Latest news with #Bitan
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Justice for entire country, not just for myself: Patuli survivor
1 2 3 Kolkata: "I miss and feel the pain of losing Bitan every day," says Soheni Adhikary , her voice trembling as she remembers her late husband, Bitan Adhikary, a Florida-based techie from Patuli who was among the 26 persons killed in a terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22. A month after the cold blooded killing of her husband by terrorists who turned the picturesque meadow in Pahalgam into a killing field, Soheni is still unable to put the pieces together and move on. "It still feels unreal. I can't describe how broken and helpless I've felt from within since that horrific day. One month has passed since that day but I feel his absence every single moment and each day without him seems like eternity," Soheni said while breaking down over the phone call. Bitan, who settled in Florida in 2019, was on a much-awaited vacation to Srinagar with his wife and three-and-a-half-year-old son Hridaan, on coming back to India. In an earlier interaction, Soheni narrated in detail to TOI how the peaceful getaway turned into a nightmare when they had to flee with their toddler amid gunfire, hiding with others. Terrorists confronted Bitan, asked his religion, ordered him to recite Kalma, and shot him dead when he admitted being Hindu. Dressed in Pathan suits, Soheni said they filmed the attack. After Bitan collapsed, Soheni tried CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but couldn't save him. Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, Soheni said she doesn't want to recall the day but admitted that the nightmarish memories are still fresh in her mind. "The sight of Bitan's lifeless body keeps coming before me every moment. They just refuse to go," she said. A week after the attack, NIA visited Kolkata and collected her statement. When asked if the investigators are keeping her in the loop with the developments of the investigation, she said she wouldn't like to discuss the same. Following the Operation Sindoor counter-terrorism action by India, Soheni thanked the govt for avenging her husband's death. She said that the govt action could have brought the much-needed solace to her dead husband's soul. However, there has been no public information about any of those terrorists directly part of the ambush being arrested or killed yet. "It doesn't matter if a month, a week, or a year has passed. All I want is justice, not just for Bitan but for every innocent life lost," she said on Wednesday.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'RIP Bitan. No one else's sindoor should be wiped away like mine': Wife of US-based techie
'My sindoor was wiped off by terror. As the govt avenges his death, I am sure my husband is watching somewhere from above today" KOLKATA: "My sindoor was wiped off by terror. As the govt avenges his death, I am sure my husband is watching somewhere from above today and his soul can finally rest in peace," said Soheni Adhikari (37), wife of Florida-based techie and Patuli resident Bitan, on Wednesday. This was hours after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 on April (40), a software engineer based in Kolkata who worked in Brandon, Florida, was among the three victims from Bengal who died in the terrorist attack at Baisaran Valley - a tourist spot often called "Mini Switzerland" for its picturesque earlier told TOI that one of the gunmen stuck the gun's nozzle between Bitan's shoulder and chest and asked him to read a Kalma - the six Islamic phrases of faith, which are fundamental prayers that Muslims often recite, particularly in religious teachings and daily practice. When he failed to do so, and identified himself as a Hindu, he was shot."I and all others who lost their loved ones on April 22 had just one wish - we wanted justice. That is all we wanted from the govt, and today, the govt has taken that action and served justice," she said on widow, and mother of one, Soheni appreciated the name Operation Sindoor. For her, and the families of the other victims, justice was the only balm that could ease the unbearable pain. On Wednesday, they saw the first signs of that justice."I had faith in the govt, and today, they've delivered. I am especially moved that they named the operation after what I lost - my sindoor," she said, hands folded in gratitude, voice choked with Bitan's home, relief mixed with sorrow. Bitan's ageing father, Bireshwar, who was unwell, reportedly found new strength after hearing of India's action. "He was glued to the news since morning," said Shankar Chakraborty, Bitan's uncle. "For the first time in days, he looked alert. The family thanks the govt for acting decisively."Since the attack, Soheni has struggled with trauma and depression, relying on medication and therapy. "She's shattered and is regularly dependent on medication now," said her brother-in-law. "Even little Hridaan needs counselling. This loss has scarred us forever. But today's news has brought a flicker of peace."Even in her grief, Soheni made a heartfelt appeal for peace. "I do not support war. War means more innocent blood. I just want to request the govt to ensure that no other woman loses her sindoor like I did."
Mint
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Pahalgam terror attack: Devendra Fadnavis announces ₹50 lakh financial aid for families of deceased from Maharashtra
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of ₹ 50 lakh each for the families of the deceased from Maharashtra who were killed in the recent Pahalgamterroristattack. The state government will also focus on the education and employment needs of these families. The announcement was made during a state cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, where CM Fadnavis paid a heartfelt tribute to the victims. Fadnavis also announced during the cabinet meeting that Pahalgam terrorist attack victim Santosh Jagdale's daughter will be given a state government job. This move follows discussions in which the state government had previously mentioned offering a job to the victim's daughter. In the barbaric attack, 26 people were killed by Pakistan -linked terrorist at the Baisaran meadow inJammu and Kashmir'sPahalgam on April 22. J&K govt announces ex-gratia worth ₹ 10 lakh Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government also announced ex-gratia worth ₹ 10 lakh each for the families of deceased victims and ₹ 2 lakh for those who sustained serious injuries. "No amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J&K Government announces an ex-gratia of ₹ 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, ₹ 2 lakh for those seriously injured, and ₹ 1 lakh for those with minor injuries," the J&K Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a post on a social media platform X. "All arrangements for the dignified transport of the victims back to their homes have been made. The injured are being provided the best medical care," the CMO added. Acting on the attack, the Indian government suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, downgrading bilateral ties and shutting down Attari checkpost as it hit back at Islamabad over the brazen attack. Last week, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced a compensation package of ₹ 10 lakh each for the families of three state residents killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. "The government has announced a compensation of ₹ 10 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the terror attack. I talked to the parents of Bitan Adhikary. Swasthya Sathi Card has been made for Bitan's parents, and they will be given a pension of ₹ 10k per month as they are very old. ₹ 5 lakhs will be given to Bitan's parents, and ₹ 5 lakhs to Bitan's wife. ₹ 10 lakhs each will be given to the other two victims' families in Behala and Purulia. If anyone wants a job, the government will provide it. I also talked to the wife of the paramilitary personnel who lost his life in Udhampur. The government has announced a job for her and a compensation of ₹ 10 lakhs," she said.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
NIA team visits Kolkata residence of Pahalgam terror attack victim Bitan Adhikary and records wife statement
Kolkata: A team from the (NIA) on Sunday visited the Baishnabghata residence of Florida-based techie Bitan Adhikary (40), who was among the 26 victims killed in the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, and recorded the statement of his wife, Soheni (37). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The investigators spent nearly five hours recording detailed statements from the woman, who was asked to recall the events leading to the attack and what happened during it. Sources said she was also asked to describe the attackers, based on which investigators made a sketch. The NIA team, comprising two male and a female officer, arrived at their Baishnabghata flat at 1.30 pm, aiming to piece together crucial details about the moments leading up to the tragedy. Sources revealed that the officers focused on retracing the family's final interactions before the militants struck, including reviewing photographs Soheni, Bitan, and their three-and-a-half-year-old son Hridaan had taken just before the gunfire erupted. Sources said the officials asked Soheni how they came face to face with the attackers, what the exact conversation was, and if she could identify the attackers. Although Soheni didn't respond to calls or texts from TOI on Sunday, in earlier interactions, she narrated in detail her encounter with the terrorists and how they killed her husband before her. She told TOI that they started running upon hearing sounds of gunfire while carrying their toddler son. They scrambled towards a spot where some tourists were trying to hide, and all sat with heads down. Hridaan, however, was terrified and continued screaming. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She told TOI how one of the two terrorists, dressed in a Pathan suit and wearing a video camera strapped on his forehead, singled out Bitan and asked his religion. "He was held at gunpoint and asked whether he was a Hindu or Muslim. He stayed mum. Then they asked him to recite Kalma. He couldn't and admitted he was a Hindu. Before he could finish the sentence, they shot him dead," Soheni told TOI on Wednesday on her way back to Kolkata with her husband's body in a coffin. Soheni further narrated to reporters that once Bitan collapsed with a bullet injury on his shoulder, she tried to resuscitate him when the attackers walked away. She said she gave CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but couldn't revive him. She also said that there were no police or security personnel in sight at the valley when the terrorists lazily chose victims—only men—and fired at them. On Saturday, the same team of NIA officers recorded the statement of the wife and daughter of another victim from Kolkata, Sameer Guha. After recording their statement, they contacted Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar. On Sunday, they also visited Lalbazar before coming over to Baishnabghata. Sources said that over the next few days, the NIA is expected to meet with other bereaved families, including Jaya Mishra, wife of the third deceased from Bengal—Intelligence Bureau officer Manish Ranjan Mishra, from Jhalda in Purulia.
United News of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Mamata announces compensation for families of those killed in Pahalgam terror attack
Kolkata, Apr 26 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of Bitan Adhikari, Sameer Guha, and Manish Ranjan, who were killed in the terrorist attack at Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday. The Chief Minister also announced that the family of Jhantu Ali Sheikh from Tehatta in Nadia district in West Bengal, who was killed in a military operation in Udhampur, Kashmir, would receive Rs 10 lakh as compensation and assured that the soldier's children would be given the opportunity to study in army schools. However, the compensation amount of Bitan Adhikari will be divided equally between his parents and his wife who stays with his three and half year-old son in a different apartment in Kolkata. In addition, the Chief Minister announced that Bitan's parents would receive a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 and medical facilities through the Swastha Sathi card, as Bitan — the IT professional working in Florida — was the family's sole earning member. The announcement came through a phone message from the chief minister to chief secretary Monoj Pant who was having a meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar with unemployed teaching staff. Trinamool Congress MLA of Behala East Ratna Chatterjee, who after meeting Bitan's parents on Saturday also announced that she would provide Rs 12,000 per month to cover the cost of their medicines, said, 'I told them that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and our government will surely make arrangements for them. But I personally will bear the Rs 12,000 monthly cost of their medicines.' UNI XC SSP GNK
