Eastern Indian state along the Bay of Bengal
Thousands of protesters, led by opposition politicians and the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party, have marched in multiple Indian cities to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation after a nationwide voter-roll revision removed about 130 million names. Authorities have detained demonstrators, closed metro stations and deployed large security forces while the Election Commission and the government deny wrongdoing.
Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been released from Tihar jail after a special magistrate accepted sureties and ordered their discharge. The two CJP organisers were jailed for entering a restricted Delhi protest site; their detention has fuelled near-daily youth-led protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over a contested voter-roll revision that removed roughly 130 million names.
A stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has left multiple dead, including a seven-year-old girl, and dozens injured as sudden rainfall sparked crowd surges. Authorities say police are reviewing CCTV and action will follow for crowd-control lapses. Prime Minister Modi has offered condolences and support to victims.
A stampede near a pavilion during Durga Puja in Kolkata has claimed 19 lives and injured dozens. Police say a sudden downpour triggered fear among worshippers, prompting a rush for exits. Authorities have ordered investigations into crowd-control and safety lapses, with security personnel and event organizers detained.