In a landmark ruling, the Calcutta high court on Friday held the Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act 2011 “unconstitutional and void” for lacking the critical element of presidential assent.

Armed CPI(M) cadres allegedly opened fire on defenceless villagers, killing eight, including at least two women, and injuring 17 near Lalgarh in West Midnapore on Friday, pushing the Left Front government onto the backfoot ahead of crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal. Six of the victims have been identified as Sourav Gharui, Shambhunath Ghorui, Dhiren Sen, Kabul Patra, Phulkumari Maity and Dhruba Goswami.