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Now Calcutta HC orders CBI probe into primary teachers’ recruitment

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In yet another blow to the West Bengal government, in particular the education department, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Monday ordered a CBI inquiry into the recruitment of primary teachers by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) in 2014.

The bench of Justice Avijit Gangopadhyay also ordered immediate cancellation of the appointment of 269 candidates for the post of primary teachers.

While passing the order, Gangopadhyay observed that these 269 candidates secured jobs despite not qualifying in the written examination and some of them did not even appear for the same.

The single-judge bench directed WBBPE to immediately stop payment of salaries to these 269 candidates and also ensure that they are not able to enter the respective schools they were appointed henceforth.

WBBPE came out with a revised and second merit list in 2017 for the recruitment examination conducted in 2014. It was observed that in the revised merit list, these 269 candidates were awarded one additional mark each.

Although the WBBPE authorities explained that this additional one mark for each of these 269 candidates was awarded because of some error in the question paper, the explanation could not satisfy the court.

Justice Gangopadhyay said that by that logic why the additional one mark was awarded only to these 269 candidates, depriving the remaining 23 lakh candidates who appeared for the same examination. Hence the bench also rejected the revised and second merit list that WBBPE came out with in 2017.

Justice Gangopadhyay also directed WBBPE President Manik Bhattacharya and the board’s Secretary Ratna Chakraborty (Bagchi) to be present at the CBI’s Kolkata office by 5.30 PM on Monday with all the supporting documents and answer the questions of the central probe agency sleuths.

The CBI is already conducting a probe into the recruitment irregularities in various teaching and non-teaching posts by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The CBI sleuths have also questioned former Education Minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee twice in this connection.

Crime

Ten militants of different outfits arrested in Manipur, arms recovered

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Imphal, Nov 3: Ten extremists of two different banned outfits were arrested by security forces from three separate Manipur districts during the past 24 hours, and some arms and ammunition were recovered from them, officials said on Monday.

A police official said that the arrested militants belonging to different extremist groups — the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and United National Liberation Front (UNLF) — were arrested from Kakching, Thoubal and Imphal West district.

Arms and ammunition were recovered from the arrested militants. The arms include one .303 rifle with a magazine, three single-barreled bore rifles, three shotguns, two 9 mm pistols, and the ammunition included three powerful grenades, five detonators.

Many incriminating documents were also recovered from their custody.

The security forces also destroyed illegal poppy plantations cultivated over a total of 30 acres in the Kangchup areas under the Kangpokpi district.

Three farm huts, three fertiliser bags and two sacks of salt found at the sites were destroyed.

Two burnt Gypsy vehicles were also found at the site.

With the fresh arrest of ten militants, the security forces have arrested 18 extremists of different banned outfits in Manipur during the past 48 hours.

An official said that the hardcore militants were involved in various crimes, including intimidation, forcible collection of subscriptions from people, government employees, contractors and others.

The Manipur Police official said that the security forces continue to conduct a crackdown against the militants, and search operations and area domination are being carried out in the fringe, mixed-populated and vulnerable areas across districts.

According to the official, a total of 115 nakas/checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hills and the valley region, to prevent untoward and illegal movements of inimical elements and suspected vehicles.

He said that the security forces have provided escorts to many vehicles carrying essential items along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37). Strict security measures have been taken in all vulnerable locations, and a security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of vehicles.

Manipur Police have urged people not to believe rumours and be vigilant of false videos. “The veracity of any circulation of unfounded videos, audio clips, etc., may be confirmed from the Central Control Room. Moreover, there are possibilities of many fake posts being circulated on social media. It is hereby cautioned that uploading and circulation of such fake posts on social media will attract legal action with consequences,” a police statement said.

The police authority also appealed to the concerned people to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or the nearest security forces post immediately.

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Crime

WC win gives ‘new life’ to my mother: Amanjot’s father who crafted his daughter’s first bat

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Mohali (Punjab), Nov 3: With India delivering a memorable performance to seal their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who not only enabled to add a glorious chapter in India’s cricketing history but also gave a “new life” to her elderly ailing grandmother, an inspiration for her to rise to fame with sheer hard work and determination despite humble background.

Amanjot’s grandmother, Bhagwanti, is bedridden after suffering a heart attack in September. “The news of India’s victory last night and the outstanding performance by Amanjot have given a new life to my mother,” was the first reaction of the cricketer’s father, Bhupinder Singh, 54, who is a carpenter and crafted her first bat with his own hands, on Monday.

He told Media that his 75-year-old mother Bhagwanti Kaur suffered a heart attack and was again hospitalised last week owing to deteriorating health.

On the request of the family that she should be allowed to stay at home till the final match, doctors discharged her on November 1.

“Though my mother is bedridden but conscious, and we informed her about Amanjot’s grand win, and she responded by opening her eyes,” he added.

India defeated South Africa by 52 runs. Amanjot joined the academy of cricket coach Nagesh Gupta when 15 and her father used to take her daily to the academy from Mohali, located on the outskirts of Chandigarh, on a scooter.

Amanjot was primarily a bowler before she met Chandigarh-based coach Gupta, who transformed her into an all-rounder after her debut in domestic cricket for Punjab in 2017-18. Later, she played for Chandigarh in 2019-20 and, from 2022-23, moved to Punjab.

Amanjot’s catch in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final swung the game for India.

Narrating her daughter’s struggle in the initial years, Bhupinder Singh, who was gifted a Mahindra Thar by his cricketer daughter in 2023, told Media that his mother has been Amanjot’s inspiration to enter the world of cricket.

“When Amanjot started playing ‘gully’ (street) cricket with boys with a dupatta tied around the waist in front of our residence (in Mohali), my mother used to sit there for hours to see her performance and for a pep talk. Also, she used to keep an eye on anti-social elements,” he said, adding that before entering cricket, his daughter played hockey, handball and football.

He said if his daughter had missed securing the catch of the South African skipper, she should be blamed if India lost the final. “If Amanjot had missed the catch and India lost the match, the entire blame should fall on my daughter. But the spectacular catch is a huge moment,” he said with moist eyes and ‘shukrana to waheguru’, adding, “In fact, the catch was a game changer and that was the moment when India won and South Africa lost.”

He said he got the phone call from his daughter at around 1 p.m. Sunday-Monday night about the team’s win and said she would come to stay with the family in six to seven days. “India’s win and the spectacular play of their daughter are inspiring her bedridden ‘dadi’ (grandmother) to live life more, as she is the force behind her success,” Bhupinder Singh said with festivity at his residence in Punjabi style since the team’s win.

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Crime

Mumbai Crime: BEST Conductor Assaulted In Sobo; 29-Year-Old Arrested By L.T. Marg Police

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Mumbai: The L.T. Marg Police have arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly assaulting a BEST bus conductor while he was on official duty in South Mumbai. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon near Vinay Hotel, Thakurdwar Road, Phanaswadi.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered under Sections 121(1), 132, 115(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the complainant, Keshav Ranganath Lokhande (41), a BEST bus conductor residing at Ambika Nivas, Girgaum, was performing his duty on bus number MH01-DR-3927 between 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm when the accused confronted him.

Police said the accused, identified as Rahul Chetan Kachhar (29), obstructed Lokhande, a public servant on duty, argued with him, and in a fit of rage, tore his khaki uniform and inner T-shirt. He also abused and physically assaulted the conductor during the altercation.

The accused, Rahul Kachhar, has been arrested, and a detailed investigation is underway, said an official from L.T. Marg Police Station.

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