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‘Golden moment I was waiting for’: Former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi joins BJP after resigning from TMC

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‘Golden moment I was waiting for’: Former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi joins BJP after resigning from TMC

The political turmoil within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party continues, ahead of the West Bengal State Legislative elections. In a major development, former TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday. The development comes three weeks after he had resigned as Rajaya Sabha MP, citing lack of freedom to speak about the ongoing violence in his own State.

The former TMC heavyweight leader joined the saffron party in the presence of BJP National President JP Nadda, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. While speaking about his decision, Trivedi emphasised, “This was the golden moment I had been waiting for.”

He further added, “I’ll be active in the election process, irrespective of whether I contest or not. Bengal has rejected TMC. They want progress, not corruption or violence. They’re ready for real change. Politics isn’t ‘khela’, it’s serious. She (CM) forgot her ideals while playing.” Following his inclusion in the BJP, JP Nadda said that Dinesh Trivedi was a ‘right man in the wrong party.’

Former Railway Minister Trivedi is the latest entrant to the BJP from the ruling Trinamool Congress. The Election Commission of India on Friday announced an eight-phased Assembly poll for West Bengal beginning March 27. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Dinesh Trivedi resigns from Rajya Sabha

On February 12, TMC senior leader Dinesh Trivedi announced his resignation from the Rajya Sabha on the floor of the house. While doing so, he said that he was feeling suffocated, strangled under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. “We cannot speak anything here”, said the parliamentarian before resigning from the Upper House.

He said, “Grateful to my party that they’ve sent me here. I’m feeling suffocated that we’re not able to do anything over violence in the state. My soul tells me that if you can’t do anything sitting here, then you must resign. I will continue to work for people of WB.” In his resignation speech in the Rajya Sabha, Trivedi hailed PM Narendra Modi’s leadership in dealing with the Covid pandemic. He said that it was under the PM’s leadership that 130 crore Indians could bravely fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mansukh Hiren’s family refuses to accept his body until his postmortem report is made public: Report

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Mansukh Hiren’s family refuses to accept his body until his postmortem report is made public: Report

The family members of Mansukh Hiren, the man whose owned car Scorpio was found laden with explosives outside Mukesh Ambani’s house have refused to accept his body stating that they would do it only after the police and the administration make his postmortem report public. He was found dead on Friday.

A report published in News 18 Lokmat states that the family members of Mansukh Hiren have denied accepting his dead body. They have asked the administration to release the autopsy report of Hiren following which they will accept his body. The family has also demanded that the post-mortem report should include, in no uncertain terms, the real cause of Hiren’s death. They have alleged that they would take possession of the body only after their demands are met.

Mansukh Hiren was financially stable, excellent swimmer: Family members rule out suicide angle

Mansukh’s elder brother Vinod Mansukh and his wife are adamant about not taking possession of his body. His relatives have also pointed towards a letter penned by Hiren in which he alleged that he was mentally harassed in connection with the Antilia bomb scare case.

Besides, the family members of Hiren have rejected the notion that Hiren might have committed suicide. According to them, he had no financial stress looming over and was an excellent swimmer. The family members have alleged a conspiracy behind his death.

Mansukh Hiren could not have committed suicide: Widow Vimla

Earlier on Friday, after reports of Mansukh Hiren allegedly committing suicide surfaced, Vimla, the widow of Hiren, said that her husband could not have committed suicide and said that her husband had left the house saying he would meet crime branch officer Tawde.

Speaking to the media, the deceased’s wife said that Mansukh had informed her about his meeting with crime branch officer Tawde for a routine investigation. According to Vimla, Mansukh was supposed to meet Tawde at Ghodbandar as part of a routine probe.

Mystery surrounding Antilia bomb scare deepens as former Maha CM Devendra Fadnavis makes a series of revelations in Vidhan Sabha

Hours before reports of Hiren’s alleged suicide came in, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis had made sensational disclosures related to the Antilia bomb scare while speaking in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha.

Speaking in the assembly, Fadnavis alleged that the owner of the Scorpio car, which was used to plant gelatin sticks and a threat letter outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai, was in touch with a mobile phone number that is registered under the name of Mumbai Police officer and ‘encounter specialist’ Sachin Vaze.

The car was owned by Mansukh Hiren, who had alleged that his car was stolen from Mulund-Airoli link road. Hiren had also filed a police complaint about the missing car. Hiren was found dead in a creek in Mumbai on Friday.

Alleging a massive conspiracy in the case, Fadnavis had said that there were not one but two cars—one Scorpio and one Innova and added that both cars came from Thane and had followed the same route and reached the location. He said that while the Scorpio with the explosives was parked near Mukesh Ambani’s residence, the Innova had moved away.

Fadnavis alleges massive plot

Fadnavis also alleged that it could not be a coincidence that the car was stolen from Thane, the route they followed was also from Thane, and the IO investigating the case also lived in Thane.

“Sachin Vaze was the first police officer to reach the spot, and then he was appointed as the Investigation Officer (IO). Three days ago, he was removed as the IO, and I fail to understand why he was removed,” the former CM had said while asking how Vaze reached the spot before the local police.

Sunil Gavaskar ‘debuts’ on Instagram on 50th anniversary of his first Test for India: Here’s Sachin Tendulkar’s message for him on the occasion

OpIndia Staff
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Sunil Gavaskar ‘debuts’ on Instagram on 50th anniversary of his first Test for India: Here’s Sachin Tendulkar’s message for him on the occasion

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has finally opened an account on Instagram. He made the announcement on the 50th anniversary of his debut for the Indian cricket team. The right-hand batsman has been an inspiration to many cricketers through the years, the most accomplished among them being the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

Sunil Gavaskar 'debuts' on Instagram on 50th anniversary of his first match for India
Source: Rohan Gavaskar/Twitter

Sunil Gavaskar was felicitated by the BCCI ahead of the 3rd Day of the 4th Test match between India versus England at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.

Sachin Tendulkar has a message for his idol as well. He said, “As a young boy I knew I had someone to look up to and try and be like him. That has never changed. He remains my hero. Wish you a happy 50th in international cricket Mr. Gavaskar. To everyone of the 1971 team a happy 50th Anniversary. You all made us proud and showed us the light.”

Sachin Tendulkar's message for Sunil Gavaskar
Sachin Tendulkar’s message for Sunil Gavaskar

The iconic Indian opener was felicitated by Jay Shah, secretary of the BCCI and son of Home Minister Amit Shah.

Sunil Gavaskar made his test debut on the 6th of March 1971. Between 1971 and 1987, he played 125 test matches for India and scored 10,122 runs at an average of 51.1, smashing all manner of records along the way. His record of 34 Test centuries stood for two decades before it was surpassed by another legend of the game who idolized him, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Police officials of Myanmar and their family members flee to Mizoram to avoid military junta orders of shooting at civilians

OpIndia Staff
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Police officials of Myanmar and their family members flee to Mizoram to avoid military junta orders of shooting at civilians

Days after armed forces in Myanmar carried out a coup, some of the police personnel and civilians of the southeast Asian country crossed over to India and sought refuge in Mizoram. The police officers and their family members fled to India to avoid taking orders of shooting at civilians from the new military junta rulers in Myanmar.

According to the reports, more than 20 Myanmar citizens, including at least eight Myanmar police officers, have crossed over to India and have taken refuge at Lungkawlh village of Serchhip district in Mizoram. However, the locals claim the number is much more, as the villagers of the border areas of Champhai and Serchhip districts told the media that at least 50 people comprising unarmed police personnel and civilians from Myanmar have crossed over to the mountainous state since March 3. The government is yet to confirm the identity of some of these people who have crossed over to India. 

A report by Eastmojo quotes an unnamed official saying that 11 of the intruders are police officers. The refugees have been houses in community halls for the time being, with further instructions awaited from the central govt.

As per the locals, the Myanmar police officials said they fled from their country after disobeying their superior officers’ orders to shoot at the civilians in the Chin state. The refugees have come into at least three border districts of Mizoram — Champai, Serchhip and Siaha. Champai shares a porous border with the Chin State of Myanmar, with the Mizo and Chin communities sharing ethnic roots.

According to the locals, all the intruders belong to the Chin ethnic group, to which the Mizo community of Mizoram belongs.

The security and the civilian administration in the North-Eastern states had anticipated the possibility of an influx of refugees into Mizoram soon after the Myanmar army carried out a coup against the elected government in the country.

According to reports, although Assam Riffles have clear instructions to not allow any unauthorised intrusion from Myanmar, they have taken a step back fearing clash with locals. “The Assam Rifles personnel are now observing and monitoring the situation and not controlling the refugees,” a source in the force said.

Officials waiting for orders from Delhi, SOP in place to handle refugee crisis

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has said that his government will provide food and shelter for the refugees. He said, “Our brothers and sisters in Myanmar are currently facing problems because of the military coup, and we welcome those who are forced to flee into Mizoram for their physical safety. The government is mindful that they could face hunger and so has sanctioned funds accordingly”. The CM also added on Friday, “We have learnt that several refugees have crossed over to Mizoram. We will provide shelter and relief to those who seek refuge in the state till their return to their country.”

Deputy Commissioners of Serchhip Champai districts informed media the district authorities have been providing food and shelter to the people who came from across the border. Both DCs said that the entire matter is under investigation, and has been communicated to the higher authority and they are awaiting further instructions.

Meanwhile, the senior bureaucrats in the state capital Aizawl are awaiting directions from the centre. They have now prepared an SOP on how to get the refugees registered. The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to collect information of those arriving based on a performa the government has prepared.

As Myanmar citizens are entering Indian territory following the crackdown, the local organisations have demanded proper facilities for the refugees who are expected to arrive at the border in the coming days. Mizoram shares a 404-km-long porous international border with Myanmar.

Following the coup, the Indian security forces had intensified vigil along the 1,643-km-long Indo-Myanmar border.

In the meanwhile, the External Affairs ministry said that they are ascertaining facts in the matter. Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “As of now, we are ascertaining the facts. We will revert once we have more details on this.” He further added, “We are keeping a close eye on the situation in Myanmar. We are in talks with our partner countries on this. We have said that the issue must be resolved peacefully.”

Myanmar coup

On February 1, Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup against the democratically-elected government. The Myanmar military arrested most of the leaders and elected representatives of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD). Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the National League for Democracy to a landslide win in the 2020 elections has also been arrested.

In a broadcast on its own television, the military declared a one-year state of Emergency. The coup came ahead of the scheduled opening of Myanmar’s newly elected lower house of Parliament.

The military had alleged that the general elections held in November 2020 were not legal and full of “irregularities”. Calling the elections rigged, the Army had invalidated the results, that was swept by NLD. The military had demanded that the United Elections Commission (UEC) of Myanmar to prove at a special session that the elections were free and fair.

UP government felicitates 98-year-old man for being ‘Atmanirbhar’ after a video of him selling chana goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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UP government felicitates 98-year-old man for being ‘Atmanirbhar’ after a video of him selling chana goes viral

Te Uttar Pradesh government felicitated a 98-year-old man by the name of Vijay Pal Singh for being ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-dependent) and refusing to be a financial burden on his family, after a video of him selling chana on the street went viral on social media.

As per reports, Singh hails from the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh. Inspired by PM Modi’s call for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, he began selling boiled chickpeas (chana) on the streets. The 98-year-old said that he did not want to be physically weak or a burden on his family. As such, he started making a living at such a ripe age. Singh informed that his son sends him money each month but it isn’t enough to make ends meet.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Vijay Pal Singh was seen talking to a customer who was curious to know about his age and work timings. The self-dependent man said that his income from the ‘Channa’ stall added to the family’s earnings. He informed that his son lives in Delhi while his granddaughter and daughter-in-law lived in the village. The UP government has now awarded the man for his spirit of ‘self-reliance’.

District magistrate Vaibhav Shrivastava handed Singh ₹11,000, besides a stick, shawl and a ration card. He informed, “Baba has a gram (chana) shop. He was called here. He already has a house under the PM Awas Yojana. Here the Patra Grahasti card and other support were provided to him. He is a source of inspiration for all of us. He hasn’t set up a shop under any compulsion but because he remains self-reliant which is a good message. All of us aspire Baba’s blessings.”

IAS officer also posted a video of felicitating Vijay Pal Singh in his office. He informed that apart from Rs 11,000 in case, Singh was also provided a certificate for a toilet.

Sushmita Dev resigned or has she not? Trouble for Congress in Assam over seat sharing arrangement with AIUDF

OpIndia Staff
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Sushmita Dev resigned or has she not? Trouble for Congress in Assam over seat sharing arrangement with AIUDF

Sushmita Dev, president of the All India Mahila Congress, was reported to have resigned from the Congress party over the seat-sharing arrangement in Assam. Her purported resignation further emphasizes the troubles for the Congress party going into the Assembly Elections.

Sushmita Dev was reportedly unhappy with the seat-sharing arrangement between the Congress party and the AIUDF in the Cachar region of Assam. She felt that she was being sidelined.

However, Congress sources have claimed that she is not resigning. She is unhappy but things are expected to reach a settlement soon.

But trouble for the Congress party appears to be far from over as Sushmita Dev is not the only one unhappy over the seat allocation to AIUDF.

The Congress party has formed a ‘strategic alliance‘ against the BJP by stitching an alliance with six other parties, which includes the AIUDF. The alliance necessitates the fact that the Congress party will have to compromise with other parties and may be able to field fewer candidates than the last time around.

The Cachar region has a high Muslim population, which makes it favourable ground for the AIUDF. However, the Congress leaders from the region are unlikely to accept AIUDF candidates from the region without any resistance.

Similipal forest fire in Odisha successfully controlled by the forest department

OpIndia Staff
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Similipal forest fire in Odisha successfully controlled by the forest department

The Similipal Forest Reserve area in Odisha that had been engulfed with a forest fire for the past few days, has finally received relief from the fire. The fire has been brought under control by the Indian forest officials. 300 hectare of land of the Similipal National Park is reported to have been affected by the fire.

As told by Regional Conservator of Forests Similipal, Maloth Mohan, a total of 399 fire points have been identified in the fringe areas bordering the forest and fire has been brought under control. “All of them have been attended to, and the fire is now brought under control”, said Mohan. The fire is being attributed to the abnormal rise in temperatures. However, there can be a number of reasons behind a forest fire including man-made reasons.

The forest department reportedly formed a squad of 21 ranges comprising of 1,000 personnel and 250 guards across the five divisions to closely monitor the situation. The department used 40 fire tenders and 240 blower machines to contain the fire.

Forest fires are a recurring phenomenon in the forest reserve area

The Similipal forest reserve is known to frequently witness forest fires during dry weather season. The forest remains prone to forest fires with the beginning of the summers and towards the end of autumn. This is a recurring annual phenomenon which is also usually brought under control due to short span of precipitation. The last major forest fire is reported to have happened in 2015.

The forest reserve that derives its name from ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree and is situated in the northern part of Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. It is home to various species of flora and fauna including 94 species of orchids and around 3,000 species of plants along with 12 species of amphibians, 29 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds and 42 species of mammals. It is also the abode of Bengal tiger and Asian elephant. Similipal and its neighbouring areas spanning across 5,569 sq km, were declared a biosphere reserve by the central government on June 22, 1994. It lies in the eastern end of the eastern ghat.

There can be several factors resulting in forest fires including natural causes like lightening and rising temperatures. However, forest officials attribute most of the forest fires to man-made causes. Sometimes fire ignited by hunters and poachers to divert wild animals also reportedly leads to forest fire as they generally do not douse the fire. In many cases villagers set dry leaves on fire to clear the ground for collecting mahua flowers. The villagers are said to believe that burning patches of sal trees will result in better growth after replantation.

Various causes of forest fires

Generally, forest fires are doused by natural rains. But there are various ways in which forest fires can be avoided. These include predicting fire-prone days, ensuring community participation, clearing the dried biomass and clampdown on poachers. Forest fire lines also help in preventing the fire from spreading. These the strips which are cleared of vegetation and help in breaking the continuity of the fire.

NCPCR to take action against Christian NGO Persecution Relief for tarnishing the reputation of India

OpIndia Staff
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NCPCR to take action against Christian NGO Persecution Relief for tarnishing the reputation of India

In a major development, the Chairman of the National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanoongo, informed that the statutory body will take action against a Christian NGO named ‘Persecution Relief’ for tarnishing the reputation of India.

In a tweet, Kanoongo said, ‘We will take strong action against those who have published a false report about the abuse of Child protection law in India and shared it in 150 countries to defame and tarnish the country’s global image. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is strict in dealing with such matters. “

He further added, “It is important to mention that an organisation by the name of Persecution Relief has published the contentious report. And American Commission USCIRF has now taken cognisance of the report, which has led to the tarnishing of India’s global image. A probe, conducted on the instructions of the General Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, has found the allegations levelled by the organisation as false.”

How ‘Persecution Relief’ tried to label Indians as ‘religious fanatics’?

Earlier, Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) had asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to crackdown on ‘Persecution Relief’ for imparting communal colour to incidents of murders and suicides. The Christian NGO had joined hands with the US-based Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (FIACONA) and its report was included in the annual US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report.

As such, India was placed in the list of “Countries of Particular” concern in 2020, following the implementation of the humanitarian Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Persecution Relief also gathered information about incidents of crime in India and shared it with various US-based evangelical organisations. They, however, added a communal twist to the incidents, and labelled Indians as ‘religious fanatics.’ While speaking to Swarajya, Persecution Relief claimed that their objective was to draw the government’s attention to ‘hate crimes’ against the Christian community.

However, LRPF Working President A S Santhosh emphasised that while the mainstream media and police officials ruled out the communal angle in 8 such incidents covered by Persecution relief, the Christian NGO however alleged ‘religious angle’. The most bizarre example was that of a pastor who died of electrocution in Rajasthan. The case too was dubbed as an example of ‘Christian persecution.’ In his defence, Persecution Relief founder, “I have no other agenda but to selflessly work, to give a united voice and to stand with my persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, providing prayer and practical help.”

After IT raids, Taapsee Pannu suffers a meltdown and admits that she was questioned about cash receipts of Rs 5 crores

OpIndia Staff
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After IT raids, Taapsee Pannu suffers a meltdown and admits that she was questioned about cash receipts of Rs 5 crores

Three days after Income Tax Department had launched multiple raids on Anurag Kashyap and Bollywood entertainer Taapsee Pannu in connection with a tax evasion case, the controversial actress on Saturday took to Twitter to respond to the allegation of massive tax fraud made against her.

In a series of tweets, Taapsee Pannu addressed the allegations made against her and even took a dig at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Her angry tweets came days after IT officials had questioned her in Pune.

In the first tweet she posted today, she said, “Three days of intense search. Of three things primarily: 1. The keys of the ‘alleged’ bungalow that I apparently own in Paris. Because summer holidays are around the corner.”

The controversial actor followed it up with two more tweets. Interestingly, in one of the tweets, she confirmed that she was that ‘actress’, who was accused by the IT department of having unaccounted cash of Rs 5 crores.

It is pertinent to note that the IT department, following the raids, had said, “Evidence of cash receipts by the leading actress amounting to Rs 5 crore has been recovered”. However, they had not named the ‘actress’. Taapsee Pannu, in a hurry to attack the IT department, perhaps revealed that it was her who had been questioned over unaccounted cash.

According to reports, the I-T department was not satisfied with Taapsee’s reply over the cash receipts.

Taking a dig at the Finance Minister, Taapsee Pannu said, “My memory of 2013 raid that happened with me according to our honourable finance minister”.

Taapsee Pannu referred to a statement by the Finance Minister in a press conference on Friday, where she spoke about the IT raids carried out on filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl and others, along with Taapsee Pannu. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had disclosed how some of the filmmakers were raided in 2013 and stated that no issue was made out then as it is being done now.

However, she did not name any filmmakers during the press conference.

Taapsee Pannu, known for putting half-truths targeting the government, attempted to take a sly at Finance Minister for simply clarifying the facts about the raids.

Taapsee Pannu and Anurag Kashyap deleted data from their phone: IT department

On Friday, the Income Tax Department had informed that they suspect actress Taapsee Pannu of deleting ‘some data’ from her phone. The development came a day after the IT Department conducted raids at her house and office.

The IT officials are now taking the help of experts to recover the deleted data. Moreover, the central agency found that the mobile data of director Anurag Kashyap, whose properties were also raided by the IT Department, was also deleted after the crackdown of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on several Bollywood actors and directors after the untimely death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

West Bengal: Six BJP workers injured after bombs were hurled at them allegedly by TMC workers

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Six BJP workers injured after bombs were hurled at them allegedly by TMC workers

West Bengal has been notorious for the incidents of political violence that frequently keep coming to light in the state. As the state goes to polls on March 27, the atmosphere in the state is politically charged. It has been a few days since the mother of a BJP worker was brutally thrashed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons and yet another case of an attack on BJP workers has come to light in the state.

According to reports, six BJP workers were severely injured in an alleged crude bomb blast in Rampur village of South 24 Parganas district late in the night on Friday. It has been alleged by injured BJP workers that the bomb was hurled at them by TMC workers when they were returning from a wedding. The injured were reportedly brought to Canning Subdivision Hospital for treatment. Two of the injured six are in critical condition.

The incident happened when the BJP workers were returning from attending a wedding celebration late in the night. Bombs were hurled at them on the road, injuring six of them. Local BJP leaders have alleged that TMC workers were behind the attack.

However, TMC leaders have denied the allegation, and levelled a counter allegation saying that the blast took place when the BJP workers were making bombs.

An investigation into the case has been initiated by the police.

BJP worker’s mother thrashed by Trinamool Congress members

Last month, an elderly mother of a BJP worker named Gopal Majumdar was allegedly thrashed by TMC workers. The victim Shobha Majumdar narrated her horrors of the incident to media with a badly swollen face and injury marks. She alleged that she was hit on her head by TMC workers. Shobha, who was struggling to speak due to pain, said that the TMC workers threatened her not to speak about the incident. However, she said that she did not recognise the people who assaulted her.

Her son Gopal Majumdar said that his mother was pushed around by the attackers. “They pushed my mother and she has been injured…After attacking us, they left the house. I am a member of the local BJP Mandal (BJP Committee). They first assaulted us with bare hands and then hit on my head with the hood of a revolver. After that, I fell down on the ground. They and assaulted me further”, said Gopal Majumdar.

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