FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Monday, 30 March 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE Ganga Girls – The river’s daughters EDITORIAL Redefining identity WORLD Mediators gather in Pak for talks on ending the month-long Iran war Page 7 Page 6 Page 9 Tribunal portal goes live for deleted voters, ECI opens appeal mechanism across state CM alleges fresh attack plot, counters BJP’s ‘charge sheet’ UNITED NEWS OF INDIA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The Election Commission of India following the Supreme Court’s directive to address complaints over voter deletions, has launched a dedicated tribunal system and online portal, allowing affected voters to file appeals starting Sunday. The tribunals are expected to begin functioning shortly, providing a formal mechanism for redressal to those whose names have been struck off the electoral rolls. Earlier the commission had set up tribunals across 23 districts, appointing 19 former judges and judicial officers to oversee the process. According to CEO office, the voters whose names have been removed can now seek relief either online or offline. For online applications, individuals must visit the official Election Commission website (eci.gov.in) and click on the “Submit Appeal for Individuals (Under Adjudication)” option. Page 2 hief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that attempts could be made again to physically harm her during the ongoing election campaign, while launching a sharp counterattack on the BJP leadership at a public meeting in Manbazar, Purulia. Referring to her injury during the previous Assembly election campaign, Miss Banerjee said:, “Last time during the elections, you deliberately injured my leg. Are you planning to attack me again?” She questioned recent remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and alleged that such statements hinted at a possible conspiracy. The Trinamul Congress (TMC) chairperson also hit back at criticism over her injury and the use of a bandage, saying her medical condition was genuine. “They say I roam around wearing a bandage. Kolkata, 29 March Sabalenka completes the Sunshine Double with Miami Open title Kolkata, 29 March C Go and check the doctor’s reports,” she said, accusing her political opponents of attempting to malign her image. Launching a broader political attack, Miss Banerjee described the BJP as “anti-Bengal” and questioned its intent in the state. “Why such desperation to capture Bengal?” she asked, asserting that her party would not only retain power in the state but also play a larger role at the national level. “We will unite all parties after winning Bengal and move towards Delhi,” she said. The Chief Minister also defended her government’s welfare schemes, highlighting initiatives such as Lakshmir Bhandar and Yuvashree. She told the gathering that beneficiaries would continue to receive support as long as the TMC remained in power. “If the BJP comes, they will give you money for a day and then stop it,” she alleged. On the Yuvashree scheme, she clarified that the financial assistance was not charity but a form of support for unemployed youth until they secure jobs. “It is not alms; it is like pocket money to help them survive,” she said. Targeting the BJP’s governance record, Miss Banerjee claimed that people would face restrictions on their food habits under its rule. She also accused BJP-ruled states of failing to protect women and tribal communities. “Their mindset towards women is evident from what is happening in states they govern,” she said. Responding to the BJP’s recent “charge sheet” against the TMC, presented during Mr Shah’s visit to the state, Miss Banerjee said the allegations were politically motivated. “A very big BJP leader came yesterday and presented a charge sheet against us. The charge sheet should first be filed against you,” she said, referring to Mr Shah. Page 12 Two Indian ships with LPG cargo sail safely out of Gulf region Govt may unveil more relief for vulnerable sectors STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 March Two Indian LPG carriers, BW TYR and BW ELM, carrying a combined LPG cargo of about 94,000 metric tonnes, have safely transited the Gulf region and are moving towards Indian shores. BW TYR is proceeding towards Mumbai with expected arrival on 31 March, while BW ELM is en route to New Mangalore with an expected arrival date of 1 April, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Sunday. A total of 18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region, the statement said. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian Missions, is actively monitoring the situation. All necessary measures have been instituted to ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the Gulf region. All Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours, the statement said. DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 942 Indian seafarers so far, including four in the last 24 hours, the statement added. New Delhi: The government may announce more relief packages for vulnerable segments of the economy, including the MSME sector, and keep inflation under check in the domestic market if the West Asia crisis continues for a prolonged period, news portals quoted government sources as saying. The government has announced a slew of measures, including cutting excise duty on petrol and diesel during the month and will not hesitate to announce more to shield the vulnerable sectors of the economy, the sources are reported to have said. Meanwhile, the government said that it is maintaining close oversight and implementing comprehensive measures to ensure stability in energy supplies, safeguard maritime operations, and support Indian nationals in the region.