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Wed, 12 June 2024
Pune crash: CCTV footage shows bribe at hospital
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23:50 Two Maoists surrender, one held in Chhattisgarh
Two Maoists surrendered before the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Wednesday, while one cadre, carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was arrested, the police said.
Vichchem Farsi alias Bijju and Sandeep Modiyam turned themselves in, citing disappointment with atrocities committed by Maoists on tribals and also the 'hollow' Maoist ideology, an official said.
Bijju was the Burji RPC (Revolutionary Party Committee) Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan vice president while Modiyam was Gorna-Mankeli Militia member as well as vice president of Mulvasi Bachao Manch., he said.
They were also impressed by the police's rehabilitation policy, he said, adding that the duo was allegedly involved in several incidents of Maoist violence.
The surrendered Maoists were provided Rs 25,000 each and they will be rehabilitated as per the government's policy, the official said.
A Maoist, Payku Telam, was apprehended from Petha area under the Kutru police station limits during an anti-Maoist operation, he said.
Telam carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.
He was the DAKMS head under Jaigur RPC of the Bhairamgarh area committee of the outlawed Maoist outfit and was involved in murder, loot, abduction, arson and other incidents, he said. -- PTI
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23:41 Pune crash: CCTV footage shows bribe at hospital
Police have found CCTV footage showing an employee of the Sassoon General Hospital, accused of being part of conspiracy to swap the blood samples of the juvenile driver involved in the Porsche car crash that claimed two lives in Pune, allegedly receiving bribe.
The footage, recorded in Yerawada area, showed middleman Ashpak Makandar handing money to hospital employee Atul Ghatkamble, said a crime branch official.
The May 19 accident in Kalyani Nagar area, in which the Porsche driven by a teenage driver crashed into a motorbike and killed two riders, both IT professionals in their early 20s, took place in the limits of Yerawada police station.
It is alleged that the teenager's blood samples were switched at the Sassoon hospital in an attempt to show that he was not drunk at the time.
Both Makandar and Ghatkamble have been arrested in the case.
The police have claimed that of Rs 3 lakh given by builder Vishal Agarwal, the juvenile's father, co-accused Dr Shreehari Halnor accepted Rs 2.5 lakh, while Ghatkamble got Rs 50,000. -- PTI
Kiran Bedi/ANI Photo
23:28 Biopic on former IPS officer Kiran Bedi announced
An upcoming biographical movie will chronicle the inspiring journey of Kiran Bedi, India's first female IPS officer.
Titled Bedi: The Name You Know. The Story You Don't, the film will be written and directed by Kushaal Chawla, the makers said in a press release.
It will be produced by Dream Slate Pictures.
According to the makers, the film will delve into untold incidents, personal and professional challenges, and unwavering determination that shaped her extraordinary career in policing.
"This story is not just my story. It's an Indian woman's story -- An Indian woman who grew up in India, studied in India, raised by Indian parents, and worked for the people of India throughout her career. My story began at the age of nine when my father told me, 'Life is on an incline, you either go up or you come down,' and my mother said, 'You shall be a giver and not a receiver."
"These statements remained my guiding principles. As we aim to release this film in the 50th International Year of the Woman, this will be an Indian woman's story representing our great nation internationally," Bedi said in a statement.
Chawla, who earlier directed short film Another Time, called the movie a "labour of love". -- PTI
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22:56 Blast at chemical factory in Dombivli MIDC near Mumbai; no casualties
A fire broke out at a closed chemical factory in Dombivli area of Maharashtra's Thane district on Wednesday morning, officials said.
No casualties were reported and the blaze was brought under control in six hours, they said.
The unit is located near Amudan Chemicals, where a massive blast on May 23 had claimed 10 lives and left more than 60 persons injured.
Fire started at Indo Amines chemical factory located in Dombivli MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) area around 10 am on Wednesday due to short circuit in the adjoining company, officials said.
There was also an explosion, said Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Dipak Nikam.
Thick smoke billowing from the unit could be seen from a long distance, he said, adding that a school in the area was promptly evacuated.
KDMC commissioner Dr Indu Rani Jakhar told reporters later that those residing in the vicinity were advised to shift to safer places till the fire was put out.
As many as nine fire engines from four different agencies fought the blaze and brought it under control by 3.30 pm, she added. -- PTI
Indian envoy in Kuwait Adarsh Swaika (left) meets an injured in hospital/ANI Photo
22:41 Modi announces Rs 2L ex gratia for Kuwait victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a review meeting on the Kuwait fire tragedy, in which many Indians have died, and directed officials to extend all possible assistance.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is rushing to Kuwait to oversee the relief measures and facilitate expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains, an official statement said.
Modi expressed his deep sorrow at the incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
He wished speedy recovery to those injured, it said.
He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the Prime Minister Relief Fund.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, his deputy Kirti Vardhan Singh, principal secretary to PM Pramod Kumar Mishra, national security advisor Ajit Doval and foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra were among the senior officials present in the meeting, the statement said.
The early Wednesday massive fire engulfed a multi-storey building housing foreign workers, killing at least 49 people, mostly Indians, and injuring more than 50 others, according to officials in Kuwait. -- PTI
Salman Khan/Courtesy Instagram
22:11 Firing outside house: Police record statements of Salman, Arbaaz Khan
The Mumbai police recorded statements of Bollywood star Salman Khan and his actor brother Arbaaz Khan in connection with the incident of firing outside the family's residence in Mumbai in April, an official said on Wednesday.
A four-member crime branch team visited Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, where Salman lives, on June 4, he said.
Salman's statement was recorded for nearly four hours, while his brother's statement was recorded for more than two hours, the official said.
Two motorbike-borne men fired multiple rounds outside Salman Khan's residence in the early hours of April 14.
While recording their statements, the crime branch officials asked Salman and Arbaaz around 150 questions, the official said.
Salman Khan has taken the incident seriously, realising that there was a threat to his life, and appreciated the efforts taken by the Mumbai police to nab the culprits, he said.
In his statement, Salman told the police that he was home on the day of the incident, having returned late at night.
The sound of a bullet which hit his flat's balcony woke him up, the official said, citing the statement. -- PTI
22:02 Kerala starts help desk for Kuwait fire victims
Kerala's NORCA ROOTS (Non-Resident Keralites affairs) started a help desk related to the incident of fire in Kuwait.
The emergency contact numbers are: +965 90039594, +965 66893942, +965 60615153, +965 66015200, +965 51714124, +965 55575492, +965 99861103, +965 60311882, +965 65589453, +96 555464554, + 96599122984
Non-resident Keralites can contact the 24-hour NORCA Global Contact Center on toll-free numbers 1800 425 3939 (from India) +91-8802 012 345 (from abroad, missed call service). -- ANI
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21:51 Policeman injured in fresh gunfight in Doda, J-K
A policeman was injured on Wednesday evening when terrorists opened fire on a search party in a village in Gandoh area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, officials said.
The firing was reported from the Kota top area of Bhalesa around 7.41 pm to which security forces retaliated, they said.
An intermittent exchange of fire between the two sides was going on when last reports were received.
Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon, they added.
This was the second terror-related incident in Doda in the last 24 hours and fourth in three days in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, on Tuesday evening, five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer were injured in a terrorist attack in Chattargalla pass.
In another incident late on Tuesday, a suspected Pakistani terrorist was killed by security forces in Kathua district. The overnight encounter ended after a second terrorist was also gunned down on Wednesday but a CRPF jawan lost his life in the operation.
On Sunday, terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge in Reasi, killing nine and injuring 41.
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21:33 Monkey rescued from Prime Minister's official residence
The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response unit has rescued and treated a one-year-old male monkey from the Prime Minister's House at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi, a statement said on Wednesday.
The monkey was suffering from heat stroke and hyperthermia, appeared dull, dehydrated, and unable to walk, with laboured breathing, it said.
The NGO received a distress call and dispatched its rapid response unit to the PM house for the monkey's rescue. It was immediately transported to Wildlife SOS' treatment facility for urgent care, the statement said.
The veterinary team assessed the monkey's condition, confirming severe dehydration and hyperthermia.
The team administered intravenous fluids, multivitamin fluid therapy, and oral rehydration salts to stabilise the monkey, it said.
The young money has shown significant improvement in its health and is currently under observation to ensure full recovery, it stated.
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, "In cases of heat stroke, prompt action is crucial as a preventive measure to ensure the animal's health and survival. The immediate medical intervention and ongoing treatment for the monkey demonstrate Wildlife SOS' unwavering commitment to preserving urban wildlife." -- PTI
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21:02 Three craters on Mars named for physicist Devendra Lal, towns in UP, Bihar
Three recently discovered craters on the surface of Mars have been named for renowned cosmic ray physicist late Devendra Lal and the towns of Mursan and Hilsa in northern India.
While the discovery was made by a team of scientists which included researchers working at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in 2021, the naming was approved by an international body earlier this month.
The three craters are situated in the Tharsis volcanic region of the Red Planet, said the Ahmedabad-based PRL, a unit of the department of space of the government of India, in a release on Wednesday.
Tharsis is a vast volcanic plateau centered near the equator in the western hemisphere of Mars.
The region is home to the largest volcanoes in the Solar System.
On the recommendation of the PRL, the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature on June 5 approved naming the craters as "Lal" crater, "Mursan" crater and "Hilsa" crater, PRL director Anil Bhardwaj said in the release.
Mursan and Hilsa are the names of towns located in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, respectively. -- PTI
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee/ANI Photo
20:43 TMC's Abhishek to take a break on health grounds
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday said he will be taking a "short hiatus" from the organisation for some pressing medical reasons.
Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and considered number two in the party hierarchy, also said that he would understand the needs of the people during this period.
"In light of some pressing medical reasons, I will be taking a short hiatus from the organisation. This time off will be an opportunity for me to humbly explore and understand the needs of our people and community. I trust that the government of West Bengal will act swiftly and leave no stone unturned to ensure justice for those in need," he said in a post on X.
The Diamond Harbour MP said that he had travelled across West Bengal last year around this time taking part in the party's Naba Jowar mass outreach programme to understand the challenges faced by people.
During that event, Banerjee said, he witnessed the hardships caused by rising prices and stoppage of payment of the 100-day work programme by the Centre.
"In response, @AITCofficial organized statewide protests and took the matter to Delhi to fight for people's rights. Thankfully, this was addressed in February, along with an increase in financial assistance through the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme to help families," he said in the post. -- PTI
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20:34 Now bomb scare at Delhi museums, health institutes; nothing found
Several museums, including the National Museum and Rail Museum, and two mental health institutes -- Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences and Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health, Neuro and Allied Sciences -- have received bomb threat e-mails, officials said on Wednesday.
The officials said that nothing suspicious was found in the searches and later the calls were declared hoax.
The e-mails were received by the National Museum in Kartavya Path, Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri and Gandhi Museum in Daryaganj and several others stating that the bomb was planted in their premises, they said.
Two medical facilities -- IHBAS located in Shahdara and Vimhans Hospital in Lajpat Nagar -- have also received the threat e-mails containing the same contents, the officials said.
IHBAS dsirector Dr Rajinder Dhamija said that there was no panic during the incident as the police carried out their duties without interruption.
Dr Dhamija said that the hospital received an email at 9:39 am following which they promptly informed the local police about the bomb threat. -- PTI
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav/ANI Photo
20:07 Akhilesh resigns from Karhal assembly seat after election from Kannauj LS seat
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday resigned from his Karhal assembly seat following his election to Lok Sabha from the Kannauj constituency.
Vidhan Sabha Secretary Pradeep Kumar Dubey said, "Akhilesh Yadav as well as the newly elected party member from Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, Awadesh Prasad, have quit the membership of the UP Vidhan Sabha."
Prasad was elected to the UP assembly from Milkipur constituency on a Samajwadi Party ticket.
He sprang a surprise by defeating BJP's Lallu Singh in Faizabad, which includes the temple town of Ayodhya.
Yadav was the leader of opposition in the UP assembly.
The SP will now have to look for a new name in his place for the post of leader of opposition in the assembly. -- PTI
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19:49 Mahatma's statue vandalised in Italy by pro-Khalistani elements
India has taken up with Italian authorities the matter concerning the "vandalisation" of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi's statue by pro-Khalistani elements following reports in the media, the external affairs ministry said on Wednesday while noting that "a suitable rectification has taken place".
"We have seen the reports of that and we have taken it up with the Italian authorities. We understand that a suitable rectification has already taken place," foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Wednesday at a special briefing responding to questions.
This is not the first time that Mahatma Gandhi's statue was vandalised in a foreign country.
Last year, in a similar incident, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalised on the Burnaby campus of Simon Fraser University in Canada's British Columbia province in March.
This was the second such incident reported in Canada.
The first incident was reported near the City Hall in the town of Hamilton, in the province of Ontario.
A similar incident of vandalising of a Mahatma Gandhi statue was reported at Vishnu Mandir in the area of Yonge Street and Garden Avenue in Canada in July 2022, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported citing York Regional Police.
In January 2021, Mahatma Gandhi's statue was vandalised in Davis, California, US.
It was a gift to the City of Davis by the Government of India in 2016. -- ANI
19:25 Retail inflation eases marginally to 1-year low of 4.75% in May: Govt data
Retail inflation eased to a one-year low of 4.75 percent in May as prices of some kitchen items declined marginally, according to government data released on Wednesday.
The Consumer Price Index based retail inflation was 4.83 percent in April 2024 and 4.31 percent in May 2023 (previous low). -- PTI
BJP leader Pema Khandu/ANI Photo
19:02 Pema Khandu to become Arunachal CM for third term: BJP sources
Pema Khandu will become the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third term in a row, Bharatiya Janata Party sources said.
Khandu was elected the BJP Legislature Party leader at a meeting in Itanagar on Wednesday.
BJP's central observers Ravi Sankar Prasad and Tarun Chugh attended the meeting.
Khandu will stake claim to form the government later in the day, sources said. -- PTI
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh/ANI Photo
18:53 MoS KV Singh rushes to Kuwait to help fire victims
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to Indians injured in a devastating fire and to ensure early repatriation of mortal remains of those killed.
Singh is leaving for Kuwait at the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Over 40 people, majority of Indians, were killed in the fire in a building housing labourers in southern Kuwait and the number of deceased is expected to go up, officials said.
"As directed by PM @narendramodi, MoS for External Affairs @KVSinghMPGonda is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.
Modi described the fire incident as "saddening" and said the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation.
"The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected," Modi said on X. -- PTI
Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa/Darshan Thoogudeepa on Facebook
18:41 Police take actor Darshan, associates to crime scene for spot inspection
Leading Kannada film actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, arrested in connection with a murder case, was on Wednesday taken to Pattanagere in Bengaluru, where the crime was committed, for a spot inspection, police sources said.
Pavithra Gowda, a close friend of Darshan and small-time actress, who is the key accused in the case, was also brought to the spot.
Darshan's associates, including Nikhil, Vinay, Karthik and Raghavendra, were also earlier taken there for the spot inspection.
They are accused of disposing of the body.
The police arrested 13 people including Darshan and Gowda on Tuesday for the recent murder of Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor.
Meanwhile, police sources said four more suspects in the case, including a woman, are absconding. Renukaswamy, a resident of district headquarters town of Chitradurga, had allegedly commented on the social media account of Gowda, accusing her of creating a rift between the actor and his wife.
He also allegedly used "indecent language" and posted offensive messages, according to police sources. -- PTI
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan (right)/ANI Photo
18:24 Amit Shah, Chiranjeevi refer to Pawan Kalyan as 'deputy CM'
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Telugu cinema superstar Chiranjeevi on Wednesday referred to Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan, in separate social media posts, as "deputy chief minister" of Andhra Pradesh.
Pawan Kalyan was administered the oath of office as a minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
"Congratulations to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri@ncbn Ji, Deputy Chief Minister Shri@PawanKalyan ji, and all others who took the oath of office today. It is my firm belief that the NDA government will pivot the state of Andhra Pradesh to new heights of prosperity, fulfilling the aspirations and hopes of the people," Shah said in his post.
Similarly, Pawan Kalyan's actor brother, while conveying wishes to the new chief minister and minister said, "Best wishes to Deputy CM @PawanKalyan Konidala Pawan Kalyan and the rest of the cabinet.'
Chiranjeevi further said he hopes and strongly believes that the cabinet will utilise the opportunity for the all-round development of Andhra Pradesh. -- PTI
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18:08 Low demand: SpiceJet ends Hyd-Ayodhya flight
Ajay Singh-promoted no-frills carrier SpiceJet has discontinued its direct flight services to Ayodhya from Hyderabad within two months of its launch, citing demand issue.
The Gurugram-based airline had started its three times a week non-stops flight services on the Hyderabad-Ayodhya route from early April this year.
"SpiceJet has discontinued its non-stop flight services to Ayodhya from Hyderabad from June 1," a source at the GMR Group-operated Hyderabad International Airport said.
The airline was operating these services thrice a week to the temple town from the Telangana capital.
"Flight schedule is driven solely by commercial considerations and demand," SpiceJet spokesperson said in a statement.
"(But) we are still operating the services to Chennai from Ayodhya," the spokesperson said.
The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30. -- PTI
KBK Infographics
17:37 Nifty hits fresh all-time high
Benchmark equity indices ended higher on Wednesday, with the Nifty hitting its fresh record closing level, mainly due to buying in power, capital goods and industrial stocks amid a largely positive trend in global equities.
Besides, a heavy rush on select index-heavyweight counters like HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries boosted investors' sentiment, traders said.
In a highly volatile trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 149.98 points or 0.20 per cent to settle at 76,606.57. During the day, it jumped 593.94 points or 0.77 per cent to 77,050.53. The BSE benchmark is just 28.51 points away from breaching its previous lifetime peak of 77,079.04.
Shinde Sena candidate Ravindra Waikar
17:32 LS polls 48-vote case: Police point fingers at returning officer
The bureaucratic delay in registering the FIR related to the vote counting controversy that was stoked at NESCO Centre in Mumbai has kept the police on tenterhooks. They have accused the returning officer (RO) of not cooperating in the matter by not sharing the CCTV footage of the counting hall where a relative of the winning candidate was reportedly seen using a mobile phone, which was banned by the ECI. Read the report here.
17:25 Odisha gets two deputy CMs
BJP leaders Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida take oath as the Deputy Chief Ministers of Odisha.
17:23 The PM with the new CM
The newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Bhubaneswar.
17:12 Mohan Charan Majhi sworn in as Odisha CM
BJP leader Mohan Charan Majhi takes oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha, in Bhubaneswar.
17:11 Odisha CM swearing in: Loud cheers greet Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Janata Maidan, in Bhubaneswar. Odisha CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy CMs-designate Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo & Pravati Parida and other ministers of the new government to take oath shortly.
16:57 Odisha CM to take oath shortly
Odisha CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy CMs-designate Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo & Pravati Parida and other leaders likely to take oath shortly bow before people and greet them from the stage at Janata Maidan, in Bhubaneswar.
16:49 PM, HM, Patnaik at Majhi's swearing in
Bhubaneswar: Outgoing CM Naveen Patnaik arrives at Janta Maidan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi. PM Modi and HM Amit Shah have also arrived.
Majhi (52), belongs to the Santali tribe and hails from the state's Keonjhar district. He was elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Odisha on Tuesday.
Ayodhya airport
16:33 SpiceJet discontinues Hyderabad-Ayodhya direct flight, few takers
Ajay Singh-promoted no-frills carrier SpiceJet has discontinued its direct flight services to Ayodhya from Hyderabad within two months of its launch, citing demand issue.
The Gurugram-based airline had started its three times a week non-stops flight services on the Hyderabad-Ayodhya route from early April this year.
"SpiceJet has discontinued its non-stop flight services to Ayodhya from Hyderabad from June 1," a source at the GMR Group-operated Hyderabad International Airport said. The airline was operating these services thrice a week to the temple town from the Telangana capital.
"Flight schedule is driven solely by commercial considerations and demand," SpiceJet spokesperson said in a statement. "(But) we are still operating the services to Chennai from Ayodhya," the spokesperson said. The Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30.
16:22 PM arrives in Odisha for CM's swearing in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Bhubaneswar to attend the oath ceremony of Odisha CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi. Governor Raghubar Das and Majhi receive the PM at the airport.
Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony, Odisha Chief Minister-designate Mohan Charan Manjhi said that protecting Odisha's 'Asmita' (pride) will be the priority of the new government.
Four-time MLA Mohan Charan Majhi is set to be sworn in as Odisha's CM today evening. Two deputy chief ministers; first-time MLA Pravati Parida and six-time legislator Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo will also be sworn in today.
"The new government will take oath today. The first job after taking the oath is to work to protect Odisha's 'Asmita' (pride)," Majhi told reporters on Wednesday. "Our double engine government is coming will work for fulfilling Modi guarantees and to resolve the problems of marginalized people," he added.
16:11 30 Indian workers injured in fire incident in Kuwait
Adarsh Swaika, Ambassador of India to Kuwait, visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 Indian workers were injured in a fire today. He met a number of patients and assured them of full assistance from the embassy. Almost all are reported to be stable by the hospital authorities.
15:59 Will Rahul give up Wayanad? Kerala chief says...
KPCC chief K Sudhakaran on Wednesday hinted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi might relinquish the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat. Gandhi won both the Rae Bareli and Wayanad seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.
At a public event organised in Wayanad for Gandhi to thank his supporters, Sudhakaran hinted that the Wayanad MP would give up his seat here, saying, "We should not be saddened as Rahul Gandhi who is supposed to lead the nation cannot be expected to remain in Wayanad."
"Therefore, we should not be sad. Everyone should understand that and give all their wishes and support to him," he added . PTI
15:25 PM heads to Italy tomorrow for G7 Summit
PM Narendra Modi will leave for Italy on Thursday to attend the G7 summit, says Foreign Secretary Kwatra. This is the PM's first international meeting since he assumed office on Sunday, June 9.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra says, "At the invitation of Prime Minister of Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Apulia, Italy tomorrow to participate in the 50th G7 Summit which is to be held there on 14th June where India has been invited as an Outreach Country.
"This will be the Prime Minister's first overseas travel after assuming office in his third consecutive term. It will also afford him an opportunity to engage with other world leaders present at the G7 Summit on issues of importance to India as also to the Global South."
14:59 RSS silence, Modi, Shah made it irrelevant: Cong
The Congress on Wednesday claimed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has become "irrelevant" and said the Constitution, democracy and society do not need the Sangh or its chief Mohan Bhagwat as they can protect themselves.
The opposition party's assertion came after Bhagwat's remarks on a host of issues, including on the Manipur violence and the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls.
Congress' media and publicity head Pawan Khera said, "Mohan Bhagwat ji, you reap what you sow. The fault is not of the soil, the fault is of the gardener."
"When farmers were facing the wrath of the weather and police just outside the capital, you were silent. When a Dalit girl was raped and murdered in Hathras, you were silent. When the rapists of Bilkis Bano were released and your ideological brothers welcomed them, you were silent. When Dalits were being urinated upon, you were silent. When Pehlu Khan and Akhlaq were killed, you were silent. When Kanhaiya Lal's killers' links with the BJP were exposed, you were silent," Khera said of Bhagwat.
"Your silence and Narendra Modi have made you and the Sangh irrelevant. You've been made irrelevant by Amit Shah and the BJP. Your last chance was when the BJP leaders were talking about changing the Constitution, you should have spoken out but you remained silent," the Congress leader said. "What is the use of speaking now?" Khera added.
The Constitution, democracy and this society does not need the RSS or Bhagwat as they can "protect and reboot" themselves, he asserted.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also hit out at Bhagwat and posted on X a Hindi couplet by Kabir -- "'Karta raha so kyon kiya, ab kari kyon pachtaye, boye pedh babool ka, amua kahan se paye' (loosely translating to 'you shall reap what you shall sow')." Bhagwat had on Monday expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year and said the situation in the strife-torn north eastern state must be considered with priority.
Addressing a gathering of the RSS trainees at the concluding programme of organisation's 'Karyakarta Vikas Varg- Dwitiya' at the Dr Hedgewar Smriti Bhavan premises in Reshimbagh in Nagpur, he said the conflict in various places and in the society is not good. Bhagwat stressed on unity among all communities in the country, which he said was very diverse though people understand it is one and not separate.
He emphasised the need to get over with election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation. Speaking about the recently held Lok Sabha polls, Bhagwat said the results were out and a government had been formed so unnecessary talk on what and how it happened etc. can be avoided. The RSS does not get involved in such discussions of "kaise hua, kya hua", he said, adding that the organisation only does its duty of creating awareness on the need to vote.
14:53 The cover illustration that encapsulates Modi 3.0
Narendra Modi's third term, which seemed inevitable, did not come with the massive mandate he and his party had been claiming, as the Congress and its allies in the INDIA bloc fought a doughty rearguard battle to shock the BJP in its strongholds such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The BJP had to depend on its pre-poll allies to help the NDA get majority to from the government after a marathon election.
Security forces keep watch
14:23 How alert villager prevented a massacre in Kathua
A vigilant villager in Saida Sukhal hamlet prevented a potential tragedy by alerting the locals about two armed terrorists following which they rushed to safety.
A suspected Pakistani terrorist and a CRPF jawan were killed following the terrorist attack on the village near the International Border (IB) on Tuesday evening, which also left a civilian injured. The region remains tense following the attack and the ensuing 17-hour operation to track down another terrorist still at large.
"A tragedy was averted because I raised an alarm about terrorists in the village. Many children were playing, and people were out walking. They could have easily killed 15 to 20 people, mostly children. People were heading to Satsang in the evening. It could have been catastrophic," said villager and eyewitness Surinder. Surinder, who was returning to his hamlet on his motorbike, encountered the armed men who asked for water. Suspicious of their behavior, he immediately sounded an alert.
"It was around 7:30 to 7:45 pm. I was on my bike when a child informed me about two armed youths in the village. I saw them dressed in black with AK rifles, calling me to approach them. I suspected they were terrorists and warned the villagers, leading them to rush home. Shops closed and vehicles stopped," Surinder recounted.
"Moments after my alert, the terrorists started firing. They shot several rounds, injuring a local in the shoulder, followed by a blast," he added.
Surinder quickly informed a district development committee member, who alerted the police. The police arrived promptly, killing one terrorist while the other escaped. "Thank God for the timely alert," he said.
"Had they come during the day, when the area is crowded, it could have been much worse. At 3 am, they fired again, killing a CRPF officer," added Surinder.
The attack has instilled fear among the villagers, who believe the terrorists might have infiltrated through a tunnel bypassing the strong BSF security fencing. "There is now a fear of infiltration. This area has not seen such incidents in a long time. It is close to the IB. The government must ensure foolproof security," said villager Trilok Chand. PTI
Last respects to CRPF jawan Kabir Das Uikey killed in the Kathua encounter
13:40 2nd terrorist in Kathua attack killed
The second terrorist holed up in a village in J-K's Kathua district has been eliminated by security forces, say officials.
Terrorists and security forces are engaged in an exchange of fire in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda after they attacked a security checkpost in Chattragala area on Tuesday night, police said on Wednesday morning.
Five jawans and a sub-divisional special police officer (SDPO) were injured in the encounter that began after terrorists opened fire at a joint checkpost of police and Rashtriya Rifles at an army base in the Chattargala area on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot road in Doda.
This comes in the wake of the terror attack in Hiranagar village in Kathua district on Tuesday night in which one terrorist was killed and Sunday's terror attack in Reasi in which ten pilgrims were killed.
On Tuesday evening ultras attacked a house in Saida Sukhal village in Hiranagar village in Kathua, a senior police officer said. One Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan and one terrorist was killed in the encounter between terrorists and security personnel. A hunt was on to track another terrorist who managed to escape.
Survivors of the Reasi terror attack rest by the wayside
12:55 No sympathy from 'divine' PM: Cong on J-K attacks
The Congress on Wednesday said the BJP's chest-thumping and "hollow" claims of return of peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir have been thoroughly exposed by the three terror attacks in the region in the past three days.
The Congress leader and in-charge of media and publicity department Pawan Khera also questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter, claiming he has time to respond to Pakistani leaders, but no time to condemn the brutal terror attacks.
"BJP's loudmouth chest-thumping and hollow claims of return of peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir have been thoroughly exposed. The fact that BJP did not even bother to fight elections in Kashmir valley is a testament to the fact that their 'Naya Kashmir' policy is an abject failure," Khera said in a statement.
His remarks come amid a rise in terror incidents in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Khera claimed that in the past 10 years, "loud chest-thumping" by the Modi government has made national security a "casualty." While innocents suffer the consequences of cowardly terror attacks, business as usual continues," he said.
"Even as Shri Narendra Modi and his NDA Government was swearing in, and heads of states were visiting the country, India suffered a horrific and gruesome terror attack in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, where 9 precious lives were lost and at least 33 people were injured, when terrorist fired upon a bus filled with pilgrims from Shiv Khori Temple to Katra," he said.
12:35 Odisha's Majhi meets Patnaik
Odisha CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi meets outgoing CM Naveen Patnaik to invite him to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the Odisha government later today.
12:22 PM to attend Majhi's swearing in at 5 pm today
Four-time MLA Mohan Charan Majhi is set to be sworn in as the BJP's first Chief Minister in Odisha on Wednesday evening.
Two deputy chief ministers-first-time MLA Pravati Parida and six-time legislator Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo will also be sworn in today.
Today's swearing-in ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was himself sworn in as PM for a third consecutive term last week.
Tight security arrangements are in place for the swearing-in ceremony.
Earlier this morning, Majhi along with his Deputy CMs-designate KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida paid floral tributes to Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo, 'Utkalamani' Gopabandhu Das, Parala Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati and Ramachandra Mardaraj Deo in Bhubaneswar.Majhi 52, who belongs to the Santali tribe and hails from the state's Keonjhar district was elected leader of BJP legislature party in Odisha at a meeting held yesterday.
The decision was announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the meeting of the party's newly-elected MLAs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2:30 pm and proceed to Raj Bhavan from the airport. He will later attend the oath-taking ceremony at Janata Maidan at 5 pm.
"The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 5:00 pm," Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal said.
Rahul Gandhi being welcomed at Calicut airport
12:14 Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi holds road show in Kerala
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by huge margin for a second consecutive time, held a road show in this north Kerala district on Wednesday. This is Gandhi's first visit to the state after the LS poll results.
Thousands of UDF workers and supporters gathered along the route of the road show at Edavanna which is part of Wayanad LS seat. Earlier, he was given a rousing welcome at Kozhikode airport by party leaders and workers. PTI
12:06 Odisha CM-designate has feet washed as per traditions
The members of the Santhal community (a tribal community) welcomed Odisha CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers-designate KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida in their traditional way by washing their feet at Maitri Vihar in Bhubaneswar, today.
Mohan Charan Majhi says, "...I was welcomed by them ( members of a tribal community) as per the tradition. We have not left behind our traditions."
Expressing gratitude to the people of Odisha, Chief Minister-designate Mohan Charan Majhi asserted that he will work in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to develop the state in the next five years.
Speaking with ANI, Majhi said, "There has been a struggle of 25 years and now we have come to power. I would like to express my gratitude to Lord Jagannath and also thank the people of Odisha. I will play my role and fulfil my responsibility."
11:55 A hug for you, Mr Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, hugs Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after taking oath.
11:53 Who attended Naidu's swearing in?
Union Ministers Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Nitin Gadkari, Ramdas Athawale, Anupriya Patel and Chirag Paswan; Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, NCP leader Praful Patel and former vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu attend the swearing-in ceremony of TDP chief & Andhra Pradesh CM-designate N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada.
PM Modi was also present.
11:47 Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as Andhra CM
N Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The swearing-in of Naidu and his cabinet was attended by BJP's top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Amit Shah and JP Nadda, among others.
A 24-member Cabinet will also take oath today along with the Chief Minister in a ceremony held at Kesarpalli IT Park in Gannavaram Mandal on the outskirts of Vijayawada.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh
11:28 'Who is in charge In Manipur?'
Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Meitei-dominated Inner Manipur seat, tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com what the way ahead could be in strife-torn Manipur where its two major communities, the Meiteis and Kukis, have been at the centre of violence that has engulfed the state since May 3, 2023. Read the interview here.
11:21 SC to Delhi: Have you acted against tanker mafia?
The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Delhi government over the prevalence of tanker mafia and water wastage in the city, and asked what measures it has taken against them.
A vacation bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Prasanna B Varale told Delhi government that if it can't deal with tanker mafia, it will ask the Delhi Police to take action in the matter.
"Why were false statements made before this court? Water is coming from Himachal Pradesh then where is the water going in Delhi? There is so much spillage, tanker mafias etc... what measures have you taken in this regard?
"People are suffering, we are seeing visuals on every news channel. What measures have you taken to control water wastage if water scarcity is a recurring problem in summers," the bench observed orally.
Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the Delhi government, said there is action, including massive disconnection of water supplies, so that excess water wastage is stopped.
The top court asked the Delhi government to file a report stating action taken for the loss of water. The matter will be taken up on Thursday.
The top court is hearing a plea filed by the Delhi government seeking a direction to Haryana to release the surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to the national capital to mitigate its water crisis. -- PTI
The police sketch of the terrorist responsible for the Reasi attack
10:50 VHP stage protest in Delhi against terror attack on bus in J-K
Vishwa Hindu Parishad members held a protest in the national capital on Wednesday against the terror attack on a bus in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district in which nine people were killed.
"Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held a protest demanding strict action against terrorists. Those who died and injured were going to Vaishno Devi for darshan," a functionary of the VHP said.
He said the protesters would hand over a memorandum to senior officials addressed to the President of India, demanding strict action against those responsible for the terror attack.
Nine people were killed and 41 injured as the terrorists opened fire at the 53-seater bus, which was on its way from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge near the Teryath village in Reasi on Sunday evening. The bus was ferrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. PTI
10:45 Parliament session from June 24 to July 3
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on June 24 for oath or affirmation of the newly elected members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday.
The first three days of the session will see the newly elected leaders taking oath or making affirmation of their membership of the Lok Sabha and electing the Speaker of the House.
The session will conclude on July 3.
President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on June 27 and is likely to outline the new government's roadmap for the next five years.
"First session of 18th Lok Sabha is being summoned from 24/6/24 to 3/7/24 for oath/affirmation of newly elected members, election of Speaker, President's address and discussion thereon," Rijiju said in a post on X.
He said the 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3. Prime Minister Modi is expected to introduce his council of ministers to Parliament after the President's address on June 27.
The debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address is expected to see an aggressive opposition trying to corner the NDA government on various issues. The prime minister will respond to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in both the Houses of Parliament. PTI
10:42 Delhi water shortage: Teams to inspect major pipelines
As the city grapples with a water crisis, Delhi Water minister Atishi has directed Quick Response Teams to inspect major pipelines to ensure there is no leakage. The Quick Response Teams comprising Additional District Magistrate/Sub Divisional Magistrate level officers and tehsildars will be responsible for provision of water tankers and resolution of water-related complaints.
"Chief Secretary is hereby directed to ensure that these teams shall monitor and inspect main water distribution network from water sources to our water treatment plants and from Water Treatment Plants to primary underground reservoirs," Atishi said.
"These teams shall inspect the major pipelines to ensure there is no leakage in any pipeline and if, there is any leakage, it must be repaired within 12 hours. At this time of water shortage, not a single drop of water can be wasted," she said in her communication dated June 11.
A daily report of all the inspections made by Quick Response Teams will be submitted to her office by 5 pm every day, the minister said.
"Since Delhi is facing an acute water shortage in the heat wave, measures are being taken to prevent wastage of water. Special teams of ADMs/SDMs have been deployed to monitor the main water distribution network to ensure no wastage of water due to leakages," she said in a post on X. PTI
The banged-up Porsche
10:22 Pune porsche accident: Crash analysis report ready
The Pune police, probing the Porsche car accident case, have prepared a detailed crash impact analysis report with the assistance of a forensic expert from the army.
This report aims to correlate the impact of the Porsche car on the bike involved in the accident with the injuries sustained by the two deceased, both IT professionals, said police, adding that the report is crucial in understanding the involvement of the accused in the matter.
The car allegedly driven by a juvenile crashed into a bike on May 19, killing two IT professionals Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta in the Kalyani Nagar area of Pune city.
The accused driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
A crime branch officer said, "We have obtained the report of crash impact analysis of the accident. The analysis has provided valuable insights into the positioning of the vehicles at the time of impact and the injuries sustained by the deceased. The report will be instrumental in understanding the sequence of events leading to the tragic accident."
The police had earlier planned to use AI-based tools and software for the digital reconstruction of the accident scene. The aim was to create a comprehensive visualization of the crime scene to enhance evidence appreciation and reconstruct the events leading up to the accident.
The juvenile driver remains in the observation home, while the parents are in police custody in connection with the alleged blood sample swapping case. -- ANI
Suresh Gopi is MoS in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
10:03 Have been given big responsibility: Suresh Gopi
Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday said he has been given a big responsibility and he got a new role as a member of Narendra Modi-led government due to the support of the people from all walks of life.
Gopi, who returned to Kerala for the first time after becoming MoS for Tourism and Petroleum, visited the Thali Mahadeva temple in Kozhikode city this morning to pray.
Later speaking to reporters, the actor-turned politician said he has a lot of connections with people and temples, and he has taken all that into account. "People from all walks of life supported me. I cannot cut all that away. I have taken up a responsibility. I have reached here with everyone's support," he said.
Gopi said that it will be the people who will keep him close. As MoS Tourism of India, Gopi said he has a huge responsibility, and his duties would include identifying the prime spots in the country for tourist activities. "For now, the PM has spoken to him only about Kerala," he added. Gopi also refused to respond to any political issues, including Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's "ignorant" remark about a priest and Congress MP M K Raghavan's demand for an AIIMS in Kozhikode, saying that he was not going to be part of any such discussions.
Regarding the CM's ignorant remark, he said that it was "his (Vijayan's) tongue, his thinking."
"I am not going to question that. They (CM and the priest) are from the same party. They will settle it," he said.
On Raghavan's AIIMS demand, Gopi said that the Congress MP has every right to make it. "I too have some rights. I have conveyed my rights and desires," he said. Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat for the BJP, making history for the saffron party in Kerala. -- PTI
09:54 Jharkhand: Schools to remain closed till June 15 due to severe heat
All schools in Jharkhand were closed till June 15 in view of severe heatwave conditions in the state. Temperatures in most parts of Jharkhand hovered above the 40 degrees Celsius mark on Tuesday, with the mercury settling over 45 degrees Celsius in the Palamu region.
An order issued by the School Education and Literacy Department said in the wake of the "extreme heat and heat wave conditions in the state, all categories of government, non-government, aided/non-aided (including minority) and all private schools operating in the state will remain closed from June 12 to June 15.
The scorching temperatures are likely to continue in most parts of the state in the next few days, the weather office said. PTI
Security personnel in position in an encounter in Kathua
09:48 J-K terrorists kill jawan, injure 6 in 2 encounters
A CRPF jawan was killed and six security personnel were injured in two overnight encounters with terrorists in Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.
In Doda district, five troopers of Rashtriya Rifles and a special police officer (SPO) were injured when terrorists attacked a joint check post in the upper reaches of Chattergalla on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot road.
On the other hand, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan Kabir Dass was critically injured in a firing by a terrorist holed up in Kathua district's Saida Sukhal village around 3 am, officials said, adding the soldier was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries during treatment.
They said the terrorist opened indiscriminate fire to break the security cordon in the village, over 60 kms from here.
Terrorists attacked the village near the International Border on Tuesday evening and injured a civilian. During a subsequent search operation, one terrorist was killed while efforts were being made to flush out the other holed-up terrorist who is believed to have infiltrated from across the border.
Senior police officers led by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) are at the scene of the encounter. Police said the area has been cordoned off, and a house-to-house search is underway with the assistance of the CRPF.
The two overnight incidents come just days after terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple to Katra, causing it to veer off the road and fall into a deep gorge, resulting in the death of nine people and injuries to 41 others.
In Doda, terrorists fired on a joint checkpost of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police at Chattergalla area late on Tuesday night, leading to a fierce gunfight which continued for several hours, officials said.
They said five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and an SPO were injured and taken to hospital. Additional security personnel have been rushed to the area to intensify the operation against the terrorists, the officials added.
About the operation in Kathua's Saida Sukhal village, ADGP (Jammu zone) Anand Jain said, "Two terrorists, who appeared to have freshly infiltrated (from across the border), surfaced in the village around 8 pm and asked for water from a household. The people got frightened, and as soon as information was received, a police team rushed to the village." -- PTI
08:44 3 security personnel injured in encounter in J-K
Three security personnel were injured in an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, following an attack on a joint checkpost, officials said on Wednesday.
In another terror attack, police and security forces are engaged in an operation to track down a terrorist hiding in Saida Sukhal village in Kathua district, they said.
A suspected Pakistani terrorist was killed by security forces after the ultras attacked a village near the International Border (IB) on Tuesday evening and injured a civilian, they added.
In Doda, terrorists fired upon a joint checkpost of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police in the Chattergalla area on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot road Tuesday late night, the officials said.
Three security personnel were injured and subsequently hospitalised. The gunfight was ongoing until last reports from the spot. Additional security personnel have been rushed to the area to intensify the operation, they added.
In Kathua district, security forces continued to engage in an operation to track down a terrorist hiding in Saida Sukhal village near Koota Morhunder Hiranagar police station limits.
The police said with the assistance of the CRPF, they have cordoned off the area and are conducting a house-to-house search.
One family, consisting of a man and his wife, has been evacuated to a hospital. The husband, Omkar Nath, suffered an arm injury and is reported to be in stable condition, while his wife remains unhurt.
The operation in Saida Sukhal began after two recently infiltrated terrorists appeared in the village late Tuesday evening.
According to a police statement, the terrorists asked for water from several houses, raising villagers' suspicions. When villagers raised an alarm, the terrorists fired randomly, injuring one person.
The Station House Officer (SHO) of Hiranagar and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) engaged the terrorists, resulting in the death of one terrorist who tried to lob a grenade at the police party.
Sharing details about the Kathua operation, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain, said, "Two terrorists who appeared to be freshly infiltrated (from across the border) surfaced in Saida Sukhal village around 8 pm and asked for water from a household. The people got frightened and as soon as information was received, a police team headed by sub-divisional police officer and Station House officer rushed to the village." -- PTI
File image/Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
01:47 Encounter breaks out in J-K's Doda between terrorists, security forces
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Tuesday night, a senior official said.
Terrorists fired on a joint checkpost of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles and police in the Chatergala area of the district, additional director general of police Anand Jain said.
Security personnel retaliated and a gunfight is on, he said.
The development came even as security forces were conducting a massive operation to flush out holed-up terrorists who had attacked a village near the International Border in Kathua district on Tuesday evening and injured a civilian.
A suspected Pakistani terrorist has been killed by security forces in the Kathua operation, the police said. -- PTI
File image/ANI Photo
01:23 Bengal hijab row: College says headscarf allowed, teacher seeks time to respond
A private law college in Kolkata, where a teacher was "forced to resign" after she was allegedly not allowed to attend classes wearing a hijab, on Tuesday said she can cover her head with a scarf.
The teacher, Sanjida Qadar, however, said she has sought a week from the management of the college to decide whether to join duties again.
Qadar had resigned on June 5, alleging that the authorities of the LJD Law College in Pailan had instructed her not to wear a hijab at the workplace after issuing a dress code directive on May 31.
After the matter became public and sparked an uproar, the college authorities insisted on June 10 that it resulted from miscommunication and that she would be returning on June 11 after withdrawing her resignation.
"I received an email from the office on Monday informing me that I can cover my head with a head scarf or dupatta while taking classes. But I am not going to the college immediately. I have sought seven days to analyse and decide my future steps,' Qadar said.
Confirming that the teacher sought time to convey her decision, the college governing body chairman Gopal Das that they would wait for her final decision. -- PTI
Ukraine soldiers /Gleb Garanich/Reuters
01:18 4 Indian nationals killed in Russia-Ukraine war so far
India on Tuesday said two of its nationals, who were recruited by the Russian Army, have recently been killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, taking the number of such deaths to four.
The ministry of external affairs said India has strongly taken up the matter with Russia and sought early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army.
In a firmly-worded statement, it said India has demanded that there be a "verified stop to any further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army" and that such activities would not be in "consonance with our partnership".
"We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine," the MEA said.
"We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our embassy in Moscow has pressed the Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, for early repatriation of mortal remains," it said. -- PTI
Representational image/ANI Photo
00:50 Dasara elephant Ashwatthama dies allegedly due to electrocution
Dasara elephant 'Ashwatthama', died due to alleged electrocution in the early hours of Tuesday, official sources said.
The thirty-eight-year-old elephant allegedly came in contact with the solar fencing amid rainfall at the Bhimanakatte elephant camp of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Hunsur taluk in Mysuru, they said.
The elephant was cremated, after a post-mortem was conducted in the presence of senior officials and veterinarians.
Ashwatthama was rescued from Sakleshpur taluk in Hassan district in 2017.
He participated in the famous Dasara Jumbo Savari procession held at the Mysore Palace premises in 2021, during the pandemic, and also in 2022.
Condoling Ashwatthama's death, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said the elephant reportedly fell on the solar electric fence and died, and officials have been directed to inquire into the death and submit a report. -- PTI
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