LIVE! Lashkar terror module busted in J-K, 4 arrested

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Sun, 25 February 2024

Lashkar terror module busted in J-K, 4 arrested

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Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan

23:10 Kerala's Orthodox Church urges guv not to give assent to 'Church Bill' if ...

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church head Baselios Marthoma Mathews III on Sunday urged the Kerala Governor not to give his assent to any ordinance or legislation in connection with a 'Church Bill' that rumours say could be introduced by the Government of Kerala.

The Orthodox and the Jacobite factions of the church have been at war over the control of certain churches in the state since 1970.

The feud between the two factions intensified following the implementation of a 2017 Supreme Court order, granting the Orthodox faction possession of over 1,000 churches and properties attached to them.

However, the order has not been fully implemented until now due to protests from both factions.

Mathews III said there were rumours that a 'Church Bill' would be introduced. He pointed out that the Supreme Court order is the law of the land and asked the Governor to use his discretionary power if any law or ordinance is introduced to bypass the apex court verdict favouring the Orthodox church.

"If any legislation or ordinance against that law is placed before you (the Governor) for approval to disregard the 2017 judgment favouring Malankara Orthodox Church by the ruling government of Kerala, we strongly believe that Your Excellency will use your discretion to give justice due to the Malankara Orthodox Church," the Orthodox church head said at an event in Kottayam. -- PTI

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22:49 Lashkar terror module busted in J-K, 4 arrested

A Lashkar-e-Tayiba terror module was busted on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district with the arrest of four militant associates, the police said.

Security forces arrested four terrorist associates and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said.

The arrests were made in connection with case FIR no. 14/2024 registered under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The spokesman identified the arrested as Zahoor Ahmad Pandit, Basir Hussain Pandit, Imtiyaz Gull, and Gulzar Ahmad Khar, all residents of Wanpora.

A pistol, two magazines, 20 pistol rounds, four UBGs, and 24 INSAS rounds were recovered from their possession, the spokesman said.

Further investigation is going on as more arrests and recoveries are expected in the case, he added. -- PTI

A junior colleague held for allegedly killing an employee of an IT consulting services company in Nagpur has told the police that he was enraged after his senior commented about his performance at work, an official said on Sunday.

The victim, identified as L Devanathan Lakshminarasimhan (21), was working as an assistant manager with Hexaware Technologies in MIHAN (Multi-Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur) for the last ten months, the Nagpur police had said earlier.

The incident occurred in a flat in Shyam Nagar area when the victim his colleagues Chandel and Pawan Anil Gupta, alias Halwai were drinking alcohol.

Citing Chandel's interrogation, the official said that Devanathan raised questions concerning his performance at work and told him that he was lacking in certain areas.

Chandel was infuriated. He grabbed a knife and stabbed Devanathan in the chest. The knife pierced Devanathan's heart, resulting in his death, the official said.

The crime came to light after Chandel and Halwai took Devanathan to a private hospital on Wednesday morning.

They told the staff that he suffered injuries after falling in the bathroom.

However, the staff doubted their claims as the body bore stab wounds.

The police launched an investigation after the victim's brother lodged a complaint.

Chandel confessed to the crime after being questioned by the police. -- PTI

Sandeshkhali women protest in North 24 Parganas/ANI Photo

21:57 TMC leader held in Sandeshkhali in land grab case

The West Bengal police on Sunday detained local Trinamool Congress leader Ajit Maiti at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas on charges of land grabbing from villagers, an officer said.

Maiti, considered a close aide of fugitive Shajahan Sheikh, was detained from the residence of a civic volunteer where he had locked himself for over four hours after being chased by villagers, he said.

"We detained him following complaints of land grabbing by villagers. We will look into their complaints and then decide on arresting him," the police officer said.

Angry villagers had attacked Maiti a couple of days ago for his alleged ties with Shajahan and his group, allegedly involved in land grabbing and torture of local women. -- PTI

A major fire broke out at the Badmal ordnance factory in Odisha's Bolangir district on Sunday, police said.

However, no injuries have been reported in the incident that took place in the evening.

"A fire broke out at a temporary storage unit of the ordnance factory. The factory's internal fire brigade team and our local fire service personnel immediately rushed to the spot and doused the fire. No one was injured in the incident," Bolangir superintendent of police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said over the phone.

The reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained, he said. No official information has been received yet about the losses incurred due to the blaze. -- PTI

Professor Nitasha Kaul/Courtesy X

21:36 Govt denies entry to attend conference in K'taka, claims Indian-origin UK prof

University of Westminster professor Nitasha Kaul on Sunday alleged that she was denied entry into India to deliver a speech at a conference in Karnataka.

She said the entry denial came despite she had all necessary documents and the Karnataka government invited her to attend the conference, she said on X.

The Indian-origin UK professor alleged that she was denied entry because of her earlier criticism of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

"I was given no reason by immigration except 'we cannot do anything, orders from Delhi'. My travel & logistics had been arranged by Karnataka & I had the official letter with me. I received no notice or info in advance from Delhi that I would not be allowed to enter," Prof Kaul wrote on X.

"I spent 12 hours in a flight from London to Bangalore, several hours at immigration where they shuttled me here & there, provided no info on process, then 24 hours in a holding cell (no BA flight back until next day) under direct cctv w restricted movement, a narrow area to lie down and no easy access to food and water, made dozens of calls to airport for basic things as a pillow and blanket, which they refused to provide, then 12 hours on the flight back to London," Kaul added.

"Decades of my work speaks for me. The officials informally made references to my criticism of RSS, a far-right Hindu nationalist paramilitary from years ago. I have travelled to India numerous times since. I was invited by a state govt, but refused entry by the central govt," she said on X.

"This is also about what knowledge-making can do! Banning academics, journalists, activists, writers from India in spite of all valid documents is pathetic. The evidence is in public. In the country, academic institutions are being forced to toe the line (I have published on this), and outside the country now too, academic silencing," she said.

Three persons, including two women, were killed by an elephant in Jharkhand's Bokaro district on Sunday, an official said.

The incident happened in Kodwatand panchayat area under the jurisdiction of Lalpania police station, around 100 km from state capital Ranchi.

Bokaro divisional forest officer Rajnish Kumar said that the elephant first trampled to death a 60-year-old man around 7 am.

"Later, the pachyderm seriously two other women in different villages under the same panchayat. They were admitted to a hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries in the afternoon," Kumar said.

The deceased were identified as Sonu Manjhi (60), Manjri Devi (30) and Suhani Hembram (24).

The attacks happened when Manjhi was walking on the road, while Hembram was going to fetch water from a well, he said.

Kumar said the elephant seemed to have been separated from its herd on Saturday night and turned aggressive.

"We are trying to reunite the elephant with its herd," he said. -- PTI

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, (right) with quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil/File image

20:54 Don't test our patience...., CM Shinde tells Jarange

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange must not test the patience of his government after the latter made wild allegations against deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Shinde also took a swipe at the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar chief Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena-UBT while responding to Jarange.

Speaking in Antarwali Sarati earlier in the day, Jarange said Fadnavis was trying to kill him. Jarange had also said a poisoning attempt was made against him through saline, though he did not elaborate on the claim.

"Those who are protesting again and again against the government must not test our patience. They should not create a law and order problem. I wonder why Jarange's speech looks like the script generally used by Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray," Shinde said.

He was speaking to reporters on the eve of the session of the Maharashtra legislature. -- PTI

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20:36 Six dogs, including five pets, poisoned to death in Thane

Six dogs were poisoned to death in Ganeshpuri area of Thane district, a police official said on Sunday.

A probe began after Bhiwandi resident Manisha Patil told police that two of her pet dogs began vomiting in the morning of February 21 and died soon after, the official said.

"Three others from the area, Kashinath Raote, Dinesh Jadhav and Ravindra Raote, also approached police complaining their pet dogs had died in a similar manner. One stray dog too died on the same day," he said.

"The six dogs include two Labradors and one German Shepherd. We believe some unidentified person poisoned them," the Ganeshpuri police station official said.

He said a case under section 428 (mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering any animal useless) of the Indian Penal Code was registered on February 22, though no arrest has been made as yet. -- PTI

20:22 Two former Odisha MLAs join BJP

Ahead of the simultaneous Odisha assembly and Lok Sabha polls, former minister and four-time Biju Janata Dal legislator Debasis Nayak, and ex-Congress MLA Nihar Ranjan Mohananda on Sunday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

They were inducted into the BJP in the presence of party state president Manmohan Samal, former president Samir Mohanty and other senior leaders.

Nayak, speaking on the occasion, said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become a strong country.

"Naveen Patnaik is not ruling Odisha, someone else is. Those who have funded the BJD and made Patnaik the CM are now being neglected in the party," he alleged.

Nayak, a four-time MLA from Bari assembly constituency in Jajpur district, submitted his resignation letter to Patnaik on February 20. It was shared with the media earlier in the day.

"With a heavy heart, I am submitting my resignation herewith with immediate effect. Thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of Odisha as well as the party," Nayak said in his resignation letter.

However, he did not mention the reason for his resignation. -- PTI

Nafe Singh Rathee/Courtesy X

20:01 INLD Haryana chief Nafe Singh Rathee shot dead

Unidentified assailants shot dead the Indian National Lok Dal's Haryana unit president Nafe Singh Rathee in Jhajjar district on Sunday, according to a senior party leader.

Rathee, a former MLA, was travelling in an SUV when the assailants, who were in a car, attacked him in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh town.

INLD leader Abhay Chautala told PTI that Rathee was shot dead in Jhajjar district.

He accused the government of failing to provide Rathee with security despite there being threat to his life, and demanded the resignation of the chief minister and the home minister.

The police said the investigation in the matter was underway. -- PTI

A head constable of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force was on Sunday killed after a pressure improvised explosive device planted by the Maoists went off in the state's Bijapur district, the police said.

The incident occurred at around 3.30 pm near Bechapal Padampara village under Mirture Mirtur police station limits in the Naxal-hit district when a team of CAF was out on an area domination operation, an official said.

The operation was launched from Bechapal police camp towards Kutulpara village, he said.

When the patrolling team was advancing through the area near the camp, head constable Ram Ashish Yadav, belonging to CAF's 19th battalion, inadvertently stepped over a pressure IED connection triggering the blast, resulting in his death, he said.

The body of the martyred personnel was shifted to Mirtur, the official said, adding that a search operation was underway in Mirtur area. -- PTI

The Delhi police on Sunday arrested two accused for allegedly beating and robbing a Japanese national near Siraspur Railway Fatak.

A top police official said that both the accused were nabbed and all robbed articles have been recovered from their possession.

According to DCP (Outer North) Ravi Kumar Singh, on February 24 at 2.24 pm, a call was received at Samaypur Badli police station regarding robbery.

Japanese national resident of DLF Gurugram, Haryana, age-45 yrs accused that two boys came from behind and started beating him.

They robbed off his camera, 02 mobile phones and purse.

Thereafter, they fled away from the spot.

"Police team reached the spot and recorded statement of victim, a Japanese national who resides in DLF Gurugram, Haryana, (45)," DCP Singh said.

"He stated that he is permanent resident of Fujinodai Machinda, Japan and presently working in Nippon Express in Gurugram Haryana," DCP said.

"On February 24 at about 7:15 am, he reached at Old Delhi Railway Station from where he boarded Pathankot Express. He got off the train at Panipat Railway Station and took some photographs with his camera. Thereafter, he boarded a train for Khera Kalan in Railway Station. At around 1.00 pm, he got off from the train and took some photographs," DCP added.

"Thereafter, he started moving towards Badli Railway Station on foot. When he reached near Siraspur Railway Fatak, 2 boys came from behind and started beating him. They robbed off his camera, 2 mobile phones and purse. Thereafter, they fled away from the spot. The victim was medically examined in BSA Hospital. On his statement a case vide FIR u/s 394/34 IPC, PS SP Badli was registered and investigation taken up," he added.

DCP added that the team scanned the CCTV cameras installed near the place of incident and the route which was used by the accused to flee from the spot.

"During this, two boys were noticed who committed the said robbery. Thereafter local sources were deployed and the accused were identified as Rahul, resident of Siraspur, Delhi and his JCL associate (17 yrs 11 months). Both are nabbed and all robbed articles have been recovered from their possession," he said. -- ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Rajkot in Gujarat and e-dedicated to the nation four more AIIMS at Bathinda (Punjab), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh).

He inaugurated development projects worth Rs 48,000 crore at the function held in Rajkot and asserted that his guarantee begins when hope from others fades.

"For 50 years after Independence, there was only one AIIMS in the country, and that too in Delhi. In the seven decades since Independence, only seven AIIMS were approved but even these were never completed," he said.

"But now, in just 10 days, seven new AIIMS were inaugurated or its foundation stones laid. That is why I am saying we are developing the country at a pace much faster than what happened in the last six to seven decades," he said. -- PTI

Security forces during an anti-Maoist operation/ANI file image

18:42 Three Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh encounter

Three Maoists were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Sunday morning, a senior police official said.

The face-off took place around 8 am on a hill between Bhomra-Hurtarai villages under the Koyalibeda police station area, where a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation, Kanker superintendent of police Indira Kalyan Elesela said.

The security forces had received inputs about the presence of cadres belonging to company no. 5 of Maoists in Bhomra, Hurtarai and Michchebeda villages, he said.

A joint squad of the District Reserve Guard and 30th battalion of the Border Security Force was dispatched to the area on Saturday night, the official said.

A gunfight broke out, and Naxalites fled the scene after a brief exchange of fire, he said.

Bodies of three Maoists were recovered from the site along with some muzzle-loading guns, he said. -- PTI

A 28-year-old woman has lodged a complaint against a Shiv Sena leader and his son in Navi Mumbai, alleging that the duo had repeatedly raped her and her mother, the police said on Sunday.

The woman approached the Amboli police station on Saturday with a complaint against the Shiv Sena leader and his son, and no FIR has been registered so far, an official said.

As per the complaint, the accused leader was helping the woman obtain a divorce from her husband.

The father-son duo had allegedly repeatedly raped the woman and her mother at different locations and blackmailed them, he said. -- PTI

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18:02 Inactive hand grenade found at vacant ground of RSS office campus in MP

An inactive hand grenade, believed to be 30-35 years old, has been found at an empty ground of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh office campus in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind city, the police said on Sunday.

The grenade possibly made its way to the Sangh office campus from a nearby area where a police firing range was located earlier in Didi village, superintendent of police Asit Yadav said.

A bomb disposal squad along with sniffer dogs was sent to the spot and found the hand grenade was inactive, he said.

The ball-shaped object was found on Friday by some children playing at the RSS office ground in Bajaria locality of the city, the official said.

The police got the information about it at around 10.30 pm on Saturday following which the bomb disposal squad was sent there, he said.

The Sangh office-bearers were away in another city for a meeting and the office was lying vacant.

The SP said the ground at the Sangh office complex must have been filled with soil earlier and the grenade reached with it.

A police release said the grenade looks around 30-35 years old and it made its way with the soil brought from a nearby area and spread on the Sangh office campus ground earlier. -- PTI

17:32 Two Cong MLAs among 4 join BJP in Arunachal

In a boost to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Arunachal Pradesh ahead of polls, two Congress MLAs and as many legislators from the National People's Party joined the ruling BJP on Sunday.

The Congress and NPP now have two MLAs each in the 60-member assembly.

Senior Congress MLA and former union minister Ninong Ering (Pasighat West seat) and Wanglin Lowangdong (Borduria-Bogapani constituency) joined the saffron party during a function at its headquarters here.

NPP's Mutchu Mithi (Roing seat) and Gokar Basar (Basar constituency) also became a part of the BJP at the event, which was attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. With Sunday's development, the BJP now has 53 MLAs in the House, while three independent MLAs extend outside support to the government. -- PTI

SP chief Akhilesh joins Rahul Gandhi's Nyay Yatra in Agra/ANI on X

17:05 SP chief Akhilesh joins Rahul's Nyay Yatra in Agra

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Agra on Sunday, days after the two parties reached a seat-sharing arrangement in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls.

Party workers of the SP and the Congress raised slogans in their support as the two leaders, accompanied by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, waved at the crowd gathered here for the yatra.

Attacking the government in his address on the occasion, Yadav said, "Today, farmers are standing against the government. The government is scared of the power of farmers. In the coming time, the BJP will be removed and the INDIA coalition government will give respect to farmers."

He added that the BJP has not given the backward classes, Dalits and minority communities the respect they deserve.

Senior Congress leader in Uttar Pradesh Pradeep Mathur was also present on the occasion. Earlier, the leaders paid floral tributes at a statue of B R Ambedkar in Agra.

"The Agra leg of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' has definitely proved to be an ice-breaker. The atmosphere is wonderful, workers of both parties are enthusiastic. This will definitely have a positive impact in the Lok Sabha elections for both the parties," Mathur said. -- PTI

A government schoolteacher has been arrested in Rajasthan's Kota district for allegedly thrashing a five-year-old girl and dislocating her arm bone, the police said on Sunday.

Mohammed Sattar was arrested on Saturday evening on a complaint from the father of the girl, a Class 1 student of the Khedarasulpur government senior secondary school, they said.

The case has been registered at the Kaithun police station of the district. The accused teacher will be produced before a court on Sunday, circle officer (Kota Rural) Gagendra Singh said.

The girl's father has alleged that Sattar thrashed his daughter in school on Saturday, the officer said.

The teacher has been booked under the Indian Penal Code and SC/ST Act, Circle Inspector, Kaithun police station, Harlal Meena said.

Sattar allegedly thrashed the girl and pulled her arm that caused dislocation of the bone, he said.

The matter is being probe, Meena said. -- PTI

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange/File image

16:24 Jarange threatens to protest outside Fadnavis' home

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday said he would march to Mumbai and protest outside the residence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who he accused of trying to kill him.

The announcement, made at the end of a speech of more than one hour in Antarwali Sarati in Jalna in which Jarange made several allegations against Fadnavis, took his supporters by surprise.

"Some people are being lured and pressured to make false allegations against me. Fadnavis is behind these conspiracies. He wants to kill me. I am ready to march to Sagar bungalow (Fadnavis' official residence in Mumbai's Malabar Hill) right away," Jarange said.

The announcement led to chaos at the site, where the activist's supporters had gathered in large numbers.

Even as some of them tried to take away his microphone, Jarange said he would march to Mumbai alone and all he needed was a stick for support.

Hitting back, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane warned Jarange that he would have to cross a "huge wall of party workers" to reach Fadnavis, adding that the quota activist was "now reading from a script".

"He should enter politics but he should not stoop low to make such allegations against Fadnavis," Rane said. -- PTI

16:01 Renowned filmmaker Kumar Shahani dies at 83

Filmmaker Kumar Shahani, a parallel cinema icon who directed films such as Maya Darpan, Char Adhyay and Kasba, has died at the age of 83.

The director passed away last night at a hopsital here, close friend, actor Mita Vashisht said.

"He passed away around 11pm last night due to age related health issues at a hospital in Kolkata. He was ailing and his health had been declining. It's a deep personal loss, Vashisht, who worked with the director on Vaar Vaar Vaari, Khayal Gatha, and Kasba, told PTI.

"We were in touch with his family. Kumar and I would talk a lot and I knew he was ailing and was in and out of hospital," the actor added.

Shahani is survived by his wife and two daughters.

In a note, the family said, It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Kumar, on 24th February, 2024.

The filmmaker was born in Larkana, Sindh in the undivided India. After the partition in 1947, Shahani's family shifted to Bombay.

He studied at the Film and Television Institute of India with Mani Kaul, another major name in Indian art house cinema.

Shahani debuted with Maya Darpan in 1972. The film, based on Hindi writer Nirmal Varma's short story, revolved around a woman divided between her lover and protecting the honour of her father in feudal India.

He followed it up with Tarang in 1984.

Starring Amol Palekar and Smita Patil, the film received a national film award. The story revolved around an amoral businessman, who gets involved with a trade union leader's wife. -- PTI

15:36 Modi to visit Bihar on March 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar on March 2 to launch a number of projects and address public meetings, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary said on Sunday.

Choudhary, who is also a deputy chief minister, spoke to journalists at the party's state headquarters, where he joined BJP workers to listen to the PM's Mann Ki Baat' broadcast.

"The prime minister will be in Aurangabad and Begusarai districts on March 2 for launch of several projects. He will also address the public," he said.

This will be Modi's first visit to Bihar since the BJP-led NDA got a shot in the arm with the return of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who heads the JD-U.

Choudhary also said the PM is scheduled to launch projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore for Bihar, in the next 10 days, either through the virtual mode or in person". -- PTI

Fact-finding panel members being arrested at Bhojerhat in West Bengal/ANI on X

15:25 Fact-finding team members held en route to Sandeshkhali

Six members of an independent fact-finding panel, on their way to Sandeshkhali, were arrested at Bhojerhat in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Sunday afternoon.

Following the arrest, the committee members were brought to PHQ Lal Bazaar Kolkata.

Saikat Ghosh, deputy commissioner, Bhangar Division, Kolkata police, said while speaking to the media, "We were requesting them to not cross from here, but they were trying to break the police barricade unlawfully. So, we had to arrest them under Preventive Sections."

"If there is information of a 'breach of peace', police can arrest them under preventive sections," he added.

The Fact-Finding Committee members were stopped by police at Bhojerhat, South 24 Parganas, while they were proceeding to the trouble-torn Sandeshkhali area in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas to investigate alleged incidents of atrocities on women there.

Charu Wali Khanna, a member of the Fact-Finding Committee, expressed dissatisfaction, "We were visiting Sandeshkhali, but they have stopped us... Police have purposely stopped us and are creating problems for the common people. Police are not letting us meet the victims of Sandeshkhali..."

Another member of the Fact-Finding Committee, OP Vyas, said, "We are sitting here obediently to oppose as they (police) have stopped us illegally, which is against our rights. We'll complain about it to the chief minister, governor, Union home minister, and even to the prime minister."

Hitting out further at the state government, he said that the constitutional machinery has collapsed in the state. "Unfortunately, the police are executing illegal orders and taking the law into their own hands. We want to meet victims of Sandeshkhali," he added. -- ANI

PM Narendra Modi during scuba diving in Arabian Sea off Panchkui beach in Dwarka, Gujarat/ANI on X

14:51 Divine experience, says Modi after scuba diving near Dwarka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday enjoyed scuba diving off the Arabian Sea coast at the Panchkui beach in Dwarka in Gujarat and said to pray in the city of Dwarka, which is immersed in waters, was a "very divine experience".

Scuba diving is conducted off the coast of Dwarka near Beyt Dwarka island, where people can see the underwater remains of ancient Dwarka that were excavated by archaeologists.

"To pray in the city of Dwarka, which is immersed in the waters, was a very divine experience. I felt connected to an ancient era of spiritual grandeur and timeless devotion. May Bhagwan Shri Krishna bless us all," the prime minister said in a post on X after the scuba driving experience.

He also shared some photos showing him scuba diving in the waters, before attending a public function in Dwarka.

Modi also offered prayers at the Lord Sri Krishna temple in Dwarka.

In the morning, the PM inaugurated 'Sudarshan Setu', the country's longest cable-stayed bridge, on the Arabian Sea connecting Beyt Dwarka island to mainland Okha in Devbhumi Dwarka district. -- PTI

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14:44 Four killed in explosion at firecracker factory in UP's Kaushambi

At least four people died after an explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi on Sunday, police officials said.

The incident occurred at a firecracker factory in Kaushambi's Bharwari town under the Kokhraj police station area.

According to police officials, more than five people were injured in the incident and now are undergoing treatment.

"There has been a fire in a firecracker factory in Bharwari. As per the information, there are four casualties and some people are injured. They have been sent to the hospital for treatment. The factory is far away from the residential area... The rescue operation is underway... They had the license to manufacture and sell. 5-6 people are injured..." superintendent of police Brijesh Srivastava said. -- ANI

The goods train after coming to a stop at Unchi Bassi railway station in Punjab/ ANI on X

14:06 Goods train runs for 70 km from J-K to Punjab without drivers

A diesel locomotive-hauled freight train travelled more than 70 km from Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua to a village in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district without its drivers on Sunday, officials said.

No casualty or damage to property has been reported, they said and added that an inquiry has been ordered into the incident that took place between 7.25 am and 9 am.

The 53-wagon train loaded with chip stones was on its way to Punjab from Jammu, the officials said.

The train had stopped at the Kathua railway station in Jammu for a driver change and it seems that it began to roll down a slope gradient track on the Jammu-Jalandhar section, a spokesperson of the Northern Railway said, citing preliminary information.

Both drivers -- loco pilot and assistant loco pilot -- were not on board the freight train, the officials said.

The train gained speed along the way, finally coming to a stop on a steep gradient near Unchi Bassi railway station in Punjab, they said.

Divisional traffic manager, Jammu, Prateek Srivastava told PTI that "an inquiry has been initiated to know the exact cause of the incident. Prima facie, it seems that the train started rolling down the slope gradient towards Punjab without the driver and his assistant". -- PTI

Even after eight days, the services of social media giant X, formerly Twitter, remained suspended across Pakistan while the authorities have yet to disclose the reason behind the prolonged disruption, Pakistan-based Geo News reported.

The shutdown began on Saturday last week, resulting in users not being able to access information on social media platform X.

Global internet monitor, NetBlocks, said VPN services have also been restricted in Pakistan, resulting in users facing difficulty accessing the micro-blogging site.

Website tracker Downdetector.com said, "User reports indicate possible problems at X (Twitter)." Speaking to Geo TV, Nighat Dad, the executive director of the Digital Rights Foundation," said that the X outage is causing a damage to Paksitan's image.

She further said that the PTA is not being transparent regarding these outages and disruptions.

She noted that there is a likelihood of "consuming disinformation by users on platforms like X where people have a space to exercise their fundamental rights of freedom of speech and access to information, specifically during times of elections or conflict."

Nighat Dad said, "That's where we need these platforms where people have more and more speech and the other people can counter this information as well, and, specifically around elections."

She said that the X outage is not sending a good message to investors or international organisations. -- ANI

Image courtesy NCS on X

13:34 Earthquake of 3.0 magnitude jolts Ladakh; no report of any

An earthquake of 3.0 magnitude struck Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh region on Sunday, according to the National Center for Seismology.

As per the National Center for Seismology, the earthquake occurred at 11:48 am.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:3.0, Occurred on 25-02-2024, 11:48:00 IST, Lat: 33.34 & Long: 76.84, Depth: 5 Km, Location: Ladakh, India," NCS said in a post on X.

Earlier, an earthquake of 3.7 magnitude jolted Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar region at 6.36 am on Monday, said the National Center for Seismology.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:3.7, Occurred on 20-02-2024, 06:36:00 IST, Lat: 33.32 & Long: 76.71, Depth: 5 Km, Location: Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, India," NCS said in a post on X. -- ANI

BSP MP Ritesh Pandey/File image/ANI Photo

13:27 BSP MP Ritesh Pandey quits party, joins BJP

Ahead of the upcoming general elections, Bahujan Samaj Party Lok Sabha MP from Ambedkar Nagar Ritesh Pandey on Sunday resigned from the party's primary membership and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi.

In his resignation letter addressed to BSP president Mayawati, Pandey said he has come to the conclusion that the party does not need his service as neither has he been called for meetings for a long time nor has the party leadership spoken to him.

He shared his resignation letter on X.

"For a long time, neither am I being called to attend party meetings nor has the party leadership spoken to me. I made numerous efforts to get in touch with and meet you (Mayawati) and the top leadership of the party but it did not yield any result," Pandey said in his letter.

"During this time, I continuously met workers and supporters of other parties in my area and was also involved in various works going on in the constituency. Hence, I have come to the conclusion that the party does not need my service and presence," he said. -- PTI

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13:06 Tens of thousands of women offer pongala at Kerala's Attukal Devi temple

Under the slightly cool relief of a cloudy sky, tens of thousands of women gathered in the Kerala capital on Sunday to partake in a sacred ritual known as 'Pongala.'

This ritual, considered one of the largest religious gatherings of women in the world, saw makeshift brick stoves line the roads for several kilometers in the city as women prepared offerings to honour the presiding deity of the famous Attukal Bhagavathy temple.

The rituals began shortly after, at 10.40 am, when the chief priest lit the main hearth (Pandara Aduppu) near the shrine, signaling the start of the annual event.

Women from all across the state and outside prepared 'pongala', a mix of rice, jaggery, and scraped coconut, in fresh earthen pots by lining up on either side of the roads for kilometers around the shrine in the state capital.

The ritual had made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for being the largest religious gathering of women on a single day when 2.5 million took part in it.

Women have been arriving in the state capital since Thursday to grab good spots for setting up their brick hearths where they will prepare 'pongala'.

The pongala festival marks the finale of a 10-day ritual at the shrine.

Preparing 'pongala' is considered an auspicious all-women ritual as part of the annual festival of the Attukal temple here, popularly known as the 'Women's Sabarimala'. -- PTI

The Noida police arrested two men from Sector 39 for transporting illicit goods worth around Rs 50 lakh from Nepal to the Rohini area of Delhi, a police official said.

The apprehension occurred during a routine check on Saturday, resulting in the discovery of banned Chinese e-cigarettes and cannabis (ganja) in their possession.

"During a check by the sector 39 in-charge inspector and his team, two men were arrested with prohibited e-cigarettes and illegal ganja. The vehicle they were using was also seized. Further investigation revealed that they were bringing these items from Nepal and supplying them around Rohini in Delhi," DCP Noida, Vidya Sagar Mishra, said.

"No information about storage has surfaced yet, but it has been discovered that they had previously delivered one lot of illegal goods in the Rohini area, and we are currently investigating this matter," he added.

DCP Noida, Vidya Sagar Mishra, provided details about the significant haul resulting from the operation.

"Approximately 1000 e-cigarettes have been seized, valued at around 50 lakhs as each one costs Rs 5000 to 6000. We have identified the individual responsible for sending these illicit items from Nepal, and further action will be taken after gathering more information," DCP Noida, Vidya Sagar Mishra said. -- ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast will not be aired for the next three months in line with political decorum in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

In the 110th episode of the programme, he said there is a possibility that the Model Code of Conduct will be enforced in March as it was done during the last polls as well, a reference to the expected announcement of the election schedule sometime next month.

It is a big success of the programme that it has been kept away even from the shadow of the government during its 110 episodes, he said, asserting that the broadcast has been dedicated to the country's collective strength and achievements.

"It is a programme of the people, for the people and by the people," the prime minister said.

"When we meet the next time, it will be 111th episode of the Mann Ki Baat," Modi added, noting the auspiciousness associated with the number.

What can be better than this, he said.

The prime minister has frequently expressed confidence of retaining power in the elections. -- PTI

A 60-year-old woman labourer was killed after a sports utility vehicle hit her in Maharashtra's Palghar district, following which a group of angry locals smashed the vehicle and beat up its two occupants, police aid on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday evening on Satpala-Rajodi Road in Vasai area in Palghar and the two SUV occupants were later arrested, they said.

The woman, who hailed from Murbad in neighbouring Thane district and worked as a labourer in Satpala, was walking home along with a colleague when the speeding SUV hit her, an official from Arnala Sagri police station said.

The woman fell down and died on the spot, he said. After getting information about the incident, some locals rushed to the spot.

They allegedly threw stones on the SUV and hit its windshield and windows with rods.

They also caught hold of two occupants of the car and beat them up, the official said.

A video of the damaged car went viral on social media platforms. -- PTI

The Indian Air Force deployed its Dornier aircraft at short notice to airlift a team of doctors from the Army Hospital in New Delhi to retrieve a liver from Pune to save the life of an army veteran.

The mission was crucial given it was conducted at short notice on February 23, the Indian Air Force said on Sunday.

"An IAF Dornier aircraft was activated at short notice to airlift a team of doctors of Army Hospital (R&R), to retrieve a liver from Pune to Delhi during the night on 23 February," it said.

The subsequent transplant surgery helped save the life of the veteran, the IAF added.

Army Hospital (Research And Referral), also known as Army Hospital (R&R) is the apex flagship medical care centre in the Delhi Cantonment area for the armed forces where the personnel associated with the armed forces and their family members get treatment. -- ANI

Mobile internet services were restored in seven Haryana districts on Sunday, almost two weeks after they were suspended in the wake of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, officials said.

The services were suspended in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa on February 11 and the suspension was extended on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24.

Officials said no fresh order has been issued to extend the suspension of the mobile services in the seven districts.

According to an earlier order issued by the Home Department, the curbs were imposed 'to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in jurisdictions of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa, including Dabwali, districts in Haryana'.

Residents welcomed the government's decision.

"Restoration of mobile internet services after a gap of several days is a big relief," said Kamal, a resident of Ambala.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are spearheading the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation to put pressure on the Centre to accept farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a farm loan waiver.

Protesting farmers from Punjab taking part in the march have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri points of the state's border with Haryana since February 13, when their march was stopped by security personnel.

The farmers will continue to stay put at the two border points till February 29, when the next course of action will be decided, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had said on Friday.

Farmer leaders had on Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel were injured in clashes at Khanauri. -- PTI

Image only for representation

10:49 Huge cache of weapons recovered in Manipur

The Manipur Police have recovered a huge cache of arms and explosives during search operations at two villages in Churachandpur district.

Security forces seized four firearms, one improvised long-range heavy mortar and ammunition on Saturday from the outskirts of D Haolenjang village, a police statement said.

Fake currency notes with a total face value of Rs 1,200 were also seized from there, it said.

During another search operation, a police team recovered 10 guns, eight gelatin sticks and ammunition from Moljang village in Churachandpur, the statement issued by the police control room said.

In a separate operation, three persons were arrested from Keisampat junction in Imphal West district after two SLR rifles were seized from their possession, an officer said.

A case has been registered against them, and the investigation is underway, he said.

Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence since May last year and over 180 people were killed.

The violence erupted on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts. -- PTI

The Telangana government has said driving tests would be conducted for drivers of Ministers, MLAs, IAS and IPS officers.

The announcement comes two days after Bharat Rashtra Samiti MLA Lasya Nanditha died in a road accident near Hyderabad.

During an interaction with reporters, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar referred to the death of VIPs in road accidents and said it was due to inexperienced drivers.

He stressed the need to appoint competent drivers for long distance journeys. Meanwhile, police sources said the statement of the Personal Assistant, who drove the car of BRS MLA Lasya Nanditha was recorded before a magistrate as part of investigation into the case.

Lasya Nanditha, MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment, died in a road accident at Patancheru in neighbouring Sangareddy district on Friday. -- PTI

IMAGE: BRS chief and former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao pays last respect to the mortal remains of party MLA G Lasya Nanditha, who passed away at the age of 37 in a tragic car accident, in Hyderabad on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

09:18 PM unveils India's longest cable-stayed bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated 'Sudarshan Setu', the country's longest cable-stayed bridge of 2.32 km, on the Arabian sea connecting Beyt Dwarka island to mainland Okha in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district.

Modi began his day by offering prayers at Lord Sri Krishna temple at Beyt Dwarka.

He later inaugurated the four-lane cable-stayed bridge called the 'Sudarshan Setu', which boasts a unique design, featuring a footpath adorned with verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna on both sides.

The 2.32 km bridge, including 900 metres of central double span cable-stayed portion and a 2.45 km long approach road, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 979 crore, as per an official release.

The four-lane 27.20 metre wide bridge has 2.50 metre wide footpaths on each side, it said.

The bridge, which was known as 'Signature Bridge', has been renamed as 'Sudarshan Setu' or Sudarshan Bridge.

Beyt Dwarka is an island near Okha port, which is nearly 30 km from Dwarka town, where the famous Dwarkadhish temple of Lord Krishna is situated.

At present, devotees visiting the temple at Beyt Dwarka can travel only during the day by boat, while the construction of the bridge will allow them to travel at all times, officials said. -- PTI

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sudarshan Setu, countrys longest cable-stayed bridge of around 2.32 km, connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka. Photograph: ANI on X

Trinamool Congress (TMC) state ministers Sujit Bose and Partha Bhowmik interacted with the locals of Sandeshkhali on Saturday.

After interacting with the villagers, West Bengal Irrigation Minister Partha Bhowmick said that not a single woman has raised the issue of assault.

Bhowmick said, "We have interacted with the locals today. We will try to resolve the problems. There are cases of land grabbing. Land will be given back to those from whom it was snatched. The DM has also set up camps in several districts. No woman has raised the issue of assault. This is fake and it has been established today. Those who are bad have no place in TMC. We will again visit here."

He further said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and Abhishek Banerjee, there is zero tolerance for any wrongdoers in the party.

"Shahjahan Sheikh not being arrested is the failure of the Enforcement Directorate. TMC didn't take any time to remove a big leader like Partha Chatterjee. Why will the same party find it difficult to remove this small leader like Shahjahan Sheikh? We are taking confidence-building measures, and the damage has been controlled. BJP has no place here," he added.

West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose said that those whose lands have been grabbed will get justice.

Sujit Bose said, "We will solve the problems of the people here. Those whose lands have been grabbed will be taken care of. We have asked them to file a complaint. We will again visit this place. Action will be taken against all those who are the culprits. We will come tomorrow and the day after tomorrow also."

He further said that the villagers are not afraid anymore.

"The problem exists in four to five booths, not the entire Sandeshkhali. The culprits will be punished. The party has already expelled Uttam Sardar and Shiba Prasad Hazra," he added.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said that the issue of land grabbing and non-payment is real but the news regarding the atrocities against women is fake.

Kunal Ghosh said, "No TMC delegation has gone to Sandeshkhali, but TMC Ministers Partha Bhowmick and Sujit Bose have visited the place. They are looking after the problems and allegations. In Sandeshkhali, the issue of land grabbing and non-payment is real, but the news regarding the atrocities against women is fake. CPI-M and BJP in the state are doing this to malign the image of TMC."

A large number of women in Sandeshkhali had accused Trinamool Congress strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of 'land-grab and sexually assaulting' them under coercion.

Shahjahan continues to evade arrest, with both state police and central agencies unable to trace him. -- ANI

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