Category Archives: States

Education, Regional, West Bengal

Boys outshine girls in HS exam, 90 per cent of students clear test

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 90 pc of 7.55 lakh students clear WB class 12 board exam, students from dists figure among top 3

PTI, Kolkata, 8 May  2024 :  Boys outshone girls in this year’s Higher Secondary Examination in West Bengal, the results of which were declared on Wednesday. That, despite the number of female examinees far outweighing the number of their male counterparts, which is a commendable feat in itself, at the state’s school leaving exams which began on February 16 this year and concluded 13 days later.

Announcing the results 68 days after the conclusion of exams, the West Bengal Council of Higher Education authorities confirmed that 89.98 per cent of the students have cleared the test this year.

The performance is a marginal jump over last year’s pass percentage which stood at 89.

Addressing a press conference, Council President Chiranjib Bhattacharya said that while 88.18 per cent of girls passed the exams, the corresponding figure for boys stood at 92.12 per cent. This year 7,55,324 students appeared for the class 12 exams.

He said that the Council will look into the reasons behind the success rate of girls dipping by almost four percentage points compared to the boys.

Bhattacharya said that 56 per cent of girls and 44 per cent of boys wrote the papers this year which was a noteworthy change in comparison to the gender ratio a decade ago where 55 per cent boys and 45 per cent girls had appeared for the HS exams.

Of the 58 students who featured in the top 10 ranks, 23 were girls, he said, adding that 42.9 per cent of students secured 60 per cent marks or above while 1.23 per cent examinees shone with 90 per cent marks or more in the top bracket.

Bhattacharya stated that Purba Medinipur topped the chart among all districts of Bengal in terms of the number of successful candidates with 95.77 per cent passouts.

Avik Das from McWilliam Higher Secondary School in north Bengal’s Alipurduar district emerged as this year’s HS topper, Bhattacharya declared.

Das, an aspiring astrophysicist, obtained 496 marks out of the maximum 500 which translates to 99.2 per cent.

Soumyadip Saha of Narendrapur Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya in South 24 Parganas secured the second rank with 495 marks while Abhishek Gupta of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Vidyamandir of Malda clinched third rank with 494 marks, the Council president said.

Two girls, Pratichi Roy Talukdar from Sunity Academy in Coochbehar and Sneha Ghosh from Krishna Bhabini Nari Siksha Mandir of Hooghly jointly stood fourth with 493 marks each (98.6 per cent) and were declared as toppers among girls.

Soumyadip told PTI that he wanted to study statistics. “I love reciting poems and am hooked to story books – both classics and contemporaries. I don’t believe that one needs to study for long hours. It’s just that you need to manage your time well,” the second ranker said.

The Barasat resident thanked his teachers at RKM, Narendrapur and his parents for their continued guidance and support. 
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Molestation case: Bengal Guv to show CCTV footage to 100 people, except Mamata Banerjee and police

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A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan on Friday lodged a written complaint with the Calcutta Police alleging molestation by the governor in the Governor’s House
CV Ananda Bose : File picture.

PTI, Calcutta, 08.05.24 :In the backdrop of a woman employee levelling molestation charge against West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose, the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday said it would show the related CCTV footage to 100 people, except “politician” Mamata Banerjee and “her police”.

Following the allegation, the police requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage concerned. The Governor, however, directed his staff not to cooperate with the police in this regard.

“Governor Bose has launched a programme ‘SACH KE SAAMNE’ in the background of the mischievous and fabricated allegations by the police that Raj Bhavan is not sparing the CCTV footage of an incident which is under the illegal and unconstitutional investigation of the police,” the Raj Bhavan said in a post on X handle.

It asked the people to send requests over email or phone to attend the programme at Raj Bhavan and the first 100 people would be allowed to see the footage inside the Governor’s House on Thursday morning.

“Governor has decided that the CCTV footage can be seen by any citizen of West Bengal — except politician Mamata Banerjee and her police for the stand they had taken, which is in public domain,” the post read.

A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan on Friday lodged a written complaint with the Calcutta Police alleging molestation by the governor in the Governor’s House.

Bose had described the allegation as “absurd drama” and labelled Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s politics as “dirty”.
Crime, International, National, Regional, West Bengal

Nepalese national held with carcasses of wild animals

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Photo Courtesy: Siliguri TimesMP,8 May 2024, Siliguri: A Nepalese national was arrested with several body parts of wild animals in the Panitanki area on the India-Nepal border in Kharibari on Monday night. The accused has been identified as Dambar Sapkota (29), a resident of Nepal.

According to sources, on Monday night, the 41 number battalion of SSB conducted a naka check at the Indo-Nepal Border, where they stopped a four-wheeler. While checking the vehicle, the jawans recovered 5 deer horns, 30 pieces of thorn, a deer skull, snake bone and horn of Himalayan Goral. 
The arrested was later handed over to Tukriajhar Forest department. Sources said that the accused was taking them from Sikkim to Nepal but before he entered Nepal, the SSB caught him. 
The accused was produced at Siliguri Court on Tuesday and has been taken in remand. Debesh Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer of Kurseong Wildlife Division said: “We are investigating whether the accused is involved in international wildlife trafficking or if anyone else is involved in the case.” 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/nepalese-natl-held-with-carcasses-of-wild-animals-562885?infinitescroll=1
Regional, West Bengal

Forest officials train Railway loco pilots to prevent rail-elephant collisions

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MP, 8 May 2024, Alipurduar: Forest department officials conducted a special workshop at Alipurduar Junction, advising 77 Railway loco pilots on avoiding rail-elephant collisions. Top railway officials were also in attendance. 

Railway loco pilots from four divisions of Northeast Frontier Railway convened at the Alipurduar Junction Zonal Railway Training Institute, where Amlendu Majhi, Range Officer of Rajabhatkhawa in Buxa Tiger Reserve, delivered a powerpoint presentation. The session, lasting about two hours, covered the nature of
wild elephants and protocols for loco pilots encountering elephants on railway lines. 
Loco pilots were instructed to operate trains at a reduced speed of 25 kmph on jungle paths along the 164 km BG-3 line stretch. They were also advised not to immediately sound train horns upon spotting elephants on the track, although horn usage is generally prohibited due to its potential to agitate elephants. 
Amlendu Majhi stated, “We addressed various issues and fielded questions from the loco pilots, aiming to provide comprehensive guidance.” Additionally, the Railway Department highlighted the close communication between forest and rail authorities through specific WhatsApp groups. 
A forest department staff is stationed daily at the designated control room at the DRM office in Alipurduar. Installation of anti-collision devices for early warning in the Nagrakata area of Jalpaiguri district is underway, with similar installations planned between Damanpur of Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/forest-officials-train-railway-loco-pilots-to-prevent-rail-elephant-collisions-562894
Misc, Regional, West Bengal

Cooch Behar: Dispute between doctors and nurses resolved

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Shashikesh Roy, MP, 8 May 2024, Cooch Behar: After a prolonged negotiation session, the longstanding dispute between doctors and nurses at Cooch Behar MJN Medical College and Hospital was successfully resolved on Monday night, thanks to the intervention of Rajeev Prasad, the Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal (MSVP) of the institution. 

The conflict had erupted on Saturday when nurses staged a protest at the hospital, alleging that a doctor had physically assaulted and verbally abused a nurse in the female medical department. It was reported that the altercation stemmed from a misunderstanding between the doctor and the nurse regarding communication about a patient’s blood collection. 
Responding promptly, Prasad formed a five-member committee to investigate the incident. On Monday night, Prasad convened a meeting with representatives from both parties, including senior nurses and doctors. 
Lasting approximately an hour, the meeting addressed various concerns raised by both parties and ultimately led to a resolution of the matter. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cooch-behar-dispute-between-doctors-and-nurses-resolved-562897
Regional, States

Roads of alternative routes to NH 10 cries for repair

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YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, MAY 7, 2024 ; Due to construction work on the current National Highway 10, there is too much pressure of vehicular traffic on the road connecting Kalijhoda to Panbu through Mandir Khola to Reli Kalimpong. 

As an alternative route, Kalimpong and Sikkim bound vehicles are seen plying along this road. Since the road from Special Kalijhoda through Panbu to
Samthar to Mandir Khola has not been repaired since the time of its construction, the road has reached a deplorable condition.
In some places, the culverts laid many
years ago have been washed away by the
rains, and the drains have been blocked
with stones and mud, and the rainwater has
flowed from the middle of the road, making
the condition of the road deplorable.
In
some places, the road is narrow and there is
only one-way traffic. Some drivers also say
that vehicles are finding it difficult to pass.
During the closure of National Highway 10,
most of the vehicles from Sikkim and
Kalimpong are moving through these
alternative routes. Reliable sources say that
many inspections and applications have
been submitted in the past to make this road
a state highway. 
According to Yangmakum
panchayat committee member Dhanraj
Bhujel, the department and district
administration are looking into this matter.
As most of the vehicles of government
officials and VIP vehicles are also passing
through this route, there are chances that
the road may become rough in the future.
He said that if this road can be repaired at
many places and the traffic can be
organized in order to make this road
smooth, it can be a great convenience for the
passengers and the vehicles traveling
through this road to Kalimpong and Sikkim.
He also said that since the future of National
Highway 10 is not certain, if the alternative
roads are repaired and wide roads are built
to facilitate traffic, they can prove to be
alternatives to National Highway 10 even
during the rainy season.
Misc, Regional, West Bengal

Can Chowrasta be used for commercial activities? Civic body and social bodies differ

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EOI, DARJEELING, MAY 7, 2024 : Several organizations of Darjeeling have demanded that the local civic body does not allow commercial activities that require construction of structures, at Chowrasta, the only open square of the town.


On April 30, non government organizations, political parties and citizens went up in arms against the decision of the Darjeeling municipality to construct bamboo structures for stalls at Chowrasta.

Courtesy: Prolad Roka- Facebook

The municipality had planned to organize a Darjeeling Tourist Shopping Festival that would have lasted for more than ten days. The civic body had ostensibly said the objective for the shopping festival was to generate revenues by attracting tourists.


However, amidst protest by the social organizations and NGOs, the municipality was forced to stop construction work and postpone its proposed event at the popular promenade. As a result a war of words has started between the civic body and the protestors.

According to sources, the municipality on Monday did not grant permission to the Khambu Rai community to organize an event at Chowrasta. The source said the civic body has apparently asked the ethnic community to seek permission from social organizations and NGOs. On Tuesday, eight social organizations peeved by the civic body’s remarks came together on a common platform and condemned the attitude of the municipality.

“The municipality is an elected body and has the power to implement decisions. We as citizens too have voted for the municipality members.

Therefore it is responsibility and duty of the civic body to hear the public and decide, and not us. This is a callous attitude of the civic authorities,” said Dipika Gurung, member of one of the social organizations.

In defence, the municipality chairman Dipen Thakuri had pointed that events by the police department, social and cultural organizations have been organized at Chowrasta, earlier and that the current protestors had failed to speak against it.

Gurung however said such events were social in nature and did not have commercial aspects. “We are not against cultural and social cause events at Chowrasta. We only want that temporary structures are not constructed by digging holes and congesting the square for commercial purpose,” she said. Gurung said social organizations have on occasions also lauded the good work of the municipality.

“When the municipality laid tiles in and around the market area at Chowk Bazar in the heart of the town, we praised the civic body. Likewise, when the Mall Road and Chowrasta area was cleared of hawkers and stalls, we took to social media platforms to give a shout out to the municipality. So it is not, that we only point fingers of negativity,” she said. Authorities of the Darjeeling municipality could not be reached for their comments on the allegations.
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

X users get police notice for posting ‘hateful’ meme on Mamata Banerjee, warned of legal action

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PTI, Kolkata, May 7, 2024 :  The Kolkata Police warned of legal action against two users of micro-blogging site X for allegedly posting an “offensive, hateful and inflammatory meme” of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a senior officer said on Tuesday.


Two X handles – @SoldierSaffron7 and @Shalendervoice – allegedly shared the ‘offensive’ meme of Mamata Banerjee, he said, The Kolkata Police wrote in the ‘reply’ box of the posts, “You are directed to disclose your full identity including name and address immediately”.

The police have warned that legal action will be taken against them.

“It has been observed that you are using social media for posting offensive, malicious and inciting post. Cyber Police Station Kolkata hereby issues notice against you under section 149 of the CrPC” for posting such a message which can affect the law and order situation, the police said in a notice to the X handlers.

“You are hereby directed to delete the above-mentioned post and also refrain from such acts failing which you will be liable for strict penal action under the relevant provision of law,” it added.

Though the post has been removed by @Shalendervoice, @SoldierSaffron7 retained the meme – a video of Banerjee made using artificial intelligence technology.

Condemning the police move, SoldierSaffron7 said in another post, “Those who say there is no democracy under BJP government in India should sometimes visit West Bengal. So much Freedom of Speech in Bengal!” 
Crime, Education, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

‘Very happy’ Mamata hails SC order, BJP says corruption has been proved in court

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PTI, Kolkata, 7 May, 2024 : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court order that stayed the Calcutta High Court verdict of cancelling more than 25,000 school jobs, and said she is “very happy and mentally relaxed” after getting justice in the apex court. 
“I am really very happy and mentally relaxed on receipt of justice at the highest Court of the land. Congratulations to the entire teaching fraternity and my humble regards to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” Mamata said in a post on X. 
Speaking in a similar vein, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said truth has triumphed. 
“The Honorable Supreme Court has DEFUSED the BJP’s ‘EXPLOSIVE’ hurled last week to malign Bengal’s image and destabilise WB government. TRUTH HAS TRIUMPHED! We will continue to defy all odds and stand shoulder to shoulder with the people until our last breath,” he wrote on X.
The BJP, however, claimed that corruption in school recruitment in West Bengal has been proven in the court. “The TMC is neck-deep in corruption in this scam. They cannot evade their responsibilities,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

MCC turned into ‘Modi code ofconduct’under BJP rule: Mamata

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 Addressing an election rally at Purulia, the TMC supremo also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders consider only themselves as Hindus, and they do not think about other communities.

PTI, May 07 2024 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission has turned a blind eye to the allegations against BJP leaders that they indulge in hate speeches during campaigns, converting the Model Code of Conduct to “Modi code of conduct”.
Addressing an election rally at Purulia, the TMC supremo also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders consider only themselves as Hindus, and they do not think about other communities.
Modi and other BJP leaders by their “hate-filled speeches” are intimidating lower caste Hindus, minorities and other marginalised sections, but the Election Commission is silent, she alleged.
“The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct has turned out to be a mockery and should be rechristened as Modi code of conduct. But we will continue to flag every incident of violation of rights of citizens of this country,” Banerjee said.
Continuing her tirade at Modi,  Mamata  said  she  has  not  seen another PM who utters so many lies. The Chief Minister asked: “What happened to his 2014 promise of giving Rs 15 lakh in the bank account of every citizen? What happened to his promise to give free LPG gases? What happened to his ‘Beti Banchao Beti Padao’ project?” “In every village, BJP leaders are making a false promise of giving Rs 3000 to every poor woman under the ‘Annapurna Bhandar’  scheme. Remember, the BJP has withheld 100 days wage to the poor in Bengal for three years.
The BJP is also not releasing a single paisa for rice, we have shouldered the entire amount  so  that  our  poor  don’t  feel  the crunch,” she added. The TMC supremo claimed  that  Modi  visits  Bengal  only during polls, and resurfaces only ahead of the elections. At another rally in Bisnupur in Bankura district, Mamata alleged that the BJP is offering cash to tribal people to win votes. 
“They had also offered cash to the mothers of Sandeshkhali as part of heir conspiracy to weave a narrative to defame Bengal and its women. They have misjudged Bengal’s women, their dignity and self-respect,” she said. In a recent viral video, it was claimed that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari was behind the Sandeshkhali incidents and several women were paid money to raise protests against TMC leaders  accusing  them  of committing   atrocities   on them.
“The BJP thinks that by  distributing  cash,  they can win votes. But by such conduct, they are showing disrespect to the people of Bengal. If any BJP leader visits your residence before the day of voting and offers money, demand Rs 15 lakh. Ask them what happened to the earlier  promises of Modi,” she said.
Mamata said if the BJP returns to power for the third time, it will throw “Dalits and other communities out of the country”. 
Raising the slogan “Modi Hatao Desh bachao”, she alleged that the BJP is conspiring to implement the Uniform Civil Code which will make SCs, STs, OBCs and Muslims  lose  their  identity.  
The Chief Minister claimed that she received a message that a person belonging to the minority community was beaten to death on the way to a polling booth. She, however, added that she does not have details about the incident. The TMC supremo wondered whether the EC would take action on it.
Career / Jobs, Crime, Education, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

SC stays Calcutta HC order annulling appointment of 25,753 teachers, others in West Bengal

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The bench said the state government has nothing to show that relevant data was maintained by the authorities and asked about its availability
PTI, New Delhi, 07.05.24 : In a major relief to 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff of West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the order of the Calcutta High Court order invalidating their appointment made by the state’s School Service Commission (SSC) in the state-run and state-aided schools.

The top court, however, permitted the central probe agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to continue with its investigation and said it may probe even the members of the state cabinet if needed.

While granting the relief on the pleas, including the one filed by the state government, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra asked the CBI not to take any precipitative action like any arrest of any suspect during its ongoing investigation.

The top court, however, made it clear that the teachers and non-teaching staff of the state, whose appointments were cancelled by the high court, will have to refund the salaries and other emoluments if it reaches the conclusion that their recruitment was illegal.

“We are of the view that an expeditious disposal of the matter will be in the interest of justice. We accordingly direct that the proceedings be listed for hearing and final disposal on July 16, 2024.

“In the meantime, we are inclined to continue the ad-interim protection granted by this Court in the order dated November 9, 2023, subject to the express stipulation that any person found to have been appointed illegally and has continued as a consequence of the present order shall undertake to refund the entire amount of the salary which may be paid from the date of this order and the final judgement of this court,” the bench said in its order.

It said the issue which would merit closer analysis is whether the appointment which suffers from tainted can be segregated (with the genuine ones). If such is possible then it would be wrong to set aside the entirety of the process, the bench said.

The court should also be mindful that a large number of teachers for class 9-10th would be effected. Assuming that such a segregation is possible, this court has to set out the modalities to determine the segregation, the bench said in the order.

Earlier in the day, it termed the alleged recruitment scam in West Bengal as “systemic fraud” and said the state authorities were duty-bound to maintain the digitised records pertaining to the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff.

“Public job is so scarce… Nothing remains if the faith of the public goes. This is systemic fraud. Public jobs are extremely scarce today and are looked at for social mobility.

“What remains in the system if their appointments are also maligned? People will lose faith, how do you countenance this?” the CJI asked the lawyers representing the state government.

The bench said the state government has nothing to show that the data was maintained by its authorities and asked about its availability.

“Either you have the data or you do not have it… You were duty-bound to maintain the documents in digitised form. Now, it is obvious that there is no data.

“You are unaware of the fact that your service provider has engaged another agency. You had to maintain supervisory control,” the bench told the state government’s lawyers.

The top court said expeditious hearing was needed in the matter and listed the pleas for hearing on July 16.

It took note of the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the order staying the high court judgment may hamper the ongoing CBI probe and clarified that the investigation by the central agency will continue without any coercive action against the government officials and others.

Senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and N K Kaul, representing the state government authorities, argued against the cancellation of the appointments by the high court.

During the hearing, senior advocate Dushyant Dave made comments against former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay and sought a stay of the high court order.

“Mr Dave, we are not on conduct of Mr Gangopadhyay. We have been here and listening the nitty-gritty of the case since morning. Please show some decorum,” the bench said.

The CJI, once during the hearing, got irked and said he will issue notice and keep the case for hearing in July if the orderly hearing is allowed to take place.

“We are not here to scrutinise the conduct of Justice Gangopadhyay,” the CJI said, adding that the lawyers should be concerned with the legality of the case and levelling allegations against the high court judge will not lead anywhere.

The bench, in its order, said, “We are of view that submission of petitioners (state government and others) merits further consideration.” The top court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Calcutta High Court’s April 22 decision that invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in state-run and state-aided schools of West Bengal.

Besides cancelling the appointments, the Calcutta High Court had also directed the CBI to probe into the appointment process and submit a report in three months.

Over 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the State Level Selection Test (SLST)-2016 for 24,640 vacant posts. A total of 25,753 appointment letters were issued against 24,640 vacancies, Firdaus Shamim, a lawyer for some of the petitioners who had alleged irregularities in the selection process, had said.

The court also instructed those appointed outside the officially available 24,640 vacancies, appointed after the expiry of the official date of recruitment, and those who submitted blank Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets but obtained appointments to return all remunerations and benefits received by them with 12 per cent per annum interest, within four weeks. 
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Guv CV Ananda Bose’s sentries locked me up, snatched my phone and bag: Complainant

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One of the accused is a retired IAS officer now on special duty, another a pantry staff member and the third a chaprasi (peon), the police sources said. The names of the trio have not been revealed.
 Governor Ananda Bose and his wife show their inked fingers after voting in Thiruvananthapuram on April 26.: PTI picture

Monalisa Chaudhuri, TT, Calcutta, 07.05.24 : The young Raj Bhavan staffer who has accused governor C.V. Ananda Bose of making “physical advances” has named at least three Raj Bhavan employees who allegedly confined her in a room, snatched her mobile phone and bag, and tried to dissuade her from lodging a police complaint, police sources said.

One of the accused is a retired IAS officer now on special duty, another a pantry staff member and the third a chaprasi (peon), the police sources said. The names of the trio have not been revealed.

“There is a specific complaint against some of the staff who allegedly tried to confine the woman in a room, snatched away her belongings and tried to stop her while she was going out of the building to report the matter to the police,” an officer attached to the probe said.

This newspaper sent a detailed text message to Bose and emails to his official ID and the office of the Raj Bhavan secretary, seeking a formal response to the allegations against the three Raj Bhavan employees whose names the woman had mentioned.

There had been no response either through text or email till Monday evening.

“According to the woman, the pantry staff member and the chaprasi tried to stop her on the officer’s instructions. She alleged that the officer confined her in the EPBX room and snatched her phone when she tried to call her mother. One of them grabbed her bag and snatched it when she tried to run out of the room, she has alleged,” an officer said.

The woman has told the police that she got her stuff back when she started screaming for help, the officer added.

The woman, a contractual employee, had on May 2 alleged two instances of physical advances by the governor. The police later recorded and videographed her detailed statement, sources said.

A senior officer attached to the probe said on Monday the police had yet to get any CCTV footage from the Raj Bhavan, and that none of the Raj Bhavan employees summoned for an enquiry had turned up.

Senior advocates and constitutional experts said the immunity that a governor enjoys against criminal proceedings does not apply to the governor’s staff.

“Even if the governor has asked the Raj Bhavan staff not to cooperate with the police, the staff are free to make their own decision. There is no legal bar on the police. They can examine the Raj Bhavan staff,” former Bengal advocate- general Jayanta Mitra told The Telegraph.

Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya said the police also had the right to start a case, if they deemed fit, against the Raj Bhavan staff members.

“The police can lodge an FIR and start a case against the Raj Bhavan staff if they feel so. The police can go anywhere for the sake of investigation, including the Raj Bhavan, and take the accused staff into custody,” Bhattacharyya said.

“As far as my understanding goes, the governor has immunity only against criminal proceedings…. The question of proceedings comes at a much later stage. (But) there is no bar on the police conducting the enquiry.”

Bose, who had left for Kochi after the allegations emerged, returned to Calcutta on Monday. He accused chief minister Mamata Banerjee of “dirty politics” and alleged that she had “dragged me into politics”.

“A governor is supposed to stay away from politics…. I am very sorry that the chief minister has dragged me into politics, especially at a time when the elections are going on,” Bose said.

“I told a lot of good words about individual Mamata Banerjee. I stick to that. I spoke good words about the chief minister whom I always called my constitutional colleague. I stick to that.

“When questions were asked repeatedly about politician Mamata Banerjee, I used to say that politics is not my cup of tea, and I refused to comment.

“(But) now, because of the humiliating remarks she has made against me, against truth, I am forced to tell Mamata’s politics is dirty. Still, I pray God save her. But that is a difficult responsibility, even for God. “I will not accept, I will never accept this Didigiri on the distinguished office of the governor.”
Career / Jobs, Education, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Cancellation of 25,753 appointments: SC to hear case on Tuesday

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MP, 6 May 2024, Kolkata: Case against the Calcutta High Court’s verdict cancelling appointments of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff will be heard by the Supreme Court on May 7. 

The matter was listed to be heard on Monday. According to a news agency, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) asked the counsels to prepare a sequence of arrangements amongst themselves to make orderly submissions before the bench. 
Hence, the matter will be taken up for hearing on May 7. In the earlier hearing which took place on April 29, the Supreme Court stayed CBI probe with regard to the state government officials involved in approving supernumerary posts to accommodate illegal appointments and to take such persons into custodial interrogation if necessary. 
However, the Apex Court turned down the prayer for stay of High Court’s direction to cancel the appointments of 25,753 candidates, which includes both teaching and non-teaching staff who were appointed in 2016. 
The petition filed by the state government, West Bengal Central School Service Commission and affected employees will be heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra. Ever since the judgement by the special bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Md. Shabbar Rashidi, the candidates who lost their jobs and claim to have been appointed in a ‘fair’ manner have been protesting against the judgement. 
They had staged a protest outside the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) office recently. The Commission chairman Siddharth Majumder met with 10 representatives from the protesters and explained the legal constraints pertaining to the matter. 
While expressing his sympathy towards legitimate candidates who allegedly lost their jobs in the case, he assured them that the commission will do everything possible within the legal framework to assist them. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cancellation-of-25753-appointments-sc-to-hear-case-on-tuesday-562766
Misc, Regional, West Bengal

At least 6 people die, many injured as thunderstorm lashes South Bengal

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Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 6 May 2024, Kolkata: At least six people died in South Bengal and many others were injured in separate incidents on Monday evening after the thunderstorm lashed several parts. According to a Railway official, frequent power trips were caused due to lightning which led to slow down in train movement. 

A banner also fell on the overhead wire at Sonarpur under Sealdah Division. However, no major disruption occurred in Sealdah North and South, according to an official. Two died in Purulia after being struck by lightning. The victims have been identified as Priyaranjan Mahato (30) and Rahul Kumar (21). 
A 49-year-old woman Uannati Majhi died after being struck by lightning in East Burdwan’s Katwa. Two others died in Ketugram under the same district. They are Biswanath Khandar (68) and Susmita Soren (14). 
In Nadia’s Nakashipara, a couple died after a wall of a brick kiln fell on them. They have been identified as Jogeshwar Hembram (28) and Talakudi Hembram (25).Meanwhile, the rain brought relief from sweltering heat in the southern districts of Bengal on Monday evening. Moderate rains hit Kolkata and its neighbouring Howrah and North 24-Parganas districts and other parts of South Bengal. 
Mercury may go down by 4-6 degrees in South Bengal in the next couple of days, said the Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore. A squall passed through several South Bengal districts gusting up to 50-60 km per hour on Monday evening. 
Thudershowers and hailstorms had hit some parts of South Bengal, including Jhargram. The MeT office said that thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and rain is likely to continue over some parts of Kolkata, Howrah, North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, East Burdwan, Birbhum in the next two days. 
People in South Bengal got some relief from an intense heatwave with the first rain and thunderstorm of the season lashing Kolkata and surrounding areas. It comes as a major relief to the people in South Bengal after 16 days of prolonged heatwave. 
Temperature is expected to drop by a few notches in the next couple of days. Western districts like Purulia and Bankura also saw thunderstorms and rain as well. 
The Alipore meteorological office said that there will be no heatwave in the next four to five days. Temperature in the western districts will remain below 40 degrees, the weather officials said. 
There was a possibility of winds with a speed of 50-60 kmph in Kolkata, South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East Midnapore and other places in Nadia district, they added. Moderate rain with thunderstorms were likely in these areas too. 
The Meteorological department had earlier said that favourable rainfall conditions have been created in South Bengal. 
However, the Alipore weather office had forecast rain from Monday. It has forecast thunderstorms in Kolkata and its suburbs on Tuesday and Wednesday also. 
According to the MeT office record, South Bengal received 3.8 mm rainfall in April this year. South Bengal usually receives 48.8 mm rainfall on an average basis in April. 
The city has therefore registered a 92 per cent deficit in rain in April this year. Not a single incident of Nor’wester occurred this April. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/at-least-6-people-die-many-injured-as-thunderstorm-lashes-south-bengal-562768
Regional, West Bengal

Siliguri conference convenes legal experts to tackle global displacement challenges

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The conference that was hosted on the topic “Displacement Justice: Global Challenges, Issues, and Strategies” on May 4 and 5

TT Correspondent, Siliguri, 06.05.24 : A two-day international conference organised by the Indian Institute of Legal Studies (IILS) at Dagapur in Siliguri concluded on Sunday.

The conference that was hosted on the topic “Displacement Justice: Global Challenges, Issues, and Strategies” on May 4 and 5, was attended by a number of eminent members of the Indian judiciary and also representatives of the judiciary from some of the neighbouring countries.

“The idea was to set a stage for engaging discussions and exchanges among legal scholars, policymakers, and experts from around the world,” said Joyjit Choudhury, the additional advocate general of the state and the founder chairman of IILS.

Among those who joined the conference include Justice Biswanath Somadder, Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim, Justice Dipankar Datta, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Jayantha Chandrasiri Jayasuriya, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, Justice Arindam Sinha, Judge, High Court of Orissa, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya, Judge, Calcutta High Court, Justice Md. Rezaul Hasan, Judge, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Dasho Kesang Choden, a Judge from Bhutan.

At the opening ceremony, the speakers came up with eloquent addresses and each of them underscored the urgency of addressing global challenges, issues, and strategies pertinent to displacement justice.

“They mentioned that it is imperative to come up with robust legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of displaced communities around the world,” said a source.

In the course of the conference, four technical sessions were conducted where experts and scholars delved deep into various topics, ranging from legal protection for displaced individuals to innovative policy interventions aimed at ameliorating displacement crises.
Regional, West Bengal

Nurse and doctor at Cooch Behar hospital accuse each other of misbehavior and assault

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While the nurse has alleged that the doctor shoved and assaulted her, the doctor has accused her of verbally abusing him

TT Correspondent, Cooch Behar, 06.05.24 : A nurse and a doctor posted at the MJN Medical College & Hospital (MJNMCH) in Cooch Behar have filed complaints with the hospital authorities, accusing each other for misbehaviour and assault.

While the nurse has alleged that the doctor shoved and assaulted her, the doctor has accused her of verbally abusing him.

Sources said on Saturday afternoon, the nurse was on duty at the women’s medicine ward and was supposed to collect blood samples from a patient. As she could not collect the blood due to some reason, she informed an on duty doctor and sought his assistance. “The doctor told her that it is her duty and not his to collect blood. This led to an altercation between them,” said a source.

The doctor alleged that the nurse abused him verbally. The nurse, on the other hand, said the doctor assaulted her.

Later, other nurses resorted to demonstrations and sought intervention of the authorities.

Rajeev Prasad, the medical superintendent and vice-principal of the college, said: “Both of them have filed complaints with me. We have formed a five-member committee. The committee has been asked to submit a report within 72 hours, starting from Monday,” said Prasad.

The nurse is from Kalimpong district.