Category Archives: Regional

Politics, Regional

BJP must deliver on promises before 2026 assembly poll, says GNLF

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EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 5, 2024 :  A day after helping incumbent Raju Bista retain his seat from the Darjeeling constituency in the Lok Sabha election, the Gorkha National Liberation Front sent on Wednesday a message to the BJP to deliver on its promises before the 2026 assembly election in West Bengal or face the possibility of losing its support.

Bista defeated his closest rival Gopal Lama of the Trinamool Congress- Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha by over 160,000 votes. 
“I have said earlier that this will be our last support to the BJP. If they betray us again then the result will not be good for the BJP next time,” GNLF president Mann Ghisingh said. 
Before the Lok Sabha election, the GNLF, one of the primary alliance partners of the BJP, had found itself in an embarrassing situation; with the BJP reluctant to clarify its stand vis a vis the demand for a Gorkhaland state and not mentioning anything about the Gorkha community of the hills in its election manifesto. 
In its 2019 election manifesto, the BJP had said it was committed to finding a permanent political solution for the hills and granting tribal status to the 11 left-out communities. The commitments have not, however, seen the light of day. “
The BJP has to seriously work from day one to deliver on its commitment made to the Gorkhas. Promises have been made and now its time to deliver. Only promises will weaken the faith and trust of the hill people,” Ghisingh said. 
Explaining why he GNLF had kept its trust on the BJP when it had failed to deliver on its promises made since 2009 when it managed to win a seat in West Bengal for the first time from Darjeeling, Ghisingh said it was prudent to put trust and faith on the political party that headed the government at the Centre. 
“The BJP is in the Central government which is highest agency of the country. We have to believe on the BJP to deliver this time around,” said Ghisingh. 
“In the last five years and before we have submitted memorandums and appraised the BJP about our aspirations. The BJP and the Centre are fully aware of our demands. Now they must act,” he said. 
The GNLF president said he would go to Delhi as one of the partners of the NDA alliance, if he received an invitation f from the BJP for the June 8 swearing-in ceremony.
National, Politics, Regional

Congress wins both Lok Sabha seats in strife-torn Manipur

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PTI, NEW DELHI, 5 June 2024: The Congress on Wednesday said the long-suffering people of Manipur have sent a “very powerful signal” by electing its leaders as MPs in both constituencies of the state, and asserted that this was a tribute to Rahul Gandhi’s visits to the violence-hit state.


The Congress won both the Lok Sabha seats in strife-torn Manipur on Tuesday.

Alfred Kanngam S Arthur won the Outer Manipur seat by 85,418 votes, defeating his nearest rival Kachui Timothy Zimik of the NPF.

In the Inner Manipur seat, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam defeated his nearest rival Thounaojam Basantakumar of the BJP by 1,09,801 votes. Akoijam got 3,74,017 votes andSingh received 2,64,216 votes.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The long-suffering people of Manipur, whose resilience and strength has been under major strain since the state began burning on the night of May 3rd 2023, have sent a very powerful signal by electing Congress MPs in both Inner and Outer Manipur.”
It is also a tribute to Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur on June 29 and 30, 2023, and to the launch of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on January 14, 2024 from Thoubal, when the state government refused permission for it to start from Imphal, Ramesh said.

“It is also a tight slap on the face of Mr. Narendra Modi, who simply refused to reach out to the people of Manipur and did not visit the state even for a few hours,” the Congress leader said.

The two Congress MPs have a huge responsibility, and with their election, hopefully, the process of reconciliation will get a big boost, Ramedh added.


Manipur has been strife-torn since May last year when ethnic violence broke out after a march by Kuki tribals in the hill districts to protest against the valley-dominant Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribes status.

Since then, over 220 people belonging to both the communities, including security personnel, have been killed in the continuing violence.

BJP-led government has been in power in the state since 2017.

After the results were announced, state Congress president K Megha chandra said Chief Minister N Biren Singh should take responsibility for what has been happening in the state and resign on moral grounds. 

“We are victorious because of the support of the people who have been suffering. We are thankful to the people for showing their trust in our two candidates who have won with massive margins,” he told reporters at the state Congress headquarters. 

Meghachandra said corruption was the root cause of the prevailing situation in Manipur. “The people have given a strong message through this election. We will definitely make sure that the trust reposed on us by the people will be transformed into work, and we will do what we have said in our manifesto,” he added.

” The government should take responsibility for the present conflict. The chief minister should take moral responsibility and resign,” he said. 

After his victory, Akoijam said his top priority was to ensure that the people displaced in the conflict returned to their homes and lived a normal and dignified life. 

“It is a clear mandate against those people who have threatened Manipur. This is a clear message by the people not to take the state for granted. The people have spoken. I have fought this election for my state. Now we should all come together,” he said. 

“We have a crisis in the state for the one last year. People are homeless. My top priority is to ensure that those people go back and live a normal and dignified life, and this crisis is resolved,” said Akoijam, a professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. 

He urged his supporters to restrain themselves from celebrating the victory as along with the conflict the state was hit by a flood. Akoijam’s rival Basanta kumar is a state cabinet minister, holding the portfolios of Education, and Law & Legislative Affairs.
Politics, Regional

BJP Secures Fourth Consecutive Win in Darjeeling Seat

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Amitava Banerjee, MP, 5 June 2024, Darjeeling: BJP candidate Raju Bista, supported by the Hill regional parties, retained the Darjeeling seat winning by a margin of over one lakh votes. 

However, his vote share has reduced by more than a half. In 2019, Bista had won by a margin of 302228 votes. 
TMC on the other hand has increased its vote share considerably. At the time of filing of the report, as per the ECI website, Raju Bista of the BJP had secured 679331 votes; Gopal Lama of TMC 500806 and Munish Tamang of Congress 83374 votes. 
Bista was leading by 178525 votes. Incidentally, Darjeeling is the constituency which had provided a toehold to the BJP in Bengal politics in 2009.
“This is a historic victory going against the trend in the state. My main aim is the liberation of my community. This is a victory against the widespread corruption in the Hills. As soon as the Model Code of Conduct is lifted, steps will be taken to finish off the corruption. I will work tirelessly to fulfill the aspirations of the people,” stated Bista, after his victory. 
Bista and the BJP had fought elections assuring a permanent political solution of the Gorkha impasse along with the inclusion of 11 left our Gorkha sub communities in the Scheduled Tribe list. In 2019 also, the BJP poll plank comprised these two issues which however failed to see the light of day despite Bista’s landslide victory then. 
The BJP was backed by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) and other Hill regional parties. 
Interestingly, Bimal Gurung and the GJM that had lost considerable relevance in Hill politics are trying to make a comeback riding piggyback on the BJP. “I have full faith in BJP and Raju Bista, that is why we rallied behind them. We are sure that the BJP will fulfill our aspirations. We will all work together,” stated Bimal Gurung. 
The BGPM had supported the TMC. “We are happy with the performance of TMC statewide. While TMC did well in the state, the INDIA alliance did very well in the country. Though we lost Darjeeling we have considerably narrowed the margin,” stated Papiya Ghosh, President, president, Darjeeling district Trinamool Committee (Plains). 
Anit Thapa, president, BGPM stated: “There is a clear indication of a political change in the country. 
The constituency should have carefully weighed their options before casting their votes. If we could have ensured the victory of the TMC, it would have been good for the Hills. We will constitute working in close coordination with the Bengal government. Though the BJP has done nothing for the Hills till date, we hope they will live up to their commitments in the next five years.” 
The BJP had bagged the Darjeeling Parliamentary seat in 2009, 2014 and 2019. Riding piggyback on the Gorkhaland demand, the BJP had managed to turn the hill votes to its advantage. In 2019, Bista won from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency, defeating the TMC candidate Amar Singh Rai by 302228 votes. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bjps-raju-bista-retains-darj-seat-566620
Politics, Regional

Union Home Min Nisith Pramanik faces defeat

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Udayan Guha

Shashikesh Roy, MP, 5 June 2024, Cooch Behar: “The so-called Union Home minister’s backbone has been smashed,” stated Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, commenting on the defeat of Nisith Pramanik of the BJP from the Cooch Behar Constituency. In this seat, Trinamool’s Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia defeated Nisith Pramanik. 

The Trinamool candidate won by a margin of about 39,250 votes. After this victory, Udayan Guha, TMC leader and North Bengal Development minister, commented: “We have taken our revenge in Cooch Behar. Even the BJP is not getting numbers at the Centre.” 
A large crowd consisting of BJP and Trinamool Congress supporters was visible in the area adjacent to Cooch Behar Polytechnic College since morning. It was a neck-to-neck contest between the Trinamool Congress and BJP candidate from the start. 
Finally Trinamool Congress candidate Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia emerged victorious, securing 788375 votes and Nisith Pramanik getting 749125 votes. 
Political experts believe that Rajbanshi vote and alleged high handedness of BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik are the main reasons behind his defeat. 
Political analysts opine that Greater Cooch Behar leader and BJP MP Anant Maharaj was offended with the BJP for having gone back on the assurance of a separate administrative arrangement (read Union territory) for North Bengal before the Lok Sabha elections. 
As a result, Rajbanshi votes may not have been cast in favour of the BJP. Moreover, the fact that Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik’s “highhandeness” within his party had not gone down well with BJP old timers. 
A section of the BJP party leadership feels that a rift has been created between him and the public. BJP’s South Legislative Assembly MLA Michhil Ranjan Dey said that the cause of the defeat will be analysed. 
He said: “North Bengal has always been the stronghold of BJP. We fail to understand why this debacle occurred in this seat.” 
Trinamool Congress district president Abhijit De Bhowmik said: “My message to party workers and supporters is not to hold any victory march anywhere. Abhishek Banerjee had promised that he would come to Cooch Behar. When he comes to Cooch Behar, we will hold a victory march. Refrain from political vendettas. I would like to thank Ananta Maharaj who appealed to the masses to fight the evil forces. The people of Cooch Behar gave a verdict in favor of Mamata Banerjee.” 
Trinamool winning candidate Jagdish Chandra Barma Basunia said: “This victory is the victory of Cooch Behar. People voted against evil forces.” In 2019, Nisith Pramanik had won by 54231 votes defeating Paresh Chandra Adhikari of the TMC. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behar-union-home-min-nisith-pramanik-faces-defeat-566625
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Bengal chooses Mamata’s ‘guarantee’, rejects BJP’s ‘divisive politics’

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Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 5 June 2024, Kolkata: Pro-people schemes of the Mamata Banerjee government particularly ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ ensured a decisive mandate against the BJP in Bengal with Trinamool Congress surging much ahead, winning 29 Lok Sabha seats out of 42 constituencies. 

The BJP won 11 seats and was leading in 1 seat at the time of filing this report, while the Congress party managed to bag Malda South, as per the data provided by the Election Commission website. 
State’s ruling party registered a vote share of about 46 per cent, whereas the BJP recorded a vote share of 38 per cent. 
Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee is set to leave for Delhi on Wednesday to represent Trinamool Congress in the INDIA block meeting. 
Trinamool’s performance in these LS polls marked its second-best showing in the state since the 2014 elections, where it secured 34 seats. 
TMC’s relentless campaign against the Centre for its deprivation to the state government by stopping funds might have also contributed to the party’s result in the state. 
Trinamool candidate from Diamond Harbour parliamentary constituency Abhishek Banerjee registered the second-highest victory margin in Lok Sabha polls in the country. 
Banerjee, who is the national general secretary of the party won by a margin of over 7.1 lakh votes breaking the previous record held by Anil Basu of CPI(M) who had won the Arambagh seat by a margin of 592,502 votes during the 2004 Lok Sabha polls. 
This is the third consecutive Lok Sabha win for Banerjee who had won in 2014 in 2019. Banerjee bagged over 68.5 per cent of the total votes. 
With the TMC on the verge of sealing a spectacular victory, the party supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the resignation of PM Modi on ‘moral grounds. 
She also sent out a strong signal that the opposition parties, more specifically the INDIA bloc will never allow the Modi government free hands to pass bills arbitrarily if it forms the government at the Centre. 
The BJP’s top leadership had relied heavily on Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari but the results may now change the equation with the saffron brigade expected to make certain reshuffles within its state unit. 
Further, political analysts believe this result is also likely to affect Adhikari’s political ambitions in the upcoming state elections in 2026. 
Trinamool Congress also retained its seats in the two Kolkata constituencies with both Mala Roy and Sudip Bandyopadhyay winning by a comfortable margin from the Kolkata South and Kolkata North Parliamentary constituencies respectively. 
Sudip won by a margin of 92560 votes while Roy won by 187231 votes. 
The electoral battle in Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat ended with the people of the constituency rejecting ‘regality’ as the BJP’s candidate ‘Rajbarir Rajmata’ Amrita Roy was trumped by Trinamool Congress’ Mahua Moitra. 
TMC candidate Basirhat Haji Nurul Islam won by a margin of 3,33,547 votes as he secured 8,03,762 votes. Sandeshkhali which was the epicenter of the electoral faceoff between the ruling TMC and the BJP, dashed hopes for the BJP candidate in Basirhat Rekha Patra. 
TMC candidate from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency Partha Bhowmick scripted a historic victory over his nearest rival BJP’s Arjun Singh by demolishing the latter’s ‘Bahubali’ myth. 
Ex-cricketer Yusuf Pathan and TMC candidate from Berhampore won by a margin of 85,022 votes as he secured 5,24,516 votes while Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury came second. 
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP in reference to the exit polls forecast. She once again stated that the BJP had prepared the fake exit polls three months ago. 
She once again warned that her party may file a defamation suit as the BJP had published fake advertisements to malign Trinamool Congress by pumping huge money. In the by-elections, TMC’s Sayantika Banerjee won from the Baranagar Assembly seat and Reyat Hossian Sarkar won from the Bhagabangola seat. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bengal-chooses-mamatas-guarantee-rejects-bjps-divisive-politics-566661
Politics, Regional

Raju Bista wins by 178525 votes in Darjeeling, promises justice for Gorkha people

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Bista -178525 (51.18%), Lama- 500806 (37.73%): In comparison to result of Parliamentary election of 2019 its 7.9 % decrease to BJP and 11.22% increase to AITC.

EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 4, 2024 : The sitting BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista retained his seat for the second term defeating Trinamool Congress candidate Gopal Lama by a margin of over 100,000 votes, at the end of counting, on Tuesday. 

The trend was set after the first round of counting, with Bista leading Lama by over 10,000 votes in the plains segments and by over 5000 votes in the hills constituencies. 
The Darjeeling constituency comprises the hill segments of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, while Siliguri, Matigara-Naxalbari, Phansidewa and Chopra make up the plains segments. 
In the Darjeeling assembly segment, the BJP got 87,062 votes and the Trinamool 55,736 votes, in Kalimpong the BJP got 77,524 votes and the Trinamool got 53,743 and in Kurseong the BJP got 93,419 votes while the Trinamool got 55,068 votes. 
The BJP is in alliance with the Gorkha National Liberation Front, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, Gorkha Rastriya Nirman Morcha and the SUMETI Morcha. 
Before heading for the counting centre at the Darjeeling Government College in the morning, Bista visited the revered Mahakal temple at Chowrasta to offer prayers. 
After the announcement of his victory, Bista said it was a victory of the people of the Hills, Terai and Dooars and their aspirations. 
“This victory is for the people and to bring to end the atrocities of Bengal and development of the hills. I thank the people for showing their trust on me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said. 
Bista first visited GNLF president Mann Ghising at his residence where supporters burst crackers. Bista then went to meet GJM president, Bimal Gurung in the latter’s party office with supporters rejoicing the victory with song and dance on the street. 
“I thank Bimal daju and Ghising ji and all our alliance partners for their support. Now my vision and goal is clear. I gained experience in the past five years. And now will go to parliament with renewed vigour and energy. The Gorkha community will get justice within the next five years,” he said. 
According to the data available in the portal of the Election Commission of India at the time of writing this report, 6,46,519 votes were polled in favour of Bista and 4,88,098 votes for Lama with a victory margin of 1,58,421 votes for the former. 
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Bista won by a record margin of over 4.13 lakh votes against the Trinamool Congress-GJM (Binoy Tamang faction) combine candidate Amar Singh Rai. Surprisingly, Bista won by an impressive margin from Kurseong which is the home ground of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha chief Anit Thapa who heads the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration and is the key ally of Trinamool in the hills. 
The GJM president said there was a lot of work for the BJP to do for the community and that he would keep reminding Bista. 
“The demand for tribal status will be given priority. We will keep pressuring Bista and the BJP to fulfill this demand as early as possible. There are lots of other work to do for the hills and Terai people,” said Gurung. 
In its 2019 Sankalp Patra, the BJP had promised to find a permanent political solution for the hills and grant tribal status to the 11 left out Gorkha communities, which has not been fulfilled, yet. 
The BGPM president congratulated Bista on his victory and said in democracy the mandate of the people had to be accepted. 
“We tried a lot to bring about a change in the mindset of the people but failed. People have voted for the BJP and we have to accept their mandate. Now for 20 years people have voted for the BJP and expect results. I want to congratulate Bista and hope he will work the people,” he said.
Regional

Election Commission proposes bypoll schedule for Maniktala Assembly seat in Bengal

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Sadhan Pande of the Trinamool Congress had won from Maniktala in 2021 and he passed away in February 2022

R. Balaji, TT, New Delhi, 04.06.24 : The Election Commission on Monday submitted a report in a sealed cover to the Supreme Court on the proposed schedule of the bypoll for the Maniktala Assembly seat in Bengal.

Sadhan Pande of the Trinamool Congress had won from Maniktala in 2021 and he passed away in February 2022.

Pande’s win had been challenged by rival BJP candidate Kalyan Chaubey through an election petition in Calcutta High Court. In view of the election petition, a bypoll couldn’t be conducted and the constituency has been unrepresented.

Suvendu Dey, a local voter, moved the Supreme Court for a direction to the EC to hold the bypoll.

On May 18, the court gave the last opportunity to the Election Commission to place before it the Maniktala bypoll schedule.

When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, the EC’s counsel submitted a report on the byelection schedule to the bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice K.V. Viswanathan. The EC told the court that the report was in the sealed cover because of the model code of conduct in force.

Justice Viswanathan then said in view of the schedule fixed by the EC, the matter ought to be given a quietus.

Accordingly, the court disposed of the matter, saying no further orders were required to be passed.
Regional

Siliguri civic body initiates steps to prevent water crisis

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Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 3 June 2024, Siliguri: Taking a cue from the recent problem of drinking water supply in the city during the repair of the Teesta Dam in Gajoldoba, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated steps to prevent a rerun of such a situation. 

After getting instruction from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the board is going to restart work on the Mahananda Action Plan after the election results are declared. 
Under this plan, the Mahananda River will be cleaned and purified with three Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) I, II and III. The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) will do the work. 
On Monday, a meeting was held with the members of KMDA, where the Commissioner of SMC and other officials were present. Along with this, a unit to test drinking water will also be set up in Siliguri, said a SMC source. 
“The past board of SMC did not install an alternative intake well. They also did not execute the Mahananda Action plan. However, we have undertaken these works. The alternative intake well in Fulbari will be installed within this month. 
Tender process for the work of STP will take place immediately after the election results are declared,” said Gautam Deb, Mayor of Siliguri. In 2004, Ashok Bhattacharya, the then minister of Municipal Affairs had announced the Mahananda Action Plan. 
The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) started the work. However, the work was halted due to the embezzlement of Rs 200 crore. 
As part of the plan, construction work on two STPs in the Noukaghat area had started. However, the work was later stopped. In 2022, when Trinamool came to power in the SMC board, they began working on restarting the project. 
By the end of 2023, the Mayor restarted the work of an STP, for which Rs 255 crore was sanctioned. 
However, the work could not be started due to a failure in the tender call. A re-tender will be called.The Mayor also said that the SMC will install six deep tubewells in different areas of the city. 
The Public Health department (PHE) is planning to set up a water testing unit in Fulbari, said an SMC source. Currently, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test is done in Kolkata. It takes around five days to get the report. 
Courtesy & source: Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/siliguri-civic-body-initiates-steps-to-prevent-water-crisis-566431
Regional

Swelling lakes in Tibet due to climate change could cause heavy losses for China

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PTI, Beijing, Jun 3, 2024 : Numerous lakes in Tibet dotting the picturesque Himalayan region are set to swell with billions of tonnes of water due to increased rainfall caused by climate warming and the melting of glaciers which could cause massive economic losses for China, a study by a group of international scientists has said.

     
By the end of the century, the surface area of some lakes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau could increase by more than 50 per cent with the water volume of the lakes in the plateau estimated to expand by more than 600 billion tonnes, according to the study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Geoscience last month.
     
If these predictions are correct, the researchers said it could have a massive economic impact on China, running into the billions of dollars, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Monday, quoting the study’s findings.
     
“Our results suggest that by 2100, even under a low-emissions scenario, the surface area of endorheic lakes on the Tibetan Plateau will increase by over 50 per cent (around 20,000 sq km or 7,722 sq miles) and water levels will rise by around 10 metres (32 feet) relative to 2020,” the study said.
     
Endorheic lakes, also known as closed lakes, do not have an outlet to drain into.
     
The scientists from China, Wales, Saudi Arabia, the United States and France said this would correspond to a four-fold increase in water storage compared to what the area experienced over the last 50 years.
     
If steps are not taken to mitigate this, “more than 1,000 km of roads, approximately 500 settlements and around 10,000 sq km of ecological components such as grasslands, wetlands and croplands,” will become submerged, the study said.
     
Observers say that the swelling lakes and melting glaciers could also impact neighbouring countries including India as Tibet is the origin of several rivers including the mighty Brahmaputra.
     
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the “Water Tower of Asia”, is the highest and largest plateau in the world and is home to more than 1,000 lakes with large reserves of water in both liquid and ice form.
     
“[It is] one of the regions that is most vulnerable to climate change acting as an early warning signal for the wider effects of global warming,” the researchers wrote.
     
China has invested billions of dollars in developing rail, road, and aerial infrastructure in the remote region to consolidate its hold over the strategically important Himalayan region.
     
While large lakes in other parts of the world have been experiencing a decline in water storage due to rising temperatures and human activity, lakes in the plateau have been expanding in recent decades due to warmer and wetter conditions, the study said.
     
Increases in net precipitation have mostly driven this. While melting glaciers also contribute to this phenomenon, the researchers said the remaining glaciers have “limited storage”.
     
Despite the northern parts of the plateau being projected to experience the largest increase in water storage, roads in the northeast, where there is more human activity and infrastructure, will be the most vulnerable to inundation.
     
Looking at the researchers’ middle socioeconomic scenario, the study estimated that inundated roads could directly lead to an economic loss of 20 billion yuan to 50 billion yuan (USD 2.7 billion to USD 6.9 billion) by the end of the century.
     
This “is a serious threat that should be considered in future rail and road planning”, the study said.
Regional

SKM urges SDF leaders, workers not to flee Sikkim fearing persecution

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PTI, Gangtok, Jun 3, 2024 : After social media posts claimed that demoralised SDF leaders and workers were fleeing Sikkim following assembly poll defeat, fearing attacks by ruling party cadre in post-poll violence, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Monday urged them to stay back, promising peace and security for all.

    
The SKM bagged 31 of the 32 assembly seats, the results of which were declared on Sunday. The SDF managed to win only one seat and even its party supremo and five-term former chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling lost both the seats he contested.
    
“Dear esteemed leaders and supporters of the SDF party, we have come to learn that many of you have left Sikkim fearing potential attacks. We wish to emphasise that the SKM, once a victim of such violence, deeply understands the pain caused by these heinous acts. Our ethos strongly stands against indulging in any form of violence,” SKM spokesperson Jacob Khaling said in a statement.
    
He said Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has strictly instructed all party workers to abstain from any anti-social activities in Sikkim.
    
“We have vowed to maintain peace and harmony across our beloved state,” Khaling said, urging those SDF workers and leaders who have fled the state to return.
    
The main opposition party must continue to engage with the public and continue public work to contribute to betterment of the people of Sikkim, the SKM leader said.
    
Even the chief minister, in a statement issued a few days back, batted for peace and security in Sikkim during the second SKM term.

    
SDF leaders could not be reached for their comment on the development.

Games & Sports, Regional

Tourism boost: Commercial paragliding begins in Kurseong

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Amitava Banerjee, MP, 2 June 2024, Darjeeling: The first ever commercial paragliding in Kurseong commenced with two flights on Sunday. Kurseong Aero Club — a company — with the support from the Tourism department of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), has started this adventure sport facility in Kurseong. 

“The booking counter is located next to the Rohini Guest House. From here we will provide transportation to the take off point 3 km away. Once they fly to the landing point, they will be transported back to the booking counter area. 
The cost is Rs 4,000 per person for the 5 to 10 minute flight. If a person wants video clips of the flight done by us, an additional Rs 500 will have to be paid,” stated Pratish Chettri of the Kurseong Aero Club while speaking to Millennium Post. 
The booking counter is located 10 km away from Kurseong town and around 6 km away from Simulbari. The take off point at Chisopani is at an altitude of 840 m above mean sea level. The landing point is at an altitude of 440 m above mean sea level. 
The aerial distance between the two points is 1 km. When questioned on the safety provisions, Chettri stated: “We will provide an extra parachute for the flier. It is one of the safest flights as the take off and landing spots are in very safe areas. 
The landing area is so big that if one misses the demarcated landing spot one can easily land outside, which is a huge field. We have well trained and experienced pilots from Sikkim.” 
At present there are 6 to 10 gliders. There are three pilots from Sikkim. “One of the pilots has been flying since 2007, the other since 2012 and one since 2014. We will get more pilots in the near future,” added Chettri. 
There have been a number of test flights before the inauguration. The flag off was done by Anit Thapa, Chief Executive, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) on Saturday. “Tourism is the economic mainstay of the Hills. It provides opportunities for self-employment and is a major avenue of employment generation in the Hills. 
This endeavour will definitely emerge as a major boost to tourism in Kurseong as well as the Hills.” He stated that in the past also there have been unsuccessful attempts of introducing paragliding in Kurseong with problems with the landing point. 
“Kurseong Aero Club has been working for the past one year to make paragliding a success,” added Thapa. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/tourism-boost-commercial-paragliding-begins-in-kurseong-566262
Regional, West Bengal

Cooch Behar man plants more than 3,000 trees for a greener future

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Shashikesh Roy, MP, 2 June 2024, Cooch Behar: Bajrang Parik, a resident of Cooch Behar, is guiding the entire town by planting trees as a saviour of the summer. 

At a time when trees are being cut down without regard for the environment, Bajrang Parik of Cooch Behar is silently working to benefit the environment. 
So far, he has planted more than 3,000 trees. Every morning, he sets out on his bicycle with planting equipment to take care of the trees according to the rules. 63-year-old Bajrang Parik resides at No. 2 Kalighat Road adjacent to Cooch Behar Railway Station. 
Although he owns a garment shop in Bhavaniganj Bazar, his primary task is tree planting. He mentioned: “Since 2005, I have been planting trees. 
Initially, I planted only flowers and fruit trees. I used to distribute saplings to some people. Later, I started planting various types of trees, including banyan and neem. I have planted many trees in the town and surrounding areas, including Cooch Behar Railway Station, Torsha, Saheb Colony, Kalighat Road, Lankabar and Vivekananda Street.” 
Bajrang added: “I make saplings at home myself and there are more than 100 saplings ready. In the morning, I go out with my bicycle, carrying saplings, soil and digging equipment. 
After planting a tree, I protect it with a sack or an old piece of saree and then I take care of it again. My goal is to create a large garden with banyan, mango, and jackfruit trees, where there will be cool breezes and birdsong.” 
Environmentalists emphasise that trees are indispensable for maintaining the balance of nature and the cutting of trees contributes to rising temperatures. In such circumstances, everyone should follow the example of Bajrang and come forward to plant trees. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behar-man-plants-more-than-3000-trees-for-a-greener-future-566265?infinitescroll=1
Health, Regional, West Bengal

Safe drinking water supply resumes in Siliguri

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Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 2 June 2024, Siliguri: Finally after five days, citizens of Siliguri were supplied with safe drinking water by the Siliguri Municipal Corporation from Sunday evening with water pumped from the Teesta River. Gautam Deb, Mayor of Siliguri in a Press conference on Sunday, announced: “The Public Health department (PHE) has given approval for drinking the water supplied by the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) from the Teesta River. 

As per our commitment, we started supplying purified drinking water from Teesta from Sunday evening, after getting approval from
the PHE department. I apologise for the inconvenience that people had to face during these days. 
I thank our Chief Minister, who was constantly in touch with me.”
On May 29, the Mayor had appealed to citizens not to drink the water supplied by SMC till June 2 as the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the water of Mahananda River has increased, which could cause illness. Sabita Sarkar, a resident of Ward 35, said: “I was buying packaged drinking water. 
, on Sunday evening we received purified water again like before at around 6:30 pm. The Mayor announced that we could drink the water from Sunday.” 
Owing to the flash floods in Teesta River, the Teesta Dam at Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri was damaged resulting in heavy siltation thus pumping of water from Teesta had to be stopped.
Instead, they started pumping water from the Mahananda River and supplied it to every ward for drinking purposes. While testing the water, PHE had found that the amount of BOD had increased in the Mahananda River’s water. 
The usual amount should be 1-2 Portable Parallel Analysis (PPA) whereas it was 2.9 PPA. Earlier, Deb informed that work on repairs of the Teesta Dam would be over by June 1 and purified water from the Teesta River would be supplied from the evening of June 2. 
The Irrigation department released water from Teesta River to Fulbari Canal on Saturday. The water was then purified and sent to wards. 
The Mayor also said that cleaning work of Fuleswari, Jorapani, Panchanai rivers has started. 
Rs 10 crores has been sanctioned for this. People of Siliguri heaved a sigh of relief with the normalising of safe drinking water supply.
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/safe-drinking-water-supply-resumes-in-siliguri-566268
Crime, Regional

Ramakrishna Mission ashram vandalism case in Siliguri: Prime accused arrested

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MP, 2 June 2024, Siliguri: The prime accused in the vandalism incident at Ramakrishna Mission in Siliguri — Pradeep Roy — was arrested by the Bhaktinagar Police and Special Operation Group (SOG) 13 days after the incident. 

Roy was arrested from a bus stand near the Siliguri Railway Junction on Saturday night. A total of 9 people have been arrested in the case so far. The police produced Pradeep at the Jalpaiguri Court on Sunday with a prayer for police remand for seven days. 
Pradeep Roy, is a resident of Bhaktinagar Police Station area in Siliguri. In the past also, he has been involved in many land grab and extortion cases, said the police. On May 19 at around 3:30 am, Pradeep Roy, along with 10 to 12 other miscreants, armed with firearms and other sharp weapons, entered the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and tried to take possession of it. 
Threatening the monks with dire consequences, they manhandled the monks and forced them out of the premises. 
After the incident, Ramakrishna Mission authorities had lodged a written complaint against Pradeep and others. Since then, Pradeep was absconding. Police sources said he was hiding in his sister’s house in Jalpaiguri. 
When the police arrived, he fled. He had planned to flee to Kolkata or Bihar, whichever bus he would get. Accordingly, he was waiting for the bus at the Junction area on Saturday night, where he was arrested. 
He was booked under sections 457 ( house-trespass), 427 (Mischief causing damage), 325 (Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 379 (Punishment for Theft), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), 120B (Criminal Conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Dipak Sarkar, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) East Zone said: “Further investigation is going on. Actions will be taken as per law.” 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/ramakrishna-mission-ashram-vandalism-case-in-siliguri-prime-accused-arrested-566271
Regional, Sikkim

Tragedy Strikes as Vehicle Bound for Gangtok Plunges Into Teesta River

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KalimNews, Kalimpong, 2 June 2024: In a tragic incident today, an Innova vehicle veered off NH 10 near Likhubhir and plummeted into the Teesta River. The vehicle, registered under WB 76 7218, met with the accident around 5 pm while traveling from Siliguri to Gangtok, carrying three individuals, including the driver.

The victims have been identified as Yogesh Gurung (28 years old) from Rangbul, Darjeeling, who was driving at the time, and passengers Tamenana Satyanarayana (47 years old) and Badarla Veera Venkata Raman (57 years old), both from Secunderabad, Hyderabad.

Preliminary reports suggest that drowsiness may have overcome the driver, causing the vehicle to veer off course and plunge off the road into the riverbank below. The impact of the crash left all three occupants injured, necessitating emergency responders to transport them to Rambhi Rural Hospital for immediate medical attention.

The local community is deeply saddened by this tragic incident, underscoring the critical importance of adhering to road safety measures, especially during long-distance journeys.  

Regional, West Bengal

Monsoon reaches northern West Bengal six days ahead of schedule: Met Department

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The weather office forecast widespread rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, with the possibility of heavy downpours in one or two places, over the next five days


PTI, Calcutta, 31.05.24 : Calcutta recorded 65 mm rainfall, bringing night temperature down to 23.7 degree Celsius from nearly 30 degrees a day earlier.:File picture.

The southwest monsoon reached sub-Himalayan West Bengal on Friday, covering most parts of the region, nearly a week ahead of schedule, the Met Department said.

The southwest monsoon normally reaches northern West Bengal on June 5 and the southern part of the state around June 9.

The faster movement of the southwest monsoon into the region could have been caused by the combined effect of cyclone Remal, bringing the southwesterly wind to the coasts from the Bay of Bengal, and thereafter the monsoon’s movement was attracted by a trough existing over northern West Bengal, weather officials said.

The weather office forecast widespread rain in the sub-Himalayan districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, with the possibility of heavy downpours in one or two places, over the next five days.

The places that recorded significant rainfall in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Friday in northern Bengal are Alipurduar (45 mm), Jalpaiguri (43 mm) and Coochbehar (28 mm), it said.

The Met Department also forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind in the southern Bengal districts, including Calcutta, during the next three days.

Calcutta recorded 65 mm rainfall, bringing night temperature down to 23.7 degree Celsius from nearly 30 degrees a day earlier, the Met said. 
Regional

Teesta rehabilitation work going on in full swing: Anit Thapa

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Amitava Banerjee, MP, 31 May 2024, Darjeeling: Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chief Anit Thapa, on a round of Teesta on Friday, remarked that relief and rehabilitation work was going on in full swing and the process for compensation from the NHPC to the Teesta flash flood victims was near completion. 

He also said 65 per cent work on the construction of embankment dams was completed. Regarding frequent inundation, Thapa said: “Unless the Union government gives permission for desiltation, nothing much can be done.” 
Incidentally a Glacial Lake outburst had triggered flash floods in River Teesta on October 4, 2023 causing widespread damage downstream in Sikkim along with Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri district in Bengal. An NHPC dam at Chungthang in North Sikkim, was also washed away by the Teesta. More than 300 houses were damaged along the river in the Kalimpong district. 
Answering questions from mediapersons, Thapa stated: “Rehabilitation work is on. Every disaster victim received the stipulated amount of Rs 75,000 as per state government rules. However, GTA has started an initiative to build houses for the homeless. The government will hand over the land and house construction will begin.”
He further stated that some families had requested compensation from NHPC. “Accordingly, a committee was constituted to look into the compensation. A survey was conducted under the supervision of the committee. Documents have been prepared after assessment. The process had reached the final stage. 
Soon the victims will receive compensation from the NHPC,” assured Thapa. 
When questioned about the surge in the water level of the Teesta with rains causing inundation of the roads, Thapa stated: “The permanent solution is desiltation. The flash floods have brought in huge amounts of silt and raised the river bed. 
Unless sand and silt is taken out, the matter cannot be resolved. This needs special permission from the Union government,” stated Thapa. The Union government has enforced a ban on quarrying on the Teesta and other mountain rivers. 
“I’m not talking of quarrying but sand and silt have to be removed. It is the demand of the local residents also. It cannot be done now. After monsoons we will ask the district administration and state government to take up the matter with the Union government,” added Thapa. Courtesy & source- MilleniumPost
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/moderate-to-heavy-rain-likely-in-north-bengal-in-next-5-days-566149?infinitescroll=1