flight Lt Cooke recorded what became his final interview three days before he died at a hospital in Delhi. In a conversation with NDTV's Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor in their podcast 'Ctrl+Alt+Defence', he gave a detailed account of the September 7, 1965 battle when he took on Pakistani Sabre jets attacking Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal. The podcast gives an unprecedented and detailed look at the events of the day. Flight Lt Cooke shot down at least one Sabre and was officially credited with a second. He engaged a third aircraft before running out of ammunition, according to his account.
Bengal's industry push needs clear intent
Under BJP, West Bengal is once again debating how to put land together for industry. The debate has now acquired a distinctly technical vocabulary: acquisition, negotiated purchase and land pooling.The three mechanisms are not interchangeable. Acquisition involves compulsory purchase under a statutory framework. Negotiated purchase relies on agreement between landowner and purchaser. Land pooling allows owners to contribute land to a development scheme and receive a smaller, but serviced, and potentially more valuable plot in return. The choice, as recent policy discussions suggest, should depend on the nature of the project.Also Read: Picasso, Omega, Prithvi and Cats: A Mumbai journey through books, unexpected encounters and theatreFor Bengal, the question of land has always been inseparable from the question of industrialisation. So, the new discussion raises a more fundamental question: even if Bengal succeeds in solving the problem of industrial land, will it succeed in attracting capital? Land can be assembled through legislation, negotiation or planning. But capital can only be attracted through confidence.Excitement surrounding political change is understandable. Bengal has always regarded politics not merely as a mechanism of governance but also as a form of public entertainment. Movement of legislators from one camp to another has become a spectator sport.Also Read: Pass the buck to RBI, banks: Let the savings from digital payments fund UPI costs, not consumersCapital, however, follows a different script. It's largely indifferent to the daily theatre of politics, and far more concerned with the stability of institutions. Consider an entrepreneur planning a large investment. The questions are surprisingly simple. Not whether the government is Left, Right or Centre. Not whether ministers speak Bengali, Hindi or English. Not whether people will eat veg or non-veg food. Not whether one political camp will replace another in controlling campuses, institutions or public spaces. The real question is: will rules that exist today survive tomorrow? That confidence in the durability of institutions is what economists and investors describe as institutional credibility.It is in this context that the new government's willingness to reconsider how industrial land is assembled becomes significant. Bengal has already begun examining land pooling, industrial parks, and changes to landholding and land-utilisation rules. The government is also considering ways of making large contiguous parcels available without directly acquiring individual agricultural plots.This is important because Bengal's problem is not simply a shortage of land. It's a shortage of large, contiguous and legally usable parcels of land. Fragmented holdings, overlapping claims and restrictions on land use can make an apparently simple industrial project extraordinarily complicated.134372690Earlier attempts to create land banks from idle public sector land ran into precisely this problem: available parcels were often too small or too fragmented for large investors. Indeed, there are now signs of movement from policy to implementation. The government has cleared land for 33 industries, and that the land will be handed over before Durga Puja. This is significant. But the real test will be whether these allocations translate into timely project execution, employment and sustained private investment.Land pooling could be a useful solution. But it's not a magic wand. Bengal has laws that allow land to be reorganised for development. What matters now is whether these provisions can be implemented effectively, with clear rules on ownership, compensation, infrastructure and land use. Land pooling may bring plots together. But it cannot make ownership disputes disappear.And this is where the land question meets the question of capital. Corruption is costly. But uncertainty can be even more so. Investors can price an unofficial cost. It's much harder to price changing rules, administrative discretion and unpredictable policy.There's also a geographical reality. Large, contiguous parcels are rarely available near Bengal's major cities. So, industry may have to move farther out, where land disputes and infrastructure gaps can be greater. Industrialists, therefore, need to look beyond quick returns and become partners in building these new industrial regions with the government. Given Bengal's political history, industrialisation cannot be reduced to capitalist extraction alone. It must also create a stake for local communities.Capital has no ideology. But it has an excellent memory. Two decades ago, large sections of Bengal's political class mobilised against industrial projects in Singur and Nandigram. Today, many of those political actors either constitute an important part of the new political establishment, or have moved into entirely different political formations.One may celebrate or criticise this phenomenon. But it deserves analysis rather than outrage. The human mind, after all, is a time-variant function. Mathematics teaches us that important variables seldom remain constant. Political preferences are no exception. The objective function of a leader in opposition differs from that of the same leader in government. In electoral democracy, opposition rewards agitation, while government rewards investment; employment and revenue suddenly become governing responsibilities rather than campaign slogans.Consequently, it may be unnecessary to ask whether politicians have become different human beings. The more relevant question is whether the institutional incentives under which they operate have changed.Many of the legal instruments required for assembling industrial land already exist. Creating another set of laws, by itself, will not rebuild West Bengal's industrial land bank. What is required is an unambiguous intention to build industry rather than perform shallow politics. The Left Front came to power in 1977 with a clear intention to pursue land reform for the landless. Today, the era, ideology and people are different. Will the new industrial agenda reflect genuine intent? Or will it be merely political rhetoric?
Mamata Trinamool, CPM offices face attacks across 7 S Kol wards for 4 hrs
Kurmis to be kept out of UCC, says West Bengal CM; promises to withdraw old cases
Suvendu Adhikari says government will fulfil promises made to community ahead of Assembly polls
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Mr Majumdar took out a protest rally with his aides in the area: Reports
Another warrant against Milan, Cong to move HC
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CPI(M) Launches Online Fundraising for Upcoming By-Elections in West Bengal
The CPI(M) seeks online donations for by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar, facing internal challenges amid political competition. CPI(M) Launches Online Fundraising for Upcoming By-Elections in West Bengal
Suvendu to drop cases against Kurmis filed under TMC rule
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the withdrawal of all cases against the Kurmi community filed by the previous TMC government. He also pledged to include Kurmali and Rajbanshi languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and reactivate the Kurmi Development Board, allocating Rs 50 crore for community development.
Mamata-Cong bypoll tie-up: A new Bengal Oppn equation?
Former West Bengal Chief Minister's faction has announced support for the Congress candidate in the Nandigram assembly bypoll, marking a significant shift in state politics. This move comes amidst an internal party dispute within the Trinamool Congress and is seen as an attempt to consolidate anti-BJP votes and strengthen the INDIA bloc, despite a history of acrimonious rivalry between the two parties.
Suvendu Adhikari Sings Devotional Songs At Gaudiya Math On Radha Ashtami
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari participated in Radha Ashtami celebrations at Sri Gaudiya Math in Kolkatas Bagbazar, where he sang devotional songs and joined devotees in kirtan. He also offered prayers and participated in the religious celebrations.
Finance Ministry calls meeting with banks ahead of 3-day nationwide strike
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) The Finance Ministry has convened a meeting of chief executives of public sector banks (PSBs), regional rural banks (RRBs), the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and NABARD on Monday to review preparedness and contingency plans ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide bank strike beginning September 28. The meeting, which will be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), is expected to focus on measures to ensure continuity of banking operations and the availability of essential customer services during the strike period. Officials are likely to discuss contingency arrangements to minimise disruptions, particularly as the proposed industrial action coincides with the half-yearly closing period for banks. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing seven bank employee and officer unions. The unions have raised several demands, with the implementation of a five-day banking week emerging as a key issue. UFBU had earlier organised a nationwide strike on September 11 over the same demand. The previous strike affected over-the-counter banking services, cash transactions and cheque clearances in several parts of the country. While banking operations remained largely normal in Mumbai, disruptions were reported in states including Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, particularly in smaller cities and towns. Apart from a five-day work week, the unions are seeking improvements in pension benefits, implementation of a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to switch to the old pension scheme. UFBU has claimed that it represents nearly 90 per cent of the country's banking workforce. The proposed strike could have a wider impact on customers because September 26 and 27 fall on a weekend. As a result, normal branch operations could remain affected for up to five consecutive days, from September 26 to 30, increasing concerns about cheque processing, cash transactions and other branch-dependent services. The unions had served a strike notice on August 26, following which conciliation meetings were held involving union representatives, the IBA and government officials. However, discussions failed to produce a breakthrough on the demand for a five-day banking week.
Bengal: Over 33 pc wards in Kolkata and Howrah are reserved for women post-delimitation
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 20 (IANS) Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), the two major urban civic bodies in West Bengal, will go to polls by the end of 2026 with a substantial number of wards reserved for women candidates. As per the draft delimitation proposal for KMC, the total number of wards is set to increase to 209 from the current 144. Out of the proposed 209 wards, 70 will be reserved for women, accounting for over 33 per cent of the total. Similarly, in HMC, the number of wards is slated to increase to 68 from the current 50. Out of these, 23 will be reserved for women, which comes to nearly 34 per cent. Political parties with complaints or suggestions on the draft delimitation list can submit them to the concerned authorities by October 5. The preparatory process for the elections in both civic bodies has already begun. Elections to form new boards in KMC and HMC are likely to be held in November this year, immediately after the festive season beginning with Durga Puja next month. However, an official involved in the process said the excitement usually associated with civic polls is missing this time, largely because of the lack of enthusiasm among the two factions of the Trinamool Congress, which is officially the principal opposition party in West Bengal. Political observers feel it is uncertain whether the two factions of the Trinamool Congress, especially the original but minority faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, will be able to field candidates in all wards of both KMC and HMC.
Centre, Bengal govt meeting tomorrow to boost fisheries sector
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) The Centres Department of Fisheries is organising a review meeting in Kolkata on September 21 to chart a roadmap for the state's huge untapped fisheries potential, according to an official statement issued on Sunday. Union Minister for Fisheries Rajiv Ranjan Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will co-chair the meeting. The deliberations are expected to identify priority interventions and strengthen Centre-State collaboration to accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth in West Bengal's fisheries sector. The meeting will provide a comprehensive platform to review the progress of various schemes and programmes in West Bengal and deliberate on key focus areas for future development. Presentations by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, and the Government of West Bengal, along with interactions with leading fisheries research, regulatory, and financial institutions, will facilitate discussions on enhancing production, expanding aquaculture, adopting technology, developing infrastructure, strengthening institutional support, and promoting investment. This will be followed by the handing over of administrative approval for integrated reservoir development in West Bengal. West Bengal, the second largest fish-producing state in the country, contributed 25.43 lakh tonnes to Indias total fish production in 2025-26. An investment of Rs 617 crore under various schemes supported the production increase by strengthening production technologies, post-harvest infrastructure, processing, and capacity building. These initiatives provided livelihood opportunities to more than 30 lakh fisherfolk and developed a robust fisheries ecosystem supported by value chain and market access. The Government of India has also notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters, including a dry fish cluster in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. The Department of Fisheries is placing special emphasis on strengthening fisheries farmer producer organisations (FFPOs) and fisheries cooperatives, while also focusing on digitisation of the fisheries sector in the state through various initiatives. The review meeting is expected to provide direction to accelerate growth in West Bengal's fisheries and aquaculture sector through stronger convergence between the Central and State Governments and key stakeholder institutions. The deliberations are expected to help identify priority areas for intervention, strengthen implementation of flagship fisheries schemes and programmes, promote technology-led and sustainable development, and increase investments across the fisheries value chain. The meeting is also expected to help improve fishers' livelihoods, increase fish production and productivity, strengthen market linkages, boost ornamental fisheries, improve post-harvest infrastructure, and advance the vision of a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive fisheries sector in the state, the statement added.
CPI (M) seeks online donations for Bengal bypolls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 20 (IANS) CPI(M), the lead party in the West Bengal Left Front, has issued a social media message seeking online donations for the forthcoming bypolls in Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district. CPI(M) Politburo member and state secretary Md Salim shared the appeal on social media, attaching a QR code through which people can contribute online to the partys election fund. The bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar will be held on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9. The appeal comes as the Left Front faces internal challenges, particularly in Rejinagar. While CPIs Shanti Gopal Giri is the unanimously accepted Left Front candidate in Nandigram, both CPI(M) and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) have fielded candidates in Rejinagar. After CPI(M)s Syed Asad Ali was chosen as the Front-nominated candidate in Rejinagar, the RSP revolted and fielded its own candidate, Bikash Chandra Mishra. Salim urged supporters: Help as much as you can by donating to the election fund for campaigning for the upcoming Rejinagar and Nandigram assembly by-elections. During the last West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, CPI(M) had also appealed for funds through social media. At that time, Trinamool Congress ridiculed CPI(M) for seeking online donations, arguing it was contradictory given the Left Fronts opposition to computerisation in government offices during its 34-year rule from 1977 to 2011. CPI(M) leaders dismissed the criticism, saying many left-minded voters, though not active party members, wish to support the party financially during elections. This online donation system is aimed at making it easy for such voters to donate. Remember, our party does not have electoral bonds like others. Our leadership believes in the help from common people, a state committee member said.
Bengal tea stall owner claims assault for serving minorities
Kolkata: A tea stall owner has claimed that a group of men assaulted him in West Bengals Paschim Bardhaman for serving Muslim customers and that he has previously received threats. The alleged assault took place on September 13 under the Kanksa police stations jurisdiction in Dangal villages Agaro Mile area. Shop owner Pratap Ghosh said 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 .
Before tigers return, Buxa steps up dog vaccination drive
Cases against Kurmis slapped by TMC government to be withdrawn: Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari
The West Bengal government will withdraw all cases slapped against Kurmis during their stir by the then TMC government. Attending a Karam festival programme in Purulia district,Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged that previous dispensation did nothing for the Kurmis other than creating divisions within the community.
Mamata backs Congress in Nandigram, hints at Bengal opposition reset
Kolkata: Former West Bengal chief ministers support to the Congress candidate in the Nandigram assembly bypoll is a striking reversal of decades of political rivalry, observers feel, signalling a possible recalibration of opposition politics in the state at a time when the TMC is battling its deepest organisational crisis. Banerjees decision to back Milan Pradhan 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 to withdraw TMC govt cases against Kurmis over 2025 stir: Suvendu Adhikari
Missing eight-month-old from Nashik found safe by officials after three days
Digital Desk | Nashik, Sep 20 (IANS) An eight-month-old baby girl who went missing in Maharashtra's Nashik district three days back was found safe on Sunday, police said. The infant, who had gone missing from the Manyad police outpost region in Nandgaon taluka of Nashik on September 17, was found abandoned near the Vaibothi village in neighbouring Yeola taluka. Yeola taluka police reached the spot and took her into their custody. Subsequently, the infant was taken to the Yeola Sub-District Hospital for a medical examination after being identified by her mother and the Nandgaon police. Her safe recovery brought relief to the family and the police. However, the circumstances under which the baby reached Vaibothi, who brought her there, and why she was abandoned at the spot remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the infants disappearance and subsequent recovery. In Odisha, Operation Anweshan, conducted by the state's Crime Against Women and Children Wing (CAW & CW) Department, along with the state police, rescued 101 missing children. The children included 54 boys and 47 girls. The teams conducted field-level searches, verified the leads, and coordinated with local authorities, along with various child care institutions during the operation. As part of the operation, as many as 17 specialised teams were deployed to several states and Union Territories where Odia children are frequently found. The youngest among those rescued was a three-month-old infant found institutionalised alongside her minor mother. Another child who was found was institutionalised for the longest duration and had spent more than five years away from home. The states in which the children were found include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
West Bengal Government launches portal to foster grassroots innovation in eastern region
The Seva First Innovation Challenge-Eastern Zone invites solution-oriented proposals on healthcare access, agricultural losses, water shortage and waste management
In a notable political shift, a former West Bengal chief minister endorses a Congress candidate for the Nandigram bypoll, suggesting a realignment of opposition politics within the state. Amidst unrest, the Election Commission has suspended the use of the Trinamool Congress's name and symbol. The former chief minister emphasizes Congress as a vital ally in safeguarding the country's interests, as TMC faces its most serious internal crisis to date.
WB bypoll: After Nadigram, Rejinagar candidate arrested
An Independent candidate for the Rejinagar assembly bypoll in West Bengal, Saiful Islam, was arrested in a five-year-old case related to a clash during the 2021 state elections. This follows another bypoll nominee's arrest, highlighting pre-election tensions. The AJUP chief also faces a notice, and a party secretary was arrested with illegal arms and fake currency.
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh confident BJP will secure support in October bypolls
The News Mill
Assam Seeks Bengal's Support To Revamp Historic Madhupur Satra In Cooch Behar
Himanta Biswa Sarma also proposed that a delegation from West Bengal visit Batadrava Than in Assam
After Nandigram, Rejinagar bypoll candidate arrested in Bengal
Kolkata: An Independent candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll in West Bengal was arrested on Saturday, September 19, in a five-year-old case of a clash between two groups during the 2021 state elections, police said. The arrest of Saiful Islam, who is associated with the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) led by Humayun Kabir, came 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 .
Motorcyclist killed, pillion rider injured in Sopore road mishap
Sopore, Sep 19:A motorcyclist was killed while another sustained injuries after their motorcycle collided with a Tata Matador Video Coach at Botingoo area of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Mohinoor Mir Ali, a resident of West Bengal, who was reportedly working as a goldsmith in Srinagar. The injured motorcyclist has been identified as Minhaj Mir Ali. According to officials, the motorcycle bearing registration number JK01BC-6080 collided with a Tata Bus Video Coach number (JK05N-9576), which was reportedly travelling towards Sopore from Bandipora. Following the accident, a team from Police Station Warpora rushed to the spot and shifted both persons to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore for medical treatment. However, doctors declared Mohinoor Mir Ali brought dead upon arrival, while the injured rider was admitted for treatment. Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the accident.
Rejinagar after Nandigram: Mamatas bypoll candidate withdraws under pressure, then decides to stay
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West Bengal Minister Orders Special Audit for GTA and Hill Panchayats Amid Corruption Allegations
West Bengals minister announces a special audit for GTA and hill panchayats to combat corruption and ensure transparency in governance. West Bengal Minister Orders Special Audit for GTA and Hill Panchayats Amid Corruption Allegations
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Assam CM's 'deflated football' swipe at Mamata after her faction gets new poll symbol
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a swipe at Mamata Banerjee after the Election Commission froze the Trinamool Congress name and symbol amid a factional feud. He predicted Banerjee would not return to power and commented on the rival factions' new names and election symbols ahead of the October 6 West Bengal bypolls.
Abhishek mentioned in Roys interrogation, claims CID
Rahul Gandhi a mad person: Assam CM
Guwahati, Sep 19: Rahul Gandhi is a mad person; sometimes you see him with a beard, sometimes clean-shaven, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a swipe at the former Congress chief after his murder of democracy remark following the arrest of the partys bypoll candidate in West Bengal. He defended the arrest of [] The post Rahul Gandhi a mad person: Assam CM first appeared on Highland Post .
Election Commission Allocates New Symbols for Bengal By-elections in Nandigram and Rejendranagar
The Election Commission has assigned new symbols to AJUP and AISF for the upcoming by-elections in West Bengals Nandigram and Rejendranagar. Election Commission Allocates New Symbols for Bengal By-elections in Nandigram and Rejendranagar
AJUP loses whistle, gets table as EC reshuffles symbols for bypolls
West Bengal Party Leader Arrested with Fake Currency and Weapons
A leader of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party was arrested in Kolkata with counterfeit notes and firearms during a police checkpoint. West Bengal Party Leader Arrested with Fake Currency and Weapons
Mamata Banerjee moves SC against EC party symbol freeze
New Delhi: Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commissions decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress name and party symbol amid a dispute between two rival factions of the TMC. The Election Commission on Friday allotted separate names and symbols to the two rival factions following its 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 .
Mamata-Rahul alliance would send big message: Saayoni
Bengal Minister orders special audit for GTA, hill panchayats
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) The West Bengal Minister in charge of Panchayat Affairs & Rural Development, Dilip Ghosh, on Saturday announced a special audit to identify corrupt activities in the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and panchayats in the hills of North Bengal. Ghosh, also the former national vice president and state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, warned that the new BJP-ruled government will adopt a zero-tolerance approach against corruption in administrative functioning. He chaired an administrative review meeting at the North Bengal Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya in Siliguri, Darjeeling district, to assess rural development progress in the hills, Terai, and Dooars regions. He sent a strong message to curb corruption in GTA and panchayat bodies. No corruption in public service activities will be tolerated. Special audits will be conducted in at least 10 per cent of the panchayats, including GTA areas in the hills, where serious charges of corruption exist. Work is underway to fill infrastructure gaps in coordination with the new GTA chief and administrative officials. Initiatives are being taken to quickly recruit people to fill around 11,000 vacancies in the state Panchayat & Rural Development Department to keep services running, Ghosh said. He added that people in West Bengal had brought change in the regime for the sake of development. They are satisfied with the functioning of the new government. This satisfaction will be reflected in the results of the bypolls for two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal next month. BJP candidates will win by heavy margins from both constituencies, Ghosh asserted.
Saayoni Ghosh Bats For TMC Congress Alliance, Calls For True Partnership Ahead Of Nandigram Bypoll
NCPI MP Saayoni Ghosh has called for closer coordination between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress under Rahul Gandhis leadership. Ghosh said such cooperation could send a powerful message and demonstrate a genuine partnership between the two parties.Her remarks come ahead of the October 6 Nandigram Assembly bypoll, where Mamata Banerjees faction withdrew its candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey and extended support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.The developments come amid the ongoing dispute over the TMC factions party name and election symbol. Ghosh also commented on Pradhans arrest and said she was aware of pending cases against him.Watch the full story for the latest developments from West Bengal.
Congress rules out electoral alliance with Trinamool despite backing Mamata faction in symbol row
The Congress has ruled out any electoral understanding with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal for now, despite backing the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in the ongoing party name and symbol dispute.
West Bengal is now second in farmer registrations under the PM Crop Insurance Scheme, covering 3.2 million farmers, says CM Suvendu Adhikari. West Bengal Ranks Second in Farmers Registration Under PM Crop Insurance Scheme, Claims CM Suvendu Adhikari
Bengal: Congress candidate for Nandigram bypoll sent to 14-day custody
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 19 (IANS) Milan Pradhan, the Congress candidate for the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in East Midnapore district next month, was on Saturday denied bail by a district court in East Midnapore after being arrested in an old murder case registered against him. The judge remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody, which means he will remain behind bars until October 3. The bypolls for Nandigram, as well as for the Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district, will be held on October 6, with results to be declared on October 9. This effectively prevents Pradhan from participating in the campaign process, and he will likely have to contest the bypoll from jail unless a higher court grants him bail in the meantime. Milan will be produced before the same district court on Monday in connection with another old case registered against him. He was arrested on Friday evening from Chandipur in East Midnapore in connection with a 2007 murder case linked to the anti-land acquisition movement at Nandigram during the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front regime. A total of four cases related to rioting, murder, and criminal intimidation were registered against him during that period. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations for the Nandigram by-election ended on Saturday. Rumours had suggested that the Congress candidate, like Sanchita Dey Pradhan of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction in Trinamool Congress, would also withdraw. However, that did not happen. The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee launched a scathing attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the state government over Milans arrest. State Congress leader Ajitesh Pandey said, The police told the district court that they had not found Milan for the last 19 years. Now they have found him after he became a candidate in the election. Isnt it strange? Multiple cases have been filed against him. After this, Milan will be produced in the same court again on Monday in relation to another case registered at Khejuri Police Station in East Midnapore. However, we are not leaving the voting ground.
Congress' Nandigram Bypoll Pick Milan Pradhan Sent To Judicial Custody Till October 3
The West Bengal Police said Pradhan was arrested based on four pending arrest warrants for his alleged involvement in non-bailable cases related to rioting, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and criminal intimidation.
Nandigram bypoll: Congress candidate in 14-day judicial custody
Haldia (West Bengal): The Congress Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan was on Saturday, September 19, sent to judicial custody till October 3 by a local court, a day after his arrest on multiple charges, including murder, that dates back 19 years. Pradhan was produced before the Haldia Subdivisional Court following his arrest on Friday. 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 .
Cong's Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan sent to custody till Oct 3
The Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan was sent to judicial custody till October 3 by a local court, a day after his arrest on multiple charges, including murder, that dates back 19 years. Pradhan was produced before the Haldia Subdivisional Court following his arrest on Friday. The West Bengal Police said Pradhan was arrested based on four pending arrest warrants for his alleged involvement in non-bailable cases related to rioting, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and criminal intimidation, which were filed during the 2007 anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram. He was also booked under relevant sections of the Arms Act, police said. A counsel appearing for Pradhan said, The court has remanded Milan Pradhan to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with the three warrants associated with cases in Nandigram police station. He will be produced before the Contai court on Monday in connection with the fourth warrant issued in cases registered with the ..
Cong won't withdraw Nandigram candidate despite arrest
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the Congress would not withdraw its candidate Milan Pradhan from the Nandigram Assembly bypoll in West Bengal, despite his recent arrest. Pradhan was apprehended in connection with a 2007 anti-land acquisition movement case, shortly after the Trinamool Congress extended its support to him. Venugopal alleged political pressure and questioned the Election Commission's silence, vowing to elevate the issue to a national level.
Congress questions timing of candidates arrest ahead of Nandigram bypoll
Pawan Khera, head of the Congresss media department, told PTI that it was a matter of concern that the West Bengal Police had arrested the partys nominee when the cases against him were old
Mamata Banerjee Calls TMC Dispute Developments A Black Day For Democracy
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the developments surrounding the Trinamool Congress internal factional dispute a black day in Indias democratic history after her camps Nandigram bypoll candidate withdrew her nomination. Banerjee also described the developments as unconstitutional, illegal and undemocratic.
Bangladeshi national held at Ezhimala Naval Academy with forged documents
Digital Desk | Kannur, Sep 19 (IANS) A Bangladeshi national who had been working for nearly a year in the Naval laundry section of the highly secure Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala using alleged forged documents, was arrested by the police and Intelligence agencies, raising serious questions over security verification at the strategic military establishment. The accused, 32-year-old Soren, was taken into custody from the academy following confidential inputs received by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Police and Intelligence officials are now questioning him to establish how a foreign national managed to secure employment and remain at the naval establishment for nearly a year without being detected. Soren had allegedly used a fake Aadhaar card showing him as an Indian citizen and a fake Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) purportedly issued by the police in West Bengal to obtain the job. Preliminary investigation has indicated that Soren is a Bangladeshi national who entered India through West Bengal after allegedly obtaining forged documents. The circumstances under which he secured employment at the Naval Academy are also under investigation. Police are looking into the role of the contractor or agency through which he was engaged and whether proper background and identity verification was carried out before he was allowed to work inside the sensitive establishment. The arrest comes amid a wider police crackdown in Kannur following the detection of Bangladeshi nationals allegedly staying in the district using forged Indian documents. Four Bangladeshi women were arrested in Kannur in the past few days after police raided a rented house at Odenparambu. They were allegedly working at a spa in Kannur city. Police recovered Bangladeshi identity cards as well as suspected fake Indian identity documents from the women. During interrogation, they allegedly told investigators that they had obtained the forged documents from Assam before travelling to Kerala in search of employment. With the arrest at Ezhimala, police are investigating whether there is an organised network involved in bringing Bangladeshi nationals into Kerala and arranging forged identity documents and employment for them. The investigation will also focus on whether there were lapses in the verification process followed by contractors and agencies recruiting temporary workers for the Naval Academy.
Body of Missing Teen Found in Abandoned House in Purulia, Family Suspects Murder
The body of a 16-year-old girl was discovered in Purulia, West Bengal, with her family alleging murder linked to a local boy. Body of Missing Teen Found in Abandoned House in Purulia, Family Suspects Murder
India shifts counter-terror strategy, moves to bust terror plots before attacks
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS) India's counter-terrorism operations have undergone a strategic shift, transitioning from a reactive security apparatus to a pre-emptive, intelligence-driven doctrine aimed at dismantling terror modules before execution, according to senior security officials. Since coming to power, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. A significant shift has been the move by the security establishment handling terror-related cases towards a more pre-emptive approach, aimed at identifying and neutralising threats before they can materialise. An official said that recent events relating to terror clearly indicate that the national counter-terrorism strategy policy for Response against Hostile Activities and Radicalism, or PRAHAAR, that was introduced in February this year has already started to take effect. The official said that the clear directive to the agencies is not to wait for an incident to take place and then react to the same. The focus is on preventing terror attacks and ensuring that terror modules do not grow to such an extent that bringing them under control becomes a Herculean task, the official added. An Intelligence Bureau official said that this is the same pattern that is being applied across the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has been in overdrive mode and plotting big strikes in the Valley. In the last several months, it has tried to work on its overground worker (OWG) network, while also trying its best to get the infiltrations moving. However, the success has been very low thanks to the new doctrine that focuses on busting these plans rather than reacting after something has taken place, the IB official said. In the past couple of months, security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir have neutralised terrorists, busted multiple modules and ensured that the overground worker network remains grounded. These have been among the major challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir, and the agencies have ensured that plotting and carrying out terror attacks is now harder than what the ISI may have anticipated, the official added. Another official said that while terror attacks remain one part of the problem, the bigger challenge confronting the country is radicalisation. He said the issue is not confined to any particular region but has spread across the country. Although unconnected, these radicalisation modules have thrived in states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Kerala, the official said. The Islamic State, in particular, has focused only on radicalisation and has been largely successful in infiltrating the minds of the youth in a big way. As the security agencies realised the scale at which the problem was taking place, immediate action was taken, and these modules were busted. The busting of the pan-India radicalisation module in Andhra Pradesh is an example of how the agencies have been handling such cases. The module was threatening to become a massive problem but was nipped in the bud in the nick of time. Officials said security agencies no longer wait for terror modules to grow before taking action. If intelligence is actionable, the agencies move immediately to disrupt the module and prevent it from developing further, the officials added. Similar action was reported in Gujarat when a Jaish-e-Mohammad-linked module was busted. This was a self-styled module that subscribed to the views of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The security agencies, after busting this module, found extremist material in large numbers. This module was becoming a ticking time bomb, but was busted just in time. The approach has been the same when it comes to tackling terror and radicalisation from the Bangladesh side. Multiple attempts made by the Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) and the Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been thwarted. These groups were looking to target West Bengal and the northeastern states. An official said that this was an important shift in Indias counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation strategy. While PRAHAAR has ensured a pre-emptive, rather than reactive, strategy, it has also ensured seamless integration between the Intelligence agencies, the state police and the central agencies, an official said.
BJP MP Claims TMC is Dwindling in West Bengal Amid Political Turmoil
BJPs Khagen Murmu asserts TMC is nearing its end, citing corruption and violence as key factors in West Bengals political landscape. BJP MP Claims TMC is Dwindling in West Bengal Amid Political Turmoil
