Autobiographical volume later released at publisher's stall in Kolkata Fair; supporters protest Before the storm over the absence of Salman Rushdie at the Jaipur Literature Festival abated, another controversy has broken out, this time at the 36th Kolkata International Book Fair. On Wednesday, the publishers of a book written by Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen were not allowed to release it as per schedule. Even as Kolkata police officers said they had received...

-Hardnews Bureau Delhi The announcement of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry for Ankit Garg, the SP of Dantewada is a reflection of the sad state of the Indian Republic as it celebrates its 63rd Republic Day. It is indeed shocking to see that a police officer who was accused of brutalising and torturing the young Adivasi teacher, Soni Sori, is being lauded by the State even after reports of perversity...

-The Indian Express   Salman Rushdie on Thursday got support from Vikram Seth, who said the controversy at the Jaipur Literature Festival was “because of power, politics and misuse of religion”. Speaking at the first Kolkata Literary Meet, organised as a part of the 36th Kolkata Book Fair, Seth said it was ironic that an event just a few days before the Republic Day went on to prove that everything it celebrates about...

-CNN-IBN Two more AMRI directors were held in hospital fire case on Friday. Kolkata police arrested Dr Moni Chhetri, the MD of the company and Dr Pranab Dasgupta, a member of the AMRI Board. Nine directors and four senior officials have been arrested so far in the case. The fire at the Kolkata-based hospital killed 93 people till January 19. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced compensation of Rs 300,000 for the...

-IANS Two officials of the AMRI hospital were arrested Monday in connection with the Dec 9 fire at the medical centre, which claimed 94 lives, and sent to police custody till Jan 30 by a court.   "Pritha Banerjee (vice president-administration) and Sajid Hussain (security in- charge) have been ordered to police custody by the Alipore court till Jan 30. They were arrested from Alipore in the morning (Monday)," hospital's counsel Salim Rahman...