The advisory, which was issued by Bandana Chhetri, an additional secretary of the department on Monday, mentioned that they have received complaints regarding fraudulent online travel agencies from tourists
TT Correspondent, Siliguri, 04.06.24 : The tourism and civil aviation department of Sikkim has issued an advisory for tourists, asking them to plan their trips only through travel agencies which are registered with the department.
The advisory, which was issued by Bandana Chhetri, an additional secretary of the department on Monday, mentioned that they have received complaints regarding fraudulent online travel agencies from tourists.
“To avoid such complications, it is advised that tourists intending to visit Sikkim should get their bookings done or plan their trips only with agencies which are registered with the department. The list of such agencies is available in the department’s website (www.sikkimtourism.gov.in),” said a source.
The selection of such agencies would also ensure the safety of tourists and they can have a satisfactory trip to the mountain state. “It will also mitigate the risk of falling victim to scams,” the source added.
Along with the advisory, the department has also published a list of 18 officers and employees of the department. They have been deputed as nodal officers in the six districts of Sikkim – Gangtok, Mangan, Pakyong, Namchi, Soreng and Gyalshing – to resolve tourism related grievances.
“This will help in resolving tourism related issues in a prompt manner. If required, the nodal officers can communicate with senior officials of the department to redress any issue,” said a source.
As per the data available with the department, 6,33,266 domestic tourists have visited the state from January to May 26 this year while 46,697 foreign tourists had been to Sikkim till April this year.
“The number of foreign tourists is on the rise in Sikkim over the past few years as in 2018, the restriction on Bangladeshi tourists has been withdrawn. Hundreds of Bangladeshis, who would earlier go to north India to enjoy a trip at the hill station, are swarming in Sikkim now,” said Debasish Chakraborty, general secretary, Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators’ Association.
Those associated with the industry however pointed out that road conditions should be improved in northern parts of the state.
MP, 4 June 2024, Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore has predicted that the temperature may go up by 3 degree Celsius before Friday.
Discomfort will prevail in South Bengal districts. Southwest monsoon has entered North Bengal but it remained stationary in the same spot for nearly three days.
A low pressure has formed in south east Bay-of-Bengal Western disturbances will enter north west parts of the country on Tuesday.
The city on Monday registered its lowest temperature at 27.9 degree Celsius while the highest temperature of the day was registered at 34.4 degree Celsius in Kolkata on Sunday.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore had predicted scattered rainfall may happen in several parts of South Bengal.
Yellow alert had been issued for the districts like North and South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia which would receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Tuesday, on the day of election counting.
A gusty wind of 40-50 kmph may be sweeping through the regions. The MeT office said that rains will continue in South Bengal till Tuesday while there is a heavy rain forecast in the North. Kolkata, however, will continue to experience dry weather.
After 15 years, Bengal has witnessed the entry of monsoon rains in the month of May this year.
The state had registered a similar situation in 2009 when the monsoon entered north Bengal on May 25. In 2006 and 2007, monsoon entered North Bengal in May. Monsoon entered North Bengal on May 31 this year.
But the pre-monsoon season is going on in the south. The normal monsoon onset date for Kerala is June 1 and for Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam is June 5.
According to weather scientists, El Nino conditions are prevailing at present and La Nina may set in by August-September.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 3, 2024 : With the campaign frenzy now a fading echo and the polls over, a palpable tension gripped the air as candidates of various political parties faced the anxious moments for the EVMs to be opened.
To pass that time, some candidates preferred to stay with the party workers, others decided to take some rest after the heat and dust of electioneering, while some others took timeout to meet parents before the results were announced.
Sougata Roy, veteran TMC MP from the Dum Dum, is one such candidate who is making the most of this period by giving time to himself.
“I read books and sleep during this period,” he said while talking to PTI.
However, not everyone spends the way Roy does. For BJP’s Medinipur candidate Agnimitra Paul, there is “no time to die or rest”.
“I have lots of work to do before the EVM machines are opened for counting of votes. Setting up camps near the counting centres, selecting and briefing the counting agents along with other party workers – I have been busy with all these,” Paul said.
For one day, she had to go to Durgapur as her mother was unwell, she said.
BJP candidate from Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency Dilip Ghosh said that he had to make a whirlwind tour of various constituencies and only got one-and-a-half months to campaign in his seat.
Now he is in his constituency with his party activists and counting agents.
Sujan Chakraborty, CPI(M) candidate from Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency said, “I just had a few moments to spend with my mother when I visited Midnapore recently. I had no time for myself after polling was held in my constituency since I have campaigned for other candidates of my party.”
“I am an active worker of the party and it is a 365-day job. I am back doing my regular job after the polls were over in Dum Dum constituency on June 1,” Chakraborty said.
The Left leader said that besides attending party meetings he visited all those workers who were attacked and beaten up by our rival party during and after the polls, Chakraborty added.
The feeling is strange now, TMC sitting MP and Birbhum candidate Satabdi Roy said.
“It’s like the situation after a war is over…everything is so quiet. In this waiting period, the feeling like that of a student who is waiting for the exam results or like the person who is about to meet her or his love for the first time in person,” the actor-turned-politician said.
Roy also said that tonight she is going to attend several meetings with her workers in her constituency.
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.
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
Agencies, 2 June 2024, Kolkata: A police team from Bangladesh has visited Nepal in search of one of the accomplices of the prime suspect in the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar, a source in the Bengal CID said on Sunday.
The team is in touch with the Nepal Police, who have assured it of all assistance, he added. Anar was allegedly murdered in a posh flat in New Town area near here.
An arrested person, who police claimed is a butcher by profession, allegedly chopped the body of the Bangladeshi lawmaker into 80 pieces and mixed them with turmeric before disposing them at different locations, including a canal around New Town.
It is suspected that Anar’s friend and business partner Akhtaruzzaman, who is now a US citizen, plotted the murder. “Grilling the arrested accused, we have come to know that one person, Siyam, and the main conspirator have fled to Nepal soon after committing the crime. It seems that Siyam is still hiding in Nepal while Akhtaruzzaman has gone to the USA,” he told a news agency.
When enquired about when the lawmaker’s daughter would be arriving in the city, the officer said that they were expecting her in a couple of days.
Police have plans to conduct a DNA test on the flesh recovered from the septic tank of the New Town flat and match it with the daughter. Meanwhile, search for the body parts of Anar continued on Sunday, he added.
The search for the missing MP, who reportedly arrived in Kolkata on May 12 to undergo medical treatment, began after Gopal Biswas, a resident of Baranagar in north Kolkata and an acquaintance of the Bangladeshi politician, filed a complaint with the local police on May 18. Anar had stayed at Biswas’s house upon arrival.
In his complaint, Biswas stated that Anar left his Baranagar residence for a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon of May 13 and that he would be back home for dinner. Biswas claimed that the Bangladesh MP went incommunicado on May 17, which prompted him to file a missing complaint a day later.
MP, 2 June 2024, Kolkata: After 15 years, Bengal has witnessed the entry of monsoon rains in the month of May this year.
The state had registered a similar situation in 2009 when the monsoon entered North Bengal on May 25. In 2006 and 2007, monsoon entered North Bengal in May. Monsoon entered North Bengal on May 31 this year.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore had predicted scattered rainfall may happen in several South Bengal districts till next Friday.
Yellow alert had been issued for the districts like North 24 and South24-Parganas, East Midnapore, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia which would receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Monday.
It will rain in several South Bengal districts on the day of election counting on Tuesday. The MeT office said that rains will continue in South Bengal till Tuesday while there is a heavy rain forecast in the North.
Kolkata, however, will continue to experience dry weather from Sunday onwards, the Meteorological office said. However, there is a possibility of heavy rain in North Bengal in the next few days.
Monsoon has already entered North Bengal but the pre-monsoon season is going on in the south.
Various districts, including Kolkata, have witnessed the rain for the past few days. According to the weather office forecast, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms may occur in a few districts of South Bengal in the next couple of days.
Along with that, wind speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour can blow. North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore will have higher wind speed. The wind can blow at a speed of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour in those four districts.
“Rain is likely in eight districts of South Bengal on Monday. However, Kolkata is not in that list. North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Nadia may get wet on Monday. East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia may also receive rain on that day.
Heavy rain is forecast in three northern districts from Monday to Thursday. Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar are likely to receive 7 to 11 cm of rain. Several districts in South Bengal received pre-monsoon rainfall late on Thursday night.
The normal monsoon onset date for Kerala is June 1 and for Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur and Assam is June 5.
According to weather scientists, El Nino conditions are prevailing at present, and La Nina may set in by August-September.
El Nino – the periodic warming of surface waters in the central Pacific Ocean – is associated with weaker monsoon winds and drier conditions in India. La Nina – the antithesis of El Nino- leads to plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season.
PTI, Gangtok, Jun 2, 2024 : Much waters have flown down Teesta and Rangeet rivers since Prem Singh Tamang rebelled against the then Sikkim chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and subsequently formed his own party, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, in 2013.
Fifteen years after quitting the Sikkim Democratic Front in 2009, he decimated Chamling’s party, scripting history by winning 31 of 32 assembly seats in the Himalayan state in 2024. Only twice before, in 1989 and 2009, had political parties, the Sikkim Sangram Parishad and the SDF, respectively, registered such landslide victories.
Fifty-six-year-old Tamang, regarded as an able organiser, administrator and fiery politician, rode on a slew of development and welfare measures, besides his own personal charisma, to massively increase his party’s seats and vote share.
After having walked out of prison, where he was lodged for one year after being convicted in a corruption case, in 2017, Tamang had revamped his fledging party, which went on to unseat Chamling from power only two years later, winning 17 seats in 2019.
Although SDF had won 15 seats, two party MLAs had won two seats each and had to quit one seat each, effectively putting the party’s strength at 13 in the assembly.
Chamling suffered mass desertions of his MLAs, as 10 legislators joined the BJP, while the remaining two switched sides to the SKM, leaving him as the lone representative of his party in the assembly.
Tamang, on the other hand, went on to further consolidate his power and expand his party base and support, focusing on welfare schemes targeted at women and weaker sections and implementing development work with generous funding from the Centre as he stitched an alliance with the BJP. The coalition, however, collapsed ahead of the 2024 assembly polls over the seat-sharing issue.
Born to Kalu Singh Tamang and Dhan Maya Tamang on February 5, 1968, he had graduated from a college in Darjeeling in neighbouring West Bengal and became a teacher in a government school in 1990.
However, he quit his job only three years later and in 1994, co-founded the SDF, with which he remained associated for nearly 20 years, of which he was a minister for 15 years, before floating his party in 2013. The SKM won 10 seats in the 2014 assembly elections.
After having fallen out with Chamling, Tamang had ploughed a lonely furrow in Sikkim politics, inviting the wrath of his former mentor as he was booked in a corruption case in which he was convicted to one year imprisonment following which he was disqualified from the state assembly as an MLA from Upper Burtuk seat.
After winning the 2019 polls, the bar on him to occupy a public post was removed by the central government, following which he took oath as the chief minister on May 27 that year and won a by-election five months later from Poklok-Kamrang constituency, ironically a seat vacated by Chamling.
Five years down the line, the fortunes of the two leaders have changed drastically, with Tamang winning from Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies by thumping margins, while Chamling met his political waterloo by losing both seats, Namcheybung and Poklok-Kamrang.
The drubbings may mark the end of Chamling’s four-decade-long public life during which he had served as a five-term chief minister to leave Tamang as the new satrap of Sikkim.
The SKM boss, however, has also expressed his wish before the electorate to not remain in public life after serving two terms as the chief minister and to hand over the reins of the party to the next line of leadership.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 2, 2024 : The Election Commission on Sunday ordered repolling at one booth each in the Barasat and Mathurapur Lok Sabha constituencies, an official said.
The decision of repolling, which will be held from 7 am to 6 pm on Monday, was based on reports of the returning officers, the district election officers and observers concerned, he said.
The booth in the Barasat constituency is located at the Kadambagachi Saradar Para FP School in the Deganga assembly segment, while the one in Mathurapur is located at the Aaddir Mahal Srichaitanya Bidyapith in the Kakdwip assembly seat, he added.
Meanwhile, the BJP wrote to the EC, seeking repoll at several booths in the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat.
All these seats went to the polls in the last phase on June 1.
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.
Prem Singh Tamang wins from both Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies, SKM set for a second term
Sikkim Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) chief Prem Singh Tamang speaks with the media after party’s victory in the State Assembly elections, in Gangtok: PTI
PTI, Gangtok, 02.06.24 : Sikkim Krantikari Morcha supremo Prem Singh Tamang on Sunday gave credit for the party’s landslide victory in the assembly election in the state to the hard work of the SKM cadre and the trust of the people in his government.
The SKM returned to power in the Himalayan state for the second time in a row by securing 31 seats in the 32-member assembly.
The lone winner Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) from 23-Shyari (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6633 votes.
After the landslide win, Tamang who is also the chief minister, congratulated the party supporters and the voters of Sikkim.
“It is because of the love and trust of the people which we have managed to secure in the past five years in government. Besides, party cadres worked very hard. Now we have the next five years to give our 100 per cent for the people of Sikkim,” he said at a gathering in Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.
Tamang won from both Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies that he contested.
In 2019, the SKM had won 17 seats and unseated the Sikkim Democratic Front party (SDF) which ruled the state for 25 years in a row.
SDF president and former CM Pawan Chamling lost from both the seats he contested elections.
“I also want to thank the opposition as it is because of them that our party became stronger and more organised,” he said.
Tamang asked the party workers to maintain calm in the aftermath of the landslide victory. PTI
IPR, Gangtok, June 2, 2024 : Counting of votes for Sikkim’s 32 assembly constituencies completed today. Mr Prem Singh Tamang led Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party remained undefeated as SKM bagged 31/32 seats in the state legislative assembly.
Here is the full list of winning candidates:
Gyalshing district:
1. Mr Tshering Thendup Bhutia (SKM) from 01-Yoksam-Tashiding (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 8271 votes
2. Mr Bhim Hang Limboo (SKM) from 02-Yangthang Assembly Constituency won with 6621 votes
3. Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba (SKM) from 03-Maneybung-Dentam Assembly Constituency won with 8553 votes
4. Mr Lok Nath Sharma, (SKM) from 04-Gyalshing-Barnyak Assembly Constituency won with 5612 votes
Soreng district:
5. Mr Erung Tenzing Lepcha (SKM) from 05-Rinchenpong (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 9624 votes
6. Mr Mingma Norbu Sherpa (SKM) from 06-Daramdin (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 9404 votes
7. Mr Prem Singh Tamang (SKM) from 07-Soreng-Chakung Assembly Constituency won with 10480 votes
8. Mr Madan Cintury (SKM) from 08-Salghari-Zoom (SC) Assembly Constituency won with 5678 votes
Namchi district:
9. Mr Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia (SKM) from 09-Barfung (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 8358 votes
10. Mr Bhoj Raj Rai (SKM) from 10-Poklok-Kamrang Assembly Constituency won with 8037 votes
11. Mrs Krishna Kumari Rai (SKM) from 11-Namchi-Singhithang Assembly Constituency won with 7907 votes
12. Mr Nar Bahadur Pradhan (SKM) from 12-Melli Assembly Constituency won with 7904 votes
13. Mr Sanjeet Kharel (SKM) from 13-Namthang-Rateypani Assembly Constituency won with 8949 votes
14. Mr Bedu Singh Panth (SKM) from 14-Temi-Namphing Assembly Constituency won with 6759 votes
15. Ms Raj Kumari Thapa (SKM) from 15-Rangang-Yangang Assembly Constituency won with 6514 votes
Gangtok district:
16. Mr Samdup Tshering Bhutia (SKM) from 16-Tumen Lingi (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 8265 votes
17. Mr Nar Bahadur Dahal (SKM) from 17-Khamdong-Singtam Assembly Constituency won with 5882 votes
18. Mr Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) from 23-Shyari (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6633 votes
19. Mr Sonam Tsh. Venchungpa (SKM) from 24-Martam-Rumtek Assembly Constituency (BL) won with 8070 votes
20. Mr G.T. Dhungel (SKM) from 25- Upper Tadong Assembly Constituency won with 6209 votes
21. Mr Arun Kumar Upreti (SKM) from 26-Arithang Assembly Constituency won with 5356 votes
22. Mr Delay Namgyal Barfungpa (SKM) from 27-Gangtok (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 4440 votes
23. Ms Kala Rai (SKM) from 28-Upper Burtuk Assembly Constituency won with 6323 votes
Pakyong district:
24. Mr Lall Bahadur Das (SKM) from 18-West Pendam (SC) Assembly Constituency won with 6237 votes
25. Mr Prem Singh Tamang (SKM) from 19-Rhenock Assembly Constituency won with 10094 votes
26. Mr Puran Kumar Gurung (SKM) from 20-Chujachen Assembly Constituency won with 8199 votes
27. Mrs Pamin Lepcha (SKM) from 21-Gnathang-Machong (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6676 votes
28. Mr Raju Basnet (SKM) from 22-Namcheybung Assembly Constituency won with 7195 votes
Mangan district:
29. Mr Thenlay Tshering Bhutia (SKM) from 29-Kabi-Lungchuk (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 5882 votes
30. Mr Pintso Namgyal Lepcha (SKM) from 30 Djongu (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 6402 votes
31. Mr Samdup Lepcha (SKM) from 31-Lachen-Mangan (BL) Assembly Constituency won with 3929 votes
Sangha:
32. Mr Sonam Lama (SKM) from Sangha Assembly Constituency won with 1919 votes
Counting started in the early hours of the morning in the centers spread across different venues in all six districts of the state.
The counting of votes began at 6 am amid tight security arrangements at the counting centers. Officials including Observers, Micro-observers, Returning Officers (RO)/ARO, Counting Supervisors, Counting Assistants and polling agents representing various political parties were involved in the counting process.
The votes were counted from polled EVMs, randomly selected VVPAT slips, Postal Ballot papers (including Home Voting), and Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).
The counting centers were located at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Kyongsa in Gyalshing district, Government B.Ed College in Soreng district, Government College, Kamrang in Namchi, DIET College Burtuk, DIET College Auditorium, SCERT Old Building and SCERT New Building in Gangtok district, Dikling Senior Secondary School in Pakyong district and District Administrative Centre, Pentok & District Election Office, Pentok in Mangan district.
Upon declaration of results, the Certificate of Election was presented to all the winning candidates by the respective Returning Officers. The entire counting process in the state was conducted peacefully with strict adherence to the election protocols.
It may be noted, Sikkim recorded 79.90% voter turn-out this time, excluding Postal Ballots, as it went to polls on April 19, in Phase 1 of Assembly Elections as well Lok Sabha Elections. Out of the total registered electors, 3,70,857 individuals exercised their voting right including 1,85,813 males an 1,85,042 females and 02 third gender voters.
Counting of votes for Sikkim’s lone Parliamentary Constituency (Lok Sabha) will take place on June 4.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 1, 2024 : Widespread violence between supporters of the TMC and the BJP over alleged electoral malpractices in strife-torn Sandeshkhali marred the final phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal on Saturday, resulting in injuries to a number of people.
A 69.89 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm across the nine contested seats that went to polls, several of which witnessed sporadic violence.
The Election Commission received 2,667 complaints until 4 pm, alleging EVM malfunction and obstruction of agents entering booths.
The TMC, Congress, ISF, and BJP each filed hundreds of complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on agents. Despite these issues, the Election Commission stated that “barring a few incidents, the polling was peaceful”.
“Highest polling of 76.56 per cent was registered in Basirhat, followed by Mathurapur (74.13), Jaynagar (73.44), Diamond Harbour (72.87), Barasat (71.80), Jadavpur (70.41), Dum Dum (67.60), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88), and Kolkata Uttar (59.23),” he said.
Voter turnout in Baranagar bypoll until 5 pm was 66.70 per cent, the official added. Voting commenced at 7 am and was scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.
Sources suggest the turnout may increase further as long queues were observed outside polling booths.
All nine seats are presently with the TMC. In the last parliamentary polls, Basirhat, Mathurapur, Jaynagar, Diamond Harbour, and Barasat recorded 85, 84, 82, 81, and 81 per cent voter turnout, respectively.
The voter turnout in Jadavpur, Dum Dum, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar was 79, 76, 69.82, and 65 per cent, respectively, in 2019.
In Sandeshkhali which comes under the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices.
The police used batons and tear gas to control the situation. BJP candidate Rekha Patra alleged that TMC goons stopped voters from casting their votes.
Women voters of Sandeshkhali accused the TMC of not allowing them to cast their votes freely, an allegation dubbed baseless by the state’s ruling party.
The TMC made counter-allegations and accused Patra and BJP goons of trying to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
As both groups came to blows on the Basanti Express Highway, the police resorted to baton charges and tear gas shell firing to disperse the mob.
The BJP also claimed that shots were also fired by the TMC goons.
Clashes among the police, BJP, and the TMC activists were reported from three pockets of Sandeshkhali as in several areas TMC and BJP workers were seen hurling bricks at the police.
Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said three persons were injured during the clash between TMC and BJP supporters at Bayramari in Sandeshkhali, adding that one person was arrested in this connection.
Sandeshkhali’s Bermajur area has been on the boil since last night as the BJP made allegations that TMC workers, accompanied by policemen, intimidated its polling agents by visiting their homes on Friday night.
Sporadic violence was also reported in the other eight constituencies voting in West Bengal.
Clashes broke out among the TMC, ISF, and the BJP in different pockets as the parties clashed over stopping polling agents from entering booths.
A confrontation erupted in Bhangar within the Jadavpur constituency between backers of Trinamool Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF), with allegations of crude bombs being hurled from both sides. Police intervention ensued, triggering protests as both factions accused each other.
Angry voters of Kultuli within the Joynagar constituency threw EVMs and VVPAT machines into nearby water bodies alleging electoral misconduct.
TMC supporters have accused the ISF of orchestrating the violence to intimidate voters. Prompt action from local law enforcement led to lathi charges and the arrest of suspects in the Polerhat area of Bhangar.
In the Canning area, clashes were reported between the TMC and the BJP.
BJP candidate Abhijit Das accused the ruling party of malpractices, which the TMC denied. As Das approached a polling booth, TMC activists staged protests and shouted “Go back” slogans. In response, Das got out of his car and shouted counter slogans.
Similarly, CPI(M) candidate Patikur Rehman faced “go back” slogans from TMC workers when he attempted to visit a booth in the Canning area.
In Jadavpur, CPI(M) workers were allegedly beaten by the TMC activists and their camp offices were ransacked.
In Baranagar assembly seat, where a by-poll is on, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya was allegedly assaulted when he was standing outside a booth as TMC workers accused him of trying to influence the voters.
In some areas, media persons were also injured while covering the clashes.
The TMC exuded confidence about retaining all nine seats.
“The BJP tried to vitiate the poll atmosphere. But overall the people could cast their votes and we are confident of a win,” Education Minister Bratya Basu said.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded re-polling in several booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency alleging malpractices.
“The TMC in a pre-planned way stopped the Hindus from casting their votes in various seats. We want re-polling in various booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency as the violence and irregularities have been rampant,” he said.
CPI (M) state secretary Mohammad Salim claimed that the election process in the Diamond Harbour constituency, where TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee is seeking a third consecutive term, was “fraudulent”.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 1, 2024 : Widespread violence between supporters of the TMC and the BJP over alleged electoral malpractices in strife-torn Sandeshkhali marred the final phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal on Saturday, resulting in injuries to a number of people.
A 69.89 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm across the nine contested seats that went to polls, several of which witnessed sporadic violence.
The Election Commission received 2,667 complaints until 4 pm, alleging EVM malfunction and obstruction of agents entering booths.
The TMC, Congress, ISF, and BJP each filed hundreds of complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on agents. Despite these issues, the Election Commission stated that “barring a few incidents, the polling was peaceful”.
“Highest polling of 76.56 per cent was registered in Basirhat, followed by Mathurapur (74.13), Jaynagar (73.44), Diamond Harbour (72.87), Barasat (71.80), Jadavpur (70.41), Dum Dum (67.60), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88), and Kolkata Uttar (59.23),” he said.
Voter turnout in Baranagar bypoll until 5 pm was 66.70 per cent, the official added. Voting commenced at 7 am and was scheduled to conclude at 6 pm.
Sources suggest the turnout may increase further as long queues were observed outside polling booths.
All nine seats are presently with the TMC. In the last parliamentary polls, Basirhat, Mathurapur, Jaynagar, Diamond Harbour, and Barasat recorded 85, 84, 82, 81, and 81 per cent voter turnout, respectively.
The voter turnout in Jadavpur, Dum Dum, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar was 79, 76, 69.82, and 65 per cent, respectively, in 2019.
In Sandeshkhali which comes under the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices.
The police used batons and tear gas to control the situation. BJP candidate Rekha Patra alleged that TMC goons stopped voters from casting their votes.
Women voters of Sandeshkhali accused the TMC of not allowing them to cast their votes freely, an allegation dubbed baseless by the state’s ruling party.
The TMC made counter-allegations and accused Patra and BJP goons of trying to vitiate the poll atmosphere.
As both groups came to blows on the Basanti Express Highway, the police resorted to baton charges and tear gas shell firing to disperse the mob.
The BJP also claimed that shots were also fired by the TMC goons.
Clashes among the police, BJP, and the TMC activists were reported from three pockets of Sandeshkhali as in several areas TMC and BJP workers were seen hurling bricks at the police.
Basirhat SP Hossain Mehedi Rahaman said three persons were injured during the clash between TMC and BJP supporters at Bayramari in Sandeshkhali, adding that one person was arrested in this connection.
Sandeshkhali’s Bermajur area has been on the boil since last night as the BJP made allegations that TMC workers, accompanied by policemen, intimidated its polling agents by visiting their homes on Friday night.
Sporadic violence was also reported in the other eight constituencies voting in West Bengal.
Clashes broke out among the TMC, ISF, and the BJP in different pockets as the parties clashed over stopping polling agents from entering booths.
A confrontation erupted in Bhangar within the Jadavpur constituency between backers of Trinamool Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF), with allegations of crude bombs being hurled from both sides. Police intervention ensued, triggering protests as both factions accused each other.
Angry voters of Kultuli within the Joynagar constituency threw EVMs and VVPAT machines into nearby water bodies alleging electoral misconduct.
TMC supporters have accused the ISF of orchestrating the violence to intimidate voters. Prompt action from local law enforcement led to lathi charges and the arrest of suspects in the Polerhat area of Bhangar.
In the Canning area, clashes were reported between the TMC and the BJP.
BJP candidate Abhijit Das accused the ruling party of malpractices, which the TMC denied. As Das approached a polling booth, TMC activists staged protests and shouted “Go back” slogans. In response, Das got out of his car and shouted counter slogans.
Similarly, CPI(M) candidate Patikur Rehman faced “go back” slogans from TMC workers when he attempted to visit a booth in the Canning area.
In Jadavpur, CPI(M) workers were allegedly beaten by the TMC activists and their camp offices were ransacked.
In Baranagar assembly seat, where a by-poll is on, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya was allegedly assaulted when he was standing outside a booth as TMC workers accused him of trying to influence the voters.
In some areas, media persons were also injured while covering the clashes.
The TMC exuded confidence about retaining all nine seats.
“The BJP tried to vitiate the poll atmosphere. But overall the people could cast their votes and we are confident of a win,” Education Minister Bratya Basu said.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded re-polling in several booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency alleging malpractices.
“The TMC in a pre-planned way stopped the Hindus from casting their votes in various seats. We want re-polling in various booths of the Diamond Harbour constituency as the violence and irregularities have been rampant,” he said.
CPI (M) state secretary Mohammad Salim claimed that the election process in the Diamond Harbour constituency, where TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee is seeking a third consecutive term, was “fraudulent”.
Anushka in Bijoygarh, Ipshita in Regent Estate, Indrasish in Bhowanipore and Vatsala in Bangur.
They don’t know one another but share a predicament that binds a great number of young people in Calcutta — the compulsion to move out of the city because there aren’t enough jobs here.
The cry for jobs rang out loud among young voters across Calcutta on poll day.
Many of them who got their fingers inked on Saturday had come from Chennai, Bangalore and other places that have offered them what their hometown could not — a job commensurate with their qualification.
They voted because they wanted to send the message that creating jobs should top the “to-do” list of whoever comes to power.
“I am always worried about my family. But I am hundreds of miles away. I was forced to move out because I did not get enough opportunities here,” said Anushka Guha, 22, an engineer working in Chennai with a multinational information technology services company.
Anushka’s mother and grandmother live in Bijoygarh. The latter suffered deep cuts on her head when she fell at her home a couple of months ago.
“I felt so helpless. I am not alone. There are so many like me who have been forced to leave Bengal for want of jobs,” Anushka said outside a polling booth inside a school in Bijoygarh, part of the Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency.
Vatsala Poddar, 25, voted at Bangur Town Hall, which is part of the Barasat constituency. She shifted to the Karnataka capital six months ago to work in the marketing team of an e-commerce company. Before that, she spent two years working for a different company in Calcutta. Vatsala said there were “limited growth opportunities” here.
“There is a big difference in pay in Calcutta and other big cities. The cost of living is going up. But a well-paying job can offset inflation,” said Vatsala.
Sourish De, 21, is pursuing an MBA course from a private university in New Town. The course fee is around ₹8 lakh. “It is a lot of money. My father arranged for it. I have to land a well-paying job so I can live up to his expectations. But going by the job scene in Bengal and the feedback from seniors, the prospects in Calcutta seem bleak,” he said.
Most of the people this newspaper spoke to said they were surprised to see how the mainstream poll campaign did not give due importance to the need to create more jobs.
The election campaign has witnessed toxic polarisation. The BJP’s campaign pitch has kept swinging — from a Viksit Bharat by 2047 to fear-mongering about the Congress manifesto and the alleged appeasement of Muslims. Trinamool, on the other hand, has flaunted welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar.
“From what I have seen, most leaders have not talked about jobs as much as they should have,” said Tiyasha Goswami, 22, a voter in Chinar Park, part of the Barasat constituency.
Tiyasha, who is pursuing a postgraduate multimedia course from St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Calcutta, said she was “very scared” of the employment prospects, “not only in Bengal but across the country”.
“Not everyone can manage to go abroad,” Tiyasha said outside a polling station.
The Indian economy, despite its GDP numbers, has failed to generate enough jobs for the country’s large and expanding young population.
Ipshita Moitra, a techie with a pharma company in Bengaluru, voted at a school in Regent Estate. “I am aware of the freebies and doles that the Mamata Banerjee government is known for. I don’t have a problem with them. But the focus should be on the creation of jobs,” said Moitra.
Indrasish Majumdar, 29, who lives near Jadubabur Bazar in Bhowanipore (Kolkata South), works with a tech services company in Pune. His father suffers from acute renal problems and needs dialysis regularly.
“It is a pity that I cannot stay with my parents. They have spent a lot on my education. Now, I have to take care of them financially as well. Staying in Calcutta, I cannot earn as much as in other Metro cities,” he said after casting his vote on Saturday.
Koustav Ghosh, 24, who voted in New Town (Barasat), was worried about the rising cost of education. Koustav is pursuing an MBA course.
“The cost of these courses are rising across the country. But the job prospects are
becoming grimmer. The future is uncertain for us,” he said.
Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 4,012, votes in the Barfung Assembly seat
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) members celebrate their lead in the Assembly polls, outside a counting centre: PTI
PTI, Gangtok, 02.06.24 : The ruling SKM won seven Assembly seats and was leading in 24 other constituencies, the Election Commission of India said on Sunday.
Counting of votes for 32 assembly seats in Sikkim began at 6 am on Sunday, amid tight security arrangements, officials said.
Samdup Lepcha of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won the Lachen Mangan Assembly seat defeating his nearest SDF rival Hishey Lachungpa by 851 votes, according to the Election Commission of India.
SKM candidate Puran Kumar Gurung won the Chujachen seat defeating his nearest rival Mani Kumar Gurung by 3,334 votes.
Pintso Namgyal Lepcha of SKM won the Djongu Assembly seat defeating his nearest rival Sonam Gyatso Lepcha of SDF by 5007 votes..
Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Prem Singh Tamang was leading by around 7,044 votes over his nearest SDF rival Som Nath Poudyal from the Rhenock assembly constituency, while in the Soreng Chakung Assembly constituency Tamang is leading by 2,052 votes over his nearest SDF rival A D Subba.
Former CM and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling was trailing behind SKM candidate Raju Basnet by 1,852 votes in Namcheybung seat. In the Poklok Kamrang Assembly constituency Chamling was trailing behind Bhoj Raj Rai of SKM by 3,063 votes.
Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 4,012, votes in the Barfung Assembly seat.
Sikkim BJP unit president Dilli Ram Thapa was trailing behind his SKM rival Kala Rai by 2,568 votes in the Upper Burtuk Assembly constituency.
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.
MP, 1 June 2024, Kolkata: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Bangladesh Member of Parliament (MP), Anwarul Azim Anar murder case.
The SIT will be led by the Inspector General (IG) I of CID, Vishal Garg. The SIT will comprise three Deputy Inspector Generals (DIG) and about 10 other officers.
Meanwhile, the CID has decided to go for a DNA test of the pieces of flesh and hair found from the septic tank of the housing complex in New Town where Anar was murdered and his body was mutilated.
The CID is waiting for the forensic report of the flesh and hair to ascertain that it is a human. Anar’s daughter will soon come to Kolkata for the DNA test and proceedings for her VISA to come to India have reportedly begun in Bangladesh. However, the other body parts of the Bangladesh MP have still not been found.
Apart from the investigation by the CID, Bangladesh Police on Friday again produced the three arrested accused identified as Amanullah alias Shimul Bhuiyan, Shilasti Rahman and Tanvir Bhuiyan before the Dhaka Metropolitan Court after their eight days police remand was over.
On Friday, the Bangladesh Police reportedly appealed for their police remand again. After the hearing, five days police remand was allowed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Court.
In another development, the state CID has reportedly tracked another accused identified as Siyam in Nepal. A police team might go to Nepal soon in connection with the probe. However, before that both CID and Bangladesh Police might contact Nepal Police with a request to intercept Siyam.
