April 22, 2026

Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma reviewed counter-terrorism efforts in Udhampur, urging vigilance against new hinterland threats. He visited Basantgarh and Rampur, acknowledging troops’ dedication to a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, he assessed operational readiness in Rajouri’s Nowshera and Bimber Gali sectors, commending soldiers’ high morale and advanced defensive measures. Representational image (PTI file photo) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army’s Northern Commander, conducted a review of the counter-terrorism grid in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, emphasising the need for vigilance against emerging threats in the hinterland.The commander visited Basantgarh and Rampur areas, which have experienced several terror incidents in recent years.CDS General Anil Chauhan Highlights Inter-Service Jointness And Integration In Op Sindoor”Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited Basantgarh and Rampur to review the counter terrorism grid. He exhorted all ranks to remain vigilant and proactive against emerging threats in the hinterland. During the visit he also interacted with troops, lauding their professionalism and unwavering commitment to keep Jammu and Kashmir terror free,” the army’s northern command stated on X.The Army commander also visited Nowshera and Bimber Gali sectors in Rajouri district on Saturday to review operational preparedness.During his interaction with troops along the Line of Control, he praised their high morale and professionalism. He received briefings on enhanced surveillance systems, precision engagement capabilities, and future-ready operational measures implemented to maintain a robust defensive posture.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSGPC Mulls Banning Lone Women In Pilgrim Jathas After ‘Missing’ Punjab Woman Marries Pakistani ManRSS-Linked Youth Shot Dead In Punjab’s Firozpur, Probe UnderwayKerala: RSS Worker Dies By Suicide After BJP Denies Local Body Poll Ticket In Thiruvananthapuram1 Dead, Several Feared Trapped As Portion Of Stone Mine Collapses In UP’s Sonbhadra; Rescue Ops On”I have no family…” Rohini Acharya Cuts Ties With Lalu Clan, Exits Politics Post-RJD DefeatRK Singh Slams Bihar BJP Suspension, Says He Only Opposed Tickets to Criminal Candidates‘Premature to Speculate’: Tharoor Hits Back at Farooq Abdullah Over Operation Sindoor Remarks‘Nitish Still X-Factor’ Pavan Verma Decodes Why Jan Suraaj Couldn’t Break Through in Bihar PollsIndian Coast Guard Holds Massive Rescue Drill in Paradip; Focus on Coastal Preparedness’MMC’: PM Modi Mocks Congress After NDA’s Bihar Win; Calls It ‘Muslim League Maoist’ Party123Photostories5 unsung women freedom fighters of the Indian race to Independence5 most expensive foods in the worldUnseen childhood pictures of Shraddha Kapoor with Shakti Kapoor, Siddhant, and Lata Mangeshkaryoucan’tmiss5 timeless Swami Vivekananda quotes to inspire students on their journey10 benefits of playing chess for kidsRushing to Poop right after meals? Here’s what it says about your healthCheck if you’re truly compatible: Try this birthdate numerology test for partnersAlaya F to Fatima Sana Sheikh: Top celebrity looks of the day6 reasons to consume amla, beetroot, and carrot juice for 30 days on an empty stomach5 Japanese techniques to overcome laziness123Hot PicksAlinagar Election ResultRaghopur Election ResultBihar Election Result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingKayla NicoleArjun TendulkarVasai School MaharashtraDubai Prince Sheikh Hamdan Net WorthRCB IPL RetentionBengaluru Techie Shoes MissingUS VisaWayne Gretzkys SonDak PrescottPercy Harvin

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Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma reviewed counter-terrorism efforts in Udhampur, urging vigilance against new hinterland threats. He visited Basantgarh and Rampur, acknowledging troops’ dedication to a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, he assessed operational readiness in Rajouri’s Nowshera and Bimber Gali sectors, commending soldiers’ high morale and advanced defensive measures. Representational image (PTI file photo) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army’s Northern Commander, conducted a review of the counter-terrorism grid in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, emphasising the need for vigilance against emerging threats in the hinterland.The commander visited Basantgarh and Rampur areas, which have experienced several terror incidents in recent years.CDS General Anil Chauhan Highlights Inter-Service Jointness And Integration In Op Sindoor”Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited Basantgarh and Rampur to review the counter terrorism grid. He exhorted all ranks to remain vigilant and proactive against emerging threats in the hinterland. During the visit he also interacted with troops, lauding their professionalism and unwavering commitment to keep Jammu and Kashmir terror free,” the army’s northern command stated on X.The Army commander also visited Nowshera and Bimber Gali sectors in Rajouri district on Saturday to review operational preparedness.During his interaction with troops along the Line of Control, he praised their high morale and professionalism. He received briefings on enhanced surveillance systems, precision engagement capabilities, and future-ready operational measures implemented to maintain a robust defensive posture.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSGPC Mulls Banning Lone Women In Pilgrim Jathas After ‘Missing’ Punjab Woman Marries Pakistani ManRSS-Linked Youth Shot Dead In Punjab’s Firozpur, Probe UnderwayKerala: RSS Worker Dies By Suicide After BJP Denies Local Body Poll Ticket In Thiruvananthapuram1 Dead, Several Feared Trapped As Portion Of Stone Mine Collapses In UP’s Sonbhadra; Rescue Ops On”I have no family…” Rohini Acharya Cuts Ties With Lalu Clan, Exits Politics Post-RJD DefeatRK Singh Slams Bihar BJP Suspension, Says He Only Opposed Tickets to Criminal Candidates‘Premature to Speculate’: Tharoor Hits Back at Farooq Abdullah Over Operation Sindoor Remarks‘Nitish Still X-Factor’ Pavan Verma Decodes Why Jan Suraaj Couldn’t Break Through in Bihar PollsIndian Coast Guard Holds Massive Rescue Drill in Paradip; Focus on Coastal Preparedness’MMC’: PM Modi Mocks Congress After NDA’s Bihar Win; Calls It ‘Muslim League Maoist’ Party123Photostories5 unsung women freedom fighters of the Indian race to Independence5 most expensive foods in the worldUnseen childhood pictures of Shraddha Kapoor with Shakti Kapoor, Siddhant, and Lata Mangeshkaryoucan’tmiss5 timeless Swami Vivekananda quotes to inspire students on their journey10 benefits of playing chess for kidsRushing to Poop right after meals? Here’s what it says about your healthCheck if you’re truly compatible: Try this birthdate numerology test for partnersAlaya F to Fatima Sana Sheikh: Top celebrity looks of the day6 reasons to consume amla, beetroot, and carrot juice for 30 days on an empty stomach5 Japanese techniques to overcome laziness123Hot PicksAlinagar Election ResultRaghopur Election ResultBihar Election Result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingKayla NicoleArjun TendulkarVasai School MaharashtraDubai Prince Sheikh Hamdan Net WorthRCB IPL RetentionBengaluru Techie Shoes MissingUS VisaWayne Gretzkys SonDak PrescottPercy Harvin


Northern Commander reviews Jammu security: Army strengthens counter-terror grid; stresses vigilance
Representational image (PTI file photo)

Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army’s Northern Commander, conducted a review of the counter-terrorism grid in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, emphasising the need for vigilance against emerging threats in the hinterland.The commander visited Basantgarh and Rampur areas, which have experienced several terror incidents in recent years.

CDS General Anil Chauhan Highlights Inter-Service Jointness And Integration In Op Sindoor

“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited Basantgarh and Rampur to review the counter terrorism grid. He exhorted all ranks to remain vigilant and proactive against emerging threats in the hinterland. During the visit he also interacted with troops, lauding their professionalism and unwavering commitment to keep Jammu and Kashmir terror free,” the army’s northern command stated on X.The Army commander also visited Nowshera and Bimber Gali sectors in Rajouri district on Saturday to review operational preparedness.During his interaction with troops along the Line of Control, he praised their high morale and professionalism. He received briefings on enhanced surveillance systems, precision engagement capabilities, and future-ready operational measures implemented to maintain a robust defensive posture.





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In Mirpur village in WB’s East Midnapore, SIR has not been unpleasant, with only two of 824 voters struck off (a Hindu & a Muslim) a marked deviation from elsewhere in WB. Residents with surnames like Nunes, Rozario and D’Cruz trace their roots to Portuguese mercenaries who settled here after 1742. Today, Christians, Hindus and Muslims celebrate Eid, Puja & Christmas together.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your riskExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better moodWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

In Mirpur village in WB’s East Midnapore, SIR has not been unpleasant, with only two of 824 voters struck off (a Hindu & a Muslim) a marked deviation from elsewhere in WB. Residents with surnames like Nunes, Rozario and D’Cruz trace their roots to Portuguese mercenaries who settled here after 1742. Today, Christians, Hindus and Muslims celebrate Eid, Puja & Christmas together.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your riskExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better moodWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

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Representative Image In an ironic turn of events, villagers in Bengal’s Mothabari who’d taken to the streets less than a month back fearing deletion from electoral rolls may now miss voting altogether — not because their names are gone from the voters’ list, but because they have cleared out of the area in fear of falling into the clutches of National Investigation Agency (NIA).With the central agency stepping up its probe into the April 1 gherao of judicial officers, hundreds of men have fled their homes fearing arrest, leaving behind near-deserted villages days before the area votes on April 23 in the first of Bengal’s two-phased polls.Two weeks after a midnight standoff in this otherwise obscure pocket of Malda drew national attention, Mothabari presents a stark, altered landscape. Doors remain shut through the day, courtyards lie empty and, in many homes, only women, children and the elderly wait — not for relief, but for the men who have disappeared.“There are six members in our family. All our names were placed under adjudication, so my husband applied to restore our voting rights. He was never part of any violence. Still, police sent him a notice,” said Jalili Bibi of Sadipur. “Now, four of our names have been cleared, but he is too afraid to return, even to vote.” It’s a similar tale in Jotgopal Kagmari village. Runa Laila’s husband, Md Asmaul Basar (39), who runs an e-rickshaw battery shop, is on the run. “He wasn’t part of any protest. He had gone to deliver an order. Someone has framed him and now the police are looking for him,” she said. “Voting is no longer our priority. I just want him to be safe.”Arrests spark fearAcross Bengal, around 60.6 lakh names were sent for adjudication, of which 27 lakh were deleted. In Mothabari alone, 79,683 names were listed for judicial scrutiny, with 37,255 eventually deleted.Seven judicial officers deputed for SIR adjudication work were gheraoed by an agitated mob on April 1. The officers, including women judges, had to remain confined for over nine hours inside a block development office before they were finally rescued. The incident escalated rapidly, prompting the Supreme Court to hand over the probe to NIA on April 6. The fallout, thereafter, has been swift and sweeping.At least 52 people have been arrested so far. NIA has registered 12 cases and arrests have cut across party lines. An Indian Secular Front (ISF) worker was the first to be picked up by the central agency. That was followed by the arrest of Mothabari ISF candidate Maulana Shahjahan Ali Qadri and AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam by state CID. More recently, two Congress functionaries — close aides of Congress candidate Sayem Chowdhury — were arrested by NIA.Chowdhury himself was detained for questioning from Alinagar and released after a night-long interrogation. He had his mobile phone seized for forensic analysis. In a video message after his release, he alleged political vendetta and denied any role in the violence.But beyond the political sparring, the ground reality in Mothabari is quieter. The fear is widespread — and palpable. Even as adjudication restored some names, the aftermath of the April 1 violence has created a new barrier, one that no revision process can fix: voters present on paper, but absent on the ground.Political blame gameIn villages here, families say men have been leaving in batches since the NIA intensified its probe. Some have crossed into other districts, others are believed to be hiding in neighbouring states. Many have stopped answering calls.“We told them not to stay here,” said a middle-aged woman in Singapara, requesting anonymity. “Even if they are innocent, who will listen? If they are picked up, who will take care of us? His name is back on the voter list, but he won’t return to vote,” she says of her husband, who’s fled the area.The ground report suggests that, in several pockets, a significant number of adult men are currently missing. While there is no official count, the situation is attested to by empty village squares, shuttered shops, and the eerie stillness that settles in by evening.Political reactions have only sharpened the divide. PM Modi said the episode points to a “Maha Jungle Raj”, while Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused opposition parties of instigating the unrest. BJP says it has moved beyond the SIR row and is focusing on development. “People here need better roads, clean water, a dedicated women’s ward at the govt hospital, better schools and hostels,” said BJP candidate Nibaran Ghosh. “The sitting MLA did little beyond building personal wealth.”Sabina Yasmin, who had won this seat for Congress in 2011 and 2016 and on a TMC ticket in 2021 was replaced this time by her new party, which has tasked Md Najrul Islam with retaining the seat. Islam blamed BJP for deleting the names of valid voters and accused Congress and ISF of fuelling fear among villagers. “Congress is trying to help BJP by creating conflict among voters who are still eligible,” he said.Congress candidate Chowdhury, however, alleged a broader conspiracy. “TMC, BJP and NIA have acted together to target us. People can see what is happening,” he said. Caught in the crossfire are residents whose original grievance — the fear of losing their right to vote — now feels overshadowed. “We protested because our names were deleted,” said a young voter whose elder brother has fled. “Now, even if the name is there, the person is not.”As dusk falls, the silence deepens. In several homes, women sit around mobile phones, waiting for calls from husbands and sons. For a village that rose in protest to reclaim its place on the electoral roll, the coming election may pass with many of its voters missing — not erased by the system this time, but by the consequences of challenging it.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123Photostories5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in Australia123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

Representative Image In an ironic turn of events, villagers in Bengal’s Mothabari who’d taken to the streets less than a month back fearing deletion from electoral rolls may now miss voting altogether — not because their names are gone from the voters’ list, but because they have cleared out of the area in fear of falling into the clutches of National Investigation Agency (NIA).With the central agency stepping up its probe into the April 1 gherao of judicial officers, hundreds of men have fled their homes fearing arrest, leaving behind near-deserted villages days before the area votes on April 23 in the first of Bengal’s two-phased polls.Two weeks after a midnight standoff in this otherwise obscure pocket of Malda drew national attention, Mothabari presents a stark, altered landscape. Doors remain shut through the day, courtyards lie empty and, in many homes, only women, children and the elderly wait — not for relief, but for the men who have disappeared.“There are six members in our family. All our names were placed under adjudication, so my husband applied to restore our voting rights. He was never part of any violence. Still, police sent him a notice,” said Jalili Bibi of Sadipur. “Now, four of our names have been cleared, but he is too afraid to return, even to vote.” It’s a similar tale in Jotgopal Kagmari village. Runa Laila’s husband, Md Asmaul Basar (39), who runs an e-rickshaw battery shop, is on the run. “He wasn’t part of any protest. He had gone to deliver an order. Someone has framed him and now the police are looking for him,” she said. “Voting is no longer our priority. I just want him to be safe.”Arrests spark fearAcross Bengal, around 60.6 lakh names were sent for adjudication, of which 27 lakh were deleted. In Mothabari alone, 79,683 names were listed for judicial scrutiny, with 37,255 eventually deleted.Seven judicial officers deputed for SIR adjudication work were gheraoed by an agitated mob on April 1. The officers, including women judges, had to remain confined for over nine hours inside a block development office before they were finally rescued. The incident escalated rapidly, prompting the Supreme Court to hand over the probe to NIA on April 6. The fallout, thereafter, has been swift and sweeping.At least 52 people have been arrested so far. NIA has registered 12 cases and arrests have cut across party lines. An Indian Secular Front (ISF) worker was the first to be picked up by the central agency. That was followed by the arrest of Mothabari ISF candidate Maulana Shahjahan Ali Qadri and AIMIM leader Mofakkerul Islam by state CID. More recently, two Congress functionaries — close aides of Congress candidate Sayem Chowdhury — were arrested by NIA.Chowdhury himself was detained for questioning from Alinagar and released after a night-long interrogation. He had his mobile phone seized for forensic analysis. In a video message after his release, he alleged political vendetta and denied any role in the violence.But beyond the political sparring, the ground reality in Mothabari is quieter. The fear is widespread — and palpable. Even as adjudication restored some names, the aftermath of the April 1 violence has created a new barrier, one that no revision process can fix: voters present on paper, but absent on the ground.Political blame gameIn villages here, families say men have been leaving in batches since the NIA intensified its probe. Some have crossed into other districts, others are believed to be hiding in neighbouring states. Many have stopped answering calls.“We told them not to stay here,” said a middle-aged woman in Singapara, requesting anonymity. “Even if they are innocent, who will listen? If they are picked up, who will take care of us? His name is back on the voter list, but he won’t return to vote,” she says of her husband, who’s fled the area.The ground report suggests that, in several pockets, a significant number of adult men are currently missing. While there is no official count, the situation is attested to by empty village squares, shuttered shops, and the eerie stillness that settles in by evening.Political reactions have only sharpened the divide. PM Modi said the episode points to a “Maha Jungle Raj”, while Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused opposition parties of instigating the unrest. BJP says it has moved beyond the SIR row and is focusing on development. “People here need better roads, clean water, a dedicated women’s ward at the govt hospital, better schools and hostels,” said BJP candidate Nibaran Ghosh. “The sitting MLA did little beyond building personal wealth.”Sabina Yasmin, who had won this seat for Congress in 2011 and 2016 and on a TMC ticket in 2021 was replaced this time by her new party, which has tasked Md Najrul Islam with retaining the seat. Islam blamed BJP for deleting the names of valid voters and accused Congress and ISF of fuelling fear among villagers. “Congress is trying to help BJP by creating conflict among voters who are still eligible,” he said.Congress candidate Chowdhury, however, alleged a broader conspiracy. “TMC, BJP and NIA have acted together to target us. People can see what is happening,” he said. Caught in the crossfire are residents whose original grievance — the fear of losing their right to vote — now feels overshadowed. “We protested because our names were deleted,” said a young voter whose elder brother has fled. “Now, even if the name is there, the person is not.”As dusk falls, the silence deepens. In several homes, women sit around mobile phones, waiting for calls from husbands and sons. For a village that rose in protest to reclaim its place on the electoral roll, the coming election may pass with many of its voters missing — not erased by the system this time, but by the consequences of challenging it.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123Photostories5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in Australia123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

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