West Bengal Minister Accused of ‘Picnic’ During Flood Inspection, BJP Slams Ruling TMC
A political row has erupted in West Bengal after a video surfaced allegedly showing state minister Sujit Bose and his entourage dining on a boat while surveying flood-affected areas in Ratuya, Malda district. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of insensitivity towards those suffering due to widespread flooding across the state. The BJP’s central minister and former state president, Sukanta Majumdar, shared the video on social media, criticising the TMC for allegedly turning a flood inspection into what he called a “monsoon picnic.” “At a time when children are dying in flooded homes and the state is in deep distress, this is how West Bengal’s ruling party leaders choose to respond,” Majumdar posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside footage purportedly showing ministers and officials seated in a boat with plates and food. Parallel News Digital could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. “Is this the TMC’s new flood inspection model?” Majumdar added. “While large parts of Ratuya remain submerged and people suffer, TMC leaders and government officials are busy celebrating on a government boat, with crockery neatly arranged.” Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also hit out at the government, alleging it was indulging in “disaster-time tokenism and philanthropy politics.” “The TMC is preparing for election freebies, but has no arrangement to clear waterlogging. The civic system has collapsed,” Adhikari said. “A six-month-old infant had to pay the price with her life.” The TMC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. Several districts in West Bengal have been experiencing severe flooding following incessant rainfall, with reports of waterlogging, displacement, and infrastructure strain in urban and rural areas alike.
India’s Divya Deshmukh Felicitated with Rs 3 Crore Award after Historic Chess World Cup Win
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday honoured newly-crowned FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh with a public felicitation ceremony in Nagpur, awarding her a cash prize of Rs 3 crore (£280,000) for her remarkable achievement. Deshmukh, 19, became the youngest player to win the Women’s World Cup title, clinching victory in a nail-biting tie-breaker against fellow Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy on 28 July in Batumi, Georgia. The triumph not only secured her the prestigious World Cup crown but also earned her the title of Grandmaster. Addressing the gathering, Mr Fadnavis expressed his pride, saying, “As a citizen of India, as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and as a son of Nagpur, I am immensely proud that a girl from our city has made the country shine on the global stage.” He added that the felicitation was aimed at inspiring young children across India to pursue excellence in sports. Visibly moved, Deshmukh thanked the Chief Minister, the Maharashtra government, and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their continued support. “This is a very special moment for me. I’m so happy I could, in some small way, become a part of children’s motivation and inspiration,” she said. Sport Minister Manikrao Kokate, also present at the event, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure and nurturing talent across Maharashtra. Deshmukh, a native of Nagpur, has been hailed across the country for her resilience and composure during the tournament, especially in the high-pressure finale against the seasoned Koneru. Her victory marks a significant milestone for Indian chess, further underlining the nation’s growing prominence on the international chess stage.
Barackpore Police Bust Interstate Bike Theft Racket, Arrest 6, Recover 12 Stolen Bikes
Just fifteen days after dismantling a major interstate car theft syndicate, the Barackpore Police Commissionerate has struck again—this time cracking an elaborate motorcycle theft racket that spanned state lines. Acting on a tip-off and following an investigation into a recent theft, police arrested six individuals and recovered 12 stolen motorcycles. According to officials, a complaint was lodged at Titagarh Police Station on July 30 regarding a stolen bike. The ensuing investigation led the police to neighbouring Hooghly district, where six suspects were apprehended. All six are believed to be part of a larger network involved in trafficking two-wheelers across state borders. The breakthrough was formally announced on Saturday during a press briefing at Titagarh Police Station, where Deputy Commissioner (Central), Indra Badan Jha, hailed the operation as another milestone in the Commissionerate’s recent crime-fighting efforts. Earlier, on July 18, the Commissionerate’s Special Task Force had made headlines by busting an interstate gang involved in four-wheeler thefts. That operation also led to multiple arrests and vehicle recoveries. Officials say the two operations, conducted just two weeks apart, reflect growing coordination and intelligence-driven policing within the Commissionerate. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the bike trafficking network and whether the two rackets are interlinked. The recovered motorcycles are being matched against outstanding theft reports, and further arrests have not been ruled out. Police sources indicate that stolen vehicles were being sold in other states using forged documents. Authorities are also probing possible involvement of organised crime elements in the illegal trade.
Five-Month-Old Baby Dies After Falling into Stagnant Water in TMC senior minister’s Assembly area, Residents Blame Civic Apathy
A five-month-old baby girl died tragically after slipping into stagnant water accumulated inside her home in the Debinagar area of Birati, a suburb of Kolkata, on Saturday morning. The incident has triggered shock and grief in the locality, with residents blaming prolonged civic negligence for the fatality. The child, who lived with her family in a low-income settlement under Ward 13 of the North Dum Dum Municipality, slipped from her mother’s arms and fell into a pool of filthy, waist-deep water that has flooded the area for nearly a month. The mother reportedly lost her footing while carrying the infant in their water-logged home. The baby was first rushed to the local North Dum Dum Municipal Health Centre and then referred to Kolkata’s B.C. Roy Children’s Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. The child’s father, Papan Ghorai, is a civic volunteer posted at Nimta Police Station. Upon hearing the news, he rushed to the hospital. Family members, including the child’s grandparents, broke down in tears as the news of the death spread. “She died because of this water. We’ve been pleading for help for weeks. No one listened,” wept the child’s grandmother. The baby’s body has been sent to NRS Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem. Police have initiated a case of unnatural death and are investigating the circumstances. Residents allege that for the past month, the entire area has been submerged in stagnant water following repeated monsoon rains. With no effective drainage in place, water has entered homes, posing severe health and safety risks. Despite repeated complaints to municipal authorities, no action has been taken. “We are living in fear. Children, elderly people — everyone is falling ill. Now, a child has died. What more has to happen before the authorities wake up?” said Ratna De, a local resident. Many residents, however, are reluctant to speak to the media, fearing reprisals or simply out of helplessness. “There’s been no visit from any official, not even after the child’s death,” one resident told this reporter on condition of anonymity. The incident occurred in the North Dum Dum Assembly constituency, represented by Chandrima Bhattacharya, a minister of state in charge of Health and Finance in the West Bengal government. Questions are now being raised over the condition of civic infrastructure in her constituency. “This is nothing short of administrative murder. We’ve been highlighting the issue for weeks. Now a child is dead. Will the Chief Minister or the minister concerned take note at last?” another resident asked. As of Friday, there has been no official statement from either the municipality or the minister. But the community is left grieving — and asking the same haunting question: How many more lives must be lost before the water recedes?
Two Militants Killed in Kulgam Gunfight, Operation Ongoing
Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, according to officials. The gunfight, which erupted in the forested Akhal area of south Kashmir, continued into its second day amid heavy security deployment. The operation began late Friday afternoon when joint security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the dense forest following “credible intelligence inputs” about the presence of militants, a police official said. Initial contact was established with the suspected militants on Friday evening, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. The operation was subsequently paused overnight as darkness and difficult terrain posed operational challenges, officials said. Reinforcements were deployed and the cordon tightened to prevent the militants from escaping. Firing resumed at first light on Saturday, culminating in the killing of two militants during the fresh exchange. The identities and group affiliations of the slain individuals are yet to be confirmed, a senior police officer said, adding that efforts are underway to establish their background and possible links to any terror outfit. There were no reports of casualties among the security forces. However, officials indicated that combing operations were still ongoing in the area to ensure the site is fully sanitised and to rule out the possibility of additional militants being present. Akhal, located in the southern fringes of Kulgam, has seen intermittent militant activity in recent years. Forested terrain and proximity to arterial routes often make such regions vulnerable to insurgent movements, security analysts say. The latest encounter comes amid a series of counter-terrorism operations launched across Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks. Security officials have heightened vigilance ahead of the upcoming festivals and amid increased infiltration attempts along the Line of Control. Authorities have urged residents in the vicinity to remain indoors and cooperate with the ongoing security measures. Mobile internet services were temporarily suspended in parts of the district as a precautionary step to prevent the spread of rumours or misinformation.
TMC MP Kirti Azad Seeks CBI, ED Probe into ‘Systemic’ Corruption in Eastern Coalfields, BJP ridicules TMC MP
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kirti Azad has written to Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy demanding a comprehensive investigation by federal agencies into what he described as “pervasive and systemic corruption” within Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited operating in West Bengal and Jharkhand. In the letter dated July 31, Azad expressed “deep concern” over a series of alleged financial and operational irregularities in ECL’s mining zones, including Kunustoria, Kajora, Pandaveswar, and Rajmahal. He urged immediate intervention by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), citing what he called an entrenched “criminal nexus” involving ECL officials and external contractors. The former cricketer-turned-MP, who also heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers, said he was approached by whistleblowers and NGOs who flagged large-scale bid rigging, coal pilferage, grade manipulation, and loss-making contracts that have drained public resources. Azad accused a cartel of 14 companies, all allegedly registered at a single address and controlled by two individuals, of monopolizing the tender process through collusion with ECL officials. These firms, he claimed, had formed a “one-man cartel” that dominates procurement, mining, transportation, and coal sales across multiple collieries. The letter further referred to a suspected coal pilferage racket centered in West Bengal’s Kunustoria and Kajora mining regions that, according to Azad, caused losses amounting to Rs 1,300 crore. He noted that hawala transactions and the arrest of seven ECL officials, including general managers and security staff, pointed to a wider institutional failure. Citing a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Azad highlighted irregularities in contractor payments due to coal shortages during transportation, resulting in a loss of Rs 17.39 crore. He also alleged that officers were deliberately downgrading high-grade coal to lower grades to benefit private contractors. Azad’s letter also named Ambey Mining Private Limited as a central player in the alleged wrongdoing. He accused the firm’s top executives of bribing officials and manipulating tender norms in violation of Central Vigilance Commission guidelines. “The depth and breadth of these issues point not to sporadic corruption, but to an entrenched criminal nexus,” Azad wrote. He emphasized that only a federal investigation could restore accountability and public faith in ECL’s operations. The letter was also marked to the secretaries of the Coal and Mines Ministry, the ED, the CBI, and the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of ECL. Reacting to the development, BJP MP and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar took a swipe at Azad and the TMC, saying on X (formerly Twitter): “At last TMC MPs have also started demanding investigation by central agencies like CBI & ED. This letter of MP Kirti Azad shows that he has lost faith in West Bengal Police.” He also noted that many of the individuals named in Azad’s complaint were allegedly close to Narendra Nath Chakraborty, the TMC district president of Paschim Burdwan. Eastern Coalfields Limited has not issued an official response. The Coal Ministry has also not commented on whether it will recommend a federal probe.
Woman and her Bangladeshi accomplice held for robbing man in Kolkata
A Bangladeshi national and a woman were arrested from the city’s airport area for allegedly robbing a man they had targeted through a matrimonial website, police said on Friday. The victim had recently created a profile on a matrimonial platform and connected with the woman, with whom he developed a “relationship” over phone conversations, an officer said. “Eventually, they agreed to meet in person at a hotel near the city airport in Dum Dum. The man alleged that after consuming the coffee prepared by the woman inside the hotel room, he fell unwell and lost consciousness. Hours later, he regained consciousness to find his mobile phone, money, and bag missing. The woman had disappeared as well,” the officer said. With the help of hotel authorities, the man filed a complaint at the airport police station on 27 July, he said, adding that following the complaint, police collected CCTV footage from the hotel and began tracing the woman using her phone number. “Our officers posed as potential grooms and contacted her. Using mobile tower location tracking, the woman was eventually arrested. Upon interrogation, she revealed the identity of her accomplice, a young man who was arrested from the Dum Dum Cantonment area,” he said. Investigations revealed that the person was a Bangladeshi national, and police seized his Bangladeshi passport and visa from his possession.”The woman said she would hand over the stolen items to the Bangladeshi man, who would return to Bangladesh. We are probing whether more people are connected to this cross-border racket or not,” he added.
RG Kar PGT rape and murder case protesters demonstrate outside CBI office
Representatives of the ‘Abhaya Mancha’, a doctors’ forum formed after the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case last year, on Friday took out a rally in front of the CBI’s office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake. The protesters, holding broomsticks, alleged that the “delay” in the CBI’s probe into the case was because they were working in cahoots with the state government. “The CBI is working on an understanding with the state government. Even after so many months since the crime took place in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, they are yet to come out with any conclusion of the matter,” claimed Abhaya Mancha’s joint convenor Tamonas Chaudhuri. An on-duty post-graduate trainee was raped and murdered inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here on August 9 last year, triggering outrage across the country. The Kolkata Police arrested one person, and the CBI, which took over the investigation on a Calcutta High Court order, also made him the sole accused in the case. The trial court on 20 January sentenced the accused Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment till death. The central agency is continuing its investigation into the alleged conspiracy angle of the case. Incidentally, two programmes related to the crime are scheduled to take place in Kolkata on 9 August to mark one year since the incident. On that day, a procession is scheduled to march to Kalighat, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee resides. ‘Abhaya Mancha’ members would observe ‘Raksha Bandhan’ on 9 August , and on 14 August, the forum has called for a ‘Reclaim the Night’ march across Kolkata and the adjoining suburban areas from 9 pm to midnight.
