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Mon, 29 May 2023
Rs 3 crore assets of Jamaat sealed in J-K
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23:51 Rs 3 crore assets of Jamaat sealed in J-K
To dismantle the ecosystem of anti-national elements and terror networks hostile to India's national security, property held by or linked to banned Jamaat-e-Islami worth Rs 3 crore (approx) in Jammu and Kashmir has been sealed, said an official statement on Monday.
To choke the availability of funds for secessionist activities and to dismantle the ecosystem of anti-national elements and terror networks hostile to India's national security, sovereignty, integrity and unity, property belonging to and held by banned JeI at Kupwara has been notified by district magistrates concerned in the exercise of the powers conferred under Section 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 & Notification dated 28- February- 2019 of Union ministry of home affairs, the statement added.
"The property is a shopping complex comprising 20 shops along with appurtenant land falling under survey number 2990/2666/270 and survey number 3551/2979/263 has been sealed and entry/usage barred has been prohibited," reads the notification.
Additionally "red entry" to this effect has been made in the relevant revenue records.
With this SIA Kashmir has got 57 properties of JeI notified to date, it further stated. -- ANI
Union minister Muraleedharan
23:28 War of words between Kerala FM Balagopal, Union minister Muraleedharan
A war of words erupted on Monday between Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan and Kerala finance minister KN Balagopal regarding the alleged reduction in the state government's borrowing capacity with both blaming each other of trying to mislead the public on the issue.
Muraleedharan claimed it was the "financial mismanagement and extravagance" of the LDF government that resulted in the financial crisis Kerala was facing and it was the reason for the state's huge debt.
He also refuted the allegations of the ruling Left government in Kerala that the Centre had reduced the borrowing capacity of the state.
Hitting back, Balagopal said Muraleedharan was trying to mislead people and achieve political gains through such baseless and objectionable statements.
Earlier in the day at a press conference held here, Muraleedharan termed as an "extravagance" the honorarium approved for expelled Congress leader K V Thomas, now appointed as the state's representative in New Delhi, and the foreign trips of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state's ministers.
The minister further said some of India's neighbouring countries were in dire economic straits due to their financial policies and as the Centre did not want a similar situation here, restrictions were placed on borrowings by states.
"So, I would like to ask the state finance minister and the chief minister not to foist the blame for it on the central government," Muraleedharan told reporters at the press conference held by him. -- PTI
23:08 Gehlot, Pilot to fight polls unitedly: Cong
Amid a festering leadership tussle in the Congress' Rajasthan unit, the party Monday said Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot have agreed to fight the upcoming assembly elections unitedly and have left all issues to be resolved by the party high command.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in view of the upcoming Rajasthan assembly election, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had a detailed four-hour-long discussion with Ashok Gehlot.
Sachin Pilot joined the deliberations later which was held at Kharge's residence, he said.
"In this discussion, we have decided to fight the election unitedly. Both are in agreement that the Congress party has to go together and definitely we will win the election in Rajasthan," he told reporters after the meeting.
"It is very clear that Rajasthan is going to be a strong state for the Congress party. We are going to win. Therefore, both the leaders Gehlot ji and Sachin ji have decided to go together. The Congress party will fight elections unitedly," Venugopal also said. -- PTI
22:36 President Murmu's first state visit from June 4 to Suriname, Serbia
President Droupadi Murmu will pay visit to Suriname and Serbia from June 4 to 9, the ministry of external affairs said on Monday.
These will be her first State visits after assuming office in July 2022.
The President will be visiting Paramaribo, Suriname, from June 4-6 at the invitation of Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname, the MEA said.
On the second leg of her visit, President Murmu will pay a to the Republic of Serbia on from June 7-9 at the invitation of Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia. -- PTI
22:27 Shah lands in strife-torn Manipur on peace mission
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in ethnic strife-torn Manipur on Monday night to restore peace by hammering out a solution between the clashing communities, officials said.
He reached the Bir Tikendrajit Imphal International Airport in Imphal aboard a special flight from Delhi, beginning his four-day visit to the state.
Shah is expected to hold several rounds of meetings on Tuesday to assess the situation and plan steps to restore normalcy, sources said.
On Wednesday, he is likely to address a press conference in the afternoon to announce the measures initiated to control the ongoing violence across the state.
He is expected to fly out of Imphal on Thursday morning, security sources said.
This is Shah's first visit to the northeastern state since ethnic clashes broke out earlier this month. -- PTI
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21:55 Coast Guard rescues 6 fishermen stuck in sea off TN
The Coast Guard on Monday said it has rescued six fishermen who were stuck in a boat near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) for two days.
The boat was stranded since May 27 due to engine failure, a Coast Guard release said.
The Coast Guard Mandapam unit rescued the fishermen on Sunday, after receiving information that an Indian fishing boat had not returned to the harbour.
"The ICG unit at Mandapam redirected a Coast Guard ship ICGS C-432 that was already on patrol in the area, to search for the missing fishing boat. After extensive search, the Coast Guard ship located the fishing boat drifting close to IMBL about 16 nm (nautical miles) from Pamban Light," the release said.
The fishermen on the boat informed the Coast Guard that they were unable to make their way back, as a shaft had broken and fallen into the sea. Thus, the boat was stuck in the same location for two days.
The fishermen were taken on board by the Coast Guard ship and provided with necessary assistance. Later, the fishing boat was towed back to north Mandapam fishing harbour, it said.
Delhi murder accused Sahil (left)
21:33 Delhi murder: Call to father helps cops nab accused
The accused Sahil involved in the horrific murder of a minor girl in New Delhi's Shahbad Dairy area was arrested after he made a phone call to his father, the police said on Monday.
The police, while revealing the details of how the accused was arrested, said that the accused went into hiding after switching off the phone.
The police said that technical surveillance was put on him after the accused had called his father.
"After the incident, the accused had fled and went to his relative in Bulandshahr to hide. However, after reaching there, he called his father and after that, the police arrested him through technical surveillance," the police sources said.
The police also said that the accused Sahil had switched off his mobile after committing the murder.
"The accused Sahil had switched off his mobile after committing the murder after which he went to his aunt's house in Bulandshahr by bus," police sources said. -- ANI
Veteran filmmaker Martin Scorses (left)
21:15 Martin Scorsese announces film on Jesus Christ after meeting Pope Francis
Veteran filmmaker Martin Scorsese announced that he will make a film on Jesus Christ following his meeting over the weekend with Pope Francis in the Vatican, according to multiple reports.
Scorsese, whose film Killers of the Flower Moon received a world premiere at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival, said his declaration was in response to the Pope's "appeal to artists".
"I have responded to the Pope's appeal to artists in the only way I know how: by imagining and writing a screenplay for a film about Jesus. And I'm about to start making it," the American director of Italian descent said Saturday during a conference at the Vatican, reported entertainment outlet Variety citing multiple reports.
Before attending the conference titled The Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Imagination, Scorsese -- raised in a predominantly Catholic environment -- and his wife Helen Morris met Pope Francis during a brief private audience at the Vatican. -- PTI
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20:54 Prohibitory orders clamped in Mumbai till June 11
The Mumbai police on Monday issued prohibitory orders till June 11 restricting the movement and unlawful assembly of five or more persons in order to prevent breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity and danger to human lives and loss of property in the metropolis, an official said.
Assembly of five or more persons, processions, use of loudspeakers and amplification instruments, musical bands and bursting of firecrackers have been restricted, though marriage ceremonies, funeral assemblies, statutory meeting of companies, clubs, co-operative societies etc are exempted, as per the order.
Assemblies in or around cinema houses, theatres or any place of public amusement for the purpose of watching films, dramas or performances, around schools and colleges are also exempted along with assemblies in or around courts of law and offices of the government and local bodies in discharge of government and semi government functions, it said. -- PTI
20:32 EC asks 5 poll-bound states to update electoral rolls
The Election Commission has asked chief electoral officers of poll-bound states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Mizoram to carry out a fresh special summary revision to update the electoral rolls.
In its May 24 dated letter to the five chief electoral officers, the poll body said the assembly polls in these states are "due later this year".
It also cited provisions of the Representation of the People Act to state that the electoral roll should be revised with reference to the qualifying date before each assembly election of a state.
"Accordingly, to maximise the registration of all eligible citizens, who are attaining the age of 18 years on or before October 1, 2023 and with the purpose of improving the health of the electoral roll, the commission has decided to carry out 2nd Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls with reference to October 1, 2023 as the qualifying date in your state," the letter read.
Till recently, January 1 was the only qualifying date for those turning 18 to register as voters, but following changes in the election law, January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 are the four cut-off dates now. -- PTI
20:03 Man booked for defaming Maha CM's family
The Thane city police have registered a case against a member of a political outfit for allegedly defaming Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's family, an official said on Monday.
The police said accused Ajay Jaya of Dharmarajya Paksha made defamatory remarks after the Thane civic body on May 25 pulled down the extended portion of a sweet shop in the Panch Pakhadi area.
Following the demolition, Jaya claimed on social media that the action was taken after a relative of the CM had a tiff at the shop, the official said.
The shop owner on Monday lodged a complaint with the Naupada police saying that no such incident ever occurred.
He said similar action was taken against more shops in the area and that Jaya was trying the defame the CM's family.
The police have registered a case under Indian Penal Code section 500 (defamation) and no arrest has been made, added the official. -- PTI
19:43 Chhattisgarh seer condemns police action against protesting wrestlers
Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Monday criticised the action of the Delhi police against the protesting wrestlers and said the act came at a time when the nation is talking about women's empowerment and beti bachao beti padhao.
Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia, Sangeeta Phogat, Sakshi Malik and several others were detained by Delhi police on Sunday when they attempted to move towards the new Parliament building for a women's 'Mahapanchayat'.
The wrestlers, who had been protesting at Jantar Mantar since April 23 seeking the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing women grapplers, were detained and later let off on Sunday.
Later, however, an FIR was registered against the protesting wrestlers for allegedly ignoring police warning that creating ruckus during the opening of the new Parliament building would "harm national prestige" and will not be tolerated, officials had said.
Speaking to reporters at Rajrajeshwari Temple, he said, "If anyone strongly complains about anything then it should be investigated. If the MP is innocent then what is the problem in declaring him innocent after a probe."
"At a time when the entire nation is talking about women's empowerment and beti padhao beti bachao, we are seeing daughters being dragged away. It is unacceptable," he added. -- PTI
19:24 Six labourers electrocuted to death in Jharkhand
Six labourers were electrocuted to death after an electric pole they were erecting fell on a high-tension overhead wire in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Monday, railway officials said.
Baghmara deputy superintendent of police Nisha Murmu said that the incident took place near Nichitpur railway station, around 145 km from Ranchi.
All of them were working under a small contractor, who reportedly fled the spot after the incident, an official said.
Dhanbad divisional railway manager Kamal Kishore Sinha rushed to the spot after the incident.
Confirming the death of six workers in the incident, he said, "A probe into the incident has been initiated."
Eyewitnesses claimed that eight people were working at the site without safety gear or switching off the election connection.
The two who survived ran away in panic. Five dead in the incident have been identified. -- PTI
Army jawan stand guard in violence-hit area of Imphal town/PTI
19:04 Army detains 25 miscreants with firearms in Manipur
At least 25 miscreants with arms, ammunition and grenades have been rounded up by Indian Army and para-military forces across ethnic-strife riven Manipur, officials said on Monday.
A spokesperson for the defence forces said a number of people were detained with weapons after fresh incidents of firing and clashes broke out in and around Imphal valley.
"During operations in Sansabi, Gwaltabi, Shabunkhol, Khunao in Imphal East, Army apprehended 22 miscreants with weapons and other war like stores. Five 12 bore double barrel rifles, three single barrel rifles, one country made weapon with double bore and one muzzle loaded weapon were recovered," he said in a statement.
In Imphal city, a mobile check post stopped a car with three passengers on Sunday night, he added.
"On being stopped, the miscreants got down from the car and attempted to flee. All three miscreants were however apprehended by alert troops on ground," he said. -- PTI
18:54 3 held in Ahmedabad with 1,570 fake notes worth Rs 7.85 lakh
Three persons were arrested here with fake Indian currency notes with a total face value of Rs 7.85 lakh that they planned to exchange with the now-withdrawn Rs 2,000 banknotes, the police said on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off, the city crime branch arrested three men with 1,570 fake notes each with a face value of Rs 500, it said.
Two of the accused persons are natives of Puducherry and one is from Tamil Nadu, the crime branch said in a release.
The police are also on the lookout for the mastermind, identified as Vikky Madhukar, who supplied the duplicate banknotes to the arrested accused.
The trio was searching for people who were looking to exchange their Rs 2,000 currency notes after they were withdrawn by the Reserve Bank of India ten days ago.
The police have registered a first information report against the three men under Indian Penal Code sections 489 (counterfeiting) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy).
They were identified as Mohan Gavandar, Dinesh Rajput and Raghunath Pillai.
Gavandar, Rajput and absconding Madhukar are history sheeters who were arrested in the past in connection with gambling, extortion and counterfeiting, the crime branch said. -- PTI
18:12 MP orders probe into damage to Mahakal Lok idols
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said he had ordered an inquiry into some idols of the Mahakal Lok corridor in Ujjain getting damaged in a storm.
Six of the seven idols of Saptarishis installed at corridor developed on the Mahakaleshwar temple premises collapsed and suffered damage due to gusty winds at around 4pm on Sunday.
"I am getting the matter inquired and have sought a report," Chouhan told reporters on the sidelines of an event to mark nine years of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.
The idols that got damaged were made of fibre, he said, adding it was not possible to make heavy stone figures at such places.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first phase of the Mahakal Lok corridor project in October last year. -- PTI
17:48 BJP panchayat member held for spreading fake news on Kerala Class 12 results
A village panchayat member of the Bharatiya Janata Party from Kollam district in Kerala was arrested on Monday for allegedly spreading false news that Class 12 results have been withdrawn by the government.
Nikhil Manohar, a BJP ward member from Poruvazhy Grama Panchayat in Kollam, was arrested based on a complaint received from the officer of state general education minister V Sivankutty, a senior officer of Cantonment Police Station said.
"He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody today (Monday) itself," the officer said.
An FIR under Indian Penal Code Sections 468 (forgery for cheating) and 471 (using forged document or electronic record as genuine) was registered against him based on the complaint, he said.
According to the police, Manohar had spread the fake news via a video uploaded on online video sharing platform Youtube.
Sivankutty also mentioned the BJP panchayat member's arrest on his Facebook page.
The minister, in his post, said the man was arrested after a complaint lodged by the general education department.
"The video was deleted after filing of the complaint," Sivankutty said. -- PTI
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17:11 Inmates attack Tihar undertrial prisoner with knife
A undertrial prisoner lodged in Tihar jail here was injured after he was allegedly attacked by other inmates with an improvised knife and handmade tool on Monday, officials said.
The incident took place at 12.38 pm inside Central Jail no 1 at the Tihar prison complex, they said.
According to the officials, the inmates attacked Rahul alias Pawan with an improvised knife, handmade sua and a tile.
One of the attackers, undertrial prisoner Alok alias Vishal, also inflicted self-injuries, they said.
Soon the jail staff, Tamil Nadu Special Police and a Quick Response Team intervened and the inmates involved in the incident were separated immediately, he said.
"After giving primary medical aid at the jail dispensary, both the injured were moved to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for further medical treatment," the jail official said. -- PTI
16:57 Was haunted by images of wrestlers' protest: Bindra
Olympian Abhinav Bindra speaks for protesting wrestlers. "Last night was sleepless, haunted by the horrifying images of my fellow Indian wrestlers protesting. It's high time we establish independent safeguarding measures across sporting organizations. We must ensure that if such situations arise, they are dealt with utmost sensitivity and respect. Every athlete deserves a safe and empowering environment," Bindra tweeted.
Bindra, India's gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, was speaking on the wrestlers protest at New Delhis Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over allegations of sexual harrassment.
On Sunday, Indias top wrestlers including Olympic and World medallists Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik were all detained.
The wrestlers had been planning to march to the site of New Delhis new parliament building and conduct a womens mahapanchayat to coincide with the inauguration of the building by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The wrestlers left Jantar Mantar -- where they had been sitting in protest since April 24th -- but as soon as they crossed protective barricades placed around the protest site were detained.
16:45 It's windy, rainy and cool in peak summer in Delhi
A fresh spell of rains, gusty winds and overcast skies turned weather pleasant in the national capital on Monday, with the India Meteorological Department's Regional Forecasting Centre saying heatwave conditions are unlikely to return to the capital till June 4.
Winds gusting up to 50 kmph swept the capital on Monday afternoon and several areas reported light rains, an IMD official said.
The Met office has issued a yellow' alert, cautioning people of traffic disruptions and inundation of low-lying areas.
The IMD uses four colour codes for weather warnings: green (no action needed), yellow (watch and stay updated), orange (be prepared) and red (take action).
The Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi's primary weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 21.8 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal, on Monday.
The maximum temperature is likely to settle around 35 degrees Celsius. May, historically the hottest month in Delhi with a mean maximum temperature of 39.5 degrees Celsius, has recorded below-normal temperatures and excess rain this time.
Meteorologists attributed the phenomenon to higher-than-usual western disturbances -- weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and bring unseasonal rainfall to northwest India -- this season. According to IMD data, the Safdarjung Observatory has so far recorded 86.7 mm of rainfall in May. On average, the national capital logs 19.7 mm of rainfall in the whole month.
16:13 Parliament opening became religious event: Pinarayi
Launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building was another example of the "deliberate attempts" that are being carried out to "attack democracy" in the country.
The Chief Minister was addressing an event in memory of late minister MP Veerendrakumar on Sunday. Addressing the event, CM Vijayan said, "Today, there are deliberate attempts to attack democracy and the inaugural ceremony of Parliament is the best example. In our country, secularism is under huge attack. RSS is not in compliance with India being a secular nation so they wish to change India into a religious country". CM Vijayan said that the "religious ceremony" should not be happened in the Parliament.
"What happened in the Parliament should not be happening in a democratic government. It became a religious ceremony of a particular religion which is not suitable for a secular nation. The country is going through a critical time. Democracy is getting threats from many sections. They (BJP) want the country to be religious," he added. -- ANI
16:04 The Prison Which Is A National Pilgrimage
The long queue outside the Cellular Jail is a testimony to its place in India's national consciousness.The Andamans is also where the only British viceroy was assassinated and where Netaji unfurled the Tricolour for the first time in 1943, Archana Masih/Rediff.com discovers on a recent visit to Port Blair. Read the story here.
15:43 Man stabs, bludgeons girl to death in Delhi
A 16-year-old girl was stabbed multiple times and then stoned to death in full public view in northwest Delhi's Shahbad Dairy area, a video of which is being widely shared, police said on Monday.
The accused, identified as Sahil (20), allegedly stabbed the victim over 20 times before bludgeoning her with a stone in a busy lane of the densely populated neighbourhood.
Sahil has been arrested from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, the Delhi Police said. Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa said he has been arrested in connection with the murder. He worked as a fridge and AC mechanic.
In the video which has been widely circulated on social media, people can be seen passing by, staring in alarm, but not doing anything to stop the accused. Sahil later escaped from the spot.
The police said the reason behind the murder is not known yet, adding that the body of the victim, a resident of JJ Colony in Shahbad Dairy, was found lying in the street.
She was passing through the street when she was accosted by the accused, who stabbed her multiple times on Sunday night, a police officer said.
The couple was in a relationship but had a quarrel on Saturday. On Sunday, the victim planned to attend the birthday party of her friend's son but was accosted and stabbed repeatedly. She was also hit with a stone, he added.
A case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at Shahbad Dairy police station on the basis of the complaint lodged by the victim's father, the police added.
"The reason behind the murder is not known yet," said a senior police officer. Hitting out at Lt Governor VK Saxena over the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked him to "do something" as law and order in Delhi is his responsibility. "A minor girl was brutally murdered in Delhi. This is very sad and unfortunate. The criminals have become fearless, there is no fear of the police. L-G sir, law and order is your responsibility, do something," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal slammed the police and claimed that "no one is afraid" of the police or law in the national capital.
15:34 New parliament symbol of spirituality: VHP
The national secretary general of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Milind Parande said that the inauguration of the new Parliament building was a great event depicting the inherent oneness of the people and tradition of our great Bharat.
In a statement, VHP said, "May 28 is an important date for Bharat when our Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Parliament building to the Nation. This dedication event was preceded by the handing over of Sengol by 21 Adheenams from Tamizhagam Tamil (Nadu)". The VHP secretary general said that this event signifies the Bharathiya culture, tradition and spirituality, which are inherent traits of this sacred nation. "Spiritualism and Nationalism are the two eyes of this country," he said in a statement.
"Vishwa Hindu Parishad considers this event as the pride of the nation, as it highlighted the historical, sacred culture and tradition of this nation and condemns the attempt to politicize this event for political gains by some anti-national and anti-Hindu forces," Parade added.
As per the statement, the VHP will take this spiritualism and nationalism message across the country in the coming days when VHP is entering the 60th year of its foundation.
The poor are getting poorer
15:09 Since 2014, the poorest communities are earning less
Wage data collected by the Centre for Labour Research and Action reveal a steady decline in real wages of brick-kiln workers in the last 10 years. Brick-kiln work is a fallback occupation for some of India's poorest groups. Read the column by noted economist Jean Dreze here.
14:53 Cong to get 150 seats in Madhya Pradesh: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday exuded confidence that the party will bag 150 seats in the upcoming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to the media after the party's poll preparedness meeting at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, he said the party would continue its winning streak in Madhya Pradesh after emerging victorious in Karnataka.
Gandhi along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting of top party leaders from Madhya Pradesh where all state leaders stressed on unity within the party.
Former chief minister and Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath and AICC in-charge P Aggarwal was among those resent during the meeting. "We had a lengthy discussion. It is our internal assessment that we got 136 in Karnataka. In Madhya Pradesh we are going to get 150 seats. What we did in Karnataka we are going to repeat that (in Madhya Pradesh)," Gandhi told reporters after the meeting.
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly has 230 seats. Gandhi parried a query on Nath being the chief ministerial face of the party. Aggarwal said all leaders gave their inputs for the upcoming assembly elections. "Everyone felt that all leaders should contest the elections unitedly and help the party win in the state," Aggarwal said giving details of the meeting in which Gandhi, Kharge and K C Venugopal were present.
Nath said, "We all discussed the strategy and the issues on which the party should contest these polls. We are all of the opinion that we will enter the poll fray unitedly".
Noting that over four months are left for the polls, he said it was a very important meeting in which all senior leaders were present. Asked if it would give guarantees like it did in Karnataka, Nath said a beginning has been made in Madhya Pradesh with the 'Nari Samman Yojna'.
"We have done some and some will be announced in the future. We can't fire all the bullets in one go," Nath said. PTI
14:47 RBI may reduce policy rate in fourth quarter of 2024
Global forecasting firm Oxford Economics on Monday said the RBI may cut key benchmark policy rate in the fourth quarter of the current calendar year as a mix of factors will allow the central bank to shift focus and adopt a more accommodative policy stance sooner.
It further said inflation has already begun easing, and consumer inflation expectations are falling, so attention has shifted from estimating the peak level of the current hiking cycle to the timing of rate cuts.
"We are updating our baseline view for India to include a first rate cut by the RBI in Q4 2023. "We think a mix of factors will allow the RBI to shift focus and adopt a more accommodative policy stance sooner," Oxford Economics said. It noted that despite easing price pressures recently, risks to inflation over the remainder of the year are to the upside.
14:17 One more cheetah released into wild in Kuno; count reaches 7
One more cheetah has been released into the wild at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district, taking the count to seven, an official said on Monday.
Neerva, a female cheetah from South Africa aged 3-4 years, was released into the wild from a larger enclosure at the KNP on Sunday evening, the national park's Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prakash Kumar Verma said.
So far, seven cheetahs have been released into the free-range so far, while 10 are still housed in larger enclosures, he said.
The decision about the release of remaining cheetahs into the wild will be taken by the steering committee constituted by the Centre. The committee members are scheduled to visit the KNP on Tuesday, the official said.
Eight Namibian cheetahs, comprising five females and three males, were brought to the KNP and released into special enclosures by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 last year as part of an ambitious reintroduction programme of the species.
Later, 12 cheetahs seven males and five females were brought to the national park from South Africa on February 18 this year.
Cheetah Jwala, earlier known as Siyaya, who was translocated from Namibia, gave birth to four cubs at the KNP in March this year.
Three of the cubs died earlier this month.
These cubs were the first to be born in the wild on Indian soil after the last cheetah was hunted in Korea district of present-day Chhattisgarh in 1947.
Apart from these cheetah cubs, three of the 20 adult cheetahs -- Daksha, Sasha and Uday -- translocated from South Africa and Namibia have died at the KNP. -- PTI
14:07 Yasin Malik gets HC notice on NIA's death penalty plea
The Delhi high court on Monday issued a notice to separatist leader Yasin Malik, who is presently serving a life term, on a plea by the National Investigation Agency seeking death penalty for him in a terror funding case.
A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh also issued warrants for production of Malik before it on August 9.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the National Investigation Agency, argued that the accused indulged in terrorist and secessionist activities and should be awarded death penalty by treating the matter as a "rarest of rare" case.
"In view of the ground that Yasin Malik, sole respondent in this appeal, has inter alia pleaded guilty to a charge under section 121 IPC which provides for an alternate death sentence, we issue notice to him... to be served through the jail superintendent," the court ordered.
Let warrants be issued for his production on the next date of hearing, it added.
On May 24, 2022, a trial court here had awarded life imprisonment to Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Malik after holding him guilty for various offences under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the IPC.
Malik had pleaded guilty to the charges, including those under the UAPA, and he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. -- PTI
13:39 Wrestlers can't protest at Jantar Mantar: Police
A day after the Delhi Police cleared the sit-in site of the protesting wrestlers, the security force on Monday said they will be allowed to demonstrate at a suitable place in the city other than Jantar Mantar.
"The demonstration by the wrestlers was going on smoothly at the notified place of Jantar Mantar. On Sunday, the protestors flouted the law, ignoring our repeated requests. Hence, we cleared the site and ended the dharna," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) tweeted in Hindi.
"If the wrestlers will apply for permission to stage their sit-in again in the future, they will be allowed to do so at any suitable notified place other than Jantar Mantar," it said.
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia along with other protesters were booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty on Sunday after a scuffle with security personnel who tried to stop them from marching to the new Parliament building as it was being inaugurated. Soon after, the Delhi Police cleared the site of their over-month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and said they would not be allowed to return there.
The police said 700 people were detained across the national capital. As many as 109 protesters, including the three wrestlers, were detained at Jantar Mantar. Women detainees were released later in the evening on Sunday.
Elaborating further, Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa said the police force had been co-operating with the protesters but Sunday's incident forced them to take the extreme step and clear the protest site. "The wrestlers had been protesting since the last 38 days and we were cooperating with them. We were supplying them water and even generator sets. They also had free entry and exit," she said.
13:15 Gehlot on Pilot 'formulae': Will never happen!
When asked about various "formulae" being speculated around Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, CM Gehlot says, "Never in my life have I seen a tradition in Congress that a leader demands something or high command asks him what post he wants... High Command and Congress party are so strong that such a situation will not arise that you are making an offer to pacify someone. It has never happened, it will never happen..."
The Congress high command has reportedly given shape to a plan that allows warring Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan to bury the hatchet in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections. The plan entails giving the post of Pradesh Congress Committee president to Pilot. The decision has been conveyed to Chief Minister Gehlot.
13:11 Congress in a huddle as MP polls loom
Top Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh on Monday met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi over the preparedness for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
Sources said the meeting was attended by Rahul Gandhi, former chief minister Kamal Nath, among others. Kharge will also hold deliberations with party leaders from Rajasthan where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot will be in attendance.
Gehlot has already reached the national capital for the meet. These interactions will be attended by state unit chiefs as well as party in-charges of both the poll-bound states. These are also part of the Congress' efforts to activate party cadres and prepare the ground for the assembly polls slated later this year.
12:46 They forcefully dragged us inside bus: Sakshi Malik
India's Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik along with her fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the new Parliament building where the protesting wrestlers planned to stage a demonstration on Sunday.
"Everything is visible in the video that when there are 20-30 constables stopping one wrestler then how can we do any sort of riots. We were just trying to tell them that please don't take us away. We just want to do a peaceful march because nobody is listening to us but they forcefully dragged us inside the bus. We got scratches because of that. We didn't do any riot, we didn't damage any public property. We neither pulled nor pushed the barricading. We are doing our peaceful protest from day one and we were requesting them to let us go but we were not allowed to go, " said Olympic medallist wrestler Sakhi Malik while speaking to ANI.
Earlier on Sunday, the protesting wrestlers who were trying to march towards the new Parliament from their site of protest at Jantar Mantar were stopped and detained by the security personnel in Delhi.
Delhi Police earlier said that "unsocial elements" won't be allowed to enter the national capital to ensure smooth conduct of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building, said DCP, Sonipat East Gaurav Rajpurohit.
The wrestlers had announced that they planned to hold a women's Maha Panchayat in front of the new Parliament as part of their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan who has been accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers. Seven women wrestlers have filed a police complaint against him.
"Yesterday whatever situation panned out was very bad. We wanted to do a peaceful march but they did not let us do that. The barricading was only 10 steps away from Jantar Mantar. So, we requested to please let us go. Our elders have called up to do maha panchayat for woman's dignity but barricading was done just 10 steps away.
"They started pushing us saying that you cannot move forward and in doing so they detained us and did not let us go forward. We told them not to put us inside the bus, we are moving peacefully but you must have seen in the videos that we were being forcibly pushed inside the bus. They detained us and released us by 6 pm in the evening, " said Sakshi Malik.
Mamata Banerjee with Bihar CM and Dy CM last month
12:28 Mamata may attend Oppn meet in Patna next month
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee is likely to attend an opposition meeting to be held in Bihar next month, party sources said on Monday.
The much-awaited meeting of parties opposed to the BJP may be held in Patna on June 12, according to hints that have emanated from a meeting of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD (U).
"Mamata Banerjee is likely to attend the meeting of opposition parties next month in Bihar. She will place her ideas of forming an opposition unity and strengthening it in the fight against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls," a senior TMC leader told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
The idea of hosting a meeting of opposition leaders in Patna was floated by Banerjee, who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata last month.
After the Congress' massive victory in the Karnataka polls earlier this month, Banerjee had said that the TMC would support the grand old party in states, where it is strong, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The TMC supremo had also expressed hope that the seat-sharing formula would give priority to regional players in areas where they were strong. Kumar, the JD(U)'s supreme leader, has been pitching for "opposition unity" ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August last year, following accusations that the ally was trying to create fissures in his party and diminish his standing.
As part of the "opposition unity" drive, Kumar has held discussions with not only Congress allies like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar but also its opponents like Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao. PTI
11:59 Smile!
If you haven't seen this, do. MP Varun Gandhi shared this picture yesterday at the opening of the new parliament tweeting, "On this historic occasion of the inauguration of our new Parliamentary complex, I cheekily requested the most senior member of the current Lok Sabha for a couple of selfies together' @Manekagandhibjp."
Displaced Manipuris at a relief camp
11:52 Shah heads to Manipur today as state simmers
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday travel to Manipur on a four-day visit during which he will hold several rounds of security meetings to assess the situation and plan steps to restore normalcy, sources said.
This is Shah's first visit to the northeastern state since the ethnic clashes broke out on May 3. The home minister will be in the state from May 29 to June 1. He will arrive in Imphal this evening, the sources said. Shah will hold several rounds of security meetings to assess the situation and plan further steps to restore normalcy, they said.
He is also expected to meet representatives from the civil society and various groups of the Meitei and the Kuki communities. Addressing a programme in Assam recently, Shah said he would soon go to Manipur. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had said during a press conference in Imphal that Shah is scheduled to visit Manipur on May 29 to resolve the ongoing crisis.
The ethnic clashes that have claimed more than 75 lives in Manipur broke out after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
11:48 GSLV-F12 successfully places 2nd gen navigation satellite into orbit: ISRO
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched its advanced navigation satellite GSLV-F12 and NVS-01 from Sriharikota. The launch was carried out from Satish Shawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. NVS-01 is first of the India's second-generation NavIC satellites that accompany enhanced features. ISRO informed in a tweet that the satellite was injected into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after 19 minutes of flight.
"After a flight of about 19 minutes, the NVS-O1 satellite was injected precisely into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Subsequent orbit-raising manoeuvres will take NVS-01 into the intended Geosynchronous orbit," ISRO stated.
11:45 New CVC sworn in
Praveen Kumar Srivastava was sworn in as the Central Vigilance Commissioner by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
11:17 Delhi police on wrestlers' detention says...
The Delhi police statement on the clampdown and detention of protesting wrestlers yesterday. "Yesterday, protesters violated the law despite all requests made to them. That is why, the ongoing sit-in protest has been made to conclude. If the wrestlers give an application for sit-in protest again in future, they will be permitted for the same at a suitable place other than Jantar Manta.
"If the wrestlers give an application for sit-in protest again in future, they will be permitted for the same at a suitable place other than Jantar Mantar," says Suman Nalwa, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delhi.
"We provided all possible facilities to the wrestlers protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past 38 days. But yesterday they violated the law despite all requests made to them...They were detained and released by the evening," says Nalwa.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked PM Modi over the manhandling of internationally acclaimed wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik by Delhi Police on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Parliament of India.
In a tweet in Hindi, he said, The coronation is over - the 'arrogant king' is crushing the voice of the people on the streets, attaching a video of the manhandling of the protesting wrestlers by the Delhi Police.
11:02 IAF's Apache attack helicopter makes precautionary landing in MP
An Indian Air Force Apache attack helicopter made a precautionary landing in a village in the Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, informed IAF officials on Monday. Further details are awaited.
10:51 Plea against Rs 2000 note exchange dismissed
The Delhi High Court dismisses a plea challenging the permission to exchange Rs 2,000 currency notes without requisition slip, ID proof.
Ashwini Upadhyay had filed a petition in the Delhi high court challenging the decision of the Reserve Bank of India and the State Bank of India to allow people to exchange Rs 2,000 banknotes without submitting any identity documents or filling up a requisition form.
10:41 They have no shame: Sakshi on morphed pics
On yesterday's protest, their detention and FIR against them, wrestler Sakshi Malik says, "The situation yesterday was bad. We wanted to march peacefully but they didn't let us do that. There was barricading right from Jantar Mantar. They started pushing us back and detained us...They dragged us to buses. We didn't riot, we didn't damage any public property..."
When asked about a morphed photo of wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat smiling in a vehicle, Sakshi says, "Those who are doing this have no shame at all. How does God create such people? Pasting smiles on the faces of girls who are disturbed... I don't think they even have a heart. They are trying to defame us."
Over 700 protesters including India's top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, were detained by the Delhi Police on Sunday as they intensified their protest demanding the arrest of their federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations.
Representational image
10:40 Stalled refinery expansion plans under PMO radar
Nudged by the prime minister's office, the petroleum and natural gas ministry is set to expedite discussions with stakeholders on half a dozen expansion and greenfield development plans of stalled oil refinery projects. These units have been facing roadblocks due to land hurdles, lack of environmental clearances or funds.
This move is set to boost domestic crude output and meet the rising demand. One of the projects under consideration is the contentious West Coast Refinery in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
The government will soon form a core team to look into the hurdles, revive talks and bring multiple stakeholders to the discussion table, officials said. This will include officials from the ministry and oil marketing companies (OMCs), among others.
"Even for those projects in the public sector, the executing agency is OMCs, state governments or private participants. The ministry often acts as a bridge, and that is what we will do," an official said.
The government is working to raise the total crude oil refining capacity in the country to 450 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum) from the current 250 MMTPA or about 5 million barrels per day (bpd).
Meanwhile, fuel demand is expected to double to 10 million bpd by 2050. India already has the fourth-largest crude refining capacity in the world.
However, the rapidly growing domestic demand has made the government prioritise capacity addition.
Fuel consumption reached a 24-year high in February 2023 to 4.82 million bpd. Consequently, the country's petroleum product consumption may touch a new high of 233.81 million tonnes in 2023-24, according to government estimates.
Complex and capital-intensive refinery projects generally have a long gestation period. But a slew of challenges has held up the industry's growth in India.
The largest such project is the planned West Coast Mega Refinery, which is set to come up in the Nanar area of Ratnagiri district.
First announced in 2015, the $44 billion project had targeted an unprecedented refinery capacity of 60 MMTPA.
But a lack of cooperation between the then Shiv Sena-controlled Maharashtra government and the BJP-led central government had held up the mega project. In 2018, Saudi Aramco and the UAE's ADNOC had signed a framework agreement to jointly develop the Ratnagiri refinery.
-- Subhayan Chakraborty/Business Standard
10:37 No sign of Rs 1,000 making a comeback
The central government may withdraw the legal tender status of the Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes by the end of December this year, after the Reserve Bank of India decided to withdraw them from circulation by the end of September.
A source close to the development said since many Indian citizens and Indian missions abroad keep Indian currencies, a window has been kept open beyond September to avoid any inconvenience that was caused in 2016 when the legal tender status of then Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes was ended immediately, as part of the demonetisation exercise.
"Last time, during demonetisation in November 2016, a large amount of money was abroad with people, firms, and in our missions which could not come within the deadline and exemptions were given for such money," he said.
"In several Latin American countries and Pacific island missions, such as Fiji and Trinidad, many Indians pay for visa fees in Indian rupees. All that requires time for us to settle. That's why legal tender cancellation has not been done simultaneously, so that even if that money comes beyond the September deadline, it will be okay," the official added.
"With the withdrawal of the currency, the commitment of the RBI goes away, but that of the government remains, since it is a legal tender. To avoid a repeat of the situation in 2016, the cancellation of legal tender status will now happen only after the September deadline. I don't think it will go beyond December. That notification should come sometime after September and by year-end, the legal tender status will be withdrawn,' according to the source. When asked about the possibility of extending the September deadline for exchanging/depositing Rs 2,000 notes, he replied in the negative.
"As you can imagine, there are specific purposes behind such exercises. Those are likely to be accomplished when we close it in time and not drag it. Before counterfeit notes, etc, start coming in, we would have to close the exercise."
-- Asit Ranjan Mishra/Business Standard
09:56 Rain predictions across north for next 3-4 hours
India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecasted light to moderate spells of rain in some parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the next 3-4 hours.
IMD also predicted the possibility of rain and hailstorm in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand on Monday.
"Latest satellite imagery shows the possibility of light to moderate spells of rain accompanied with thunderstorms/lightning/gusty winds activity over some parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman and Nicobar Islands during next 3-4 hours," the IMD said on Monday.
IMD issued on Monday an orange alert for Uttarakhand where it is predicted the possibility of rain and hailstorm in higher reaches of the state and rain and thunder in the plains of it. "There is a possibility of rain and hailstorm in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand today. Chance of rain and thunder in the plains," IMD said.
According to the Meteorological Department, rain is expected in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag and light rain in Bageshwar, Almora and Pithoragarh.
The Meteorological Department has also issued a warning of gusty winds blowing at a speed of 70 km.
Meanwhile, Rain lashed parts of the national capital in the wee hours of Monday morning bringing relief from the heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday night predicted rain along with dust storms to hit parts of Delhi-NCR.
Modi with Erdogan. File pic
09:52 Modi congratulates Erdogan on re-election as Turkiye president
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election, and expressed confidence that bilateral ties between the two countries on global issues will continue to grow.
Erdogan won re-election Sunday, extending his rule into a third decade as the country reels from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Modi tweeted, "Congratulations @RTErdogan on re-election as the President of Trkiye! I am confident that our bilateral ties and cooperation on global issues will continue to grow in the coming times." PTI
Modi installs the Sengol
09:30 It was only about Modi: Saamna on Parl opening
'Saamna', the official newspaper of the Uddhav Thackeray faction condemned the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building, alleging that no one other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi was allowed to grab the limelight.
Raising questions on the functioning of Parliament, the mouthpiece stated that Lok Sabha used to run for at least 140 days in a year during former PM Pandit Nehru, while now it doesn't even run for 50 days.
Hitting out at the Centre, the 'Saamna' stated, "The inauguration of the building of the new Parliament House took place with much grandeur. This ceremony meant 'Everything is Modi and only Modi'. Whether it was photographs or other filming, Modi did not allow anyone else's shadow to appear in it. That's the nature of Modi".
It added, "If the President would have inaugurated the new Parliament House, with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Modi in the middle and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on his right. If such an image had appeared from the temple of Democracy, it wouldn't have lowered Modi's greatness. If Modi had done all this, then the world would have felt that Modi has changed, but if he changes his nature then how is he, Modi?"
The editorial further accused BJP of "putting locks" on the old Parliament where the Prime Minister had taken oath in 2014.
"When Modi became the Prime Minister of the country in 2014, he himself declared that 'The Constitution of the country is the only holy book. Our government will respect that holy book'. Modi entered the Parliament for the first time before sitting on the post of Prime Minister, when he was very emotional, he bowed down on the steps of the Parliament and shed tears. He assured of protecting the sanctity of this Parliament and strengthening the Parliament. But in just eight years, he locked the same Parliament and built a new Parliament building as per his wish. He organized the inauguration ceremony on the lines of a 'Maharaj' doing the Vastu of his palace," it stated. -- PTI
09:23 Complete breakdown of law: Cong on Manipur
The Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh on Monday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central Government over the violence in Manipur.
He said a that delegation led by the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will be calling on President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday in connection with the unfolding of violence in Manipur while slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not issuing a single appeal for peace.
Taking to his personal Twitter handle, the congress leader lashed out at the BJP for what he termed as the "complete breakdown of law and order" in Manipur since violence broke three weeks ago.
"25 days after Manipur started burning, things have turned from bad to worse on the eve of the long-awaited visit of the Union Home Minister to Imphal. Despite Article 355 being imposed there's a total and complete breakdown of law & order and administration in the state," tweeted Jairam Ramesh.
According to officials, Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the strife-torn state on Monday to take stock of the situation. -- PTI
Sakshi Malik was dragged by the police and detained
09:11 Sakshi Malik: Has dictatorship begun in India?
India's Olympic medallist, wrestler Sakshi Malik, expressed her disappointment after an FIR was filed against her and her fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat despite a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar while Wrestling Federation chief (WFI) Brij Bhushan Singh was roaming freely despite facing severe charges of sexual assault.
"It takes seven days for Delhi Police to register an FIR against Brij Bhushan who sexually assaulted the wrestlers and it didn't even take seven hours to register an FIR against us for peacefully protesting. Has dictatorship started in this country? The whole world is watching how the government is treating its sports persons," tweeted Olympic medallist wrestler Sakshi Malik.
On Sunday, Sakshi Malik and her fellow wrestlers Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to march to the new Parliament building where the protesting wrestlers planned to stage a demonstration.
Earlier on Sunday, the protesting wrestlers who were trying to march towards the new Parliament from their site of protest at Jantar Mantar were stopped and detained by the security personnel in Delhi.
Delhi Police earlier said that "unsocial elements" won't be allowed to enter the national capital to ensure smooth conduct of the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building, said DCP, Sonipat East Gaurav Rajpurohit.
08:54 Gehlot, Pilot in Delhi today, to meet Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will hold separate meetings with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his bete noire Sachin Pilot on Monday in Delhi, a senior party leader familiar with the development said.
The chief minister's office has also released Gehlot's programme confirming his visit to Delhi, where he will also lay foundation stone of the Rajasthan House.
The proposed meeting comes close on the heels of Pilot's "ultimatum" that if three demands he made from the state government were not met by the end of this month, he would launch a state-wide agitation. Pilot has asked for a high-level inquiry into the alleged scams that took place during the tenure of the former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje government, as one of his demands.
According to the senior leader, a meeting of the Congress top brass with all the state leaders was scheduled on May 26 but was later postponed.
He said that now the high command will meet Gehlot and Pilot separately to bring them on one platform ahead of the assembly elections, which are due later this year.
Kharge was successful in bringing Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar together in Karnataka and the party now wants to try the same formula in Rajasthan, the senior leader said.
He also said that a few days ago a meeting of the Congress high command with the leaders of all poll-bound states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, was planned, which was postponed. -- PTI
08:38 Wrestlers booked for rioting after scuffle with police
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia along with other protesters were booked for rioting and obstructing public servant in discharge of duty on Sunday after a scuffle with security personnel who tried to stop them from marching to the new Parliament building as it was being inaugurated. Soon after, the Delhi Police cleared the site of their over-month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and said they will not be allowed to return there.
The police said that 700 people were detained across the national capital. As many as 109 protesters, including the three wrestlers, were detained at Jantar Mantar. Women detainees were released later in the evening.
Opposition parties slammed the central government over the "manhandling" of wrestlers, who had resumed their agitation against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on April 23 demanding his arrest for alleged sexual harassment of several women grapplers, including a minor.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said that the "arrogant king is crushing the voice of the people" on the streets as the "coronation" is over and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it is "shameful our champions are treated in this manner".
Elaborate security measures had been made after the wrestlers' call for a women's 'Mahapanchayat' outside the Parliament for which they did not have permission.
08:09 Big Oppn meet to be held in Patna on June 12
The much-awaited meeting of parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party may be held in Patna on June 12, according to hints that have emanated from a meeting of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United on Sunday.
While no significant office bearer confirmed or denied the same, many present at the meeting said on condition of anonymity that the disclosure was made by the chief minister himself.
Kumar, the JD-U's supreme leader, has been pitching for "opposition unity" ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August last year, following accusations that the ally was trying to create fissures in his party and diminish his standing.
Kumar, who is now heading an alliance government in Bihar which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and the Left, has reached out to leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, all of whom are opposed to the BJP but not very comfortable with the grand old party either.
In fact, the idea of hosting a meeting of opposition leaders in Patna was floated by Banerjee, who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata last month.
As part of the "opposition unity" drive, Kumar has held parleys with not only Congress allies like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, but also its opponents like Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao.
A meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, ostensibly to seek land for a Bihar government guest house in that state, is being used by the BJP to mock Kumar as the Biju Janata Dal supremo has virtually ruled out joining any broader formation.
All eyes would now be on which parties agree to be represented in the meeting, given faultlines like Congress' mistrust of Kejriwal and KCR and Banerjee's famed rivalry with the Left. -- PTI
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