Nepal Army Takes Charge After PM Oli Resigns, Unrest Persists Despite Curfew
Nepal’s political crisis deepened this week as the army formally assumed control of the country following the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, but violent unrest and prison riots underscored the fragile state of order in the Himalayan nation. The army announced late Tuesday that it would govern until a new civilian government is formed, citing the need to restore stability amid escalating protests and violent clashes. Curfew orders have been imposed across major cities, and armored patrols now dominate Kathmandu and other sensitive areas. “Until a new government is established, the Nepal Army will oversee the administration to ensure sovereignty and public security,” Army Chief Gen. Ashokraj Sigdel said in a statement. He urged protesters to suspend demonstrations and join dialogue, warning that looting and vandalism would be met with strict action. The unrest, sparked by mass student and youth demonstrations in Kathmandu earlier this week, quickly spread nationwide. Protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans stormed streets, clashing with police in repeated waves of violence. On Tuesday, fires engulfed the Parliament building, as well as the residences of Oli and several cabinet ministers. Reports also surfaced of arson at Nepal’s Supreme Court. Prisons became a new flashpoint of violence. In Banke district, a confrontation at a correctional facility left at least five inmates dead and seven others wounded after police opened fire to stop a mass jailbreak attempt, according to local media. Similar incidents were reported in Pokhara, where protesters attacked jails, and authorities confirmed that around 1,600 inmates have escaped from prisons across the country in the chaos. The army has since deployed reinforcements around key government facilities, including Nepal’s main secretariat building, which is now under military control. “We are determined to safeguard sovereignty and citizens’ freedom, but certain vested groups are exploiting the unrest,” the army said in a separate statement, urging the public to remain vigilant. Efforts to negotiate a resolution are underway. Gen. Sigdel held talks late Tuesday with representatives of protest groups to hear their demands, while President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to meet a delegation of demonstrators on Wednesday with the army mediating. Observers hope the dialogue could pave the way for compromise and calm. Despite curfew measures, scattered clashes were reported Wednesday in several towns, though no major incidents of violence occurred. Authorities remain on high alert as thousands of demonstrators continue to defy restrictions. The crisis marks Nepal’s most severe political turmoil in years, raising fears of prolonged instability in the region.
CP Radhakrishnan Elected as India’s 15th Vice President With 452 Votes
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected Tuesday as the 15th Vice President of India, defeating opposition candidate Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge. Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes in the contest, which was conducted in Parliament earlier in the day. Members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha voted between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with over 98 percent of MPs casting their ballots. Counting began at 6 p.m. under the supervision of Returning Officer P.C. Mody, Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha. The election was necessitated after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from office on July 21 citing health reasons. Dhankhar, who had been in office since 2022, stepped down abruptly, creating a rare mid-term vacancy in the post. Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader and two-time Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, enjoyed the ruling coalition’s numerical advantage in both Houses of Parliament. The NDA’s strength gave him a clear edge over Reddy, the INDIA bloc’s nominee. Still, the ballot was conducted through a secret vote, with MPs free from party whip, leaving room for speculation over possible cross-voting. Officials reported a smooth polling process inside the new Parliament building. After the counting concluded, results were announced in the evening, confirming Radhakrishnan’s comfortable margin of victory. With his election, Radhakrishnan will now assume office as the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, succeeding Dhankhar. The Vice President of India is constitutionally the second-highest office in the country, following the President, and serves as the presiding officer of the Upper House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan on his victory, calling him “a seasoned leader with years of legislative experience and dedication to public service.” Leaders from the ruling alliance described the result as a reaffirmation of the NDA’s majority in Parliament. The Opposition bloc, meanwhile, said its decision to field Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge, was aimed at presenting “an alternative vision for parliamentary democracy.” Radhakrishnan is expected to be sworn in later this week, ahead of the Rajya Sabha’s next session.
ED Recovers Cash in Sand Mining Case After Statewide Raids in West Bengal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized large amounts of cash during statewide raids in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case in West Bengal on Monday, officials said. Nearly Rs 90 lakh (about $108,000) was recovered from properties linked to businessmen in West Midnapore and Jhargram districts. The searches began early Monday morning across multiple locations, including West Midnapore, Jhargram, North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Kolkata. At least three vehicles carrying ED officials arrived at the Jamunabali residence of businessman Saurabh Roy, located in the Shiromoni area of West Midnapore, around 8 a.m., officials said. The raid at Roy’s residence lasted more than 13 hours. By the time officials left around 9 p.m., they carried two bags suspected to contain seized materials. Later, ED sources confirmed that investigators recovered approximately ₹65 lakh in cash, along with mobile phones, mining-related documents, and other papers of interest. According to investigators, Roy owns multiple sand quarries in Jhargram and operates a sprawling bungalow and office in Lalgarh. While his Jamunabali residence houses his mother, wife, son, and daughter-in-law, Roy himself was not present during the search, officials said. In a parallel operation, ED teams searched the home of another businessman, identified as Sheikh Zaherul Sheikh, in Gopiballavpur, Jhargram district. Nearly ₹25 lakh was recovered there, according to preliminary estimates. Other properties tied to Sheikh are also under the scanner, officials added. While ED officers did not issue a public statement at the search sites, the operations are part of an ongoing probe into alleged large-scale money laundering and unaccounted transactions linked to sand mining in the state, sources said. Illegal sand mining has been a long-standing issue in Bengal, drawing repeated criticism from opposition parties and environmental activists. The raids also extended to several addresses in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Kolkata, though officials have not disclosed details of recoveries from those locations. The ED, a federal financial crime-fighting agency, has stepped up its operations in Bengal in recent months, targeting alleged irregularities in coal and cattle smuggling cases as well. Monday’s operations mark one of the largest seizures in the sand mining case to date.
Protests Against Social Media Ban in Nepal Leave at Least 19 Dead, Hundreds Injured
At least 19 people, including a 12-year-old child, were killed and more than 100 others injured Monday in violent clashes between security forces and protesters in Nepal’s capital after the government imposed sweeping restrictions on social media platforms. The violence erupted outside Nepal’s Parliament building in Kathmandu after thousands of young demonstrators, mobilized largely under the banner of “Generation Z,” defied curfew orders to protest the ban on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube and several other platforms. Police fired rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse the crowds after protesters broke through barricades and tried to storm the Parliament complex, officials said. Batons were also used as the situation spun out of control. “Protesters forcibly entered a restricted area, leaving security forces with no option but to use force,” Police spokesperson Shekhar Khanal told Press. The government last week ordered the blocking of 26 social media platforms that failed to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Officials argued the ban was necessary to curb the spread of fake news, hate speech and online fraud. But the move sparked outrage among Nepal’s vast online population, many of whom rely on platforms such as Instagram and YouTube for news, entertainment, education and small businesses. “This protest is not only about social media,” said 24-year-old student Yuzan Rajbhandari. “We are also speaking against entrenched corruption that has become institutional in Nepal.” Some demonstrators carried placards reading “Enough is Enough” and “End Corruption.” Others chanted slogans against what they described as the government’s “authoritarian mindset.” In one video widely circulated on VPN-enabled feeds, a protester shouted, “If the children of ministers can have a bright future, why not ours?” Another demonstrator, student Ikshama Tumrok, said: “We want change. Our previous generations tolerated injustice, but we want this suffering to end with us.” The protests quickly spread beyond Kathmandu to other parts of Nepal as anger mounted over the restrictions. Curfew and Army Deployment Initially, authorities declared a curfew in Kathmandu’s Baneshwor neighborhood, where Parliament is located, but later extended it to all high-security areas of the capital, including the presidential palace, the prime minister’s residence at Baluwatar, Singha Durbar government complex, and the vice president’s home. Residents were ordered to stay indoors and avoid gatherings. Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet told the Press that a “small unit” of soldiers had been deployed after the curfew was imposed, underscoring the seriousness of the unrest. Communication Minister Prithvi Subba said security forces had no alternative but to resort to force once protesters stormed into protected zones. “The situation became such that the use of water cannons, rubber bullets and batons was unavoidable,” Subba said. Ban Triggers Wider Debate The government has maintained it does not intend to “ban social media” but wants platforms to comply with Nepali laws and register locally. Two companies have since registered, and their services were unblocked, officials said. Still, analysts say the restrictions risk further alienating young Nepalis, many of whom see social media as a vital part of their lives and livelihoods. Nepal’s Supreme Court in September 2024 directed the government to regulate social media platforms more strictly. Authorities have since taken steps to enforce compliance. Earlier, the government had temporarily banned TikTok, lifting the restriction only after the platform pledged to follow national laws. In July, authorities also blocked the Telegram messaging app, alleging its use in online fraud and money laundering. Monday’s crackdown marks the bloodiest episode yet in Nepal’s escalating confrontation over digital freedom. Government May Reconsider In the wake of the deadly clashes, government sources told local media that authorities were now considering lifting or easing the restrictions. The violence has drawn criticism from rights groups, who warned that suppressing online platforms and cracking down on peaceful assembly would deepen political instability. “The government underestimated the anger of a young generation that views social media as more than just entertainment — it is their link to the world, their livelihood and their voice,” said one Kathmandu-based analyst. As Nepal reels from the violence, many fear more unrest ahead unless the government quickly addresses both the ban and broader grievances over corruption and governance.
ED raids 22 locations in Bengal in illegal sand mining probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out searches at 22 locations across West Bengal in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining and money laundering racket, officials said. The early morning operation stretched across multiple districts, including Jhargram, Kolkata, North 24 Parganas and Nadia. Teams of ED officers, accompanied by central security forces, descended on residential properties, offices and vehicles linked to sand mine owners, businessmen and alleged intermediaries. One of the key targets of the search was the sprawling residence of Sheikh Jahirul at Nayabasan in Gopiballavpur-I block of Jhargram district, located close to the Subarnarekha river. Jahirul, a former village police volunteer, is accused of abandoning his job to enter the sand trade, amassing wealth and multiple sand quarries in the process. Officials said a search warrant was served at Jahirul’s residence, and investigators examined his office and vehicles for financial records. A large contingent of security personnel cordoned off the area during the raid. “All relevant documents are being scrutinized, including property papers and financial transactions,” an official said. Searches were also conducted at the premises of several other sand quarry owners in Beliyabera and Jamboni blocks of Jhargram. Parallel raids were underway in Kolkata’s Behala, Regent Park and Salt Lake areas, as well as in Kalyani in Nadia district, officials said. Investigators suspect that proceeds from illegal sand mining, running into crores of rupees, were diverted into insurance products and layered through various businesses to mask the illicit origins. “We have traced multiple transactions that point to laundering of sand mining profits through insurance companies and local businessmen,” a source said, requesting anonymity as the probe is ongoing. The sand mining trade in West Bengal, particularly in Jhargram and adjoining districts, has faced allegations of large-scale illegal operations, often involving powerful local operators. Environmental activists have long warned of the ecological damage caused by unregulated mining from riverbeds, while opposition parties have accused the state government of turning a blind eye to the trade. Monday’s operation marks one of the largest actions by the ED in the state this year, officials said. While no arrests have been confirmed so far, the agency is expected to question multiple individuals once searches are completed and documents analyzed. The West Bengal government has not immediately commented on the raids.
Top Maoist Leader With Rs 10 Lakh Bounty Killed in Jharkhand Encounter
A Maoist leader carrying a bounty of Rs 10 lakh was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district early Sunday, police said. The slain leader, identified as Amit Hansda alias Aptan, was long wanted for his role in multiple Maoist operations in the state, police added. His death marks a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region. “Security forces had specific intelligence about the presence of Maoist cadres near Relapara in the Burjua Hills. When our teams moved in early morning hours, they came under heavy fire from the extremists. The forces retaliated, and during the gunfight, Aptan was neutralized,” said West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Pars Rana. Police said Hansda’s body was later recovered from the site along with several weapons and explosives. His name figured on the list of most wanted Maoist commanders in Jharkhand, and authorities had earlier announced a reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to his arrest. Security forces believe several other Maoist members managed to escape deeper into the forest during the encounter. A search operation is underway to track them down, police officials said. The encounter is the latest in a string of intensified anti-Maoist operations in Jharkhand. Earlier this month, police launched a separate operation to capture another senior Maoist leader, Shashikant Ganjhu, who had come to his native village Keda to participate in the traditional Karma festival. That attempt led to a fierce gunbattle between security forces and Maoist cadres. Three policemen were injured in the crossfire, and two later succumbed to their injuries. The incident highlighted the continuing threat posed by Maoists in the state’s forested districts. Hansda’s death, however, is being seen by security officials as a significant success in their campaign. “This encounter is a major setback to the Maoist network in West Singhbhum. Operations will continue until the remaining cadres are neutralized,” SP Rana said. Maoist groups, also known as Naxals, have waged a decades-long insurgency across several states in India’s mineral-rich but impoverished heartland. Jharkhand, along with Chhattisgarh and Odisha, has been among the worst-affected regions. Despite repeated crackdowns, Maoists continue to operate in remote forested belts, targeting security forces and infrastructure. Authorities said Sunday’s encounter shows that their presence, though weakened, remains a challenge.
Woman alleges gang rape at birthday party in Kolkata; police launch probe
Police in Kolkata are investigating allegations that a young woman was gang-raped by two acquaintances during a birthday party in the city, officials said Sunday. The woman, a resident of Haridevpur in south Kolkata, filed a complaint late Saturday at the Haridevpur police station, accusing two men she knew — identified as Chandan Mallick and another man named Dip — of sexually assaulting her. Both suspects remain at large, police said. According to the complaint, the woman had met Mallick several months ago. He allegedly introduced himself as an organizer of a prominent Durga Puja committee in south Kolkata and later introduced her to Dip. The two men reportedly promised to connect her with the committee’s activities and remained in contact with her. On Friday, her birthday, Mallick and Dip allegedly invited her to a flat in the Regent Park area to celebrate. After food and drinks, the woman said she tried to leave but the men blocked her and locked the door before assaulting her. The woman returned home afterward but initially did not tell anyone, police said. She later disclosed the incident to her family and filed a case the next day. Police have begun an investigation and launched a search for the suspects. “The accused are absconding, but efforts are underway to track them down,” a police officer said.
West Bengal resumes teacher recruitment exams after nine years amid tight security
For the first time in nearly a decade, the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) will hold teacher recruitment examinations, beginning Sunday with tests for classes nine and 10. The move comes after years of legal battles, allegations of corruption, and recruitment irregularities that tarnished the credibility of the SSC and left thousands of aspiring teachers in limbo. On Saturday, SSC chairman Siddhartha Majumdar outlined a series of stringent measures aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing leaks, a problem that has plagued examinations across India in recent years. “We have introduced multiple layers of security this time,” Majumdar told reporters. “Each question paper will carry unique security features. Admit cards will be scanned at the centres. If anyone attempts something illegal, they will be caught within 30 minutes.” According to SSC, more than 319,000 candidates are expected to appear for Sunday’s test across 636 examination centres. Another round, for classes 11 and 12, will be held on September 14. Strict rules have been imposed on candidates. They must report to the centres by 11:45am, with no entry allowed once the clock strikes noon. Mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators are banned. Even water bottles and pens must be transparent, though the commission has arranged pens for examinees. Metal detectors will be used to frisk candidates at the gates. “All centres are sensitive. No one will be allowed to leave until the exam is over,” Majumdar said. The stakes are high. The last recruitment cycle in 2016 ended in controversy, with widespread allegations of jobs being sold and candidates being unfairly excluded. Several senior political leaders and education officials were arrested in connection with the scam, which became one of the state’s biggest political flashpoints. Despite that, the exams continue to draw massive interest. Majumdar revealed that nearly all of those who secured jobs in 2016 have reapplied this year. Compared with the previous round, the number of candidates has increased by at least 250,000, reflecting both the demand for teaching jobs and the backlog of aspirants waiting for the process to restart. For many candidates, Sunday’s exam is more than just a test — it is a chance at long-awaited stability in a state where government teaching positions remain highly sought after for their job security and benefits. The commission, under pressure to redeem its image, is projecting this exam cycle as a fresh start. Whether these measures will restore public faith in the SSC remains to be seen.
Union Textile Minister Calls for Innovation in Jute Sector at IJIRA Meeting in Kolkata
Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh on Friday underscored the need for innovation in India’s jute sector to boost productivity, cut dependence on imported technology, and make the industry globally competitive. Speaking at the Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA) in Kolkata, Singh inspected prototypes of advanced machinery developed by the institute and reviewed progress on an artificial intelligence-based model for grading jute fibre. He said technological interventions would be critical in improving quality standards, building farmer confidence, and expanding markets. “India is steadily reducing its dependency on foreign technology, especially from China,” Singh said, noting that two improved machines developed locally had already been ordered. He emphasized that investor viability should remain central to any new technology, urging designers to explore cost-saving innovations such as replacing iron with carbon fibre in machinery. Jute, cultivated mainly in eastern India, is one of the country’s oldest and most significant natural fibres. Traditional retting, which requires large quantities of water, continues to pose challenges, while many spinning and processing machines remain outdated and expensive. These issues have slowed productivity and limited farmer participation. Scientists at IJIRA said newer technologies, such as minimal-water retting and AI-based fibre grading, are expected to ease these constraints, deliver better quality fibre, and reduce the need for imported machinery. The minister also pointed to the government’s “One Mill One Village” initiative, which seeks to generate rural livelihoods through decentralized jute processing. He stressed that significant improvements in natural fibres must be achieved by 2030 to meet India’s sustainability targets. Blending jute with other fabrics, Singh said, could open new opportunities in fashion and help push exports beyond the current ₹4,000 crore. Singh further highlighted research on allied fibres such as bamboo and sheesham. Bamboo, which takes four years to mature, can be harvested every one to two years thereafter and offers environmental benefits such as replenishing groundwater and supporting mixed cropping systems. Concluding his address, Singh praised the work of Kolkata-based institutions—including IJIRA, the Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF), and the National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology (NINFET)—for linking farmers, industry, and policymakers. “As the world’s largest producer of jute, India has the potential to lead in natural fibre technology,” Singh said. “With sustained innovation and diversification, the sector can achieve higher growth and greater global reach.”
NCB Kolkata Secures Conviction Under NDPS Act in Major Drug Trafficking Case
The Narcotics Control Bureau’s Kolkata Zonal Unit secured a conviction this week in a drug trafficking case, marking a significant success in its ongoing crackdown against narcotics trade. The court of the Additional Sessions Judge, 6th Court, Barasat, North 24 Parganas, on Thursday sentenced the accused, identified as David Blessings, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,00,000 under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In default of payment, the convict will serve an additional five months in prison. Blessings was also sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹10,000 under Section 21 of the Act, with a default sentence of one month. According to NCB officials, the case dates back to a seizure at the Kolkata airport, where investigators intercepted Blessings, who had arrived on a flight from Mumbai. Acting on specific intelligence, officers searched her backpack and recovered 20 LSD blots and 12 grams of cocaine. The Kolkata Zonal Unit carried out the investigation, which culminated in Thursday’s judgment. Officials said the case was prosecuted under the guidance of the Special Public Prosecutor, and the court’s decision underscores the agency’s determination to pursue drug offenders through to conviction. “This conviction serves as a deterrent to traffickers and syndicates involved in the illicit drug trade,” an NCB spokesperson said. “It sends a strong message that the Bureau remains committed to its mission of curbing drug abuse and protecting society from the harmful effects of narcotics.” The agency added that the conviction reflects the broader goal of achieving a “Drug-Free India.” It commended the efforts of its investigation team and the prosecution for securing the verdict. The NCB also urged citizens to assist in the fight against drug trafficking by sharing information through MANAS, the National Narcotics Helpline, at toll-free number 1933. Officials assured that the identity of informants is kept confidential.
