
Abhishek Banerjee's 5 questions to Centre over accountability on Pahalgam attack
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday reiterated the questions he had first raised before the foreign secretary Vikram Misri at a meeting of the parliament standing committee on foreign affairs over the Pahalgam terror attack. Banerjee, who was part of the all-party delegation that travelled to various countries to present India's position on the fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, took to social media handle X and wrote, "It has been over 55 DAYS since the PAHALGAM terror attack. It is deeply concerning that in a democracy neither the mainstream media, members of the opposition, nor the judiciary have stepped forward to raise these five critical questions before the Government of India"
advertisement"As a citizen committed to the nation's well-being and as a public representative entrusted with accountability, I raise these five questions before the Government of India," the TMC MP wrote.Here's are the five questions raised by the three-time MP from West Bengal:
1. How did four terrorists manage to infiltrate the border and launch an attack that killed 26 innocent civilians? Where is the accountability for this massive breach in national security ?2. If this was an intelligence failure, why was the Intelligence Bureau Chief granted a ONE YEAR EXTENSION, that too barely a month after the attack? Why was he REWARDED RATHER THAN HELD ACCOUNTABLE ? WHAT IS THE COMPULSION ?If the GoI can conveniently use PEGASUS spyware against opposition leaders(including me), journalists and even judges, what stops it from using the same tools against terrorist networks and suspects?advertisement3. Where are the FOUR TERRORIST responsible for this brutal, religion-based massacre? ARE THEY DEAD OR ALIVE ? If they have been neutralized, why has the government failed to make a clear statement? And if they haven't, WHY IS THE SILENCE ?4. When will India reclaim Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK)? Why hasn't the government officially responded to the U.S. President's claim that he persuaded India into a ceasefire with promises of trade - Just as the nation stood together irrespective of their cast, creed religion and political affinity, celebrating the triumph of righteousness and saluting the valour and sacrifice of our armed forces? WHY WERE THE EMOTIONS OF 140 CRORE INDIANS DISREGARDED? What led to such a compromise?5. After reaching out to 33 COUNTRIES post-Pahalgam in the last one month, how many extended explicit support to India?"If we are truly a VISHWAGURU and the world's fourth-largest economy, why did the IMF and World Bank approve $1 BILLION and $40 BILLION in financial assistance and long-term investments to PAKISTAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PAHALGAM ATTACK ? How did a nation repeatedly involved in cross-border terrorism not only escape global scrutiny but get rewarded?" Banerjee questioned.Banerjee asked as to why was Pakistan appointed Vice-Chair of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee barely a month later? "Over 2000000000000 (TWO LAKH CRORES) has been spent on external affairs over the past 10 years. The Indian public deserves transparency, accountability and results - NOT SILENCE AND SPIN! THE NATION AWAITS A RESPONSE!" he wrote on X.Must Watch
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Bengal: 1,300 shops gutted in Khidderpore fire, CM promises new market, aid
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday visited the Khidderpore market on Orphangunge Road, following a devastating fire that reportedly destroyed around 1,300 shops in the nearly 150-year-old market. During her visit, Banerjee announced a comprehensive rehabilitation package aimed at assisting the affected traders. Her presence was met with criticism from locals who expressed frustration over the delayed response from the fire brigade. Banerjee announced financial assistance, construction of a modern new market, and temporary relocation arrangements to ensure business continuity for the affected vendors. 'Traders whose shops were completely destroyed will receive Rs 1 lakh, covering the cost of reconstruction and materials. Those who suffered partial damage will receive Rs 50,000 . These amounts will be disbursed only after relocation,' she said. She further assured that a new market will be constructed at the affected site with 'a modern, scientific and safe design, including a proper fire management system.' You will not have to spend anything. The government will build this market so that you don't face future problems she added. A temporary relocation site is being finalized in consultation with local authorities to ensure traders can resume their livelihoods without significant interruption. The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for a detailed investigation and assessment to determine the full extent of the damage. 'We are ready to help, but we need a complete report to find out whose shops were completely or partially burnt. This will be done through a proper inquiry and site enquiry,' she added, urging patience during the survey process. The chief minister also urged people and businessmen to prioritise safety measures. The blaze, which began around 2:05 am, was brought under control by 6 am with the help of 20 fire tenders. However, 'pocket of fires' continued to smoulder for hours. Officials suspect a short circuit triggered the fire, which quickly spread due to highly inflammable materials stored in nearby godowns. However, widespread complaints have emerged from locals and affected traders regarding the delayed arrival of the fire brigade.'We called the fire brigade immediately, but they came nearly two hours later,' a shopkeeper claimed. 'Even then, the water pressure was low and it ran out within 10 minutes.' A second fire engine arrived half an hour later, but its water also ran out quickly, they claimed. State Fire Minister Sujit Bose visited the site early in the day but was met with angry protests. 'It's a congested area. Our people work at the risk of their lives. Our personnel had difficulty reaching the spot, but they managed to bring the fire under control,' an official said. He also hinted at possible non-compliance with safety rules by some shop owners, adding, 'Besides, many people do not follow the rules properly while running their shops. I am not blaming anyone. An incident has happened, we will see.' The incident has also stirred strong reactions from political opposition. BJP IT Cell In charge Amit Malviya criticized Banerjee for allegedly deflecting blame onto the victims. 'Instead of standing with the devastated traders, she shamelessly blamed them for the tragedy,' said Malviya. Traders expressed their anguish and frustration, attributing the devastation to administrative failures. 'We have to pay the price for the utter failure of the administration and the fire department. There are 1,300 businessmen here. Everything is gone for everyone,' lamented one businessman. Another raised concerns about the firefighters' apparent lack of preparedness. 'The fire brigade came late… they didn't have oil in their pumps. So they couldn't draw water from the Ganges,' he said. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More


Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
From Cyprus, PM Modi on war next door: Need talks for resolution and stability
Meeting in Nicosia as Israel and Iran target each other with air strikes and missiles in the neighbourhood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides 'expressed concern' Monday over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe, and said 'this is not an era of war'. The first Indian Prime Minister to visit Cyprus in 23 years, Modi said a 'resolution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity'. Acknowledging emerging challenges within the international security environment, the joint statement on the visit said that the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, defence readiness and defence capabilities. 'They agreed to deepen their defence and security cooperation, including through collaboration between their respective defence industries, with a special focus on cybersecurity and emerging technologies,' the joint statement said. Cyprus is a regional rival of Turkey and is also going to chair the EU Council in 2026. Given India's recent acrimony with Turkey over its military support to Pakistan, Delhi's Cyprus outreach is a significant move. 'We both expressed concern over the conflicts going on in West Asia and Europe. Their negative impact is not just limited to those regions. We both consider that this is not an era of war. Resolution through dialogue and restoration of stability is the call of humanity,' Modi said. 'We are thankful for Cyprus's support to India's fight against cross-border terrorism,' he said. This is his first foreign visit after India conducted Operation Sindoor in May during which it targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. President Christodoulides said, 'We have a historic friendship, and there is trust in ties.' He recalled the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and said Cyprus stands in 'full solidarity' with India. Cyprus 'stands with India in its fight against terrorism' in all forms and manifestations, he said. The joint statement said, 'Cyprus and India unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including international and cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats that undermine peace and stability.' It said Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism. 'The two leaders strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India. They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances. They emphasised that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable,' it said. 'The leaders urged all States to respect the sovereignty of other nations and condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. They called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks, elimination of safe havens, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Emphasising the need for a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained approach to combating terrorism across borders, they underscored the importance of working collaboratively, bilaterally and with the multilateral system,' it said. Both leaders, the statement said, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and called for the expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework. They urged for concerted actions against all UN-designated and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, associated proxy groups, facilitators, and sponsors, including terrorists under 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee. They reiterated their strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt terrorist financing channels including through the UN and Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Christodoulides also referred to the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and said the people of Cyprus are with India in this time of grief. Modi said his visit was a 'golden opportunity' to write a new chapter in India-Cyprus bilateral ties. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival at the Presidential Palace on Monday. During the joint press conference, Christodoulides said, 'We also discussed the Cyprus issue with the Prime Minister,' adding Cyprus wants to end the 'illegal occupation' by Turkey, referring to the disputed northern region. 'We extend the gratitude of the Republic of Cyprus to India and its people for their support. The support for the territorial integrity of Cyprus, our reunification,' he said. In his remarks, the Prime Minister asserted that mutual trust in democracy and the rule of law form a 'strong foundation of our ties'. 'Our ties are neither made by circumstances nor limited. We respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity,' he said. Underlining the shared values of the two countries and the future trajectory of bilateral ties, Modi said, 'Together, we will shape the future.' He said Cyprus is also a choice tourist destination for Indians, and efforts will be made for direct air connectivity between the two sides. 'We also discussed how to deepen cultural linkages. Yoga and Ayurveda are gaining popularity in Cyprus, which is gladdening to see. Tourism is another area where there is rich potential. We also deliberated on how to improve connectivity,' he said. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and India-EU ties also figured in their talks. 'We are both convinced about the transformative potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This Corridor will boost peace and prosperity in the region,' Modi said. He invited the Cyprus President to visit India. Modi was also conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III of Cyprus, the country's highest civilian honour. 'Humbled to receive the 'Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III' of Cyprus. I dedicate it to the friendship between our nations,' Modi said after receiving the award. The Order of Makarios III is the senior order of knighthood awarded by the country named after the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III. Dedicating the award to the 1.4 billion people of India, Modi said it was an award to the trusted India-Cyprus friendship. 'I am confident that in the time to come, our active partnership will touch new heights. Together, we will not only strengthen the progress of our two nations but also contribute towards building a peaceful and secure world,' he said. The Cyprus award brings the total tally of international honours conferred upon the Prime Minister to 23. Modi noted the award was a recognition of India's age-old philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or 'The World is One Family' that guides its vision for global peace and progress, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More


Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Bengal resident pushed into Bangladesh brought back with four others
Following the intervention by the TMC government in West Bengal, 36-year-old Mehbub Sheikh, a resident of Murshidabad who was picked up by Maharashtra Police and pushed into Bangladesh on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant, was brought back to the country on Monday. Another youth from Murshidabad, Shamim Khan, who too was detained in Maharashtra and pushed into Bangladesh, was also brought back along with Mehbub, officials here in Kolkata said. West Bengal Migrant Welfare Board chief Samirul Islam told The Indian Express that the intervention was made at the top-level of the state government. 'Under instructions of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal government and police communicated to the Central government and the BSF. Mehbub Sheikh and Shamim Khan were brought back today (Monday). Three others were brought back on Sunday. We are verifying whether there are other residents of West Bengal who have been similarly pushed into Bangladesh,' Islam said. Sheikh, who worked as a mason in Thane area near Mumbai, was picked by Maharashtra Police on June 11 on suspicion of being an illegal Bangladesh migrant, and by June 14 (Saturday, 3.30 am) he was sent to a BSF camp in Siliguri and pushed into the neighbouring country despite his family and local police sending necessary documents to prove that he was an Indian citizenship. 'We coordinated with BSF and now the youths are returning home,' said Superintendent of Police (Murshidabad) Kumar Sunny Raj. In a statement, Murshidabad Police said: 'Upon receiving information, Murshidabad police immediately conducted local enquiries to establish the Indian citizenship of the individuals. After verifying relevant documents, they were submitted to the Border Security Force. Murshidabad police conducted prolonged coordination with the BSF. Later, the BSF conducted an urgent flag meeting with the Bangladesh Border Guard and brought back the youths.' 'Mehbub and Shamim have been handed over to Raiganj police station b y the BSF. We are now handing them over to Murshidabad police,' said Md Sana Akhtar, SP (Uttar Dinajpur). Of the five men brought back since Sunday, four are from Murshidabad and one from Purba Bardhaman, police said. They have been identified as Mehbub Sheikh of Bhagwangola; Nazimuddin Mondal and Shamim Khan of Hariharpara; Minarul Sheikh of Beldanga – all Murshidabad; and Mostafa Kamal Sheikh of Monteswar in Purba Bardhaman district. Mehbub Sheikh's brother, Mujibur, said: 'We are happy that he (Mehbub) is coming home. Today, a group of policemen came and took all the documents, including land records, voter card, ration card, Aadhaar card and others.' Meanwhile, the three others — Nazimuddin Mondal, Minarul Sheikh and Mostafa Kamal Sheikh — were also picked up by the police in Maharashtra and later pushed into Bangladesh. They were handed over to Mekhliganj police station in Cooch Behar and are expected to reach their homes on Monday night. 'My brother worked in the wig-making business. He worked in Delhi and moved to Mumbai a month ago. He was staying in the Nalasopara area. He was picked up on June 9 along with two other men, who worked as masons. The next day we sent all the documents to the police. We also submitted documents to the local Beldanga police station, who contacted Mumbai police but were not entertained. We got to know that the three were pushed into Bangladesh when my brother called us from Bangladesh,' said Musarraf, brother of Minarul. 'My brother is on his way home. My thanks to our state government for their effort,' added Musarraf. Ravik Bhattacharya is the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. Over 20 years of experience in the media industry and covered politics, crime, major incidents and issues, apart from investigative stories in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Andaman Nicobar islands. Ravik won the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for political reporting. Ravik holds a bachelor degree with English Hons from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University and a PG diploma in mass communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik started his career with The Asian Age and then moved to The Statesman, The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. ... Read More