DRI seizes commercial quantity of psychotropic substance worth Rs 8.3 cr; 3 arrested
Bengaluru (PTI): DRI officers recovered approximately 8.3 kilograms of a psychotropic substance worth approximately Rs 8.3 crore and arrested three persons in connection with the case.
According to DRI, its Bengaluru Zonal Unit officials, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a 26-year-old male passenger of Mizoram origin upon his arrival from New Delhi at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru.
Upon examination of his baggage, approximately 8.3 kilograms of a psychotropic substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride (popularly known as Crystal Meth) having an illicit market value of Rs 8.3 crore was recovered, DRI said in a statement, adding that the quantity recovered falls within the ambit of commercial quantity under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Based on further investigation and follow-up action, two additional individuals linked to the case were identified and intercepted at separate locations in Bengaluru, and both individuals are local residents, aged approximately 25 and 29 years, DRI further said.
In total, three persons have been apprehended and arrested in connection with the case.
Further, a search conducted on the premises of one of the accused persons resulted in the recovery of approximately 200 SIM cards, around 45 debit/credit cards, and multiple mobile phones, which are suspected to have been used in the operation and facilitation of the drug trafficking network.
The seized contraband and other incriminating materials have been taken into custody under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, the DRI said, adding that, further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other persons involved in the network.
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Abhishek sets 60,000 victory margin target for Mamata, warns cadres against complacency
Kolkata (PTI): The TMC on Sunday held an organisational meeting in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s home turf Bhabanipur, where party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee set an ambitious target of ensuring her victory by more than 60,000 votes in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections.
The meeting assumes significance as Bhabanipur, long regarded as Mamata Banerjee’s political backyard, is expected to witness a high-profile contest in the upcoming election with the BJP fielding Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari against her.
Addressing a closed-door workers’ conference at Ahindra Mancha in Chetla, along with Mamata Banerjee, her nephew Abhishek told booth-level leaders and party functionaries that Bhabanipur must emerge as the top-performing constituency in Kolkata, according to TMC sources.
“Bhabanipur must come first in Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee has to win by more than 60,000 votes,” he said, warning party cadres not to be complacent despite the constituency’s reputation as a TMC stronghold.
The meeting, attended by local councillors, booth workers and organisational leaders, was part of the party’s effort to strengthen its booth-level machinery in the constituency ahead of the assembly polls.
Among those present were state TMC president Subrata Bakshi, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, south Kolkata district president Debasish Kumar and councillors from the area.
Abhishek, considered number 2 in the TMC hierarchy, reminded party workers that Bhabanipur has 287 polling booths and asked them to improve on the party’s earlier performance.
“When Mamata Banerjee contested here earlier, we won in 231 booths. This time we must cross that figure and ensure victory in at least 232 booths,” he said.
Calling on booth presidents to function as “vigilant guardians” of their respective polling areas, the TMC MP said internal differences within local committees should not affect the organisational effort.
“You may like some people in your booth committees and dislike others. But remember that Mamata Banerjee herself is fighting here. That makes our responsibility much greater,” he said.
Mamata Banerjee, who also addressed the meeting, raised concerns over recent administrative changes during the poll process and accused the Centre of interfering in the state’s functioning.
“In the last three days, 50 officers have been removed. If anything happens, Narendra Modi and Vanish Kumar will have to take responsibility,” she told workers.
The TMC supremo also referred to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and said the party would extend legal assistance to voters who face problems.
“A supplementary list will be published tomorrow. If anyone’s name is deleted or they face difficulties, we will provide legal help,” she said.
According to party sources, the revision exercise has reportedly led to the deletion of around 47,000 names from the Bhabanipur electoral rolls, a development the TMC leadership is closely monitoring.
The constituency occupies a special place in Bengal politics. Mamata Banerjee had first represented Bhabanipur in the assembly before returning to the seat in 2011 through a bypoll after becoming chief minister.
In 2021, she again contested a by-election from Bhabanipur to retain the chief minister’s post after losing the high-stakes battle in Nandigram to Adhikari.
Though the seat has largely remained a TMC bastion, recent electoral trends have made the contest more closely watched. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, TMC candidate Mala Roy secured a lead of around 6,500 votes in the Bhabanipur segment, while the BJP gained ground in several municipal wards.
Against this backdrop, party leaders said Sunday’s meeting was aimed at ensuring there is “no room for complacency” in the constituency and that the organisational network remains fully mobilised for the upcoming electoral battle.
