THE CBI's inability to submit an additional (supplementary) chargesheet within the given 90-day timeframe has resulted in bail on December 13 for both Sandip Ghosh (former RG Kar Hospital principal) and Abhijit Mandal (former OC, Tala Police Station) in the RG Kar trainee physician's rape and murder case. While Sandip Ghosh remains in custody due to other pending cases, Abhijit Mandal is now free.Despite CBI's repeated accusations in court that Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mandal tampered with evidence and delayed the FIR, the agency failed to submit the additional chargesheet on time.

IN preparation for the 24th state conference of the CPI(M) scheduled for  January 29-31, 2025, the primary unit and local committee conferences have been successfully completed. Currently, the sub-divisional and district-level conferences are going on across the state.Prior to the commencement of the primary unit conferences, a set of guidelines, based on the framework prepared by the Polit Bureau and aligned with the state’s political and organisational situation, was circulated across all levels of the Party.

ELECTRICITY workers across India are intensifying their fight against privatisation initiatives by the Modi government, which are dismantling profitable public utilities under the guise of reforms. The Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (EEFI), in a statement issued on December 7, has pledged its unwavering support to the protests, extending nationwide solidarity to workers resisting privatisation in Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh.On December 6, 2024, Chandigarh electricity workers staged a massive day-long dharna in front of the Chandigarh Electricity Department headquarters.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has staged a major protest on December 5, against the union government’s neglect of Kerala in the wake of the Wayanad tragedy. The protest included a march to Raj Bhavan and demonstrations at union government offices across district centres. The state government has proposed a rehabilitation scheme for Wayanad, designed as a township, and sought central assistance for its implementation. However, the union government has refused to declare it a national disaster, undermining the need for immediate support.

WHEN religion is mixed with politics in a country's mainstream political atmosphere, it poses a serious challenge to democratic environment, freedom of the press, and the security of minorities and human rights in general. This is as relevant to Bangladesh today as it is true for our country and our state. People's struggle against fundamentalism and authoritarianism is inseparable from their struggle for livelihood.