Kolkata, 27 April : Air and rail services were hit and normal life disrupted in the city and elsewhere in West Bengal as the 12-hour nationwide strike called by Left and some other non-BJP opposition parties to protest Centre's "failure" to check price rise got underway.Two train passengers were injured as a clash broke out between the passengers of Ganga Sagar Express and bandh supporters at Pandua station in Hoogly district this morning. Abdul Razzak and Shanti Devi were injured when they along with other passengers tried to stop bandh supporters from stopping the train and putting up a banner.
The bandh shut businesses and disrupted transport services by road, rail and flight operations. Metro railways spokesperson said their services were normal.
Airport sources said ten out of 25 domestic and international flights took off this morning. န Photo : AFP
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Private television 'Channel 1' shut for violation of the lawDhaka, 27 April : Bangladesh's Private television Channel 1 went off-air after regulators stopped its transmission for using rented broadcasting equipment in violation of the law.
A three-member team of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission went to Channel 1 office on Uday Tower in Gulshan at 6:30pm(BDST) and switched off its transmission. The channel was broadcasting its 6:30pm news bulletin. The BTRC said Channel 1 had sold off its broadcasting equipment and has been using machinery owned by another company. "But as per law, the licensee must own the equipment," said Post and Telecommunications Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju. The government cannot tolerate such unlawful activities, he told journalists at the secretariat.
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Foreign Minister vocal for demand-driven, time-bound regional, sub-regional development projectsUNB, Dhaka, 27 April : Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni has stressed the need for demand-driven and time-bound regional and sub-regional development projects, rationalization of the SAFTA sensitive lists and dismantling of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers for balanced development of the South Asian nations.
The Foreign Minister emphasized this when addressing the 32nd session of the SAARC Council of Ministers in Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan, said a Foreign Ministry press release.
Dr Dipu Moni at the meeting called for a balanced focus on mitigation and adaptation as the region meets the challenges of climate change. န Photo : AP
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12-hour shutdown paralyses normal life in across Tripura
Agartala, 27 April : A 12-hour shutdown called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices; roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products paralysed normal life across Tripura and some North East states on Tuesday.
None of the offices in Tripura registered any attendance. Shops and markets were closed and vehicles did not ply on the roads in Agartala. Schools and colleges were closed and Tripura University cancelled the examinations scheduled today. No untoward incident was, however, registered in any of the police stations.
Agartala, 27 April : A 12-hour shutdown called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices; roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products paralysed normal life across Tripura and some North East states on Tuesday.
None of the offices in Tripura registered any attendance. Shops and markets were closed and vehicles did not ply on the roads in Agartala. Schools and colleges were closed and Tripura University cancelled the examinations scheduled today. No untoward incident was, however, registered in any of the police stations.
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Maoists blow up rail track at Bhadutala in West Midnapore
IANS, Kolkata, 27 April : Maoists blew up a foot of rail track in West Midnapore district, disrupting train services on day two of their shutdown in three states.
The incident occurred early in the day between Midnapore and Bhadutala stations when a pilot engine that precedes the Chakradharpur Passenger was crossing the spot. The engine driver felt the shock but there was no damage, Additional Director General (Railways) Dilip Mitra told IANS. 'There was a crack of one foot. The police, paramilitary forces and bomb squad personnel were rushed and the track was repaired,' he said.
IANS, Kolkata, 27 April : Maoists blew up a foot of rail track in West Midnapore district, disrupting train services on day two of their shutdown in three states.
The incident occurred early in the day between Midnapore and Bhadutala stations when a pilot engine that precedes the Chakradharpur Passenger was crossing the spot. The engine driver felt the shock but there was no damage, Additional Director General (Railways) Dilip Mitra told IANS. 'There was a crack of one foot. The police, paramilitary forces and bomb squad personnel were rushed and the track was repaired,' he said.
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Normal life paralysed in Assam due to nation-wide bandh
Guwahati, 27 April : Normal life was paralysed today in Assam during the 12-hour nation-wide strike called by the Left-led 13-party front to protest against price rise.There was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the state but shops, business establishments, schools and other educational institutions remained closed, official sources said. Attendance in the state secretariat and other government offices was thin, they said. Vehicles remained off the roads with long-distance buses and city service buses not plying.
Train services have been affected with Rajdhani Express, Saraighat Express, North East Express, Kamrup Express and some other trains rescheduled. Air services have been also affected with several incoming flights from Delhi and Kolkata not arriving. Return flights have been either cancelled or rescheduled consequently. န Photos : Chinmoy Roy
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RoC issues notices to Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri
PTI, New Delhi, 27 April : Actor Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri, who promote IPL franchise 'Kolkata Kinght Riders', and Jaipur IPL Cricket that promotes 'Rajasthan Royals' have been issued show-cause notices for alleged violation of the Companies Act.
"After expiry of notice period, criminal proceedings will be filed against the companies and the directors," the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Mumbai, informed the Ministry of Company Affairs.
PTI, New Delhi, 27 April : Actor Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri, who promote IPL franchise 'Kolkata Kinght Riders', and Jaipur IPL Cricket that promotes 'Rajasthan Royals' have been issued show-cause notices for alleged violation of the Companies Act.
"After expiry of notice period, criminal proceedings will be filed against the companies and the directors," the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Mumbai, informed the Ministry of Company Affairs.
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BD Coast Guards arrest 44 pirates from Swandip channel
UNB, Chittagong, 27 April : Bangladesh Coast Guard in a drive on Tuesday afternoon arrested 44 pirates from the mouth of Swandip channel in the Bay of Bengal.
Officials said Narayanganj bound lighter vessel MV Shyamol loaded with 5,300 metric tons of sugar from Chittagong was caught in the storm and aground in a char and remained stranded since Thursday. On Monday, two salvage vessels went to the char to unload the sugar and rescue the vessel. When returning after loading the sugar, a gang of armed pirates attacked the sugar loaded vessel and took the crews hostage.
On information, coast guards rushed to the spot today and encircled the pirates. Sensing trouble the pirates opened fire at coast guards triggering a gun fight. Failing to face up the coast guards, the pirates at one stage retreated. After a hot chase coast guards managed to hold 44 pirates and rescued the crews with the sugar loaded vessel at 4pm.
UNB, Chittagong, 27 April : Bangladesh Coast Guard in a drive on Tuesday afternoon arrested 44 pirates from the mouth of Swandip channel in the Bay of Bengal.
Officials said Narayanganj bound lighter vessel MV Shyamol loaded with 5,300 metric tons of sugar from Chittagong was caught in the storm and aground in a char and remained stranded since Thursday. On Monday, two salvage vessels went to the char to unload the sugar and rescue the vessel. When returning after loading the sugar, a gang of armed pirates attacked the sugar loaded vessel and took the crews hostage.
On information, coast guards rushed to the spot today and encircled the pirates. Sensing trouble the pirates opened fire at coast guards triggering a gun fight. Failing to face up the coast guards, the pirates at one stage retreated. After a hot chase coast guards managed to hold 44 pirates and rescued the crews with the sugar loaded vessel at 4pm.
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