Pahalgam terror attack: Final farewells to Kolkata man at his beloved Durga mandap
KOLKATA: When the coffin of 56-year-old
Samir Guha
, a senior statistical officer of the central government, reached his Sakherbazar Chanditala residence in Kolkata on Wednesday night, his family laid him on the
Durga mandap
of his beloved
Bijoy Sangha Club
, located right opposite his flat. Guha lost his life in the
Pahalgam terror attack
on Tuesday.
"For the last six years, Guha made this mandap his home. Whether it be
Durga puja
or
Kali puja
, he arranged puja items, getting up early in the morning and starting arrangements that continued late into the night. He was the first to join us during the collection of puja subscriptions. It is only natural that we bid him the final farewell at this beloved spot," said Swapan Das, a senior club functionary.
Guha's body reached his home in Behala at 9.10pm. About half an hour later, the hearse departed for
Keoratala crematorium
. For Guha's wife Sabari and daughter Subhangi (17), who witnessed the horrific incident, life has come to a standstill. Subhangi, who sat for her class XII boards this year, was seen staying close to her father's coffin. She barely uttered a word.
Subhangi's maternal uncle, Subrata Ghosh, recalled, "Even on Tuesday morning, Sabari made a video call to my mother. She said they were moving towards Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, the last stop in their itinerary. They sounded so relaxed, as well as excited."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
31-05-2025
- Hans India
J&K: Sufficient security in place for Kheer Bhawani festival
Srinagar: Adequate security arrangements have been put in place for the upcoming Mela Kheer Bhawani in J&K's Ganderbal district, an official said on Saturday. The annual Mela of Mata Kheer Bhawani, being celebrated on June 3, is the holiest local festival for the Kashmir Pandit community. The spring shrine in Tullamulla town of Ganderbal district, 25 km from Srinagar city, is dedicated to the deity Ragnya Devi, the reincarnation of goddess Durga. Local Kashmiri Pandits believe that the colour of the water at the goddess's spring in Tullamulla foretells the coming events in J&K and the rest of the country. The pink or milky colour of the spring water is believed to be suspicious, while the dark black colour spells bad days ahead. Elders in Tullamulla town say that in 1947, when the tribals invaded Kashmir, the water at the deity's spring had turned black. V.K. Birdi, IGP (Kashmir), visited the temple shrine on Saturday to take stock of the security arrangements for hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees who come to the shrine from different parts of the country. The IGP told reporters at the shrine that comprehensive preparations have been made to ensure a safe and smooth event for devotees. He said that a large number of pilgrims are expected to attend the festival. 'Extensive arrangements have been made to ensure that the devotees do not face any inconvenience and their security remains a top priority. Robust deployment and logistical support are in place to manage the crowd efficiently,' he said. In response to concerns arising from the recent Pahalgam attack, the IGP emphasised that the security setup for such events is always meticulously reviewed and reinforced. He reassured that measures adopted during last year's mela, which saw an incident-free gathering, would be mirrored and further strengthened this year. He further added that similar vigilance is being implemented for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, with routine threat assessments and area sanitisation underway. 'We remain committed to the safety of every pilgrim', the IGP added.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Jobless techie in Bengal kills parents, attacks four others after reading jihadi material online: Police report
Police investigations suggest Kabir had become radicalized and was reading jihadi material online. He had been divorced last year and lost his job at an MNC in Noida five months prior, after which he returned to live with his parents. Humayun Kabir, an unemployed engineer, was arrested after allegedly murdering his parents in Memari and attacking several individuals at a Bongaon madrasa. Police suspect Kabir had become radicalized through online jihadi material. The victims at the madrasa sustained severe injuries and are receiving treatment. Following Kabir's arrest, a riot erupted, leading to further arrests and police injuries. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Humayun Kabir, a 35-year-old unemployed engineer, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly killing his parents in Memari, East Burdwan, and attacking several people at a madrasa in Bongaon, near the Bangladesh border, according to reports from Mohammad Asif & Sanjib Chakraborty, a TOI report investigations suggest Kabir had become radicalized and was reading jihadi material online . He had been divorced last year and lost his job at an MNC in Noida five months prior, after which he returned to live with his suspect Kabir intended to cross the border into Bangladesh. Police say he attacked teachers and staff at the madrasa after they did not answer his questions about Islam and jihad to his victims—Jafar Ali Mondal (46), Meheruddin Mondal (60), Sofiar Mondal (70), and Hasanur Molla (26)—sustained deep wounds to their heads, faces, hands, backs, and shoulders. They are currently receiving treatment at Bongaon Jiban Ratan Dhar Sub-Divisional Hospital. Their condition is critical but orphanage-madrasa is located near Eidgah Maidan in Motiganj, Bongaon Municipality, about six kilometres from the India-Bangladesh border. It has been serving the community for over 30 years. The incident has left students, teachers, and staff in Kabir's arrest, a crowd gathered at the Bongaon police station, demanding he be handed over to them. North 24 Parganas SP Dinesh Kumar stated that two police officers were injured in the ensuing riot, and "10 people had been arrested for rioting and attacking cops."A Bongaon court has remanded Kabir in police custody for three days. Special public prosecutor Samir Das told the court that the police require time to investigate his "extremist links."Investigators believe Kabir killed his parents, Musfatizur Rahman and Mumtaj Parveen, because they disagreed with his radical beliefs and tried to change knife used in the attacks was reportedly bought of Bongaon expressed shock at the attack. Debasish Mondal, a local resident, said, 'We live in peace. A Kali temple, a mosque, and this madrasa have coexisted in harmony for years. It is terrifying to see such violence in a place meant for orphaned children.'
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Despite threats, we refused to respond to his questions on Islam: Orphanage members
1 2 3 Bongaon: Thirty-five-year-old Humayun Kabir first asked those present at the Hafizia Kharizia Orphanage Madrasa about their knowledge of Islam. Only when they refused to respond to his "absurd" and "irrelevant" questions and asked him to leave, did he draw out his knife and slash at all those present close to him. Jafar Ali Mondal (46), Meheruddin Mondal (60), Sofiar Mondal (70), and Hasanur Molla (26), who taught and worked in the orphanage-madrasa, sustained severe stab injuries on their heads, faces, hands, back and shoulders. They are now being treated in the Bongaon Jiban Ratan Dhar Sub-Divisional Hospital. Their condition is critical but stable. A day after Kabir's horrific attack, the students, boarders, teachers, and other staff members of the Bongaon orphanage are still struggling to overcome the shock and fear. The orphanage-madrasa, located beside the Bongaon-Bagdah Road at Eidgah Maidan in Motiganj under Bongaon Municipality, has been there for three decades. It is located about six kilometres from the India-Bangladesh border. According to sources, the incident occurred around 6.30 pm on Wednesday, just after the evening Azaan, when the students were preparing for their regular studies. Sources said Kabir was asking absurd and irrelevant questions about Islam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo When he was asked to leave, he suddenly pulled out a sharp weapon and attacked the people inside the madrasa. "Suddenly, the unknown young man entered the madrasa without asking anyone. He began raising religious topics and started asking various irrelevant and absurd questions about Islam. When we protested and asked him to leave, he drew out a sharp weapon and attacked us. Four of us were seriously injured by his frenzied and reckless blows. We screamed in terror. Hearing our cries, locals rushed in and somehow managed to disarm him and informed the police," a madrasa teacher said, requesting anonymity. The locals immediately caught and tied him while some also beat him up before handing him over to the police. Despite being injured, Kabir reportedly showed no remorse. "He kept repeating that he killed his parents because they disliked the poor and treated them like servants. He claimed he wanted to attain 'Jannat' (heaven)," said Riaz Ali Mollah, a local trader who witnessed the incident. "We live in peace. A Kali temple, a mosque, and this madrasa have coexisted in harmony for years. It is terrifying to see such violence in a place meant for orphaned children," said Debasish Mondal, a local resident.
