Kolkata News Today | Latest Local & Regional Updates

During a recent meeting in Kerala, officials Satheesan and Anwar Ibrahim discussed ways to deepen economic ties between Kerala and Malaysia. The conversation covered key sectors such as healthcare, tourism, trade, investment and education. Both sides aimed to identify concrete opportunities for Malaysian investors in Kerala’s growing markets, with an emphasis on mutually beneficial projects and long‑term cooperation.

JD(U) MLA and former minister Shyam Rajak has publicly declared that the Uniform Civil Code will not be imposed in Bihar, warning that the state will resist the policy at any cost. His statement highlights growing dissent within the NDA coalition over the UCC debate. The move comes amid national discussions on legal reforms and regional concerns about cultural autonomy. Bihar’s political leaders are now confronting a potential clash between central policy goals and state preferences.

The vice‑principal of a Kolkata law college has taken a medical leave, prompting students to highlight ongoing administrative shortcomings. With classes unattended, the campus has seen empty lecture halls, drawing criticism from the student body who claim long‑standing lapses in management and support for faculty and students alike.

Former DUTA chief Aditya Narayan Mishra formally joined the Indian National Congress in Delhi, stressing a perceived crisis in the education sector. The ceremony saw key party officials including Qazi Nizamuddin, Devender Yadav and Rajendra Pal Gautam in attendance. Mishra highlighted the need for urgent reforms in teacher recruitment, curriculum development and infrastructure as he aligned with the party’s educational agenda.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking after his recent meeting with Indian officials, said that under the guidance of both leaders, China–India relations have moved from a low point to a new high. He urged the two sides to keep the momentum and avoid any setbacks. The statement comes amid a gradual thaw in bilateral relations that had been strained by border and trade disputes.

In a show of solidarity, Telangana Cabinet Minister Adluri Lakshman Kumar has offered ₹50,000 to the family of the late BRS mandal president and assured a job in the outsourcing sector for the widow. The gesture follows the leader’s recent demise, with the minister highlighting the importance of supporting bereaved families. The initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to welfare and employment prospects for affected households.

During a recent flood in the Mahananda River, two class‑10 students went missing after being swept away. Rescue teams managed to recover one of the students, while the other remains unaccounted for. Authorities are continuing search operations and urging families to stay informed.

The National Backward Classes Dal (BC Dal) has warned that differences in regional names, sub‑caste designations, local usage, pronunciation and spelling can create duplicate entries for a single community in the upcoming caste census. President Dundra Kumaraswamy cautioned that such inconsistencies may distort representation of backward classes across India, raising concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the census process.

In Beldanga, West Bengal, authorities arrested two leaders of the All India Jatin Mukhopadhyay Parishad (AJUP). The arrests have sparked unrest in the area, with local residents chanting slogans and police maintaining a heightened security presence. The incident comes amid ongoing political tensions in the region, prompting calls for calm from community leaders and local officials.

During a police operation targeting a gambling racket in Murshidabad, assailants hurled bombs at officers, forcing a quick response. Five individuals linked to the illicit activity were taken into custody. The incident highlights the increasing violence surrounding underground betting circles in the district.

The West Bengal government has launched a comprehensive adventure sports policy aimed at boosting the industry while strengthening safety measures. The framework will outline licensing requirements, training standards, and infrastructure upgrades to protect participants and promote responsible growth. The policy, announced by the state’s sports department, seeks to position Kolkata and other West Bengal hubs as safe adventure destinations.

The Indian Ministry of Power has approved a fast‑track scheme for exporting electricity to Nepal, aiming to ease the country’s power shortages amid severe flooding. The move is part of the long‑standing energy partnership between the two neighbours and is expected to support Nepal’s grid stability during the crisis.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has announced plans to rename several streets that bear the names of Soviet and Vietnamese leaders – Lenin, Karl Marx and Ho Chi Minh. A dedicated committee will review each street’s history and propose new names that reflect local heritage. The move is part of a broader effort to update the city’s toponymy and is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

The West Bengal government has issued closure notices to 252 unaided and unrecognised madrasas across the state. The notices, sent to the schools’ principals, cite non-compliance with state regulations and the absence of official recognition. Authorities have warned that failure to address the cited issues will lead to permanent shutdown. The move follows a broader effort to bring educational institutions under regulatory oversight.

A prominent healthcare institution in Vijayawada has been honored with two prestigious awards for its exceptional standards in medical care and service delivery. The recognition highlights the facility's dedication to clinical excellence, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and patient safety protocols. Hospital management credited the entire medical team and staff for this achievement, reiterating their ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier healthcare services to patients across the region.

Fresh violence in Manipur has claimed the lives of four Kuki-Zo civilians following attacks by unidentified armed assailants in two separate locations. The incidents occurred in the Naga-dominated districts of Noney and Tamenglong. In addition to the fatalities, a six-year-old child suffered gunshot wounds during the firing, and a woman has been reported missing. Security forces are currently monitoring the situation as investigation into the attacks continues.

Authorities in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali have exhumed the body of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, five years after he was allegedly killed in post-election violence. The exhumation was conducted following legal directives to assist in ongoing forensic investigations. This step aims to collect crucial physical evidence in a long-pending homicide investigation linked to past political clashes in the North 24 Parganas region.

The political coalition led by Mamata Banerjee has finalized its candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies of West Bengal. The nomination announcement signals the start of campaign preparations in both key electorates. Further updates regarding election schedules and official campaigning schedules are expected as the state prepares for the legislative contests.

A massive fire broke out at a Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) installation in Panihati, near Kolkata. The blaze is suspected to have been triggered by a sudden transformer explosion within the complex. Fire services responded swiftly to bring the situation under control, while officials assessed potential impacts on the regional power distribution grid.

The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrassas across the state after administrative reviews. In addition, official show-cause notices have been issued to 100 other madrassas requiring clarification regarding their operational status. The administration is enforcing compliance standards across minority educational institutes, with further actions pending official responses from the notified institutions.

Kolkata police officials have called for a meeting with senior leaders of the Indian National Congress following a protest that targeted the revered figure Bageshwar Baba. The summons came after the demonstration, which drew a sizable crowd, raised concerns about potential unrest and led authorities to seek clarification from the political party. Details about the nature of the protest and the responses from Congress representatives remain limited at this time.

In a bid to ease travel during the upcoming Durga Puja immersion, state authorities will run ten special trains and modify EMU schedules across the network. The new services aim to move large crowds safely to the riverbanks, while temporary changes to EMU operations will reduce congestion on key routes. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to improve public transport during peak festival periods.

পশ্চিমবঙ্গের রাজ্য সরকার আজ ২৫২টি মাদ্রাসা বন্ধের আদেশ জারি করেছে। এই পদক্ষেপের পেছনে রয়েছে মাদ্রাসাগুলির শিক্ষাগত মান, নিরাপত্তা এবং আইনগত বিধি লঙ্ঘনের উদ্বেগ। সরকার জানিয়েছে, বন্ধের পর শিক্ষার্থীদের বিকল্প শিক্ষাপ্রতিষ্ঠান নিশ্চিত করা হবে। মাদ্রাসা সমর্থকরা উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেছেন, তবে বেশিরভাগ মানুষ এই সিদ্ধান্তকে শিক্ষার গুণগত মান বৃদ্ধির জন্য প্রয়োজনীয় বলে স্বীকার করেছেন।

ক্যালকেটা ও পশ্চিমবঙ্গের বিভিন্ন জেলায় ডেঙ্গি পরীক্ষায় ৫,০০০‑এর বেশি পজিটিভ ফল পাওয়া গেছে। সর্বোচ্চ সংক্রমণের হার দেখা গেছে সিলেট, কুন্নুড়ি ও নয়াদিল্লি টাউনশিপে। স্বাস্থ্য মন্ত্রী এবং চিকিৎসা বিশেষজ্ঞরা সতর্ক করছেন, দ্রুত বায়ু চলাচল, পানি নিষ্কাশন ও কীটনাশক ব্যবহারের গুরুত্ব তুলে ধরেছেন।

নন্দীগ্রাম, পশ্চিমবঙ্গের আসন্ন ২০২৬ সালের উপনির্বাচনে বামপন্থী দলের পক্ষ থেকে একটি প্রার্থী নির্বাচন করা হয়েছে। দলের নামকরণে স্থানীয় রাজনৈতিক গতিবিধি ও ভোটারদের প্রত্যাশা উভয়ই প্রভাব ফেলেছে। নির্বাচনী দলটি স্থানীয় প্রতিনিধি এবং নীতি নির্ধারকদের সঙ্গে সমন্বয় রেখে প্রার্থীর প্রোফাইল তুলে ধরেছে।