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Thu, 05 October 2023
5 soldiers injured as officer opens fire in JK
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23:47 5 soldiers injured as officer opens fire in JK
At least five army personnel, including a couple of officers, were injured when an officer allegedly opened fire and exploded grenades inside a camp in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, official sources said.
The incident took place near Thanamandi and efforts were on to overpower the accused, said to be a major-rank officer, who had reportedly taken shelter inside an armoury, the sources said.
Army officials were tight-lipped about the incident, while the sources said the army had evacuated a village in the close vicinity of the armoury as a precautionary measure.
The sources said the injured were taken to a military hospital and the condition of one of the officers was stated to be "critical".
A few soldiers were also present inside the armoury and were believed to have been taken hostage by the accused, the sources said.
23:24 I kind of like the name: Rhea on being labelled a 'witch' after Sushant's death
Recounting how she was branded a 'chudail' or a 'witch' after she was accused of abetting her partner and film star Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide by his family, actor Rhea Chakraborty on Thursday said any woman who didn't subscribe to patriarchy is called such names.
Chakraborty was speaking at the session 'Rising from the Ashes and Finding Herself' on day two of the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2023.
Asked whether being called a witch affected her, the 31-year-old said: "I kind of like the name 'chudail' (witch)."
"It is interesting. Back in the day who was a witch? A witch was a woman who did not subscribe to the patriarchal society or her own opinion that was against the popular opinion of men and the patriarchal society. Maybe I am that person, maybe I am a chudail. Maybe I know how to do black magic," added the actor, who after Rajput's sudden death became the subject of intense trolling and media scrutiny, which many felt was a "witch-hunt".
Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14, 2020. After a case of alleged abetment to suicide was registered against Chakraborty by Rajput's parents, a parallel probe into alleged drug procurement by her also began on the basis of her WhatsApp chats.
In relation to the case, Chakraborty was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in September 2020 and was later shifted to the Byculla jail where she spent almost six weeks. She is currently out on bail and the matter is sub judice at the Bombay high court.
"Unfortunately, even today if some man is successful and he gets married and his success ratio drops they will say 'dekho jab se ye zindagi mein aayi tab se ye iska career kharab ho gaya hai'. It's almost like the man had no identity before the woman.
"Men in India most definitely do not listen to their wives or girlfriends and if they did it would've been a much better society. It is a patriarchal society and that is why a lot of the things being said about me were in the sphere of patriarchy: 'ki isne aisa kiya, jab se ye aayi wo badal gaya'," Chakraborty further said.
For the actor, who currently serves as a gang leader on the reality show "MTV Roadies" season 19, the time she spent in prison was a "humbling experience".
"Jail can't be easy. It is interesting because you are removed from society and you are no longer a part of it. You are put in this place because you are no longer fit to be in society for whatever reason you are deemed to be unfit. You are no longer a person, you start viewing yourself as nothing. You are a number, you do as told," she said.
"You are given a few moments of happiness in your life, snatch them. And that's what I learnt from jail. I'm her to snatch it," she added.
Innocent until proven guilty should be "the motto of the legal system in India", said Chakraborty.
"Innocent until not proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent. I believe all the women have faced the same in that jail and they are innocent like me. I learned from them that some of them have been there for many years. Most of them do not even have access to lawyers or they do not have family support like I do," she said.
After Rajput's demise, Chakraborty said she "doused" herself in therapy. -- PTI
23:13 We can't become those we oppose: Cong reminds AAP
The Congress on Thursday expressed solidarity with AAP MP Sanjay Singh and said it rejects the use of government agencies to settle political scores, but also opposed the arrest of party leaders Sukhpal Khaira and O P Soni in AAP-ruled Punjab.
Senior Congress leader K C Venugopal said the party stands by authorities acting within the boundaries of the Constitution, asserting that "we cannot become those we oppose", in comments viewed as a reminder to the Punjab government of its action against the two Congress leaders in the state.
The remarks come in the wake of some tension brewing between the Congress and AAP after the arrest of Khaira by Punjab Police in a drugs case.
Both AAP and Congress are part of the INDIA bloc which is seeking to unitedly take on the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Venugopal said AAP leader Sanjay Singh's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate takes the BJP's vendetta politics to another level.
"We stand in complete solidarity with him and reject the use of law enforcement agencies to settle political scores," he said in a post on X.
"For this reason, we also oppose the arrests of All India Kisan Sabha Chairperson Sh. Sukhpal Khaira ji and former Punjab deputy CM Sh. OP Saini ji by the Punjab Police," he said.
"Democratic principles of a fair trial and authorities acting within the boundaries of the Constitution are non-negotiable. We cannot become those we oppose," the Congress leader said. -- PTI
22:45 British Sikh man jailed for 9 years over assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth II
A British Sikh crossbow-armed intruder who pleaded guilty to committing treason after telling royal guards at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 that he was there to kill Queen Elizabeth II was sentenced to nine years imprisonment by a UK court on Thursday.
Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, who claimed he wanted to "assassinate" the late monarch as revenge for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar according to a social media video that emerged soon after his arrest, has been handed a hybrid sentence order to take into account his mental health issues.
During a televised sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey court in London, Justice Nicholas Hilliard ruled that Chail must remain at Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire until he is considered fit to be transferred into custody.
"The act was conceived in 2021 when he was not psychotic and he went on to become psychotic by a process," the judge noted as he stated his reasoning behind the sentencing order.
He concluded that Chail had ultimately acted upon his homicidal thoughts and therefore posed a threat of "serious harm" to the public, which necessitated a custodial order.
The court heard how it was during a family visit to Amritsar in 2018 that he learnt more about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and decided to "give his life purpose" by avenging the killings by assassinating the British monarch at the time, who passed away aged 96 in September 2022.
Last month during his trial it emerged that Chail had written a letter to express his distress and sadness as an apology to the royal family and King Charles III.
According to court reports from the hearing, Chail's "strong family unit" includes his father, a software consultant working in aerospace, his mother, a special needs teacher, and his twin sister, a university student.
Chail was said to be suffering from mental health issues and the threat to the late Queen was instigated by an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot "girlfriend" named Sarai and inspired by his 'Star Wars' fascination.
Earlier, Chail pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 2 of the Treason Act, 1842; an offence of threats to kill contrary to Section 16 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; and an offence of possession of an offensive weapon contrary to Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.
"He had made a video of himself stating his desire to harm the late Queen, which he sent to a group of contacts shortly before he was arrested. Further enquiries into Chail uncovered further evidence of his planning and motives. Evidence recovered by officers showed that he harboured ill-feeling towards the British empire for its past treatment of Indian people," a Met Police statement noted.
The Nanded hospital. Pic: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters
22:19 Shinde orders collects to visit hospitals, PHCs in their districts
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday directed collectors in the state to visit all the medical colleges, government hospitals, hospitals under civic bodies and primary healthcare centres in their respective districts and submit a report on the current status of the facilities.
In a video conference with all the district collectors from Delhi, Shinde said the state government has set up a committee to probe the recent deaths in government hospitals in Nanded and Aurangabad and strict action will be taken against those responsible, said an official statement.
He said reasons like shortage of medicines and manpower will not be tolerated and action will be taken against the officials concerned.
He also reviewed the state's current health infrastructure, the statement said.
The Maharashtra government has come under intense criticism following the deaths of several patients at government-run hospitals at Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, former Aurangabad, in a short span.
According to officials, 31 patients, including many infants, died at the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital in Nanded in 48 hours since September 30, while the death of 18 patients was recorded at the Government Medical College and Hospital at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar between October 2 and 3.
The CM has directed the collectors to visit every medical college, government hospital, hospital under civic bodies and primary healthcare centre in their respective districts and submit a report on the current status of the facilities, according to the statement.
Shinde said health is a top priority for the government and stressed that efforts are being taken to strengthen health infrastructure in the short- and long-term and there won't be any shortage of funds for it, the statement said.
In case of a shortage of manpower, the CM said, it can be outsourced at the district level, added the statement.
22:15 NHRC notice to Maha govt over hospital deaths
The National Human Rights Commission has sent a notice to the Maharashtra government over death of "a large number of patients" at two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts within 24 hours.
Besides, the National Human Rights Commission has asked its Special Rapporteur P N Dixit to visit the two hospitals where these deaths have been reported, the rights panel said in a statement on Thursday.
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, carried on October 4, that "a large number of patients died in two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar districts of Maharashtra within twenty-four hours".
According to the news report, the patients have allegedly died in these hospitals due to "lack of medical help and a shortage of essential medicines," it said.
The Commission has observed that the content of the media report, if true, amounts to violation of human rights relating to the life and health of the victims due to "negligence by public authorities, which is a matter of concern".
Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the chief secretary, government of Maharashtra, seeking a detailed report within four weeks. It should include the status of the infrastructure along with the requisite and present strength of doctors, nurses and other staff in the government-run hospitals as well as the status of the medicines and diagnostic facilities available for the patients, the statement said.
The Commission has also asked the state government, through its chief secretary, to inform about the action taken against public servants as well as the status of the relief and rehabilitation provided to the aggrieved families, it said.
The NHRC would also like to know about the steps taken or proposed by the state government to ensure that such unfortunate deaths do not recur in the future, the statement read.
The Commission's Special Rapporteur is expected to identify the causes and reasons for such a large number of deaths of newborns and others. He will inspect wards, toilets and premises of the hospitals to identify shortcomings in hygiene, safe and clean environment, besides taking stock of medicines, oxygen and medical facilities, including the strength of doctors and nurses and suggest remedial measures in a comprehensive report within eight weeks, it added. -- PTI
22:13 India raises concerns over US envoy's trip to PoK
India on Thursday said it raised its concerns with the United States over American envoy to Islamabad Donald Blome's recent visit to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and called on the world community to respect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.
He also rejected US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti drawing a parallel to Blome's travel to Gilgit-Baltistan to an American delegation's visit to Srinagar to attend meetings relating to G20.
"Our position on the entire Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India is well known. We would urge the international community to respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Bagchi said when asked about Blome's visit.
"We have raised our concerns about that visit by the US ambassador to Pakistan with the US side," he said.
Blome visited Gilgit-Baltistan last month.
Asked about Garcetti's comments on the matter, Bagchi said: "We do not think the two situations are equivalent." -- PTI
21:51 Sanjay Singh promised favours in excise 'scam': ED
Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh promised favours to the beneficiaries of the Delhi excise policy 'scam' with the help of former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, the Enforcement Directorate Thursday claimed before a city court which remanded the Rajya Sabha MP in ED's custody for five days.
The anti-money laundering agency had arrested Singh on Wednesday.
"The investigation has revealed that Singh had assured to get changes through Manish Sisodia in the then proposed Excise Policy of 2020-21 to increase the brand registration criterion for IMFL brands at the behest of Amit Arora and Dinesh Arora.
"In exchange for this, an associate/team member of Singh i.e. Vivek Tyagi was given stakes in the business concern of Amit Arora i.e. Aralias Hospitality Pvt Ltd," the ED said.
Dinesh Arora, a businessman considered close to Sisodia, was an accused in the money laundering case linked to the alleged scam. He later turned an approver. -- PTI
Shabir Shah. Pic: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters
21:48 Shabir Shah's JKDFP banned for 5 years under UAPA
The Centre on Thursday banned jailed separatist Shabir Ahmad Shah's Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) for five years for its "anti-India" and "pro-Pakistan" activities, according to an official notification.
The ban was ordered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Founded in 1998 by Shah, a prominent separatist leader in Jammu and Kashmir, the JKDFP was a constituent of the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference.
Shah is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 25, 2017, in a 2005 money laundering case. He has also been charge-sheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a terror-funding case.
21:14 Mahadev app case: Huma Qureshi, Kapil Sharma get ED summons
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned comedian Kapil Sharma, actors Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan for questioning on different dates in connection with its money laundering probe linked to the Mahadev betting app case, officials said on Thursday.
The federal probe agency had already summoned Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor for questioning on October 6 at its regional office in Raipur. He is understood to have sought about two-week to appear.
The three actors latest to be summoned have been asked to appear at the Raipur office of the agency on different dates, the officials said.
The agency will record their statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and try to understand the mode and flow of payment allegedly done to them by the app promoters.
These actors may not be accused in the case, it is understood.
They are understood to have promoted the Mahadev app and some had entertained guests at a wedding of a promoter of the app (application) that was held abroad. -- PTI
Representational image
20:47 Man abuses Air India crew on NY-Delhi flight
The Delhi police have registered a case against a man for allegedly creating a ruckus and abusing the flight crew on an Air India flight from New York to Delhi, officials said on Thursday.
Officials said that a case has been registered against a passenger on the Air India flight for creating a ruckus and using abusive language with the female cabin crew.
The case was registered at Delhi's IGI Airport police station on October 1 following the complaint of the cabin crew staff.
In her complaint, the cabin crew member mentioned that she was working in the economy class cabin when one passenger, identified as Abhinav Sharma, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab, on Air India Flight AI 102, started making lewd comments and abusing the passengers around.
Gradually, the accused passenger started running around and abusing everyone.
First, the cabin supervisor gave him an oral warning followed by a written warning. However, the crew later had to restrain him as he continued making racist comments and showed disrespect towards India.
The Delhi police registered a case against the passenger under section 509 IPC and 22/23 of the Aircraft Act at IGI Airport police station on October 1, and an investigation is ongoing.
Representational image
20:28 Young woman kills self, blames credit card co worker
A 23 year-old-woman who was working with a private company allegedly hanged herself in her rented accommodation in Sukhrali village in Gurugram, Haryana, the police said on Thursday.
In a suicide note recovered from her room, she said a female employee of a credit card firm was responsible for her death.
On Wednesday, the police was informed about a probable suicide of a woman in the third floor room of a building in Sukhrali village. A team from Sector 18 police station reached the spot and found the body.
The woman was identified as Deepika, a native of Faridabad, the police said.
After her mother, Parvati Devi, reached the house the police forced the door open and retrieved Deepika's body for post-mortem.
The police found a one-page suicide note in which Deepika said a woman employed with a credit card firm based out of a local mall was responsible for her taking the step and must be punished, the police said.
Following the complaint by her mother, an FIR was registered against the woman under Section 306 (abatement to suicide) of the IPC.
"We handed over the body to kin after the post-mortem today. We have only got the name of the accused as per the suicide note and are trying to locate her. The main cause of suicide is not clear yet and a probe is underway," said SHO, inspector Haresh Kumar.
Ajit with uncle Sharad Pawar. Pic: Sahil Salvi
20:04 We have burnt our bridges: Ajit Pawar's minister
Maharashtra minister and rebel NCP leader Hasan Mushrif on Thursday ruled out the possibility of returning to the party faction led by Sharad Pawar.
Mushrif, who joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state along with Ajit Pawar and a few other Nationalist Congress Party leaders in July, is currently the minister for medical education and research.
"The decision has been taken. The ropes of retreat have been cut," Mushrif said, using a Marathi phrase which means `burning one's bridges', when asked by reporters about the possibility of returning to the Sharad Pawar camp.
Notably, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has been maintaining that there is no split in the party.
Pic: Dado Ruvic/Reuters
19:51 Madras HC rejects Youtuber's bail plea in accident case
The Madras high court on Thursday refused to grant bail to Youtuber TDF Vasan, who was arrested for causing an accident on the highway.
Vasan was arrested on September 19 in a case filed by the Baluchetty Chatram police for driving a two-wheeler in a fast, careless, and dangerous manner on the Chennai-Vellore highway in the Thamal area near Kanchipuram.
A Kanchipuram court has already rejected the bail plea filed by Vasan, who is lodged in Puzhal Jail.
A petition was also filed in the Madras high court on his behalf seeking bail.
In that petition, it has been stated that while cattle were crossing the road, the wheel of the vehicle lifted as the cattle suddenly stopped, and if the brakes were not applied there would have been a danger to the cattle and his life.
Also, he has sought bail as he was injured in the accident and could not get proper treatment in jail and as the sores are getting worse, he needs to be treated in a private hospital.
He has stated in the petition that he is innocent, not involved in any crime, and will abide by the conditions imposed by the court.
When this petition came up for hearing before Justice CV Karthikeyan, the police said that 45 lakh people were following the petitioner on Youtube and he might have survived the accident because he wore a protective suit worth two to four lakh rupees and riding a bike worth Rs 2 lakh.
But seeing this, other youngsters ask their parents to buy them a bike costing Rs 2 lakh and indulge in such risky adventures.
It was also reported that some were involved in robberies. Hence, the action of the petitioner, who acted for publicity and to inspire other youths, should serve as a lesson.
The judge then dismissed Vasan's bail plea saying that he should continue to remain in court custody.
The judge also ordered the prison doctors to treat the injury on his hand and suggested that his Youtube site be closed and the bike be burnt.
19:29 AAP's Sanjay Singh sent to ED custody till Oct 10
A Delhi court Thursday sent senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate for five days, a day after the anti-money laundering agency arrested him in the Delhi excise policy case.
Special Judge M K Nagpal remanded Singh in ED custody till October 10 to enable the federal probe agency to interrogate him.
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP will be produced before the court on expiry of his custody.
While being brought to the courtroom, Singh said his arrest was an act of injustice by Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose party was 'going to lose the next Lok Sabha elections".
Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday in connection with its money laundering probe linked to the 2021-22 Delhi Excise policy case, in a huge blow to the city's ruling Aam Aadmi Party.
"This is Modiji's injustice. He will lose election, he is losing election," he told journalists.
Later, when the court asked him whether he wanted to say something, Singh claimed he was being treated unfairly.
"Sir, Amit Arora gave tens of statements, Dinesh Arora gave several statements, but they did not remember my name. I'm not that unknown that they forgot my name. Now they have suddenly remembered There's no separate law. I was not summoned even once. Why different law for me? the AAP leader said rebutting the ED's claim he received Rs 2 crore from Dinesh Arora, a businessman accused in the case who has now turned an approver.
During the hearing, the ED sought Singh's custody saying several people were yet to be examined and confronted with him. The agency said it also wanted to confront Singh with data extracted from his phone.
The Enforcement Directorate alleged Singh received Rs 3 crore in two tranches. -- PTI
19:23 China's assertiveness more evident with its rise: CDS
China's assertiveness is more evident with its rise and India will have to take this aspect into account in its overall "strategic calculus", Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said on Thursday.
Delving into disruptions in global geopolitical order, he also underlined the need for India to continue maintaining "strategic autonomy" in its approach and that the country move forward from its approach of "non-alignment" to an era of being a "Vishwa-mitra" -- a friend to the world.
Delivering the fifth Gen KV Krishna Rao memorial lecture, the Chief of Defence Staff also referred to India's "major dispute" on its northern borders with China and suggested that New Delhi will have to play a strategic autonomy card.
"The strategic autonomy may be relevant to exploit opportunities rather than to take care of your threats. That's where the future should lie. We should be thinking about opportunities more," he said.
"This all what I said comes with a little bit of a caveat because of the northern neighbour. In this strategic calculus, India will have to take into account the emergence of China as a major power," he said.
"China's assertiveness is more evident with its rise. India has a major dispute on its northern borders with China and will have to play a strategic autonomy card...," he added.
The Chief of Defence Staff also summarised India's journey of being non-aligned to that of exercising strategic autonomy.
"If I were to summarize the journey of India from non-alignment to exercising of strategic autonomy, it can be based on what I can say is three S. First is securing India. Next is self-reliance. And lastly, shaping the environment to India's advantage and benefit," he said.
Gen Chauhan also elaborated on economic aspects of global geopolitics and that the global balance of power can be shifted by economic alignment and even issues like morality, righteousness and convergence of global interests.
"In India's famous epic Mahabharata, Lord Krishna shifted the balance of power towards the Pandavas. His military might went to the Kauravas but it was only his righteousness and sage advice which shifted the balance of power," he said.
"And ultimately the Pandavas emerged victorious in that particular war. We as a nation have utilised the G20 platform to leverage soft power to play a dominating role. So these are also important facts we must keep in mind when we take strategic decisions on how to get aligned in future," he said. -- PTI
19:12 SBI chairman Dinesh Khara's tenure extended till Aug 2024
The government on Thursday approved the extension of tenure for State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Dinesh Khara till August next year, sources said.
The approval comes ahead of the end of his three-year tenure on October 6, 2023.
As per the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) order, an SBI chairman can hold the post until the age of 63 years, the sources said.
Khara attains 63 years in August next year, they said.
Besides, the sources said, the ACC has also approved extension of the tenure of Ashwini Kumar Tiwari as the managing director for two years beyond January 27, 2024.
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18:54 Bengaluru to get 190-km-long tunnel to ease traffic congestion
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said a 190-km long tunnel has been proposed to ease traffic congestion in the city and within 45 days, the state government will be inviting public tenders for it.
Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, he said a 190 km long tunnel road has been proposed to combat traffic congestion in Bengaluru and eight companies have qualified for it.
"These companies will submit a feasibility report and we are preparing to call for public tenders within 45 days."
These companies will study and report on how the tunnel road should be, whether it should be four or six lanes, from where it should begin and end and a decision also needs to be taken on whether it should be expanded across the city, he said.
The deputy chief minister, who holds the Bengaluru City Development portfolio, said that since the project is of a very large scale and requires a huge amount of funding, it has to be done in several stages.
We have proposed 190 km for now, he said.
Bellary Road, Old Madras Road, Esteem Mall Junction to Mekhri Circle, Miller Road, Chalukya Circle, Trinity Circle, Sarjapur Road, Hosur Road, Kanakapura Road to Krishna Rao Park, Mysore Road to Sirsi Circle, Magadi Road, Tumakuru Road to Yeshwantpur Junction, Outer Ring Road, Goraguntepalya, KR Puram, Silk Board areas have been identified for now.
"We have selected these areas on priority basis. The companies are going to study where and how this tunnel road can be made, he said.
Shivakumar said Bengaluru needs at least a four-lane tunnel road.
He also said that with the monsoon season ending, chief engineers have been given the responsibility to exert pressure on contractors to quickly complete the most important priority works, including drainage for rainwater flow.
Citing the huge traffic congestion on the Outer Ring Road in Bengaluru last week, Shivakumar said he has discussed the issue with the officials concerned and the traffic police.
He will visit Outer Ring road on October 7.
18:52 All measures in place to counter drone threat, prepared for any eventuality: IAF
The Indian Air Force has put all measures in place to counter the threat of drones from across the Indo-Pak border in Jammu, a senior IAF official said, adding that it is prepared for all eventualities.
The official added that most operations undertaken by IAF in the region have been successful.
"See we are prepared for any eventuality and all measures are in place," Air Officer Commanding (AoC) Jammu, Air Commodore S S Rawat told reporters in Jammu to a question on drone threats.
On being asked about the success rate of IAF's surveillance operations, Rawat said most of the operations are successful. The IAF is deployed for such operations in coordination with the Army, Rawat added.
On the flash floods in Sikkim floods, the AoC said security forces and the administration are doing their best. "Whatever is possible is being done. We have sympathies with them," he said.
Another official added that the IAF personnel are trained for such rescue and relief operations. AoC is empowered to conduct any such operation, he said.
Fourteen bodies have been found so far while 102 people, including 22 Army personnel, remained missing after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta river basin.
18:15 Our focus...: India on reduction in Canadian diplomats
India on Thursday said it is engaged in discussions with Canada on the issue of ensuring parity in its diplomatic presence in India.
"We sought parity in Canada's diplomatic presence in India and discussions are ongoing," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
Our focus is on ensuring parity in Canada's diplomatic presence, he said.
Two weeks ago, New Delhi asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in India.
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
India rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case. -- PTI
17:55 Be ruthless: Amit Shah's counter-terror mantra
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said anti-terror agencies will have to adopt such ruthless approach that new terrorist organisations are not formed in the country.
Addressing an anti-terror conference in New Delhi, Shah also said not only terrorism, but the entire ecosystem of the terrorists has to be destroyed.
The home minister said tough decisions taken by the Modi government have yielded very good results in handling challenges posed by cryptocurrencies, hawala, terror-funding, organised crime syndicates and narco-terror links.
Still a lot more is to be done, he said.
"All anti-terror agencies will have to adopt such a ruthless approach that new terrorist organisations cannot be formed," he said.
Shah said there is a need to not only combat terrorism but also dismantle its entire ecosystem, and for this "we must work with the spirit of the whole of government and Team India".
Pic: ANI Photo
17:47 Agniveer recruitment rally to be held in Mumbai
The second phase of the Indian Army's recruitment rally for Agniveer and regular cadre will be held between November 1 and 7 in Mumbai, the defence ministry said on Thursday.
The rally will be held at the Mumbai University Ground in Kalina.
"The second phase of Indian Army's recruitment rally for Agniveer and Reg cadre is scheduled from November 1-7 2023 at Mumbai University Ground, Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai Suburban. Admit cards have been dispatched by email to shortlisted candidates of online CEE held in April 2023," it said.
This recruitment rally, under the Army Recruiting Office (Mumbai), covers eight districts in Maharashtra -- Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Thane, Nashik, Dhule, Palghar, Raigad and Nandurbar, it said.
17:15 ASI gets 4 more weeks for Gyanvapi survey
A Varanasi court on Thursday granted four more weeks to the Archaeological Survey of India to complete the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex and submit its report, and added that the duration of the survey will not be extended beyond this.
Government counsel Rajesh Mishra said that District Judge A K Vishvesh accepted their appeal to extend the period of the ongoing survey by four more weeks during a hearing on a plea by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The ASI, which was to submit the report of the survey by October 6, now has time till November 6 to do the same.
The ASI is carrying out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, next to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, to determine whether the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple. PTI
16:56 PM lauds Vivek Agnihotri for The Vaccine War
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated the makers of "The Vaccine War", saying the movie has made every Indian feel proud. The Vivek Agnihotri-directed movie, which released theatrically on September 28, is based on the true story of Indian scientists, their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and how they developed an affordable vaccine for India and the world.
"A film called 'The Vaccine War' was released. I have heard that the hard work done day and night by our scientists to fight Covid in India has been depicted in this film. Every Indian is feeling proud after watching that film," PM Modi said during a rally in Jodhpur.
The prime minister also congratulated the film's makers for giving importance to scientists of the country. "I also congratulate the makers of this film that you gave importance to the scientists and science of the country by making the film. This will be very useful for the coming generations," Modi said. Agnihotri, known for directing movies such as "Hate Story", "Chocolate", "The Tashkent Files" and "The Kashmir Files", expressed gratitude to the prime minister for appreciating "The Vaccine War".
"It's heartening to hear PM @narendramodi acknowledge the contribution of Indian scientists, specially women scientists in making the indigenous vaccine under his leadership. Women scientists called and got emotional 'first time a PM praised Virologists' they said. Gratitude," the filmmaker wrote on microblogging site X.
Produced by wife Pallavi Joshi under their banner I Am Buddha, the film features Anupam Kher, Nana Patekar, Sapthami Gowda, and Joshi. PTI
16:36 Jon Fosse 'gives voice to the unsayable'
The Swedish Academy on Literature Nobel Laureate Jon Fosse: "... has much in common with his great precursor in Norwegian Nynorsk literature Tarjei Vesaas. Fosse combines strong local ties, both linguistic and geographic, with modernist artistic techniques.
He includes in his Wahlverwandschaften such names as Samuel Beckett, Thomas Bernhard and Georg Trakl. While Fosse shares the negative outlook of his predecessors, his particular gnostic vision cannot be said to result in a nihilistic contempt of the world. Indeed, there is great warmth and humour in his work, and a nave vulnerability to his stark images of human experience."
16:32 Norwegian author Jon Fosse wins Literature Nobel
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded to the Norwegian author Jon Fosse, "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable."
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi holds a placard outside Parliament. File pic
16:28 ED seeks 10-day custody for AAP's Sanjay Singh
Enforcement Directorate seeks 10 days custody of arrested AAP leader Sanjay Singh. Sanjay Singh says his arrest is "Modiji's injustice", and he will lose the election.
The ED on Wednesday morning raided Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh's home in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, officials said.
The ED had mentioned Singh's name in its charge sheet. It stated that Dinesh Arora, a middleman, had said he had met Singh during a party in his restaurant Unplugged Courtyard.
In 2020, it said, Singh requested him to ask restaurant owners to generate funds for the Aam Aadmi Party for the Delhi assembly elections. He said he gave a cheque of Rs 82 lakh for the funds.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at a rally in Chhattisgarh
15:33 Why no ED raids in MP, asks Priyanka
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took on the Shivraj Chouhan government in an election rally in Dhar.
Priyanka targeted the Shivraj government alleging that corruption was deep seated in the state. She alleged that no investigation has been conducted in Madhya Pradesh though several scams took place in the state.
"Vyapam scam happened here. Was an investigation conducted? If you write against them (BJP), ED immediately reaches. You have to ask why ED has not come here yet? There has been corruption with Maa Narmada and in connection with idols of Saptrishis (in Mahakal corridor)," the Congress leader said.
The Congrees leader also endorsed the party's position on population based rights.
"There has been a caste census in Bihar and in that it has been been revealed that 84% of the population is in the SC/ST/OBC category. But what proportion on government jobs are they entitled to? It was Indira Gandhi who had given rights to adivasis" she said.
The Congress general secretary also spoke about the stories that her grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi shared about the relationship she shared with the people of Madhya Pradesh.
"My grandmother Indira Gandhi had built a relationship with you and hence you trusted her. When we were small she used to share stories about you and your culture. The relationship you had with her was that of love, care and respect. It was not one-sided. She had respect for you as well," Priyanka Gandhi said while addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar on Thursday. -- PTI
15:17 Shah to hold meeting on Naxal problem on Friday
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a review meeting on 'Left Wing Extremism (LWE)' here in the national capital on Friday.
The meeting, to be held on Friday morning, is likely to be attended by Chief Ministers, Home Ministers or their representatives from states of Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Kerala. These are those states that are affected by 'LWE' or the Naxal problem.
Union Home Secretary, top officials of Central Armed Police Forces and many senior officers of Central and State Governments will also attend the meeting. The meeting, which is held at certain intervals, aims at fulfilling the Central government's commitment to the development of left-wing extremist-affected states.
However, a lot of success can be witnessed in the last few years in this sector due to the joint efforts of the Centre and the states in cracking down on Left Wing Extremism with extreme fall in Naxal incidents.
14:38 Artist Chintan Upadhyay guilty of double murder
A sessions court in Mumbai on Thursday convicted artist Chintan Upadhyay for abetting and conspiring to kill his wife wife Hema Upadhyay and her lawyer Haresh Bhambhani.
The others accused - Vijay Rajbhar, Pradeep Rajbhar, Shivkumar Rajbhar and Azad Rajbhar - were convicted on charges of murder.
Hema Upadhyay and Bhambhani were killed on December 11, 2015, and the bodies, stuffed into cardboard boxes, were found in a ditch in Kandivali area of Mumbai.
Additional Sessions Judge S Y Bhosale, of the court in suburban Dindoshi, held Upadhyay guilty of abetting and conspiring to kill his wife and her lawyer.
The court will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence on Saturday.
The prosecution, in its final submission, argued that Chintan Upadhyay was the "pioneer of the conspiracy" to murder his wife and her lawyer. Chintan was driven by hatred towards the duo, special prosecutor Vaibhav Bagade alleged.
Bagade said he would seek maximum punishment for the convicts.
Vidyadhar Rajbhar, who is accused to executing the murders, has been absconding. Chintan was arrested soon after the incident for conspiring to eliminate his wife. He spent nearly six years in jail before being granted bail by the Supreme court in September 2021.
Gayatri Joshi and her husband Vikas Oberoi with their son
14:20 Gayatri Joshi's husband can face 7-yr-jail for crash
Actor Gayatri Joshi's husband Vikas Oberoi is under investigation after a high-speed crash involving two supercars -- a Laborghini and a Ferrari -- in Italy's Sardinia.
According to several reports, Oberoi was driving the blue Lamborghini Huracan. The 54-year-old is in the list of suspects with the hypothesis of double road homicide. A couple from Switzerland -- Markus Krautli and Melissa Krautli -- died in the horrific crash that caused a camper to overturn.
Oberoi could face up to seven years in jail if charged and found guilty.
Journalists hold a protest at the Delhi press club
14:14 Cops call NewsClick scribe for questioning again
The Delhi Police called journalist Abhisar Sharma for questioning on Thursday in connection with a case filed under anti-terror law UAPA, following charges that the NewsClick portal received money for spreading pro-China propaganda, officials said.
According to the officials, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police has called Sharma again on Thursday for questioning in connection with the case lodged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Sharma was questioned in connection with the case at the Special Cell's office on Tuesday.
NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty were arrested on Tuesday after several journalists were questioned in connection with the case.
A court has sent the two to police custody for seven days.
A raid was conducted on Tuesday at 88 locations in Delhi and seven locations in other states. A total of 37 male suspects were questioned at the Special Cell's office, while nine female suspects were quizzed at their respective places of stay. PTI
14:00 Modi pe bharosa hai... PM's dig at Gehlot in Raj
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over his absence at the official event here on Thursday in which projects of about Rs 5,000 crore were unveiled and said the Congress leader has confidence that when Modi comes, everything will be fine.
PM Modi, who addressed a rally after unveiling the development projects in Jodhpur, also attacked the Congress government in Rajasthan over the law and order situation in the state, saying there were several instances of atrocities against the Dalits and women.
"It was a government programme but the Chief Minister was absent. Why was he not there? Because he has confidence that if Modi comes, everything will be fine," PM Modi said.
"Unko Modi pe itna bharosa hai. Aur isliye unko laga ki arre bhai Modi aa rahe hain to bas ho jayega. Aur mai bhi unko kehta hun, aap vishram kijiye, ab hum samhal lenge (He has so much confidence in Modi. He felt that Modi is coming, works will be done. And I am also telling him that you take rest, we will take care of everything)," he added.
PM Modi also referred to the central government's decision on Wednesday to provide an additional subsidy of Rs 100 on LPG cylinders for Ujjawala beneficiaries after an earlier subsidy of Rs 200.
Army trucks covered in the silt of the Teesta river
13:51 Sikkim floods: 1 armyman found alive, 22 missing
The troops of the Army's Trishakti Corps extend medical aid and telephone connectivity to civilians and tourists stranded in the areas of Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen in north Sikkim while the search operation for 22 missing Indian army personnel continues.
Continued efforts are on to dig out the vehicles submerged under the slush at Burdang near Singtam.
Out of the initial 23 missing army men, one person was recovered alive on the evening of October 4, says PRO Defence.
Fourteen people have died and 102 others, including 22 army personnel, were missing after the cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta river basin, officials said on Thursday.
So far, 2,011 people have been rescued, while the calamity that happened on Wednesday affected 22,034 people, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said in its latest bulletin.
The state government has set up 26 relief camps in the four affected districts, it said. A total of 1,025 people are taking shelter in the eight relief camps in Gangtok district, while the number of inmates at the 18 other relief camps was not available immediately.
Actor Vishal
13:38 CBI probes actor Vishal's censor board graft charge
The CBI has lodged an FIR against three persons and unidentified officials of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on the allegations of actor Vishal that he had to pay Rs 6.5 lakh to get a certificate for his film Mark Antony, officials said on Thursday.
The action was followed by searches at four locations in Mumbai, including the premises of the FIR-named accused persons.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged an FIR against private persons Merlin Menaga, Jeeja Ramdas, Rajan M and unidentified public servants of the CBFC.
"It was alleged that during the month of September 2023, a private person entered a conspiracy with others to obtain a bribe of Rs 7 lakh and to get the required censor certificate from CBFC, Mumbai for a movie dubbed in Hindi," a CBI spokesperson said.
He said it was also alleged that in furtherance of the said conspiracy, the accused initially demanded the bribe on behalf of CBFC-Mumbai officials, the amount of which was reduced to Rs 6.54 lakh after negotiations.
"... she allegedly accepted Rs 6,54,000 as bribe on behalf of CBFC, Mumbai officials in two bank accounts of the two other accused. Thereafter, on 26/09/2023, the required certificate was allegedly issued by CBFC, Mumbai for said movie dubbed in Hindi. It was also alleged that in addition to the said amount, the said accused obtained Rs 20,000 in her bank account from the account of a private company as coordinating fees for herself," the spokesperson for the federal agency said in a statement.
12:51 Olympics host Paris overrun by bloodthirsty bugs
France has been overwhelmed in recent weeks following the outbreak of bedbugs that have not only wreaked havoc in Paris and Marseille but also are spotted almost everywhere in the cities creating panic among locals, CBS News reported.
Notably, the French capital has been invaded by the bedbugs just 10 months before the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympics which will be hosted by the European nation this year.
During the summer, reports of the minuscule bugs in hotels and vacation rentals spread around the city. Later, the bedbugs were also spotted in cinema theatres, and just recently, reports of bedbugs crawling on seats in both national high-speed trains and the Paris Metro system have also surfaced, according to CBS News.
Companies in Paris who specialise in treating bug infestations claim they have been overrun recently.
The possible risk to visitors to the summer Olympic and Paralympic Games particularly concerns Paris City Hall. "Bedbugs are a public health issue and should be declared as such," Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire wrote to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
He called on the government to put together an action plan to address the problem at a national level, according to CBS News.
Even though bedbugs are small, they may be seen with the unaided eye. They can spread easily and love to hide in mattresses and other soft furnishings like curtains, but also between floorboards, in electrical sockets and even behind wallpaper. -- ANI
12:31 AP cop kills wife, daughters; shoots himself
A 55-year old Andhra Pradesh police head constable allegedly shot dead three members of his family -- wife and two daughters -- and later shot himself to death, an official said on Thursday.
The incident, which is entirely due to personal reasons, came to light on Thursday morning and police recovered a suicide note from the 1993 batch policeman's house, the police official added.
"His name is Venkateswarlu and he was working as a writer in Kadapa two town police station. He worked till 11 pm last night (Wednesday) and took a pistol and some rounds from the police station and went to his house," Kadapa sub-divisional police officer Md. Sharif told PTI.
Venkateswarlu's eldest daughter, around 20 years of age was doing her first year of graduation, while the younger one was in 10th standard, he said, adding that the constable's wife was around 45 years old.
According to sources, the head constable was believed to have lost money in stock market trading and was also battling some family problems. Police are in the process of registering a case and have already begun the investigation, including Kadapa superintendent of police Siddarth Kaushal visiting Venkateswarlu's house. PTI
Atul Dodiya's painting of the Mahatma with Pt Nehru, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Azad
12:11 Listen to artist Atul Dodiya speak on Gandhiji
Marking Gandhi Jayanti 2023, MVIA in collaboration with INTACH Greater Mumbai Chapter will hold a talk on 'Gandhi - An Artist of Non-Violence' by one of India's foremost contemporary artists -- Atul Dodiya.
Born in 1959 in Mumbai, Atul Dodiya trained at the Sir JJ School of Art, in 1982, and cole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 199192, and is one of India's most significant artists.
For Dodiya, Gandhi has been an abiding passion for more than two decades. Generations of artists experimented with forms, materials, and mediums to portray the Mahatma and his message.
His fascination with Gandhi resulted in a series of works featuring Bapu from the 1980s onwards. In his 1999 series, 'Gandhi An Artist of Non-Violence', Dodiya narrates Gandhi's life by portraying mundane details including receipts and pages from his diary.
As art critic Ranjit Hoskote puts it, "Gandhi does not appear in Dodiya's works as a person in a familiar setting, but as a force to be reckoned with. This painting is part of the portfolio "Re-Imagining Bapu".
DATE: Tuesday, October 10
TIME: 5.30 - 7.30 pm
LOCATION: Gram Udyog Bhandar (formerly known as Khadi Bhandar) DN Road, Fort, Mumbai
To Register, WhatsApp on 98204 51446
(limited seating)
File pic
12:00 Fresh violence in Manipur, 2 houses torched
Fresh violence broke out in Manipur's Imphal West district where at least two houses were set on fire and several rounds of bullets were fired, police said on Thursday.
The incident happened in New Keithelmanbi in Patsoi police station area around 10 pm on Wednesday, they said. After the attack, the accused fled the spot, triggering tension in the area, they added.
Security forces and fire services personnel brought the blaze under control, police said.
A mob of Meitei women who gathered in the area following the incident was prevented by the security forces from proceeding further, they said.
Additional security has been deployed and the situation is under control, police said.
More than 180 people lost their lives and several hundreds were injured since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. PTI
Image: ANI
11:49 2 terrorists killed in encounter in Kulgam
Two terrorists were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, yesterday. According to officials, the bodies of killed terrorists are being retrieved from the site of the encounter.
"2 terrorists killed. Bodies of the killed terrorists are being retrieved from the site of the encounter. The cordon & search operation is still in progress. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Police Zone said in a post on X. The encounter between terrorists and security forces broke out in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday morning.
Historian Ramachandra Guha tweets this image writing, "My friend Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, indomitable as ever."
11:46 NewsClick: Prosecution opposes plea for FIR copy
The Delhi Police on Thursday opposed the applications filed for the supply of a copy of the FIR by NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty, arrested in a case lodged under anti-terror law UAPA following allegations that the news portal had received money to spread pro-China propaganda.
Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur was hearing the arguments regarding the applications.
Special Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava cited a Supreme Court judgment and said the accused had to approach the police commissioner, who would then form a committee regarding the same. He said the accused had to follow the "step-by-step procedure" prescribed by the apex court.
The application filed by the accused was "premature" and they could not "directly jump before the court", Shrivastava added.
The court had issued a notice to the city police on the applications on Wednesday.
Purkayastha and Chakravarty were arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on Tuesday. Police have sealed NewsClick's office in Delhi.
Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta (pic alongside, right), a contributor with NewsClick was questioned for over eight hours.
Pigs roam outside the hospital. Pic: Reuters
11:32 FIR against Nanded hospital dean, doctors
A case has been registered against the Dean and doctors of the Delivery Department of the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital following the deaths of patients in the facility within a span of two days.
A FIR has been registered against them under Sections 304 and 34 of the IPC, according to Maharashtra Police.
At least 31 people died in the government-run Medical College and Hospital, reportedly due to an alleged scarcity of medicines. A total of 24 patients, including newborns, were reported dead between September 30 and October 1 while seven more deaths were reported on Tuesday.
Relatives of the deceased patients have alleged a shortage of medicines and negligence on the part of the hospital authorities. Maharashtra's Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday said a thorough investigation will be conducted into the deaths and a committee of doctors will be formed to conduct the probe.
The Dean of Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital Nanded had previously rejected allegations of negligence against the hospital on Tuesday, claiming that deceased patients were suffering from different ailments such as diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure.
Dean Shyamrao Wakode said that there was no shortage of medicines or doctors, and the patients were given proper care, but their bodies did not respond to the treatment. -- ANI
11:08 Dr Kafeel Khan thanks SRK for Jawan because...
Dr Kafeel Khan, who says he was made a scapegoat in the 2017 Gorakhpur hospital deaths case, has written a letter thanking actor Shah Rukh Khan for portraying the incident in his latest film, the blockbuster Jawan.
In the action drama, a character played by Sanya Malhotra goes through a similar experience as that of Dr Khan, who was initially hailed as a hero, but was later arrested and jailed for his role in the tragedy.
Dr Kafeel Khan writes, "While I understand that "Jawan" is a work of fiction, the parallels it draws to the Gorakhpur tragedy serve as a powerful reminder of the systemic failures, apathy, and, most importantly, the innocent lives lost. It underscores the urgent need for accountability within our healthcare system.
The character portrayed by @sanyamalhotra07 (as Dr Eeram Khan ) although not directly referencing me, encapsulated the experiences I faced. It was heartening to witness the real culprit of 'The Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy' got caught , though sadly in real life the real culprits are roaming free, me still struggling to get my job back, and those 63 parents who lost their little ones still waiting for justice."
The case received nationwide attention in August 2017, when over 60 children died at the state-run BRD Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur city of Uttar Pradesh. It was reported that hospital authorities had alerted the state government about non-payment of dues to oxygen suppliers, which led to the supply being cut off.
Dr Khan was said to have spent his own money to arrange for oxygen cylinders in an attempt to save lives.
After initially being hailed for his valiant efforts, Dr Khan was removed as the nodal officer in charge of the encephalitis ward on charges of dereliction of duty, and was subsequently jailed. He was acquitted of all charges in 2019.
10:53 Have nothing but a suitcase: Sikkim flood survivor
Mishti Haldar, 28, woke up on Wednesday morning to find that the Teesta was flowing almost within touching distance from her porch at Matigara near Siliguri.
The fast-flowing river, which is normally about 250 metre away from her house, was carrying with it camps, utensils and animal carcasses.
"The river had swollen overnight because of the flash flood in Sikkim and rains, and flooded the low-lying areas of our district. Camps, which must have been struck by tourists or Army people upstream, had been uprooted and the debris were flowing by. It was an incredible scene," said Haldar, a housewife.
Soon, police asked her to move to the nearby school, a designated shelter, as the flood waters were rising.
"Many of us left just with our suitcases, praying our houses will be spared," she said.
Luckily by Thursday, the water levels went down and Haldar and hundreds of others were able to return home.
However, many others remained stuck in the makeshift flood shelters that the state government has set up. An official of the Water and Irrigation Department said all sluice gates of the Gajoldoba barrage on the Teesta river have to be opened to avoid flooding.
The flash flood in Sikkim created chaos in many other ways, including stranding people in both Sikkim and the plains of northern Bengal.
A group of tourists from Kolkata on a motorcycle-cum-trekking trip was stuck near Singtem without food and no means of getting back as the NH 10, the highway that links Sikkim to the rest of India, had been washed away or had caved in at different areas.
One of them, Rajib Bhattacharya, said "At least we are safe and have managed to find a house, which has spared some noodles for us."
Ramakant Yadav, 33, a construction worker bound for Sikkim was stuck at the New Jalpaiguri railway station with eight of his mates. They are among hundreds of tourists, workers and students who are stuck at the railway station.
"We tried to hire a cab and go but we were turned back midway. The travel money is gone now. Our contractor, a Sikkimese, is unable to help. His own house has been flooded. We will wait for a few days, eating the 'sattu' that we are carrying with us, and if nothing works, we will go back home without the earnings we had hoped for," said Yadav. PTI
Janasena TDP chief Pawan Kalyan
10:45 Pawan Kalyan quits NDA to support Chandrababu
Actor and politician Pawan Kalyan on Thursday said that he has come out of BJP-led NDA to support TDP during difficult times.
He said that Janasena TDP is needed for good governance and development of Andhra Pradesh.
"TDP is a strong party and Andhra Pradesh needs the Telugu Desam Party for good governance, for the development of the state. Today TDP is in a struggle we will support them. TDP needs Janasainks young blood support in this situation.
"If TDP and Janasena join hands YSRCP will be submerged in the state," Pavan Kalyan said in a public meeting held at Pedana, in Krishna District.
On September 14, Pawan Kalyan had visited Chandrababu Naidu in the Rajahmundry Central Jail where the latter has been lodged after he was sent to judicial custody in a "skill development scam".
Janasena party chief Pawan Kalyan had attended a meeting of the NDA held in Delhi on July 18. Speaking after the meeting the actor, politician said that his party would support PM Modi's vision.
"The entire meeting was extremely good and we discussed Atmanirbhar Bharat, skill India. And from our (party) side I promised PM Modi that we will stand by his vision and we will give our best" Pawan Kalyan had said.
Khadi on the ramp
10:38 Sales of Rs 1.5cr in a day at Khadi Bhavan after...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed delight at the record-breaking sale of Rs 1.52 crore at 'Khadi Bhawan' in Delhi's Connaught Place and said that the purchase of the hand-woven cloth across the country shows how it has become a symbol of public sentiment.
"The new record of the purchase of Khadi by our family members across the country shows how it has become a powerful symbol of public sentiment. I am confident that this love for Khadi will continue to create new records every day, which will give new strength to the vision of a self-reliant India," posted the Prime Minister on X.
This comes after the Prime Minister urged people to purchase Khadi on Gandhi Jayanti during his "Mann Ki Baat" programme on September 24. As a result, a record sale of Rs 1.52 crore was made at Khadi Bhawan in a single day.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the custodian of Khadi, the legacy of Pujya Bapu and the architect of 'Modern Khadi of New India', had appealed to the people to buy Khadi on 'Gandhi Jayanti' in the 'Mann Ki Baat' program on 24th September. As a result, for the first time in the history of Khadi, a record sale of Rs 1.52 crore was achieved in a single day at 'Khadi Bhawan' in Connaught Place, Delhi," posted Khadi India on X. -- ANI
10:34 Is this new govt policy?
In the list of 10 key regulatory institutions in India, a development has emerged. For the first time in 20 years, two chairpersons, both in the financial sector -- namely the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) -- are simultaneously not from the government.
However, it is early to say whether this trend will continue.
This list gains significance amid reports that the next chief of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) might be from the private sector.
An assessment of the recruitment for the chairperson's post reveals no distinctive preference for government officers, either serving or retired, with the exception of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board.
For four institutions -- Trai, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) -- serving and retired government officers are included in the zone of consideration. However, even for them no preference is indicated between experts and government officers in the choice to be made.
In five other institutions, the recruitment condition makes no mention of government officers, opening the door, in principle, for individuals from various sectors to join at the top post within the current framework.
Yet, as the list illustrates, eight regulatory bodies are currently led by government officers, predominantly from the IAS. (This enumeration excludes periods when the top position was held on an officiating basis.)Notably, Sebi and PFRDA have seen non-government officers assume top leadership roles before, with both experiencing this three times, including the present appointments.
-- Subhomoy Bhattacharjee/Business Standard
File pic
10:27 China sends military planes, ships near Taiwan despite typhoon alert
As Typhoon Koinu's storm encircled Taiwan between 6 am Wednesday (October 4) and 6 am Thursday (October 5), its defence ministry (MND) tracked one Chinese military aircraft and three navy vessels across the nation, Taiwan News reported.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military aircraft and three PLAN boats were reportedly spotted, according to the defence ministry. Taiwan's Defence Ministry (MND) said that no graphic of the flight paths had been supplied since there had been no indication that any PLAAF aircraft had crossed the Taiwan Strait's middle line or gotten as far as Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)'s southwest sector.
The MND said that it used its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance apparatus to keep an eye on the situation. It responded by dispatching navy ships, combat patrol aircraft, and land-based air defence missile systems. Beijing has been using "grey zone tactics" more often since September 2020, such as deploying military aircraft and naval vessels beyond the middle line and within Taiwan's ADIZ, Taiwan News reported.
09:41 MP govt to reserve 35% govt jobs for women
The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a notification for providing 35 percent reservation in recruitment to women, barring the Forest department in the state.
The state government has made an amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Civils Services (Special Provision for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997 to give 35% reservation to women.
According to the copy of the notification, "Notwithstanding anything contained in any service rules, there shall be reserved 35 percent of all posts in the service under the state (except Forest Department) in favour of women at the stage of direct recruitment and the said reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise."
Earlier, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced to provide 35 percent reservation to women in police and other government jobs and 50 percent reservation for women in teaching posts. Priority would be given to women in local bodies, including aldermen and other positions. Education fees of girls will be borne by the government while ensuring better education to them.
Recently, the women's reservation Bill passed by the Parliament, became law after it received assent from President Droupadi Murmu. -- ANI
Accused Ashish Mishra
09:35 Lakhimpur Kheri case: No hope of justice, say victims
Lawyer for victims' kin says the prosecution has 171 pieces of documentary evidence linking the crime to accused Ashish Mishra. Read the report here.
09:32 CWC meeting likely on October 9 in Delhi
A Congress Working Committee meeting is likely to be held on October 9 in Delhi, to discuss various issues from the Women Reservation Act to the caste-based census, sources said on Wednesday.
The meeting is likely to discuss the current political situation in the country, the Caste-based census, and the Women's Reservation Act.
09:21 PM to launch rail, road projects in MP, Raj today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Rajasthan and poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Thursday to lay the foundation stones of a slew of projects, including rail and road works and a memorial dedicated to Rani Durgavati, said an official statement.
"At around 11:15 am, the PM will lay the foundation stone and dedicate multiple development projects worth about Rs 5,000 crore at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in sectors like road, rail, aviation, health and higher education," said an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
"The Prime Minister will then reach Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh at around 03:30 PM, where he will perform bhoomi poojan of 'Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan'. He will also inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate more than Rs 12,600 crore, to nation development projects in sectors like road, rail, gas pipeline, housing and clean drinking water," said the statement.
In Rajasthan, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of important projects for strengthening the Health infrastructure of the state, the statement said.
The projects include 350 bedded 'Trauma Centre and Critical Care Hospital Block at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur', and seven Critical Care Blocks under Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) to be developed across Rajasthan, it said. -- ANI
08:57 Sikkim death toll reaches 14; 102 missing
The Sikkim Government has confirmed that 14 people have died so far in the flash floods that occurred in Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday.
The 14 deceased are all civilians while 102 people are still missing.
Over 3,000 tourists are feared to be stranded in different parts of the State. 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam.Injuries and persons missing have been reported from Chungthang in Mangan district, and Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok district and Rangpo in Pakyong district.
As per the information shared by the Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak, he informed, "The Lhonak lake received a cloud burst around 10:42 pm on Tuesday night. Thereafter the lake breached its embankment and made its course towards Teesta river. Soon different parts of the Teesta basin reported a rise in water, with particularly alarming levels in Chungthang where the Teesta Stage 3 dam was breached."
"There are 12-14 workers still stranded in the tunnels of the dam. Collectively across the State, 26 people have been reportedly injured and rushed to the hospitals. While 23 Army personnel in Bardang are still missing. They had a convoy vehicle which was parked adjacent to the highway which got submerged in the sludge," added Pathak.
The State government has asked for three (3) extra platoons of the National Disaster Response Force, which the Central government has approved.
There is one platoon of NDRF already in service in Rangpo and Singtam towns.
One such upcoming platoon of NDRF will be airlifted to Chungthang for rescue operations. It is assumed that over 3,000 domestic and foreign tourists are stranded in the State currently.
Similarly, food and civil supplies will be taken to Chungthang once the weather improves for air connectivity, as per the official report. -- ANI
01:49 Will get bigger responsibility in MP: BJP's Vijayvargiya
Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Wednesday said he was not contesting the coming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections only to become an MLA, and the party will give him some important responsibility.
The ruling party sprang a surprise last month when it named Vijayvargiya, who is not an MLA at present, as its candidate from Indore-1 seat.
Notably, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan or his constituency did not figure in the three lists of candidates released by the party so far.
"I assure you that a BJP government will be formed again in the state. I am not here only to become an MLA. I will get some bigger responsibility from the party," Vijayvargiya said, speaking at a program under the state's Ladli Bahna scheme for girls.
"When I get a big responsibility, I will do big work too. I assure you that we have carried out development and will do it further," he said.
Speaking at a party program elsewhere, Vijayvargiya said an officer who does not do what he (Vijayvargiya) asks to do over phone "is not born in the state" (there is no such officer).
"I used to speak less about Indore's affairs in the last 10-12 years because I kept roaming outside, but as soon as my name was announced as a BJP candidate, half the officials lost their sleep, he added.
Congress leader Jitu Patwari, meanwhile, took a jibe at Vijayvargiya, saying he is a "big leader" who was going to contest a "small election".
Vijayvargiya is among the senior BJP leaders who are considered to be the contenders for the post of chief minister if the BJP retains power in Madhya Pradesh.
He had won assembly elections six times in a row between 1990 and 2013 from different seats in Indore district, but did not contest in 2018. -- PTI
01:47 Excess rainfall, glacial lake outburst could be reason of Sikkim
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday said the possible cause of the flash flood in Sikkim could be a combination of excess rainfall and a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event at South Lhonak lake in North Sikkim.
In a statement, the NDMA also said the Himalayan ranges are host to many glacial lakes, estimated through remote sensing techniques at about 7,500 and of these, Sikkim has around 10 per cent of which nearly 25 are assessed to be at-risk.
Giving details of the incident, the NDMA said in the early hours of Wednesday, there was a sudden surge in water flow in the Teesta river, which washed away several bridges, parts of NH-10, the Chungthang Dam and has impacted several small villages, towns and infrastructure projects in the upper reaches of the river valley.
The main affected districts are Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi.
"While scientists are investigating the exact cause of the flash flood, the primary reason for the sudden surge appears to be a likely combination of excess rainfall and a GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) event at South Lhonak lake in North Sikkim," it said in the statement.
The lake is at a height of 5,200 metres, with a towering ice-capped feature at about 6,800 metres to the north of and in close proximity to the lake.
Satellite images received from the ISRO at 0600 hours on Wednesday, reveal the draining out of more than half the lake, most likely as a result of an avalanche from the ice- capped feature.
The Central Water Commission's monitoring stations revealed that the first surge of water was 19 metres above the maximum water level at Sangkalang at 0130 hours and 4 metres above the maximum water level at Melli at 0400 hours.
As soon as news was received, the NDMA said, alerts were issued to downstream habitations and relief and rescue operations were initiated by the NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, Army, and Sikkim civil administration.
Several persons, including 23 Army men are missing, it said.
Continued snowfall in upper reaches and rainfall and clouds in lower reaches is hampering deployment of helicopters and relief operations.
However, the NDMA said consistent efforts are underway to assist the state government in all manner possible.
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