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National, Northeast, Politics, Regional

Naga body rejects government appeal, remains firm to boycott urban local bodies’ poll

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Lokmat Times, Kohima, May 17, 2024 : The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on Friday rejected the Nagaland government’s appeal and remained firm on abstaining from participating in the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections, scheduled on June 26.


ENPO Secretary W. Manwang Konyak said that they did not receive any written appeal and only saw in the media that the state government has made an appeal not to boycott the ULB polls.

“We have to go by the decision of our grassroots level people and organisation. We would abstain from participating in the ULB polls,” Konyak told IANS.

After a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland government on Thursday urged the ENPO not to boycott the vital ULB polls.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister K.G. Kenye, who is the Spokesman of the state government said that the government has appealed to ENPO and its constituent bodies to participate in the ULB elections, which are being conducted on the directions of the Supreme Court.

The ULB election is for empowering local self-governance and facilitating development and uplift of the citizens at the grassroots, he said.

Kenye said that after a prolonged battle involving the women’s reservation in the ULBs, the state would be holding the ULB election in the larger interest of the public and their welfare.

He said that ULB elections should not be seen as a means for ENPO to register resentment and protest for their demands on Frontier Nagaland Territory.

Since 2010, the ENPO has been demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or a separate state comprising the six eastern Nagaland districts — Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang and it also boycotted the election to the lone Nagaland Lok Sabha seat on April 19 in support of its demand.

The ENPO Secretary said that they have already informed the State Election Commission (SEC) that the people of the six districts would abstain from voting in the ULB polls, covering three Municipal Councils and 36 Town Councils.

Konyak said that the ENPO had, on March 19, adopted a unanimous resolution that the people of the region would not participate in any central and state elections due to the delay in creating the ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT)’ as offered and assured by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on December 7, 2023.

“Through many letters to MHA and mass rallies, we tried to persuade the Central government to resolve our demand but it turned a deaf ear,” the Naga leader said.

However, the ENPO has clarified that this stance should not be misconstrued as opposition to the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023 with 33 per cent reservation for women.

Nagaland Chief Minister earlier said that the state government has proposed the constitution of an autonomous body for the development of eastern Nagaland and its people.

The ENPO has been demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ comprising six eastern districts inhabited by seven backward tribes — Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.

The ENPO and its allies had given a call to boycott the Assembly elections held in February last year but withdrew it later following an assurance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Post-poll violence: CBI looking for 6 absconders; residence of 2 TMC leaders raided

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 The CBI conducted raids in West Bengal targeting six absconders in a post-poll violence case involving Trinamool Congress leaders. 

PTI | Kolkata | 17 May 2024 : The CBI conducted raids at various locations in West Bengal on Friday, looking for six absconders in a post-poll violence case, including some Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, officials said.


The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) search operation was aimed at tracing the whereabouts of the six absconding accused against whom non-bailable warrants have been issued by a special court, the officials said.

The court has issued the warrants against Buddhadeb Maity, Pradip Mandal, Debabrata Panda, Tapas Bej, Arjun Kumar Maity and Bikramjit Das, they said.

The CBI team searched the residences of two TMC leaders at Kathi in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal in connection with its ongoing probe into the killing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker in post-poll violence in 2021, an officer said.

A team of CBI officers raided the houses of Debabrata Panda, a TMC leader from Kathi Block number 3, and block president Nandadulal Maiti in the early hours, he said.

”Panda, Nandadulal’s son and 52 others have been named in the FIR lodged in connection with the killing of Janmejay Dolui,” the CBI officer told PTI.

Dolui, a BJP worker, was killed in violence following the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls.

The officer said 30 people were summoned for questioning in connection with the matter but none turned up.

”We are conducting raids at places associated with these people. We need to question them,” he said.
Entertainment, National

Bollywood Heartthrob Kartik Aaryan Stuns in Futuristic Avatar for Sony Sports Network’s UEFA EURO 2024 Promo

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PTI | Mumbai | 17-05-2024 :  30 days ahead of UEFA EURO 2024, the biggest football festival of the year, Sony Sports Network has launched its blockbuster campaign “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” featuring their brand ambassador for football, Bollywood sensation Kartik Aaryan. The champion can be seen assuming a dual role in the enthralling campaign film which raises the bar of anticipation for the quadrennial tournament.

The campaign film which is high on visual effects encapsulates the level of enthusiasm of fans for UEFA EURO 2024 and provides a glimpse of what ‘the biggest footballing event of the universe’ will bring to the table. The film is a visual delight on Indian television and features Kartik Aaryan, who for the first time dons the avatar of an alien from the outer space, intrigued by the celebrations on Earth and decides to join the festival of football. The alien finds his identical self in a human form. The duo then joins hands along with thousands of other fans to celebrate their favourite European teams and players participating in the tournament.

A continental spectacle, UEFA EURO 2024 is one of the most eagerly-awaited sporting events of the year. The competition will feature 8 out of the top 10 FIFA-ranked countries including reigning champions Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, England, Netherlands and Croatia vying for the coveted title. Undoubtedly, the best players and coaches, not just in Europe but across the world will be seen in action as international football takes over the mantle from club football for a month. Fan favourites Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Thomas Mueller, Virgil van Dijk, Luka Modric and others will don their national colours, showcase their magic on the pitch and aim for the ultimate prize.

The campaign by Sony Sports Network paves way for an exciting month for football fans as the countdown begins for UEFA EURO 2024. Stay tuned for more on the “Universe Ka Sabse Bada Football Festival of 2024” campaign on Sony Sports Network.

”UEFA EURO is widely celebrated as one of the biggest football tournaments in the world and we are thrilled to collaborate with Kartik Aaryan, our Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network, on this extraordinary campaign for this tournament. This kind of a film with a high end scale and special effects for a football tournament has never been seen by Indian audiences with Kartik Aaryan at the helm of it. The film resonates the excitement for the continental spectacle and captures the emotions of the football fans further reaffirming Sony Sports Network’s commitment to bringing the best experience to our viewers.” Kartik Aaryan, Bollywood Superstar & Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network: ”It’s a pleasure to be associated with Sony Sports Network for this amazing campaign for the UEFA EURO which is the biggest footballing event of 2024. Being a football fan, this campaign is particularly close to my heart. I really enjoyed playing an alien for the first time in my life and for this spectacular campaign. The countdown begins for UEFA EURO 2024 which is going to be a fantastic experience for all audiences in India.” Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster for UEFA EURO 2024 in India. Watch the drama unfold from 15th June, LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD, Sony Ten 5 SD & HD.

About Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India) Sony Pictures Networks India is the consumer-facing identity of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited, which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan. The Company has several channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India’s leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; Sony MAX, India’s premium Hindi movies and special events channel; Sony MAX 2, another Hindi movie channel showcasing great India Cinema; Sony MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; Sony WAH, the Hindi movies channel for rural markets; Sony SAB and Sony SAB HD the family-oriented Hindi comedy entertainment channels; Sony PAL, a genre leader in rural Hindi speaking markets (HSM) showcasing the best of Hindi general entertainment and Hindi movies from its content library; Sony PIX and Sony PIX HD, Sony BBC Earth and Sony BBC Earth HD, the premium factual entertainment channels, Sony AATH, the Bangla entertainment channel; Sony YAY!, the kids entertainment channel; Sony Sports Network – Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD; Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD; Sony Sports Ten 5; Sony Sports Ten 5 HD; Sony Marathi, the Marathi general entertainment channel; Sony LIV – the digital entertainment VOD platform and Studio NEXT the independent production venture for original content and IPs for TV and digital media. The Company reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.

The Company is recognised as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry. It is a recipient of several awards, including India’s Best Companies to Work For 2021 by the Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ‘Aon Best Employers India’ awards in recognition of the company’s unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices, consistently ranking amongst India’s Top 10 Companies with Best Health & Wellness Practices by SHRM & CGP Partners and listed by Working Mother & AVTAR as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India.

The Company is in its 28th year of operations in India. Besides having overseas subsidiaries, it has a subsidiary MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited, and an affiliate, Bangla Entertainment Private Limited in India.
National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

EC show-cause to Abhijit Gangopadhyay for ‘improper, undignified’ remarks against CM

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PTI, New Delhi/Kolkata, May 17, 2024 :  The Election Commission on Friday issued a show-cause notice to former high court judge and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his “improper, injudicious and undignified” remarks against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

    The comments by Bandopadhyay triggered a war of words in poll-bound West Bengal, with TMC claiming that the comments reflect the “misogynist mindset of the BJP,” and the BJP claiming that his remarks have been “misconstrued by the TMC.”
    Gangopadhyay is the fourth politician in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections to have been served a notice for undignified remarks against women.
    BJP’s Dilip Ghosh and Congress’s Supriya Shrinate were censured by the EC after being served notices for their remarks against Mamata Banerjee and Kangana Ranaut respectively.
    Randeep Surjewala of the Congress was barred from campaigning for 48 hours for his remarks against BJP’s Hema Malini.
    The poll panel acted on a complaint by the Trinamool Congress against Gangopadhyay for his remarks against Banerjee while addressing a public meeting held on May 15 in Haldia.
    The BJP has fielded Gangopadhyay from Tamluk seat in West Bengal where voting will be held on May 25.
    The EC in its notice noted that Gangopadhyay’s comment has been found to be “improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of the term, in bad taste” and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and its advisory to political parties.
    The EC has sought a response by 5 pm of May 20.
    The notice reminded the former Calcutta High Court judge about its recent advisory which said that political parties and candidates should refrain from any deeds or actions or utterances that may be construed as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of women.
    The Trinamool Congress said it would also take recourse to legal action and claimed that his remarks had crossed all limits of decency.
    In a purported video which surfaced on Thursday Gangopadhyay was heard wondering about “the amount at which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold,” triggering a row with the TMC labelling it as BJP’s guarantee of disrespecting women, while the saffron party raised doubts about the clip’s authenticity.
    PTI, however, couldn’t verify the authenticity of the video.
    TMC leader and West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said, “The remarks made by Gangopadhyay smack of his anti-women traits. This shows that the politics of the BJP has reached a nadir”.
    “The remarks made by the BJP candidate of Tamluk are sexist in nature and his candidature must be cancelled”, she demanded.
    Reacting to EC’s notice, the BJP said Gangopadhyay would reply to the notice but his remarks had been “misconstrued by the TMC.”
    “He will give a reply. But the TMC has misconstrued his words. He wanted to point out how Mamata Banerjee is disrespecting women, especially BJP candidate Sandeshkhali Rekha Patra,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.
    The BJP on Thursday questioned the authenticity of the video and dubbed it as a “ploy by the TMC to release fake videos” to malign the saffron camp.
Crime, Politics, West Bengal

TMC demonstrates near Raj Bhavan over molestation charge against Guv

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PTI, May 17, 2024, Kolkata :  The Trinamool Congress on Friday demonstrated near Raj Bhavan here over the allegation of molestation against West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, demanding his resignation.

   
The protestors, who included members of the TMC affiliated West Bengal College and University Professors Association (WBCUPA), held placards and shouted slogans, as the police stopped them from advancing towards the Governor’s House.

“It is shameful that he is still sticking to the chair when more than one woman, including a female staff of Raj Bhavan, levelled serious charges against him,” a WBCUPA office-bearer said.

    In a police complaint, a woman contractual employee of Raj Bhavan last week accused the governor of molesting her.

    Earlier this week, the police also submitted a report to the state secretariat about the complaint filed by a classical dancer that Bose had sexually harassed her at a posh hotel in New Delhi in 2023.

    Former state West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson and film-maker Sudeshna Roy, who also walked in the rally, said “I am here to express solidarity with the women. He is not allowing any investigation as his is a constitutional post. But such a post does not guarantee him immunity as an individual from being probed into the charges.”

    Article to Art 361(2) of the Constitution, a criminal case cannot be initiated against the President and Governor in a court of law.
    The governor has rejected the charges saying these were all politically motivated since he had been voicing grievances of the people in Bengal. 
Politics, West Bengal

Modi govt orchestrating plan to drive out Adivasis from their own land: Mamata

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PTI, May 17, 2024, Gopiballavpur/ Daspur (WB) : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of “orchestrating a lie” about granting citizenship to 14 people under the CAA and dubbed it as “politics during the polls”.

    Speaking at back-to-back election rallies in Gopiballavpur and Daspur, Banerjee said “those granted citizenship will be thrown behind the bars by branding them as foreigners.”
    Accusing a section of the media of publishing advertisements with photographs of the Prime Minister that boast about the achievements of the BJP government at the Centre without proper attribution, Banerjee said, “The BJP is publishing advertisements with false information. One such advertisement says that migrant Hindu and Sikh communities can apply for citizenship under the CAA. Please don’t believe them, you (the electorate) are all already bona fide citizens. If you apply, you will be driven out by being branded as a foreigner.”
    “I have nothing against journalists, but how come the authorities of those publications allow such advertisements to be carried without any check,” she said.
    Banerjee said the entire thing is a lie orchestrated by the BJP, just as they did in Sandeshkhali, where purported videos have emerged claiming that BJP workers had hatched a conspiracy to malign the TMC government in Bengal.
    “The entire thing is a lie orchestrated by the BJP just as they did in Sandeshkhali. I urge my Matua brothers and sisters to not fall for it. This is falsehood and only a part of the politics before the elections. After the polls are over, people will be expelled from their homes and put in jails. Do not trust the BJP,” she said.
    The first set of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was issued on Wednesday to 14 people, nearly two months after rules under the contentious law were notified to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries. This comes in the midst of the general elections which started on April 19.
    The last phase of polling will be held on June 1 while the counting will take place on June 4.
    The CAA was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.
    After the enactment, the CAA got the President’s assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued on March 11, after over a delay of four years.
    Wondering why senior BJP leaders are not applying for CAA if they are so upbeat about the Act, she said, “I want to ask Modi and Amit Shah why don’t you apply for CAA in the first place. Show by example.”
    She accused the BJP of orchestrating a plan to take away the rights of tribals and sow discord among different backward communities.
    Speaking at an election rally in support of TMC’s Jhargram Lok Sabha candidate Kalipada Soren, Banerjee asserted that the BJP was aiming to uproot tribals by implementing the NRC, ultimately depriving them of their land rights.
    Accusing the BJP of fomenting tension between Adivasis and Kurmis, Banerjee emphasised her administration’s dedication to safeguarding tribal land rights. “We have already passed a legislation to ensure that tribals can reside on their ancestral lands,” she added.
    “BJP may want to drive out Adivasis, Kurmis and other backward castes through the NRC and engineer fights among them by introducing the Uniform Civil Code. But I vow to protect them till my last breath,” she added.
    Describing the BJP as anti-tribal, Banerjee referred to jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren.
    “The BJP has put behind the bars popular tribal leader Hemant Soren. I am in touch with his wife. This is the BJP, a party which believes in dictatorship and one party rule,” she said.
    “If the INDIA bloc comes to power in Delhi, I assure the NRC will be scrapped. We will come up with laws that ensure tribals’ permanent right on their land,” she said.
    Banerjee accused the CPI(M) of fostering unrest in the Jangalmahal region during its tenure, contrasting it with her government’s efforts to bring prosperity to the area since 2011.
    “Since 2011, Junglemahal has been smiling. Don’t vote for BJP, don’t vote for ‘harmad’ (tormentor) CPI(M),” she said.
    Without naming Jhargram BJP candidate Pranat Tudu, she said, “We could have stopped his nomination as he was a practicing physician at a state-run health facility, but we did not.” Tudu later resigned from his position as a state medical officer after being nominated by the BJP.
    At a second meeting in Daspur within Ghatal LS seat where Dev is the TMC candidate, the TMC chairperson remarked, “Those who participated in the Freedom movement are not running the country. Instead, the nation is now under the grip of corrupt and greedy people who are selling national assets and using the money to spread false information about their achievements.”
    Referring to migrant labourers from West Bengal, she accused the BJP of conspiring to remove their names from the voter list. “Please don’t be absent on the day of voting. The BJP is conspiring to deprive you of your voting rights by taking advantage of your absence. We will issue a separate card for you,” she said.
    Banerjee later participated in a road show in the Midnapore Lok Sabha constituency in support of the party’s candidate, June Maliah.
Misc, Regional

Darjeeling: Finally, bridge for, of and by hill people

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Villagers contribute labour to building motorable link, Ajoy Edwards joins ‘apolitical project’
Villagers helped by Ajoy Edwards build a 135-foot-long bridge, which has been a poll issue for the last 40 years, to connect Bijanbari: The Telegraph

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 17.05.24 :  

Villagers are constructing a 130-foot-long concrete motorable bridge in Darjeeling, a lifeline that governments have failed to build in decades.

In the thick of things is Ajoy Edwards, a relatively new politician in the hills with his Hamro Party, but he has stressed that this is an “apolitical initiative” with villagers irrespective of their political affiliations.
The bridge is being built over Chota Rangit river connecting Singtom tea garden with Pulbazar-Bijanbari area.

Ajoy Edwards chips in with villagers to build the bridge.: The Telegraph
During the British era, a suspension bridge was built for people and horses to cross the river. This was the most used road during earlier times with strong business ties between Darjeeling and Pulbazar-Bijanbari area.

At the moment there are two circuitous routes to reach Bijanbari from Darjeeling — one through Ghoom-Jorebunglow and the other through Jamuni. “While the two routes need anything between one-and-half to two hours to cover the distance, this bridge would ensure that the distance will be covered in half an hour,” said Edwards.

There has always been a demand to build a motorable bridge through the old route. “It seems this has been a poll issue of the area for decades,” said Edwards.

Edwards’s involvement with the plan started when he started distributing relief during Covid-19 in 2000.

“While visiting the area during Covid days I had told the villagers that I would be a part of this bridge initiative if the villagers joined hands,” said Edwards.

Nothing moved for around four years.

Early this year villagers of more than 20 villages decided to build the bridge on their own.

Edwards decided to contribute raw materials and the daily wages of seven to eight masons. The villagers decided to contribute free labour, including procuring raw materials like sand and break stones from the river.

For the past three months, villagers have been working long days to build the bridge.

Edwards has spent around Rs 20 lakhs on the project so far. “But the contribution of the villagers is much more,” he said. “Last Sunday, when we had to cast the slab of the bridge, over 350 people turned up to volunteer.”

The story of the bridge is intertwined with the politics of Darjeeling.

The Singtom-Pulbazar Bijanbari area was predominantly CPM when the Subash Ghisingh-led Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) led the Gorkhaland agitation.

Clashes between the CPM and the GNLF were frequent.

When the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) elections were held in 1988, the GNLF swept the hills but the Chungthung-Marybong and Pulbzar-Bijanbari seats still went to the CPM.

“In 1992, the (CPM-led) state government wanted to construct a bridge over the river at an approximate cost of Rs 2 crore but despite laying the foundation stone the project could not start as the DGHC did not provide the no-objection certificate,” said Saran Gurung, a resident of the area, who added that he joined the initiative because Edwards has termed the initiative “apolitical.”

Again in the late 1990s, CPM MP S.P. Lepcha, also a resident of Singtom, sanctioned an amount to build the bridge.

“The government erected three pillars but that was it. There was no further progress,” said Gurung.

Even Gurung, a contractor by profession, has pooled around Rs 2 lakhs for the project. “My people from outside that region have also contributed by paying for cement and other costs,” said Edwards.

More than 75 per cent of the bridge is complete. “We are confident of completing the bridge in the next 15 days before monsoon sets in,” said Edwards.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Crime, National, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

ED can’t arrest after special court takes cognisance of PMLA complaint: Supreme Court

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 While passing the judgment, the apex court also frowned on the alleged practice among some special courts, formed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), of taking accused into custody when they appear in answer to summons

R. Balaji, TT, New Delhi, 17.05.24  : The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that once a special PMLA court takes cognisance of a complaint, the Enforcement Directorate is “powerless” to arrest an accused without the court’s permission.

“Cognisance” refers to a judicial court applying its mind to a complaint filed before it, either by the investigating agency or a private complainant, to examine whether summons or warrants should be issued against an accused.

While passing the judgment, the apex court also frowned on the alleged practice among some special courts, formed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), of taking accused into custody when they appear in answer to summons.

Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for a batch of accused persons, and other lawyers had complained that this practice among some special courts was compelling their clients to apply for bail or anticipatory bail under the PMLA’s stringent provisions.

“…Such a practice, if followed by some special courts, is completely illegal. Such a practice may offend the right to liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said.

The apex court rejected the argument of the ED, represented by additional solicitor-general S.V. Raju, that once an accused appears before the special court, they are deemed to be in custody.

“Once cognisance is taken of the offence punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, the special court is seized of the matter,” Justice Oka, who authored the judgment, said.

“After the cognisance is taken, the ED… (is) powerless to arrest an accused named in the complaint.”

But, while pursuing its investigation into the same case, the ED is free to arrest a person (presumably a new suspect) who has not been shown as an accused in the complaint before the special court, the judgment said.

On the allegation against some of the special courts themselves, the apex court said: “We cannot countenance a situation where… after the filing of the complaint, after he (accused) appears in compliance with the summons, he is taken into custody and forced to apply for bail.”

If the ED wants custody of an accused who has appeared in the special court after being served with summons, it must apply to the special court, the bench said.

After hearing the accused, the special court must pass an order on the application by recording brief reasons.

While hearing such an application, the court may permit custody only if it is satisfied that custodial interrogation at that stage is required, the bench said.
National, Politics

BJP went back on Sixth Schedule promise, will continue movement till demands are met: Sonam Wangchuk

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Thousands joined the Ramon Magsaysay Award winner whose life inspired actor Aamir Khan’s character Rancho in Bollywood blockbuster ‘3 Idiots’
Education reformist and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk with actor Prakash Raj during the hunger strike, in Leh, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Sonam was on the hunger strike for the statehood of Ladakh and the protection of the fragile Himalayan ecology.PTI

PTI, Leh, 17.05.24 : In March this year, Leh, known for its breathtaking landscapes and monasteries, made headlines as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk led a 21-day fast in sub-zero temperatures seeking autonomy for Ladakh.

Thousands joined the Ramon Magsaysay Award winner whose life inspired actor Aamir Khan’s character Rancho in Bollywood blockbuster “3 Idiots”.
After ending his fast on March 26, Wangchuk began a sit-in which was called off on May 10 in view of the Lok Sabha elections.

Though the government did not accede to the protesters’ demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Wangchuk says the movement is anything but over.

“On one hand, land is going to corporations and on the other hand, China is capturing our land, thousands of square kilometres of land. People of the country need to understand our pain,” Wangchuk told PTI.

“The Sixth Schedule is required to protect the mountains, glaciers and ecology. Though it is required in the whole country, mountains are ultra-sensitive. The use and throw philosophy of the present times, whether it is a plate or a river or a glacier… we don’t want it for Ladakh or the nation,” he said.

Wangchuk said that locals are concerned that in the absence of safeguards, their lands will be taken over by corporates and outsiders who may not respect the environment in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region.

“These glaciers are the source of water. This is Dev Bhoomi, you cannot pollute it,” he added.

The Sixth Schedule contains provisions related to the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through autonomous district councils (ADCs).

The ADCs are granted autonomy on legislative, judicial and administrative matters and can make laws regarding land, forest, water and agriculture, etc.

The climate activist said the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule will ensure that corporates have to ask the people before doing anything with the mountains and rampant development will be stopped.

Asked how he feels after his fast, Wangchuk said, “Better than before. Fasting never hurts.” After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Wangchuk was among those who had welcomed Ladakh getting the status of a Union territory.

However, his view has changed now.

“We supported the abrogation of Article 370 because Ladakh was reduced to being a district of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Ladakh wanted to be a state or Union territory, which could not happen due to Article 370 as the Union government could not do that. So people thought Ladakh would have its own existence now and it was welcomed,” he said.

At the same time, there was concern regarding preservation of the environment and sensitive ecology of Ladakh, Wangchuk said.

“The government came forward and assured that they will protect us under the Sixth Schedule,” he said.

The BJP had also promised safeguards under the Sixth Schedule in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2020 Hill Development Council polls, he said.

“First they went cold on the issue, then they went back on their word, so we had to… (launch) an agitation,” he said.

After almost 10 meetings, the government said “we can’t give anything”, he claimed.

The activist cited the example of a 10 GW solar power project planned for the Pang region of Changthang that will be spread over an area of 20,000 acres.

The land earmarked for the project is pasture land where locals graze their Pashmina goats which produce the most expensive wool in the world, he said.

“Hundreds of square kilometres of pastures — I am talking about an area as big as Delhi — is being given to Solar Energy Corporation of India without discussing with the people,” he claimed.

Suggesting that the Union government is probably under “pressure” from corporate lobbies, he said, “We felt we also need to build pressure so that there is a balance. If a deal has been struck, only a change of government can change things.” “Whether the government changes or the government changes its thoughts, we will continue with our movement so that the deal is cancelled,” he said.

A ‘Pashmina March’ that was announced during the recent protests was later called off.

Wangchuk said the march was called off as their point was proved by the restrictions imposed by the administration against the march and they did not want any clashes with police.

“They imposed so many restrictions, imposed Section 144 (of the Code of Criminal Procedure) and threatened to cut off the internet, so we felt what we wanted to prove was done while we were sitting here. The government does not want us to show the truth to the nation,” he said.

Wangchuk hopes that a new government would fulfil Ladakhis’ demands.

“If a Congress government comes, we have a lot of hope. If the BJP does not change its stand, we will hope that those who are in favour of protecting Ladakh come to power,” he said.

If needed, Wangchuk is ready to keep fighting.

“Ladakh is the crown of India. We do not want to protest again… But if there is a need, we will sit on protest again,” he added.

Ladakh goes to polls in the fifth round of seven-phase Lok Sabha elections on May 20.
Regional, West Bengal

NBSTC to run Siliguri to Darj via Mirik bus services

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Amitava Banerjee, MP, 16 May 2024, Darjeeling: On the heels of Siliguri to Darjeeling via Tindharia bus services, the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) is all set to start Siliguri to Darjeeling via Mirik services. 

Along with local residents, this service will emerge as a big boon for budget tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the lake town of Mirik enroute to Siliguri or while coming up to Darjeeling from Siliguri. 
“We had a meeting at the Pintail village in Siliguri with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) authorities where different issues were raised by them. 
One of the issues was that local drivers have been complaining that buses cause traffic jams on the Siliguri-Darjeeling via Rohini route. 
The GTA had requested us to divert some services. Accordingly, we have diverted two services through the Hill Cart road via Tindharia. Very soon we will divert some services via Mirik,” stated Dipankar Piplai, Managing Director, NBSTC, while talking to Millennium Post. 
At present there are two services operating between Darjeeling and Siliguri via Tindharia. Incidentally, local taxi drivers have been constantly complaining that the buses cause traffic jams on the road and have even launched agitations demanding that the buses be taken off this route. 
The buses however are a boon to local residents residing in the villages and settlements along the route along with budget tourists. 
Especially during tourist season commuting becomes difficult in the Hills, with full taxis with hardly any space for daily commuters to midway destinations. 
While the fare of a shared taxi from Darjeeling to Siliguri via Rohini is Rs 250 per passenger, NBSTC charges Rs 104/per passenger for the 68 km journey. 
Mirik is also a popular day visit destination from both Siliguri and Darjeeling. Tourists also prefer to visit Mirik on their way back to Siliguri. 
At present this is possible by either booking a taxi or break journey by taxi. Mirik is 49 km from Darjeeling town and 44 km from Siliguri. 
At present there are 15 NBSTC bus services to Darjeeling, including 9 from the Siliguri depot; 3 from the Darjeeling depot; a Kalimpong to Siliguri service via Darjeeling and one Jalpaiguri to Siliguri service via Darjeeling. 
Along with this there is one Siliguri to Mirik service; 4 Siliguri to Kalimpong services and 2 Siliguri to Gangtok, Sikkim services of the NBSTC. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/nbstc-to-run-siliguri-to-darj-via-mirik-bus-services-564078
Crime, Misc, West Bengal

Man released from jail after 28 years plans to start his life afresh

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PINAK PANI CHOWDHURY, MP, 16 May 2024, BALURGHAT: Gurupada Burman, who spent half his life at a correctional home, has been released after spending 28 years behind bars for murder. 

At 60 years of age, he aims to reintegrate into society by raising ducks and goats, seeking support from the South Dinajpur district administration. The district administration has also assured him of all support in an attempt to rehabilitate him. 
The incident occurred in 1987 during a land dispute in Rainagar village, Balurghat Block, resulting in the tragic deaths of eight family members. 
Four persons were arrested and eventually sentenced to death in 1996, after nine years of legal proceedings. While two were executed and one committed suicide, 
Gurupada’s sentence was commuted to life imprisonment due to positive behaviour in prison. Periodic paroles allowed him to support his family with earnings from prison farming. 
Following the murders, Rainagar villagers vandalised Gurupada’s home, causing his wife and five children to relocate to Shalgram. 
However, based on recommendations from authorities, including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, the review board granted Gurupada full release. 
Reflecting on his wife’s struggles, Gurupada expresses readiness for employment through duck and goat farming. “I will now start a new life with the help of the district administration. 
I will take up animal farming as my livelihood,” Gurupada said. Jayanta Kumar Sur, district administration official, citing comprehensive assessments, plans to provide him with livestock through the Animal Resource Development department. 
“The board released him after considering all aspects. We are considering providing him with livestock,” Sur said. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/man-released-from-jail-after-28-years-plans-to-start-his-life-afresh-564079
Education, Regional, West Bengal

State launches initiative to enrol ‘Out of School Children’

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SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 16 May 2024, Kolkata: The state Education department has directed all district education officers under Samagra Sikha Mission (SSM) to take the initiative for the identification and enrolment of Out of School Children (OoSC) in their respective districts so that they can be brought under the ambit of education. 

A senior official of the School Education department said that a district-wise list of such OoSC will be submitted before the department. 
“There are children of nomadic tribes, children at traffic signals, street children, Railway platforms, working at dhabas, garages, as rag pickers, children of pavement dwellers etcetera, in Kolkata as well as in the districts who have not been enrolled in schools as yet. 
The main aim is to identify these children and accordingly counsel them so that they come under the ambit of school education,” an official said. 
June 30 has been earmarked as the final date for such identification work. The database of OoSC should be uploaded to the portal of the Paschim Banga Samagra Sikska Mission by July 7 and efforts to bring them under the light of education will begin after that. 
The SSM has formed a team in each district and has included para teachers and education employees to carry out such survey work at the earliest. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/state-launches-initiative-to-enrol-out-of-school-children-564109
National, Politics

Modi to hold 6 rallies in Bengal

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MP, 16 May 2024, Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold as many as six rallies in East Midnapore and Jangalmahal on May 19-20. These Lok Sabha seats will go to polls in phase VI on May 25. 

It was learnt that Modi may attend four rallies each at Purulia, Tamluk, Jhargram and Ghatal or Midnapore on May 20, on the day the fifth phase elections will be conducted. 
Elections will be held in Bongaon, Barrackpore, Howrah, Serampore, Hooghly, Uluberia and Arambagh Lok Sabha constituencies on May 20. 
Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold two rallies each one at Bankura and Bishnupur on May 19. 
On the night of May 19, Modi is expected to stay at Raj Bhawan. PM Modi and the Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee addressed voters of the same districts on May 12 during their respective election campaigns for the same constituencies. 
Earlier, both these heavyweight leaders held election rallies on the same day in several places, including Cooch Behar and Burdwan. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/modi-to-hold-6-rallies-in-bengal-564110
Games & Sports, National, Regional, Sikkim

Sheer hard work, passion and professionalism set Chhetri apart from other players: Bhutia

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PTI, New Delhi, May 16, 2023 : Retiring India football captain Sunil Chhetri’s sheer hard work, passion and professionalism made him different from other players of his generation as he went on to become an iconic player, feels his former skipper Bhaichung Bhutia.


The 39-year-old Chhetri on Thursday announced his decision to retire after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 in Kolkata, bringing the curtains down on a glorious career that is unparalleled in Indian football for its longevity and consistency.

“The sheer hard work, passion, dedication and true professionalism, his focus and desire to get better everyday is something which makes him different. As a young boy, he was always willing to learn and do everything possible (to excel),” Bhutia told PTI on Thursday, paying glowing tribute to Chhetri.

“Sunil has done a huge service for Indian football and his contribution is immense. It is a big loss for Indian football. He will go down as one of the greatest players India has ever produced.” Bhutia was already Indian football’s poster-boy and captain by the time Chhetri made his debut in 2005. They formed a great strike partner in the six years they played together in the Indian team, mostly under Englishman Bob Houghton. Chhetri later took over the mantle from Bhutia, who retired in 2011. In fact, Chhetri surpassed almost all the records set by Bhutia.

“We had a great understanding as a strike partner and we enjoyed it. I am honoured to have played along with him,” said the 47-year-old legendary player.

“When I came in, (IM) Vijayan was senior to me and when I was about to retire, Sunil came in. I have been fortunate to have been in between two of them.” Chhetri had in the past admitted Bhutia’s influence in his career, especially during his younger days.

Bhutia said Chhetri was different from others and he knew it from the time the youngster first joined the iconic club Mohun Bagan in 2002.

“From the day one he came to Kolkata as a professional, I was there in Mohun Bagan. As we are from the hills, we have always developed a relationship on and off the field,” said the ‘Sikkimese Sniper’.

“He (Sunil) did not lose track and focus. There were a lot of players who were with him and who came to Mohun Bagan at that time but many of them lost way. But Sunil was different.” 
Crime, National, Northeast

Inter-state prostitution racket busted in Arunachal, five govt officers including a DSP and a Dy director of health among 21 held

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Police said that with this, so far five minors have been rescued and 21 accused arrested in the inter-state prostitution racket involving human traffickers from the state and neighbouring Assam.

PTI, Itanagar, 16 May 2024  : The Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested 21 people, including government officers, for their alleged involvement in an inter-state prostitution racket, and rescued five minors in the age group of 10-15 years, officials said on Wednesday.
The arrested government officers include a deputy superintendent of police and a deputy director of health services, they said.
The minors were being trafficked to the state from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two women (sisters) who run a beauty parlour in Itanagar, Capital Superintendent of Police (SP) Rohit Rajbir Singh said.
Based on inputs that a prostitution ring involving minor girls is active at Chimpu, near here, the capital police team conducted a raid at the alleged brothel cum residence of two women on May 4 and rescued two minor girls.
The minor girls revealed that they had been brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji, by two sisters, the SP said.
After being trafficked to Itanagar they were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with the two other ladies, the SP said.
The child welfare committee (CWC) was informed and based-on the complaint of the minor girls, a case was registered at the Itanagar women police station and an investigation was initiated.
Consequently, it was learned that two more minor girls trafficked from Dhemaji were in the custody of a woman and were later rescued.
All the women were arrested and they are currently in police custody, while the rescued minor girls are at shelter homes where they are receiving further medical and mental health care, he said.
Police during investigation, arrested six more accused persons, including three pimps and three sexual assailants and recovered one more minor girl from a lodge at Zoo Road at Chimpu, near here on May 11 last, the SP said.
The police team also learned that the accused persons have also trafficked one more minor girl, and the said girl is also a victim child sex trafficking ring. Accordingly, a raid was conducted at a hotel following which the accused persons were arrested.
  
As many as 10 people involved in the prostitution racket have been arrested, while 11 customers, including five government officers, were arrested, Mr Singh added.


Mid Day, Itanagar, 16 May, 2024: As inter-state prostitution racket continues to haunt Arunachal Pradesh, six more accused, including a state police official and three pimps, have been arrested and one more minor girl rescued from the clutches of the traffickers, police said on Wednesday. Police said that with this, so far five minors have been rescued and 21 accused arrested in the inter-state prostitution racket involving human traffickers from the state and neighbouring Assam.

A police official said that after interrogating the earlier 15 detainees, six more persons, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Bulang Marik, posted with the first battalion of Arunachal Armed Police, a police constable, three pimps, and one more were arrested on Tuesday. The fifth minor girl (15 years old) was rescued from a lodge at Zoo Road in Chimpu.

As part of the ongoing probe, the police identified a couple — Dulal Basumatary, 52, and Dipali Basumatary, 44 — who run the City Hotel at Zoo Road in Itanagar, along with its manager Deepak Parajuli, 24, who had pushed minor girls into the flesh trade. The Basumatarys are residents of Udalguri and Parajuli hails from Assam’s Narayanpur.

Police, on May 1, busted the inter-state prostitution and human trafficking racket, rescued four minors, and arrested 15 persons, including six government servants, in connection with the case. According to police, the minor girls, aged 10 to 15 years, were trafficked into Arunachal Pradesh from Dhemaji in neighbouring Assam by two sisters, who allegedly ran a brothel in Itanagar.

The rescued girls told the police that they were brought to Itanagar from Dhemaji by the sisters, identified as Pushpanjali and Purnima Mili. Subsequently, two more minor girls trafficked from Dhemaji were rescued from the clutches of Pushpanjali Mili. The girls were forced into prostitution by the sisters along with two other women. The police also identified two hotels and a beauty parlour involved in the crime.

Arunachal Pradesh Women Commission Chairperson Kenjum Pakam urged the state government to take stern action against those involved in the child trafficking and sexual exploitation racket. The Commission, in a statement, said that it was deeply shocked and anguished by the heinous crime of sex trafficking of minor girls from the neighbouring state. It is also shameful to know that women and learned persons are involved in the case, it said.

It urged the police to keep vigil on hotels, parlours, or any other suspicious places in and around the Itanagar Capital Region so that no immoral activities take place. The Apatani Women Association Ziro (AWAZ) in the Lower Subansiri district has strongly condemned the racket, while the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) has demanded the cancellation of the licence of hotels and beauty parlours involved in the case.

In a petition to Itanagar Capital Region Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta, it said that the gravity of the situation necessitates immediate and decisive action to address the root causes and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable girls from poor families. APWWS President Kani Nada Maling said: “The fast action would serve as a deterrent and indicate the zero-tolerance policy of the state government towards such reprehensible practices.” The NGO said that as part of the stringent measures, all the guests must produce valid ID cards, and a daily guest list must be submitted to the local administration and the police for thorough scrutiny and verification. 
Misc, Regional, West Bengal

12 killed in lightning strikes in West Bengal’s Malda district

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Agencies & PTI, MAY 16, 2024: At least 12 people were killed on 16 May in lightning strike in different places across Malda district of West Bengal, a government official said to news agency PTI. The district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased, he said. A number of injured people are being treated at various hospitals.


Malda SP Pradip Kumar Yadav says, Twelve persons have lost their lives in the (lightning) incident but the cause of their death will confirmed after post-mortem, as reported by news agency ANI. Following the guidelines of MCC and after discussing with the concerned authorities, the administration will provide Rs 2 lakh each as compensation and Rs 2000 for last rites, said DM Nitin Singhania.

Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in a post on X wrote, “My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones in Malda due to the tragic lightning strikes. I extend my deepest condolences to them during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and I pray for their swift recovery. Our district administration is working tirelessly to provide all necessary support to the affected. We will do everything in our capacity to assist those in need”.

Three persons Chandan Sahani (40), Raj Mriddha (16) and Manajit Mandal (21) were killed in Malda’s Sahapur area, while another person identified as Asit Saha (19) died in Gajol after he was struck by lightning while working in a mango orchard, he said.

Eight-year-old Rana Sheikh in Manickchak’s Mohammed Tola and a couple, Nayan Roy (23) and Priyanka Singha (20) of Harishchandrapur, also lost their lives due to lightning, the official added. Eight-year-old Rana Sheikh in Manickchak’s Mohammed Tola and a couple, Nayan Roy (23) and Priyanka Singha (20) of Harishchandrapur, also lost their lives due to lightning, the official added.

In Haddatola, lightning killed Atul Mandal (65) and Sheikh Sabrul (11) while Sumitra Mandal (45) lost her life in Mirdadpur, he said. In Englishbazar’s Milki, a man identified as Pankaj Mandal (23) was killed. In Englishbazar’s Milki, a man identified as Pankaj Mandal (23) was killed.”,
PTI, Malda, May 16, 2024 :  At least 11 people were killed and two others injured in lightning strikes at various places across West Bengal’s Malda district on Thursday, police said.
    
Two among the deceased were minors, both residents of Manikchak police station area, while three hailed from Sahapur under the jurisdiction of Malda police station, police added.

Two others were from Adina under Gajol police station and Balupur under Ratua police station. A couple died in Harishchandrapur when they were working in the fields. The rest were residents of Englishbazar and Manikchak police station areas.
National, Politics, West Bengal

We are and will be part of INDIA bloc at national level, asserts Mamata

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While addressing an election rally at Tamluk, Banerjee said that the TMC is not in alliance with the CPI(M) and the Congress in West Bengal

PTI, Tamluk/ Egra, May 16 2024 : A day after announcing that he would extend outside support to the opposition front INDIA after it comes to power, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she is very much part of the anti-BJP alliance at the national level and would form the next government with it.
While addressing an election rally at Tamluk, Banerjee said that the TMC is not in alliance with the CPI(M) and the Congress in West Bengal.
“At all India level, some people have misunderstood my statement yesterday. I am very much part of the INDIA alliance. The INDIA alliance was my brainchild. We are together at the national level and will continue to be together. INDIA bloc was brought together by me. We will form a government with that alliance and we are a part of it,” she said.
Banerjee alleged that the West Bengal units of both CPI(M) and Congress, who are part of the INDIA alliance, have joined hands and helped the BJP in the state.
“Do not count on the CPI(M) and the Congress in Bengal. They are not with us, they are with the BJP here. I am talking about that (INDIA bloc) in Delhi,” she said.
The TMC boss urged the people not to vote for anyone other than TMC candidates in Bengal.
Banerjee on Wednesday said her party will extend support to the opposition INDIA bloc from outside to form the government at the Centre.
Expressing scepticism about the BJP’s ambitious target of achieving 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, she said people will reject them.
“The entire country has understood that the BJP is a party full of thieves. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre. We will extend our support so that in Bengal, our mothers and sisters never face a problem… and those who work in the 100 days’ job scheme, also do not face problems,” Banerjee had said.
The TMC had walked out of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal in January but asserted that she would continue to be part of the opposition bloc at the national level.
The TMC supremo was addressing a rally in Tamluk, under which comes the Nandigram assembly constituency from where she had lost to the BJP in the 2021 state polls.
On Thursday, she vowed to avenge the defeat as she asserted that the poll results didn’t reflect the people’s mandate.
“As far as Nandigram is concerned, I have said it before, I was betrayed. There was rigging and votes were looted. The mandate was stolen by the BJP through unscrupulous means. They disconnect the power supply at the counting centre. I had moved court against it. But either today or tomorrow I will avenge my defeat. I will avenge this injustice,” she said.
The anti-land acquisition movement in Nandigram in 2007 against the then Left Front government was instrumental in the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress’ rise to power in 2011 in Bengal.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Banerjee by 1,956 votes in Nandigram in the 2021 assembly polls.
Vowing not to allow the implementation of CAA and NRC in the state, she said, “If people do not want divisive CAA-NRC or UCC that will erase our diversity, they must vote against the BJP.”
“The BJP must be voted out of power. When the INDIA government comes to power, we will abolish CAA, NRC, and UCC. The BJP knows that as long as I am here, I will not allow CAA-NRC in Bengal,” she said.