FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY PM Modi, Kuwait Amir discuss West Asia situation: New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed the evolving security situation in West Asia and discussed efforts to restore peace and stability in the region. According to an official government release, the discussion focused on the recent escalation of tensions in West Asia and its implications for regional security. Mr Modi expressed India’s deep concern over the deteriorating situation and reaffirmed New Delhi’s support for Kuwait’s sovereignty. “Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and reaffirmed India’s strong condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the release said. | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Wednesday, 10 June 2026 India wants Pakistan held CID searches TMC office at Mamata Banerjee’s residence accountable for PoK unrest NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 9 June STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 9 June T he West Bengal CID on Tuesday evening conducted a search at the Trinamul Congress central office in Kalighat, adjacent to the residence of former chief minister and TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee following a stand-off with party leaders and security personnel. The search operation is part of the investigation into an alleged signature-forgery controversy involving party legislators. A team of CID investigators also visited the Camac Street office of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. A large CID contingent, accompanied by police personnel, Central forces and women police officers, reached the Kalighat office around noon. However, investigators were initially prevented from entering the premises and had to wait outside. Former TMC MP and party treasurer Subhasish Chakraborty, who was at the office, told CID officials that both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were in New Delhi to attend a meeting of the INDIA bloc and that he could not authorise entry into the premises without their consent. CID officials informed him that the search was being conducted as part of an ongoing investigation and was not dependent on the presence of any particular individual. The officials also showed him a notice that had been issued to Abhishek Banerjee in the case. Subhasish, however, refused to budge. The office at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street serves both as the TMC’s party office and the address associated with Mamata Banerjee’s residence. After prolonged exchanges with party leaders, the team was finally allowed to enter the premises shortly after 4 p.m. The search operation continued into the evening under heavy security deployment. The alleged signatureforgery case centres on claims that signatures of some TMC MLAs were forged on a letter sent by Abhishek Banerjee to Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose relating to the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition. The meeting at which legislators’ signatures were reportedly collected had taken place at the Kalighat office. Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee skipped summons from CID for the third time in connection with the signature forgery case. He had previously been served a notice asking him to depose before the state agency at 5 p.m. today. However, Banerjee wrote to CID headquarters Bhavani Bhavan during the day and sought more time saying he would not be able to appear as he was not in Kolkata, sources said. Coming down heavily on Islamabad over the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), India on Tuesday called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its “misdeeds and abuses”. New Delhi’s reaction came after as many as 12 people, including eight protesters and four security personnel, were reportedly killed as clashes erupted between the members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot city of Pakistanoccupied Kashmir (PoK). Addressing his weekly media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while responding to a media query, expressed grave concern over the heavy-handed crackdown by Pakistani security forces on civilians who have been protesting against economic hardship and lack of basic rights in the occupied territory. “There are reports of police brutality in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in which several people have been killed and there are several more who have been injured. We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses,” the MEA spokesperson said. The remarks come amid widespread protests in PoK, where residents have taken to the streets to demonstrate over issues including governance, economic hardship, and the allocation of reserved legislative seats. Soaring inflation, high electricity bills, and the scarcity of essential commodities are some of the other issues over which the protesters are demonstrating. Local media reports have suggested that the Pakistani administration has deployed paramilitary forces to quell the dissent, leading to violent clashes and casualties. • Another report: Page 9