The News Mill
Snatchers attack morning walkers, help burgles home
Kolkata woman loses 1.2 crore to cyber fraud
JSW Group's Sajjan Jindal meets Bengal CM, 50,000 crore plan in focus
JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investments worth 50,000 crore across power, steel, cement, ports and related sectors.
Doctor halts op for lunch, 50-yr-old dies at Howrah hosp
240 deaths till Sept due to extreme weather events in Bengal, finds study
Animal-familiarisation campaign reaches schools
Patients forced out in New Town nursing homes landlord-tenant dispute
Cops dig up decomposed body of newborn
Police quiz MLA Kunal Ghosh for 90 minutes in Chorbagan row
IIT Kharagpur launches helpline to tackle cyberbullying
Cloud cover pushes max temp to 28.6C
Physicist Ashoke Sen delivers 1st lecture in hometown after Oskar Klein Medal
Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh meets transport minister Arjun Singh
Will politics trump last few years green gains: New worry on Kol plate in season of festivities
Bengal: SIT arrests second accused in UNESCO-tagged fake Durga Puja pass scam
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police on Wednesday night arrested a senior corporate official in connection with the multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass scam involving UNESCO-tagged festival tours. The arrested individual, identified as Dhrubojyoti Basu, is a top executive of Mass Art, the corporate entity through which the fraudulent passes were allegedly marketed and sold. Basu was named in the initial First Information Report (FIR) and had been absconding since last week following the arrest of former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen. Basus arrest marks the second major action by law enforcement in the ongoing probe, following the detention of Sen, a singer-turned-politician. According to police sources, while Mass Art was officially headed by Sens wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, the entity operated as the brainchild of the former minister and Basu. Investigators allege that the duo established a complex corruption network through the organisation to monetise unauthorised passes under the guise of UNESCO festival access. Madhuchhanda Sen has also been named in the FIR. However, she secured anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court and remains out of custody despite undergoing two rounds of interrogation. Authorities confirmed that the couple's daughter, Averi Sen, along with corporate entities linked to her, remain under active financial and administrative scrutiny. Indranil Sen, currently in police custody, is undergoing daily marathon interrogations by the SIT. Investigators have questioned nine other individuals in connection with the case, including Madhuchhanda Sen. Sen is scheduled to be produced before a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. Police officials stated that the SIT is actively gathering forensic and document-based evidence to counter potential bail applications during the upcoming court hearing. The case is being investigated through parallel probes by the Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). City police sleuths originally took Sen into custody outside the EDs Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata last week.
KMC set to rope in pvt agencies to digitise birth certificates
Season of fear, uncertainty returns for Rabindra Sarobar birds
Blue cheer: Democratic sweep crucial for H-1B workers, green card aspirants
Class 58 students to learn coding, robotics in state-run schools
Education minister confirms delayed 2027 Madhyamik, HS exams
NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts sensitised about Ex Sea Vigil 2026
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) As part of the biennial national-level coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil 2026, the Naval Officer-in-Charge (NOIC), West Bengal, conducted a sensitisation campaign and familiarisation visit for NCC cadets and Bharat Scouts at INS Netaji Subhas in Kolkata on Wednesday. The cadets were briefed on the core roles of the Indian Navy, Examination Services and War Watching Organisation (WWO); reinforcing youth engagement is a KRA of Sea Vigil 2026. The visit included operational exposure to Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) deployed for riverine patrolling across West Bengal waterways, alongside on-site handling and familiarisation with small arms used in maritime defence. The high-intensity coastal security exercise is scheduled to be held on November 18-19, 2026. This will be the fifth edition of the exercise. It was last held in November 2024. The nationwide exercise, spanning the entire 11,098 km coastline of India, had then involved six central ministries, 21 central and state agencies, and key stakeholders from across the maritime security apparatus. Even the Army and the Air Force had participated in the exercise. They are expected to do the same this year. Exercise Sea Vigil is as close to the real thing as it can get. Agencies entrusted with guarding vital assets are tested on their preparedness to tackle emergencies. During the 2024 edition, dud Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were planted within the Victoria Memorial campus in Kolkata and armed infiltrators had entered the port facility. A waterborne strike was also attempted on defence shipbuilders Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. Security agencies are divided between Red and Blue teams. While the Red teams are the attackers, vital assets have to be protected by the others. Exercise Sea Vigil is designed to bolster the security of Indias coastal assets, including ports, oil rigs, vulnerable areas (VAs), vulnerable points (VPs), and cable landing stations. The focus is on Indias expansive coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering 2.4 million square kilometres; the exercise engages all levels of government and security forces, keeping in mind emerging threats. The Indian Navy has been tasked as the lead agency for maritime security since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and Ex Sea Vigil serves as a vital step in ensuring coordination across central and state security agencies for effective coastal defence. In addition to military and security forces, the exercise actively involves local communities, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and fishermen to raise awareness about the importance of maritime security. This public engagement is key to creating a widespread sense of vigilance along Indias coastline. West Bengal is of particular importance for the security agencies, given the vast expanse of the Sundarbans - the world's largest mangrove forest and delta - that is difficult to monitor by security forces. Ex Sea Vigil validates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes adopted by various agencies and the coordination between them in areas like intelligence sharing while safeguarding the country's maritime boundaries.
Kedartal avalanche claims lives of two sisters from Lucknow who shared passion for trekking
Toll touches four as two more bodies are found on the Kedartal trekking route; four trekkers, all friends from West Bengal, are still missing
NIA raids eight locations across three states in fake currency case
The searches were carried out at two locations in Aurangabad and three in Gaya district of Bihar, two locations in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, and one location in Malda district of West Bengal
NIA Raids 8 Sites in 3 States: Fake Note Case
Searches across Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal lead to the seizure of digital devices, documents and Bangladeshi currency.
NIA conducts raids at eight locations in Bihar, Jharkhand and Bengal in fake currency case
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 4 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted simultaneous searches at eight locations across Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a fake Indian currency notes (FICN) smuggling case involving counterfeit notes with a face value of Rs 2.48 lakh. The searches were carried out at two locations in Aurangabad and three in Gaya district of Bihar, two locations in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand and one location in Malda district of West Bengal. During the operations, NIA teams seized digital devices, incriminating documents, Bangladeshi currency and other materials suspected to be relevant to the investigation. The case relates to the recovery of fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 2,48,500 within the jurisdiction of Madanpur police station in Aurangabad district of Bihar. Following the recovery, a case was registered at the Madanpur Police Station on August 15 against four accused persons identified as Surendra Kumar, Vijay Yadav, Ranjan, and Pradeep Saw, alias Pradeep Kumar Saw. The NIA subsequently re-registered the case on October 18 and took over the investigation following an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the agency, the investigation conducted so far has revealed that the accused were allegedly involved in the smuggling of fake Indian currency notes. The latest searches were conducted to gather further evidence and establish the wider network involved in the alleged counterfeit currency operation. The NIA is examining the seized digital devices, documents and other materials to identify possible links and determine the extent of the smuggling network. Further investigation into the case is underway. Earlier, on October 30, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against two accused persons in connection with the seizure of FICN worth Rs 50,150 in Madhubani district of Bihar. The charge sheet has been filed against Bharat Mahaseth and Shiv Kumar Raut alias Mehman under Sections 61(2), 179, 180 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The case relates to the seizure of 281 counterfeit currency notes with a total face value of Rs 50,150 from Duhabi Bazar in the Basopatti area of Madhubani on August 2.
Sunday PropTech acquires 89-room hotel in Kolkata, marks entry into city
Sunday PropTech Ltd marks a significant milestone with its inaugural acquisition of an 89-room hotel in Rajarhat. This venue will be included in its emerging mid-premium Clubhouse brand, bolstering its footprint in eastern India. Given its advantageous proximity to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, it appeals to business travelers. The company plans to revamp and reposition the hotel, while also identifying additional investment prospects in West Bengal.
Calcutta HC bars Bengal SEC from announcing KMC poll schedule till ward delimitation case verdict
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court said on Wednesday barred the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) for announcing the schedule for the forthcoming polls for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) till the time the court pronounces the judgment in the case, challenging the delimitation of wards in Kolkata civic body is announced. The polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including KMC and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), is likely to take place in the last week of December, and the results are expected to be announced in the first week of January next year. Before that the delimitation of the wards in KMC had been announced, increasing the number of wards to 209 from the previous figure of 144. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the delimitation process. In the petition filed by CPI-M leader and former party Councillor Dipu Das, she claimed that despite some serious objections to the new ward delimitation being raised and a proposal was mooted for a 'spot visit' and a public hearing in the area to get the opinions of the citizens, no importance was given to those objections and proposals. The petitioner also claimed that several aspects, including the population and geographical location of the wards, were not properly considered in the delimitation exercise. She even claimed that this move was made to give benefits to a specific party. Initially, the matter was heard at the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya. However, instead of passing any specific order in the matter, Justice Bhattacharya directed all parties concerned to file affidavits in the matter. Thereafter, the petitioner approached the division bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Justice Arjun Roy challenging the order of the single-judge bench. The petitioner contended that if the WBSEC would announce the schedule of the KMC before a clear judgment in the matter, her petition would not have any relevance. The matter came up for hearing at the division bench on Wednesday. At the end of the hearing, that division bench said that the WBSEC should not announce the schedule of the KMC polls till the court pronounced its verdict in the matter.
Gujarat: Bharat Parv draws over 25,000 visitors to Ekta Nagar in first three days
Digital Desk | Ekta Nagar, Nov 4 (IANS) More than 25,000 people visited 'Bharat Parv 2026' at Ekta Nagar, near the Statue of Unity, between November 1 and 3, as the 15-day event brings together the traditional crafts, regional cuisines and cultural performances of states and Union Territories from across the country. Organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with Gujarat Tourism, the festival will continue until November 15, showcasing India's cultural diversity under the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Tourism pavilions set up by various states and Union Territories are displaying popular destinations, traditional art forms, handicrafts and handloom products. The exhibits include Sambalpuri sarees, Pattachitra paintings, applique work and silver filigree from Odisha; Muga silk and Mekhela-Chadar from Assam; Madhubani paintings, Bhagalpur silk and Sikki grass craft from Bihar; and Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees and Gond art from Madhya Pradesh. Other highlights include Pashmina and Kani shawls from Jammu and Kashmir, Pochampally Ikat sarees from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat's Patola, Pithora art and Ajrakh printing. Bamboo crafts from Chhattisgarh and shell art products from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also on display. Artisans are conducting live demonstrations to familiarise visitors with traditional craft-making techniques. The pavilions also allow visitors to purchase handicrafts and handloom products directly from participating artisans and exhibitors. Food is another major attraction, with 25 stalls representing states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat. The stalls offer regional specialities such as Litti Chokha and Thekua from Bihar, Dal Baati and Pyaz Kachori from Rajasthan, Gajak and Ratlam Sev from Madhya Pradesh, Jhalmuri and Patisapta Pitha from West Bengal, Veg Momo and Sel Roti from Sikkim, and Nadru Yakhni and Zafrani Kahwa from Kashmir. Studio Kitchens operated by IIHM Shimla and IIHM Gandhinagar are also holding daily live demonstrations of Indian cuisines, giving visitors an opportunity to watch the preparation of regional dishes and learn about the country's culinary traditions. The festival also features cultural performances every evening by artists from different states, presenting folk music, traditional dances and other regional art forms. Meanwhile, the Statue of Unity will remain open on Monday, November 9, in view of Bharat Parv and the Diwali vacation. However, the viewing gallery will remain closed on the day. The additional opening is intended to provide tourists and families with another opportunity to visit the monument during the holiday period. Bharat Parv 2026 will continue at Ekta Nagar until November 15, with tourism exhibitions, handicraft displays, food stalls, culinary demonstrations and cultural performances.
Bengal: Rs 1.40 crore recovered from Kharagpur station; one arrested
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) Rs 1.40 crore was recovered from Kharagpur station in West Midnapore district on Wednesday, an official said. The money was being brought from Tatanagar in Jharkhand to Howrah in West Bengal. Before it reached its destination, it was caught by the Government Railway Police (GRP). A passenger has also been arrested in connection with the incident. According to a Kharagpur GRP official, the incident took place in the morning. Rahul Soni was travelling from Tatanagar to Howrah by taking the Jan Shatabdi Express. When the train stopped at Kharagpur station, the GRP personnel on duty became suspicious after seeing his movements. He was standing on platform number seven in Kharagpur with one bag on his back and two bags in his hand. According to the official, Rahul tried to escape as the GRP personnel advanced towards him. However, he was finally caught. As the GRP personnel started questioning him, Rahul started giving incoherent answers. This further increased their suspicions. Finally, as soon as they started searching his bag, the GRP personnel on duty found bundles of Rs 500 notes in the bag. A total of 280 bundles of notes were recovered from him. Rahul could not give a satisfactory answer about where this huge amount of cash came from. Therefore, the Kharagpur GRP detained him and informed the Income Tax Department. Later, he was also formally arrested. Superintendent of Railway Police (Kharagpur) Jayanta Mukherjee said that the passenger is being interrogated to find out the source of this huge amount of money. According to the GRP official, the arrested person's house is in Howrah. During interrogation, he admitted that he was bringing the money from Tatanagar to Howrah. However, it is still not clear from whom in Tatanagar he was bringing the money and for what purpose. There are reports of such cash being recovered from the Howrah station premises from time to time. Many people are also caught for not being able to show the source of the cash. This time, more than one crore rupees in cash was recovered from Kharagpur station. Incidentally, shortly before this news came to light, Diamond Harbour Police had also recovered more than one crore rupees from a Trinamool Congress party office in Sarisha of South 24 Parganas district.
Royal Bengal tigress travels to Assam, brought back to Buxa
A Royal Bengal Tigress, designated BT1, from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve, was safely captured in Assam's Raimona National Park after travelling over 100 km and nearing human settlements. The capture was a result of a coordinated effort between the forest departments of West Bengal and Assam.
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Nov 4 (IANS) More than 70 trips of special trains are being operated by Western Railway to accommodate the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja, with additional security personnel, holding areas and round-the-clock CCTV surveillance arranged at Ahmedabad, Sabarmati and Asarva stations to manage passenger movement. The special train services, primarily connecting destinations in northern and eastern India, are aimed at facilitating passengers travelling to Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Additional coaches have also been attached to several regular trains to increase passenger capacity. Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash said the arrangements had been made keeping in mind the expected increase in passenger numbers during the festive period. The railway administration had also accounted for passengers travelling on around 20 to 25 through-passing trains arriving from Rajkot and Bhuj and passing through Ahmedabad and Sabarmati stations, he said. The special trains operating in November include services between Sabarmati and Lalkuan, Asarva and Kanpur Central, Asarva and Agra Cantt, Bhuj and Bandra Terminus, Ahmedabad and Mangaluru Junction, Sabarmati and Haridwar, Ahmedabad and Darbhanga, Gandhidham and Bhagalpur, Sabarmati and Prayagraj, Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Malda Town, Asarva and Prayagraj, and Ahmedabad and Rajgir. The railway administration, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and traffic police have jointly drawn up a plan to regulate passenger movement and prevent overcrowding at the three stations. Separate arrangements have been made for unreserved passengers and those holding reserved tickets. The movement of reserved passengers, from entering the station and reaching the platform to waiting and boarding their trains, has been eased to avoid congestion. A total of 110 additional RPF personnel have been deployed at the three stations, including 55 at Ahmedabad, 40 at Sabarmati and 15 at Asarva. .An additional company of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) has also been deployed at Ahmedabad station. The railway administration has assigned officers and staff to round-the-clock duties at all three stations. Holding areas have been arranged to accommodate passengers in an orderly manner before they are taken to platforms in queues at the scheduled time for boarding. Women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and passengers travelling with children are being given priority. Ahmedabad station has 119 CCTV cameras, while Sabarmati station has 121. A proposal has also been submitted to install 60 additional cameras to strengthen surveillance. Staff have been deployed in the CCTV control rooms round the clock to monitor station premises and passenger movement. RPF personnel in plain clothes have also been deployed to prevent crimes against passengers. At Sabarmati station, queue management arrangements cover the entire process, from ticket counters and holding areas to platforms and train boarding. Passengers are directed to the holding area after purchasing tickets and subsequently taken to the platform in an orderly manner at the designated time. Announcements through public address systems and loudhailers are being used to advise passengers against pushing or jostling, travelling while standing on train footboards and accepting food or beverages from strangers. They are also being alerted about the safety of women and children during the journey.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday chaired a review meeting at the Panchayat and Rural Development Department to assess the progress of the VB-G RAM-G and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana schemes. The meeting focused on rural employment generation, infrastructure development and the implementation of various government programmes across the state. Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the progress made under the schemes and said the state was on track to achieve its target of generating 22 crore person-days of employment. He highlighted the employment opportunities being generated through the programme and expressed confidence in the department's ability to meet its targets. Adhikari said, There was a review meeting regarding VB-G RAM-G and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme today. The progress is very good. We are on track to meet both targets: the creation of 22 crore person-days of employment. As of today, a significa...
Watch: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari urges migrant workers to return, cites 125-day job scheme
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has urged migrant workers to return to the State, highlighting the 125-day job guarantee scheme. He said the government would launch a village-to-village campaign using folk artists to encourage workers to come home and work with their families. Adhikari also cited opportunities in sectors such as fish farming, agriculture, betel leaf cultivation and pineapple farming. He said workers could receive 34,500 under the scheme and that the government would seek higher wages for unskilled labourers and support for construction workers.
Assam CM targets Rahul Gandhi at Bihar rally, sparks row with Bangladesh remark
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 4 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the BJP's Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao campaign in Bihar's Purnea district on Wednesday, triggering political debate with his controversial remarks linking the Congress leader to Bangladesh. Defending the revision of electoral rolls and the removal of names such as Babar and Aurangzeb from voter lists, Sarma said there was nothing objectionable about the exercise and accused Rahul Gandhi of raising unwarranted concerns over the issue. Taking a dig at the Congress leader, Sarma said that he, along with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari, would send Rahul Gandhi to Bangladesh, where he could perhaps win an election. He remarked that since Rahul Gandhi was unable to win elections in Bihar, West Bengal or Assam, Bangladesh could be a suitable destination for him. Sarma also targeted Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of 'vote theft', saying that the issue was not about stealing votes but about 'stealing hearts'. Referring to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, he said a grand temple now stands at the site where the Babri Masjid had existed for nearly 500 years. He questioned whether this development could also be described as 'stealing hearts'. Speaking about the Seemanchal region of Bihar, Assam and West Bengal, the Assam Chief Minister said the situation in these areas was well known and demanded that the Election Commission undertake a fresh Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He reiterated that names such as Babar and Aurangzeb should be removed from voter lists, arguing that such action represented a 'theft of hearts' rather than a 'theft of votes'. His remarks have sparked political discussion, particularly over references to Bangladesh and the linkage of electoral roll revision with historical and religious figures. The BJP's Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao campaign was launched in Bhagalpur earlier this week and is being carried forward across several regions as part of the party's outreach programme.
Bodies of 2 more trekkers found after Kedartal avalanche
Bodies of two more trekkers, part of a group of eight missing on the Kedartal route, were recovered on Wednesday, bringing the total to four fatalities from the group. The trekkers went missing six days ago after an avalanche. Rescue operations are hampered by heavy snow, while families of the missing, including those from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, await news.
Industry leaders want West Bengals proposed new industrial policy to deliver faster clearances, transparent land allocation, reliable infrastructure and incentives tied to job creation. Here's all we know:
ED raids 10 places across Odisha, Bengal in money laundering case of Kalpana Financial Services
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out searches at 10 premises across Odisha and West Bengal in the case of Kalpana Financial Services Private Limited and its director Amit Mandal, officials said. ED's Bhubaneswar zonal office is conducting the search operation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED said the PMLA case was initiated on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in connection with an investment fraud operated principally under the name
West Bengal Class 10 Board Exam 2027 To Be Held In March? Here's All We Know So Far
The WBBSE Class 10 examinations are proposed to be held from 10:45 am to 2 pm, with 15 minutes allotted for reading the question paper.
West Bengal Forms SIT to Investigate Controversial Encounter in Samserganj
A five-member SIT has been established in Kolkata to investigate the police encounter of murder suspect Samiul Sheikh in Samserganj. West Bengal Forms SIT to Investigate Controversial Encounter in Samserganj
IIHM Scot Malt Tour 2026: Taking Hospitality Education Beyond Borders
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 4: Hospitality education in India is evolving beyond conventional classroom learning, and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Asia's largest chain of hotel schools, is taking this transformation across international borders. Through experiential learning in hospitality and strong industry partnerships, IIHM continues to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Reflecting its philosophy of High Tech, Higher Touch, the institution is redefining hospitality education by creating opportunities for students to learn directly from global industries and explore career possibilities beyond traditional hotel operations.
Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen Arrested in Fake Durga Puja Pass Scam
Indranil Sen, ex-tourism minister of West Bengal, arrested in a scandal involving fake Durga Puja passes linked to UNESCO tours. Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen Arrested in Fake Durga Puja Pass Scam
Dilip Ghosh Urges Caution in Language from Religious Leaders Amid Political Commentary
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh advises religious figures to choose words carefully in light of recent political statements. Dilip Ghosh Urges Caution in Language from Religious Leaders Amid Political Commentary
5-member SIT formed to probe October 27 encounter killing in Bengals Samserganj
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) West Bengal Police have formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the encounter killing of Samiul Sheikh, a murder accused, at Samserganj in Murshidabad on the afternoon of October 27. As per the police version, Sheikh, one of the three accused in the murder of a local BJP leader, Sujit Mondal, was taken to the scene of the crime for recreation of the crime scene, when he tried to escape after snatching the firearm of an escorting police officer. The police claimed that as he fired a few rounds of bullets towards the escorting cops, an inspector present at the spot resorted to counter-firing, in which Sheikh was killed. Now, a five-member SIT has been constituted to probe the encounter matter on the state government's direction, as confirmed by the Deputy Inspector General (Murshidabad Range), Ajeet Singh Yadav, to the media persons. First, an official notification on the formation of the SIT was announced, and subsequently, the five-member SIT was constituted. The SIT will be headed by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Deibyendu Tamang. The other four members of the SIT are Swarup Biswas, Abhijit Sarkar, Nilesh Chandra Sarkar and Mithun Halder. While Biswas is an inspector-rank officer, the other three are in the ranks of sub-inspectors. To recall, Sujit Mondal, a local BJP leader and a resident of the Old Dakbanglo area of Samserganj, mysteriously disappeared on August 28. His dismembered body was later recovered. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had then said that Mondal was killed with a meat-cutting knife. The police later arrested the three accused, namely Samiul Sheikh, Tajkira Bibi and Johnny Sheikh. Of the three, Sheikh was killed in the police encounter on October 27. The murder case also sparked allegations of police negligence. Mondal's wife, Sumana Mondal, alleged that despite repeatedly approaching the local police station after her husband's disappearance, she received no assistance. The incident led to disciplinary action against several police officials, including suspensions, transfers and departmental inquiries. The Chief Minister then termed it a 'major blunder'.
SIT probing ex-Bengal Minister Indranil Sen case expanded, four more officers included
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) Additional officers have been included in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police probing Indranil Sen, former West Bengal Tourism Minister and former Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs, in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass case linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours. An insider from the city police said that when the SIT was initially constituted, it had five members, and the number has now been increased to nine. The four new officers from the city police are experts in anti-forgery operations. It is learnt that, in addition to the main fake Durga Puja pass case linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, the investigating officers have found specific clues about Sen's involvement in tendering irregularities in both the state tourism and information and cultural affairs departments, which has widened the scope of the investigation. That is why, the city police insider said, the number of investigating officers in the SIT has been increased. The SIT members are already in touch with the two state government departments to procure the necessary documents required to carry forward the investigation against Sen, a singer-turned-politician. Sen, who is currently in police custody, is being questioned by the investigating officers for marathon hours daily. Apart from that, the SIT members have questioned nine other people in the matter, the most important of which is his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, the owner of Mass Art, the entity through which the fake Durga Puja passes were allegedly sold. Sen is supposed to be presented at a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. The city police insider said that before the court visit, the investigating officers are trying to gather as much evidence-based information as possible to prevent the former minister from getting bail in the case. The Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged scam involving passes for UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja tours. The Kolkata police arrested Sen after he came out of the ED's Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata last week.
Posters showing Rahul Gandhi dozing off in Parliament surface in Kolkata
Putting up posters in such bad taste against someone who holds a national-level office is unacceptable, West Bengal Congress leadership says
BJP leaders criticise Mamata-Congress bonhomie
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari accused Mamata Banerjee of allying with anarchists in Delhi
Buxa tigress captured in Assam after crossing into Raimona reserve for habitat exploration
BuxaRani, a tigress relocated from Buxa Tiger Reserve, was tranquilized and captured in Assam's Kokrajhar. After crossing the Sankosh river, the tigress entered Raimona National Park in search of suitable territory. West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon confirmed coordination efforts with Assam's officials to ensure her return.
Womens self-help groups shine at SARAS Mela
Srinagar, Nov 03: The 10-day SARAS Mela 2025 concluded on Tuesday here at Poloview Park celebrating Indias unity in diversity and promoting women entrepreneurship nationwide. The Mela which began here at the poloview park Srinagar on 25th October continued till today, offering the visitors a myriad collection of hand made products and cuisines from across the country. More than 200 women artisans from different parts of rural India participated and showcased their products on 80 stalls provided by the JKRLM for exhibition and sale. Women from self-help groups from 17 states /UTs displayed handicraft, handloom and natural food items from different rural areas in the vibrant stalls handled and managed by Women SHG members. Some of the prominent items displayed at the stalls were the handmade cloth from Jammu-Kashmir with sozni and ariwork, Kutchi handloom from Gujurat ,Phulkari suits from Punjab ,Pickles from Lakshwadeep, Pochampalli Ikkat from Telengana, Sambhalpuri from odisha, Kantha from West Bengal and many more . Addressing the gathering at the closing ceremony, Mission Director JKRLM, Dr Shubhra Sharma, expressed satisfaction over the successful culmination of the Mela, highlighting the encouraging sales, participation of women entrepreneurs from different States/UTs and the overall coordination of the event. She remarked, This year's SARAS Mela has recorded encouraging sales, while the participation of different States and UTs has made it a truly enriching experience. She added,the very purpose of organising the SARAS Mela has been fulfilled. Beyond business and the showcasing of products, the Mela has provided a shared platform where SHG members from across the country have come together, built bonds of friendship, shared experiences and explored opportunities for mutual learning and economic gains. Dr Shubhra Sharma also expressed her gratitude to the line departments for their active participation and support throughout the Mela. She particularly acknowledged the media for its coverage and for helping bring the stories, products and entrepreneurial efforts of rural women to a wider audience. The Mela concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where SHG members were awarded certificates for their outstanding contributions. In the awards category, Rajashtan secured first position for best sales, while Srinagar district bagged the top honour in the best food category. The closing ceremony was attended by Additional Mission Director JKRLM Syed Naseer Ahmad, State project Managers JKRLM besides other staff members of the Mission
Defeated netas have come together, conspiring to spread anarchy: Suvendu
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West Bengal tigress safely captured in Assam after travelling over 100 km from Buxa Tiger Reserve
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 3 (IANS) A tigress from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve, which travelled more than 100 km across state boundaries before reaching human settlements in Assam's Kokrajhar district, has been safely captured following a coordinated operation involving forest officials from the two states, Assam Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said on Tuesday. Sharing details of the operation in a post on social media platform X, Mallabaruah described it as a commendable example of inter-state coordination and collective commitment to wildlife conservation. He congratulated the forest departments of Assam and West Bengal, district administration, police personnel and local communities for ensuring the safe capture of the animal. The tigress, identified as BT1, was released into the wild at Buxa Tiger Reserve on October 2. However, she subsequently travelled more than 100 km and entered Assam, eventually reaching Raimona National Park in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). According to the Minister, the tigress continued moving through forested landscapes from October 23 onwards before approaching human settlements in Kokrajhar district, prompting concerns over the safety of both the animal and local residents. Considering the potential risks, forest officials from West Bengal and Assam initiated a coordinated operation to track the tigress, monitor her movements and assess the situation. The operation also involved the support of the district administration, police and local communities. The coordinated intervention eventually resulted in the safe capture of BT1, preventing a potentially dangerous situation as the animal had moved closer to inhabited areas. Mallabaruah emphasised that wildlife movement does not remain confined to administrative boundaries and that such incidents underline the importance of cooperation between neighbouring states in protecting wildlife. He said inter-state coordination was particularly crucial in landscapes where animal movement frequently extends beyond protected forest areas and into human settlements. Congratulating all the teams involved, the Minister said the successful operation demonstrated how collective efforts by forest departments, law enforcement agencies, local administration and communities could deliver meaningful outcomes for wildlife conservation. BT1 is safe, and that is what matters most, Mallabaruah said, describing the operation as an important example of cooperation between states for wildlife protection. The incident also highlights the importance of coordinated wildlife monitoring and timely intervention in the transboundary forest corridors of Northeast India, where the movement of large mammals often extends across protected areas and state boundaries.
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Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 3 (IANS) Former West Bengal Tourism Minister and former Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs, Indranil Sen, who had been accused and arrested by the Kolkata police for his alleged involvement in a fake Durga Puja pass case linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, had also been booked on Tuesday under a particular section of the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (WBMPO) Act, 1972, besides seven sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Sources from the Kolkata police aware of the development, said that Sen, a singer-turned-politician, had been booked under Section 9 of the WBMPO Act, 1972, which relates to penalty for subversive acts, where a person committing any subversive act can be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both. Legal analysts say that the development would bring further trouble for the former Minister considering that he had already been booked under seven sections of the BNS, 2023, Section 316 (criminal breach of trust), Sections 336(2) and 336(3) (forgery and forgery for cheating), Section 338 (forgery of valuable security and other specified documents), Section 318 (cheating), Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), and Section 340(2) (using a forged document or electronic record as genuine). According to preliminary findings, financial irregularities involving several crores of rupees allegedly took place between 2022 and 2025 in the name of UNESCO and Durga Puja celebrations through Mass Art Society, a corporate entity owned by Sen's wife Madhuchhanda Sen. Investigators have also found indications that the former Minister allegedly withdrew substantial sums from various organisations in the name of UNESCO by using his influence, the sources added. The investigating officers of the city police are currently examining other angles in this massive financial forgery, including the floating and use of shell companies to divert funds. Sen is currently in police custody, and he will be presented at a lower court in Kolkata again on November 10. The Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged scam involving passes for UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja tours. The Kolkata police arrested Sen after he emerged from the ED's Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata last week.
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Kolkata: Rahul Gandhi's 'sleeping posters' surface in Salt Lake
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 3 (IANS) Parts of Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata, on Tuesday, were flooded with posters featuring pictures of Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi taking a nap when the House was in session. The posters also carried a slogan -- Desh Ki Neta Aisa Ho? (Should the country have a leader like this). However, it is still not clear who put up such posters, and no individual or group has claimed responsibility for it. The said posters depicted two separate pictures of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. In one picture, Rahul Gandhi is seen sitting with his hands on his cheeks, and his eyes closed during a session of the Parliament. In another picture, he is seen sitting in a reclining position with his hands on the seat within the House. The message conveyed through the poster is that Rahul Gandhi was sleeping inside the Parliament when the House was in session. The development surfaces at a time when Rahul Gandhi is spearheading a movement at New Delhi, uniting all the opposition forces against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters' lists in the country as well as demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, had started a counter campaign throughout the country under the aegis of Save Democracy, Eliminate Anarchy. On Monday, a mega rally on this count was organised in Kolkata, which was led by the BJP President Nitin Nabin. At the end of the rally, Nabin addressed a gathering and said that just as West Bengal had been freed from the misrule of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in the Assembly polls earlier this year, now Delhi too needs to be freed from Rahul Gandhi quickly. On Tuesday, a similar rally was organised at Siliguri in Darjeeling district, which was led by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is trying to eliminate illegal infiltrators from the voters' list while Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were trying to protect them.
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Bengal CM announces Rs 5,000 aid for 19,524 tea garden workers ahead of Diwali
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Bengal govt official held while accepting bribe in North 24 Parganas
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 3 (IANS) The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the West Bengal Police on Tuesday arrested an official of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) after catching him red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 in New Barrackpore of North 24 Parganas district, officials said. According to the ACB, the official was accused of accepting bribes for installing a new electricity connection and transformer. According to ACB officials, the arrest followed a written complaint lodged by a local resident, who alleged that the official had demanded Rs 20,000 to facilitate the installation of a new electricity connection and a 315 KVA transformer in the area. Acting on the complaint, ACB officers conducted a verification exercise and laid a trap. As part of the operation, the complainant met the accused official at a pre-arranged location on Tuesday and handed over the money. The ACB team immediately intervened and apprehended the official while allegedly receiving the bribe. The entire amount was recovered from his possession. Following preliminary investigations, a case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Investigators are now examining whether other individuals were involved in the alleged bribery network or if the accused was acting on behalf of a larger group. The arrest was made based on a case registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, an official said. The latest action comes a day after the ACB arrested a suspended sub-assistant engineer of Raghunathpur Municipality in Purulia district in connection with multiple corruption allegations. The probe involves alleged corruption, misappropriation of government funds, irregularities in municipal works and suspected irregularities related to government land.
Bengal CM announces healthcare and tourism sectors development
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 3 (IANS) The West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday, chaired an administrative review meeting at Siliguri in Darjeeling district in the northern sector of West Bengal and made a host of announcements for the overall development of the healthcare and tourism sectors in the hill regions in North Bengal. The Chief Minister announced that the foundation stone of Kalimpong Medical College & Hospital will be laid on December 9, 2027. In addition to that, we have decided to carry out extensive repairs, modernisation and infrastructural improvements to the sub-division and district hospitals of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and Siliguri, the Chief Minister said. According to the Chief Minister, strengthening the health infrastructure in North Bengal will ensure access to improved medical services for thousands of people staying in the region, and they will not have to move elsewhere to get proper treatment facilities. He also announced the approval for a 21-kilometre ropeway project connecting Darjeeling and Kurseong. According to him, once this ropeway project is operational in mountainous areas, it will not only relieve the problem of severe traffic congestion but will also make travel much easier and more enjoyable both for the residents and the tourists from home and abroad. The Chief Minister, at the administrative review meeting, also gave directions to complete the repair and renovation work of all government tourist lodges in the region at the earliest. He also gave a green signal to the proposal to upgrade the Lebong Ground into a modern stadium of international standards to develop the talent of the sports-loving youth of the hills. The Chief Minister also announced an allocation of Rs 19 crore for the beautification, infrastructural transformation and regular maintenance of the sacred and historical Mahakal Temple premises in Darjeeling. Thanking the Chief Minister for these announcements, the BJPs Lok Sabha member from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, said that the expansion of communication systems, health services, sports and spiritual tourism will create employment opportunities for the local youth and completely transform the economic landscape of North Bengal.
Tigress sighting: Kokrajhar admin declares 5-km zone around Assam village restricted
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 3 (IANS) The Kokrajhar district administration in Assam has imposed prohibitory restrictions within a five-kilometre radius of Gelaguri village following the sighting of a female Royal Bengal tigress reportedly straying into the area from neighbouring West Bengal, officials said on Tuesday. The restrictions were imposed through an order issued by District Magistrate Pankaj Chakravarty under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, citing potential threats to human life and livestock and the need to ensure an uninterrupted operation to capture the animal. According to the administration, the tigress was first spotted on November 2 in the forest-fringe areas of Gelaguri village under the Dotma Revenue Circle. The Divisional Forest Officer of the Kachugaon Forest Division had reported the animal's presence. The restricted zone includes Gelaguri, East Bongshigaon, West Dangarkhuti, North Bhalukmari, Dangarkhuti and Ghoramari villages. Under the order, gatherings of five or more people for watching or chasing the animal have been prohibited. Entry into forest and jungle patches within the designated area will require prior permission from the Divisional Forest Officer concerned. The administration has also banned carrying firearms, traditional weapons such as daos and spears, traps, poison and snares within the restricted zone. Activities that could disturb the animal or hamper the rescue operation, including bursting firecrackers, beating drums, using loudspeakers, lighting fires and deploying flashlights to locate the tigress, have also been prohibited. Private drone operations and photography or videography of the capture operation will require prior authorisation. The order further cautions against spreading rumours or unverified information on social media, particularly claims describing the tigress as a man-eater or alleging that it has been shot. Authorised forest personnel, wildlife experts from the Wildlife Trust of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority, police and other government teams deployed for the operation have been exempted. The restrictions will remain effective until the Divisional Forest Officer formally declares the capture operation concluded. Violations will attract prosecution under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
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