As India's AI ecosystem moves from experimentation to execution, the AI Impact Summit highlights how startups are scaling real-world solutions with a growing
Technology

As India's AI ecosystem moves from experimentation to execution, the AI Impact Summit highlights how startups are scaling real-world solutions with a growing focus on trust, infrastructure, and global readiness. With deeper engagement across models, platforms, and market access

Soumith Chintala has been named as chief technology officer (CTO) of Thinking Machines Lab, an artificial intelligence research and products company cofounded
Technology

Soumith Chintala has been named as chief technology officer (CTO) of Thinking Machines Lab, an artificial intelligence research and products company cofounded by OpenAI cofounder Mira Murati. Hyderabad-born Chintala, who joined Thinking Machines Lab in November 2025

<strong>O</strong>ne night in October, Saluram Kargal was sleeping near his goats outside his home in the village of Wadgaon Borwadi
World

One night in October, Saluram Kargal was sleeping near his goats outside his home in the village of Wadgaon Borwadi, around 100 km from Pune. The one-room brick home is situated in an enclosure surrounded by an eight-foot-high fence. Suddenly

In November 2025, India approved a 73bn-rupee ($800m; £600m) plan that could help it to cut its dependence on China in one of the most strategic corners
Business

In November 2025, India approved a 73bn-rupee ($800m; £600m) plan that could help it to cut its dependence on China in one of the most strategic corners of the global supply chain: rare earth magnets. These small but powerful components sit at the heart of modern life - used in everything from

Iran faced a severe internet shutdown. Activists secretly brought in thousands of Starlink satellite internet systems. These systems allowed them to share
World

Iran faced a severe internet shutdown. Activists secretly brought in thousands of Starlink satellite internet systems. These systems allowed them to share information about protests. The Iranian government responded by trying to jam the satellite signals

Former Indian cricketer and Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Manoj Tiwari, expressed his disappointment in legendary Indian boxer Mary Kom
Sports

Former Indian cricketer and Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Manoj Tiwari, expressed his disappointment in legendary Indian boxer Mary Kom following her public fallout with her ex-husband, Karung Onkholer Kom, which made national headlines

Europe faces a challenging year under a hostile US administration, with Donald Trump threatening Greenland's sovereignty and supporting far-right movements
World

Europe faces a challenging year under a hostile US administration, with Donald Trump threatening Greenland's sovereignty and supporting far-right movements. Despite increased defense spending, the EU relies on US help for Ukraine's security, forcing a strategy of appeasement

For the first time ever, Jaipur's public streets witnessed the grand army day parade on Thursday, showcasing capabilities, valour
Latest News

For the first time ever, Jaipur's public streets witnessed the grand army day parade on Thursday, showcasing capabilities, valour, and discipline of the armed forces. This is the first time the Army Day celebrations were held in public in Jaipur, outside the cantonment area

West Bengal: Government office vandalised during protests against SIR hearings in North Dinajpur

Posted By: Aditya Gogoi Posted On: Jan 16, 2026Share Article
Government office vandalised during protests against SIR hearings in North Dinajpur
North Dinajpur, West Bengal | Google Maps

The office of the block development officer at Goalpokher-II in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district was vandalised on Thursday, with protesters setting fire to files and other materials outside the building during demonstrations against hearings under the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, The Times of India reported.

North Dinajpur district's Superintendent of Police Jobi Thomas told the newspaper that ten persons have been detained in connection with the violence.

Six police personnel, including the inspector-in-charge of the police station, were injured in the incident and two of them were hospitalised, he added.

The state's draft electoral rolls were published on December 16. They showed that more than 58 lakh voters were removed after being marked dead, shifted or absent. In addition, 31 lakh voters were “unmapped”, or not found on the 2002 rolls, when the last special intensive revision was held.

The revision exercise is currently in the claims and objections stage in the state, during which unmapped voters are being called for personal hearings.

The second phase of the hearing process under the revision exercise in West Bengal is being held in 294 Assembly constituencies and will continue till February 7. A final electoral roll will be published on February 14.

As part of this process, the block development officer has been issuing notices to voters for hearings.

On Thursday, around 500 hearings were scheduled after 11 am, and about 50 to 60 persons had arrived at the office for this, The Times of India reported.

According to a complaint filed by the Block Development Officer at the Chakulia police station, a group of around 300 persons allegedly entered the office forcibly, damaged furniture, electronic equipment and official documents. They also set fire to files and other materials after bringing them out of the building, the newspaper reported.

Thomas told The Times of India that the agitators also blocked the road in front of the office.

“We tried to lift the blockade,” Thomas was quoted as saying. “But the public was agitated and attacked the police. We did lathicharge to disperse the mob.”

This came a day after a block development officer was assaulted in Farakka in Murshidabad district during protests linked to the voter roll revision exercise.

In Farakka, a group allegedly threw chairs at the block development officer after barging into his office and attempting to ransack the room, The Times of India reported.

Two persons have been arrested in the case.

West Bengal is expected to head for Assembly elections in the next three to four months.

Besides West Bengal, the special intensive revision of electoral rolls is underway in 11 other states and Union Territories.

In Bihar, where the revision was completed ahead of the Assembly polls in November, at least 47 lakh voters were excluded from the final electoral roll published on September 30.

Concerns had been raised after the announcement in Bihar that the exercise could remove eligible voters from the roll.

Comment on Post

Leave a comment

If you have a News Orbit 360 user account, your address will be used to display your profile picture.


As we stand in 2026, the statistics surrounding Jadeja's batting in the fifty over format have become a point of intense scrutiny
Sports
No Home ODI Fifty Since 2013

As we stand in 2026, the statistics surrounding Jadeja's batting in the fifty over format have become a point of intense scrutiny. Exactly thirteen years ago today, the world was a very different place. Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India

Just now

South Korea's beleaguered ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol will on Friday receive the first verdict on charges linked to his botched martial law attempt in 2024
World
South Korea's impeached leader faces first of several verdicts

South Korea's beleaguered ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol will on Friday receive the first verdict on charges linked to his botched martial law attempt in 2024. He is facing eight separate trials for charges ranging from abuse of power and insurrection to violating campaign law

Just now

Bird droppings caused two unexpected stoppages during H S Prannoy's match at the India Open Super 750, adding to a series of organizational issues
Sports
India Open badminton

Bird droppings caused two unexpected stoppages during H S Prannoy's match at the India Open Super 750, adding to a series of organizational issues. Players also cited pollution concerns, with one withdrawing due to "extreme pollution." The tournament has faced multiple complaints regarding playing

Just now

Delhi woke up to a chilly winter morning and shallow fog on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for a cold wave
Latest News
Delhi wakes up to biting cold after coldest winter morning as mercury hits 2

Delhi woke up to a chilly winter morning and shallow fog on Friday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for a cold wave. For the sixth consecutive day on 16 January, cold wave conditions persisted as mercury plunged significantly across the city

Just now

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said France would soon send additional land, air, and sea forces to Greenland to join a European military exercise
World
France To Send More

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said France would soon send additional land, air, and sea forces to Greenland to join a European military exercise, following threats by the United States over the Arctic territory. “A first team of French service members is already on site and

Just now

Bangladesh Premier League faces disruption as senior players demand the removal of BCB director Najmul Islam. Islam made disparaging remarks about players'
Sports
Bangladesh crisis

Bangladesh Premier League faces disruption as senior players demand the removal of BCB director Najmul Islam. Islam made disparaging remarks about players' performance and remuneration. The BCB removed him from the finance committee but he remains a director. Players are unified in their demand

Just now

Hamas on Thursday said it was ready to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a US-backed technocratic committee, saying the move would help
World
Hamas Ready To Hand Over Gaza To US-Backed Technocratic Committee To Secure Ceasefire

Hamas on Thursday said it was ready to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a US-backed technocratic committee, saying the move would help consolidate the ceasefire and prevent a return to conflict. A senior Hamas official welcomed the formation of the 15-member committee

Just now

Top European leaders will visit India for Republic Day celebrations. They will also co-chair the India-EU summit. A significant free trade agreement will be
World
European leaders on a state visit to India as Republic Day chief guests

Top European leaders will visit India for Republic Day celebrations. They will also co-chair the India-EU summit. A significant free trade agreement will be announced at the summit. This agreement aims to boost trade and investment between India and the European Union

Just now

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down after 14 years at the helm of the studio that makes Star Wars, one of the highest-grossing Hollywood
Life Style
Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy departs after 14 years in the role

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down after 14 years at the helm of the studio that makes Star Wars, one of the highest-grossing Hollywood franchises in history. Kennedy, who was picked by Star Wars creator George Lucas to lead the company, will become a full-time producer

Just now

Massive fire erupts in slum area in South Korea's GangnamMassive fire erupts in slum area in South Korea's Gangnam
Latest News
Massive fire erupts in slum area in South Korea's Gangnam

Massive fire erupts in slum area in South Korea's GangnamMassive fire erupts in slum area in South Korea's Gangnam

Just now

Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government has further intensified its shelter operations to ensure the safety of homeless
Latest News
Temporary Shelters Arranged In Subway Areas Near Hospitals In Delhi

Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government has further intensified its shelter operations to ensure the safety of homeless people during the severe winter by opening temporary shelters in subway areas near hospitals, an official said

Just now

Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 16 (ANI): Following his side's win over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek
Sports
For Harleen, its always team first, herself second

Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 16 (ANI): Following his side's win over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar hailed Indian batter Harleen Deol's "team first" approach and his team's culture

Just now

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding beautification work at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi
Politics
Mallikarjun Kharge questions demolition at Varanasi's Manikarnika Ghat

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding beautification work at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. Kharge alleged that centuries-old religious and cultural heritage is being destroyed. He stated that temples and shrines were demolished for corridors

Just now

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met US President Donald Trump amid political upheaval in her homeland, offering the Nobel Peace Prize she won
World
Attempt To Seize Power In Venezuela

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met US President Donald Trump amid political upheaval in her homeland, offering the Nobel Peace Prize she won last year and explaining her vision for Venezuela's transition. Venezuelan Leadership Power Struggle: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria

Just now

Quote Of The Day By Leonardo DiCaprio: He made his acting career in the late 1980s by starting out in TV television commercials. <strong>Quote Of The
Life Style
Quote Of The Day By Leonardo DiCaprio On Fame

Quote Of The Day By Leonardo DiCaprio: He made his acting career in the late 1980s by starting out in TV television commercials. Quote Of The Day: Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio who has a massive fan following globally and is known his incredible body of work has many a times made some

Just now

BTS is finally ready to step into a new chapter. After years of anticipation, the global K-pop superstars have officially announced their fifth studio album
Latest News
ARMY, Get Ready

BTS is finally ready to step into a new chapter. After years of anticipation, the global K-pop superstars have officially announced their fifth studio album, titled ARIRANG. The announcement has sent fans into a frenzy as it marks the group's long-awaited return with a full-length project after

Just now

OpenAI has launched a new AI-powered tool called ChatGPT Translate to take on the might of Google Translate. While ChatGPT already possessed the ability to
Technology
OpenAI is taking on Google Translate with new ChatGPT translator

OpenAI has launched a new AI-powered tool called ChatGPT Translate to take on the might of Google Translate. While ChatGPT already possessed the ability to translate to and from languages, the company has now created a separate web platform which looks an awful lot like Google Translate

Just now

Delhi's air quality worsened significantly on Friday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at Anand Vihar recorded at 354, placing it in the “Very
Latest News
Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates To ‘Very Poor’ As AQI Hits 354 Amid Cold Wave

Delhi's air quality worsened significantly on Friday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at Anand Vihar recorded at 354, placing it in the “Very Poor” category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Just now

The US said it had agreed to cut the tariffs it charges on goods from Taiwan to 15%, in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars in investment aimed at
Business
US to cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods after investment pledge

The US said it had agreed to cut the tariffs it charges on goods from Taiwan to 15%, in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars in investment aimed at boosting domestic production of semiconductors. The Commerce Department said the island's semiconductor and technology enterprises had

Just now

Islamabad struggles to balance ties with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi as tensions rise in the Gulf. <strong>Pakistan's Gulf Diplomacy:</strong> Pakistan
World
Why Pak Is Caught In Tough Loyalty Test Between The Gulf Giants

Islamabad struggles to balance ties with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi as tensions rise in the Gulf. Pakistan's Gulf Diplomacy: Pakistan finds itself at the center of a growing rift between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin

Just now

The office of the block development officer at Goalpokher-II in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district was vandalised on Thursday, with protesters setting fire
World
Government office vandalised during protests against SIR hearings in North Dinajpur

The office of the block development officer at Goalpokher-II in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district was vandalised on Thursday, with protesters setting fire to files and other materials outside the building during demonstrations against hearings under the special intensive revision of electoral

Just now

<strong>IRCTC Thailand Tour Package:</strong> The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched an international tour
Latest News
Valentine’s Day 2026

IRCTC Thailand Tour Package: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched an international tour package titled “Valentine Special Phuket-Krabi (Thailand),” providing passengers an opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Week abroad

Just now

Verizon Communications Inc. said it will provide $20 credits to customers impacted by a widespread service outage on Wednesday, which the company said was
Technology
Verizon credit for outage

Verizon Communications Inc. said it will provide $20 credits to customers impacted by a widespread service outage on Wednesday, which the company said was caused by a “software issue". “Yesterday, we did not meet the standard of excellence our customers expect and that we expect of

Just now

The first time I was invited to the Jaipur Literature Festival I showed up fashionably dressed at the inauguration party sans cap
Latest News
Kolkata’s winter charm is now smothered in smog

The first time I was invited to the Jaipur Literature Festival I showed up fashionably dressed at the inauguration party sans cap. I thought my pedestrian cap would ruin my outfit at the glamorous Rambagh Palace. But the party was open air and I froze my head off

Just now

The spectre of power sharing has placed inherent fissures in the alliances starkly: NDA leader and home minister Amit Shah has adopted a language that places
Politics
Much Sound, Little Shift

The spectre of power sharing has placed inherent fissures in the alliances starkly: NDA leader and home minister Amit Shah has adopted a language that places the alliance as the overarching decision maker, something the AIADMK has bristled at

Just now

Pune Municipal Corporation elections are underway, with voters choosing representatives across 41 wards as parties vie for control ahead of results
World
Pune Municipal Results 2026 Live

Pune Municipal Corporation elections are underway, with voters choosing representatives across 41 wards as parties vie for control ahead of results. Pune Municipal Election Results 2026 Live Updates: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which oversees the city's urban planning and civic

Just now

Gaurav Khanna celebrated his wife, actress Akanksha Chamola's birthday on Thursday night. While several videos from the bash are going viral on social media
Latest News
Gaurav Khanna Dances To

Gaurav Khanna celebrated his wife, actress Akanksha Chamola's birthday on Thursday night. While several videos from the bash are going viral on social media, one particular clip has grabbed everyone's attention. In the video, Gaurav is seen dancing to Salman Khan's superhit track ‘O Oh Jaane

Just now


Sing Up