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 | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Monday, 05 January 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE Somnath: 1,000 years of unbroken faith NATION EDITORIAL It’s raining cash and freebies in poll-bound Tamil Nadu Page 4 Root, Brook steady England at SCG Urban Disconnect Page 7 Page 12 Page 6 India expresses ‘deep concern’ over developments in Venezuela CM Mamata flags ‘harassment’ in SIR process in third letter to CEC STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again raised serious objections to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, alleging that the process, undertaken without adequate preparation, is causing widespread harassment to ordinary voters. In a strongly worded four-page letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the Chief Minister has detailed what she described as “grave and avoidable difficulties” being faced by the public. This is the third time she has written to the CEC on the issue. Expressing clear dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of India’s functioning, Miss Banerjee questioned why political parties’ Booth Level Agents (BLAs), who were actively involved from the very beginning of the SIR exercise, are now being excluded during the crucial hearing phase. New Delhi, 4 January I n its first reaction to the US action in Venezuela, India on Sunday expressed deep concern over the developments in the South American nation and called for addressing issues through dialogue and ensuring peace in the region. US forces captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in an audacious raid in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, and flew them to New York, where US authorities say they will stand trial for narco-terrorism. In a cautious response to these events, the Ministry of External Affairs said: “Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation.’’ New Delhi said India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. Maduro brought to New York, being grilled by US authorities; VP Rodriguez to take over in Caracas New York: A day after capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and spiriting him out of his country, US authorities on Sunday began grilling him at a detention centre in New York. A handcuffed Mr Maduro was seen in a video, released by the USA, doing a “perp-walk” as he was led into custody. US media later said he was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in New York City where he was being questioned on drug-trafficking charges. Mr Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were earlier brought to New York by aircraft following their capture in an audacious midnight raid. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, meanwhile, was directed by her country’s Supreme Court to take over as acting President. She demanded the “immediate release” of the Maduros at a session of the National Defense Council broadcast on national television. The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on the developments on Monday, even as world leaders appeared divided on the US action. “We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region,’’ it added. The MEA said the Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance. India avoided any comment on Saturday and merely issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of recent developments there. It also asked all Indians who are currently in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Indian embassy in Caracas through their email id: cons. caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288. Official sources said India is still assessing all facts relating to the security situation in Venezuela arising from the pre-dawn US airstrikes and capture of the Venezuelan head of state and his wife. It is learnt that India is weighing its options against the backdrop of the strain in its ties with the USA and its consistent support for a rulesbased global order, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country. • Related reports: Pgs 5, 9 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 4 January She pointed out that BLAs from various political parties worked tirelessly alongside Booth Level Officers (BLOs), assisting voters with enumeration forms and facilitating the revision process on the Commission’s behalf. However, during hearings, BLAs are reportedly being denied entry to hearing centres, a move she termed unjustified and arbitrary. The CM also highlighted the severe hardship being faced by elderly and ailing voters. According to her letter, senior citizens, including individuals aged 79 and even 104 years, are being compelled to travel long distances to hearing centres to produce documents to establish their citizenship. She described this as inhumane and unnecessary, especially for people with health issues and limited mobility. Miss Banerjee noted that despite writing twice earlier ~ in November and December ~ drawing the Commission’s attention to these problems, she received no response. The lack of communication, she said, has only added to public anxiety. The Chief Minister urged the Election Commission to immediately review its procedures to ensure trans parency, fairness and humane treatment of voters.