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Wed, 28 July 2021
Assam announces reward for info on border firing
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22:51 Assam announces reward for info on border firing
Assam police on Wednesday announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information on those individuals who were involved in the killing of six police personnel on July 26, said G P Singh, Special Director General of Police (DGP), Assam Police.
Amid border dispute between Assam and Mizoram, six jawans of Assam Police have lost their lives while defending the constitutional boundary of state at the Assam-Mizoram border on July 26, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday informed.
'Assam police also announces a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to arrest of each of the individuals involved in the barbaric killing of the Assam Police personnel on July 26th 2021,' he wrote on his Twitter handle.
Singh also informed that a team of state police including CID officers are leaving for Delhi to take lawful action relating to the conspiracy behind the incident in light of the media interview of Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena indicative of his active role in the conspiracy.
The Special DGP informed that a case was registered relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code in Dholai police station on Tuesday in connection with the killing of police personnel.
"The incident took place at Inner Line Reserve Forest area of Cachar district, Assam along National Highway 306, around 1.7 kms southwards from Lailapur PP," said the senior police officer.
"Assam Police has prepared a picture gallery which is being further updated of Mizoram Police personnel and civilian miscreants who fired at Assam police on July 26th. They would be brought to law," he added.
Speaking on the issue of border clash, Mizoram Inspector General of Police (IGP) John Neihlaia said, "There was no intention to kill anyone. But we had to retaliate as it is our stand that we would not open fire first. When they wanted to surrender, we gave them the opportunity to escape unhurt, otherwise, many more could have died."
A total of six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed at the site where the policemen died. -- ANI
22:02
Rainfall in India during June-July, 2021.
21:45 Sebi fines Kundra, Shilpa for disclosure lapses
Markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday slapped monetary penalty on Viaan Industries Ltd, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Ripu Sudan Kundra, who is also known as Raj Kundra, for disclosure lapses and consequent violation of insider trading norms.
According to a Sebi order, a total fine of Rs 3 lakh has been imposed on them to be paid jointly and severally.
Shilpa and Ripu are the promoters of Viaan Industries.
The order follows a probe conducted between September 2013- December 2015 to ascertain violation of Prohibition of Insider Trading (PIT) norms by the entities.
In October 2015, Viaan Industries made a preferential allotment of 5 lakh equity shares to four persons and 1,28,800 lakh shares each, amounting to Rs 2.57 crore each, were allotted to Ripu and Shilpa in the allotment.
In this regard, they were required to make timely requisite disclosure to the company in terms of PIT norms since the transactions exceeded Rs 10 lakh in value.
"It is on record that the relevant disclosures under the PIT Regulations were made by the Noticees with a delay of more than three years," Sebi noted.
"Therefore, considering these facts and circumstances, I hold that this case deserves imposition of monetary penalty upon the Noticees," said adjudicating officer Suresh B Menon in an order.
Noticees refer to Viaan Industries, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Ripu Sudan Kundra. Shilpa and Ripu are the promoters of the firm. Viaan Industries was formerly known as Hindustan Safety Glass Industries Ltd. -- PTI
Mahua Moitra
21:23 Mahua Moitra called me 'Bihari gunda': Nishikant
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday claimed that Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra had called him a 'Bihari gunda' during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology today.
Dubey, the MP from Jharkhand's Godda took to Twitter to say that Moitra's 'abusive language' has brought out into the open TMC's hatred towards North Indians, especially Hindi speaking people.
'Trinamool Congress has abused the entire Hindi speaking people along with Bihar by using the word Bihari Gunda. Mamata Banerjee ji, this abuse by TMC MP Mahua Moitra has brought your party's hatred towards North Indians and especially Hindi speaking people in front of the country,' Dubey tweeted in Hindi.
'Lok Sabha Speaker ji, heard abuse for the first time in his 13 years of parliamentary life. TMC member Mahua Moita said 'Bihari Gunda' thrice in the meeting of IT Committee. Om Birla ji, Shashi Tharoor Ji has taken the contract to end this parliamentary tradition,' the BJP leader said in another tweet.
Meanwhile Moitra too took to Twitter to say: 'Am a bit amused by charges of name-calling. IT mtng did not happen because NO quorum - members did not attend. How can I call someone a name who was not even present!! Check attendance sheet!'.
In absence of the quorum, today's meeting of the 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to discuss the Pegasus snooping case with ministry officials, was not held.
"After a heated debate on Bihari Gunde, the meeting was postponed due to lack of quorum," a member of the committee told ANI.
According to rules, one-third of the members of the panel are required to complete the quorum but BJP MPs who arrived for the meeting did not sign the attendance register stating that when the Congress was not allowing discussion on the issue in Parliament then it can't be discussed in the committee meeting.
Only nine MPs across the parties arrived for the meeting, which according to a notification of the Lok Sabha Secretariat had listed its agenda as 'Citizens' data security and privacy'.
The panel had summoned officials from the Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs but sources said that officials from both the ministries could not attend the meeting due to the ongoing monsoon session.
A source told ANI: "Today the meeting did not take place due to lack of quorum, the meeting was adjourned for another day." -- ANI
21:15 Amarinder urges PM to reopen Kartarpur corridor
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reopen the Kartarpur corridor so that devotees could visit the shrine dedicated to Sikh Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan.
Pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara was suspended in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a letter to the PM, Singh said his government will be happy to work in conjunction with the Union government to ensure adherence to proper COVID-19 protocols, including testing and vaccination of pilgrims using the corridor, according to an official release.
He hoped for a positive consideration by the PM in this regard.
'The COVID-19 situation in Punjab has shown signs of significant improvement in the past one month and I am happy to share that yesterday, no COVID-19 related death was reported, after almost a period of one year,' he wrote.
He said in the changed scenario, people have obviously again evinced their desire to have darshan at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
The Kartarpur corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district. -- PTI
20:39 2/3rd of population have Covid antibodies: ICMR
At least two-third of the population surveyed in 11 states were found to have developed coronavirus antibodies, according to the findings of a serosurvey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) done between June 14 and July 6.
Madhya Pradesh leads the chart with 79 per cent seroprevalence while Kerala is at the bottom with 44.4 per cent.
Seroprevalence in Assam is 50.3 per cent and Maharashtra 58 per cent.
The findings of the fourth round of national serosurvey conducted by the ICMR across 70 districts of India was shared by the Union health ministry on Wednesday.
Seroprevalence was found to be 76.2 per cent among the surveyed population in Rajasthan, 75.9 per cent in Bihar, 75.3 per cent in Gujarat, 74.6 per cent in Chhattisgarh, 73.1 per cent in Uttarakhand, 71 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, 70.2 per cent in Andhra Pradesh, 69.8 per cent in Karnataka, 69.2 in Tamil Nadu and 68.1 per cent in Odisha.
Referring to the findings, the health ministry has advised states and union territories to conduct seroprevalence studies of their own in consultation with the ICMR to ensure that those studies follow a standardised protocol.
The findings of such serosurveys can then be utilised quickly by the states to guide objective, transparent and evidence-based public health response to COVID-19.
'The national sero-survey by ICMR was designed to capture the extent of the spread of Covid infection at the national level. Therefore, the national serosurvey results do not reflect the heterogeneity of seroprevalence between districts and even between states,' a statement said. -- PTI
19:54
The Nainital high court on Wednesday banned the Char Dham Yatra till August 18 in view of the ongoing pandemic situation.
The court has also strongly reprimanded the Uttarakhand government for not following Covid-related protocols at tourist places in the state.
The Char Dham Yatra, which includes a visit to the Kedarnath Temple, attracts lakhs of tourists and devotees every year from across the country and abroad.
In view of COVID-19, the Uttrakhand government had only allowed Chardham Yatra for residents of the three districts including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi this year.Earlier, the Uttrakhand government had to issue a new guideline by amending the Standard Operating Procedure.
Although Uttrakhand high court, earlier had put a stay on the state government's decision to allow the Char Dham Yatra from July 1 from Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi districts.
Following this, the state government challenged the high court's decision in the Supreme Court and filed a plea in the apex court. -- ANI
19:26 Cong team stopped from visiting Mizoram border
The Assam Police on Wednesday prevented a Congress delegation from visiting the inter-state border with Mizoram, which had recently witnessed a bloody clash.
Police said that nobody will be allowed to go near the boundary as it has now become a 'conflict zone'.
Seven people, including six Assam Police personnel, have been killed and 50 others, including an SP, were injured in a clash along the disputed boundary on Monday.
The Congress delegation led by newly appointed state unit chief Bhupen Bora was stopped near Cachar district's Dholai police station, 8 km from the inter-state border, and the party leaders squatted on the road for a while in protest.
Besides Bora, All India Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev, Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia, deputy leader in the assembly Rakibul Hussain and working president Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, who is also the MLA of Karimganj North seat in Barak Valley, comprised the delegation.
"We had come to review the prevailing situation at the inter-state border so that we could cooperate with the government to deal with it, and inform the people about the actual scenario," Bora told reporters at Dholai.
He said that the administration's decision not to allow the Congress delegation to go near the border raised doubts over its claims that the situation was under control and 'not an inch of Assam's land has been encroached upon'.
"We were not going to the India-Pakistan border but to a boundary with a neighbouring state of our country. We should have been allowed to go near the inter-state border to see for ourselves whether Assam's land is safe," Bora said.
Saikia claimed that the delegation had informed the Cachar district administration about their scheduled visit to Lailapur, which it had agreed to earlier but did not allow them during the day.
Cachar Superintendent of Police Ramandeep Kaur said that nobody will be allowed to go near the border as it has now become a 'conflict zone'.
Kaur assumed charge during the day from Vaibhav Chandrakant Nimbalkar, who has been injured in the clash and airlifted to Mumbai for better treatment.
"The situation along the border is under control and discussions are underway at a very high level. The CRPF has been deployed at the boundary as a neutral force and security measures have been put in place," she said.
Dev criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's statement that Assam will abide by any law enacted by the Parliament that makes it even cede its land to another state but till then, it will not allow even an 'inch to be encroached upon'.
"How can a chief minister talk about giving away the state's land when six policemen have died defending the state's boundary? He is confused about whether he should give priority to his role as the chief minister or as the NEDA convenor," Dev said.
The Congress leaders also visited the homes of the slain policemen, five of whom were from Barak Valley. -- PTI
IMAGE: Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah and president Mahila Congress Sushmita Dev interact with a policeman injured in a clash at the Assam-Mizoram border, at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, in Silchar on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo
18:43 BJP MP wants Tharoor removed as IT panel head
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday demanded the removal of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as the head of the Parliamentary panel on Information Technology, alleging that he was using his position in a discriminatory manner.
Dubey raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, saying a letter has already been submitted to the Speaker in this regard on Tuesday.
The parliamentary panel's meeting that was set to question government officials on Wednesday on the Pegasus spyware issue was postponed due to lack of quorum.
A number of members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology sat in Parliament to discuss 'Citizens' safety and date protection'.
However, BJP members of the panel who were present in the meeting room didn't sign the attendance register in protest leading to a lack of quorum required for holding the meeting.
The panel's chair Tharoor had said the panel members will question officials from the Information and Technology Ministry and the Home Ministry who will depose before it on the Pegasus issue.
BJP members opposed this alleging that when the Congress is not allowing discussion on this issue in Parliament then it can't be discussed in the committee meeting.
'BJP members come to the IT Committee and refuse to sign the attendance register to deny a quorum. Further, all the witnesses called from MiEIT and MHA wrote in excuses and didn't appear as called to testify. It's very clear that Pegasus is a no go area for this government,' the Congress' Karti Chidambaram, who is a member of the panel, said on Twitter.
Since the beginning of the Monsoon Session on July 19, both Houses have seen repeated disruptions as opposition parties have been demanding a Supreme Court-monitored judicial probe in this matter.
The 32-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, for which the listed agenda was -- Citizens' data security and privacy -- according to a notification by Lok Sabha Secretariat.
The panel, which has the maximum members from the ruling BJP, had summoned officials from the Ministry of Electronics, Information and Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
An international media consortium has reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers were on a list of potential targets for surveillance using Israeli firm NSO's Pegasus spyware.
Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, two union ministers -- Prahlad Singh Patel and Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, businessman Anil Ambani, a former CBI chief, and at least 40 journalists are on the list on the leaked database of NSO.
It is, however, not established that all the phones were hacked. -- PTI
Tibetan representative Geshe Dorjee Damdul attended a roundtable with Blinken
18:04 In message to China, Blinken meets Dalai's rep
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday held a meeting with a senior representative of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, in a clear signal to China about the Biden administration's continued support to the Tibetan cause.
In the meeting, Ngodup Dongchung, an official in the Tibetan government-in-exile and representative of the Dalai Lama, thanked Blinken for the continued support by the US to the Tibetan movement.
When asked, a spokesperson of the US State Department told PTI, "Secretary Blinken had an opportunity to meet briefly this morning in New Delhi with a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Central Tibetan Administration Representative Ngodup Dongchung."
Separately, another Tibetan representative, Geshe Dorjee Damdul, attended a roundtable Blinken held with around seven civil society members.
On July 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called up the Dalai Lama and greeted him on his 86th birthday in what is seen in some quarters as a subtle message to China in the backdrop of the festering border row in eastern Ladakh. The 14th Dalai Lama has made India his home since fleeing China in 1959.
The Chinese government officials and the Dalai Lama or his representatives have not met in formal negotiations since 2010. Beijing has in the past accused the Dalai Lama of indulging in "separatist" activities and trying to split Tibet and considers him as a divisive figure.
However, the Tibetan spiritual leader has insisted that he is not seeking independence but "genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet" under the "Middle-Way approach".
17:48 Pegasus can't be discussed in tea stalls: Mamata
With an eye on 2024 Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday discussed "the unity of Opposition" with Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and said it is essential for everyone to come together in order to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Banerjee, who is in the national capital for the first time since her victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, termed the meeting as "very good" and expressed hope that positive results will come in the near future. The political situation in the country, alleged Pegasus snooping row and COVID-19 situation were among other issues discussed during the meeting.
"Sonia ji invited me for tea, Rahul ji was also there. We discussed the political situation in general, the Pegasus, COVID situation, and also discussed the unity of opposition. It was a very good meeting. I think the positive result must come out in the future," Banerjee told reporters in New Delhi after the meeting.
"It is essential for everyone to come together in order to defeat BJP... Alone, I am nothing - everyone will have to work together. I am not a leader, I am a cadre. I am a person from the street," she added.
She further questioned the government on Pegasus issue. "Why is the government not replying to Pegasus? People want to know. If policy decisions are not made in Parliament, if discussions are not held there, where will it take place? This is not done at tea stalls, this is done in the Parliament."
The Trinamool Congress chief on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders Anand Sharma and Kamal Nath.
Banerjee's visit during the ongoing Parliament's Monsoon session holds significance as the Opposition is cornering the BJP-led NDA government on a range of issues including price rise, increasing cost of diesel and petrol, and issues related to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
17:00 Sensex on skid row for 3rd day, bank stocks fall
Equity benchmarks nursed losses for the third session on the trot on Wednesday, weighed by banking, energy and auto stocks amid a lacklustre trend overseas.
Global markets stayed on the backfoot amid a continuing sell-off in Chinese shares, while investors also remained on the sidelines ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision.
After plummeting over 700 points in intra-day trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex clawed back some lost ground to end 135.05 points or 0.26 per cent lower at 52,443.71.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 37.05 points or 0.24 per cent to close at 15,709.40. Kotak Bank was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, shedding 2.64 per cent, followed by Dr Reddy's, M&M, PowerGrid, NTPC, HDFC Bank and Nestle India.
On the other hand, Bharti Airtel topped the gainers' chart with a jump of 5.08 per cent after the telecom player hiked its prepaid tariffs, just a week after upgrading its postpaid plans. Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank and UltraTech Cement were among the other winners, climbing up to 2.60 per cent.
16:51 Ladies who launch (an united opposition)
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met at 10 Janpath today. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present at the meeting.
16:44 Customers of moratorium banks insured for Rs 5L
Customers to get Rs 5 lakh insurance on bank deposits within 90 days in case of moratorium, says the government.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur at a presser says that the Deposit Insurance Credit Guarantee Corporation was created in case people faced difficulties after RBI imposes moratoriums on banks.
"Today's Cabinet meeting has decided that within 90 days, depositors will receive Rs 5 lakh of their money."
More details soon.
File pic
16:31 Mamata meets Sonia Gandhi
West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee arrives at 10 Janpath to meet Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday remained ambivalent on being the face of the Opposition to take on the BJP, saying it will depend on the situation.
"I want to help all the opposition parties to bell the cat. I don't want to be a leader, but a simple cadre," she said on the leadership issue. "I am not a political astrologer. It depends on the situation, structure. I have no problem if someone else leads. When the matter is discussed we can decide. I cannot impose," Banerjee told a select group of reporters in Delhi when asked if she would be the face of the Opposition.
On the Pegasus row, she said the situation was more serious than Emergency and accused the Centre of being unresponsive. "Everywhere they are sending ED, IT for raids. Here there is no response. In a democracy, the government has to respond."
16:20 US 'really messed it up' in Afghanistan, says Pak PM Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the US "really messed it up" in Afghanistan as he questioned the American motive for the 2001 invasion of the country in the first place and then their subsequent attempts of seeking a political solution with the Taliban from a position of weakness. Khan also said that the only good solution to Afghanistan's situation is through a political settlement that is "inclusive an" involves all factions, including the Taliban.
"I think the US has really messed it up in Afghanistan," Khan said during an interview with Judy Woodruff on PBS NewsHour, an American news programme, aired on Tuesday night, Dawn newspaper reported.
Under a deal with the Taliban, the US and its NATO allies agreed to withdraw all troops in return for a commitment by the militants that they would prevent extremist groups from operating in areas they control. US President Joe Biden has announced that American troops will be out of the country by August 31.
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan by brute force from 1996 to 2001 when the US invasion toppled their government. The US invaded Afghanistan in October, 2001 after the Taliban refused to hand over al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden, who was behind the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in America. Khan criticised the US for trying to "look for a military solution in Afghanistan, when there never was one".
"And people like me who kept saying that there's no military solution, who know the history of Afghanistan, we were called people like me were called anti-American. I was called Taliban Khan," Khan said. -- PTI
16:00 India, US ties critical in Indo-Pacific: Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said India and US partnership will be critical for delivering stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and to show the world how democracy can deliver for its people.
Addressing the joint conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, the US top diplomat, who is visiting India, said that there are very few relationships in the world that are more vital than the one between India and the US.
"We are two of the world-leading democracies and diversity fuels our national strength," Blinken said.
"Together the actions that the United States and India takes are shaping the 21st Century and beyond, that's why strengthening the partnership with India is US' top foreign policy priority," he added.
Blinken asserted that US President Joe Biden feels a "deep personal commitment" to making India-US ties as strong and as effective as it can be."We are two of the world's largest economies. Indian and American people are united by millions of family ties, tracing back generations and by shared values and shared aspirations," he said.
"We believe that this partnership will be critical for delivering stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond and for showing the world how democracy can deliver for their people," he added.
Jaishankar and Blinken discussed regional security issues including Afghanistan during the meeting.
"India and US share a strong interest in peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan. As a credible partner in the region, India has and will continue to make a vital contribution to Afghanistan's stability and development," Blinken said.
He assured that the US and India will continue to work together to sustain the gains of the Afghan people.
"We will continue to work together to sustain the gains of the Afghan people and support regional stability after the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country (Afghanistan)," he said.
Blinken, who is on his first visit to India after assuming office, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today. -- ANI
15:31 I'm no astrologer: WB CM on if she was face of oppn
West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee at a press conference in New Delhi said the Pegasus snooping is very serious. "It is more serious than Emergency," the CM said as the Monsoon session of Parliament continues to be disrupted over the issue.
On being asked if she was the face of the opposition, Mamata Banerjee retorted, "I am not a political astrologer, depends on situation. I have no problem if someone else leads.
"I am a simple worker, want to continue as a worker, she said."
The phone number of her nephew, Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, was part of the alleged list of potential surveillance targets. Banerjee has claimed that her phone has also been hacked and she has been unable to speak to anyone.
15:24 The chief ministers of Karnataka
Ramkrishna Hegde was the first non-Congress CM of Karnataka. Take a look at the long list of names for the state's top post.
Gupkar Alliance has called for revocation of Art 370
15:18 J-K statehood at appropriate time: Govt in RS
Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be granted at an 'appropriate time' after normalcy is restored in the union territory, said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Wednesday while responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
In a written reply to Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi's question "whether Government has any proposal to reinstate the statehood in J-K," the Union Minister said, "Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be granted at an appropriate time after normalcy is restored in Jammu and Kashmir."
The Minister in his reply further said that in view of the constitutional changes and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of the Jammu and Kashmir into Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh, in the national interest and also in the interest of the security of J-K, temporary restrictions on various communication channels like internet and mobile services were resorted to Jammu and Kashmir.
"Subsequently, the matter was reviewed from time to time and restrictions imposed were gradually eased out in a phased manner and 4G internet data services were restored in the entire Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir with effect from February 5, 2021," said Rai in his written reply on the matter.
He further stated that the number of terrorist incidents has reduced during 2020 by 59 per cent as compared to 2019 and 32 per cent upto June 2021 in comparison with the corresponding period up to June 2020. -- ANI
14:40 Rakesh Asthana takes charge as Delhi police commissioner
IPS officer Rakesh Asthana takes charges as the new Police Commissioner of Delhi. Asthana, a former officer of the Central Bureau of Investigation, was appointed Delhi Police Commissioner on Tuesday, just three days before his retirement. A Union Home Ministry order on Tuesday evening said Asthana, currently the Director General of the Border Security Force, would head the Delhi Police with a year's extension in service granted "in public interest".
14:33 No bail for Raj Kundra, other accused
Mumbai's Esplanade Court rejects bail pleas of Raj Kundra and Ryan Thorpe in pornography case.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2:45 pm for the third time today as Opposition MPs continued sloganeering, demanding discussion on 'Pegasus Project' report.
Locals clash with police at Cachar
14:27 Cong leaders barred entry into Assam conflict zone
Assam Police have stopped a delegation of Congress leaders including Bhupen Bora Debabrata Saikia, Sushmita Dev and others at Dholai in the Cachar district of Assam on Wednesday.
Congress leader Sushmita Dev said, "We had said that we will go only till Lailapur market, we will not go to the border. But we were stopped 5 km before."
Speaking on the Assam-Mizoram border situation, the superintendent of police of Cachar Ramandeep Kaur, said that the situation is tense and talks are being held at the senior level.
"Only the residents of the area are allowed to move. It is a conflict zone and for everyone, it is the same thing. Our own CM yesterday didn't move to the conflict zone," said Ramandeep Kaur.
She further said that only the residents of the area are allowed to move.
"The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), as a neutral force, is deployed along the border. Assam and Mizoram forces are respectively at their positions. Only the residents of the area are allowed to move," added SP Cachar.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla chaired a meeting with Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and DGP SBK Singh over the dispute along the Assam-Mizoram border.
The meeting with Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla of Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua and Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti has been postponed till 4 pm, said sources on Wednesday.
Images: Locals clash with police at the Assam-Mizoram border at Lailapur in Cachar district on Monday.
14:02 Hello, Mr Blinken
A picture of US Secy of State Antony Blinken with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today. They discussed strategic issues of importance in security, defence, economic and tech-related sectors. Special attention was on long-term measures to take relationship to next level.
File pic
13:56 LS miracle! No adjournments during Q Hour
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday conducted Question Hour without any adjournments for the first time since the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament on July 19 despite vociferous protests by Opposition members on various issues.
As soon as the House met for the day, Opposition members trooped into the Well as they sought to raise various issues. Some members were shouting slogans and displaying placards.
From the Pegasus spyware controversy to the three farm laws, the members wanted to raise various issues during the Question Hour. Speaker Om Birla continued with the Question Hour despite the protests and more than ten questions related to various ministries as well as supplementaries were taken up. This is the first time in the current Monsoon session that the Question Hour went on without any adjournments.
Since the commencement of the session on July 19, the proceedings have been repeatedly adjourned due to Opposition protests. On Tuesday, there were nine adjournments in the Lower House before proceedings were adjourned for the day in the evening.
After being adjourned nine times, the lower house reassembled at 4.30 pm and Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, had once again taken up one matter of urgent public importance. -- PTI
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
13:26 Kerala CM promises to end extreme poverty in 5 yrs
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday hailed the recent Supreme Court verdict that begging could not be banned until poverty is eradicated and said his government aims to put an end to it in the state in the next five years. "No one turns to begging as they want it but poverty and hunger force them to do so," he said in a Facebook post.
The apex court verdict reflects a relevant humane perspective of a major socio-economic issue, the Chief Minister observed.
Noting that poverty and begging, one of its outcomes, could not be eradicated by ban, he said such perspective should be changed and the society should have "sympathy and willingness to help" the poor people.
A world without begging is possible only if hapless people are given support and made them free from poverty, he said adding that it is not an easy task to fulfill. Vijayan said what the top court had demanded was that the matter should become the policy of the land and should implement it effectively.
"A first step in this direction is the new project launched by Kerala to eradicate extreme poverty. A survey, that is being conducted as part of it, will be completed within four months," the Chief Minister said.
After that micro-plans would be prepared under the aegis of local self government institutions and necessary steps would be taken to free families suffering from extreme poverty from their pathetic state, he said.
"Kerala's aim is to eradicate extreme poverty in the next five years. Let's all move forward together to achieve that goal in a better way," Vijayan added.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday made clear it would not take an "elitist view" that no beggars be allowed on the streets and asked the Centre and Delhi government to respond to a plea seeking vaccination and rehabilitation of beggars and vagabonds in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. -- PTI
12:41 Blinken meets Jaishankar, Doval; PM next
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hold talks with EAM S Jaishankar in Delhi.
"I deeply appreciate the work that we have been able to do together and the work that we are going to do together in coming months," Blinken says.
"There isn't a challenge that doesn't have impact on lives of our citizens whether it's COVID, disruptive impact of emerging technologies that can be addressed by any one of us acting alone. There's greater imperative on cooperation among countries than ever before," the US Secretary of State said.
President Biden's determination is to continue to grow stronger the relationship between India and the US, he added.
Blinken also held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on a range of bilateral and regional issues including the security situation in Afghanistan.
Blinken arrived in Delhi on Tuesday evening on a two-day visit with an extensive agenda featuring the rapidly evolving security situation in Afghanistan, boosting Indo-Pacific engagement and ways to enhance COVID-19 response efforts among others.
File pic
12:27 Cong MPs throw papers at Chair, Treasury benches
Congress members throw papers at Chair, Treasury benches while protesting over Pegasus, farmers' issues. Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned as opposition members create ruckus over Pegasus, other issues.
12:12 Doff your hat to Le Dixit
The ageless Madhuri Dixit Nene blows some sun and sand our way in this gorgeous close-up. She tweets, "Getting some Vitamin Sea (winking emoji)."
11:52 He should do good work, says Bommai's wife
Karnataka CM Basavraj Bommai's wife and possibly their daughter after the swearing-in ceremony head home. Bommai's wife shyly replies "wolle kelasa madli" (that he should do good work), when asked what does she wish for now that her husband is Chief Minister of Karnataka. The Bommais also have a son.
11:45 New cop for violence-hit Assam town
Hailakandi (in Assam) SP Ramandeep Kaur has been transferred and posted as the new SP in Cachar district, which witnessed violence on its border with Mizoram on July 26.
Cachar SP Nimbalkar Vaibhav Chandrakant was injured in the violence.
"The situation is tense, talks are being held at the senior level. CRPF as a neutral force is deployed at the border. Assam & Mizoram forces are respectively at their positions. Only the residents of the area are allowed to move," SP Ramandeep Kaur said.
Actress Gehena Vashishth
11:26 Fresh FIR in Raj Kundra pornography case
The Mumbai crime branch has lodged a fresh FIR in connection with a pornography case and named producers of businessman Raj Kundra's company as well as actress Gehana Vashishth in the new case, a police official said on Wednesday.
The case was registered by the crime branch's property cell at Malwani police station on Tuesday after an actress approached the police and alleged she was forced to shoot for a pornographic film for the HotShots app. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered under various Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including 420 (cheating), 392 (punishment for robbery), 393 (attempt to commit robbery), and provisions of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act and the Information Technology Act, the official added.
Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, was arrested by the crime branch on July 19 in a case related to alleged creation of pornographic films and publishing them through apps. The 45-year-old businessman, who was on Tuesday remanded in judicial custody for 14 days, earned at least Rs 1.17 crore between August and December last year from his business of production and online distribution of porn films, the police had told a magistrate's court.
Kundra has contended that the films made by him, which the police claimed to be pornographic, did not depict direct or explicit sexual acts. After Kundra's arrest, Vashishth, who worked in three films produced for Kundra's app, had in a video said erotic content was different from pornography. Vashishth, who was arrested in February this year and later granted bail, and two others were recently summoned by the crime branch's property cell.
11:21 Bommai sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka
Basavaraj Bommai sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka. The 61-year-old leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.
Ending the heightened suspense, the Karnataka BJP legislature party on Tuesday evening had elected Basavaraj Bommai as its new leader to succeed outgoing Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
Bommai, a Lingayat leader from North Karnataka is a close confidante of Yediyurappa and, according to party sources, there is clear stamp of the veteran BJP leader in this succession plan.
Son of former Chief Minister, late S R Bommai, he was Minister for Home Affairs, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislature in Yediyurappa's council of ministers which was dissolved on Monday. It's the second time of a father-son duo becoming Chief Minister of Karnataka, after H D Deve Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy.
11:19 Blinken meets civil society reps
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in a meeting of representatives of civil society organization in Delhi. "US and India share a commitment to democratic values; this is part of the bedrock of our relationship & reflective of India's pluralistic society," he tweets.
File pic
10:53 PM, HM, Parl minister hold meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi hold a meeting at the PM's office in Parliament.
10:45 US Secy of State Blinken meets NSA Doval
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives at South Block to meet NSA Ajit Doval. Blinken is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on his first visit to India after assuming office.
The top US diplomat, who landed in New Delhi on Tuesday, is set to discuss wide-ranging issues with Indian officials including vaccine cooperation, Afghanistan, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Later 11:15 am the Secretary of State will meet with officials, staff of the US Mission in India.
Then at noon, Blinken will hold a discussion with EAM Jaishankar. Thereafter, they will hold a joint press conference at 2.30 pm. Finally, the US Secretary of State will call on PM Modi.
10:32 Opposition holds strategy meet on Parl logjam
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, chairs a meeting of all-like minded Opposition parties at Parliament to chalk out the future course of action in both the Houses. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also present at the meeting.
This comes after continuous protests in Parliament by the Opposition, which has resulted in disrupted proceedings since July 19.
After repeated adjournments on their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue, leaders of opposition parties in the Lok Sabha met on Tuesday evening and decided a meeting of leaders of both houses will be held at 10 am on Wednesday chalk out a joint strategy.
Congress's chief whip in the lower house, K Suresh told the media that the Opposition will move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Pegasus issue. The Parliament proceedings witnessed repeated adjournments on Tuesday too as the opposition wants the government to take up Pegasus issue and farm laws for discussion.
10:24 Indian badminton great Nandu Natekar dead
Legendary badminton player Nandu Natekar, the first Indian to win an international title in 1956, died here on Wednesday. The 88-year-old, who won over 100 national and international titles in his career, was suffering from age-related ailments. He is survived by his son Gaurav and two daughters.
"He passed away peacefully at home and we were all with him and he has been ailing for the last three months and he passed away peacefully," Gaurav told to PTI. Natekar, who was considered one of most popular sportspersons of his time, was also a former World number three.
10:08 Family's reputation ruined: Shilpa told husband
Actor Shilpa Shetty yelled at her husband Raj Kundra and broke down in tears when he was brought to their home in Mumbai by the Crime Branch of Mumbai police for the first time since his arrest in a porn case last week, police sources told ANI.
"We have everything, what was the need to do all this," the actor said to Raj Kundra as he arrived at their home on Friday evening with the crime branch officials for a search, according to ANI.
Police sources claim the actress broke down on seeing her husband and said that the "family's reputation was ruined, their endorsements in the industry were being cancelled and that she had to give up many projects".
09:53 Ecuadorian court revokes citizenship for Wikileaks founder Assange
Ecuador has revoked the citizenship of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks who is currently in a British prison.
Ecuador's justice system formally notified the Australian of the nullity of his naturalisation in a letter that came in response to a claim filed by the South American country's foreign ministry.
A naturalisation is considered damaging when it is granted based on the concealment of relevant facts, false documents or fraud. Ecuadorian authorities say Assange's naturalization letter had multiple inconsistencies, different signatures, the possible alteration of documents and unpaid fees, among other issues.
Carlos Poveda, Assange's lawyer, said the decision was made without due process and Assange was not allowed to appear in the case.
"On the date (Assange) was cited he was deprived of his liberty and with a health crisis inside the deprivation of liberty center where he was being held," Poveda said.
Assange received Ecuadorian citizenship in January 2018 as part of a failed attempt by the government of then-President Lenn Moreno to turn him into a diplomat to get him out of its embassy in London.
Assange, 50, has been in London' high-security Belmarsh Prison since he was arrested in April 2019 for skipping bail seven years earlier during a separate legal battle.
09:29 India's Covid tally rises by 43,654 cases in 24 hours
India reports 43,654 fresh COVID cases, 41,678 recoveries, and 640 deaths in the last 24 hours
Active cases: 3,99,436
Total recoveries: 3,06,63,147
Death toll: 4,22,022
Total vaccination: 44,61,56,659
09:14 4 dead, around 40 missing after cloudburst in J-K
Four people died and around 40 are reported missing after a cloudburst in a remote village in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir early this morning, officials said.
Rescue teams have been rushed to Honzar village of Dacchan tehsil and further details are awaited, they said.
Most parts of the Jammu region have been receiving heavy rain for the past few days. With the prediction of more rain till the end of this month, authorities in Kishtwar have asked people living along water bodies and slide-prone areas to remain vigilant.
"The meteorological department has predicted heavy rains during the upcoming days and water levels in rivers and nallas are expected to rise, which can pose a threat to the inhabitants residing near rivers, nallas, water bodies and slide-prone areas," the district administration said in an advisory issued late on Tuesday night.
08:57 Opposition meet today to chalk out strategy as logjam persists
The opposition parties will meet in the Parliament on Wednesday to chalk out future course of action in the Pegasus issue ahead of todays session in both the houses.
This comes after continuous protests in Parliament by the Opposition, which has resulted in disrupted proceedings since July 19.
After repeated adjournments on their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue, leaders of opposition parties in the Lok Sabha met on Tuesday evening and decided a meeting of leaders of both houses will be held at 10 am on Wednesday chalk out a joint strategy.
Congresss chief whip in the lower house, K Suresh told the media that the Opposition will move an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Pegasus issue. The Parliament proceedings witnessed repeated adjournments on Tuesday too as the opposition wants the government to take up Pegasus issue and farm laws for discussion.
08:46 Road accident claims 18 lives
18 killed, 25 injured in road accident in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh.
Karnataka CM-designate Basavaraj Bommai offers prayers at Bhagavan Sri Maruthi Temple in Bengaluru
08:30 Bommai to take oath as Karnataka's CM's today
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Basavaraj Somappa Bommai is scheduled to take oath as the chief minister of Karnataka at 11 am on Wednesday, said sources.
Son of former Chief Minister of Karnataka SR Bommai, a mechanical engineering graduate and former Janata Dal (United) leader Bommai was appointed Karnataka's 23rd chief minister by the BJP high command on Tuesday, a day after caretaker Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa tendered his resignation.
Shortly after his election as Karnataka Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that he will strive to work for the welfare of the poor.
"It is a big responsibility in the given situation. I will strive to work for the welfare of the poor. It will be pro-people and pro-poor people governance. We will take all measures to fight COVID-19 and floods in the state," he said.
Born on January 28, 1960, Bommai belongs to the Sadara Lingayat caste, same as his predecessor Yediyurappa. The Lingayats is the largest community of Karnataka comprising nearly 17 per cent of the population and can determine the outcome in 35 to 40 per cent assembly seats. The community has long backed the ruling party.
-- ANI
08:20 Blinken arrives in Delhi; to meet PM, EAM, NSA
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in New Delhi for his two-day India visit. Blinken has meetings lined up with PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and NSA Ajit Doval. Discussions on strategic issues to further expand the "strong and growing" bilateral partnership with the Biden administration are likely.
The US has described India as a "leading global power and a key US partner" in the Indo-Pacific and beyond in a document shared with reporters by the US embassy in India.
"A partnership anchored in shared values, mutual interests and goodwill. Welcome to US Secretary of State @SecBlinken on his arrival in Delhi," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
On Wednesday, Blinken will hold extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi before leaving for Kuwait as part of his two-nation tour.
".@SecBlinken is wheels down in New Delhi for meetings with our Indian partners. We're excited to expand the strong and growing #USIndia partnership," US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Twitter.
01:02 Assam cop injured in border clash dies; toll 7
A policeman of Assam, who was critically injured in the exchange of fire between the police forces of the state and Mizoram on the disputed interstate border, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, taking the death toll to seven, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Shyamprasad Dusat of 6th Assam Police Battalion succumbed to his abdominal bullet injury at Silchar Medical College Hospital, Sarma said in a tweet.
'He couldn't be operated or moved to Guwahati because of his worsening condition. I salute the brave martyr and bow in reverence. My heartfelt condolences to the family,' he tweeted.
Five policemen, including the Personal Security Officer (PSO) of Cachar Superintendent of Police Vaibhab Chandrakant Nimbalkar, and a civilian were killed during the violent clashes on Monday.
Besides, 50 others, including the Cachar SP, were injured in the incident. While Nimbalkar was taken to Mumbai by an Indian Air Force air ambulance, three others were airlifted to Gauhati Medical College Hospital on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister paid floral tributes at Silchar to the five policemen killed in the attack.
Sarma also visited the SMCH to meet the injured and directed the doctors to ensure that they get the best treatment.
Later addressing a press conference at Silchar, the chief minister announced that Rs 50 lakh would be paid to the next of kin of those killed and a government job will also be given to a family member while those injured will be given Rs 1 lakh each.
He also announced that an additional one month salary will be given to all policemen deployed along the Mizoram border. -- PTI
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