New Balance is known to have a knack for making foam that feels immediately convincing underfoot, and the Ellipse lives up to that expectation. Positioned as an everyday running shoe, it is comfortable, fun, and might very likely make runners want to come back for more. On the first two counts
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States has “militarily defeated" Iran, adding that King Charles III “agrees with me even more than I do" that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. In his first public remarks on the issue during a state dinner at the White House attended by
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass additional directions to curb acts of hate speech, saying that existing laws are sufficient to deal with the problem, Bar and Bench reported. The notion that the offence is unoccupied by the law is misconceived
![Harare [Zimbabwe], April 29 (ANI): Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced its Women’s squad for their upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan on Wednesday](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/zimbabwe-women-name-squad-for-pakistan-white-ball-tour.webp?height=154)
Harare [Zimbabwe], April 29 (ANI): Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced its Women’s squad for their upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan on Wednesday. The 15-player squad features 10 new faces, signalling a bold shift towards youth development and future competitiveness on the international stage
Tensions in the Middle East are rippling far beyond the region - and are now being felt in India's "glass city" Firozabad, where thousands of jobs are at risk. In this city in northern Uttar Pradesh state, about 50km (30 miles) from the famed Taj Mahal, glass is at the centre of life
Why Has Howrah Become An ‘Iron Fort’ Ahead Of Voting
Why Has Howrah Become An ‘Iron Fort’ Ahead Of Voting? The Real Reason Behind Section 163
Ahead of the second and politically crucial phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Election, Howrah has been placed under an extraordinary security blanket, with authorities transforming the district into what officials and observers are calling an ‘Iron Fort’. But unlike a battlefield marked by conflict, this time the sound dominating the streets is that of marching security personnel.
The heavy security build-up reflects deep administrative concern over the district’s history of poll-related violence and intelligence inputs warning of possible attempts to disrupt voting. From the narrow lanes of North Howrah to the ghats along the Hooghly River, a multilayered security network has been put in place aimed at preventing unrest and ensuring peaceful polling.
Officials have also imposed Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, a move being seen not merely as a legal restriction but as a strong signal against any attempt to turn the democratic exercise violent.
The extensive preparations stem largely from Howrah’s long and troubled electoral history. The district has witnessed repeated allegations of clashes, booth capturing and bomb-related violence in past elections, with areas such as North Howrah and Shibpur often seen as politically sensitive.
According to reports, intelligence agencies have warned that anti-social elements may attempt to trigger disturbances during voting, prompting the administration to effectively seal the district 48 hours before polling.
Officials say the unprecedented security arrangements are intended to prevent both organised disruption and localised flashpoints.
A key element of the security strategy is the enforcement of Section 163, which restricts public gatherings and is being used to prevent crowd mobilisation around polling stations.
With the restrictions in place, no more than five people can gather at one location, a measure authorities believe could weaken attempts by political groups to use crowd pressure or ‘muscle power’ near booths.
Officials view the provision as crucial to smoother polling and as a deterrent against fake voting or intimidation tactics often linked to large political gatherings.
Authorities have also focused on preventing the alleged use of outsiders to trigger election-day trouble. Given Howrah’s strategic location and easy access from Kolkata and surrounding Hooghly areas, security agencies have intensified border monitoring.
Search operations have reportedly been carried out in hotels and guesthouses, while people not registered as voters in Howrah have, according to reports, been directed to leave the district to ensure local voters can participate without fear.
The measures are aimed at reducing the possibility of external mobilisation often associated with poll-day violence.
Security deployment has been especially intense at polling stations identified as vulnerable. More than 40% of booths in Howrah have reportedly been categorised as ‘sensitive’, leading to enhanced security arrangements.
At these locations, state police are being backed by personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including armed commandos.
Alongside physical deployment, authorities have introduced extensive digital monitoring. Webcasting from every polling booth is expected to feed directly to election authorities, enabling real-time oversight.
The system is intended to ensure that if violence or irregularities emerge anywhere, officials in both Delhi and Kolkata can respond immediately. Officials believe this level of surveillance acts as a strong deterrent for potential troublemakers.
In a significant technological addition, the administration is also using drone surveillance, particularly in areas where dense neighbourhoods and narrow lanes have historically posed policing challenges.
According to reports, suspicious rooftops and sensitive lanes have been mapped to prevent stockpiling of stones or crude explosives. Officials say the ‘Iron Fort’ approach is not limited to ground-level security but now extends to aerial monitoring as well.
The use of drones is aimed at eliminating blind spots and improving rapid response capability in areas traditionally difficult to secure.
For the past three days, route marches by central forces have reportedly been conducted across every block in Howrah. Heavily armed personnel moving through neighbourhoods are intended not only to deter potential disruptors but also reassure residents.
Authorities say the strategy is psychological as much as operational, reducing fear among voters while signalling a visible security presence.
Officials believe voter confidence is central to preventing violence, arguing that when people feel protected, attempts to intimidate them are less likely to succeed.
Despite the unprecedented preparations, questions remain over whether even such extensive restrictions can eliminate every possible incident. Experts say measures such as Section 163, district sealing, CAPF deployment and drone surveillance can significantly push back troublemakers, though isolated disruptions can never be entirely ruled out.
Still, many observers note that the scale of security in Howrah this time appears unlike anything seen in previous elections.
As the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election approaches, residents in Howrah are hoping the district’s troubled electoral past does not repeat itself, and that polling day passes not with violence, but in peace.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Planning a trip on Howrah-Guwahati Vande Bharat Sleeper train Delhi-Howrah trains delayed after goods train derails near Asansol division Howrah-Gaya Vande Bharat to run via new Giridih 3 days a week Kamakhya-Howrah Vande Bharat sleeper train ticket booking opens – here’s how to book IRCTC e-ticket Howrah-Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) Amrit Bharat Express PM Flags Off First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Between Howrah And Guwahati Clashes in Howrah Digital Iron Curtain Doctor Says Babies Should Be Given Iron Supplements For Physical And Mental Growth From Iron To Vitamin D
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, an approach that modifies a patient’s own immune cells to hunt down cancer, has transformed treatment for blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma. But the same strategy has struggled when applied to solid tumours such as kidney or ovarian
2 minutes ago
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to an Adivasi man in Keonjhar district exhuming his sister’s body and taking her skeletal remains to a Odisha Grameen Bank branch to prove that she had died two months ago, PTI reported
2 minutes ago
CGBSE Chhattisgarh Board 10th, 12th Result 2026 Release Time, Link Live Updates: The Chhattisgarh Board Class 10 and 12 results will be announced today, April 29, at 2:30 pm, as stated by the state Education Minister. Once released, students can check their results on the official websites cgbse
2 minutes ago
Want to live near Ambani family’s Antilia? This historic Mumbai 4BHK will cost…A 4BHK flat inside the historic Marlboro House in Mumbai has gone up for rent, and a video showing a glimpse of its tasteful interiors is now going viral online Updated on: Apr 29
2 minutes ago
![Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 29: For patients living with severe aortic stenosis, everyday life can become an exhausting battle. Climbing stairs](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/a-life-saving-breakthrough-now-available-for-aortic-stenosis-patients.webp?height=520)
Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 29: For patients living with severe aortic stenosis, everyday life can become an exhausting battle. Climbing stairs, walking short distances, even getting dressed can leave a person breathless and drained. Left untreated, the condition
2 minutes ago
Yash’s much-anticipated film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has been delayed, with the makers confirming that it will no longer release on its earlier announced date. The film, directed by Geetu Mohandas, was initially slated for a June 4, 2026 release but has now been pushed to a later
2 minutes ago
Kerala Board Result 2026 Dates: SSLC, Plus two results releasing on May 15 and 22Kerala Board Result 2026 dates have been announced. The SSLC results will be out on May 15 and Plus two results on May 22, 2026. Updated on: Apr 29, 2026 1:26 PM IST By HT Education Desk | Edited by Papri Chanda Share
2 minutes ago
Tech Tonic | Paying more, getting more, but wanting lessWhile India still has some of the most affordable data prices anywhere in the world, the value of that data has significantly reduced in the last few years Updated on: Apr 29, 2026 9:48 AM IST By Vishal Mathur Share via Copy link There was a
2 minutes ago
PM Modi said, “This is my last rally in this election…I am returning with confidence that after results on May 4, I will have to come back to attend BJP’s oath-taking ceremony.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed a ‘Vijay Sankalp’ rally in Barrackpore ahead of the second
2 minutes ago
RCB thrashed DC by nine wickets in Delhi. The game wrapped up quickly after DC were bowled out for 75, and it helped the teams script big records. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off one of the greatest bowling performances on a stormy night in Delhi to decimate Delhi Capitals (DC) by nine
2 minutes ago
Assembly Election Exit polls Failure History: Exit polls for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam are awaited. However, past elections in Haryana, Lok Sabha 2024, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Lok Sabha 2014 and 2004 show these forecasts can be
2 minutes ago
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced that it will withdraw from the OPEC and OPEC+ groupings on Friday to focus on “national interests”, the state-owned news agency WAM reported. This came after energy prices escalated in light of the war in West Asia
2 minutes ago
Will Jee Le Zaraa get a new cast instead of Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif? Farhan Akhtar reactsFarhan Akhtar admitted that the journey of Jee Le Zaraa has been far from smooth, adding that it almost feels like the universe is testing him in some way. Apr 29, 2026
2 minutes ago
The country is reeling under an intense heatwave, with temperatures nearing 45°C across several parts of north-western India, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Banda in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature at 45.6°C on Tuesday
2 minutes ago
Stop ignoring blood pressure medicines: Heart surgeon shares why only relying on healthy lifestyle may not be enoughTaking medicines is not a shortcoming! Dr London recounts how a woman trying to manage blood pressure through healthy choices ended up on the operating table. Published on: Apr 29
2 minutes ago
In a historic move that has sent shockwaves through the global energy market, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Tuesday its formal withdrawal from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the wider OPEC+ alliance. The exit, effective May 1, 2026
2 minutes ago
West Bengal Election Bhabanipur Mamata vs Suvendu: Bhabanipur witnessed high-tension drama as BJP's Suvendu Adhikari faced 'Joy Bangla' slogans from alleged TMC workers. Police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Adhikari alleged outsiders were influencing polls and sought additional
2 minutes ago
Bengaluru’s dining scene is turning up the flavour this summer with menus that are vibrant, refreshing, and built for the season. From bold Pan-Asian plates at Yuki to mango-forward cocktails at Maize & Malt and playful, fruit-led creations at Brooks & Bonds
2 minutes ago
Rohit Sharma’s IPL 2026 return remains uncertain as Mumbai Indians struggle with injuries, poor form, and ninth-place standings. The uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma’s return continues to loom over the Mumbai Indians as they prepare for their next fixture
2 minutes ago
Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, offered on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) to take hippos descended from those introduced to Colombia by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, rather than have the animals killed. Mr. Anant Ambani said he had formally requested the Colombian government to stay a decision to kill
2 minutes ago
Ahead of the second and politically crucial phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Election, Howrah has been placed under an extraordinary security blanket, with authorities transforming the district into what officials and observers are calling an ‘Iron Fort’
2 minutes ago
Just when the 2026 season needed less confusion, not more, FIA has stepped in with another late tweak. Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, the governing body has updated regulations in a bid to improve safety and address early issues in F1’s new era
2 minutes ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.From heatwave to comfort: 1.5-ton ACs that deliver steady cooling at homeWith heat rising across North India, choosing the right 1.5 ton AC can help manage cooling, comfort
2 minutes ago
If you love samosas but want to skip potatoes, here’s a delicious alternative you’ll want to try—raw banana samosas. Light, flavourful, and surprisingly healthy, this snack brings a fresh twist to a classic favourite. Packed with fibre and essential nutrients
2 minutes ago
US Fed Meeting Outcome Today: The rate decision from the FOMC will be announced at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, which translates to 11:30 PM IST on April 29, 2026. Global markets will closely watch the April 2026 policy decision of the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday
2 minutes ago
As India and New Zealand inks a trade deal, it opened up new opportunities for Indian workers by providing a quota of 5,000 temporary employment visas and 1,000 working holiday visas. Here’s all need to know about these visa categories. If you are aged 18 to 30
2 minutes ago
The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for several regions as India faces a sharp weather divide, with heatwave conditions in the west and central belt and thunderstorms in the north and east. Several cities are set to cross 40oC even as parts of the higher Himalayas may
2 minutes ago
