West Bengal

Howrah (WB), Dec 29 (PTI) Unidentified gunmen shot dead a ruling Trinamool Congress worker outside Shalimar railway station in West Bengal's Howrah district while he was returning home from work on Tuesday evening, police said.

Dharmendra Singh, who was in his early 40s, was a member of the TMC's youth wing.

"He was on a motorbike with another person. Unknown miscreants on bikes shot him from point blank range. Doctors declared him brought dead after he was taken to a hospital. We are investigating the matter," a police officer said.

Kolkata, Dec 28 (PTI) Nobel laureate Amartya Sen Monday thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for supporting him after his family was accused by the Visva Bharati of being in "illegal" possession of land on the campus, and said her strong voice is a tremendous source of strength.

In his letter, the eminent economist thanked Banerjee for taking out time from her busy schedule, and "reassuring people under attack".

Kolkata, Dec 24 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said an agro industrial park will be set up at Singur in Hooghly district to create employment opportunities in the agrarian area.

Banerjee announced that the expression of interest will be issued for the upcoming deep sea port at Tajpur Purbo Medinipur district which will attract total investment of Rs 15,000 crore and generate 25,000 employment opportunities in the state.

Barrackpore (WB), Dec 23 (PTI) BJP workers were lathi-charged near the Khardah police station in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday evening.

The police said that some BJP workers staging a blockade of the B T Road in protest against the arrest of party activist Bullet Roy for allegedly brandishing firearms tried to storm the police station and were lathi-charged by Rapid Action Force personnel.

Contai (WB), Dec 23 (PTI) Several persons were injured in a clash between Trinamool Congress and BJP activists at Ramnagar in West Bengal Wednesday ahead of TMC's rally in Contai, the stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari who joined the saffron party recently.

Police said the clash broke out when a procession by BJP activists was passing near a TMC party office on Ramnagar Road in Purba Medinipur district.

Several persons were injured in the clash, which took place when one group attacked another and the subsequent retaliation, police said.

New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) Former TMC MLA Suvendu Adhikari has been accorded a 'Z' category VIP security cover by the central government, official sources said on Friday.

They said Adhikari, 50, will be secured by armed commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) whenever he moves in West Bengal.

Midnapore (WB), Dec 19 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday had lunch at the house of a farmer in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district as part of his exercise to strengthen relations with the agriculturists ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

Shah's move assumes significance in the wake of the ongoing farmers' protests in Delhi against the three farm laws.

Shah, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal to take stock of the BJP's affairs in the state, arrived here on Saturday and offered puja at a local temple.

Kolkata, Dec 17 (PTI) In the wake of Suvendu Adhikari severing all ties with Trinamool Congress on Thursday, a senior party leader said that one or two people leaving the party will have no effect on it.

Adhikari relinquished his primary membership of Trinamool Congress after submitting his resignation from West Bengal assembly on Wednesday fuelling speculation that he will join the saffron brigade.

Kolkata, Dec 14 (PTI) GRSE-built first Project 17A stealth frigate, an addition to the might of the Indian Navy, was launched here on Monday, with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat asserting that Indian forces will leave no stone unturned to safeguard the country's frontiers.

He also said that the stealth frigate 'Himgiri', built by the PSU, will provide a major boost to Indian Navy's defence preparedness.

After touching water, the state-of-the-art naval ship will undergo extensive trials before it is delivered to the Navy, a defence official said.

Barrackpore (WB), Dec 12 (PTI) A BJP worker was beaten to death and six others were injured when a group of people attacked them during a door to door campaign of the party in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Saturday, police said.

Saikat Bhawal was one of those who were assaulted in Halisahar area. When he was taken to the JNM Hospital at Kalyani, doctors declared him "brought dead", police said adding that the matter is being investigated.