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Wed, 14 June 2023
Kolkata airport fire doused, operations resume
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23:35 After Juhu tragedy, BMC to depute 129 trained guards at Mumbai beaches
The Mumbai civic body on Wednesday said it has decided to depute 120 trained security guards at popular beaches and seafronts, a move that comes days after three boys drowned in the Arabian Sea off the city coast.
Security guards will be on duty at these sites popular with tourists and local residents from 8 am to 11 pm, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said in a release.
The release said these 120 trained security guards will be deputed at Girgaon and Dadar beaches in the island city and Juhu, Versova, Aksa and Gorai beaches in western suburbs between 8 am to 4 pm and between 3 pm to 11 pm, respectively.
In the wake of recenr Juhu Koliwada drowing incident, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation decided to depute 120 trained security guards on Chowpatties in Mumbai from 8 am to 11 pm. -- PTI
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23:27 Kolkata airport fire doused, operations resume
A minor fire that broke out inside Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport on Wednesday was successfully extinguished, officials said.
The passengers were evacuated safely and operations have resumed.
"There was a minor fire and smoke on the check-in area portal D at 9:12 pm and fully extinguished by 9:40 pm. All passengers are evacuated safely and the check-in process was suspended due to the presence of smoke in the check-in area. Check-in and operation have been resumed now," Airport Authority of India, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata said in a tweet.
"A fire broke out at Kolkata Airport 3C departure terminal building," an airport official told ANI earlier.
"A fire broke out at the D portal check-in counter. Due to smoke, pax & staff were evacuated from the terminal building. No injuries were reported. The fire has been extinguished. The normal operation is being restored," CISF said. -- ANI
22:35 I will never join politics: Manoj Bajpayee
Acclaimed Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee, who hails from Bihar, on Wednesday asserted that he will never join politics.
Bajpayee said, "When I visited Bihar last time, I met RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his son and deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Since then, people started speculating that I will join politics. I am 200 per cent sure I won't do that. Question of joining politics does not arise at all," he said.
Bajpayee, who hails from Belwa village in West Champaran district, was in Patna for the promotion of his recently released movie Sirf ek bandaa kaafi hai (Only one person is enough), in which he plays the role of a lawyer who takes on a powerful "godman".
During his previous visit to Bihar in September last year, Bajpayee had met Lalu Prasad at his 10, Circular Road residence.
Bajpayee, who has three National awards and four Filmfare awards under his belt, said, "I am actor and will remain an actor only... how does the question of joining politics arise?"
Asked about the Bihar's government plan to come out with a new film policy, Bajpayee said, "The state government should immediately introduce the new film policy, which will provide proper exposure to artistes of the state. It will also benefit filmmakers who want to shoot in Bihar." -- PTI
22:15 5 tremors jolt Jammu region, schools shut
Five earthquakes jolted the Jammu region on Wednesday and triggered panic among residents, a day after a 5.4 magnitude quake hit the Doda district of the Union Territory.
The fresh earthquakes have prompted the administration to shut down educational institutes in twin mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar.
Officials said the earthquakes that occurred in the Jammu region on Wednesday causes some damage to property but there were no reports so far of any casualties.
In Kishtwar, a 3.3 magnitude quake was recorded at 8.29 am.
Its epicentre was at a depth of five kilometers, according to the National Centre for Seismology.
Prior to that, tremors of magnitude 3.5 were recorded in Doda at 7.56 am and the epicenter was at a depth of 10 kilometers, data from the NCS showed.
Two more earthquakes were recorded in the early hours of the day as well.
At 2.20 am, a 4.3 magnitude quake was recorded in the Doda district at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the data. The other quake, which had a magnitude of 2.8, occurred 74 kilometers east of Katra in Reasi district at 2.43 am, according to the NCS.
A magnitude 3.4 earthquake, latest in the series, hit Kishtwar around 4pm on Wednesday. The fifth quake to jolt the Jammu region on Wednesday struck at a depth of 5 km, according to the NCS data. -- PTI
22:02 Dwarkadish temple to shut on Thursday, Somnath to stay open
In view of the expected landfall of powerful cyclone 'Biparjoy' near Jakhau port in Gujarat's Kutch on Thursday, the local administration has decided to keep the famous Dwarkadhish temple in Devbhumi Dwarka district shut for devotees, an official said on Wednesday.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour, the India meteorological department (IMD) said.
Sub Divisional Magistrate of Dwarka and administrator of the Dwarkadhish temple trust, Parth Talsania, said the temple will remain shut for devotees and visitors on Thursday.
The decision was taken for the safety and security of people in view of the cyclone warning, he said.
Although devotees will not be allowed into the temple premises, daily rituals will be carried out inside by priests and people will be able to see it live on the temple website as well as social media handles.
In Gir Somnath district, the famous Somnath temple will remain open on Thursday, but the trust managing it has urged the devotees not to visit it.
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21:32 Greater Noida society issues dress code for residents, withdraws it later
A Greater Noida group housing society issued a dress code for its residents, advising them not to wear lungis or 'nighties' within the complex, only to withdraw the diktat on Wednesday.
The dress code was issued via a notice by the residents' body of Himsagar Apartments on June 10 following a complaint about "objectionable dressing' by some residents.
"All of you are expected to take care of your behaviour and dressing when venturing out in the society so that nobody gets a chance to raise any objection. Your children also learn from you. Hence, it is requested to you that lungi or nighty, which are worn inside homes, should not be used outdoors," the notice issued by the secretary of the residents' body stated.
However, the move drew divergent reactions from the residents and apparently "hurt" the sentiments of some, prompting the society to withdraw it after four days.
"The notice related to the dress code on June 10 was issued on the basis of a complaint raised by some residents. Nobody was forced for this nor the decision imposed on anyone. The society does not intend to hurt anyone's sentiments," the notice issued on Wednesday said.
Society residents' body president C B Kalra told PTI that the June 10 notice stands withdrawn.
He said the notice was issued after some women complained about a co-resident doing yoga in the park wearing a 'lungi'.
"We got positive feedback after the notice and so far not one resident of the society has come to complain about the notice but only outsiders, especially on social media, are bothered about it,' the retired government officer said.
The society's dress code announcement also found its way on social media, where users had varying opinions over the decision, with some backing it for "decency' while others criticising the "regressive' and "anti-South India' move.Kalra said the society does not have any residents belonging to south India and added that many people in north Indian states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh also wear a lungi.The society has around 250 families.
Baijnath Singh Yadav (second from left) with MP Congress chief Kamal Nath/MP Congress/Twitter
21:12 Scindia aide quits BJP, back in Cong ahead of polls
Madhya Pradesh BJP executive committee member Baijnath Singh Yadav, a loyalist of Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, quit the saffron party on Wednesday to return to the Congress fold, months ahead of the assembly elections.
Yadav, who hails from Shivpuri, and his supporters, including 15 Janpad members, were welcomed by state unit Congress president Kamal Nath.
"Yadav had left Congress along with Scindia (in March 2020) and joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But he was feeling suffocated there and finally returned to his parent party," former Union minister Arun Yadav told reporters.
Arun Yadav also claimed that several BJP workers and leaders are not happy with the party rule, especially because of rampant corruption, and they are in touch with Congress leaders including himself, Nath and Digvijaya Singh.
"They will join the Congress party at an appropriate time. Not only that but a majority of Congress leaders, who had joined BJP along with Scindia, would also return to their parent party. A day will come when only Scindia will remain in BJP," Arun Yadav claimed.
Baijnath Singh Yadav and his supporters were offered Congress scarves by Nath. -- PTI
Playback singer Sharda/Twitter
21:01 Singer Sharda of 'Titli Udi' fame dies at 89 after cancer battle
Playback singer Sharda, best known for the song Titli Udi from the 1966 film Suraj, passed away at her residence in Mumbai on Wednesday following a battle with cancer, her daughter Sudha Madeira said.
She was 89.
"She died this morning in Mumbai at home. She was undergoing treatment for her condition for about six months," Madeira, who is also a singer, told PTI.
Madeira initially shared the news of her mother's demise on her Instagram account.
"With great sadness, my brother Shammi Rajan and I announce the passing this morning of our beloved mother, playback singer Sharda Rajan, after a long and brave battle with cancer. 25.10.1933 - 14.06.2023. Om Shanti," she said in the post.
Sharda, whose full name was Sharda Rajan, was most active in the 1960s and 1970s in the Hindi film music industry.
Her most famous number was perhaps Titli Udi from Suraj, the 1966 film directed by T Prakash Rao.
Composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, the song was picturised on actor Vyjayanthimala. -- PTI
20:55 TN govt permission must for CBI to probe cases
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday withdrew the general consent given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Henceforth CBI will need to get permission from the Tamil Nadu government to investigate cases in the state.
This has already been done in West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala, Mizoram, Punjab and Telangana, the Tamil Nadu home department said.
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20:28 Woman raped on moving Mumbai local train
A 20-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a 40-year-old man in the ladies' compartment of a moving Mumbai local train when she was travelling alone on Wednesday morning.
The accused was arrested after nearly 8 hours of the incident, a GRP official said.
The woman, a resident of Girgaum in Mumbai was headed towards Belapur in Navi Mumbai where she was supposed to appear for an exam.
The woman boarded the Harbour Line local train at CSMT on Wednesday morning.
As soon as the train started moving, a man entered the ladies' compartment which was empty at that time, the official said.
"He allegedly sexually assaulted the woman between CSMT and Masjid stations at around 7:26 am. He got down at Masjid station (next station after CSMT) when the woman raised an alarm and ran away," the official said.
The woman approached GRP and lodged a complaint, following which an FIR was registered against an unidentified person, the official said.
"Teams of personnel of GRP, Railway Protection Force, crime branch and Mumbai Police launched a manhunt for the accused. Police examined footages of CCTV cameras inside and outside the Masjid station. He was subsequently identified and nabbed at around 4 pm," the official said. -- PTI
20:21 Kerala cadre IPS Nitin Agarwal takes over as new BSF DG
Nitin Agarwal, a Kerala cadre IPS officer of the 1989 batch, on Wednesday took charge as the new director general of the BSF that guards India's frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Acting Director General S L Thaosen handed over the ceremonial baton of the force to Agarwal at the Border Security Force headquarters in the CGO complex on Lodhi Road.
Agarwal, who has earlier served in various central armed police forces such as the CISF, ITBP and SSB apart from his cadre state Kerala, was serving as additional DG (operations) of the CRPF till now.
Thaosen, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, is the CRPF DG and has been holding the additional charge of the 2.65 lakh personnel strong BSF.
Agarwal is the 31st DG of the BSF that was raised on December 1, 1965.
He holds a B.Tech and an M.Tech degree from IIT Delhi, along with an M.Phil in social science from Panjab University.
The new DG is known to take a personal interest in resolving the grievances of the jawans and officers and he often calls them personally and even rings up the authorities in the state who can help the personnel in solving the problems they face in their hometowns, officials said. -- PTI
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19:51 IT dept searches properties linked to 3 BRS lawmakers
Income Tax department sleuths on Wednesday conducted searches at commercial establishments linked to Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLAs P Sekhar Reddy and M Janardhan Reddy and MP K Prabhakar Reddy in Hyderabad and at various locations in Telangana.
According to sources, the I-T officials conducted searches to verify tax payments of the firms belonging to the MLAs and the MP.
Media reports suggested that I-T searches were also conducted at some of the shopping malls belonging to Janardhan Reddy, who represents the Nagarkurnool assembly constituency.
Prabhakar Reddy is Medak Lok Sabha member while Sekhar Reddy is Bhongir MLA.
Meanwhile, speaking to media on the raids, the Medak MP described them as politically motivated. In order to tarnish the image of the BRS party before the elections, the searches are being carried out.
"All our businesses are open and clean," Reddy said. -- PTI
19:00 Mild tremor of 3.5 magnitude recorded in Kutch, no injuries, damage to properties
A tremor of 3.5 magnitude was recorded in Gujarat's Kutch district on Wednesday evening at a time when cyclone 'Biparjoy' is approaching the coast in the region, officials said.
No damage to property or life was reported.
The tremor was recorded at 5:05 pm at a distance of 5 km West South West of Bhachau in Kutch district, the Institute of Seismological Research at Gandhinagar said in its update.
The powerful cyclone is very likely to cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts and make landfall near Jakhau Port in Kutch by June 15 evening, according to Met department.
Kutch district is located in a "very high risk" seismic zone, and earthquakes of lower intensity occur regularly there.
The 2001 earthquake was the third largest and second most destructive in India over the last two centuries.
A large number of towns and villages in Kutch district suffered extensive damage, killing thousands of people and leaving 1.67 lakh injured. -- PTI
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao
18:45 TRS will now be called BRS in Lok Sabha
Telangana Rashtra Samithi will now be known as Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Lok Sabha, an official circular said.
The request for a name change was made by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi president who had renamed the party Bharat Rashtra Samithi in October last year.
"...the competent authority has vide orders dated 13.6.2023 approved the change of name of party Telangana Rashtra Samithi to Bharat Rashtra Samithi," a circular from the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.
On October 5 last year, TRS president and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao announced the name change and the Election Commission approved the proposal on December 8.
Rajya Sabha had already approved it. -- PTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
18:26 Biparjoy: Amit Shah postpones public meet in T'gana
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Telangana has been postponed in view of the severe cyclonic conditions in the West Coast, state Bharatiya Janata Party said on Wednesday.
Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a release said the proposed public meeting of Shah in Khammam on June 15 has been postponed.
Shah was scheduled to arrive here tonight.
He was expected to address a public rally in Khammam, about 200 kilometres from Hyderabad on Thursday.
"Owing to severe cyclonic conditions in the West Coast, especially in the three states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan, the proposed Public Meeting of Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah ji in Khammam on 15th June stands postponed. As the NDRF teams are already deployed, under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji is personally monitoring the rescue operations. I am confident that the emerging situation would be effectively tackled to ensure the safety of each and every citizen," Bandi Sanjay Kumar tweeted. -- PTI
18:13 Gangster Jeeva murder case: Accused Vijay Yadav in Lucknow court
Vijay Yadav, the accused in the murder of gangster Sanjiv Maheshwari Jeeva was produced before local court by the police in Lucknow on Wednesday.
The police submitted a letter to the court demanding five days remand of the accused Vijay Yadav.
The police in its remand letter mentioned that accused had made a statement regarding taking arms and Rs 20 lakh from a person from Bihar for the contract killing of gangster Jeeva.
Along with this, the police also mentioned in its remand letter that the accused Vijay Yadav worked in a hotel in Nepal and came to Lucknow and dressed as a lawyer.
On Wednesday, Jeeva was fatally shot by a man posing as a lawyer inside the Lucknow civil court premises.
Following the murder, police said that as many as six Lucknow police personnel were suspended for negligence.
Earlier on Saturday Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament Ram Gopal Yadav slammed the Uttar Pradesh government following the murder of gangster Sanjeev Maheshwari Jeeva in broad daylight inside the Lucknow court premises.
SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav said that there is no law and order in Lucknow adding that such incidents have been happening on a regular basis.
"In Lucknow, such murders are happening back to back. There is nothing called law and order here. If the state government itself believes that such murders are ok then who is going to stop them?...there are a lot of 'Asurs' here, 'Asurs' are those who commit atrocities against people..." SP MP said. -- ANI
17:50 HC grants bail to Unitech promoter's wife in money laundering case
The Delhi high court on Wednesday granted bail to Preeti Chandra, Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra's wife, in a money laundering case.
Justice Jasmeet Singh, however, said the order will not take effect till June 16, after the Enforcement Directorate sought time to challenge the order.
"Bail application is allowed. Mr (Zoheb) Hossain appearing for ED states that the order pronounced today may not be given effect to upto Friday. At this request, the order be not given effect till June 16," the judge ordered.
The ED had registered the present case in 2018 under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against the Unitech Group and its promoters over allegations that the owners Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra illegally diverted over Rs 2,000 crore to Cyprus and the Cayman Islands.
Preeti Chandra had filed the bail plea before the court last year, saying she was a fashion designer and philanthropist, who has been in custody since October 4, 2021 and there were no proceeds of crime relatable to her.
The money laundering case arose from a number of Delhi Police and CBI FIRs filed by home buyers against the Unitech Group and its promoters.
A charge sheet has already been filed before the trial court. -- PTI
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17:29 Woman from Hyderabad stabbed to death in London; suspect held
A 27-year-old woman from Hyderabad, who was studying a master of science course in the United Kingdom, was allegedly stabbed to death at her accommodation in London, the UK Metropolitan police said.
The Met police said two men have been arrested in connection with the murder that took place at a residential property in Neeld Crescent, Wembley in London on Tuesday.
While the murder victim is yet to be formally identified by the police in the UK, reports from India indicated it was Kontham Tejaswini -- a young professional from Hyderabad.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled, following which the police are expected to formally release her identity but th Tejaswini's family members, who live in Hayathnagar area of Hyderabad, on Wednesday said they got information that she was "attacked" in the flat, a shared accommodation.
"We came to know about the incident today morning. We don't know when it happened. We got the information that she is serious and in hospital," Tejaswini's father told a news channel.
She had gone to London three years ago and had completed her MS course there, her father said. -- PTI
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17:13 NIA nabs PFI's 'master weapon trainer' from K'taka
An alleged "master weapons trainer" of the banned Popular Front of India -- who was living under an assumed identity -- was arrested from Karnataka, the National Investigation Agency said on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old accused, Nossam Mohamed Yunus, was wanted for his alleged involvement in the Nizamabad terror conspiracy case, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.
The official said Yunus of Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh was working in the inverter business of his elder brother.
When his house was searched in September 2022, he was found to be absconding along with his wife and two minor sons.
The spokesperson said that investigations revealed that Yunus had shifted his entire family from Andhra Pradesh and was hiding out in the Cowl Bazar area of the Bellary district of Karnataka, where he had assumed a new identity -- Basheer -- and a new profession as a plumber.
The case pertains to a criminal conspiracy hatched by the leaders and cadres of the proscribed outfit PFI to recruit and radicalise youths and provide them with arms training to promote and carry out terrorist activities with the ultimate objective of establishing Islamic rule in the country, the agency alleged. -- PTI
Senthil Balaji
16:54 TN minister Balaji sent to jail till June 28
A local court in Chennai on Wednesday sent Tamil Nadu Electricity and Prohibition and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji, arrested by the ED in a money laundering probe, to judicial custody till June 28.
Sessions court principal judge S Alli visited the government hospital where Balaji was admitted this morning before passing the order.
Balaji was arrested around 1.30 am on Wednesday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following raids on his premises since Tuesday morning.
The agency action came months after the Supreme Court allowed a police and ED probe into a cash for jobs scam allegedly involving Balaji.
Balaji is the first member in the M K Stalin-led Cabinet to face such an action from a central probe agency.
Balaji was arrested after a long session of questioning, even as the 47-year-old minister was admitted to a Chennai government hospital after he complained of uneasiness. He underwent a coronary angiogram and was advised bypass surgery at the "earliest".
16:46 Pakistani drone recovered in Punjab's Tarn Taran, third within a week
A Pakistani drone was recovered by a joint team of the Border Security Force and the Punjab police at a village in the state's Tarn Taran district on Wednesday, officials said.
This is the third recovery of a Pakistani drone in less than a week.
The latest recovery -- a DJI Matrice 300 RTK series drone -- was made from a field in Dall village, the officials said.
"Yet another Pakistani drone was recovered by the joint efforts of BSF and Punjab police," said a BSF official.
The police said a case has been registered in this regard at Khalra police station.
On Monday, A Pakistani drone was recovered by the Border Security Force on the outskirts of Shaidpur Kalan village in Punjab's Amritsar district.
The day before, the BSF and the Punjab police had recovered another Pakistani drone from a field in Tarn Taran district -- PTI
16:16 5 new Vande Bharat trains to run from June 26
Railways will start operating Vande Bharat trains on five more routes from June 26, the first launch after the three-train accident in Odisha on June 2 that claimed 288 lives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch the semi-high-speed trains via video conferencing.
The routes on which the five trains will run are -- Mumbai-Goa, Bangalore-Hubli, Patna-Ranchi, Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur. The railway ministry had cancelled the launch of the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train after the Odisha tragedy.
This is the first time that five Vande Bharat trains will start operations on the same day. While such launches in the past have seen a lot of fanfare, it will be a relatively austere event this time in view of the Odisha accident. PTI
16:13 6,500 millionaires to leave India in 2023, they will migrate to...
About 6,500 high net worth individuals (HNWIs) are expected to leave India in 2023, lower than the net outflows of 7,500 individuals the previous year, according to Henley Private Wealth Migration Dashboard 2023 - which tracks wealth and investment migration trends worldwide.
'Millionaires' or 'high-net-worth individuals' or 'HNWIs' refer to individuals with an investable USD 1 million or more wealth. According to the estimate, China is expected to top the list with 13,500 Chinese millionaires likely to exit the country as against the exodus of 10,800 people from the country in the year 2022.
While China has a total of 780,000 HNWIs, in India there are an estimated 344,600 high net worth individuals.UK, Russia and Brazil are expected to witness HNWIs outflow of 3,200, 3,000, and 1,200 respectively in the year 2023.
"Australia is expected to attract the highest net inflow of HNWIs in 2023 at 5,200, and although the UAE drops into 2nd place following its record-breaking influx in 2022, it is still expected to enjoy an impressive net arrival of 4,500 new millionaires this year. Singapore ranks 3rd with a net inflow of 3,200 HNWIs, its highest on record, followed the US with an expected net influx of 2,100 millionaires," it said.
DK Shivakumar interacts with a conductor as he travels in a bus with CM Siddaramaiah
16:10 1-cr women travelled free in 3 days in K'taka buses
The upsurge in the usage of 'Shakti' scheme continued for the third consecutive day with 51.53 lakh women travelling free in non-premium buses of the state-run road transport corporations on Tuesday incurring an expenditure of Rs 10.82 crore to the state exchequer.
On the third day of the scheme, rolled out on Sunday, 20.57 lakh took a free ride in Bengaluru city buses, which cost the government Rs 2.02 crore, according to official figures. However, the state government made maximum spending of Rs 4.12 crore on 13.98 lakh women who travelled in the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses.
As many as 11.09 lakh women travelled in the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (Rs 2.72 crore). There were 5.89 lakh women passengers using Shakti scheme in the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, (Rs 1.95 crore).
In just three days since the launch of Shakti scheme -- a key pre-election promise of the Congress -- in the state, 98,58,518 women travelled free in state buses which has cost the state exchequer Rs 21.06 crore. PTI
Fishermen and their families take shelter in a school
15:43 Biparjoy: 50,000 people evacuated in Gujarat
Authorities have so far shifted 50,000 people from coastal areas of Gujarat to temporary shelters ahead of the expected landfall of powerful cyclone 'Biparjoy' near Jakhau port in Kutch district.
With the cyclone barreling towards the Gujarat coast, parts of the Saurashtra-Kutch region received heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, the Met department said on Wednesday. The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Thursday evening as a "very severe cyclonic storm" with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
In the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning, Khambhaliya taluka of Devbhumi Dwarka district received the highest 121 mm of rainfall, followed by Dwarka (92 mm) and Kalyanpur (70 mm) during this period, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said in a release.
More than nine talukas in Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot, Porbandar and Kutch districts received more than 50 mm of rainfall in the same period, it said. According to SEOC, 54 talukas across the districts of Saurashtra and Kutch received more than 10 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours till Wednesday morning.
"The cyclone is nearly 290 km away from Kutch at present. As a precautionary measure, we have already shifted nearly 50,000 people living in coastal areas to temporary shelters. The evacuation process is still on and the remaining 5,000 persons will be shifted by this evening to safer places," said State Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey.
Of the 50,000-odd evacuees, nearly 18,000 people were shifted to shelters in Kutch district while others were evacuated from Junagadh, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Morbi and Rajkot, Pandey told reporters in Gandhinagar. -- PTI
15:42 Biparjoy: Rajnath speaks to three service chiefs
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday spoke to the three service chiefs and reviewed the preparations of the armed forces to deal with the impact of cyclone 'Biparjoy'. After reviewing the preparations, Singh said the armed forces are ready to provide every possible assistance to civil authorities in tackling any situation or contingency that may arise due to the cyclone.
"Spoke to all three Service Chiefs and reviewed the preparedness of the Armed Forces for the landfall of cyclone 'Biparjoy'," Singh said on Twitter. "The Armed Forces are ready to provide every possible assistance to civil authorities in tackling any situation or contingency due to the cyclone," he said.
Cyclone Biparjoy is approaching the Gujarat coast. The India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin that the intensity of rainfall would increase as the cyclone approaches the Gujarat coast on June 15, with isolated places in the districts of Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar likely to witness extremely heavy rains. PTI
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, WB Cong prez
15:00 Violence rocks WB over panchayat poll nominations
Violence rocked parts of West Bengal over the filing of nominations for the July 8 panchayat poll as activists of the ruling TMC and opposition parties clashed prompting the police to use force to disperse the mob.
The violence over filing of nominations continued unabated for the fifth consecutive day in parts of South 24 Parganas and Bankura districts. Supporters of Indian Secular Front (ISF) and TMC clashed in Bhangore area of South 24 Parganas, nearly 30 km from Kolkata.
A huge police contingent was rushed to the spot, which resorted to baton charge to control the situation. Bombs were hurled and several cars were ransacked as supporters of the two parties tried to stop each other from filing nominations.
Several activists belonging to the two parties were injured, the police said. Similar scenes were witnessed in Canning area of the district as miscreants alleged to be members of dissident groups of the TMC tried to stop the filing of nominations of the party's official candidates.
The miscreants hurled bombs and threw stones against the Rapid Action Force personnel and police had to burst tear gas shells to quell the situation, the police said.
Officials said that in the Indas area of Bankura BJP activists clashed with the TMC supporters outside the nomination filing center. Supporters of both groups came to blows and pelted stones at each other, even as police tried to control the situation in the area, which is about 135 km from the city. -- PTI
14:52 Karnataka CM says Surjewala was in non-official meeting
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday clarified that Congress national general secretary and state in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala had not "officiated" any meeting of the government and city civic body officials, dismissing the claims made by the opposition BJP and the JD(S).
Siddaramaiah's reaction came as the BJP has sought an appointment with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to complain against Surjewala allegedly "officiating" a meeting with the senior bureaucrats of the state government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
"Surjewala did not officiate any meeting. He has only spoken to some MLAs. The Deputy Chief Minister (D K Shivakumar) was present there. It was a meeting which the DCM had attended," Siddaramaiah told reporters. "You must understand that it is not an official meeting. The Bengaluru city MLAs were summoned for the Bengaluru civic body election where he (Surjewala) had also gone," the Chief Minister said.
The meeting was regarding issues prevailing in Bengaluru city. Contextually, there were discussions about the (civic body) elections, Siddaramaiah said.
The DCM was going to inspect the Hebbal flyover in the city and Surjewala was also asked to attend it. Meanwhile, a BJP delegation comprising Members of Parliament from the city and the former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka has sought an appointment with the Governor.
Heavy rain at Jakhau port ahead of the landfall
14:37 Biparjoy: 4,500 people at shelter homes in Dwarka
Around 4,500 people have been shifted from their homes to shelter homes as a precautionary safety measure ahead of cyclone Biparjoy reaching the coast of Gujarat, informed the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Parth Talsania.
While speaking to ANI, Talsania informed, "We have shifted 4,500 people from the coastal areas to various shelter houses. Preparations to meet food and medical needs are also made at the shelter homes. We are closely monitoring the situation."
He further informed that cyclone Biparjoy has moved slightly to the west and is less likely to make landfall at the Dwarka coast. But a wind speed of around 100 to 80 kilometres is expected. He informed that one NDRF team has been deployed in Dwarka and Okha each. One SDRF and one army team specialised in clearing roads is also on alert. The district administration of Dwarka is coordinating with all agencies, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Army.
Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men
14:34 Cormac McCarthy, celebrated US novelist, dies aged 89
Author of Blood Meridian, The Road and No Country for Old Men died in his home of natural causes, publisher announces. Read the report here.
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14:15 Court summons for Rahul, Sidda, DKS
The BJP has filed a defamation complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Bengaluru.
The special court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to elected former and sitting MPs/MLAs has taken cognisance of the offences under Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and posted the case for recording the sworn statement on July 27.
Summons were ordered to be issued on Tuesday to all the respondents in this regard. The private complaint alleging false claims in advertisements tarnishing the image of the BJP was filed by the party's state secretary S Keshavaprasad on May 9.
According to the complaint, the advertisement released by the KPCC in major newspapers on May 5, 2023 in the run-up to the Assembly election claiming that the then incumbent BJP government indulged in "40 per cent corruption" and had looted Rs 1.5 lakh crore in the previous four years was "baseless, prejudiced and defamatory". PTI
A Rs 1,770 cr bridge collpased in Bhagalpur, Bihar
13:58 Bridge collapses in Gujarat, 15 villages affected
The bridge over Mindhola River on the road connecting Maipur and Degama villages in Vyara Tehsil of Gujarat's Tapi district collapsed on Wednesday. According to the officials, about 15 villages have been affected by the bridge's collapse.
Executive Engineer Nirav Rathod said, "The construction work of the bridge started in 2021, which cost Rs 2 crore. The reason for the bridge's collapse will be ascertained after getting the investigation done by the experts."
More details on the incident are awaited.
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13:29 Farmers, khaps block Rohtak-Delhi highway
Activists of some Khaps and farmers on Wednesday blocked the Rohtak-Delhi national highway in Jhajjar district as part of a 'Haryana Bandh' call given in support of protesting wrestlers, farmers and other issues.
Ramesh Dalal, a senior leader of the Bhumi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti outfit, led the protesters who squatted on NH-9 in Bahadurgarh and imposed a blockade.
Vehicles were seen stranded on the road as a result of this.
Jhajjar Superintendent of Police Arpit Jain told PTI that they were trying to persuade the protesters to lift the blockade.
Dalal told reporters at the site that as part of his outfit's Haryana Bandh call, 25 demands had been raised, including justice for wrestlers protesting against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, loan waiver for farmers, legal guarantee of crop MSP and enhanced compensation for land.
Meanwhile, in most parts of Haryana, the call for the strike failed to evoke any response and life remained normal.
In Bahadurgarh and adjoining Rohtak, there was an additional deployment of police.
A few days ago, a meeting had been convened by some Khaps backed by farmer outfits at the Mandothi toll plaza in Jhajjar where the strike call was given in support of the demands.
The Bhumi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti is an outfit fighting for the land rights of farmers.
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13:06 Gau rakshaks kill man transporting cows in Maha
A 23-year-old man transporting cattle died after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) in Maharashtra's Nashik district following which six persons have been arrested, police said on Wednesday.
The alleged crime came to light on June 10 when Lukman Ansari's body was recovered from a gorge at Ghatandevi in Igatpuri area, an official said. Police have taken into custody six gau rakshaks so far and a search is on for more accused in the case, he said.
"All the accused persons were associated with the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, a right-wing outfit," he said.
Ansari along with his two aides was transporting cattle on their tempo on June 8 when they were intercepted by about 10-15 activists at Vihigaon in Sahapur of Thane district, he said.
The group then took control of the tempo and rescued four cows before driving the vehicle towards Ghatandevi in Igatpuri, he said.
They stopped the tempo at a secluded place and allegedly started assaulting all three. While his aides managed to flee, Ansari could not escape, the official said.
Though the accused have claimed that Ansari lost his life after he fell into a gorge, police suspect he died due to the beating, said the official. Police have registered two cases, including one under section 302 (murder), of the Indian Penal Code, he said.
The BJP accused him of doing 'drama' when he complained he was unwell
12:50 Senthil advised bypass surgery hours after arrest
Arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji has undergone coronary angiogram and has been advised bypass surgery at the "earliest", the hospital treating him said on Wednesday.
The electricity minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case earlier in the day.
Balaji "underwent coronary angiogram at 10.40 am" on June 14, a medical bulletin issued by the Director of the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Omandurar Estate, said. "Coronory angiogram revealed triple vessel disease for which CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) - bypass surgery is advised at the earliest," it said. PTI
12:49 RBI guv wins award
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das awarded Governor of the Year by Central Banking in London
12:41 Steam leak in Tata Steel's Odisha plant: 2 in ICU
Two persons injured in an accidental steam leak at Tata Steel's Meramandali plant in Odisha's Dhenkanal district remain in intensive care while 16 others remain hospitalised, a company statement said.
The steam leak occurred at around 1 pm on Tuesday during inspection work at the plant and affected workers and engineers.
"Of the 18 burn cases admitted to a private hospital in Cuttack, two remain in intensive care... The other injured persons are in stable condition, receiving continuous, high-quality care. "Another person initially admitted for a panic attack at the incident site, is now in good health and expected to be discharged shortly," Tata Steel said in a statement.
Dhenkanal SP Gyanaranjan Mohapatra on Tuesday said that around 19 persons were injured in the incident. The injured persons were immediately shifted to the Occupational Health Centre inside the plant premises and then to Cuttack for further treatment. PTI
12:23 WPI inflation declines to 3-year low in May
Wholesale price-based inflation rate declined by (-) 3.48 per cent in May, a 3-year low, on easing prices of food, fuel and manufactured items. The wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation rate has been in the negative territory for the second straight month.
In April it was (-) 0.92 per cent. In May, 2022 WPI inflation was at 16.63 per cent. The May, 2023 data print of (-) 3.48 per cent is the lowest WPI print recorded since May 2020, when wholesale inflation was at (-) 3.37 per cent.
11:58 Stalin: ED pressurised Senthil till 2 am, then...
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin met state minister V Senthil Balaji who is admitted to Omandurar government hospital in Chennai. Balaji was admitted to the hospital after he was reportedly taken ill when questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case.
"Till 2 am, they kept pressuring him and then took him to the hospital. Now he's admitted to ICU. Even after he said that he will cooperate in the investigation, why did they torture him? We can clearly see the wrong intentions of those who sent these officials. They acted in an inhuman manner. DMK will not be afraid of this kind of intimidation by the BJP. People will teach them a lesson in 2024," Stalin said.
11:46 BSF recovers 3 packets of suspected narcotics dropped by drone
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered three packets of suspected narcotics along with one blinker ball dropped by a drone near the Ferozepur border in Punjab on Wednesday morning.
According to an official statement, on June 14, 2023, on specific information at about 7.30 AM, a search operation was launched by BSF on the outskirt of Maboke village in Ferozepur district.
"During the search, BSF troops recovered a black colour bag containing 3 small Packets (2 white and 1 black colour polythene) of suspected narcotics (Gross weight - 2.6 kg) along with one blinker ball, dropped by drone, from a farming field of outskirt of Maboke village in Ferozepur district", a statement of the BSF said. -- ANI
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11:43 Kuki militants surround Meitei village, 9 dead
Update: At least nine people were killed and 10 injured when suspected militants attacked a village in the Khamenlok area of ethnic-strife hit Manipur, police said on Wednesday.
The militants armed with sophisticated weapons surrounded the villagers of the Khamelok area bordering Imphal East district and Kangpoki district and launched the attack at around 1 am, the police said.
The injured have been admitted to Imphal hospital, they said.
The area lies along the borders of the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and tribal-majority Kangpokpi district. On Monday night nine people were injured in a gunfight in the Khamenlok area in exchange of fire between militants and village volunteers.
The security forces also exchanged fire with Kuki militants at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Tuesday, they said.
The Kuki militants were trying to make bunkers close to Meitei localities when they were challenged by security forces resulting in the exchange of fire.
Meanwhile, the district authorities have cut short the curfew relaxation hours from the usual 5 am to 6 pm in Imphal East and Imphal West to 5 am to 9 am. At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago. Army and para-military personnel were deployed to restore peace in the state.
11:07 Nine killed in fresh violence in Manipur
Nine people, including a woman, have been killed and several injured in the past 24 hours after fresh violence erupted in Manipur. The deaths took place in an incident of firing late night in Khamenlok area, reports NDTV.
Some of those killed have cut marks on their bodies and multiple bullet injuries.
Violence gripped Manipur on May 3, as clashes were witnessed during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union to protest the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe.
As per an official statement, the Manipur governor has directed the Chief Secretary to inform the displaced people about the new guidelines issued by the state government and instructed him to regularly send government officials to the relief camps to be apprised of the problem of the inmates.
10:51 Amit Shah will meet this ace filmmaker tomorrow
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be meeting ace filmmaker S S Rajamouli, the director of blockbuster movies 'RRR' and 'Baahubali', in Hyderabad on Thursday, according to Telangana BJP sources.
Shah, who is scheduled to land in the city on a special flight tonight, will be addressing a public rally in Khammam, about 200 kilometres from Hyderabad on Thursday.
"Amit Shah will be meeting Rajamouli and some other prominent people of the state. His Telangana visit is part of BJP's month-long 'Maha Jansampark Abhiyan'," Telangana BJP spokesperson N V Subhash told PTI.
In May last year, Shah met 'RRR' star Jr NTR in Hyderabad. This year in March, he also met actor Ram Charan and his father Telugu cinema veteran Chiranjeevi.
From Hyderabad, Shah will reach Bhadrachalam in a chopper and offer special prayers at Sri Rama temple. From there, the senior BJP leader will reach Khammam and attend the public meeting after garlanding former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (undivided) N T Rama Rao.
After the meeting, the Home Minister will go to Vijayawada by road and board a special flight to Ahmedabad in the night. Aiming to emerge as an alternative to the ruling BRS in Telangana in the Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year, the BJP is keen on making Shah's public meeting a grand success. PTI
Senthil Balaji
10:33 Just drama: BJP leader on Senthil hospitalisation
Reacting to Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji's hospitalisation following Enforcement Directorate's custody, state BJP vice president Narayanan Thirupathy said it is a "complete drama" staged by the DMK party.
"It is a complete drama with screenplay and dialogues by the DMK in Tamil Nadu today," Thirupathy said.
Attacking the DMK Minister, he said, "He is a minister, and it is his duty to cooperate with the investigation. He is a Minister accused in a case. He has taken money from ordinary people for government jobs. He cannot take the law into his hands."
Narayanan Thirupathy also demanded Chief Minister MK Stalin to dismiss him from the government. "I demand Chief Minister MK Stalin to dismiss Senthil Balaji from his ministry immediately. Stalin's government would be a laughing stock if he does not do so. He should also order him to cooperate with the probe by the central agencies so that justice can be met," the state BJP Vice President said.
Senthil Balaji broke down while being taken into custody by the ED officials for questioning in connection to an alleged money laundering case in the wee hours of Wednesday. The investigating agency took the DMK leader for questioning, after raiding his premises on Tuesday.
10:16 China witnesses over 40% surge in Covid+ve tests in May
China witnessed a more than fivefold surge in the number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 at hospitals across the country since April.
The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data that shows, it has reached more than 40 per cent of those tested at the end of May, reported The Straits Times.
According to government data, China was hit by a Covid-19 wave again in May which had a nearing positive test rate compared to the peak seen during the pandemic hit at the end of 2022.
China reported 164 deaths in May among those who contracted Covid-19. Moreover, as many as 2,777 suffered severe infections and the number kept increasing during the month, as per a report published in The Straits Times. The Straits Times is an English-language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore.
10:07 Crocodile that killed boy beaten to death in Bihar
A crocodile was beaten to death after it allegedly killed a 14-year-old boy in Patna's Vaishali district on Tuesday. A video that went viral on social media purportedly showed the huge reptile being pulled out of the water by a group of men, who and beaten with sticks and rods by a group of men.
After receiving the information, a team of officials from the forest department reached the spot and launched an investigation. They said that the reason for the crocodile's death is being investigated and that further action will be taken accordingly.
"We have received information that a crocodile has been killed. The reason is not yet known," District Forest Officer Vaishali, Amita Raj told the reporters. -- ANI
NSA Ajit Doval
09:52 International treasure: US envoy praises...
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday praised National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, calling him an "international treasure".
Highlighting Ajit Doval's humble origins as a village boy from Uttarakhand, the envoy said, "India's NSA has not only become a national treasure but an international treasure".
The envoy also expressed admiration for the strong foundation between the United States and India.
"When I look at the foundation between the United States and India, it is so strong, it is so clear that Indians love Americans and Americans love Indians," Garcetti said at the United States-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies meet in Delhi.
09:28 Body chopped in flat: Statements of 20 people taken
The Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police in Maharashtra have recorded the statements of more than 20 persons in connection with the sensational discovery of the chopped, pressure-cooked and roasted body parts of a 32-year-old woman from a flat on the outskirts of Mumbai.
Victim Saraswati Vaidya's live-in partner Manoj Sane (56) has been arrested for allegedly killing her and dismembering the body in their 7th-floor rented apartment in Mira Road of Thane district.
Sane has been remanded in police custody till June 16.
According to Jayant Bajbale, deputy commissioner of police - Zone I, the process of recovery of materials in the case is underway. They have recorded the statements of 20 persons so far, he said. DNA samples of Vaidya and her near ones have been collected for matching.
Police on Monday handed over her remains to her sisters who performed Vaidya's last rites, the official said. Chats and call records of the accused and victim are also being examined, said officials.
Sane is suspected to have poisoned Vaidya to death before chopping her body and pressure-cooking and roasting the parts. He apparently bought pesticides from a shop in the western suburb of Borivali, said an official.
It is suspected that the murder took place on June 4, though it came to light on June 7 when the police broke open the door of the couple's flat at Akashdeep building in Mira Road (East) after neighbours complained of a foul smell emanating from there.
Sane, who worked at a ration shop, has claimed that Vaidya committed suicide by drinking poison and he only tried to dispose of her body by chopping it up. The accused also allegedly told police that he was HIV-positive and never had any physical relationship with Vaidya. He has also claimed that Vaidya was his wife and not his live-in partner. -- PTI
V Senthil Balaji
08:57 RAF at hospital where arrested TN minister admitted
A team of Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed at Omandurar Government Medical College in Chennai on Wednesday, hours after Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji was taken for medical examination to the healthcare facility.
The Enforcement Directorate took Senthil into custody last night in connection with an alleged money laundering case.
V Senthil Balaji broke down (see picture alongside) while being taken into custody by the ED. The investigating agency took the DMK leader for questioning, after raiding his premises on Tuesday.
High drama was witnessed outside the hospital as the DMK leader was brought there. He could be seen crying in pain while lying in a car as his supporters gathered there to protest against the ED action.
DMK MP and lawyer NR Elango said that he has been shifted to ICU and ED has officially not confirmed Balaji's arrest.
"I saw him (Senthil Balaji) when he was shifted to ICU. Doctors are evaluating his health condition. It is a procedure when a person says he has been assaulted the doctor needs to note down all the injuries and will know after seeing the report. Officially we have not been informed (by ED) that he has been arrested," Elango said.
DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "Senthil Balaji is undergoing treatment."
08:48 Cops deliver essentials in Gujarat
Police delivered essential items including vegetables and milk to the villagers of Shiyalbet in Jafrabad, Gujarat ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy's landing tomorrow.
08:39 Cyclone Biparjoy: 95 trains affected till June 15
Around 95 trains running through, originating or terminating in Biparjoy-affected areas of Gujarat, will remain cancelled or short-terminated till June 15, Western Railway said in a statement.
According to the India Meteorological Department ( IMD), Cyclone Biparjoy is expected to land on Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions and adjoining Pakistan coasts on June 15.
Earlier, on Monday, Ashok Kumar Misra, the Western Railway General Manager, said, "We are continuously monitoring cyclone 'Biparjoy'. We have established a disaster control room at our headquarters and also deployed ADRMs at Bhuj, Gandhidam, Porbandar and Okha. Today, some trains have been cancelled due to increased wind speed in Porbandar. All trains going to coastal areas in Gujarat will be cancelled from tomorrow."
The Western Railway continues to be cautious and is actively revising train schedules to ensure safe travel.
"In view of the latest weather forecast of cyclone Biparjoy affecting the coastal areas of Saurashtra and Kutch in the state of Gujarat, various safety and security precautions are being taken by Western Railway for the likely affected areas under the jurisdiction of Western Railway," it said.
The Director of Information and Publication Railway Board, Shivaji Sutar on Monday said that sufficient manpower and machinery have been deployed with adequate preparation to deal with any emergency.
Speaking to ANI, Shivaji Sutar said, "Disaster Management room has been activated and field staff has been put on alert mode. Emergency control rooms have been opened in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad and Gandhidham. Additional helpline numbers have also been activated."
"We have deployed sufficient manpower and machinery. Our teams have also been alerted. We have sufficient locomotives ready in case of any power failure, and we are also ready with preparation to evacuate people if a train gets stuck anywhere," he added. -- ANI
IMAGE: Rough seas and strong winds at Gomtighat in Dwarka. Photograph: ANI Photo
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00:31 Fire breaks out at biofuel factory in Gurugram, no casualty
A fire broke out at a biofuel factory in sector 112 area in Gurugram, Haryana on Tuesday morning, officials said.
No casualties were reported as nobody was present inside the factory at the time of the incident, they said.
According to the fire department, a call was received at around 5 am about a fire at Balaji Biofuels in sector 112. Four fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was brought under control after three hours of effort, they said.
A senior fire officer said that the cause behind the fire is said to be a short circuit, which is being probed. In another incident, a car parked outside a house in South City-1 caught fire this afternoon.
Fire officer Lalit Kumar said that the car owner had parked his car at an empty spot outside the house an hour before the incident.
The fire department team reached the spot and controlled the fire, but by that time the entire front part of the car was damaged. -- PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
00:28 UP cops book man for Facebook post against Modi
The Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday registered a case against a Facebook user for an alleged objectionable post on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a police officer said.
The FIR was registered at Kada Dham police station in Kaushambi against the Facebook user named Anjar Ahmed.
The case was lodged based on a complaint filed by a local BJP leader, Kada Dham police station SHO Ashutosh Kumar Singh said.
The matter is being investigated, he added. -- PTI
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