News Analysis India

Tag: West Bengal

  • Poll-bound West Bengal now has highest Covid case growth rate in India

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Poll-bound West Bengal, at 9.5%, has the highest Covid case growth in the country, data shared by the Union Health Ministry shows.

    West Bengal is followed by Karnataka which has a near explosive growth rate of 9% while Delhi, reeling under a huge medical oxygen crisis, has the second-lowest growth rate at 1.5% after Maharashtra (0.5%), among the surge states.

    The figures showing a stark scenario in West Bengal have been released even as the Centre and the ruling BJP have come under massive criticism for holding huge rallies in the state whose capital, Kolkata at about 50%, is now reporting the highest test positivity rate.

    India, now the worst Covid-hit globally, has been reporting nearly 1,500 or more daily deaths since April 20 and on Sunday, the highest 2,812 fatalities were recorded. On top of these alarming figures, there are concerns that the fatalities due to the infectious disease are being majorly undercounted in most of the cities and towns in the country.

    The country now has 28, 13, 656 active cases of which 3,52,991 cases were registered in the last 24 hours but the Centre has not disclosed the number of people hospitalized, on oxygen support, ICU, or those on ventilators at present.

    ALSO READ | Active COVID cases likely to peak at 38-48 lakh in mid-May: IIT scientists in latest prediction

    In the press briefing on Monday by the Health Ministry, several government authorities including VK Paul, member, Niti Aayog, and Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS (Delhi) stressed that no healthcare infrastructure in the world can take the load of such huge numbers.

    Both Paul and Guleria, senior members of the national Covid task force, urged Covid patients to manage their condition at home under the home isolation protocols by the government unless hospitalization is absolutely required.

    As per the details shared by the Health Ministry, 10 states including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan report 74.5% of the new cases.

    Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 66,191. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 35,311 while Karnataka reported 34,804 new cases. The country’s total active caseload now comprises 16.25% of the country’s total positive Case

    A net incline of 1,30,907 cases have been recorded from the total active caseload in the last 24 hours, the government underlined.

    The details showed that 8 states–Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Kerala cumulatively account for 69.67% of India’s total active cases.

  • West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says she has documents to prove EC-BJP nexus 

    Express News Service
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday shared WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by some poll panel officials to certain police personnel,  asking them to detain Trinamool Congress workers who were branded as “trouble makers”. Mamata said she has gathered enough evidence to prove that Election Commission officials are in cahoots with the BJP. “In the WhatsApp messages, these election observers have described Trinamool Congress party workers as trouble mongers. I have seen the message exchanged between them and some police officers,” she said.

    All India Trinamool Congress supremo MamataBanerjee offering puja at TarapithTemple in Birbhum in West Bengal | Bibhash Lodh“Some of our district magistrates and superintendents of police are crossing their limits. Are they echoing the BJP? I will not say anything now. After the polls, I will take up the issue,’’ Mamata said in Bolpur.

    The Trinamool Congress supremo said her next move would be to knock on the door of the Supreme Court ‘’I will move the Supreme Court seeking its intervention. Retired people are being sent as observers. This set of retired persons are issuing orders to serving officers,’’ she alleged.

    Accusing the BJP of being ‘’power-hungry’’ and criticising the Commission’s decision not to club the final three phases of the Assembly elections in the state, she said the Centre was aware that the Covid situation would worsen in January but did not take any steps.

     “Instead, the Centre went ahead with eight-phase to satisfy their lust for power,’’ she alleged. Alleging that the police is also working at the behest of the BJP, she said many TMC workers were picked up from their houses on the morning of the sixth phase of the elections, and they were detained for the entire day.“This was done to ensure the BJP’s victory. Even after adopting all these methods, BJP will not be able to bag more than 70 seats. The CPI(M)-Congress together can hardly get 20-22 seats. Nobody can stop the TMC,’’ Mamata said.

  • In his virtual rally, Modi seeks high voter turnout in West Bengal polls

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA:  After cancelling his political rallies in West Bengal amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a virtual rally.  The prime minister said this will be his last address to the people of Bengal before they vote in the final two phases of the state’s Assembly election.  

    He urged the people to turn out to vote as they did in the last six phases. “I could not come and seek your blessing because of the second wave of Covid-19,” he said. “I cancelled my four meetings scheduled to be held in West Bengal today. Two phases are left in the ongoing Bengal Assembly elections. In previous phases, a large number of voters exercised their franchise which has glorified India’s democracy. In coming phases, you vote like the previous phases,’’ Modi said.

    Modi addressed at least 15 public rallies in past one month in West Bengal. Reiterating BJP’s aim to build Sonar Bangla, Modi said, “After wresting power in Bengal, the BJP-led government will end the regime of extortion, cut corruption, which are the only barriers for the development of the state. There will be investments that create a huge number of job opportunities.’’

    Exuding confidence about the BJP coming to power in the state, the PM said the new government will use technology to transform Kolkata. Referring to crimes against women, Modi said the BJP government will set up fast track courts across Bengal for providing speedy justice to women.

  • West Bengal: COVID deaths quadruple, new cases treble in 10 days amidst poll rush

    Express News Service
    KOLKATA:  When horrified people looking at the humongous political rallies with mask-less supporters in West Bengal a couple of weeks ago wondered if such mobilisation was wise, the prompt reply of politicos was the state’s Covid-positive count was far below that of high incidence states.  

    The numbers have since climbed with Bengal reporting a daily spike of 12,876 positive cases on Friday, compared to 4,511 on April 12. Within those 11 days, the toll went up four times from 14 on April 12 to 59 on Friday. At least 80 large rallies were held in the state during that period. 

    On February 26, the day poll panel announced Bengal’s election schedule, the daily positive cases in Birbhum, Nadia and West Burdwan districts were 2, 6 and 10, respectively. Almost a month later, on April 22, the three districts recorded 624, 455 and 596 fresh positive cases respectively, indicating its rapid unspooling in rural Bengal.

    Two candidates have so far died of Covid-19 and others like state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have been hospitalised. While the Election Commission of India on Thursday, after a stinker from the Calcutta high court, banned roadshows and public meetings with more than 500 people ahead of the last two phases of the ongoing Assembly elections, surely someone should be held accountable for sleeping on the job.  “Among other reasons, big political rallies played a crucial role in the spread of Covid-19 in rural areas,’’ said an official of the state health department. 

  • Reached out to PM Modi for additional vaccines, medicines, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for additional vaccines and medicines in the wake of spiraling COVID-19 cases in the state.

    She also said the state government will spell out measures to deal with the second wave of the pandemic later in the day.

    “With the massive surge in #COVID19 cases across India, GoWB is taking all necessary steps to protect its people. I’ve reached out (to) the PM to help us with additional medicines and vaccines required,” Banerjee tweeted.

    “I have also directed all the top officials to make elaborate arrangements & step up their efforts at every level to deal with #COVID19 situation in WB,” she added.

    ALSO READ: CM Mamata Banerjee warns CAPF of legal consequences after election

    Banerjee had on Sunday said TMC would organise small meetings in Kolkata and she would give short speeches in rallies in districts where polling would be held in the remaining three phases, keeping in mind the coronavirus situation.

    Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien tweeted, “Mamata Banerjee will NOT campaign in Kolkata anymore. Only one ‘symbolic’ meeting on the last day of campaigning in the city on April 26. Slashes time for all her election rallies in all districts. Restricted to just 30 minutes.”

    West Bengal on Sunday registered its highest single day spike of 8,419 fresh cases and at least 28 fatalities.

  • West Bengal polls 2021: CM Mamata Banerjee warns CAPF of legal consequences after election

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday warned central force personnel deployed in West Bengal on poll duty that they would face legal consequences for their acts and high-handedness at the behest of the BJP after the elections.

    Claiming the TMC would come to power for the third consecutive term in Bengal, Mamata said the BJP leaders would not be there after the elections and the central force personnel, who are accused of working for the saffron camp, would have to come here to comply with the legal formalities against them.

    While addressing a rally at Gaighata in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, Mamata, who has been coming down heavily on the central forces since the election started and which has only become intense after the Cooch Behar firing, said, “Do not act and show your atrocities and highhandedness at the behest of the BJP. After the election BJP leaders will not be beside you. After coming to power, we will pursue all incidents of your high-handedness. You will have to come here repeatedly to face legal consequences.”

    Referring to the firing at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar, in which four persons were gunned down, the West Bengal chief minister said, “An FIR has been registered in this incident. We have identified the company of the central force that opened fire. Legal formalities will be initiated after the election. Do not show your high-handedness in the coming phases of the election.”

    In a recent rally, Mamata showed a piece of paper and claimed she collected the names of the CISF personnel who had pulled the trigger in Cooch Behar.

    Earlier, Election Commission banned the firebrand politician from poll campaigns for 24 hours for her statement in a public rally asking women electorates to gherao central force personnel.

    When Mamata never missed an opportunity to mention Cooch Behar firing in her speeches since the incident took place, the BJP’s high-command, too, is citing the same episode to hit out at Mamata on the issue of instigating the electorates of a particular community. BJP’s attack has become more intense after the party released an audio tape in which Mamata is purportedly heard asking TMC’s Sitalkuchi candidate to keep the bodies of the victim as she would lead a rally with it.

    Echoing what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Mamata’s “plan” to take out a rally with the bodies of Cooch Behar firing deceased, Union Home minister Amit Shah on Sunday accused her of playing politics over the death of four persons.

    “The incident was a fall out her instigation. Now she is doing politics over the dead bodies of four,” said Shah in a rally at purbasthali, East Burdwan, claiming the BJP already secured victory in 122 Assembly constituencies out 180 where polls were conducted till fifth phase.

  • West Bengal polls: EC bans rallies, public meetings from 7 pm-10 am due to rise in COVID cases

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of rising COVID-19 cases, the Election Commission on Friday put in place restrictions on campaigning by political parties, including curtailing its time, for the West Bengal assembly elections.

    In an order, the poll panel curtailed the time for campaign up to 7 pm. Earlier it was up to 10 pm.

    Now there will be no campaign between 7 pm and 10 am on campaign day in the state, the Election Commission said.

    It also extended the silence period from 48 hours to 72 hours in each of the remaining three of the eight phases of the West Bengal polls to be held on April 22, 26 and 29.

    During the silence period, which is usually for 48 hours, parties and candidates cannot hold rallies and meetings.

  • West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee barred from campaigning for 24 hours

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Monday barred West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours for her remarks against central forces and a statement which had alleged religious overtones.

    “Commission hereby condemns such statements potent with serious law and order problems across the state(s) and sternly warns Mamata Banerjee and advises her to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force,” the order said.

    It said that the “commission also imposes a ban of 24 hours on Ms Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in any manner from 8 pm of April 12 till 8 pm of April 13”.

    Assembly elections in West Bengal began on March 27 and four of the eight phases of the polls have been completed.

    The poll panel’s order cited two separate notices to Banerjee on April 7 and April 8, and her subsequent replies.

    On her speech which had alleged religious overtones, the Election Commission (EC) said that Banerjee has “selectively chosen” parts of her speech in her reply dated April 9 and “did not mention anything on the context of key parts of her speech”.

    In her reply to the notice, the Trinamool Congress leader had said that “I did not seek to influence the voters to cast their vote for her on religious segmentary lines; rather I categorically spoke in favour of religious harmony in line with the spirit of Model Code of Conduct and the Constitution of India”.

    “By using words ‘I also will tell my Hindu brothers and sisters not to make division amongst yourselves as Hindu and Muslim’ it is evident that my speech was not to incite religious sentiments but to maintain peace and harmony,” the chief minister had said.

    The EC order reproduced the “key part” of her reported speech.

    The text of Banerjee’s speech quoted in the commission’s order read: “I am requesting my minority brothers and sisters with folded hands don’t divide the minority votes after listening to the devil (shaitaan) person who had taken money from the BJP. He passes many communal statements and initiates clashes between the Hindu and the Muslims.”

    “The comrades of CPM and BJP is roaming around with the money given by BJP to divide the minority votes. Please don’t allow them to do so. Keep in mind that if the BJP comes to the government then you will be in severe danger”, read text of her speech quoted in the EC order.

    On her reported remarks against central armed police forces, Banerjee told the poll panel that she had only called upon the voters, specifically voters who are women, to protest democratically by “gherao” if and when somebody, including the forces, created any obstruction in their right to vote.

    “Gherao is one of the democratic ways of registering public protest and accepted, and there is no reason why gherao should be considered as illegal. Be it noted that the multi-dimensional word ‘gherao’ has been a legitimate entry in the in the political lexicon of West Bengal since the late 1960s, and in recent years, more frequently than not, the word has been used to connote peaceful satyagraha against authorities by silent victims of a situation,” she said.

    The order said in her reply, on remarks against central forces, Banerjee has “yet again conveniently left out key parts of her speech, perhaps due to selective amnesia”.

    The order reproduced portion of her speech to drive home the point that she had violated the model code, provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the Indian Penal Code.

    “l know under whose instruction they beat up and how they beat up. It is your duty to save the family of the people. If any of our mothers and sisters suffers a single stroke with the stick attack them with ladle, spuds and knife. I am telling you. It is the right of women. And if anyone of our mothers and sisters is denied entry in the voting compartment all of you come out and revolt,” the order said reproducing portions of her speech.

  • ‘Make Bengal safer for women’: Survivors of sex trafficking release poll manifesto 

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In South 24 Parganas’s Basanti in the state of West Bengal, Ayesha* — a survivor of trafficking — runs a small stationery shop. Six years after she was trafficked as a minor, she was rescued from a brothel in Pune.

    Every day she strives towards making the state a safer space for women and children by raising awareness on the issue of trafficking.

    “I felt numb when I returned. What followed was years of emotional turmoil, threat from the traffickers, and stigma from neighbours, and relatives. Fighting the stigma was the most exhausting part of the process,” said Ayesha.

    As West Bengal awaits its 5th phase of polling, survivors of trafficking released a manifesto seeking a strong response mechanism to combat trafficking in the state.

    The 2019 National Crime Records Bureau data shows a total of 6,616  victims were trafficked across India. Among them, 2,914 were children and 3,702 adults.

    According to Save the Children’s analysis of 2018 NCRB data, West Bengal reported the second-highest number of children being trafficked at 8205. Kolkata and South 24 Parganas accounted for 60 per cent burden of the total cases, it said.

    Bandhanmukti Survivors’ Collective which aims to help in the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of survivors in its slew of demands reiterated there was a need to strengthen the anti-trafficking unit and interstate investigation. While there is a need for stringent punishment for offenders, the government should focus on providing community-based rehabilitation services to survivors.

    Providing livelihood opportunities and support to survivors’ self-help groups should be the priority of the new government, the survivors pointed out.

    Reshma*, another survivor from South 24 Parganas, said, “There is an urgent need for governments to focus on community-based rehabilitation. Survivors are stigmatised for years when they go out to work after being rescued. The formation of self-help groups helps them. Restoration of self-confidence of trafficked survivors is the first step towards rehabilitation and integration of survivors.”

    Subhasree Raptan, mentor at the collective pointed out the judiciary and law enforcement agencies need to work in tandem to clamp down on trafficking. “The need of the hour is a comprehensive law which gives due weightage to all the components, including compensation and rehabilitation. There can be systemic change only when political parties give due importance to the issue of trafficking.”

     The manifesto has reiterated the need for education of all and ensuring safe migration of children to clamp down on trafficking. Children should also be sensitised on the issue of gender-based violence, it highlighted.

    Recounting her ordeal during the years of rehabilitation, Sarada* pointed out the need to change the narrative around trafficking. “We appeal to the government to listen. The onus of rehabilitation is not on survivors. We appeal to all political parties to raise awareness on the issue of trafficking. They must ensure the children of survivors of trafficking do not drop out of school because of stigma or lack of resources. Our manifesto does not have any political colour.”

    “It has taken me years to find my identity again. Society and governments do not help us in any way,” added Sarada who now works as a small-scale tailor.

    * Names changed to protect identities.

  • Bihar cop killed by mob during raid in Bengal

    Express News Service
    PATNA: An SHO from Bihar’s Kishanganj was lynched at a Bengal village early on Saturday morning.

    Bihar’s Kishanganj Town PS SHO Ashwani Kumar fell prey to the violent attack, when he went to raid a hideout of vehicle thieves on early Saturday morning.

    SP Kishanganj Kumar Ashish said that the SHO was a bright officer. It is said that he had gone to the hideout following a tip-off. The SHO was lynched by a mob at Pantapada village of Gowalpokhar police station area of ​​West Bengal. 

    According to Mrityunjay K Singh-president of Bihar Police Association, the SHO was brutally beaten and throttled to death.

    It is said that, the body was left abondoned at the spot and later taken to nearby hospital.