Nakhoda Masjid celebrates a century of faith, devotion, service
VB reopens Santiniketan Griha, the oldest house on campus, for tourists after six years
KMDA seeks Rs 1.1 cr for Old Durgapur Bridge repairs
Narkel naru, mochar ghonto, chholar dal at risk as coconut production dips in Bengal
Vice-principals spl classes plan deepens law college stand-off
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers engaged in a fight in front of Bhowanipur police station in Kolkata on Sunday. Two Congress leaders Ashutosh Chatterjee and Pradeep Prasad were summoned to the police station in connection with the incident of burning photos of rationally popular religious guru Dhirendra Shastri for his recent comments over the food habits of Bengalis. As soon as they appeared at the police station, Congress workers and supporters started making a ruckus outside for the high-handedness of the police. In turn, BJP supporters also appeared there. An argument started between the two sides. Later, it escalated into a scuffle where the BJP accused the Congress of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. Congress, in turn, alleged that all this was a conspiracy against them. It may be noted that Dhirendra Shastri recently made objectionable comments about Bengalis eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. According to his comments, those who eat non-vegetarian food during the puja are not religious. There was a strong protest in various quarters against this remark made by Dhirendra Shastri. In protest, Congress workers and supporters burned his photo in Kolkata, following which West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned that legal action will be taken against those who burned the photo of the religious guru after which a Congress worker named Atanu Das was arrested. Along with this, two Congress leaders Ashutosh Chatterjee and Pradeep Prasad were summoned on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday night, Pradeep Prasad was removed as the South Kolkata District Congress due to a reshuffle in the West Bengal Pradesh Congress which enraged a section of the Congress. As soon as they appeared at the Bhabanipur police station on Sunday, their followers started protesting outside. BJP also went there in return and raised its voice against the insult of the religious guru. According to a local BJP leader, They have insulted Bengalis before. Our Chief Minister (Suvendu Adhikari) has explained by eating fish that Puja has nothing to do with eating non-vegetarian food. Still, they insulted the religious guru. In response, Ashutosh Chatterjee said, This is a complete conspiracy. Remember, he insulted Bengalis by coming to Bengal. We will show you on the road how to protest against this. It may be noted that West Bengal Congress on Tuesday lodged a written complaint against the religious guru following his controversial statement that non-vegetarian food should be kept away from Durga puja mandaps and during Navratri. The complaint was filed at Bhowanipur Police Station in south Kolkata against the religious guru for his comments on the eating habits of Bengalis and for using several controversial words including 'ganda ganda cooking' and 'pakhandi'.
West Bengal Shuts Down 252 Madrasas After Review, Sends Show-Cause Notice To 100 More
The West Bengal government has issued closure notices to 252 madrasas and show-cause notices to another 100 as part of a statewide verification drive. Minority Affairs Minister Khudiram Tudu said the institutions facing notices must produce valid authorisation or face closure. The survey, ordered in June, examined madrasa management, student enrolment, funding sources and registration status across Kolkata and 22 districts. Officials said 2,132 madrasas currently have valid approval, while 2,396 are unapproved. The action has triggered a political row, with BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul defending the move, citing concerns over radicalisation and alleged anti-national activities. TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh opposed the remarks, saying madrasas are an education system and should not be linked to terrorist allegations.
Flight from Paris makes emergency landing at Kolkata airport
BJP's Samik Bhattacharya welcomes Bengal govt's notice for closure of 252 madrasahs
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, on Sunday welcomed the decision of the state government for closure notices to 252 madrasahs in the state, most 'kharijis' (unrecognised). The state government had at the same time slapped show-cause notices to 100 more madrasahs in the state asking them to cite reasons why similar closure notices will not be served to them. The closure and show-cause notices were served to these entities, after the state minorities affairs and madrasah education department conducted a review of the functional aspects of different madrassas in the state, including their management systems, number of teachers, student attendance, infrastructure, syllabus and source of funding. Speaking to the media persons on Sunday afternoon, Bhattacharya referred to late Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the last Chief Minister of the previous Left Front government, while advocating in favours of such khariji (unrecognised) madrassas. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also said once that militants are being bred in such khariji madrasas. As soon as a controversy arose over his comments, he had to bow to pressure from his party. If the Left Front government had listened to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee that day, this situation would not have arisen in the border districts, the State BJP President said. He also added that while Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had to succumb to the pressure from his own party in the matter for some reasons, the current BJP government in West Bengal will not succumb to any such pressure. Education is not a medium of any religious control or rituals and practices. Education should be the path to building knowledge, rationality, scientific temperament, and humane values. Keeping pace with time, we must make our education system more modern, technology-driven, employment-oriented, and progressive, Bhattacharya said. According to the State BJP President, since education is the backbone of the nation it should not get trapped in the web of superstitions and narrow-mindedness. If that happens, then the nation's progress is obstructed. Our goal is to achieve such an education system where no child's future is determined based on their religion or identity, Samik Bhattacharya said. The BJP wants a superstition-free, scientific, modern, and progressive education system where there will be equal opportunities for all. Our goal is one nation, one education system, he added.
Post-poll killing: Sandeshkhali BJP workers body exhumed after 5 years
Mamata bloc names candidates for Nandigram & Rejinagar bypolls
West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee's TMC announces candidates for Nandigram, Rejinagar bypolls
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has announced its candidates for the upcoming Nandigram and Rejinagar bye-elections. The AITC named Sanchita Pradhan as its candidate for Nandigram and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury for Rejinagar bypolls. The bypoll in West Bengal along with other assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and a Parliamentary seat in Assam would be held on October 6, while the results would be declared on October 9.
BJP has zero tolerance for extortion, violence, Samik tells workers
West Bengal: BSF Saves 10 Bangladeshis From Drowning In Padma River
The BSF jawans reached the survivors in a speed boat and rescued them: Reports
Sundarbans team heads to Bihar to capture tigress for Buxa relocation
Bengal mulls madrasa law tweak to make registration mandatory
Kolkata Census House-listing Phase Ends; Missed Homes to Be Covered in Phase 2
Ayodhya Saints Criticize Rahul Gandhis Comments on Vegetarianism and Support Action Against Madrasas
Ayodhya saints respond to Rahul Gandhis remarks on vegetarianism and express support for recent actions against madrasas in West Bengal. Ayodhya Saints Criticize Rahul Gandhis Comments on Vegetarianism and Support Action Against Madrasas
Number of dengue affected in West Bengal this year crosses 5,000
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) The number of dengue-affected people in West Bengal during the current calendar year has crossed the 5,000 mark, according to the latest statistics provided by the state Health Department. As per the most recent bulletin issued by the Health Department on Sunday, the number of dengue-affected people in the state, as of September 11, is 5,002. However, the alarming factor is that the total number of dengue-affected people till the same date in August was less than 2,500. This means that over the last month, over 2,500 additional individuals have been freshly affected by dengue, a senior Health Department official said. As per the latest statistics provided by the department, the maximum number of affected people so far has been from the Murshidabad district at 1,072, followed by Kolkata at 500 and North 24 Parganas at 450. This is as per the trend every year, since in almost all the last few years these three districts have witnessed the maximum number of dengue-affected people, the official said. However, even amid the massive rise in the number of newly affected persons over the last month, the Health Department officials are finding a silver lining. On September 2, the Health Department issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on monitoring and prevention of dengue cases in West Bengal, where the main focus was on door-to-door monitoring and immediate blood tests of people identified as having dengue symptoms. The sudden rise in the number of newly affected people proves that the SOP guidelines have been followed diligently, the official said. At the same time, the official stressed that the figures also prove that this year, at least, there had not been incidents of underreporting of affected figures by showing dengue as unknown disease, as was rampant during the last few years. The Health Department has directed all the district authorities to start a massive campaign till October 15 to get people with dengue symptoms tested. At the same time, the district authorities have been advised to keep the department regularly informed with reports on how many people with fever have been found each day and how many people have been tested for dengue.
UCC In All 21 NDA-Ruled States By 2029: Amit Shahs BIG Announcement On Uniform Civil Code
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed confidence that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in all 21 BJP and NDA-led states before 2029. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Shah said several states have already introduced the UCC. Madhya Pradesh recently approved the code in a special cabinet meeting, while Uttarakhand became the first state to pass a UCC law in February 2024. Gujarat and Assam have also passed UCC legislation, though they are awaiting presidential assent and notification. Uttarakhand has been enforcing the code since January 2025. Maharashtra, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have formed drafting committees. Shah also highlighted the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, saying conviction rates rose in several states. He further claimed the NDA government had ended five decades of Naxalism and signed over 14 peace agreements in the Northeast.
Cong netas grilled over Baba protest, fresh FIR filed
Young Woman Murdered in West Bengal Over Suspected Love Affair
A 19-year-old woman was murdered in Purulia, West Bengal, allegedly by a man over suspicions of her love life. Young Woman Murdered in West Bengal Over Suspected Love Affair
New amphibian species discovered in Western Ghats
India set to expand missile-testing infra with new facilities in AP, Bengal
New facilities planned in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal will add testing capacity as India expands its portfolio of missiles, interceptors and ballistic-missile defence systems
Something fishy at KAP battalion HQ pond: Fish stolen, poisoned; 2 held
5-year-old drowns, Malda flood toll now 3
TMC ex-councillor turns up at BJP office to complain against its workers
West Bengal TET 2026: In-Service Primary Teachers Must Qualify By August 31, 2028
West Bengal directs authorities to prepare for TET for eligible in-service primary teachers. Know the Supreme Court deadline, and exam frequency.
Youth arrested for raping mentally challenged woman in Bengal's Baruipur
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) The police have arrested a youth for allegedly raping a mentally challenged woman in Baruipur of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. A senior officer of Baruipur Police District said on Sunday that a case has been registered against the youth based on a complaint lodged by the family of the woman. According to the police, the victim is mentally challenged. She was alone at home in the afternoon on Saturday. Allegedly, a local youth entered the house and attacked the woman using that opportunity. It is alleged that she was raped. The woman was also threatened that she would be killed if she opened her mouth. Later, when other family members returned home, the woman narrated the entire incident. Meanwhile, tension spread in the area as soon as the woman's complaint became public. On receiving the news, the police from Bakultala police station reached the spot. Based on the complaint of the victim's family, the accused youth was arrested and taken to the police station on Sunday morning. On receiving the news, locals gathered in front of the police station. Many also sat and protested in front of the police station. They demanded that the police should not just arrest the accused but ensure that the accused gets strict punishment. High-ranking police officers came and spoke to the protesters. They assured them of strict action. After receiving the assurance from the police, the protesters cleared the road in front of the police station. The police have registered a case under specific sections and started an investigation. The arrested person is also being interrogated, said the police officer. It may be noted that a man was arrested for sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter in the same Baruipur area on Friday. According to the police, the elder daughter had filed a complaint against the father with the local police. The girl claimed that she left home due to sexual assault, which she was subjected to by her father. The elder daughter alleged that the father is doing the same to her younger sister. Based on that complaint, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station have arrested the accused.
West Bengal Orders Closure Of 252 Madrassas After Statewide Survey
Around 100 Others Get Show-Cause Notices Over Approval, Infrastructure Issues
Bengal orders closure of 252 madrasas, serves notices to 100
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrasas and sent show-cause notices to about 100 others after a statewide survey found that several institutions lacked required approvals and basic infrastructure, officials said on Sunday, September 13. Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department Minister Kshudiram Tudu said madrasas that have requisite approvals 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 .
Rain to reduce in south Bengal, north to receive more heavy showers
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) In a relief to south Bengal, the Met Office on Sunday said that there is no forecast of heavy rain in the region for the next few days, but scattered light to moderate showers, along with thunderstorms, may continue in the area, including Kolkata. A Met Department said that the current low-pressure area is located in south Chhattisgarh, and it has no further impact on West Bengal. The monsoon axis extends from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to Gopalpur in Odisha and extends to the east-central Bay of Bengal. Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in Kolkata. Gusty winds may blow at a speed of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. The amount of rain will further decrease from tomorrow. The relative humidity in the air today is 77 to 95 per cent, the official said. The rain will further decrease in south Bengal in the next five days. Meanwhile, districts in north Bengal will continue to receive rain. There is a Yellow Alert for heavy rain in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts on Monday, and the possibility of scattered rain in all the remaining districts. There is a Yellow Alert for heavy rain in Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts on Tuesday, and for heavy rain in the Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar districts on Wednesday. There is also a Yellow Alert for heavy rain with thundershowers at one or two places in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts on Thursday. After that, the amount of rain will also decrease in north Bengal, unless a new system appears in the Bay of Bengal in the meantime. The maximum temperature in Kolkata and its surrounding areas on Saturday was 31.02 degrees Celsius, which is 1.03 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature was 27.01 degrees Celsius, which is 00.07 degrees Celsius above normal. The relative humidity was a maximum of 95 and a minimum of 77 per cent.
Fire breaks out at CESC office at Bengal's Panihati
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) A devastating fire had broken out at the distribution office of private power-generation-cum-distribution company, CESC Limited, at Panihati in North 24 Paragans district of West Bengal on Sunday. Although no casualties had been reported at the time the report was filed, the intensity of the fire had been quite massive. The fire had started spreading and a couple of shanties in the adjacent areas have come under the grip of fire. The intensity of the fire was so massive that the initial fire-fighting attempts by the local people failed completely. The state fire services department was immediately informed, and four fire-tenders initially reached the spot and started the first fighting exercise on a war-footing. In due course, five more fire tenders arrived at the spot and joined the firefighting exercise. At the time the report was filed a total of nine fire-tenders were engaged in the fire-fighting exercise. The intensity of the fire is quite massive. So, we have asked for requisition of more fire tenders. They are expected soon. Right now, our attempts are to restrict the fire within that building and prevent it from spreading to the nearby shanties and constructions, a state fire services department present at the spot said. There is a residential area behind this building. The firefighters are keeping an eye on it to ensure that the fire does not spread there. Residents of the slum have been made aware of that by the state fire services department. Besides water, the firefighters are also using foam to extinguish the fire. Fire officials are hopeful that they will be able to bring the fire under control at the earliest. On the other hand, since the building is on busy Barrackpore Trunk Road BT Road, traffic was disrupted on Sunday afternoon because of the fire. The police are also keeping an eye on the situation in the area. It is not yet clear how the fire broke out. However, the initial assumption of the fire department is that a transformer in the CESC building exploded somehow, which caused the fire.
Night Guard Shot During Robbery Attempt in Asansol, West Bengal
A night guard in Asansol was shot while resisting robbers, leaving him seriously injured. Police are investigating the incident. Night Guard Shot During Robbery Attempt in Asansol, West Bengal
School guard shot while foiling robbery attempt in West Bengal's Asansol
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) A night guard at a school in West Bengal's Asansol sustained serious injuries when he was shot by robbers as he fought back against them, police said on Sunday. The robbers intercepted the motorcycle-riding guard, identified as Haridas Layek, on a deserted road under the cover of darkness last night. However, he resisted their attempts, leading to a brief scuffle. Unable to overpower him, the robbers fired multiple shots at him before fleeing the scene. Layek has been admitted to a hospital, and his condition is said to be stable. According to the police, Layek works as a night guard at Srihari Global School in Asansol in West Burdwan district. He hails from Dhaguri village under the Alladi Panchayat in Salanpur area and comes to work on a motorcycle every night. He had set out from home as usual on Saturday night, and while he was travelling along National Highway 19, a group of masked robbers intercepted him. After forcing him to stop, the robbers brandished weapons and attempted to take away his valuables. When he resisted, they fired two rounds in quick succession, hitting him in the leg. Despite the injury, the young man continued to fight back against the attackers. Eventually, the robbers abandoned Haridas on the road and fled. Upon receiving the news, officers from Salanpur Police Station arrived at the scene. The guard was rescued in a bloodied state and taken to Asansol District Hospital, where doctors performed surgery on his leg that same night. On Sunday morning, the police recovered an empty cartridge casing from the scene. A search operation is underway to locate the miscreants, and 'naka' checks are being conducted in the area. CCTV footage from the vicinity is also being examined to nab the miscreants. Senior police officials, including Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar, DC (West) Sana Akhtar, and DC (Central) Dhruba Das, visited the scene. The attempted robbery on a deserted road at night has sparked panic in the area. --IANS
'TMC Govt Did Not Respond': DRDO's New Missile Testing Range In Bengal Gets Suvendu's 'Okay'
India is set to get another major weapon and missile testing range at Junput in West Bengals Purba Medinipur district. The project, proposed by DRDO in April 2024, will complement the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said he has approved the project and called it a major development initiative for West Bengal. A DRDO source also confirmed the missile testing project to TOI. The Junput facility will become a key DRDO testing hub alongside Chandipur and the proposed centre in Andhra Pradesh. Located around 70 km from Chandipur along the Bay of Bengal, it will help share the workload of the Odisha testing range.
West Bengal Hotel Owner Linked to Odisha Orangutan Rescue Case
The bizarre and high-profile rescue of five young orangutans from the Bichitrapur casuarina forest in Odishas Baleshwar district has taken a dramatic turn, with investigators pointing to a West Bengal hotel owner as a key suspect in the wildlife mystery. The investigation, spearheaded by a joint team comprising the Odisha Forest Department, the Special Task [] The post West Bengal Hotel Owner Linked to Odisha Orangutan Rescue Case appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Absconding Trinamool leader arrested in Chennai for attacking Bengal businessman
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress leader and deputy head of Bishpur Panchayat in Hingalganj in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, Shahidul Sheikh, who was absconding in a criminal case involving a businessman, was arrested in Chennai, police said on Sunday. Sheikh was accused of being involved in the incident of attacking a local businessman and setting his shop on fire. The police said that Sheikh, who had been absconding since the incident, was finally arrested in Chennai on Saturday night. According to a senior police officer of the Basirhat Police District, the Trinamool leader will be brought to Hasnabad on Sunday evening. The police will produce him in the Basirhat Sub-division Court on Monday. They will likely seek the accused's custody from the court. According to the police, on May 18, Trinamool leader Sheikh and his team were accused of beating up Nitai Das, a businessman from Bailani Bazar in Hingalganj. Allegedly, Nitai's shop was burnt down that night. As a result, Das suffered a loss of several lakhs of rupees. After investigating the incident, the Hasnabad police station started searching for Sheikh. Not only this incident, but a case was also filed earlier against him at the police station on multiple charges, including embezzling money from the panchayat, extorting money in the name of providing houses under the Awas Yojana, bombing and issuing threats. The police had been searching for him after the latest case was filed. After receiving information from a source, officers from Hasnabad police station went to Chennai. They arrested Sheikh in a joint operation with the Special Operation Group (SOG). The phone's tower location was tracked. Finally, the police came to know that he was hiding in Chennai. After that, a team from Hasnabad police station left for Chennai to arrest him. He was arrested on Saturday night. The arrested person will be produced before a court in Chennai today, Sunday, to seek his transit remand. After that, he will be brought to Hasnabad police station. The police are investigating his role in the incident. A search is on for others who were also involved in the incident, said the police officer.
West Bengal Medical Council faces probe demands over fake degrees
Mamata Banerjee Set to Contest Again from Nandigram Amid TMC Factional Dispute
Mamata Banerjee may return to the West Bengal Assembly from Nandigram as TMC factions vie for recognition ahead of upcoming by-elections. Mamata Banerjee Set to Contest Again from Nandigram Amid TMC Factional Dispute
DRDO to set up new missile testing range in West Bengals Junput
India's DRDO plans a new weapons and missile testing range at Junput in West Bengal. This facility will supplement the existing Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur. The proposed range aims to expand India's defense testing capacity along the eastern coast. Officials confirm the project is moving forward after a previous delay. The Junput range will become another major hub for DRDO's development efforts.
Uncertainty continues over decision on Trinamool name, symbol ahead of Bengal bypolls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Even after separate meetings of the Election Commission of India with the two rival factions in the Trinamool Congress, where the arguments of both the factions on their claims over party name and symbol were heard, uncertainties continue over any decision of the ECI before the last day of nominations for the forthcoming bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. After Friday's meeting with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel-majority faction, the Commission sought fresh clarification and documents from the faction in support of its claims on Saturday. Sources said that the Ritabrata-led faction had submitted the clarifications and documents by Saturday evening. An insider from the ECI said that based on the clarifications and documents submitted by the rebel, the Commission, on Saturday night, forwarded a communique to the original-minority faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking their views in the matter. Meanwhile, sources said, a communique has also gone from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction to ECI seeking details of the documents submitted by the Ritabrata-led faction in support of their claims. Following the fresh evolving development, political observers feel the issue of finalisation on the fate of Trinamool Congress name and symbol before the last date of nominations for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies has become uncertain. The last date for submission of nominations for the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls is September 16. So, with just three days left for that, a decision of the Commission on the fate of name and symbol before that appears highly inconceivable. In that case, both the factions will have to field candidates for Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls either with free symbols or with symbols allotted to them by the Commission, explained a city-based political observer. The bypolls to Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats will be on October 6, and the results will be declared on October 9. Already, the CPI(M)-led Left Front and Congress have announced the names of the candidates for both these Assembly constituencies. Even Humayun Kabir-floated Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) has also announced its candidate from Rejinagar. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to declare names of its candidates within a day or two, it is still uncertain when the two factions in Trinamool Congress will announce the names of their candidates.
Manipal Hospitals scouts for acquisitions in Andhra, Keralam, Delhi-NCR
Manipal Health Enterprises Ltd is setting its sights on expansion in various states, including Telangana, Keralam, and Delhi-NCR, while pivoting towards a physical plus digital healthcare model driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The healthcare major is actively evaluating strategic opportunities in Telangana, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to selectively deepen its presence in identified markets, Manipal Health Enterprises said in its annual report for FY26. Manipal Hospitals continues to evaluate inorganic growth opportunities across Karnataka; Maharashtra and Goa, including the Mumbai-Pune economic corridor; and Eastern India, comprising West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Sikkim, it said. A key pillar of its upcoming infrastructure is the greenfield project in Juhu, Mumbai. The group recently completed the acquisition of the remaining land and building for this project for a total consideration of Rs 495 crore, of which Rs 130 crore is payable subject to the ...
People free to choose food habits, religious practices: Bengal CM
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said people have the constitutional freedom to choose their food habits and religious practices, in an apparent response to godman Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, over his purported remarks on Bengalis eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Speaking at a summit organised by a private news 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 .
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress founder Mamata Banerjees possible return as a member of the West Bengal Assembly has continued to dominate discussions, even as the jury has yet to decide which of the two current factions is the real party. The Election Commission on Saturday gave time to both groups, one under Mamata Banerjee -- often referred to as the Kalighat Trinamool from her home address and the other, led by former Left leader Ritabrata Banerjee, to put forward their respective claims for the original name and party symbol. Both are seeking the poll bodys recognition before by-elections to two Assembly seats in West Bengal -- left vacant after the respective winning candidates resigned -- are held next month. As per a recent Election Commission communique, the repoll will be held on October 6, with the last date for making nominations being Wednesday, just four days hence. While the Rejinagar Assembly Constituency was left vacant after the controversial Babri Mosque replica maker Humayun Kabir resigned, retaining his Naoda seat, Nandigram was vacated by current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for Bhabanipur, where he defeated his predecessor and once-mentor Mamata Banerjee. Incidentally, Mamata Banerjee lost to him from Nandigram in 2021 and had to subsequently seek re-election from Bhabanipur to become Chief Minister for the third successive term. Kabir has already extended an invitation to her to contest from Rejinagar, asserting that he can ensure her victory from the seat. He was earlier with the Trinamool Congress, but was suspended following his contentious decision to build a mosque modelled on Ayodhya's Babri Masjid at Rejinagar in West Bengals Murshidabad district. He went on to launch the Aam Janata Unnayan Party and contested from two seats simultaneously. In December last year, four months before the Assembly elections, he laid the foundation stone for the replica. Meanwhile, members of the Ritabrata faction have insisted that they would not field a candidate in Nandigram if Mamata Banerjee chose to contest herself. Ritabrata Banerjee, now the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, himself endorsed this, though quipping that a win would mean that she could enter the state legislature only through repolls. He was referring to her two successive losses, with a repoll ensuring her entry in the earlier case. Mamata Banerjee, or her camp, has yet to conclusively issue a statement on her contesting the upcoming by-elections. It is, however, almost certain that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold an edge in Nandigram in the absence of a candidate from the Ritabrata faction. His faction can split anti-Mamata Banerjee votes, where those still not supporting the BJP would have an option to exercise their franchise against the previous Trinamool regime. As of now, the faction under the feisty former Chief Minister stands reportedly somewhat jaded following this years election loss, subsequent crossing over by several leaders, MPs, and MLAs, and arrests or legal proceedings initiated against many, including Mamata Banerjees nephew and her partys General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
West Bengal shuts down 252 madrasas, sends show-cause notices to 100
West Bengal's minority affairs department has issued closure notices to 252 madrasas. About 100 other madrasas received show-cause notices for non-compliance. This action follows a survey of unaided and unauthorized madrasas across the state. The department aims to ensure modern education for all students. Further verification and enforcement actions will continue.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari targeted both the Left Front and Trinamool Congress government, accusing them of destroying the cultural traditions of Bengali Hindus in the State, and promised to restore the religious and cultural traditions
West Bengal elections: CPI(M), CPI announce candidates for Nandigram, Rejinagar bypolls
The CPI(M) and CPI have named their candidates for upcoming West Bengal by-elections. Advocate Sayeed Asad Ali will contest from Rejinagar for the CPI(M) party. Shanti Gopal Giri is the CPI's nominee for the Nandigram constituency. Voting is scheduled for October sixth, with results announced on October ninth. These bypolls were necessitated by recent resignations from the Assembly.
West Bengal professors oppose Govt.s inter-university transfer Bill, call it an attack on education
WBCUTA says arbitrary transfers will weaken universities already facing severe faculty shortages, vows to first write to the Governor, who is also the Cancellor of Universities, and make an appeal
Man Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting His 13-Year-Old Daughter in West Bengal
A man in Kolkata has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, following a report by his elder daughter. Man Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting His 13-Year-Old Daughter in West Bengal
India to get another major DRDO missile testing range in Bengal
India is embarking on a pivotal project with the establishment of a new weapon and missile testing range in Junput, West Bengal. This state-of-the-art facility will complement the existing range in Chandipur, Odisha, marking the DRDO's third significant site. The initiative promises to not only bolster national defense capabilities but also promote substantial growth in West Bengal's infrastructure and economy.
CPI(M) and CPI announce candidates for West Bengal by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar
The News Mill
Ex-Hawildar Faces UAPA, Arms Act
During his service, Mallesh also served at Barrackpore in West Bengal, a major military cantonment near Kolkata.
Buses with Kol students collide on NH-16, 1 injured
Man arrested for 24 crore bank fraud, forging docus
Tolly producers likely to get more leeway in hiring technicians
Union ministers, CMs attend PM Modi's Brics gala dinner in New Delhi
Union ministers and chief ministers of several states on Saturday attended a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honour of the leaders of BRICS and other participating countries and organisations. The Union ministers, including Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Kiren Rijiju travelled together in two buses from the Parliament House complex amidst tight security. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and chief ministers of various states -- Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), Suvendu Adhikari (West Bengal), Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam), Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), and Rekha Gupta (Delhi) -- also travelled in the buses along with the Union ministers to the dinner venue Bharat Mandapam. The ministers were allotted different tables where delegates from different countries joined them during the dinner. Separate dinner tables were curated in a way so that the attendees .
Literary meet celebrates eloquence & creativity
From decaying books and rotting racks, 96-year-old Mohammed Ali Library is reborn after 3-s
City girls musical world record at 11
Kolkata International Film Festival considers logo redesign
Blow Hot-Blow Rain Sept Weather Lays Kolkata Low
Ranna Puja rush drives up hilsa prices, large sizes stay scarce
40 firms join meet to create second career for veterans
Bengal cash-for-school job scam: Accused businessman to turn approver before CBI
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) Santu Gangopadhyay, a Kolkata-based businessman and an accused in the multi-crore cash-for-school-job case in West Bengal, on Saturday wrote a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with a plea to become an approver in the matter. Sources aware of the development said that in his letter to the CBI, Gangopadhay had claimed that despite being willing to divulge secrets in the school job scam much earlier, he was found to remain silent because of life threat during the previous Trinamool Congress government. Now, as the Kolkata-based businessman claimed in the letter to the CBI, with the change of government in West Bengal after the Assembly elections earlier this year, Gangopadhay had gained the confidence of revealing everything to the central probe agency and hence he had pleaded to become an approver in the matter. Named in the chargesheet of the CBI in case of recruitment of primary teachers in the state-run schools, Gangopadhyay was also arrested earlier in the matter. However, he is currently released on bail. He was known as an extremely close confidant of the former West Bengal Education Minister and the former Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, who had also been lodged in jail for more than three years because of his involvement in the school job case. Chatterjee is also out on bail now. Sources said that in his letter to the CBI, Gangopadhyay said how he and Kuntal Ghosh, one of the accused in the recruitment corruption case, delivered the money to a top leader in Trinamool Congress. In the letter, Gangopadhyay also claimed that he and Kuntal Ghosh also faced the ire of that top Trinamool Congress leader for not being able to meet the target of collecting Rs 5 crore from candidates aspiring to be primary teachers in the state-run schools. Sources said that in his letter, Gangopadhay had claimed that even after the change of government in the state he had been getting threat calls from some people involved in the alleged school-job scam. He had also pleaded for the security of his family members.
Heavy Rain Unlikely In Kol In Next 3 To 4 Days: Met
Writer, novelist, playwright and critic Ketaki Kushari Dyson dies in England
Rooftop Restobar First Eatery To Get Back Licence
Profs protest against transfer bill, set to take legal action
Airport-bound? Leave early. VIP Road diversion from Sunday to facilitate Orange Line metro work
Bengal CM Adhikari joins 'Mach Bhog' at Kalighat Temple
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari ate Mach Bhog at Kalighat temple. This action sent a clear message regarding non-veg food near pandals. Dhirendra Shastri had appealed to avoid non-veg food during Navaratri. Opposition parties protested Shastri's appeal and his effigy was burned. BJP leaders stated food choices are personal matters for citizens.
2 warders suspended over Baruipur jail escape
Left, Cong name candidates for Rejinagar, Nandigram bypolls
CID likely to take Sumit to Abhisheks office over money trail probe
Govt contractors urge state to clear Rs 50,000 crore dues
KMC engineers threaten to go on cease-work after colleagues arrest
Personal Assistant of West Bengal MP Confesses to Financial Irregularities During CID Interrogation
CID sources reveal that Abhishek Banerjees PA admitted to financial misconduct during questioning related to land scams. Personal Assistant of West Bengal MP Confesses to Financial Irregularities During CID Interrogation
Bengal: Left Front announces candidates for Rejinagar, Nandigram bypolls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) The Left Front, led by CPI(M), on Saturday announced the names of the party candidates for the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram Assembly seat and Rejinagar Assembly Constituency of West Bengal. The West Bengal Left Front Committee issued a press statement announcing the names of the front candidates for the bypolls for these two constituencies. The CPI(M) candidate from the Rejinagar constituency is Sayeed Asad Ali, an advocate in personal life. On the other hand, the CPI candidate from the Nandigram is Shanti Gopal Giri. Left Fronts candidate announcement for the bypolls comes just a day after the Congress announced the names of their candidates on Friday for both Nandigram and Rejinagar. The bypolls for these two constituencies will be conducted on October 6 that is just before the forthcoming Durga Puja festival in the state. The counting of votes will be taken up on October 9. The date by which the elections will have to be concluded is October 11. In the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was elected from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly Constituencies in South Kolkata. At Bhabanipur, Adhikari defeated his predecessor and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by a margin of more than 15,000 votes. Adhikari retained the Bhabanipur constituency, thus necessitating bypolls for Nandigram. On the other hand, former Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir contested and was elected as an Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) candidate from both Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, both in Murshidabad district. Later, Kabir decided to retain Naoda, thus necessitating bypolls for the Rejinagar seat. Kabirs son Golab Nabi Azad is the AJUP candidate for the Rejinagar bypolls this time. Since 2021, Nandigram, because of Suvendu Adhikari, has been a virtual fortress for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Therefore, political observers are not in two minds about the results of the by-elections there. However, political observers say that because of the demography of Rejinagar, this particular Assembly constituency will be quite tough to win for the BJP. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress, which is now divided into three factions, also does not seem to have much poll prospects from Rejinagar this time. Rather, CPI-M and Congress can view the opportunity for increasing their tally in the West Bengal Assembly constituency by one seat. The Rejinagar bypolls might also give some indication about where the minority votes in the state might shift to in the coming days, a Kolkata-based political observer said.
Mukesh, son Anant to visit Bengal, says Suvendu
Argument over childs assault led to double murder in Keralams Attappady: police
Provat Das, a native of West Bengal, is accused of killing a 35-year-old woman and her four-year-old daughter
KMC to mark PM Modis 25 years in public office with month-long events
NCW seeks report from Kerala Police over double murder in Attappadi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 12 (IANS) The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the reported gruesome murder of a woman and a child in Attappadi in Kerala's Palakkad district and sought a report from the state police within a week, an official said on Saturday. The severed and decomposed body parts of the victims were reportedly found stuffed in sacks and abandoned on the banks of the Bhavani river, as per a media report. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has written to the Director General of Police, Kerala, seeking immediate apprehension of the suspect, identification of all possible accomplices, a thorough and impartial investigation, and preservation of forensic evidence, said an official statement. Necessary assistance and support to the victims families during the identification and legal process have also been sought, it said. The Commission has sought an Action Taken Report within seven days, underscoring that the life, dignity and safety of women and children must be protected without compromise. Meanwhile, a migrant worker from West Bengal has come under the police radar in connection with the gruesome killing of his wife and their five-year-old daughter, whose dismembered bodies were found stuffed into sacks and dumped on the banks of the river. Investigators suspect that the man, who had arrived in the area along with his wife and their young daughter around 25 days ago, could be behind their murders. Police have also learnt that the man had harboured suspicions about his wife, giving investigators a possible clue to the motive. The victims are suspected to be the man's wife and daughter. Police have also received information that the deceased were from West Bengal, strengthening the possibility that the case involves a migrant family. However, their identities are yet to be conclusively established. The investigation received a major breakthrough from one of the sacks used to dispose of the bodies. Police found indications from the writing on the sack that it had been brought from Coimbatore to a shop at Kottathara in Attappadi along with other goods. The batch and other markings on the sack are being examined to trace its exact source. The Puthur police have launched a detailed probe based on this lead and are checking wholesale and retail shops in Attappadi and along the Tamil Nadu border. CCTV footage is also being examined to establish who purchased or transported the sacks, the police said.
Mamata Banerjee Gets Rebel TMC Offer? Faction May Withdraw Nandigram Candidate To Back Her | Watch
The battle over the Trinamool Congress symbol has intensified as a five-member rebel TMC delegation led by West Bengal LoP Ritabrata Banerjee met officials at IIIDEM in Delhi. The faction said the meeting was fruitful and that it would submit documents sought by the panel. Meanwhile, a major Nandigram twist has emerged. The rebel faction says it may withdraw its candidate and support Mamata Banerjee if she contests the bypoll as an independent. The faction plans to decide before September 16, while Banerjee expressed 100% confidence about securing the TMC symbol.
CCTV Footage Unveils Digha Deal: Black SUV and Thar Traced in Odisha Orangutan Trafficking Case
The sensational recovery of five orangutans from the Badapahi forest in Bhograi has blown the lid off an international wildlife trafficking ring, with the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police intensifying raids across Odisha and West Bengal. Investigators have placed a hotel businessman and his son under intense scrutiny, suspecting that the illicit wildlife [] The post CCTV Footage Unveils Digha Deal: Black SUV and Thar Traced in Odisha Orangutan Trafficking Case appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Bengal CM Suvendu pitches business-friendly climate to industrialists
The West Bengal government on Saturday invited industrialists and business groups to invest in the state, asserting that the new government was working to create a conducive business environment through new policies and incentives. Speaking at a summit organised by a news channel, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government would soon unveil new industrial and land policies and amendments to the land ceiling Act, along with a package of incentives for investors, though he did not give a timeline or further details. Adhikari said industrialisation would help generate employment in the state, where, he claimed, a large number of educated youths were without jobs. He also claimed that nearly one crore migrant labourers from the state were currently working outside. This is a truly patriotic government functioning properly. We are working on the industrial policy, the industrial land policy, the Land Ceiling Act, incentives and other investor-related measures. The roadmap is .
Bengal man arrested for sexually assaulting minor daughter
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) A man in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district has been arrested for sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, police said on Saturday. According to the police, the elder daughter had filed a complaint against her father with the Baruipar police. She claimed that she left home due to sexual assault, which she was subjected to by her father, and alleged that he was doing the same to her younger sister. Based on that complaint, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station have arrested the accused. According to the police, the arrested person is a hawker by profession. Allegedly, in December last year, the accused's elder daughter was subjected to physical abuse. She left home in anger and fear. The younger daughter alleged that her father's misbehaviour was not resolved even after she informed her mother. The mother kept quiet even after knowing everything. It is alleged that after the elder daughter left home, the father continued to sexually assault the younger daughter. The 'victim' claimed that this had been happening for the past few months. She said that there was no situation to tell anyone. She spoke to her sister on the phone. After that, both sisters informed their mother. Even after that, the mother remained silent and refused to accept their allegations. Incidentally, the accused's elder daughter called 100 and informed the police about the matter. Based on that, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station arrested the accused from the Kulpi Road area last night. A case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Police have applied for his custody to investigate the matter further. Based on the complaint by the daughter, the father has been arrested. We will seek his custody to interrogate him further. Investigation is on, and all the allegations are being looked into, a senior officer of Baruipur Police District said.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday launched a scathing attack against the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments in West Bengal and accused both the regimes of having a step-motherly attitude towards the Hindu religious rituals. Of the past 49 years, 34 years have been ruled by Communists who called religion the opium of masses. And in the next 15 years, the Trinamool Congress made an all-out effort to convert West Bengal into a Greater Bangladesh. The Chief Minister (Suvendu Adhikari) alleged that there had been a continuous attack on the traditions and culture of the Sanatani Hindu people in the state, the Chief Minister said at the inauguration of a Ganesh Puja at Kestopur in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Attacking the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Chief Minister Adhikari added that the party's books stalls in front of the Puja Pandal every year during the four days of Durga Puja never displayed the books by Swami Vivekananda. In those book stalls, you could get foreign books by Karl Marx or by Lenin. But you could never get Indian books such as Hanuman Chalisa or Bhagwad Geeta. It was clearly written there that they did not believe in religion, and they considered religion as opium, the Chief Minister said. He targeted the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government and said that during the 15 years of their tenure in West Bengal from 2011 to 2026, every attempt was made by the previous ruling dispensation to convert West Bengal into a Greater Bangladesh. He specially attacked his predecessor Mamata Banerjee but without directly naming her. The former Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee), whom I defeated twice in Nandigram and Bhabanipur, said in the Puja coordination meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium that because of Muharram there would be no idol immersion on Vijaya Dashami in a particular year, the Chief Minister noted. In 2021, Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district by a margin of little less than 2,000 votes, In 2026, Suvendu Adhikari defeated the previous Chief Minister from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata by a margin of little over 15,000 votes.
Abhishek aide broke down during questioning in graft cases: Bengal CID
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) Sumit Roy, the Personal Assistant of Trinamool Congress General Secretary and party's Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member Abhishek Benerjee started breaking down in face of sustained questioning and confessed of his involvement in a number of financial irregularities, insiders from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police claimed on Saturday. CID sleuths arrested Roy on Thursday afternoon in connection with a multi-crore illegal land grabbing case at Salboni in West Midnapore district and he was presented at a district court in West Midnapore on Friday, following which he was remanded to eight days of CID custody. Since Friday evening, a special team of CID comprising an Indian Police Service officer assisted by two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP)-ranking officers. In the face of sustained interrogation, Roy had started breaking down and has started revealing his involvements not only in the Salboni land grabbing case as well as other major scams in the state, a CID insider said requesting anonymity. Another state police insider said that the Investigating Officers have uncovered information about transactions worth crores of rupees in the Salboni land corruption case. The money allegedly reached multiple bank accounts. Investigators are trying to find out who, apart from Roy, were involved in those financial transactions and who benefited financially from that money, the police official said. The state police officials said that Roy's statement might be crucial in revealing the larger conspiracy behind these scams. The information obtained from him (Sumit Roy) is being compared with the documents, bank account information, land documents and other evidence already accessed by the investigating officers, the state police official said. The interrogating officials are trying to grill Roy about those persons or persons from whom he used to receive instructions in the matter. In the Salboni land scam case, the investigating officers have already received details of a particular bank account in the name of Sumit Roy, which had doubtful transactions worth Rs 15 crore. The investigating officials through Sumit Roy's questioning are trying to reach the source of the funds, the CID insider said.
