VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Could Pahalgam happen again? – The Times of India Hidden for 50 years: Cold War nuclear bunker found beneath Scarborough Castle | World News AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday cautioned the people of Tamil Nadu to be “wary” of NDA, saying if they voted that alliance to office, it will undo DMK chief M K Stalin’s good work. On dynasty rule and corruption allegations against DMK, Kejriwal said that BJP should first look at its own party. “What is Amit Shah’s son doing? What is Rajnath Singh’s son doing? BJP is the most corrupt party today. PM Modi is giving away everything to his friends,” Kejriwal added. 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 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 Apr 22, 2026, 10:37 IST IPL 2026: Tilak Varma’s return to form offers Mumbai Indians a way forward Stock Market Today Live Updates: Nifty50 goes below 24,450; BSE Sensex down over 550 points on mixed global cues amid US-Iran ceasefire extension MPBSE 2nd Board exam 2026: Registration window closes today at mpbse.nic.in; direct link to apply here ‘Bhooth Bangla 2’ on the cards? Makers eye franchise after warm audience reception Rinku Singh and Priya Saroj’s Varanasi visit turns into a soft, heartwarming relationship moment Who was ‘Mem’? Mossad operative behind ‘Op Roaring Lion’ against Iran killed outside Israel Countries With Highest Iq: Top 10 countries with the highest IQ in the world: South Korea, China, Japan and others lead global rankings | World News West Bengal assembly elections 2026: Polling timings, documents, dos and don’ts Polling for the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with authorities focusing on ensuring smooth and secure conduct of voting across the state. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.With millions expected to participate, voters are being advised to follow key guidelines at polling stations. According to Election Commission data, over 3.6 crore electors across 16 districts will vote in the first phase alone. Here is a quick guide for voters.Polling timings: 7am to 6pmDocuments to carry:Voter ID card (EPIC) — mandatoryAlternative ID: Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, bank passbook with photo, service ID cardDos:Check your name on the electoral roll before leavingCarry a valid ID — voter slip is helpful but not mandatoryStand in queue and follow polling station instructionsGet your finger inked before casting your voteVerify your vote on the VVPAT machine after pressing the buttonDon’ts:Do not wear or carry any political party symbolsDo not carry mobile phones inside the polling boothDo not take photos or videos while votingDo not accept money or gifts from political representativesDo not engage in impersonation — it is a punishable offenceWhat you can carry: Water bottle, basic essentials, necessary items for elderly or differently-abled votersWhat you cannot carry: Sharp objects, lighters, flammable items, mobile phonesSpecial arrangements: CCTV cameras have been installed at all 44,378 booths in the first phase. The Election Commission has warned that repolling may be ordered if cameras malfunction during voting.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 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 Apr 22, 2026, 09:48 IST Exporters eye refund as US opens window JEE Advanced 2026 registration begins tomorrow: Check eligibility, exam pattern and steps to apply Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s parents issue first statement after D4vd charged with first degree murder: ‘All we want is justice’ 5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homes ‘What if I never come back? ‘A 3-year-old boy’s heartbreaking reply to his mother is making the internet cry Prehistoric cave hidden beneath Pembroke Castle reveals 120,000 years of human and animal history | World News Merely 48 hours before polling in high-stakes Nandigram, EC replaced police observer Hitesh Choudhary with Akhilesh Singh, directing Choudhary to report to its Kolkata office. No reason was cited. CM Mamata Banerjee alleged the move was for working “impartially” and accused agencies of harassment. TMC complained police were ignoring its complaints while acting swiftly on BJP’s.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 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 IPL 2026, LSG vs RR Preview: Will Lucknow Super Giants finally feel at home at the Ekana? | Cricket News Gold, Silver Rate Today Live Updates: Gold prices drop 2% in international markets before Trump extends US-Iran ceasefire MBSE Mizoram Board HSLC result 2026 to be released tomorrow at mbse.edu.in: Steps to download Class 10 scorecards here Allu Arjun’s ‘Raaka’ look from Atlee’s film goes viral; fans blown away by AI pics 5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like it US running out of weapons? Report claims missile stockpiles depleted by Iran war AI-generated MAGA influencer: Indian student behind ‘hot girl’ profile with millions of followers | World News 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 Apr 22, 2026, 09:24 IST Asian stocks today: Markets mixed as oil prices ease, Iran talks keep investors cautious Before Rocky’s success, Sylvester Stallone sold his dog for $40 for survival: ‘We were both hungry, and living in a flophouse’ Elon Musk Quote: Success quote of the day by Elon Musk: “No, I don’t ever give up. I’d have to be dead or completely incapacitated.” Oil prices today: Crude slips as markets weigh US-Iran talks, ceasefire extension New evidence shows early humans built vast ocean networks across the Philippines 40,000 years ago | World News 2 landfills in India among world’s top 25 super-polluting methane emission waste sites | India News Apr 22, 2026, 07:00 IST ‘The next ‘demigod’ of cricket’: Srikkanth invokes Tendulkar comparison for ‘prodigy’ Sooryavanshi Sensex up 753 pts, at 6-week high Earth Day 2026: How to care for your clothes so they last longer Love Horoscope Today, April 22, 2026: What the stars say about your love life Nobel laureate David Gross warns humanity may not survive 50 years; here’s why ‘No deal if Hormuz reopens’: Trump extends ceasefire, claims Iran losing $500 million a day 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 ‘Let bat do the work’: Yuvraj Singh’s special message to protege Abhishek Sharma HCLTech Q4: Revenue dips 3.3% QoQ, flags AI deflation KVS admissions 2026: 3rd provisional merit list released for Balvatika, Class 1 at kvsangathan.nic.in; direct link here Soil that powers devices: Scientists create battery-free electricity from dirt Europe’s most valuable company is laying off 1,700 employees: These are the jobs that will be cut 2 FIRs against BJP’s Kolkata Port candidate after clash with TMC workers | India News IPL 2026: Kavya Maran, Abhishek Sharma’s father go wild after SRH star’s ton — Watch