LIVE!Ayodhya: 'Some forces may try to create fissures'

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Wed, 30 October 2019

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23:13 'Some forces' may try to create fissures: Pawar on Ayodhya

As the Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute case next month, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said "some forces" may try to take advantage of the situation and create fissure among communities.

He made a pitch for ensuring peace among all sections of the society.

Pawar made the remarks at the meeting of the NCP MLAs, who re-elected the party's lawmaker from Baramati, Ajit Pawar, as their legislature party leader.

Referring to the decades-old land title dispute case, Pawar said the Ram Janmabhoomi is a matter of faith for a big section of the people in the country.

On the other hand, there is a different sentiment among the minorities given the background of riots that followed Babri mosque demolition in 1992, he noted.

"I can see the sentiment among the minorities now is that they will accept whatever verdict the judiciary will give...There is a need to take steps to ensure peace in the society, whatever will be the verdict," Pawar said.

"Some forces may try to take advantage of the situation by creating fissure among communities. We cannot rule out possibility that this will have repercussion on the social unity," he said as he made a pitch for ensuring peace

and fraternity among all sections of the society.

The former Union minister, however, did not name the "forces".

In the land dispute case of Ayodhya, the top court had reserved its judgment on October 16. -- PTI

A day before the creation of the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Centre on Wednesday made senior IAS officer Umang Narula advisor to the newly-appointed Lt Governor of the Himalayan region and an Inspector General of Police "head of police".

Narula, a 1989-batch IAS officer, was appointed as advisor of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh with immediate effect, according to an order issued this evening.

He is, at present, posted as principal secretary to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malilk, who has since been transferred to Goa.

S S Khandare, a 1995-batch IPS officer, has been appointed "Head of Police" of the Union Territory of Ladakh with effect from October 31, when the new Union territory will come into existence, as per another order.

An oath taking ceremony will be held on Thursday in Leh where R K Mathur will be sworn in as the first Lt Governor of Ladakh. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met his nonagenarian mother Hiraba in Raysan village near Gandhinagar after his arrival at Ahmedabad airport.

The prime minister will be participating in various events on October 31 at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Gujarat to mark the 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The PM was greeted at the airport on Wednesday night by Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other dignitaries.

On way to Raj Bhavan, Modi went to Raysan to meet Hiraba, who lives with the PM's younger brother Pankaj Modi.

The PM spent around 20 minutes with his mother before heading towards Raj Bhavan, where he would be halting for a night.

On Thursday, Modi is scheduled to visit the 'Statue of Unity' at Kevadiya.

His other programmes include participating in the 'Ekta Diwas Parade' and interacting with civil service probationers. -- PTI

Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday said that cross border stubble burning and "abysmal" environmental conditions in India are increasing level of

pollution in Lahore.

Chaudhry tweeted that the Minister of Climate Change informed the Cabinet that pollution in Lahore is caused by cross border field fires.

"Min of Climate Change informed the Cabinet that Pollution in Lahore is caused by cross border field fires and abysmal environmental conditions in India level of pollution at Wagha is double than Lahore city, #Modi Govt is failing is every aspect irresponsible Govts are a curse," he tweeted.

The provincial Punjab Home Department in Pakistan has imposed a ban on the burning of crop residue, solid municipal waste, plastic and leather items for a period of three months across the province to check pollution. -- PTI

Former finance minister P Chidambaram, who was on Wednesday sent to judicial custody till November 13, took a jibe at the BJP government over EU parliamentarians' visit to Jammu and Kashmir, saying they may be invited to the parliament and speak in favour of the government.

"Who knows, it may happen," Chidambaram said as he came out of the crowded courtroom.

Twenty-three members of the European Parliament visited Jammu and Kashmir on a two-day trip to assess the situation in the Valley after the abrogation of Article 370.

This is the third time that the veteran Congress leader has taken a dig at the government.

Earlier, he had mocked the government on the issue of GDP and said, "Five percent. Do you know what is five percent?"

On October 24, Chidambaram had said, "Quiet patriotism will defeat muscular nationalism". -- PTI

21:02 Delhi remains shrouded in toxic haze

Delhi remained blanketed by a thick haze on Wednesday with its air quality dropping further, largely due to the heavy load of smoke from stubble burning in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab, according to government agencies.

Weather experts said the problem aggravated due to unfavourable wind speed that lead to accumulation of pollutants. A relief is likely on the weekend, they said.

The city's pollution levels peaked at 2 am, touching the 423 mark. The overall air quality index (AQI) oscillated between 410 and 420 during the day, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

Twenty-seven of the 37 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi recorded the AQI in the "severe" category. Anand Vihar was the most polluted area in the capital with an AQI of 464 and Wazirpur following with an AQI of 462.

NSIT, Dwarka, was the least polluted with an AQI of 355.

Pollution levels in the satellite towns of Ghaziabad (478), Greater Noida (440), and Noida (451) were equally worse.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe. Above 500 is severe-plus emergency category.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor SAFAR, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution has risen to 35 per cent, the season's highest, and the hazardous haze shrouding the city on Wednesday can be "purely" attributed to it.

Extremely calm surface winds on Tuesday night aggravated the problem, it said.

Northwesterly winds, which are favourable for plume transport, will continue to blow in the region for another two days, it predicted.

A marginal improvement in the air quality is predicted on Thursday due to an expected increase in wind speed which will help disperse pollutants faster.

On Thursday, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution is predicted to be 27 per cent. It was 25 per cent on Tuesday. -- PTI

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday met Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence in Lucknow.

The chief minister reached Yadav's residence at Vikramaditya Marg in the morning and extended Diwali greetings to him, a senior government official said.

During the meeting, Mulayam Yadav's brother and Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) founder Shivpal Singh Yadav was also present.

The official said it was a "courtesy meeting" to extend Diwali greetings.

Adityanath had also met the 79-year-old former UP chief minister in June this year to enquire about his health.

After meeting SP patriarch, Adityanath also met former Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh and conveyed to him Deepawali greetings.

On this occasion, Kalyan Singh's son Rajveer Singh too was present. -- PTI

Hitting back at Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav after he alleged that "liquor mafia" roam in Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's residence, Janata Dal-United leader R C P Singh said the former deputy chief minister spends much of his time outside because of prohibition in the state.

Singh, a close aide of Kumar and the party's leader in the Rajya Sabha, lashed out at Yadav over his tweet targeting the chief minister.

"You should find out where he (Yadav) stays most of the time. Since there is prohibition in Bihar, that is why remains outside. The liquor mafia stays around him all the time," he told reporters after he was asked

about the young RJD leader's tweet.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's younger son had tweeted, "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close aides consume liquor in violation of the prohibition law. Liquor mafia roam freely in his official residence. Now

let the Bihar police arrest me on this account".

His remarks came after the arrest of an RJD leader for putting up an "objectionable and derogatory" social media post about Kumar on the issue of prohibition. -- PTI

In an apparent softening of stand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said it is necessary for the party to stay in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance in the larger interest of Maharashtra, but without compromising on "respect".

He said there was no hurry to form the next government and rejected speculation that the Shiv Sena may split if there was a delay in formation of the new Council of Ministers.

Talking to reporters, Raut said it is necessary for the Sena to remain in the saffron alliance in the interest of the state, but added that "respect" is also important. -- PTI

With the Shiv Sena still playing hardball on sharing power in Maharashtra, a Bharatiya Janata Party minister on Wednesday recited the opening lines of a popular Hindi film song to highlight the "strange bond" between the two parties.

Finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said the 'Mahayuti' (grand alliance) of BJP, Sena and other parties will form the next government in the state.

"Tere mere beech mein, kaisa hai yeh bandhan anjaana, maine nahi jaana, tune nahi jaana (What kind of strange bond is this between us, I don't know about it, you don't know about it)," Mungantiwar said, reciting the opening lines of a song from the 1981 Hindi romantic tragedy Ek Duuje Ke Liye.

"People across the state have voted for development and progress. We need to understand this mandate given by the people," he said. Come what may, the Mahayuti of BJP, Sena and other parties will form the next government in the state, he added.

The Sena has been unrelenting so far on its demand for rotation of the CM's post between the two allies.

BJP MLAs met to elect Devendra Fadnavis as their leader, a formality before he is sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time.

"There should be no speculation. We had said the government will be formed by the Mahayuti," Fadnavis said after the election. -- PTI

The impending Supreme Court decision on the Ayodhya case should be accepted wholeheartedly by everyone, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said on Wednesday, stating that it is everybody's responsibility to ensure that harmony is maintained in the country whatever be the judgement.

In its tweets, the Hindutva organisation said the issue arising out of the Supreme Court verdict, which is expected before November 17 when the Chief Justice retires, is being discussed in the two-day meeting of its senior functionaries in the national capital.

This meeting was earlier scheduled to be held with a conclave, between October 30-November 5, of RSS 'pracharaks' in Haridwar.

Though the pracharaks' meeting has been adjourned, the meeting of its senior functionaries has been shifted to Delhi, it added.

"The Supreme Court decision on the issue of temple construction on the birthplace of Shri Ram is expected in the coming days. Whatever be the verdict, everyone should accept it wholeheartedly. It is everybody's responsibility to ensure that social harmony is maintained across the country. The meeting is also discussing the issue," the RSS publicity head Arun Kumar said. -- PTI

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner and Maharashtra Director General of Police Datta Padsalgikar has been appointed as deputy National Security Advisor.

The 1982-batch IPS officer had earlier served in the Intelligence Bureau for 26 years before he was picked as the Mumbai Police Commissioner in 2016.

He retired as the DGP in 2018.

He had worked with current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his stint in the IB.

Padsalgikar told PTI that he would take the new charge soon.

His colleagues in Maharashtra Police hail the role played by Padsalgikar in nailing Pakistan's involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

A total of 166 people were killed in the 'fidayen' strikes launched by ten terrorists at various places in the financial capital of the country.

Padsalgikar had procured the VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) cell phone communications from the United States between the terrorists and their handlers based in Pakistan, officials recalled.

He also worked behind the curtains in the Ajmal Kasab case.

The Pakistani terrorist, who was captured alive during the Mumbai mayhem, was hanged after a court trial.

Former colleagues of Padsalgikar, who hails from Solapur, recalled that his simplicity stands him out besides other qualities like conviction and erudition.

The Bharatiya Janata Party ally Janata Dal-United, which had refused to join the Modi government in June, on Wednesday pushed for a "proportionate representation" for the party in the Union Cabinet, saying if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP president Amit Shah takes an initiative to this effect, it will welcome the move.

Shortly after Nitish Kumar addressed his party's national council following his reelection as party president for a fresh three-year term, the JD-U reminded the BJP that the Bihar chief minister has given the saffron party a proportionate representation in the state government.

Briefing reporters on Kumar's speech and other issues, JD-U general secretary K C Tyagi noted that the mandate of the 2015 Bihar assembly poll was "against" the BJP but Kumar conceded to it the post of deputy chief minister besides sharing ministerial berths.

The assertive stand of the JD-U, which had not joined the Modi government as it was offered only one berth, comes at a time when another BJP ally Shiv Sena is demanding equal division of power in Maharashtra after its bigger partner's below-par performance in the recent assembly poll.

"If NDA leaders Modi and Shah take an initiative for the JD-U's proportionate representation in the government, we will welcome it," Tyagi said, noting that his party is the biggest NDA constituent in Bihar.

An adequate representation of JD-U will make Bihar more representative in the Union government, he said, adding that it will be socially more broadbased and cohesive.

The BJP had offered one berth to each of its ally following its landslide win in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The JD-U had sought at least three ministerial berths. -- PTI

18:38 Rahul on 'meditational visit' abroad: Congress

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a "meditational visit" abroad and is likely to return shortly, party sources said on Wednesday.

Responding to speculation on the former Congress president's absence, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Gandhi was away at one of his regular "meditational visits".

Sources in the party added that Gandhi is possibly in Indonesia for a meditation session and will be back home soon.

"Shri Rahul Gandhi has gone from time to time in the past on meditational visits. He is currently on one such visit," Surjewala said when asked about the former Congress president.

Surjewala said the party's 10-day agitation was formalised at a meeting in which Rahul Gandhi participated in, but neither he nor Sonia Gandhi would be participating in the state and district level programmes.

The Congress has planned a country-wide agitation from November 5 to 15 to highlight the issues of economic slowdown, farm distress, rising unemployment and job losses and the consequences of the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) trade agreement. -- PTI

Former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar was on Wednesday elected Nationalist Congress Party's state legislature party leader in Mumbai.

The newly-elected legislators of the NCP elected him unanimously, state party unit chief Jayant Patil said.

Ajit Pawar thanked the party legislators and assured them that he will be aggressive on issues like unemployment and agrarian crisis.

The NCP has won 54 seats in the October 21 Assembly elections. Its ally Congress got 44 seats.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar was present at the meeting.

Also present was Dhananjay Munde, leader of opposition in the legislative Council, who shocked the BJP by defeating rural development minister Pankaja Munde from Parli assembly seat. -- PTI

The BCCI has asked manufacturer SG to deliver 72 pink balls by next week for India's first-ever day night Test, to be held at the Eden Gardens from November 22.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has already confirmed that SG pink balls will be used for the landmark game, leaving the manufacturer with very little room for error.

Producing a ball fit for a Test match under lights is a big challenge for SG as its pink ball is yet to be tested in a competitive game. The Duleep Trophy was played with Kookaburra pink balls for three seasons and not SG before the BCCI switched back to red ball this year.

"The BCCI has ordered six dozen pink balls and we will deliver them by middle of next week. As you have seen in the South Africa series, we made significant improvements with our red 'SG Test' and we have the same level of research and development for pink ball," company's sales and marketing director, Paras Anand, told PTI on Wednesday.

SG had faced strong criticism from some Indian players in the previous home season with India skipper Virat Kohli saying that the red ball got scuffed up way too early in comparison to the Dukes used in England and Kookaburra in Australia.

Kohli acknowledged the improvements made on the ball this season but wants it last to at least 60 overs.

Considering the bowlers have faced issues with the red 'SG Test', it remains to be seen how the company steps up to the pink ball challenge. -- PTI

17:58 Cow smuggling case against Pehlu Khan quashed

The Rajasthan high court on Wednesday quashed a case against Pehlu Khan, who was lynched by cow vigilantes in April 2017, his two sons and a truck driver for allegedly illegally transporting cows for slaughter.

A single bench of Justice Pankaj Bhandari quashed the case under Rajasthan Bovine Animals Protection Act and and the charge sheet against the four, saying there is no evidence to show that the cows were being transported for the purpose of slaughtering.

The petition was filed by the truck driver, Khan Mohammed, and the two sons of Pehlu Khan.

It was contended by Advocate Kapil Gupta, appearing for the accused, that the criminal case was a sheer misuse and abuse of the process of law since there was no evidence that the cows were being transported for illegal purposes.

Gupta contended that the report of medical experts established the fact they were milch cows and calves were only a month old.

There was also a receipt from the local animal selling market that the cows were in fact purchased for rearing them in dairy, the lawyer submitted.

Pehlu Khan (55), his two sons and a few others were transporting cows when they were allegedly stopped and thrashed by a mob near Behror in Alwar district on April 1, 2017.

Khan died in hospital on April 3, triggering outrage over the murder and focusing attention on attacks by cow vigilantes. -- PTI

17:11 MP govt introduces eggs in mid-day meal

In a bid to end malnutrition in the state, Madhya Pradesh government has decided to introduce eggs in the midday meal offered to children in the Anganwadis starting next month.

"This is our new scheme. Eggs will be provided to children in the midday meal offered to children in the Anganwadis from November. All we care about is ending malnutrition and ensuring that our children are taken care of," state Women and Child Development Minister Imarti Devi told ANI on Wednesday.

She said that a similar scheme was also prepared during the tenure of previous government "but they did not implement it."

"We have taken several initiatives and introduced various schemes for the welfare of children in the state, be it 313 Anganwadis, eggs in mid-day meal or the new bus service to take care of children when their parents go to work," she said.

Commenting on opposition parties criticizing the scheme, Devi said: "We don't care about the opposition to this scheme. All we care about is that the children get the nutrition they need."

BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma, on the other hand, raised questions about the arrangements made for vegetarian children."There is no question of objecting to any scheme of the state government. All we are saying is that vegetarian children also come to these Anganwadis and that separate arrangement should be made for them as well," he said.Sharma also slammed the Congress saying that it is the Chief Minister Kamal Nath-led state government that is "malnutritioned". -- PTI

BJP ally JD(U), which had refused to join the Modi government in June, on Wednesday pushed for a "proportionate representation" for the party in the Union Cabinet, saying if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP president Amit Shah takes an initiative to this effect, it will welcome the move. Shortly after Nitish Kumar addressed his party's national council following his reelection as party president for a fresh three-year term, the JD(U) reminded the BJP that the Bihar chief minister has given the saffron party a proportionate representation in the state government.

A Delhi court on Wednesday sent former finance minister P Chidambaram to judicial custody till November 13 in the INX Media money laundering case. Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar dismissed the plea of the Enforcement Directorate for one day custodial interrogation of Chidambaram.

The court directed Tihar authorities to provide Chidambaram with medicines, western toilet, security and separate cell. It also said the senior Congress leader may be allowed to have home-cooked food considering his medical condition. Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI on August 21 in the INX Media corruption case and is currently in the ED custody in a related money laundering matter.

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister. Thereafter, the ED lodged a money-laundering case in this regard in 2017. The ED had taken him in to custody on October 16 this year. PTI

16:04 Pak violates ceasefire again

Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan violated ceasefire in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri today at 1515 hours by resorting to firing of small arms and shelling with mortars. Indian Army is retaliating.

15:27 Maharashtra will have BJP-Sena govt: Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis is set to be the chief minister of Maharashtra for the second term. Fadnavis was elected as the leader of the Maharashtra BJP legislative party today.

Crediting the Shiv Sena chief Uddav Thackeray for the alliance's win in the Maharashtra state polls, he conceded that there were differences with the ally but it would be sorted out soon.

"This mandate is surely for 'mahayuti' (BJP-Shiv Sena alliance) as we sought votes for the 'mahayuti'. People also voted for it. So there should be not doubt. It will be a 'mahayuti' govt," he said.

The Sena has refused to budge on its demands for a "50:50" formula of rotational chief ministership in Maharashtra, which it said had been discussed with the BJP earlier this year.

Fadnavis, 49, has earlier said he would be Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a full term and no plan to split the five-year term was agreed upon with the Sena, which is demanding an equal share of power after state polls.

15:13

Nitish Kumar has been elected as the leader of the JD(U) legislative party.

14:57

Devendra Fadnavis elected as the leader of Maharashtra BJP legislative party.

14:34 Murshidabad labourer shot in Kashmir recovering

Update: The labourer injured in the terror attack in south Kashmir's Kulgam district in which five persons were killed is recovering from his injuries at a hospital here, police said on Wednesday. A police official had earlier said that the labourer had succumbed to his injuries. Five migrant labourers from West Bengal were shot dead by terrorists in Kulgam district on Tuesday. -- PTI

Former Union minister P Chidambaram moved the Delhi High Court on Wednesday seeking interim bail in the INX Media money-laundering case on health grounds.

The application was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who sought urgent listing of the matter. The bench listed the matter before the appropriate court on Thursday.

The plea for interim relief has been moved by Chidambaram in his main bail application in the INX Media money-laundering case. Chidambaram will be produced before a trial court on Wednesday on the expiry of his Enforcement Directorate custody in the case. -- PTI

Another update on the EU delegation in Srinagar:

The European Union parliamentary delegation on Wednesday said "terrorism" might be a cause behind unrest in the valley. Speaking to ANI, the members, who were part of the delegation visiting Jammu and Kashmir to assess the ground situation in the region following the Centre's decision to strip the region of its special status under Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, also expressed hope that Indian government will take measures to resolve the issues in the region.

British Brexit Party politician Nathan Gill said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir support Central government's decision of abrogation of Article 370.

"I have an amazing experience in Kashmir. We had an opportunity yesterday to talk with a few people in Kashmir. I think the general feeling in Kashmir was that it is a right move for Kashmir. The people want to get on with their lives. They want to be able to trade make a living," he said.

MEP James Heappey extended his support to the Indian government and said, "I think the reality is that things are complicated on the ground. It is indicated from the amount of security that was needed for us that there are still issues on the ground," the Burnham-On-Sea MP said.

"I think we are supportive of what the Indian government is doing to bring peace because that is what everybody wants," he added.

Thierry Mariani said that the trip was short but interesting. The Euro-MP for France's National Rally said that the problem of Kashmir is terrorism."The problem of Kashmir is terrorism. It is a marvelous place in India. It has everything to grow. Maybe it's a statute, maybe its terrorists or maybe it's both... I think. All of that makes the situation completely frozen," Mariani said. --ANI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal boarded public buses on Wednesday to get feedback from women passengers about his government's free-ride scheme.

According to official figures released by the Delhi Transport Corporation on Wednesday, over 4.77 lakh women availed pink tickets for free ride on the first day of the scheme on Tuesday.

"I boarded a few buses just now to get direct feedback from women. In addition to students, working women, women going for shopping, I also met a few who have to visit doc (doctor) regularly. They are also v (very) happy," Kejriwal said, in response to a tweet.

In another tweet, the chief minister said the presence of bus marshals deployed by the Aam Aadmi Party government was creating a sense of safety among women passengers and "fear amongst eve-teasers."

There are around 5,600 DTC and cluster buses where women can avail free-ride under the scheme through a pink ticket having face value of Rs 10 each.

The government has set aside Rs 140 crore to implement the scheme. A DTC official said the number of ticketed passengers on Tuesday was 13.65 lakh, of which 4.77 lakh pink tickets were issued to women passengers, who comprise 34.94 per cent of the total ridership. The highest number of pink tickets -- 1.33 lakh -- were issued in the north zone of DTC, while the lowest number of pink tickets -- 1.03 lakh -- were issued in the east zone.

Launching the scheme on Tuesday on the occasion of 'Bhai Dooj', Kejriwal had hailed the move as "historic", saying it would increase women's role in Delhi's economy besides empowering them. -- PTI

13:44 Markets stay positive, Sensex crosses 40K mark

Sensex crosses 40,000 mark; currently at 40,169 up by 337 points.

Yesterday, the equity barometers closed nearly 1.5 per cent higher on Tuesday as full-day trading in the traditional Hindu accounting year Vikram Samvat 2076 began on a positive note after an extended weekend on account of Diwali.

The spurt followed positive global sentiment on hopes of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and progress in the on-going US-China trade talks. Besides, some reports suggested that the government is planning a series of tax alignments for equities in coming weeks in a bid to further boost investor sentiment.

The labourer who was critically injured in the terror attack in south Kashmir's Kulgam district has succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll in the incident to six, the police said on Wednesday.

Five migrant labourers from West Bengal were shot dead by terrorists in Kulgam district on Tuesday. A labourer was critically injured in the incident and later succumbed to injuries, police said.

All the victims hailed from Murshidabad district of West Bengal, the police said. The attack happened at a time when a delegation of parliamentarians from the European Union is in Kashmir to talk to locals and ask them about their experience after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. PTI

Image: Families of the labourers killed in Kashmir

12:57 Rahul goes abroad ahead of Cong protests

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday left for foreign shores, days ahead of his party's planned protests against the Central government on the economic slowdown in the country.

According to sources, the Congress leader's visit is scheduled for a week and he will come back to India in the first week of November and will join the protest then.

The Congress will hold 35 press conferences between November 1 and 8, and will also hold protests from November 5 to 15 to highlight the country's current economic situation. Senior party leaders will address these press conferences from November 5 to 15 from district to state level and a major show has been planned in Delhi where other opposition parties have also been invited.

All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal in a statement, on October 23, had said that protests would be organised in districts and state capitals, which would be culminating in a massive programme in the national capital.

"It may be recalled that the decision in this regard was taken at the meeting headed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi with senior leaders, party office bearers and Incharges, Congress CMs and PCC presidents and CLP leaders on 12/13 September, but the earlier schedule of the programme slated between October 15 to October 25 had to be postponed because of the just-concluded assembly elections," read the statement. -- ANI

Update on the EU MPs in Kashmir:

Terming Article 370 an internal issue of India, EU parliamentarians visiting Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday said they stand by the country in its fight against global terrorism.

Addressing a press conference on the last day of their two-day visit to the Valley, the group of 23 members of European Parliament also condemned the killing of five labourers from West Bengal by terrorists on Tuesday.

"If we talk about Article 370 it is India's internal matter. What concerns us is terrorism which is a global menace and we should stand with India in fighting it. There was an unfortunate incident of killing of five innocent labourers by terrorists. We condemn it," said Henri Malosse from France.

He said the team got a briefing from the army and police as well as young activists and exchanged "ideas of peace". Newton Dunn from the UK described the visit, aimed at getting a first-hand assessment of the situation after the revocation of the state's special status under Article 370, as an "eye-opener".

"We belong to a place Europe which is peaceful after years of fighting. And we want to see India becoming the most peaceful country in the world. And for that we need to stand by India in its fight against global terrorism. This visit has been an eye opener and we would definitely advocate what we have seen on ground zero," he told reporters. The delegation is the first high-level foreign visit to Kashmir after the August 5 decision of the Centre to revoke the state's special status and bifurcate it into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Wednesday is the last day of Jammu and Kashmir as a state.

According to MEP from Poland Ryszard Czarnecki, "The international media coverage seems biased". "Once we go back to our countries we will inform them of what we saw," he said. -- PTI

Security has been heightened in Kashmir following the terror attack in Kulgam district that left five labourers from West Bengal dead, even as a complete shutdown disrupted normal life across the valley on Wednesday, officials said.

The terror attack came at a time when a delegation of parliamentarians from the European Union is in Kashmir to talk to locals and ask them about their experience after abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. Five migrant labourers in Kulgam district of south Kashmir were shot dead by terrorists on Tuesday night. Another labourer was injured and has been shifted to a hospital in Srinagar.

Clashes also broke out at several places in Kashmir on Tuesday, leaving several persons injured. Official said security personnel along with a flying squad have been deployed in several areas of the city and across the valley, especially in South Kashmir.

11:54 Allow oppn politicians into Kashmir: EU MP

The group of 23 European Union MPs who are in Jammu and Kashmir will "fully support India in its efforts for lasting peace and end of terror", one of the visiting leaders said this morning as they addressed select members of the media, which excludes local Kashmiri news outlets. The international delegation had meetings with army officials and were taken on a shikara ride on the Dal Lake on Tuesday as they visited Jammu and Kashmir under heavy security and a shutdown in parts of the state.. This is the first time an international team has been allowed in Jammu and Kashmir since the government ended its special status and split it into two union territories in August. The opposition has questioned how foreign MPs have been allowed in the state when politicians in India have been denied the opportunity.

Nicolaus Fest, one of the EU MPs in Srinagar said, "I think if you let in European Union parliamentarians, you should also let in opposition politicians from India. So there is some kind of disbalance, the government should somehow address it."

Senior bureaucrat Atanu Chakraborty has been appointed as the Department of Expenditure secretary on Wednesday, replacing G C Murmu who was named as the first Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor last week.

Chakraborty, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, is currently the Department of Economic Affairs secretary, an order issued by the personnel ministry said.

The competent authority has approved the assignment of additional charge of the post of secretary, Department of Expenditure, to Chakraborty with immediate effect.

Murmu, also a 1985-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, was appointed as the Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor on Friday. Murmu, who hails from Odisha, was the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure as the Gujarat chief minister. PTI

11:08 Shilpa Shetty's husband at ED office

Businessman and actor Shilpa Shetty's husband, Raj Kundra, arrives at the Enforcement Directorate office for joining an investigation in connection with underworld don Iqbal Mirchi.

11:07 Pak opens fire along LoC, civilian killed

A civilian was killed and five others were injured as Pakistani troops opened fire along the Line of Control in Machhil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday. The Indian Army gave a befitting response to the Pakistani aggression that started on Tuesday night, they said. Officials said the injured have been admitted to a hospital. - PTI

10:58 Independent MLA extends support to BJP in Maha

Independent MLA from Chandrapur Assembly Constituency Kishor Jorgewar met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and extended his support to the BJP, today.

All schools and colleges in six districts across the state will remain closed on Wednesday owning to heavy rainfall in the region. According to the state government, schools and colleges in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Theni, Virudhunagar, Vellore and Ramanathapuram will remain shut today. All schools in Madurai district will also remain closed today following heavy rains.

"All education institutes will remain closed in the Ramanathapuram district following heavy rains lashing across the district," said Veeraragavarav, District Collector, Ramanathapuram.According to the Indian Meteorological Department, heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu.Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning very likely at isolated places over Tamil Nadu has also been predicted by the weather agency. -- ANI

The rupee depreciated by 11 paise to 70.95 against the US dollar in morning trade on Wednesday, as investors were cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Besides, a strengthening greenback against other overseas currencies also kept investors on the edge, forex dealers said.

However, a positive opening in domestic equity market and easing crude oil prices supported the rupee and restricted the fall, they added. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened weak at 70.92, then fell further to 70.95 against the American currency, down 11 paise over its previous closing price. On Tuesday, the rupee had settled at 70.84 against the US dollar. -- PTI

10:02 All help to workers killed in Kashmir: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that all help will be extended to the families of the five workers from Murshidabad district who were killed in terror attacks in Kashmir.

Describing the killings as brutal, Banerjee expressed her shock and grief over the incident.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened at the brutal killings in Kashmir. Five workers from Murshidabad lost their lives. Words will not take away the grief of the families of the deceased," Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle. "All help will be extended to the families in this tragic situation," she added.

Five labourers, hailing from West Bengals Murshidabad district, were killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Tuesday. -- PTI

The Maharashtra BJP Legislature Party will meet in Mumbai on Wednesday to elect its new leader. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to be elected as the leader of the BJP legislature party, amid demand by ally Shiv Sena for the top post on rotational basis.

Fadnavis, who is currently the leader of the House, asserted on Tuesday that he will be the chief minister for another five years. He also said that BJP president Amit Shah will not attend the meeting of the newly-elected BJP MLAs to pick the legislature party leader.

The BJP on Tuesday named Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and party's vice president Avinash Rai Khanna as central observers for the Maharashtra legislature party meeting. Amid bickering between his party and the Shiv Sena over sharing of power in the next Maharashtra government, senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil on Tuesday said Amit Shah and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will finalise the contours of the "50:50 formula".

Patil, however, distanced himself from the seat- sharing agreement that Thackeray has been talking about. "That formula was proposed ahead of the Lok Sabha elections (held earlier this year) and I am not aware of it," said Patil, who became the state BJP president after the parliamentary poll results. -- PTI

The air quality in New Delhi continues to deteriorate and slip into the 'severe' category in several places across the city.

A layer of haze lingered over the national capital earlier this morning.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi docked at 392 in 'very poor' category, according to the Center-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

The overall air quality of Delhi has improved as level of 24 hour averaged value of lead pollutant (PM2.5) recorded below 250 ug/m3 in the wee hours of Wednesday, that is defined as 'very poor', as forecast by SAFAR.

The levels of PM 2.5 reached 393 and 598, respectively in the Delhi University area and Chandani Chowk in 'very poor' and 'severe' category.

Major pollutants PM 2.5 reached at 500 in the 'severe' category and PM 10 at 379, 'very poor' category, in Lodhi Road area, according to the AQI data.Polluting levels in several parts of Delhi including Anand Vihar (463), ITO (410) and Ashok Vihar (454) slipped into the 'severe' category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

According to the agency, the overall pollution level during Diwali period of the current year was found to be better than the past three years.

Boundary layer wind speed helped to flush out the additional load of last night.The levels of PM 2.5 reached as high as 519 in 'severe category' in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

AQI is forecast to be in higher-end of very poor category for the next two days with few touching higher levels. -- ANI

IMAGE: An aerial view of Connaught Place shrouded in heavy haze, in New Delhi, on Monday. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo

09:11 Another Maha MLA extends support to BJP

Maharashtra: Jan Surajya Shakti party leader and Shahuwadi (Kolhapur) MLA Vinay Kore has extended his support to Bharatiya Janata Party.

He met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. -- ANI

A Pakistan minister has courted controversy by saying that any country that will support India over the Kashmir issue will be hit by a missile by Pakistan and considered as an 'enemy' of Islamabad.

"If tensions with India rises on Kashmir, Pakistan will be compelled to go to war. Hence, those countries backing India and not Pakistan (over Kashmir) will be considered as our enemy and a missile will be fired at India and those nations supporting it," Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur said at an event on Tuesday.

Pakistan-based journalist Naila Inayat tweeted a part of the video in which the minister is seen making the inflammatory remarks.

Gandapur's vile rhetoric on Kashmir issue comes at a time when Pakistan has been snubbed globally over the matter.

Islamabad has unilaterally downgraded bilateral ties after it cried foul over New Delhi's move to abrogate parts of Article 370 that granted special powers to Jammu and Kashmir.

India has maintained that the decision is its internal matter, a stance which has been supported by several countries, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations and the Arab World.

In his maiden address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, Prime Minister Imran Khan had devoted his 50-minute speech on Kashmir and resorted to anti-India rant.

Even at that time, Khan raked up the dire consequences in the event of a nuclear war with India.

"If a conventional war starts between the two countries anything could happen. A country seven times smaller than its neighbour what will it do -- either surrender or fight for its freedom," he had said.

"My belief is we will fight and when a nuclear-armed country fights till the end it will consequence far beyond the borders. I am warning you. It's not a threat but worry about where are we heading. If this goes wrong you hope for the best but prepare for the worst," he had added. -- ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Delhi, after concluding his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia where he delivered the keynote address of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) and held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia.

During the visit, Modi held talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and appreciated the close cooperation on security matters between the two countries.

A total of 12 agreements and MoUs were signed between the two countries in key sectors including defence industries collaboration, renewable energy, security cooperation and civil aviation.

Modi held 'fruitful discussions' with the Crown Prince on 'adding greater dynamism and depth to the bilateral strategic partnership', according to MEA.At the FII Forum, also dubbed as the 'Davos in the Desert', the prime minister spoke about the goal of achieving $ 5 trillion dollar economy and highlighted several initiatives taken by his government to make India more business-friendly to investors.

The FII has been hosted by Riyadh since 2017 to project the Kingdom as a potential investment hub in the region.

He also spoke about regional and global issues and said that his country aims to invest $ 100 billion in refining, pipelines and gas terminals by 2024.

The prime minister held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Labour and Social Development Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi and Environment and Agriculture Minister Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fadley.

Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following New Delhi's decision in August to revoke parts of Article 370 of the Constitution that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. -- ANI

08:10 Boris wins snap polls bid; UK to vote in Dec

British lawmakers on Tuesday voted in favour of a snap election in the United Kingdom, paving the way for holding polls on December 12, weeks before the country is set to depart from the European Union (EU) on January 31 next year.

Amid a political deadlock over Brexit, MPs voted in favour of a bill on the snap election by 438 votes to 20 in the House of Commons.

The legislation will then be introduced in the House of Lords for approval following which the Parliament will be dissolved next week, CNN reported.

The unexpected development took place after opposition Labour Party supported the bill moved by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"There is only one way to restore the esteem in which our democracy is held and to recover the respect in which Parliament should be held by the people of this country," Johnson said ahead of the vote.

Meanwhile, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, said in a tweet, 'It's time for real change.'

Johnson has been batting for a snap election rather than attempting to get the Brexit deal passed in the Parliament, where his ruling Conservative Party government lacks a working majority.

Johnson has repeatedly said that the UK will leave the EU by October 31, the previous Brexit deadline, before he was forced to seek a three-month extension from Brussels after lawmakers voted against the new withdrawal agreement in the Parliament.

On Monday, EU leaders approved the UK's request for a three-month extension to the Brexit process, meaning that the country would not leave the European bloc on Thursday as per the previous deadline.

Announcing the same on Twitter, Donald Tusk, the president of the EU Council, said that bloc's 27 remaining leaders agreed to a 'flextension' until January 2020, adding that the decision must still be formalised through a written procedure.

'The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure,' he said.

The delay, granted for the third time by the EU this year, will be cut short if Johnson passes his exit deal before January 2020. -- ANI

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