West Bengal

Siliguri's Central Colony Durga Puja has become a major attraction this year, with Maa Durga and other idols adorned with more than 100 kg of genuine gold ornaments. The 64th edition of the celebration combines artistic presentation with devotion, backed by extensive security arrangements to protect the valuable jewellery.

The West Bengal government has approved a special festive relief package for workers affected by closed tea gardens across North Bengal. The initiative provides a one-time payment of ₹5,000 to eligible workers below 60 years of age and an additional 50 kg of rice for each eligible family, over and above the existing 35-kg quota.

The Durgotsab celebration at Mahabir Sthan in Khoribari was inaugurated by a local dignitary, marking an auspicious beginning to the festive celebrations organised by Khoribari Sabuj Welfare Sangh. The occasion highlighted devotion to Maa Durga and conveyed a message of strength, peace and prosperity for all families.

A diesel tanker overturned near Gouripur, close to Birati, on Thursday morning while travelling towards Barasat. The accident caused a fuel spill and severe traffic congestion on Jessore Road, prompting an emergency response from police and other personnel.

Ferry services across several Hooghly River routes have been disrupted since Wednesday after employees of the Hooghly River Water Transport Cooperative Society launched an indefinite work stoppage over two months of unpaid salaries and pending festival bonuses. The shutdown has caused inconvenience for commuters travelling between Howrah and Kolkata.

Road paint near Shaheed Bhagat Singh More in Asansol is being removed following reports of motorcyclists skidding on a freshly painted flyover in Kolkata’s Chingrighata area. The development has renewed concerns over road safety amid pre-Durga Puja beautification projects.

Durga Puja festivities commenced at Batasi Badrajote in Khoribari with the inauguration of the puja organised by Batasi Public Sports Association. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain attended the ceremony as chief guests, marking the beginning of the celebrations.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has announced financial assistance of ₹20 lakh for the proposed indoor stadium of Dadabhai Sporting Club in Siliguri as a special gift ahead of Durga Puja 2026.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been remanded to five days of judicial custody and sent to Tihar Jail following their alleged unauthorised entry into Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest area. The incident comes amid ongoing demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Income Tax Office in Siliguri organised two significant events, inaugurating the ‘AROGYA’ First Aid Room and hosting ‘SHAKTI VANDANAM Swachhata Evam Shakti Samaroh’. The programme celebrated women empowerment and honoured Safai Karamcharis and other support staff for their contributions.

The West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) recovered firearms, cartridges and suspected weapon-manufacturing tools during a raid in Ayubnagar, Nadiyal, Kolkata. The accused reportedly escaped before the search operation, and a case has been registered under the Arms Act.

The Trinamool Congress has alleged that a woman carrying a knife attempted to approach and attack former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee outside her Kalighat residence on Tuesday evening. TMC MP Dola Sen reportedly lodged a complaint with Kalighat Police Station, raising concerns over the security arrangements.