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Bengal Govt reconstitutes Police Complaints Authority to address misconduct

West Bengal reconstitutes Police Complaints Authority to address serious police misconduct. Retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy appointed as the head of the authority. Recommendations by the authority will be binding on the state government, with exceptions documented in the annual report.

The West Bengal government has reconstituted the state-level Police Complaints Authority to investigate allegations of serious misconduct against police personnel, including custodial deaths, grievous hurt, and r**e, an official announced on Thursday.

Retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy will lead the authority. The panel will also include the home secretary, director general and inspector general of police, and the Kolkata police commissioner. This reconstitution was formalized in a notification issued on Wednesday.

According to the notification, "The authority will only take cognizance of and inquire into allegations of serious misconduct by police personnel, including custodial deaths, grievous hurt, or r**e."

The authority will work in consultation with the West Bengal Human Rights Commission to develop its operational procedures. It will submit recommendations to the state government, which will generally be binding. If the state government cannot accept any recommendation, the reasons will be documented in writing and included in the annual report. Members of the authority will serve a term of three years.

Mamata Banerjee names award-winning filmmaker Goutam Ghose as chairman of the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival.

The 30th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) will begin on December 4 and will run till December 11. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement.

The 30th Kolkata International Film Festival will begin in December this year. Mamata Banerjee said that the film festival will be held in Kolkata from 4-11 December 2024. The 30th edition will be organised by the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs of the Government of West Bengal.

This film festival is held every year by the Government of West Bengal. 'KIFF' was established in the year 1995. Different types of films including feature, documentary and short films are screened in this film festival.

Acclaimed filmmaker Gautam Ghosh has been appointed as the President of 'KIFF' and Bengali film icon Prosenjit Chatterjee as the Vice President. While making the announcement, the CM of West Bengal said that like the past several years, the best work of the world and Indian cinema will be showcased during the festival.

On the occasion of the 44th death anniversary of Bengali matinee idol Uttam Kumar, Mamata Banerjee said that he is a symbol of the culture and heritage of West Bengal and that his legacy will continue. Recalling West Bengal's contribution to the field of art and culture, Banerjee said that 'KIFF' has become the most special destination for cine lovers due to its diversity.

Goutam Ghosh and Prosenjit Chatterjee will form a separate committee of experts to organise this year's festival grandly and showcase the best films. During this, Mamata recalled Uttam Kumar's films and said how her mother used to take her to show Uttam Kumar's films.

"Uttam Kumar's playback songs in films are immortal. He is not different from the heritage of West Bengal. He has taught us that we should never forget our identity and roots," said Mamata Banerjee. She also presented a special award to Prosenjit Chatterjee for his contribution to the Bengali film industry for four decades.