Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging repeated surveillance outside his Kolkata residence-cum-office, an attack on the premises and a possible attempt to forcibly seize documents and affidavits prepared for an ongoing dispute case before the poll panel.&nbsp;In a representation dated November 12, submitted by his advocate Arka Kumar Nag, Banerjee has sought urgent intervention by the Election Commission, citing concerns over his personal security and the protection of documents relating to Dispute Case No. 1 of 2026.&nbsp;The representation comes hours after government authorities arrived at Banerjee's residence at 121, Kalighat Road, Kolkata, and demolished a police-installed security gate outside the premises on Thursday morning. Illegal structures and temporary security sheds outside the TMC leader's residence were also demolished.&nbsp;The advocate has specifically flagged the demolition of the security gate, arguing that the action has heightened concerns over the safety of Banerjee and the documents connected with the pending proceedings.&nbsp;According to the representation, a group of people allegedly attacked Banerjee's residence-cum-office on the intervening night of November 6 and 7. The letter claims the incident may not have been isolated and alleges that the objective was to forcibly obtain or remove documents, records and affidavits prepared by the TMC for submission before the Election Commission.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jensen-saga-fallout-chinese-ai-firms-rush-to-secure-nvidia-chip-capacity-beijing-says-spy-claims-to-justify-us-tech-blockade-1794471798610">Jensen saga fallout: Chinese AI firms rush to secure Nvidia chip capacity; Beijing says spy claims to justify US tech blockade</a>&nbsp;It further alleges that unidentified individuals were seen conducting surveillance outside the premises and taking photographs using police vehicles shortly before the incident. Similar surveillance and reconnaissance activities were allegedly noticed again on November 10 and 11.&nbsp;The letter expresses apprehension that individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allegedly with the assistance or connivance of certain police personnel, could attempt another intrusion or attack to seize, remove or destroy the documents.&nbsp;"My client entertains a genuine and reasonable apprehension of further attacks upon his residence-cum-office and attempts to forcibly seize or interfere with documents and affidavits pertaining to the pending proceedings," the advocate stated in the representation.&nbsp;The dispute assumes significance in the context of Dispute Case No. 1 of 2026 pending before the Election Commission. The TMC has raised concerns that any intimidation or interference with the preparation, preservation and submission of evidence could affect its ability to participate effectively in the proceedings.&nbsp;The advocate has urged the Commission to formally take note of the alleged November 6–7 attack, subsequent surveillance and the November 12 demolition. He has also sought appropriate directions to ensure that no person or authority obstructs the preparation, preservation or submission of documents and affidavits.&nbsp;The representation was emailed to the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners on Thursday. Copies were also marked to TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer and the Kolkata Police Commissioner.&nbsp;The advocate has included links to videos posted on social media by Abhishek Banerjee and the TMC, claiming that footage of the alleged surveillance and incidents is available as supporting material.&nbsp;The representation does not establish who was behind the alleged attack or surveillance. The allegations against BJP-linked individuals and sections of the police remain claims made on Banerjee's behalf. No response from the BJP has been out so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;BJP leader and West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul defended the demolition, saying that rules apply equally to everyone and that illegal constructions outside Banerjee's residence would be removed. "Does Abhishek get special treatment? Even our Chief Minister does not get special treatment," she said, accusing the TMC leader of trying to gain public sympathy. She also hit back at the TMC's allegations of vendetta politics, asking what the party had done for the people of Bengal and alleging that its leaders had indulged in corruption.

Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Election Commission seeking urgent intervention over alleged surveillance and an attack on his Kolkata residence, claiming the demolition of a security gate has heightened concerns over his safety and documents linked to a pending dispute case.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging repeated surveillance outside his Kolkata residence-cum-office, an attack on the premises and a possible attempt to forcibly seize documents and affidavits prepared for an ongoing dispute case before the poll panel. In a representation dated November 12, submitted by his advocate Arka Kumar Nag, Banerjee has sought urgent intervention by the Election Commission, citing concerns over his personal security and the protection of documents relating to Dispute Case No. 1 of 2026. The representation comes hours after government authorities arrived at Banerjee's residence at 121, Kalighat Road, Kolkata, and demolished a police-installed security gate outside the premises on Thursday morning. Illegal structures and temporary security sheds outside the TMC leader's residence were also demolished. The advocate has specifically flagged the demolition of the security gate, arguing that the action has heightened concerns over the safety of Banerjee and the documents connected with the pending proceedings. According to the representation, a group of people allegedly attacked Banerjee's residence-cum-office on the intervening night of November 6 and 7. The letter claims the incident may not have been isolated and alleges that the objective was to forcibly obtain or remove documents, records and affidavits prepared by the TMC for submission before the Election Commission. Also Read: Jensen saga fallout: Chinese AI firms rush to secure Nvidia chip capacity; Beijing says spy claims to justify US tech blockade It further alleges that unidentified individuals were seen conducting surveillance outside the premises and taking photographs using police vehicles shortly before the incident. Similar surveillance and reconnaissance activities were allegedly noticed again on November 10 and 11. The letter expresses apprehension that individuals associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), allegedly with the assistance or connivance of certain police personnel, could attempt another intrusion or attack to seize, remove or destroy the documents. "My client entertains a genuine and reasonable apprehension of further attacks upon his residence-cum-office and attempts to forcibly seize or interfere with documents and affidavits pertaining to the pending proceedings," the advocate stated in the representation. The dispute assumes significance in the context of Dispute Case No. 1 of 2026 pending before the Election Commission. The TMC has raised concerns that any intimidation or interference with the preparation, preservation and submission of evidence could affect its ability to participate effectively in the proceedings. The advocate has urged the Commission to formally take note of the alleged November 6–7 attack, subsequent surveillance and the November 12 demolition. He has also sought appropriate directions to ensure that no person or authority obstructs the preparation, preservation or submission of documents and affidavits. The representation was emailed to the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners on Thursday. Copies were also marked to TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. The advocate has included links to videos posted on social media by Abhishek Banerjee and the TMC, claiming that footage of the alleged surveillance and incidents is available as supporting material. The representation does not establish who was behind the alleged attack or surveillance. The allegations against BJP-linked individuals and sections of the police remain claims made on Banerjee's behalf. No response from the BJP has been out so far. BJP leader and West Bengal Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul defended the demolition, saying that rules apply equally to everyone and that illegal constructions outside Banerjee's residence would be removed. "Does Abhishek get special treatment? Even our Chief Minister does not get special treatment," she said, accusing the TMC leader of trying to gain public sympathy. She also hit back at the TMC's allegations of vendetta politics, asking what the party had done for the people of Bengal and alleging that its leaders had indulged in corruption.

Abhishek Banerjee has approached the Election Commission seeking urgent intervention over alleged surveillance and an attack on his Kolkata residence, claiming the demolition of a security gate has heightened concerns over his safety and documents linked to a pending dispute case.

Abhishek Banerjee moves EC over alleged surveillance, security threat; flags demolition of gate outside Kolkata home

Kolkata: While much of India lit lamps for Diwali, West Bengal worshipped Kali, the fierce goddess of time and destruction. Kali Puja is generally held a day ahead of Diwali. This year it fell on Sunday, November 8. The day after, two villages turned the traditional immersion into something else entirely.&nbsp;<h2>The race</h2>&nbsp;In Malatipur, a village in Malda's Chanchal sub-division, eight Kali idols are hoisted onto shoulders and carried through the streets amid chants, blowing of conch shells and drumbeats. The route ends at a pond near the ancient Kalibari. At the Durga Mandir ground, the idols circle the field like racers for around two hours. The ritual is called Kali Dour, or Kali race.&nbsp;Locals credit Rai Bahadur Sarat Chandra, king of Chanchal, with starting it. The reason was practical. The village had a single pond for all idols, so the king turned immersion into a competition to manage the crowd. Age estimates range from over 300 years to nearly 350. Social media has since made it a draw. Visitors now come from Kolkata and beyond.&nbsp;<h2>The dance</h2>&nbsp;In Shantipur, in Nadia district, the goddess takes the form of Bamakali. Her left foot rests on Shiva's chest, and "Bama" means left, linked to her Tantric form. On the way to the river, the idol dances on devotees' shoulders. Local belief holds that when the procession passes a shrine of a goddess seen as her friend, Bamakali is made to dance facing that deity. This year, a large crowd gathered at Bejpara grounds on November 9 to watch. The videos are going viral on social media now.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Why it matters&nbsp;Both rituals survive on community effort. The idols are carried by hand, and the event depends on hundreds of shoulders and thousands of onlookers. Origins and ages are also disputed, a reminder that much of folk tradition rests on oral history. Shantipur's dance is described as 500 years old, yet the present idol tradition dates to 1969.&nbsp;In Bengal, even a goddess associated with destruction is seen off with music and dancing.

In Malatipur, a village in Malda's Chanchal sub-division, eight Kali idols are hoisted onto shoulders and carried through the streets amid chants and drumbeats. The route ends at a pond near the ancient Kalibari. At the Durga Mandir ground, the idols circle the field like racers.

Kolkata: While much of India lit lamps for Diwali, West Bengal worshipped Kali, the fierce goddess of time and destruction. Kali Puja is generally held a day ahead of Diwali. This year it fell on Sunday, November 8. The day after, two villages turned the traditional immersion into something else entirely. The race In Malatipur, a village in Malda's Chanchal sub-division, eight Kali idols are hoisted onto shoulders and carried through the streets amid chants, blowing of conch shells and drumbeats. The route ends at a pond near the ancient Kalibari. At the Durga Mandir ground, the idols circle the field like racers for around two hours. The ritual is called Kali Dour, or Kali race. Locals credit Rai Bahadur Sarat Chandra, king of Chanchal, with starting it. The reason was practical. The village had a single pond for all idols, so the king turned immersion into a competition to manage the crowd. Age estimates range from over 300 years to nearly 350. Social media has since made it a draw. Visitors now come from Kolkata and beyond. The dance In Shantipur, in Nadia district, the goddess takes the form of Bamakali. Her left foot rests on Shiva's chest, and "Bama" means left, linked to her Tantric form. On the way to the river, the idol dances on devotees' shoulders. Local belief holds that when the procession passes a shrine of a goddess seen as her friend, Bamakali is made to dance facing that deity. This year, a large crowd gathered at Bejpara grounds on November 9 to watch. The videos are going viral on social media now. Why it matters Both rituals survive on community effort. The idols are carried by hand, and the event depends on hundreds of shoulders and thousands of onlookers. Origins and ages are also disputed, a reminder that much of folk tradition rests on oral history. Shantipur's dance is described as 500 years old, yet the present idol tradition dates to 1969. In Bengal, even a goddess associated with destruction is seen off with music and dancing.

In Malatipur, a village in Malda's Chanchal sub-division, eight Kali idols are hoisted onto shoulders and carried through the streets amid chants and drumbeats. The route ends at a pond near the ancient Kalibari. At the Durga Mandir ground, the idols circle the field like racers.

In Bengal, goddess Kali doesn’t just get a farewell. She races and dances; videos go viral

On Tuesday morning, police walked the two women accused in the killing of software engineer Sarthak Sarkar back into the rented flat where he died, hoping the room itself would settle what the suspects' words have not.Sanchalika Basu, 22, Sarkar's live-in partner, and her mother, Moumita Basu, were taken to the Fartabad apartment in Garia as officers reconstructed the events of Saturday night. A forensic team collected samples from several parts of the flat. The aim is to establish how Sarkar received the fatal wound, and what part, if any, Moumita played.So far, the answers have been slippery. Police say the mother and daughter have contradicted themselves in custody. Sanchalika told investigators at one stage that Sarkar injured his own throat with a pair of scissors. At another, she said she could not remember what happened during the argument. Officers are checking whether scissors were involved at all, and are also examining a thin, pointed object, possibly a chopstick.<h2>A quarrel that turned deadly</h2>According to police, the couple had been fighting for some time over suspicions of infidelity. On Saturday night, with drinks poured, the argument flared again, with each accusing the other of seeing multiple partners. Investigators suspect it turned violent, leaving Sarkar fatally wounded. How it unfolded, and who did what, remains unclear.<h2>The screams that woke the lane</h2>Around 1.30 am, neighbours say, a woman ran out of the building crying for help. Resident Sayan Pal said she bore scratch marks on her neck, and that those who rushed in found "a young man lying in a pool of blood" on the bed. Others in the building said they had heard a fierce argument and loud noises moments earlier.Sarkar, a resident of Barasat in North 24 Parganas, was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The two women, who lived with him, were later arrested.The couple kept largely to themselves. "We were shocked to learn about the incident in the morning," said neighbour Arkojeet Basu.Police say the motive and the mother's exact role remain under investigation. The forensic samples, the accused's statements and the findings from the reconstruction are expected to help piece together what happened. &nbsp;

Forensic teams combed the Fartabad apartment with both arrested women in tow, but investigators are still unsure what weapon killed 25-year-old Sarthak Sarkar, or whose hand used it.

On Tuesday morning, police walked the two women accused in the killing of software engineer Sarthak Sarkar back into the rented flat where he died, hoping the room itself would settle what the suspects' words have not. Sanchalika Basu, 22, Sarkar's live-in partner, and her mother, Moumita Basu, were taken to the Fartabad apartment in Garia as officers reconstructed the events of Saturday night. A forensic team collected samples from several parts of the flat. The aim is to establish how Sarkar received the fatal wound, and what part, if any, Moumita played. So far, the answers have been slippery. Police say the mother and daughter have contradicted themselves in custody. Sanchalika told investigators at one stage that Sarkar injured his own throat with a pair of scissors. At another, she said she could not remember what happened during the argument. Officers are checking whether scissors were involved at all, and are also examining a thin, pointed object, possibly a chopstick. A quarrel that turned deadly According to police, the couple had been fighting for some time over suspicions of infidelity. On Saturday night, with drinks poured, the argument flared again, with each accusing the other of seeing multiple partners. Investigators suspect it turned violent, leaving Sarkar fatally wounded. How it unfolded, and who did what, remains unclear. The screams that woke the lane Around 1.30 am, neighbours say, a woman ran out of the building crying for help. Resident Sayan Pal said she bore scratch marks on her neck, and that those who rushed in found "a young man lying in a pool of blood" on the bed. Others in the building said they had heard a fierce argument and loud noises moments earlier. Sarkar, a resident of Barasat in North 24 Parganas, was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The two women, who lived with him, were later arrested. The couple kept largely to themselves. "We were shocked to learn about the incident in the morning," said neighbour Arkojeet Basu. Police say the motive and the mother's exact role remain under investigation. The forensic samples, the accused's statements and the findings from the reconstruction are expected to help piece together what happened.

Forensic teams combed the Fartabad apartment with both arrested women in tow, but investigators are still unsure what weapon killed 25-year-old Sarthak Sarkar, or whose hand used it.

Garia murder: Police retrace the fatal night inside the flat as the accused offer conflicting stories

It took decades of debate, a pile of paperwork and a trip across continents, but on Monday, 39 ancestors of the Naga people were finally handed back by one of the world's most famous universities.Around thirty representatives from Nagaland, a hilly state in India's far north-east, travelled to the Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford to receive the remains, most of them skulls. A formal agreement between the museum and Naga leaders was signed at the ceremony.<h2>‘A historic moment’</h2>Museum director Laura Van Broekhoven said the day would become a story told to future generations. She admitted the road to this point had been far from smooth, saying the return had to get past a great deal of bureaucratic obstruction.For the Naga, the aim is simple: dignity. Community leaders say the remains will be given a "respectful rest". Plans are in place to lay them under a shared memorial in a park in Nagaland.<h2>From display case to decolonisation</h2>For decades, the remains sat in public view at the museum. In 2020 they were removed from display as part of what the institution called a decolonisation process.The Pitt Rivers holds more than 6,000 objects linked to Naga culture, thought to be the biggest collection of its kind anywhere. Most arrived during British rule in India and neighbouring Myanmar, then known as Burma. Of these, 219 items are listed as human remains, added between 1910 and 1940 and gathered largely by two colonial administrators who doubled as anthropologists.The museum itself acknowledges that items collected in this period were often seized during punitive military expeditions rather than willingly given.<h2>Doubts over how they were taken</h2>Thejao Vihienuo, one of the Naga leaders present, told AFP that the circumstances of the removals raise uncomfortable questions. He said it was hard to believe anyone would voluntarily hand over the skull of a father or grandfather as a present.Anthropologists note that the Naga once practised head-hunting, taking the heads of enemies as trophies, but also kept the skulls of their own chiefs at the heart of villages, a sign of honour and remembrance.During their trip, the delegation also met descendants of one of the anthropologists who collected the remains, an encounter that added a very human dimension to a story about history and ownership.<h2>Not the first, but a significant one</h2>Founded in the 19th century, the museum has previously returned human remains to indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. This latest handover covers only the 39 ancestral remains. It follows a Naga delegation's visit to Oxford in 2025, when the community formally requested their return, and the museum's announcement in September that they would go home.The remaining Naga objects stay in Oxford, but for these 39 individuals, the journey home has finally begun.

For the Naga, the aim is simple: dignity. Community leaders say the remains will be given a "respectful rest". Plans are in place to lay them under a shared memorial in a park in Nagaland.

It took decades of debate, a pile of paperwork and a trip across continents, but on Monday, 39 ancestors of the Naga people were finally handed back by one of the world's most famous universities. Around thirty representatives from Nagaland, a hilly state in India's far north-east, travelled to the Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford to receive the remains, most of them skulls. A formal agreement between the museum and Naga leaders was signed at the ceremony. ‘A historic moment’ Museum director Laura Van Broekhoven said the day would become a story told to future generations. She admitted the road to this point had been far from smooth, saying the return had to get past a great deal of bureaucratic obstruction. For the Naga, the aim is simple: dignity. Community leaders say the remains will be given a "respectful rest". Plans are in place to lay them under a shared memorial in a park in Nagaland. From display case to decolonisation For decades, the remains sat in public view at the museum. In 2020 they were removed from display as part of what the institution called a decolonisation process. The Pitt Rivers holds more than 6,000 objects linked to Naga culture, thought to be the biggest collection of its kind anywhere. Most arrived during British rule in India and neighbouring Myanmar, then known as Burma. Of these, 219 items are listed as human remains, added between 1910 and 1940 and gathered largely by two colonial administrators who doubled as anthropologists. The museum itself acknowledges that items collected in this period were often seized during punitive military expeditions rather than willingly given. Doubts over how they were taken Thejao Vihienuo, one of the Naga leaders present, told AFP that the circumstances of the removals raise uncomfortable questions. He said it was hard to believe anyone would voluntarily hand over the skull of a father or grandfather as a present. Anthropologists note that the Naga once practised head-hunting, taking the heads of enemies as trophies, but also kept the skulls of their own chiefs at the heart of villages, a sign of honour and remembrance. During their trip, the delegation also met descendants of one of the anthropologists who collected the remains, an encounter that added a very human dimension to a story about history and ownership. Not the first, but a significant one Founded in the 19th century, the museum has previously returned human remains to indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. This latest handover covers only the 39 ancestral remains. It follows a Naga delegation's visit to Oxford in 2025, when the community formally requested their return, and the museum's announcement in September that they would go home. The remaining Naga objects stay in Oxford, but for these 39 individuals, the journey home has finally begun.

For the Naga, the aim is simple: dignity. Community leaders say the remains will be given a "respectful rest". Plans are in place to lay them under a shared memorial in a park in Nagaland.

After a century in England, 39 Naga ancestral remains finally return home

By Tuesday afternoon, Bangladesh had endured a day of fire, gunfire and fear: a bus driver was dead after his vehicle was set ablaze, a student leader lay wounded by gunshots, and offices of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami had been vandalised, some torched, as a nationwide shutdown called by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League, spiraled into crude bomb blasts, road blockades and street clashes with police. And as the country stayed on high alert, the prime minister left for a three-day visit to Turkey to attend COP 31 climate conference.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shutdown call has been linked to the escalating political confrontation involving the banned Awami League and its affiliates. The group has called for a nationwide strike seeking to disrupt normal activities, with educational institutions, transport, offices and shops among the targets of the shutdown call. The violence started overnight. In Faridpur, a 60-year-old bus driver, Kalachan Sheikh, died of suffocation after unidentified attackers set fire to a parked bus at around 1.30 am while he was sleeping inside. Vehicles were also torched in Savar, Dhamrai, Gazipur and Chattogram.&nbsp; More than 50 crude bomb explosions and at least eight bus fires have been reported in Dhaka over the past few days. Explosions have been reported near police facilities, court premises, Dhaka University and major roads, prompting security agencies to step up patrols, checkpoints and surveillance.&nbsp; The violence also spread to Gopalganj, a political stronghold of the Awami League. In Tungipara, clashes broke out after police attempted to stop a procession organised by the banned Chhatra League in support of the shutdown. Activists allegedly set tyres on fire and blocked roads. A police vehicle was torched during the confrontation, and additional security personnel were deployed. Local sources say that a Chhatra League activist was injured in police firing, with gunshots heard in the area.&nbsp; In another incident, a BNP ward office in Khagrachhari's Guimara was allegedly set on fire on Tuesday. Police detained six people suspected of links to the Awami League and Chhatra League. Earlier on Tuesday, Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League activists blocked the south toll plaza of the Padma Bridge in Shariatpur's Jajira. Crude bombs were allegedly detonated and vehicles vandalised, disrupting toll operations for nearly an hour before police dispersed the protesters. Traffic subsequently resumed.&nbsp; The unrest comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of November 13, when a verdict is scheduled in a crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two other accused over atrocities during the July 2024 uprising. The Awami League has also announced a Dhaka lockdown programme for November 13. The banned Bangladesh Chhatra League is demanding withdrawal of the ban on the Awami League and the Chhatra League, reversal of the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict against Sheikh Hasina, and withdrawal of cases against party leaders and activists, among eight points it says are aimed at restoring democracy and students' rights.

Bangladesh shutdown sparks violent clashes, crude bomb blasts, bus fires and political unrest ahead of Sheikh Hasina's November 13 crimes against humanity verdict

By Tuesday afternoon, Bangladesh had endured a day of fire, gunfire and fear: a bus driver was dead after his vehicle was set ablaze, a student leader lay wounded by gunshots, and offices of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami had been vandalised, some torched, as a nationwide shutdown called by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League, spiraled into crude bomb blasts, road blockades and street clashes with police. And as the country stayed on high alert, the prime minister left for a three-day visit to Turkey to attend COP 31 climate conference. The shutdown call has been linked to the escalating political confrontation involving the banned Awami League and its affiliates. The group has called for a nationwide strike seeking to disrupt normal activities, with educational institutions, transport, offices and shops among the targets of the shutdown call. The violence started overnight. In Faridpur, a 60-year-old bus driver, Kalachan Sheikh, died of suffocation after unidentified attackers set fire to a parked bus at around 1.30 am while he was sleeping inside. Vehicles were also torched in Savar, Dhamrai, Gazipur and Chattogram. More than 50 crude bomb explosions and at least eight bus fires have been reported in Dhaka over the past few days. Explosions have been reported near police facilities, court premises, Dhaka University and major roads, prompting security agencies to step up patrols, checkpoints and surveillance. The violence also spread to Gopalganj, a political stronghold of the Awami League. In Tungipara, clashes broke out after police attempted to stop a procession organised by the banned Chhatra League in support of the shutdown. Activists allegedly set tyres on fire and blocked roads. A police vehicle was torched during the confrontation, and additional security personnel were deployed. Local sources say that a Chhatra League activist was injured in police firing, with gunshots heard in the area. In another incident, a BNP ward office in Khagrachhari's Guimara was allegedly set on fire on Tuesday. Police detained six people suspected of links to the Awami League and Chhatra League. Earlier on Tuesday, Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League activists blocked the south toll plaza of the Padma Bridge in Shariatpur's Jajira. Crude bombs were allegedly detonated and vehicles vandalised, disrupting toll operations for nearly an hour before police dispersed the protesters. Traffic subsequently resumed. The unrest comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of November 13, when a verdict is scheduled in a crimes against humanity case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two other accused over atrocities during the July 2024 uprising. The Awami League has also announced a Dhaka lockdown programme for November 13. The banned Bangladesh Chhatra League is demanding withdrawal of the ban on the Awami League and the Chhatra League, reversal of the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict against Sheikh Hasina, and withdrawal of cases against party leaders and activists, among eight points it says are aimed at restoring democracy and students' rights.

Bangladesh faces nationwide shutdown violence, bus fires, bomb blasts and political clashes ahead of Sheikh Hasina's November 13 verdict

Bangladesh shutdown turns violent: Bus fires, crude bomb blasts and clashes rock country

Bangladesh is bracing for a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday (November 10), called by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, amid a spate of crude bomb explosions and arson attacks targeting public transport, police establishments and government infrastructure.&nbsp;More than 50 crude bomb explosions and at least eight buses being set on fire have been reported in Dhaka over the past few days. The escalating incidents have triggered security concerns ahead of the shutdown, with authorities stepping up surveillance and police deployment across the capital.The latest incidents were reported on Sunday, when multiple explosions were heard at Dhaka University, including near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), the university's administrative building, the Vice-Chancellor's Chattar and the Mukti-Ganatantra Toron. Explosions were also reported outside the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Malibagh.&nbsp;Other locations targeted in recent days include police establishments in Adabor, Jatrabari and Pallabi, the Bangladesh Ansar headquarters in Khilgaon, and the Setu Bhaban in Banani. At least one unexploded crude bomb was also recovered near the Setu Bhaban.&nbsp;According to police accounts reported by local media, several attackers arrived on motorcycles, hurled crude bombs and fled. CCTV footage is being examined to identify those involved. Some people have been detained or arrested in connection with individual incidents, although investigators are yet to publicly establish whether all the attacks are linked or identify a common chain of command.<h3>What is behind the November 10 shutdown?</h3>In its nationwide shutdown call, the Bangladesh Chhatra League has put forward an eight-point set of demands, invoking what it describes as the restoration of democracy, political freedoms and students' rights. Among its principal demands are the withdrawal of the ban on the Awami League and the Chhatra League, the reversal of the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict against Sheikh Hasina, withdrawal of cases against party leaders and activists, and the release of political detainees. The organisation has also demanded the restoration of educational rights for students, including reinstatement of expelled students, academic certificates and access to examinations and residential facilities.&nbsp;Its other demands include reducing the prices of essential commodities, electricity, gas and fuel; fixing a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 for garment workers; ending political discrimination in government recruitment; allocating six per cent of GDP to education; and ensuring that educational institutions remain free of violence and communalism.&nbsp;The shutdown announcement calls for the closure of educational institutions, public transport, including buses, trucks, trains and launches, shops, factories, government and private offices, banks and courts. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire services, as well as media organisations, have been exempted, according to the announcement.<h3>Government warns of action as attacks intensify</h3>Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday warned that those responsible for the explosions and arson attacks would face strict legal action.Speaking to journalists outside the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka, Ahmed said authorities had noticed attempts by what he described as "fallen forces" to create instability through attacks on buses and other establishments.&nbsp;"Whoever does it, they are all miscreants," he said, adding that police would take action against those involved. Asked about the shutdown called by the banned Chhatra League, the Home Minister initially questioned who had called it before saying the matter would be looked into.&nbsp;Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Md Akhtar Hossain said police were investigating each incident and had already arrested several people, including members of banned organisations and their affiliated groups. He said intelligence surveillance had been intensified, with additional mobile patrols and police pickets deployed. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage and monitoring the purchase and sale of inflammable substances to identify possible links to the attacks.<h3>Why the Chhatra League remains banned</h3>The shutdown comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh's dramatic political transition following the July-August 2024 student uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule. The Bangladesh Chhatra League was banned by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on October 23, 2024, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. The government cited allegations of violence, torture, murder and attacks on student protesters during Hasina's tenure.&nbsp;The Awami League subsequently faced a ban on its political activities in May 2025, and the restrictions remain in place under the BNP government that took office following the February 2026 general election. The Chhatra League's latest shutdown call therefore comes from an organisation that is legally prohibited from carrying out its activities. The immediate challenge for the authorities is to prevent further violence and ensure that public transport, educational institutions and essential services can function without disruption on Tuesday. With multiple explosions and vehicle arson incidents already reported, security agencies are on alert. Whether the shutdown call translates into widespread disruption across Bangladesh remains to be seen.

Bangladesh is on alert ahead of a nationwide shutdown called by the banned Chhatra League on November 10. The call comes amid more than 50 crude bomb explosions and at least eight bus arson incidents in Dhaka, prompting heightened security and police investigations.

Bangladesh is bracing for a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday (November 10), called by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, amid a spate of crude bomb explosions and arson attacks targeting public transport, police establishments and government infrastructure. More than 50 crude bomb explosions and at least eight buses being set on fire have been reported in Dhaka over the past few days. The escalating incidents have triggered security concerns ahead of the shutdown, with authorities stepping up surveillance and police deployment across the capital. The latest incidents were reported on Sunday, when multiple explosions were heard at Dhaka University, including near the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), the university's administrative building, the Vice-Chancellor's Chattar and the Mukti-Ganatantra Toron. Explosions were also reported outside the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Malibagh. Other locations targeted in recent days include police establishments in Adabor, Jatrabari and Pallabi, the Bangladesh Ansar headquarters in Khilgaon, and the Setu Bhaban in Banani. At least one unexploded crude bomb was also recovered near the Setu Bhaban. According to police accounts reported by local media, several attackers arrived on motorcycles, hurled crude bombs and fled. CCTV footage is being examined to identify those involved. Some people have been detained or arrested in connection with individual incidents, although investigators are yet to publicly establish whether all the attacks are linked or identify a common chain of command. What is behind the November 10 shutdown? In its nationwide shutdown call, the Bangladesh Chhatra League has put forward an eight-point set of demands, invoking what it describes as the restoration of democracy, political freedoms and students' rights. Among its principal demands are the withdrawal of the ban on the Awami League and the Chhatra League, the reversal of the International Crimes Tribunal's verdict against Sheikh Hasina, withdrawal of cases against party leaders and activists, and the release of political detainees. The organisation has also demanded the restoration of educational rights for students, including reinstatement of expelled students, academic certificates and access to examinations and residential facilities. Its other demands include reducing the prices of essential commodities, electricity, gas and fuel; fixing a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000 for garment workers; ending political discrimination in government recruitment; allocating six per cent of GDP to education; and ensuring that educational institutions remain free of violence and communalism. The shutdown announcement calls for the closure of educational institutions, public transport, including buses, trucks, trains and launches, shops, factories, government and private offices, banks and courts. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire services, as well as media organisations, have been exempted, according to the announcement. Government warns of action as attacks intensify Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday warned that those responsible for the explosions and arson attacks would face strict legal action. Speaking to journalists outside the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka, Ahmed said authorities had noticed attempts by what he described as "fallen forces" to create instability through attacks on buses and other establishments. "Whoever does it, they are all miscreants," he said, adding that police would take action against those involved. Asked about the shutdown called by the banned Chhatra League, the Home Minister initially questioned who had called it before saying the matter would be looked into. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Md Akhtar Hossain said police were investigating each incident and had already arrested several people, including members of banned organisations and their affiliated groups. He said intelligence surveillance had been intensified, with additional mobile patrols and police pickets deployed. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage and monitoring the purchase and sale of inflammable substances to identify possible links to the attacks. Why the Chhatra League remains banned The shutdown comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh's dramatic political transition following the July-August 2024 student uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule. The Bangladesh Chhatra League was banned by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on October 23, 2024, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. The government cited allegations of violence, torture, murder and attacks on student protesters during Hasina's tenure. The Awami League subsequently faced a ban on its political activities in May 2025, and the restrictions remain in place under the BNP government that took office following the February 2026 general election. The Chhatra League's latest shutdown call therefore comes from an organisation that is legally prohibited from carrying out its activities. The immediate challenge for the authorities is to prevent further violence and ensure that public transport, educational institutions and essential services can function without disruption on Tuesday. With multiple explosions and vehicle arson incidents already reported, security agencies are on alert. Whether the shutdown call translates into widespread disruption across Bangladesh remains to be seen.

Bangladesh is on alert ahead of a nationwide shutdown called by the banned Chhatra League on November 10. The call comes amid more than 50 crude bomb explosions and at least eight bus arson incidents in Dhaka, prompting heightened security and police investigations.

Sheikh Hasina's banned student outfit calls shutdown: Bangladesh on alert after spate of blasts, arson

Delhi Police on Monday visited the Kolkata residence of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and served her a notice under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in connection with a 2013 case registered at Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station.&nbsp;A police personnel from Parliament Street Police Station reached Banerjee’s residence at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street, in Kalighat, and served the notice.&nbsp;Importantly, Banerjee has not been summoned as an accused in the case. She has been called as a witness, or a person with knowledge of the incident, with police seeking her statement to take the 13-year-old case forward.&nbsp;Section 160 of the CrPC empowers police to require the attendance of a person who is acquainted with the facts and circumstances of a case for questioning during an investigation.&nbsp;What is the 2013 case?&nbsp;The case dates back to April 9, 2013, when Banerjee and then West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra visited the Planning Commission office at Yojana Bhawan in New Delhi for a meeting on the state's annual plan.&nbsp;The visit turned chaotic when a group of around 125-150 SFI and CPI(M) activists surrounded the two leaders. The protesters were demonstrating against the custodial death of SFI leader Sudipto Gupta in Kolkata.&nbsp;Although police reportedly advised Banerjee to leave through a VIP exit, she walked out through the main gate amid the protesting crowd. During the commotion, Mitra was allegedly pushed, his kurta torn and punched in the chest. He was subsequently admitted to AIIMS.&nbsp;Banerjee had then alleged that protesters attempted to attack her with an iron rod and that Firhad Hakim had intervened to protect her.&nbsp;Six people, including then SFI general secretary Ritabrata Banerjee and Delhi CPI(M) secretary PMS Grewal, were arrested in connection with the incident.&nbsp;Why has Delhi Police approached her after 13 years?&nbsp;The case is still pending before the court, and Delhi Police reportedly requires Banerjee's statement as a key witness to proceed with the investigation.The timing of the notice has also drawn attention, coming weeks after Banerjee was detained by Delhi Police during a protest in the national capital on October 10.&nbsp;&nbsp;On November 3, Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that Banerjee had not been formally detained during the protest but had only been removed from the spot. The matter is linked to a habeas corpus petition filed by the Trinamool Congress. Banerjee is required to respond to the notice and appear before Delhi Police on the date specified, or respond through her legal representative, as applicable. If she does not appear, police may issue another notice. A notice under Section 160 of the CrPC does not, by itself, provide grounds for arrest. &nbsp;

Section 160 of the CrPC empowers police to require the attendance of a person who is acquainted with the facts and circumstances of a case for questioning during an investigation.

Delhi Police on Monday visited the Kolkata residence of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and served her a notice under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in connection with a 2013 case registered at Delhi’s Parliament Street Police Station. A police personnel from Parliament Street Police Station reached Banerjee’s residence at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street, in Kalighat, and served the notice. Importantly, Banerjee has not been summoned as an accused in the case. She has been called as a witness, or a person with knowledge of the incident, with police seeking her statement to take the 13-year-old case forward. Section 160 of the CrPC empowers police to require the attendance of a person who is acquainted with the facts and circumstances of a case for questioning during an investigation. What is the 2013 case? The case dates back to April 9, 2013, when Banerjee and then West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra visited the Planning Commission office at Yojana Bhawan in New Delhi for a meeting on the state's annual plan. The visit turned chaotic when a group of around 125-150 SFI and CPI(M) activists surrounded the two leaders. The protesters were demonstrating against the custodial death of SFI leader Sudipto Gupta in Kolkata. Although police reportedly advised Banerjee to leave through a VIP exit, she walked out through the main gate amid the protesting crowd. During the commotion, Mitra was allegedly pushed, his kurta torn and punched in the chest. He was subsequently admitted to AIIMS. Banerjee had then alleged that protesters attempted to attack her with an iron rod and that Firhad Hakim had intervened to protect her. Six people, including then SFI general secretary Ritabrata Banerjee and Delhi CPI(M) secretary PMS Grewal, were arrested in connection with the incident. Why has Delhi Police approached her after 13 years? The case is still pending before the court, and Delhi Police reportedly requires Banerjee's statement as a key witness to proceed with the investigation. The timing of the notice has also drawn attention, coming weeks after Banerjee was detained by Delhi Police during a protest in the national capital on October 10. On November 3, Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that Banerjee had not been formally detained during the protest but had only been removed from the spot. The matter is linked to a habeas corpus petition filed by the Trinamool Congress. Banerjee is required to respond to the notice and appear before Delhi Police on the date specified, or respond through her legal representative, as applicable. If she does not appear, police may issue another notice. A notice under Section 160 of the CrPC does not, by itself, provide grounds for arrest.

Section 160 of the CrPC empowers police to require the attendance of a person who is acquainted with the facts and circumstances of a case for questioning during an investigation.

Delhi police at Mamata's door: What is the 13-year-old case all about?

As Kolkata grapples with the annual post-Diwali spike in air pollution, two remarks by BJP leaders have triggered a debate over the government's approach to pollution control and the public health impact of firecrackers. West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul has proposed adding rose water to the water used for anti-pollution mist spraying across Kolkata during festivals and special occasions. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Tollygunge, Papia Adhikari, has claimed that bursting firecrackers can help cure several diseases. The remarks have drawn criticism against the backdrop of concerns over deteriorating air quality, respiratory health risks and the enforcement of restrictions on fireworks. In a Facebook post on November 7, Paul said the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) was regularly spraying water mist in different parts of the city, particularly in areas recording relatively high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. She claimed the exercise was helping reduce airborne dust particles and keep pollution levels somewhat under control. The minister proposed mixing rose water into the mist sprays during festivals, including Kali Puja, saying the measure would help control dust while spreading a pleasant fragrance across the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Our goal is to build a cleaner, fresher and fragrant Kolkata. We will continue our efforts to make the city more habitable," Paul said in her post. She also referred to her recent visit to London, claiming that AQI readings in several areas there were below 10 and, in some places, close to one. In comparison, she said, Kolkata's AQI rarely falls below 200 for most of the year. &nbsp;However, environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh questioned the effectiveness of the proposal, arguing that the city needed measures to tackle pollution at its source rather than cosmetic interventions. "Spraying rose water might make the air smell pleasant temporarily but would do little to address the underlying pollution problem," Ghosh said. "With due respect to the minister, the fragrance will vanish within two minutes. Kolkata's air does not need perfume; it needs cleaning at the source," he added.&nbsp;Ghosh identified ageing diesel and petrol vehicles as major contributors to PM2.5, PM10 and black carbon emissions. He also called for an end to coal-fired cooking at roadside eateries and food stalls, suggesting that vendors be supported in shifting to LPG or electric cooking systems. He further proposed deploying 100 water cannons across the city to wash roads, flyovers and dust-prone corridors. The second controversy emerged during a Kali Puja programme in Tollygunge on Saturday, November 7, where BJP MLA Papia Adhikari spoke in favour of bursting firecrackers despite concerns over their impact on air quality and public health. "You will see that bursting firecrackers will cure several diseases," she told the gathering. The video of that speech went viral. She also said, “Our honourable Chief Minister has said that crackers will be burst during the Kali Puja festival, but that should follow the rules and restrictions framed by the government. Crackers should be used as per the guidelines made by police stations.” Her remarks came even as the state government had issued restrictions on the use of fireworks during Kali Puja and Diwali.<h2>Kolkata's post-Diwali pollution: What do the numbers say?</h2>On November 9, Kolkata recorded an average AQI of 167, placing it in the moderate category, according to West Bengal Pollution Control Board data. However, several neighbourhoods continued to record poor air quality. Jadavpur recorded an AQI of 221, followed by Beniapukur at 195, Ballygunge at 191 and Bidhannagar at 177. Rabindra Sarobar recorded a comparatively better reading of 125. The city also recorded elevated concentrations of particulate matter, with PM2.5 hovering around 106 micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 at approximately 154 micrograms per cubic metre. PM2.5 is particularly concerning because these fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream. &nbsp;The overnight pollution spike was even more pronounced. According to CPCB monitoring data, PM2.5 levels rose sharply after firecracker bursting began on Diwali night. At Salt Lake, the PM2.5 sub-index increased from 117 at 4 pm on Saturday to 330 by 11 pm, peaking at 336 at 1 am. Ballygunge recorded 321 and Jadavpur 326 by 11 pm. The report also noted that several monitoring stations had entered the very poor category during the preceding night. &nbsp;Environmentalists have warned that the impact could persist because falling night-time temperatures and atmospheric temperature inversion can trap pollutants closer to the ground.<h2>What were the firecracker rules?</h2>The West Bengal government had announced specific restrictions for Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja. The guidelines permitted only certified green firecrackers during a two-hour window, from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and Kali Puja. For Chhath Puja, the permitted window was 6 am to 8 am. The government had also warned against illegal sales.&nbsp;&nbsp;However , the police had seized around 3,500 kg of banned fireworks during raids in Champahati and Nungi in South 24 Parganas. Twelve cases had been registered and 13 people arrested.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the actual situation on the ground appeared different. There was widespread bursting of firecrackers beyond the permitted window, with environmentalists questioning enforcement and the continued availability of illegal fireworks in local markets.&nbsp;<h2>The larger pollution question</h2>Environmentalists say firecrackers are only one part of Kolkata's pollution problem. Ageing vehicles, road dust, construction activity and coal-fired cooking at roadside eateries continue to contribute to the city's particulate pollution. Somendra Mohan Ghosh has called for a shift towards cleaner cooking fuels for roadside vendors and stronger dust-control measures, including road washing through water cannons. While water misting can help settle suspended dust, its impact is limited and temporary. It cannot eliminate emissions from vehicles or other combustion sources. Adding fragrance to the spray does not address these underlying sources.

Kolkata's post-Diwali pollution has triggered a debate after BJP minister Agnimitra Paul proposed adding rose water to anti-pollution sprays and MLA Papia Adhikari claimed firecrackers could cure diseases. Environmentalists questioned the remarks 

As Kolkata grapples with the annual post-Diwali spike in air pollution, two remarks by BJP leaders have triggered a debate over the government's approach to pollution control and the public health impact of firecrackers. West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul has proposed adding rose water to the water used for anti-pollution mist spraying across Kolkata during festivals and special occasions. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Tollygunge, Papia Adhikari, has claimed that bursting firecrackers can help cure several diseases. The remarks have drawn criticism against the backdrop of concerns over deteriorating air quality, respiratory health risks and the enforcement of restrictions on fireworks. In a Facebook post on November 7, Paul said the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) was regularly spraying water mist in different parts of the city, particularly in areas recording relatively high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. She claimed the exercise was helping reduce airborne dust particles and keep pollution levels somewhat under control. The minister proposed mixing rose water into the mist sprays during festivals, including Kali Puja, saying the measure would help control dust while spreading a pleasant fragrance across the city. "Our goal is to build a cleaner, fresher and fragrant Kolkata. We will continue our efforts to make the city more habitable," Paul said in her post. She also referred to her recent visit to London, claiming that AQI readings in several areas there were below 10 and, in some places, close to one. In comparison, she said, Kolkata's AQI rarely falls below 200 for most of the year. However, environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh questioned the effectiveness of the proposal, arguing that the city needed measures to tackle pollution at its source rather than cosmetic interventions. "Spraying rose water might make the air smell pleasant temporarily but would do little to address the underlying pollution problem," Ghosh said. "With due respect to the minister, the fragrance will vanish within two minutes. Kolkata's air does not need perfume; it needs cleaning at the source," he added. Ghosh identified ageing diesel and petrol vehicles as major contributors to PM2.5, PM10 and black carbon emissions. He also called for an end to coal-fired cooking at roadside eateries and food stalls, suggesting that vendors be supported in shifting to LPG or electric cooking systems. He further proposed deploying 100 water cannons across the city to wash roads, flyovers and dust-prone corridors. The second controversy emerged during a Kali Puja programme in Tollygunge on Saturday, November 7, where BJP MLA Papia Adhikari spoke in favour of bursting firecrackers despite concerns over their impact on air quality and public health. "You will see that bursting firecrackers will cure several diseases," she told the gathering. The video of that speech went viral. She also said, “Our honourable Chief Minister has said that crackers will be burst during the Kali Puja festival, but that should follow the rules and restrictions framed by the government. Crackers should be used as per the guidelines made by police stations.” Her remarks came even as the state government had issued restrictions on the use of fireworks during Kali Puja and Diwali. Kolkata's post-Diwali pollution: What do the numbers say? On November 9, Kolkata recorded an average AQI of 167, placing it in the moderate category, according to West Bengal Pollution Control Board data. However, several neighbourhoods continued to record poor air quality. Jadavpur recorded an AQI of 221, followed by Beniapukur at 195, Ballygunge at 191 and Bidhannagar at 177. Rabindra Sarobar recorded a comparatively better reading of 125. The city also recorded elevated concentrations of particulate matter, with PM2.5 hovering around 106 micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 at approximately 154 micrograms per cubic metre. PM2.5 is particularly concerning because these fine particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream. The overnight pollution spike was even more pronounced. According to CPCB monitoring data, PM2.5 levels rose sharply after firecracker bursting began on Diwali night. At Salt Lake, the PM2.5 sub-index increased from 117 at 4 pm on Saturday to 330 by 11 pm, peaking at 336 at 1 am. Ballygunge recorded 321 and Jadavpur 326 by 11 pm. The report also noted that several monitoring stations had entered the very poor category during the preceding night. Environmentalists have warned that the impact could persist because falling night-time temperatures and atmospheric temperature inversion can trap pollutants closer to the ground. What were the firecracker rules? The West Bengal government had announced specific restrictions for Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja. The guidelines permitted only certified green firecrackers during a two-hour window, from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and Kali Puja. For Chhath Puja, the permitted window was 6 am to 8 am. The government had also warned against illegal sales. However , the police had seized around 3,500 kg of banned fireworks during raids in Champahati and Nungi in South 24 Parganas. Twelve cases had been registered and 13 people arrested. Meanwhile, the actual situation on the ground appeared different. There was widespread bursting of firecrackers beyond the permitted window, with environmentalists questioning enforcement and the continued availability of illegal fireworks in local markets. The larger pollution question Environmentalists say firecrackers are only one part of Kolkata's pollution problem. Ageing vehicles, road dust, construction activity and coal-fired cooking at roadside eateries continue to contribute to the city's particulate pollution. Somendra Mohan Ghosh has called for a shift towards cleaner cooking fuels for roadside vendors and stronger dust-control measures, including road washing through water cannons. While water misting can help settle suspended dust, its impact is limited and temporary. It cannot eliminate emissions from vehicles or other combustion sources. Adding fragrance to the spray does not address these underlying sources.

Kolkata's post-Diwali pollution has triggered a debate after BJP minister Agnimitra Paul proposed adding rose water to anti-pollution sprays and MLA Papia Adhikari claimed firecrackers could cure diseases. Environmentalists questioned the remarks&nbsp;

Rose water to fight pollution, firecrackers to cure diseases: BJP leaders' remarks spark debate amid Kolkata's post-Diwali smog

Singur, a farming town in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, just outside Kolkata, lost its car plant in 2008 to a farmers’ revolt. Eighteen years later, a chief minister who rose in that era’s land-protest politics is threatening jail for anyone who halts a factory. “Those who will try to do so will be put in jail,” Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday, launching Bengal’s new industrial policy. He promised action within 15 minutes of a complaint being registered. Then came the surprise. Asked about Singur, the site of the abandoned Tata Nano project, Adhikari said the government had held preliminary talks with Ashok Leyland. “We will do something there,” he said. But he ruled out a quick headline: no MoU signed just for publicity. In a state where announcements have often outlived the projects behind them, that restraint was itself a statement.<h2>How Singur got here</h2>The story starts in 2006. The Left Front, fresh from a landslide win, wanted to end Bengal's decades-long industrial decline. Tata Motors was invited to build its small car plant at Singur in Hooghly. The company says it came at the invitation of the West Bengal Government, to revitalise the state's automotive industry. Tata said the project would generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The land was the problem. Around a thousand acres of fertile, multi-crop farmland had been acquired, and many farmers who felt they had been pushed off their land protested. Mamata Banerjee's agitation turned Singur into the central political fight of the state. Adhikari, then a young Trinamool leader, rose with that wave. His own biography notes that in 2007 he spearheaded the anti-land acquisition movement in the neighbouring Nandigram. The two movements together shaped the politics that eventually ended 34 years of Left rule.&nbsp;On October 3, 2008, the curtain came down on the Nano project in West Bengal. Tata moved production to Sanand in Gujarat. Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Gujarat had all offered alternative locations if Tata chose to leave, and Gujarat won. Tata's position was that it had not abandoned the site but was driven out by escalating violence. The legal aftermath took years. In 2011 the new Trinamool government legislated to take the land back. In 2016, the Supreme Court cancelled the original acquisition, and farming resumed on part of the land. For years the site was a symbol of what the state had lost, and by 2018 reporters were describing a decade-old wasteland. Even the legal ledger stayed open until recently: in 2023, Tata Motors was awarded ₹765.78 crore with interest by an arbitral tribunal against the state industrial development corporation.<h2>Why Ashok Leyland, and why now</h2>Ashok Leyland is the flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of India's biggest commercial vehicle makers. Its manufacturing is concentrated in the south; its LCV range, for example, is built at its Hosur plant. The company has repeatedly called Eastern India a key market, including the opening of a fifth LCV dealership in West Bengal in late 2024. A plant near Kolkata would put it closer to eastern customers and ports. The economics are plausible. Whether the company sees them the same way is what talks will need to establish. The timing fits the policy launch. The new policy offers assistance of up to 120 per cent of eligible investment in plant and machinery, with priority for sectors including electric vehicles and shipbuilding. The government has also said it will fold the 2013 land acquisition law and land pooling into the policy. The pitch is that it will neither use force against farmers nor leave industrialists to arrange land themselves.<h2>The caveats</h2>Three things deserve scrutiny. First, the land. Singur's plot is a patchwork after the 2016 verdict, part returned to farmers and part held by the state, and any large site would need consolidation. Second, trust. The new policy excludes an estimated ₹50,000 crore backlog of industrial incentives promised under previous regimes, which investors will notice. Third, history: Bengal has seen many announced intentions that never turned into factories.&nbsp;Supporters will say a leader who understands the farmers' anger is best placed to broker a land deal that doesn't repeat 2006. Critics will say a politician who built his career opposing this very acquisition should not be handed the credit, or the benefit of the doubt, for reversing the narrative. Both views will be tested by what follows. For now, the story of Singur's second chapter has one verified line: talks, at a preliminary stage. The next test is a name, an acreage, an investment figure and a start date. Until then, the shed-and-scrap landscape of Singur stands as it did, a reminder that in Bengal, announcements are cheap and factories are not.

Singur industrial revival gains attention as West Bengal holds preliminary talks with Ashok Leyland, 18 years after the Tata Nano plant exit. Here's what lies ahead

Singur, a farming town in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, just outside Kolkata, lost its car plant in 2008 to a farmers’ revolt. Eighteen years later, a chief minister who rose in that era’s land-protest politics is threatening jail for anyone who halts a factory. “Those who will try to do so will be put in jail,” Suvendu Adhikari said on Thursday, launching Bengal’s new industrial policy. He promised action within 15 minutes of a complaint being registered. Then came the surprise. Asked about Singur, the site of the abandoned Tata Nano project, Adhikari said the government had held preliminary talks with Ashok Leyland. “We will do something there,” he said. But he ruled out a quick headline: no MoU signed just for publicity. In a state where announcements have often outlived the projects behind them, that restraint was itself a statement. How Singur got here The story starts in 2006. The Left Front, fresh from a landslide win, wanted to end Bengal's decades-long industrial decline. Tata Motors was invited to build its small car plant at Singur in Hooghly. The company says it came at the invitation of the West Bengal Government, to revitalise the state's automotive industry. Tata said the project would generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. The land was the problem. Around a thousand acres of fertile, multi-crop farmland had been acquired, and many farmers who felt they had been pushed off their land protested. Mamata Banerjee's agitation turned Singur into the central political fight of the state. Adhikari, then a young Trinamool leader, rose with that wave. His own biography notes that in 2007 he spearheaded the anti-land acquisition movement in the neighbouring Nandigram. The two movements together shaped the politics that eventually ended 34 years of Left rule. On October 3, 2008, the curtain came down on the Nano project in West Bengal. Tata moved production to Sanand in Gujarat. Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Gujarat had all offered alternative locations if Tata chose to leave, and Gujarat won. Tata's position was that it had not abandoned the site but was driven out by escalating violence. The legal aftermath took years. In 2011 the new Trinamool government legislated to take the land back. In 2016, the Supreme Court cancelled the original acquisition, and farming resumed on part of the land. For years the site was a symbol of what the state had lost, and by 2018 reporters were describing a decade-old wasteland. Even the legal ledger stayed open until recently: in 2023, Tata Motors was awarded ₹765.78 crore with interest by an arbitral tribunal against the state industrial development corporation. Why Ashok Leyland, and why now Ashok Leyland is the flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of India's biggest commercial vehicle makers. Its manufacturing is concentrated in the south; its LCV range, for example, is built at its Hosur plant. The company has repeatedly called Eastern India a key market, including the opening of a fifth LCV dealership in West Bengal in late 2024. A plant near Kolkata would put it closer to eastern customers and ports. The economics are plausible. Whether the company sees them the same way is what talks will need to establish. The timing fits the policy launch. The new policy offers assistance of up to 120 per cent of eligible investment in plant and machinery, with priority for sectors including electric vehicles and shipbuilding. The government has also said it will fold the 2013 land acquisition law and land pooling into the policy. The pitch is that it will neither use force against farmers nor leave industrialists to arrange land themselves. The caveats Three things deserve scrutiny. First, the land. Singur's plot is a patchwork after the 2016 verdict, part returned to farmers and part held by the state, and any large site would need consolidation. Second, trust. The new policy excludes an estimated ₹50,000 crore backlog of industrial incentives promised under previous regimes, which investors will notice. Third, history: Bengal has seen many announced intentions that never turned into factories. Supporters will say a leader who understands the farmers' anger is best placed to broker a land deal that doesn't repeat 2006. Critics will say a politician who built his career opposing this very acquisition should not be handed the credit, or the benefit of the doubt, for reversing the narrative. Both views will be tested by what follows. For now, the story of Singur's second chapter has one verified line: talks, at a preliminary stage. The next test is a name, an acreage, an investment figure and a start date. Until then, the shed-and-scrap landscape of Singur stands as it did, a reminder that in Bengal, announcements are cheap and factories are not.

Eighteen years after Tata Nano's exit, Singur may see a revival as Bengal holds preliminary industrial investment talks with Ashok Leyland

Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari threatens jail for factory blockades, confirms Singur investment talks with Ashok Leyland

West Bengal's new industrial policy will reimburse 100 per cent of the employer's EPF contribution for women and transgender workers in MSMEs for 10 years, twice the 50 per cent offered for men. It also promises investors a single online application, payment within 90 days, and a pledge that future amendments will not cut benefits already granted. The West Bengal Investment and Industrial Promotion Policy, 2026 takes effect on 1 April 2026. It offers total assistance of up to 120 per cent of a unit's investment in plant and machinery, depending on location and sector.&nbsp;The state says the policy puts jobs ahead of everything else. Its stated aim is to back investment that creates employment, adds value and reaches every district, and it commits the government to fixed timelines.<h3>Jobs first, women first</h3>The policy ties benefits to every new job created, and the state will reimburse part of the employer's EPF share. Women get the most generous terms:<ul><li>MSMEs:&nbsp;100% for women and transgender workers for 10 years, against 50% for men.</li><li>Service units with over 200 employees:&nbsp;75% for women for 5 years, against 50% for men.</li><li>Large units and mega projects:&nbsp;50% for 5 years, if they employ at least 200 workers in priority areas or 400 elsewhere.</li></ul>Companies must add new jobs to qualify, and the state may also give grants for hostels for working women.<h3>How much money?</h3>A unit's total assistance will be capped in proportion to its investment in plant and machinery:<ul><li>General units:&nbsp;100%</li><li>Thrust sector units, or general units in priority areas:&nbsp;110%</li><li>Thrust sector units in priority areas:&nbsp;120%</li></ul>Support ends when the cap is reached or 10 years after production begins, whichever is earlier. Service units get 5 years. Strategic and mega projects may be approved for higher assistance.<h3>Manufacturing or services, but not both</h3>Manufacturing units get SGST-linked assistance, electricity duty reimbursement for up to 5 years, stamp duty reimbursement on land, and R&amp;D support. MSMEs also get help with loan interest and new technology. Service units get 5 years of SGST assistance, EPF support, electricity duty reimbursement and rent support for leased premises. A unit must choose one of the two packages.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-s-gst-growth-hits-27-doubling-national-average-in-october-1793873434812">Kerala’s GST growth hits 27%, doubling national average in October</a><h3>Backward areas and thrust sectors</h3>An Industrial Development Index will rank each sub-division. Those below the state median will be designated priority areas, with higher ceilings, stronger EPF support and strategic parks. The list will be reviewed every three years.The thrust sectors include semiconductors and electronics, green hydrogen and waste-to-energy, electric vehicles and batteries, defence, biotech and pharma, speciality steel, petrochemicals, aviation, shipbuilding and maritime training, among others.&nbsp;<h3>Mega projects, infrastructure and land</h3>A strategic or mega project qualifies if it meets two of three tests: investment size, strategic sector, and at least 20 jobs per acre. Very large projects may get support for road, water and power connections. Infrastructure support covers up to 25% of specified costs, with eligible project costs of up to ₹4,000 crore, and up to 10% for connecting roads and power lines. The state will also build a GIS-based inventory of industrial land, allot land online within set timelines, and prioritise ready industrial estates and parks. It will support industrial clusters with shared infrastructure.<h3>Non-profits, green power and sick units</h3>Non-profit hospitals, medical colleges and universities must invest at least ₹100 crore. In return they can get up to 100% stamp duty exemption, a waiver of land-use conversion fees, net metering and land lease benefits, with no ceiling on assistance. Surcharge on open access to renewable power is waived until March 2030, with full exemption for power generated in West Bengal and partial exemption for power from outside the state. Sick and closed units, including those revived through NCLT, get special revival support, power connections, land relaxations and a dedicated revival cell.<h3>Timelines and guarantees</h3>Applications go through one Single Window portal. A Certificate of Intent is due in 30 days, a Certificate of Eligibility in 45, and money in the unit's account within 90. Large projects will have designated officers and a monthly review by the Chief Secretary. Assistance will be paid from a dedicated fund, and application, approval and payment will be faceless. The state says later amendments will not reduce benefits already decided.<h3>The Chief Minister's message</h3>Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari framed the policy against West Bengal's industrial history. "The then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee failed to convince even his own party. Everyone knows the outcome of the Nandigram incident," the Chief Minister said. "Later, Mamata Banerjee declared that she was not interested in acquiring land for industry. As a result, industrialisation suffered."&nbsp;Outlining the government's own record, the Chief Minister said: "We have already adopted the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. We have also handed over land to 33 business groups. We are very positive about industrialisation and are working to create an industry-friendly environment. We are trying to stop syndicates, extortion and goondaism."The Chief Minister added: "Nature has blessed West Bengal with everything."

The state says the policy puts jobs ahead of everything else. Its stated aim is to back investment that creates employment, adds value and reaches every district, and it commits the government to fixed timelines.

West Bengal's new industrial policy will reimburse 100 per cent of the employer's EPF contribution for women and transgender workers in MSMEs for 10 years, twice the 50 per cent offered for men. It also promises investors a single online application, payment within 90 days, and a pledge that future amendments will not cut benefits already granted. The West Bengal Investment and Industrial Promotion Policy, 2026 takes effect on 1 April 2026. It offers total assistance of up to 120 per cent of a unit's investment in plant and machinery, depending on location and sector. The state says the policy puts jobs ahead of everything else. Its stated aim is to back investment that creates employment, adds value and reaches every district, and it commits the government to fixed timelines. Jobs first, women first The policy ties benefits to every new job created, and the state will reimburse part of the employer's EPF share. Women get the most generous terms: MSMEs: 100% for women and transgender workers for 10 years, against 50% for men. Service units with over 200 employees: 75% for women for 5 years, against 50% for men. Large units and mega projects: 50% for 5 years, if they employ at least 200 workers in priority areas or 400 elsewhere. Companies must add new jobs to qualify, and the state may also give grants for hostels for working women. How much money? A unit's total assistance will be capped in proportion to its investment in plant and machinery: General units: 100% Thrust sector units, or general units in priority areas: 110% Thrust sector units in priority areas: 120% Support ends when the cap is reached or 10 years after production begins, whichever is earlier. Service units get 5 years. Strategic and mega projects may be approved for higher assistance. Manufacturing or services, but not both Manufacturing units get SGST-linked assistance, electricity duty reimbursement for up to 5 years, stamp duty reimbursement on land, and R&D support. MSMEs also get help with loan interest and new technology. Service units get 5 years of SGST assistance, EPF support, electricity duty reimbursement and rent support for leased premises. A unit must choose one of the two packages. Also read: Kerala’s GST growth hits 27%, doubling national average in October Backward areas and thrust sectors An Industrial Development Index will rank each sub-division. Those below the state median will be designated priority areas, with higher ceilings, stronger EPF support and strategic parks. The list will be reviewed every three years. The thrust sectors include semiconductors and electronics, green hydrogen and waste-to-energy, electric vehicles and batteries, defence, biotech and pharma, speciality steel, petrochemicals, aviation, shipbuilding and maritime training, among others. Mega projects, infrastructure and land A strategic or mega project qualifies if it meets two of three tests: investment size, strategic sector, and at least 20 jobs per acre. Very large projects may get support for road, water and power connections. Infrastructure support covers up to 25% of specified costs, with eligible project costs of up to ₹4,000 crore, and up to 10% for connecting roads and power lines. The state will also build a GIS-based inventory of industrial land, allot land online within set timelines, and prioritise ready industrial estates and parks. It will support industrial clusters with shared infrastructure. Non-profits, green power and sick units Non-profit hospitals, medical colleges and universities must invest at least ₹100 crore. In return they can get up to 100% stamp duty exemption, a waiver of land-use conversion fees, net metering and land lease benefits, with no ceiling on assistance. Surcharge on open access to renewable power is waived until March 2030, with full exemption for power generated in West Bengal and partial exemption for power from outside the state. Sick and closed units, including those revived through NCLT, get special revival support, power connections, land relaxations and a dedicated revival cell. Timelines and guarantees Applications go through one Single Window portal. A Certificate of Intent is due in 30 days, a Certificate of Eligibility in 45, and money in the unit's account within 90. Large projects will have designated officers and a monthly review by the Chief Secretary. Assistance will be paid from a dedicated fund, and application, approval and payment will be faceless. The state says later amendments will not reduce benefits already decided. The Chief Minister's message Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari framed the policy against West Bengal's industrial history. "The then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee failed to convince even his own party. Everyone knows the outcome of the Nandigram incident," the Chief Minister said. "Later, Mamata Banerjee declared that she was not interested in acquiring land for industry. As a result, industrialisation suffered." Outlining the government's own record, the Chief Minister said: "We have already adopted the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. We have also handed over land to 33 business groups. We are very positive about industrialisation and are working to create an industry-friendly environment. We are trying to stop syndicates, extortion and goondaism." The Chief Minister added: "Nature has blessed West Bengal with everything."

The state says the policy puts jobs ahead of everything else. Its stated aim is to back investment that creates employment, adds value and reaches every district, and it commits the government to fixed timelines.

Bengal’s new industrial policy pays women double: 100% EPF cover for 10 years in MSMEs, up to 120% investment support, money in 90 days

BJP national president Nitin Nabin is leading two padyatras today under the party’s “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao” campaign, one in Bhagalpur, Bihar, and the other in Kolkata. The marches form part of the party’s response to what it calls Opposition “misinformation, disinformation and organised anarchy ” coming a day after the INDIA bloc’s large rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan that centred on allegations of “vote chori.”&nbsp;In Bhagalpur the procession is scheduled to begin around 11 am from Lajpat Park and conclude at Seva Jyoti Chowk by 12:30 pm. In Kolkata it is set to start at 3 pm from College Street and end at Dharmatala around 5:30 pm. Nabin is expected to be joined in the West Bengal capital by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anil-agarwal-returns-to-bengal-vedanta-plans-60-000-crore-power-unit-10-000-jobs-as-industrial-policy-drops-nov-5-1793198694811">Anil Agarwal returns to Bengal: Vedanta plans ₹60,000 crore power unit, 10,000 jobs, as industrial policy drops Nov 5</a>&nbsp;Party leader Bhola Sonkar has projected a turnout of more than 20,000 for the Kolkata march. Kolkata Police have already diverted traffic around College Street, Central Avenue, Bowbazar and the approaches to Dharmatala, erecting barricades along the route. Commuters have been advised to use the Metro on what is the first working day of the week.&nbsp;The immediate backdrop in Bengal is the forthcoming Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporation elections. Party sources say Nabin’s visit will focus on election strategy, candidate selection and organisational preparations. The BJP, now in power in the state, intends to contest the civic polls with the same intensity it brought to this year’s Assembly elections.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kolkata-crowd-crush-missing-cctv-footage-durga-puja-pandal-1793029471594">Chorbagan stampede: Footage from 16 of 32 CCTV cameras unavailable, police probe surveillance gaps</a>&nbsp;In Bihar the party is extending an effort that already saw Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and state BJP president Sanjay Saraogi lead a padyatra in Patna on 28 October. Nabin, a Bihar native and the youngest national president in the party’s history, is taking the campaign outside the capital. Both states were among the first to undergo the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Opposition’s “vote chori” charge is rooted in that exercise. Critics, including activist Yogendra Yadav, have argued that SIR disproportionately targeted Bengal, with Bihar used as a testing ground.The BJP rejects the allegation outright, insisting the Opposition is spreading falsehoods to explain electoral setbacks. The Election Commission has maintained that the process is designed to ensure clean and accurate rolls.The two marches sit within a broader national drive. Nabin himself led a procession through Delhi’s Chandni Chowk on 28 October. Union ministers and BJP-ruled state chief ministers have been deployed across the country, while the party’s youth wing launched a parallel outreach campaign on 25 October that runs until the end of November.&nbsp;At Ramlila Maidan on 1 November, Opposition leaders demanded the BJP’s removal from power. Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of “treason” and predicted he would one day be removed and jailed.&nbsp;The BJP has since accused the Congress of selective outrage, with Nabin noting in Rohtak on Sunday that the party should have apologised for the 1984 riots rather than protest on their anniversary.

BJP chief Nitin Nabin leads "Loktantra Bachao" padyatras in Bhagalpur & Kolkata to counter Opposition "misinformation," following the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally on "vote chori."

BJP national president Nitin Nabin is leading two padyatras today under the party’s “Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao” campaign, one in Bhagalpur, Bihar, and the other in Kolkata. The marches form part of the party’s response to what it calls Opposition “misinformation, disinformation and organised anarchy ” coming a day after the INDIA bloc’s large rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan that centred on allegations of “vote chori.” In Bhagalpur the procession is scheduled to begin around 11 am from Lajpat Park and conclude at Seva Jyoti Chowk by 12:30 pm. In Kolkata it is set to start at 3 pm from College Street and end at Dharmatala around 5:30 pm. Nabin is expected to be joined in the West Bengal capital by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya. Also read: Anil Agarwal returns to Bengal: Vedanta plans ₹60,000 crore power unit, 10,000 jobs, as industrial policy drops Nov 5 Party leader Bhola Sonkar has projected a turnout of more than 20,000 for the Kolkata march. Kolkata Police have already diverted traffic around College Street, Central Avenue, Bowbazar and the approaches to Dharmatala, erecting barricades along the route. Commuters have been advised to use the Metro on what is the first working day of the week. The immediate backdrop in Bengal is the forthcoming Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporation elections. Party sources say Nabin’s visit will focus on election strategy, candidate selection and organisational preparations. The BJP, now in power in the state, intends to contest the civic polls with the same intensity it brought to this year’s Assembly elections. Also read: Chorbagan stampede: Footage from 16 of 32 CCTV cameras unavailable, police probe surveillance gaps In Bihar the party is extending an effort that already saw Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and state BJP president Sanjay Saraogi lead a padyatra in Patna on 28 October. Nabin, a Bihar native and the youngest national president in the party’s history, is taking the campaign outside the capital. Both states were among the first to undergo the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Opposition’s “vote chori” charge is rooted in that exercise. Critics, including activist Yogendra Yadav, have argued that SIR disproportionately targeted Bengal, with Bihar used as a testing ground. The BJP rejects the allegation outright, insisting the Opposition is spreading falsehoods to explain electoral setbacks. The Election Commission has maintained that the process is designed to ensure clean and accurate rolls. The two marches sit within a broader national drive. Nabin himself led a procession through Delhi’s Chandni Chowk on 28 October. Union ministers and BJP-ruled state chief ministers have been deployed across the country, while the party’s youth wing launched a parallel outreach campaign on 25 October that runs until the end of November. At Ramlila Maidan on 1 November, Opposition leaders demanded the BJP’s removal from power. Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of “treason” and predicted he would one day be removed and jailed. The BJP has since accused the Congress of selective outrage, with Nabin noting in Rohtak on Sunday that the party should have apologised for the 1984 riots rather than protest on their anniversary.

BJP chief Nitin Nabin leads "Loktantra Bachao" padyatras in Bhagalpur &amp; Kolkata to counter Opposition "misinformation," following the INDIA bloc's Ramlila Maidan rally on "vote chori."

BJP takes ‘Save Democracy’ campaign to Bhagalpur and Kolkata as civic polls and SIR row looms

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal has indicated a potential investment of ₹60,000–70,000 crore in West Bengal, with plans to explore a coal-based power plant, metal smelting facilities and other projects that could generate around 10,000 jobs. The announcement follows his meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna on Wednesday, as the state prepares to unveil its new industrial policy on November 5.Speaking to WION after the meeting, Agarwal said the proposed projects could transform Bengal's industrial landscape, while stressing that feasibility studies and discussions with the state government were necessary.“We're looking at a massive project that will change the future of the state,” Agarwal told WION.The Vedanta chairman said the group was exploring opportunities in minerals, coal, critical metals and gas production, along with a coal-based power plant and aluminium and zinc smelters. He also said the company was examining the possibility of establishing a supercritical power plant, with the government to decide its location. An existing asset in Asansol could also be considered.“The feasibility study will be done very soon,” Agarwal said, adding that the proposed projects would require cooperation between the company and the government to reduce clearance-related bottlenecks.He said the projects could generate approximately 10,000 jobs, while emphasising that the proposed investment was still being explored.“Every state wants us, but I like the energy of Bengal,” Agarwal told WION, expressing optimism about the state's potential and its workforce.After the meeting, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said Agarwal had expressed interest in investing in Bengal and outlined a roadmap for establishing a unit in Paschim Bardhaman district.“He has investments in seven states. Because of the Trinamool Congress, he did not invest in the state,” Adhikari said.Quoting Agarwal, the Chief Minister added: “I have invested in seven states, all seven are BJP-ruled states. In BJP-ruled states there is an industrial business environment. Here you have created it. Slowly I will invest here.”Adhikari said the proposed unit in Paschim Bardhaman could create 10,000 jobs.On the new industrial policy, the Chief Minister said recommendations from two ministers had been incorporated into the draft prepared by a Group of Ministers. Industrialists and representatives of industry groups will be invited for its release on November 5.“Our commitment was to do it before Durga Puja – we did it during Durga Puja, but we held further discussions, took opinions, and before the auspicious time of Kali Puja, Diwali and Dhanteras, it will be done on the 5th,” Adhikari said.

After the meeting, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said Agarwal had expressed interest in investing in Bengal and outlined a roadmap for establishing a unit in Paschim Bardhaman district.

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal has indicated a potential investment of ₹60,000–70,000 crore in West Bengal, with plans to explore a coal-based power plant, metal smelting facilities and other projects that could generate around 10,000 jobs. The announcement follows his meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna on Wednesday, as the state prepares to unveil its new industrial policy on November 5. Speaking to WION after the meeting, Agarwal said the proposed projects could transform Bengal's industrial landscape, while stressing that feasibility studies and discussions with the state government were necessary. “We're looking at a massive project that will change the future of the state,” Agarwal told WION. The Vedanta chairman said the group was exploring opportunities in minerals, coal, critical metals and gas production, along with a coal-based power plant and aluminium and zinc smelters. He also said the company was examining the possibility of establishing a supercritical power plant, with the government to decide its location. An existing asset in Asansol could also be considered. “The feasibility study will be done very soon,” Agarwal said, adding that the proposed projects would require cooperation between the company and the government to reduce clearance-related bottlenecks. He said the projects could generate approximately 10,000 jobs, while emphasising that the proposed investment was still being explored. “Every state wants us, but I like the energy of Bengal,” Agarwal told WION, expressing optimism about the state's potential and its workforce. After the meeting, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said Agarwal had expressed interest in investing in Bengal and outlined a roadmap for establishing a unit in Paschim Bardhaman district. “He has investments in seven states. Because of the Trinamool Congress, he did not invest in the state,” Adhikari said. Quoting Agarwal, the Chief Minister added: “I have invested in seven states, all seven are BJP-ruled states. In BJP-ruled states there is an industrial business environment. Here you have created it. Slowly I will invest here.” Adhikari said the proposed unit in Paschim Bardhaman could create 10,000 jobs. On the new industrial policy, the Chief Minister said recommendations from two ministers had been incorporated into the draft prepared by a Group of Ministers. Industrialists and representatives of industry groups will be invited for its release on November 5. “Our commitment was to do it before Durga Puja – we did it during Durga Puja, but we held further discussions, took opinions, and before the auspicious time of Kali Puja, Diwali and Dhanteras, it will be done on the 5th,” Adhikari said.

After the meeting, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said Agarwal had expressed interest in investing in Bengal and outlined a roadmap for establishing a unit in Paschim Bardhaman district.

Anil Agarwal returns to Bengal: Vedanta plans ₹60,000 crore power unit, 10,000 jobs, as industrial policy drops Nov 5

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