Massive disaster in North Bengal due to Bhutan’s water, says Mamata Banerjee — demands compensation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today blamed water released from Bhutan for the recent massive disaster in North Bengal and said Bhutan should compensate for the damage. Speaking to the media at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district, the chief minister said, “This disaster happened because of Bhutan’s water. They must compensate for the damage.” During her visit, Banerjee walked through the flood-affected areas, personally surveyed the damage, distributed relief materials, and handed out job appointment letters to one family member of each deceased victim. After returning to Kolkata last Wednesday following an initial assessment of the situation, the chief minister returned to North Bengal yesterday. She toured several affected areas in Alipurduar and then proceeded to Nagrakata today morning. Her first stop was Bamonbari, where she handed out appointment letters for government jobs to seven individuals. Assuring full support, Banerjee said the state government would compensate all local losses incurred due to the disaster. Speaking at Bamonbari, the CM reiterated her long-standing demand,”We’ve been asking for the formation of an Indo-Bhutan River Commission that includes Bengal as a member. This entire incident happened because of the water released from Bhutan.” She then criticised the central government, saying, “We have to do everything ourselves. Delhi doesn’t give a single rupee.” She also revealed that, following pressure from the state, the Centre has scheduled a meeting on October 16 to discuss the issue. A state official will represent Bengal in the meeting, although the exact agenda remains unclear. “We’ve given Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who died. We also promised a job to one family member, and today, those appointment letters are being handed over,” the chief minister said after handing over job letters to one of the family members of the deceased. She added that a temporary iron footbridge has been constructed at the site where villagers previously crossed using a damaged bridge. Additionally, the state has pledged to rebuild homes destroyed in the disaster. Farmers whose agricultural land has been damaged will receive crop insurance payouts. The government will also arrange special camps for those who have lost or damaged their official documents in the floods. Once individuals submit a list of lost documents, the government will provide certified copies or duplicates.
Mamata says it is not acceptable to deprive voter rights in the name of SIR, warns BJP against playing with fire
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said it is not acceptable if the poll panel in the name of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) strike off the voters’ right and alleged that the ECI officials were “threatening” her government officials under political pressure. She also accused the BJP of playing with fire and said in the guise of SIR, the NRC (National Register of Citizens) were being done. She said two persons in Nadia received such an NRC notice from the Assam government and questioned how other states could interfere with the affairs of West Bengal. Banerjee told a media conference at the state secretariat Nabanna that some ECI officers were holding meetings without any representative from the state government and accused the state chief electoral officer of “overdoing”. “The CEO must not overdo as I know his record,” the chief minister warned. “He (CEO) is accused of corruption and there is a conspiracy to cut votes under the pretext of SIR. I have the evidence,” Banerjee told the reporters and said he must not overreact. “I hope he will not betray the country and democracy,” the CM said. She also questioned the timing of SIR when the state was having a natural calamity, and thousands of people had been displaced and their belongings lost in the floods and landslides. Besides, many people were out of station due to the festive months. Banerjee also questioned how it could be possible to complete SIR within two months and accused the BJP of influencing the revision. She also asked how a central minister belonging to the BJP declared that some 1.5 crore voter names were to be deleted from the electoral rolls and warned the saffron party not to play with fire or else they will be engulfed in the blaze. Banerjee reiterated that it is not acceptable if any voters’ rights were snatched away in the name of SIR as Bengal has many communities across the state. Questioning the ECI activity, Banerjee asked how the poll panel summoned state government officers before the poll schedule was declared. She said the election dates have not been announced for Bengal. “Then how can the ECI officials visit the state and direct the state government officers for SIR preparedness?” A team of the Election Commission of India led by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, yesterday held a video conference with the District Election Officer-District Magistrates of the districts of South Bengal. The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, Manoj Agrawal, was also present in the meeting. Electoral Registration Officers of the districts concerned also attended the video conference. The team also visited some assembly constituencies in North 24 Parganas district to meet electoral officials and Booth Level Officers (BLOs). They also went to Kolaghat of Purba Medinipur district today and met BLOs of Purba Medinipur, Jhargram and Bankura districts.
Dilip Ghosh slams TMC over Darjeeling disaster response, alleges attack by ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh has launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of a delayed and inadequate response to the recent landslide disaster in Darjeeling. Ghosh also alleged that BJP leaders who rushed to assist affected people were attacked by so called “Bangladeshi infiltrators” allegedly protected by the ruling party. Speaking to the media, Ghosh said, “Even after such a big tragedy, no TMC leader went to Darjeeling. It is the government’s duty to provide help and ensure people’s safety, but the Chief Minister went there two to three days after the disaster. Our BJP MLAs and MPs reached before her.” He further claimed that BJP’s tribal MPs, who visited the affected tribal communities, were attacked by individuals he labelled as illegal infiltrators. “They were attacked by Bangladeshi infiltrators who are being protected by TMC. Our MPs were attacked because TMC doesn’t want the truth to come out,” Ghosh alleged. His remarks have sparked a fresh political storm in West Bengal, with the BJP accusing the state government of mismanaging the crisis and failing to provide timely relief. The party has also reiterated its long-standing concerns about alleged illegal infiltration in border regions like Darjeeling.While the rescue operation is still underway in Darjeeling.TMC has not officially responded to Ghosh’s claims yet, but party sources say the allegations are an attempt to divert attention during a time of crisis.
Mamata blames Damodar Valley Corporation for floods; announces Rs 5 lakh solatium, job for kin of deceased
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for the flooding in the state, describing the north Bengal floods as “man-made”. She announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a government job to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the North Bengal disaster. Before departing for Bagdogra airport on her way to the flood-affected region, Banerjee told reporters that she had received information about 23 deaths in north Bengal. “Rs. 5 lakh and a government job in the Home Guard will be given to the kin of the deceased. Though money cannot compensate for the loss of life, this is our social obligation,” she said. The Chief Minister said Mirik and Nagrakata were the worst affected areas, while Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Jorebunglow, and Kalimpong also suffered extensive damage. Banerjee announced that 45 Volvo buses would be requisitioned for the safe passage of stranded tourists, with the government bearing all related expenses. She added that upstream water from Bhutan and Assam had inundated large parts of north Bengal. “We had requested the Bhutan government to release water slowly. They responded, though it was not exactly an apology,” Banerjee said. She further alleged that the DVC was trying to save Jharkhand by releasing water into Bengal. “I have no problem with that, but how much water can we contain? What happened in north Bengal is a combination of man-made floods and excessive rainfall,” she remarked. Banerjee questioned the utility of dams such as Panchet, Maithon, and Durgapur barrage if their water releases continued to flood the state each year. “It is better not to have such dams from the DVC and let the waters flow on their natural course, so that every state shares the flow evenly,” she said, adding that the situation might have been better without the dams. She also pointed out that there had been no de-siltation of Farakka, Maithon, Panchet, and Durgapur barrage for the past 20 years.
BJP slams Mamata Banerjee over attack on party leaders, criticises handling of North Bengal floods
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today condemned the alleged attack on its leaders Khagen Murmu and Shankar Ghosh in West Bengal, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of having “crossed all limits” and dismantling law and order since assuming power. Speaking at a press conference here, BJP MP and National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi criticised the Mamata government for its alleged negligence in addressing the severe floods and landslides in North Bengal, pointing out the Chief Minister’s attendance at a Tollywood music carnival in Kolkata instead of focusing on the crisis. “Violence and the breakdown of law and order have become normal in West Bengal since TMC came to power. The insensitivity of the West Bengal Government and Mamata Banerjee has crossed all limits,” said Trivedi. “While much of North Bengal is grappling with floods, there are videos of the Chief Minister dancing at a carnival in Kolkata. These contrasting images are heart-wrenching. The attack on our leaders is both dangerous and unfortunate.” Trivedi further remarked, “If this dastardly incident is said to be the swan song of democracy, it would not be inappropriate.” BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra echoed the criticism, terming the situation in West Bengal as “jungle raj” and alleging that TMC leaders had incited party workers to assault Murmu and MLA Shankar Ghosh during their flood relief visit, causing serious injuries.
Mamata Banerjee to visit North Bengal tomorrow to review flood and landslide situation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that she will be visiting North Bengal tomorrow to personally assess the situation caused by continuous heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides that have wreaked havoc across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and adjoining districts. Speaking to media over the phone, Banerjee said, “I will be travelling to North Bengal tomorrow along with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. By afternoon, I will reach Siliguri and monitor the situation from there.” For now, the Chief Minister has been stationed in the control room in Nabanna, keeping a close watch since this morning. She added that she had already held a virtual meeting with officials of five North Bengal districts and has been monitoring developments since 6 am. Torrential rain has battered Darjeeling and Kalimpong, triggering multiple landslides, road blockages, and rising river levels since yesterday evening. At least 13 deaths have been reported so far from Darjeeling district alone. Nine people were killed when an iron bridge collapsed in Mirik, seven lost their lives in Sukhiapokhri, and another was reported dead in Bijanbari. Tourists remain stranded as several key roads have been cut off, and communication with Kalimpong and Sikkim has been completely disrupted, officials said. Banerjee attributed the worsening conditions to heavy rainfall in Bhutan, which has swelled rivers in North Bengal. “The rainwater from Bhutan has flooded our region. This calamity is extremely unfortunate. Disasters are beyond human control, but we are deeply distressed,” she said. The Alipore Meteorological Department had already issued a warning of heavy rainfall in Darjeeling, and by Saturday night, the region was lashed by continuous downpours. The Teesta river has risen sharply, flooding stretches of National Highway 10 near 29 Mile Balukhola in Teestabazar, leading to the closure of the crucial road link. In addition, part of the iron bridge between Mirik and Doodhia collapsed, cutting off connectivity between Siliguri and Mirik, as well as severely hampering access to Darjeeling town — an unusual occurrence. Rescue operations are underway, though officials admitted that bad weather has made the task extremely challenging. The Additional Superintendent of Police (Kurseong) said that five bodies had already been recovered from Mirik, with two more earlier, and four confirmed dead in Sukhiapokhri. “Roads via Rohini and Dilaram are completely blocked. We are trying to rescue those stranded in Mirik and evacuate residents from affected areas,” the official said. Police later confirmed at least 13 deaths, warning that the toll could rise further. Landslides near Dilaram have also blocked the main road leading to Darjeeling, while routes towards Kalimpong and Sikkim remain closed. Wild animals have also been displaced by the floods, with two deer rescued after straying into villages. Several rivers are now flowing above the danger mark. Meanwhile, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) issued an advisory on Sunday morning, temporarily closing popular tourist spots like Rock Garden and Tiger Hill. Visitors have been urged to exercise caution amid the continuing natural disaster. Banerjee is expected to chair high-level meetings in Siliguri after reaching North Bengal on Monday and coordinate further relief and rescue operations.
Furious Mamata slams DVC over release of 1.5 lakh cusecs during Puja
Furious at the unilateral discharge of about 1.5 lakh cusecs of water by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the central agency of a deliberate ploy to unleash disaster on the people of the state during the festive season.Protesting against the DVC’s fresh release of water from different dams, Banerjee said, “This is a deliberate ploy to unleash disaster on us to inflict pain on millions when they are still busy in the Pujas. Shameful, intolerable, unacceptable! We protest!!”Giving an update on the “unilateral and wilful release of water” by the DVC, she said that by this evening, the agency had released more than 1.5 lakh cusecs of water from the Maithon and Panchet dams to flood Bengal during the festival period. She said it was a “manufactured disaster” after the DVC released water on Bijoya Dashami without prior notice to the state.Banerjee added that the sudden discharge endangered millions of lives during Durga Puja festivities.She described the move as “reckless” and “unacceptable,” accusing the central agency of disrupting peace and placing the state at high risk. “Bijoya Dashami marks the close of Durga Puja – a time for joy, cheer and renewed hope. Yet, instead of allowing the people of West Bengal to conclude the festival in peace, the DVC released water without any prior notice to the state. This reckless act is nothing short of an attempt to inflict misery during our sacred festivities,” the chief minister iterated. Banerjee said the act on the part of the DVC was”unilateral, shameful, and absolutely unacceptable”. “By releasing water without intimation, the DVC has placed millions of lives in Bengal in immediate peril. This is not a natural calamity; it is a disaster manufactured by the DVC,” she said.“Let me be clear, I will not allow anyone to carry out a Bisarjan of Bengal. Every conspiracy against our people will be resisted with full force. Truth will prevail over deceit and good will triumph over evil,” she concluded.Meanwhile, reports from the districts said that local administrations and disaster response teams sounded alerts after the DVC release and began evacuations in low-lying areas along rivers and canals.Officials reported rising water levels in several districts and moved residents from vulnerable zones to safer shelters.Puja organisers postponed or shifted immersion activities in affected places to avoid large gatherings near inundated riverbanks. State emergency services deployed boats and rescue teams to manage sudden waterlogging and assist in transporting the elderly and children away from risk zones during the holiday.
BJP Deploys Massive Force in West Bengal, With Shah at the Helm
With Durga Puja festivities over, West Bengal is shifting into election mode, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun mobilizing an unprecedented force to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress. According to party sources, more than 1,200 BJP leaders, including members of Parliament from across India, will be stationed in the state in the coming months to oversee campaign operations. The move signals a clear strategy by the central leadership to take direct control of Bengal’s election battle, sidelining much of the state unit. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has been appointed chief election observer for Bengal, with former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb as his deputy. At the top of the chain of command will be Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is expected to spend seven to 10 days in Bengal every month starting in December. Party insiders said accommodations for Shah are being finalized in the Bidhannagar-New Town area. The deployed leaders will conduct on-the-ground surveys, identify weak spots in BJP’s campaign, and coordinate messaging based on intelligence and survey reports. Each MP will be assigned responsibility for two assembly constituencies, supported by three to four senior leaders and 10–12 local workers. Special automated phone numbers will be generated for each constituency to coordinate outreach and monitor rival propaganda. Once elections are announced, the party plans to appoint “page in-charges” for every page of the voter list. Each will oversee a small team tasked with maintaining direct, personal contact with voters until polling day, even without distributing party materials. Despite the large-scale effort, political observers remain skeptical about the plan’s effectiveness. Some warn that too many leaders in the field could create confusion rather than unity. In the 2021 assembly election, the BJP campaigned aggressively but managed only 77 seats, far short of its goal of toppling Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Still, BJP leaders insist this time will be different. “The central leadership has set its sights firmly on Bengal,” a senior state leader said. “There is no question of compromise. Whatever needs to be done to win power will be done.”
Mamata Inaugurates Puja Pandals, Voices Concern Over Humiliation of Bengalis Outside the State
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday inaugurated three major Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata, but pointedly refrained from entering the marquees to view the idols. “I have come here to inaugurate the pandals, not the idols. From Mahalaya, I will begin inaugurating the idols of the Goddess,” she told reporters. The Chief Minister inaugurated the Hatibagan Sarbojanin, Tala Pratyay, and the crowd-pulling Sreebhumi Sporting Club puja, marking the start of the festive season in the city. While the organisers had hoped she would tour the elaborately decorated pandals, Ms. Banerjee kept her visit brief, limiting herself to lighting lamps and cutting ceremonial ribbons. Her remarks, however, were not confined to the rituals of Durga Puja. Ms. Banerjee used the occasion to highlight what she described as the humiliation faced by Bengalis in other parts of India. “Wherever Bengalis go, they face harassment. We must not forget that Bengalis have made enormous contributions to the country’s culture, politics, economy, and education,” she said. Ms. Banerjee urged puja committees to play Bengali songs during the festival and ensure the state’s cultural identity remained strong. “This is our biggest festival. Let it showcase Bengal’s art, music, and literature. Let the world see our tradition and creativity,” she said, underlining her call for unity around language and culture. The Chief Minister’s comments come at a time when the state government has been promoting Durga Puja as a symbol of Bengal’s cultural pride, especially after UNESCO accorded the festival recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. Officials said this year’s celebrations are expected to draw record crowds, both domestic and international. Observers noted that Ms. Banerjee’s remarks also carried a political undertone, aimed at countering both the BJP and other critics who have often accused her government of neglecting cultural identity. With elections still more than a year away, she appeared keen to reinforce her image as both custodian of Bengal’s traditions and defender of its people’s dignity. Even as the city prepared for the onrush of pandal-hoppers, police and civic authorities were working to manage crowds and traffic. State officials said more than 10,000 additional personnel would be deployed across districts from Mahalaya onwards. For Ms. Banerjee, the day’s message was clear: Durga Puja is not only about lights, pandals, and festivities, but also about asserting Bengal’s identity in the face of perceived slights.
Durga Angan temple project begins in Kolkata’s New Town
The West Bengal government has begun work on “Durga Angan,” a large temple complex in New Town conceived by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, marking the Trinamool Congress leader’s latest push to highlight her government’s cultural projects ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Banerjee had announced the project from the Trinamool’s July 21 rally, a platform traditionally used for key political messages. The state Cabinet cleared the plan in mid-August, and the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) has since invited bids and started preliminary work. The temple complex is being built on 12.6 acres near Eco Park, adjacent to land owned by the Ramakrishna Mission. The plot is also close to a hotel where senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, often stay while in Kolkata — a coincidence that has not gone unnoticed in political circles. According to the bid documents issued on Aug. 22, the estimated cost of construction is set at 2.62 billion rupees ($313 million). The deadline for bid submissions was Sept. 11, after which groundwork began. Workers have started raising the land level with earth-filling, officials said. The construction timeline has been fixed at 24 months from the date of the contract, which means the project is expected to be completed by September 2027 if no political upheaval intervenes. The move follows Banerjee’s inauguration of the Jagannath Dham temple in Digha earlier this year, a project also overseen by Hidco. Political analysts see the temples as part of a broader strategy to blunt the BJP’s Hindutva campaign by projecting Banerjee as a leader committed to inclusive religious traditions. For more than a decade, Trinamool has maintained a near-monopoly on minority votes, a bloc the BJP has accused the ruling party of appeasing at the expense of Hindus. In recent years, the saffron party has sharpened its messaging around this accusation, seeking to consolidate Hindu voters. Banerjee, however, insists her projects reflect her belief in communal harmony. Meanwhile, Hidco itself has undergone significant changes. The agency, long under the purview of the Urban Development Department, was shifted last December to the Administrative Reforms and Personnel Department, which Banerjee directly heads. Leadership has also changed hands: veteran minister Firhad Hakim was replaced as Hidco chairman late last year, with former chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi holding interim charge before finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya took over last week. As the 2026 polls approach, the Durga Angan temple is likely to serve not only as a cultural landmark but also as a political symbol in West Bengal’s fiercely contested electoral landscape.
