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Sun, 08 December 2024
FIR against Hindu monk, followers in B'desh
Timeline Refresh
21:59 Security beefed up in Panipat for Modi's visit on Monday
Security has been tightened in Haryana's Panipat for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Monday for the launch of LIC's Bima Sakhi Yojana, officials said.
Modi will also be laying the foundation stone of the main campus of the Maharana Pratap Horticultural University.
The initiative of the Life Insurance Corporation of India is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years, who are class X pass, they said.
This will be Modi's second visit to Haryana after the formation of the BJP government in October.
Earlier, he had attended the oath-taking ceremony of Nayab Singh Saini as the chief minister and his Cabinet on October 18 in Panchkula.
BJP formed the government for the third consecutive time in Haryana after the assembly polls in October.
In line with his commitment to women empowerment and financial inclusion, Modi will launch 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' in Panipat, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.
Senior BJP leader Satish Poonia said around one lakh women will welcome Modi at the launch event of the scheme.
Poonia Sunday visited the venue of Modi's event and took stock of the preparations.
Earlier, Chief Minister Saini had also reviewed the arrangements at the venue.
"Our government has always been serious about women empowerment and it has been one of the top priorities of the prime minister," Poonia said, adding the Bima Sakhi Yojana will create new employment opportunities for women. -- PTI
Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das/File image
21:56 FIR against Hindu monk, followers in Bangladesh
A case was lodged on Sunday over a clash between the police and followers of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on the court premises in Chittagong, according to a media report.
The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said the case names the Hindu leader, arrested on a charge of sedition, as the prime accused, along with 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people.
The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the court of Chittagong metropolitan magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique.
Haque in his complaint alleged that he was attacked by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das while returning home after completing land registry work at the court on November 26.
The businessman claimed that he was targeted for wearing a panjabi', a kurta, and a cap, which resulted in injuries to his right hand and head.
He was rescued by bystanders and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the newspaper said.
Haque also said that his delay in filing the case was due to his prolonged illness from the attack.
"Haque was assaulted on November 26 on the court premises by followers of Chinmoy Krishna. His right hand was fractured, and he sustained head injuries. The case names 164 individuals, with Chinmoy Krishna as the principal accused," his lawyer is quoted as saying. -- PTI
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21:53 Shimla receives season's first snow, cold conditions intensify in higher reaches
Shimla and the adjoining tourist resort towns of Kufri and Fagu received the season's first snow on Sunday while continuing intermittent snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh's tribal Lahaul and Spiti district intensified cold conditions in the adjoining valleys.
A thin layer of snow covered Lahaul, affecting traffic as slippery road conditions made commuting hazardous.
High-mountain passes and other high-altitude tribal areas also received fresh snowfall.
The Met station has predicted more snow and rain at isolated places in the state.
The minimum temperature dropped by a few degrees across the state and the high-altitude tribal areas reeled from the piercing cold.
Tabo recorded a low of minus 13.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Kukumseri at minus 6.9 degrees, Kalpa minus 3.3 degrees, Reckong Peo minus 1 degree and Narkanda minus 0.8 degree.
The mercury hovered around freezing point at many other places. Seobagh recorded a minimum temperature of zero degree Celsius, Bajaura 0.1 degree, Manali 0.2 degree, Kufri 0.4 degree, Solan 0.5 degree, Una 1 degree and Shimla 2.5 degrees.
The maximum temperature also remained below normal, with Una recording the highest at 22.8 degrees Celsius. -- PTI
Actor-comedian Sunil Pal (middle)/File image
21:19 Mumbai cops transfer abduction case on comedian Sunil Pal's complaint to UP
The Mumbai police registered a kidnapping and extortion case on the complaint of actor-comedian Sunil Pal and then transferred it to their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Sunday.
The case was transferred to Lal Kurti police station in UP's Meerut since Pal has claimed he was released by his abductors there, the Santacruz police station official said.
"Pal's statement was recorded on Thursday. He has claimed he was abducted when he had gone to Uttarakhand for a show. When he halted for snacks enroute, a man posing as a fan pushed him into a car. While they sought Rs 20 lakh, Pal said he was released after he managed to pay Rs 8 lakh which he collected from his friends," the official informed.
"Pal claimed he was released by the side of a road in Meerut, from where he reached Delhi airport and took a flight to Mumbai. His wife had also lodged a missing person complaint. No arrest has been made. Further investigation is underway," the official added. -- PTI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
21:04 MVA leaders meet CM Fadnavis, seek deputy speaker's post
Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders on Sunday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought the deputy speaker's post for one of the constituent parties in the opposition alliance.
The leaders told Fadnavis the opposition would allow the speaker of the assembly to be elected unopposed but wanted the ruling side to follow protocol and give them the deputy speaker's post.
The delegation was led by Shiv Sena-UBT leader Bhaskar Jadhav.
Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan complex, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole reiterated that the post of deputy speaker should be given to the opposition.
"Maharashtra's legislative tradition suggests that the speaker should be elected unopposed and the deputy speaker's post must be given to the Opposition.
In the Delhi assembly, despite the BJP having only three MLAs, the Aam Aadmi Party had granted it Leader of the Opposition post," he pointed out.
"A Maha Vikas Aghadi delegation met CM Fadnavis to discuss granting the Leader of Opposition post to the MVA. We hope the Mahayuti government will consider this proposal positively," Patole added. -- PTI
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20:56 Seven hospitalised as fire guts photo studio in Pune
Seven persons were hospitalised after a fire destroyed a photo studio in Pune on Sunday evening, an official said.
The blaze erupted at the photo studio, located on the ground floor of a 5-storey building in the city's Bavdhan area, around 5.50 pm, he said.
"We received a call at 5.52 pm about the incident. Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze. The photo studio was gutted in the fire," the fire brigade official said.
Amid the raging fire, seven people were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, the official said.
The fire has been controlled, the official said, adding that its cause was yet to be ascertained. -- PTI
The Indian embassy in Damascus, Syria/Courtesy Indian embassy on Facebook
20:54 Indian mission operational in Syria amid crisis
Despite the ongoing crisis in Syria, which saw the fall of the over two-decade-long rule of President Bashar al-Assad after rebels took over, the Indian Embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus and is in touch with all Indian nationals, sources said on Sunday.
The sources further stated that all the Indian nationals there are safe and the embassy remains available to assist them in the crisis-hit nation.
"Indian embassy continues to remain operational in Damascus, Syria. The Embassy is in touch with all Indian nationals, and they are safe. The embassy remains available to assist Indian nationals in Syria," the sources said.
The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the other nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee for an unknown destination, ending his over two-decade rule in the country.
The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. -- ANI
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20:48 Railways to run 13,000 trains for Maha Kumbh, says Vaishnaw
Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the Railways would run about 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special ones, for the convenience of devotees during the Maha Kumbh.
The Union minister, who reached Prayagraj by train from Varanasi to review the Railways' preparations for the mega event, expects about 1.5 to 2 crore passengers to reach the city by train during the mela.
The Maha Kumbh will commence on January 13 on the occasion of Paush Purnima and conclude on February 26 on Mahashivratri.
After inspecting several stations under the Northeast Railway, Northern Railway and the North Central Railway in Prayagraj, the minister told reporters, "I also inspected the new bridge built over the Ganga, which will soon be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A new bridge has been built over the Ganga here after 100 years."
"I personally inspected five stations. The holding areas at these stations, where the devotees will be able to sit till their trains arrive, are very good. Colour coding has been used in the holding areas and tickets so that the devotees can reach the right platform," Vaishnaw added.
The minister further said that the mobile UTS (Unreserved Ticket System) would be used in Prayagraj for the first time.
The system was used during the Rath Yatra in Puri, he said.
"For the Maha Kumbh, the railway track on the Prayagraj-Varanasi route has been doubled. The Phaphamau-Janghai section has been doubled. A second entrance has been built at the Jhansi, Phaphamau, Prayagraj, Subedarganj, Naini and the Cheoki stations," Vaishnaw said. -- PTI
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19:55 Fight between two monkeys disrupts train services at Bihar station
A fight between two monkeys over a banana at the Samastipur station in Bihar disrupted train services, officials said on Sunday.
The incident happened on Saturday afternoon when the two monkeys were fighting on platform number four, they said.
"Amid the fight, suddenly one of them threw an object at the other. The object hit the overhead wire, and the electrical line tripped. The incident caused disruption in train services for some time," East Central Railway's chief public relations officer Sharswati Chandra said.
"It was immediately rectified by railway personnel, and train services resumed," he said. -- PTI
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav
19:46 INDIA leader to be picked through consensus: RJD
Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and former Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said he has no objection to any senior leader of the INDIA bloc, including TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, leading the coalition, but stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus.
Yadav, who is the leader of the opposition in Bihar assembly, told reporters at the city airport, "INDIA bloc hasn't thought on this matter and there has to be a discussion involving all stakeholders."
"We have no issue with Mamata Banerjee leading the bloc, but keeping in mind there are so many senior politicians in the the anti-BJP coalition, there's a need to sit together and take a collective decision on choosing a leader," he said.
Asked if RJD, as a key member of the INDIA bloc, is open to the idea of the West Bengal Chief Minister taking over the reins, Yadav, the son of RJD patriarch and veteran politician Lalu Prasad Yadav, responded, "We have not yet collectively taken a call on the issue of future leadership. But when any decision is taken about who will be the leader and the future roadmap, it will be through consensus." -- PTI
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19:20 Tantrik dies in Guj police custody; officials claim he committed 12 murders
A 42-year-old tantrik arrested for allegedly conspiring to murder a businessman died in police custody in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Sunday after admitting to killing 12 people by giving them drinks laced with a chemical, the police said.
The Sarkhej police arrested Navalsinh Chavda around 1 am on December 3 when he was on his way to commit the crime after his partner for a taxi business with whom he shared the plan tipped off the police, an official said.
The police secured Chavda's remand till 3 pm on December 10 for further probe into his occult practices and possible involvement in human sacrifices, he said.
"Around 10 am on Sunday, Chavda fell ill and was rushed to the civil hospital in an ambulance, but the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The accused confessed to 12 murders during interrogation, and all deaths had occurred due to consumption of sodium nitrite," the official said.
Deputy commissioner of police Shivam Verma said the accused confessed to having committed 12 murders by making his victims consume sodium nitrite dissolved in water during occult rituals.
Chavda admitted to having murdered a man in Ahmedabad, six in Surendranagar, including three members of his family, three in Rajkot, and one each in Wankaner (Morbi district) and Anjar (Kutch district), Verma said.
He said the accused confessed to having murdered a man whose body was found in the Aslali area of Ahmedabad in August 2021 in what appeared to be a road accident.
A post-mortem later suggested it to be a case of death by poisoning.
The probe has also revealed that the accused had similarly killed his grandmother around 14 years ago and his mother and uncle a year ago, Verma said.
According to the police, Chavda procured sodium nitrite, a chemical used for dry cleaning, from a laboratory in his hometown, Surendranagar. -- PTI
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18:51 AAP's legal cell head under cloud over law degree row, BCI removes him
The Bar Council of India has removed Sanjeev Nasiar from the post of Bar Council of Delhi's vice chairman, pending the completion of an inquiry into the authenticity of his law degree.
Nasiar, who is also the president of Aam Aadmi Party's legal cell, holds a law degree from Devi Ahilya Bai Vishwavidyalaya, Indore.
In a release issued on Sunday, the BCI said, "The sub-committee constituted by the BCI, after a thorough enquiry, concluded that the authenticity of the LLB (Hons) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is highly questionable."
It said the BCI's general council had resolved to adopt the committee's report and the BCI secretary had been directed to approach the CBI, requesting it to probe the degree's authenticity.
"Pending the outcome of the investigation, Sanjeev Nasiar is removed from the position of vice chairman, Bar Council of Delhi," said the release signed by BCI secretary Srimanto Sen.
It said the measure was necessary to safeguard the integrity and dignity of the legal profession and ensure public confidence in it. -- PTI
Congress ex-president Sonia Gandhi/File image
18:26 Sonia linked to Soros-funded organisation: BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday alleged that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has links to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation and which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation.
This association shows the influence of foreign entities in India's internal affairs, the ruling party said in a series of posts on X.
Meanwhile, notwithstanding the US' dismissal of BJP's allegations that it is backing attempts to destabilise India, party MP Nishikant Dubey said he would pose 10 questions to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on the issue.
He said media portal Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Hungarian-American businessman have colluded with the opposition to ruin India's economy and defame the Modi government.
The BJP claimed that Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation.
"Notably, the FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity," the party said.
"This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on India's internal affairs and the political impact of such connections," it said.
The BJP further claimed that Sonia Gandhi's chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, "displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations". -- PTI
Actor Kalidas Jayaram (left)/File image
18:05 Actor Kalidas Jayaram marries model Tarini
Actor Kalidas Jayaram, son of well-known actor couple Jayaram and Parvathi, tied the knot with longtime friend and model Tarini Kalingarayar at the famed Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple here on Sunday.
The traditional ceremony was attended by close relatives, friends and those from the film fraternity. Union Minister Suresh Gopi and state PWD Minister P A Mohammad Riyas were among those who attended the function.
Tarini and Kalidas got engaged in Chennai last November.
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17:59 More fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka, Anbumani tells Centre; seeks action
Pattali Makkal Katchi chief Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday said eight Tamil Nadu fishermen, hailing from Rameswaram, have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and urged the Centre to take immediate steps for their release and that of all other fishers, lodged in prisons in the island nation.
The boats of the arrested fishermen have also been taken into custody, Anbumani said adding their arrest, for fishing in their traditional area, was "condemnable" and the union government should not allow it.
During the past one week alone, as many as 40 Tamil Nadu fishermen have been arrested by the Srilankan Navy, he said in a statement.
Eighteen fishermen were arrested on December 2, and 14 others on December 4.
While the families of these arrested fishermen staged protest at Rameswaram, 8 more were held on December 7, which was a 'challenge' to India's sovereignty.
Anbumani, also a Rajya Sabha MP, urged the union government to take steps for the immediate release of all the arrested fishermen, including the 8 fishers who were apprehended by Sri Lanka on December 7.
Above all, the state and central governments should take constructive steps to find a permanent solution to this issue. -- PTI
Bangladeshi Hindus stage a protest in solidarity with the ISKCON temple in Bangladesh, in Canada/ANI Photo
17:36 Threats against Iskcon devotees rising in Bdesh: Spokesman
ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das on Sunday alleged that fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh are openly delivering sermons calling for the extermination of ISKCON devotees and their supporters.
In a post on X, Das claimed, "In the past few days, fundamentalists in Bangladesh have been crisscrossing the country in private jets, delivering sermons calling for the extermination of ISKCON devotees and their supporters... the inaction of the Bangladeshi government in addressing these fundamentalists is even more appalling."
A purported video, which could not be independently verified by PTI, has also surfaced on social media showing a Bangladeshi fundamentalist leader allegedly referring to ISKCON as "a cancer" and urging followers to "uproot all ISKCON establishments" from Bangladesh.
Das warned that such unchecked hate speech and instigation could trigger mass violence against minorities.
"These individuals must be arrested immediately. Wake up, world," he urged.
Das, however, remained hopeful about a positive outcome from the proposed bilateral foreign secretary-level meeting on Monday. -- PTI
17:28 Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2' earns Rs 621 cr at global box office in three days
Telugu star Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule crossed Rs 600 crore mark at the global box office, continuing its historic and record-breaking run in cinemas.
Production banner Mythri Movie Makers, which has bankrolled the project, shared the movie's latest box office figures on social media, and said Pushpa 2 has earned Rs 621 crore gross in just three days.
"The box office is witnessing history with #Pushpa2TheRule. The wildfire blockbuster collects a gross of 621 crores worldwide in just 3 days, shattering many records (sic)," the studio said.
According to the company, the Sukumar-directed movie, which is a sequel to 2021's Telugu blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise, touched Rs 500 crore mark on Saturday, making it the fastest Indian film to hit the milestone.
The second part, which released across the globe on Thursday with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam, debuted with a historic box office score of Rs 294 crore gross on day one.
It broke the record for the highest opening in the history of Indian cinema, which earlier belonged to SS Rajamouli's RRR (Rs 223.5 crore), followed by Baahubali 2 (Rs 217 crore) and Kalki 2898 AD (Rs 175 crore).
The Hindi version of Pushpa 2, whose trailer was launched by Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna in Patna last month, also smashed records as it earned Rs 72 crore net on day one, surpassing the opening day figure of Shah Rukh Khan's 2023 hit Jawan, whose Hindi version had earned around Rs 65 crore on day one.
It earned Rs 59 crore on Friday.
Mythri Movie Makers said the Hindi version raked in Rs 74 crore on day three, taking its three-day total to Rs 205 crore.
It registered the record for "the highest single day collection in Hindi" and also became "the fastest to 200 CRORE NETT film in Hindi". -- PTI
17:10 All is well now: Subhash Ghai shares health update after hospitalisation
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai on Sunday said "all is well" after he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in suburban Mumbai.
According to media reports, Ghai, known for movies like Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Pardes, and Taal, was rushed to the hospital after he experienced respiratory issues, weakness, frequent dizziness, loss of memory, and difficulty in speaking.
In a post on social media platform X, the 79-year-old filmmaker expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of love and concern he received from friends and admirers.
"I feel so blessed to know I've so many friends expressing their love and affection for my health. After my hectic stint at IFFI Goa. ALL IS WELL NOW and see you soon. SMILE AGAIN. thank you (sic)," the filmmaker said.
Earlier, a statement issued by Ghai's representative said the director has been admitted for a routine check-up.
Last month, Ghai launched his memoir, titled Karma's Child", co-written by journalist and author Suveen Sinha. -- PTI
16:28 4 of family die of suspected food poisoning in J-K's Rajouri
A 40-year-old man and his three children died, while his wife and another daughter fell sick, due to suspected food poisoning in a remote village in Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.
Fazal Hussain, his wife Shamim Akhter, 38, and the couple's four children, hailing from Badhal Gorla village, were admitted to Rajouri Government Medical College hospital with severe dyspepsia late Saturday, they said.
Hussain died during treatment in the wee hours of Sunday, while his wife and the children were referred to Jammu for specialised treatment.
Three of the children Rabia Kousar, 15, Farmana Kouser, 12, and Rafter Ahmad, 4, died at Jammu hospital.
Akhter and her other daughter Ruksar, 12, are still under treatment.
Additional deputy commissioner Kotranka Dil Mohd said police have started inquest proceedings to ascertain the precise cause of their death. PTI
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15:53 Bangladeshi sarees torched at Kolkata rally
Protesting the alleged atrocities on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, a demonstration was held in Kolkata on Sunday where Dhakai Jamdani sarees were torched.
The demonstration, organised by the Bengali Hindu Suraksha Samiti, was held at the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus.
The protesters called for a boycott of Bangladeshi goods, warning that Indians wouldn't remain silent if the disrespect toward the tricolour and attacks on Hindus continued.
"We condemn the continuous targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh and the hate-driven narratives against India. We will not sit idle and with burning the Jamdani sarees, we urge people to boycott Bangladeshi products," said a protestor.
"What kind of Bangladesh is this? The people who fought for liberation in 1971 now seem to be erasing their own history," said another protestor.
The demonstrators urged the government to engage diplomatically with Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindus. -- PTI
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15:40 AAI to celebrate 100 years of flight operations at Kolkata airport
The Airports Authority Of India is all set to celebrate 100 years of flight operations at Kolkata airport, officials said on Sunday.
Flight operations in Kolkata airport started in 1924.
"The Airports Authority of India proudly celebrates 100 Glorious Years of #KolkataAirport @aaikolairport, a gateway that has seamlessly bridged the world with the soul of #WestBengal. Originally known as #DumDumAirport, this Iconic Airport stands as a testament to Timeless Brilliance, where History Whispers, Culture Thrives & the Skies Unite," AAI Kolkata Airport said in a post on X.
"A Century of Excellence, welcoming the world to the City of Joy!" it said.
According to sources at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, the celebrations will begin from the third week of December and will continue till March end next year.
There is a possibility that Union Civil Aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu will be present at the inauguration of 100 years celebrations of the airport, sources said, adding that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may also be present on the occasion.
"We have lined up a number of events for the celebrations," director of NSCBI airport Dr Pravat Ranjan Beuria told PTI over phone.
Historical exhibitions, cultural events, signature campaigns, and panel discussions will be some of the events to name a few.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport was founded in the early 1900s as the Calcutta Aerodrome. -- PTI
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
15:16 Maternal deaths: Sidda announces Rs 5 lakh ex gradia to victim families
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to next of the kin of women who died following child birth complications in Ballari Medical College and Research Centre.
At least five maternal deaths have been reported in the past one month in the BMCRC.
Taking a serious view of it, the CM ordered suspension of the Karnataka drug controller Umesh S.
It has also decided to prosecute the West Bengal based firm which is accused of supplying substandard Ringer's lactate.
Ringer Lactate solution is administered intravenously to restore hydration and fluid balance in the body.
"Five women have died in Ballari Hospital. I conducted a meeting and it appears that substandard medicines were given. I had announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh but the relatives are asking for more. So I announce giving Rs 5 lakh to them," Siddaramaiah said at the Jana Kalyana Samavesha' (public welfare convention) at Sandur in Ballari district.
The event was a thanks giving ceremony for the people of Sandur for electing the Congress candidate Annapoorna Tukaram in the recent assembly bypolls. -- PTI
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15:08 Farmers in Gautam Buddha Nagar jail in UP go on hunger strike
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Sunday said Greater Noida farmers, currently jailed, have gone on a hunger strike.
"Farmers from Greater Noida, currently imprisoned in the district jail of Gautam Buddha Nagar, have gone on a hunger strike to defend their rights and interests," SKM said in a statement.
They said the farmers have long-pending demands, including the implementation of a new law that ensures 10 percent land allotment.
"These farmers were forcibly detained by the administration while peacefully protesting," SKM said.
The farmers have also demanded addressing the Leaseback (Adadi) settlement issue and enforcement of the 2013 Land Acquisition law.
"The farmer detainees in the district jail have refused to consume food as part of their hunger strike in their fight for justice. Although their strike is peaceful, it poses a significant risk to their health, " the SKM said.
They urged the district administration, state government, and central government to listen to the farmers' demands with priority. -- ANI
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14:34 200 bullets stolen from MP police's armouries
As many as 200 cartridges of 9mm pistols and self-loading rifles were allegedly stolen from the armouries of the Madhya Pradesh police's special armed forces in Morena district, an official said on Sunday.
The commandants of the SAF's 2nd and 5th battalion suspended their company commanders after the theft came to light on Saturday, Morena additional superintendent of police Gopal Dhakad said.
The official said a first information report was registered with the Kotwali police after the guards of the armouries informed the reserve inspector of the police lines about the theft.
He denied that pistols were stolen from the two armouries of the SAF.
Following the theft, Chambal zone inspector general of police Sushant Saxena inspected the site and gathered first-hand information from investigators.
Despite repeated attempts, IG Saxena could not be contacted over the phone for a comment. -- PTI
14:10 Vlogger accused of sexually harassing Russian tourists in Goa
The Goa police are investigating allegations of sexual harassment against a vlogger accused of shooting videos of Russian women during his visit to the coastal state, an official said on Sunday.
The matter was brought to the police's notice when an X user pointed out videos posted by a vlogger of a Russian woman sunbathing on a beach in Goa.
The vlogger, who identifies as Bangladeshi, had similarly put up a video of another woman on a beach.
The timeline on the vlogger's account suggests that the videos were posted around eight to nine months ago.
Responding to the post on X, the Goa police wrote, "Cyber police station has been directed to enquire into the matter."
A senior official from the cyber crime cell said the vlogger is being investigated for his acts during his visit to the state.
"We will take appropriate action once the probe is complete," he said. -- PTI
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13:57 Leopard strays into residential colony in Jaipur, attacks 3
Panic spread in the Vidhyadhar Nagar area in Jaipur after a leopard strayed into a residential colony and attacked three people, officials said on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Saturday, they said, adding that the wildcat was tranquillised and rescued following hours-long operation by a forest department team.
Deputy conservator of forest Jagdish Gupta said that information was received about the movement of a leopard in Vidyadhar Nagar.
It was first spotted in a government guest house behind the plants in the Central Public Works Department garden, he said.
The leopard then ventured onto the road and attacked three people.
A crowd gathered, chasing the animal and filming its movement, Gupta said.
Upon receiving information, teams from the forest department, the police and civil defence reached the spot.
It was then tranquillised and rescued, the deputy conservator said.
Gupta said that a large part of the Nahargarh forest area is connected to the Vidyadhar Nagar area, making occasional leopard sightings in search of food or water not uncommon.
According to forest department data, the leopard population in Jaipur has been steadily increasing for some time. -- PTI
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13:50 Israel deploys forces in Syria buffer zone as Assad regime falls
Following the fall of the Syrian Assad regime, Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces' Arabic language spokesperson, has announced the deployment of forces to Israel's buffer zone with Syria.
"In light of the events in Syria and based on an assessment of the situation and the possibility of armed men entering the buffer zone, the IDF deployed forces in the buffer zone and at several necessary defensive points in order to ensure the security of the residents of the Golan Heights towns and the citizens of the State of Israel," Adraee tweeted.
"We emphasise that the IDF does not intervene in the events taking place in Syria," Adraee continued. -- ANI
13:31 MVA leaders convene crucial meeting in Mumbai
Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders held a meeting in Mumbai on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by Aaditya Thackeray, Vijay Wadettiwar, Sunil Prabhu, Jitendra Awhad, Nitin Raut, and Nana Patole.
Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday announced that the party's winning MLAs will not take the oath of office during the ongoing special session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly.
Aaditya Thackeray also raised doubts about the legitimacy of Electronic Voting Machines.
"Today we have decided that our (Shiv Sena-UBT) winning MLAs will not take the oath. If this was the mandate of the people, people would have been happy and celebrated it. However, there was no such celebration or enthusiasm from the public. We have doubts about EVM," Aaditya Thackeray said.
This meeting also comes following the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance setback in the recent Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024.
In November, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the Congress Working Committee reviewed the party's performance in the last assembly elections and decided to form internal committees at the block and district levels to address "electoral performance and organisational issues."
Addressing a press conference, Venugopal said, "As many as 81 people attended today's CWC meeting. We analysed the performance of the party in the recently concluded Assembly election. The CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into matters related to electoral performance and organisational issues in the blocks and districts." -- ANI
13:02 Maoists murder woman on suspicion of being police informer in Chhattisgarh
A 40-year-old woman was killed allegedly by Maoists on suspicion of being a police informer in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, the police said on Sunday.
As per preliminary information, the Maoists abducted Yalam Sukra from Laded village under Madded police station limits and took her to a nearby hill on Saturday, an official said.
Sukra was strangled, and her body was abandoned in the area, he said.
The official said the police team recovered a pamphlet from the Madded area committee of Maoists at the spot.
In the pamphlet, the Maoists accused the woman of acting as a police informer since 2017.
A search operation has been launched to trace the assailants, he said.
With this incident, Maoists have killed more than 60 people so far this year in the Bastar division, comprising seven districts, including Bijapur, the police said.
On December 6, Naxalites killed a woman Anganwadi assistant in the Basaguda area of Bijapur, suspecting her of being a police informer, while two former sarpanchs (village panchayat heads) were killed in separate places in Bijapur on December 4. -- PTI
BJP legislator Rahul Narwekar/File image
12:52 Maha: Narwekar files nomination for Speaker post
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Rahul Narwekar on Sunday filed his nomination for the post of Speaker in the Maharashtra legislative assembly.
Narwekar, the Speaker in the last assembly, was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
State BJP chief Chandrashekar Bawankule and senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil were also present.
Narwekar, the legislator from the Colaba assembly seat, is set to be elected unopposed as no other candidate has filed a nomination for the election set to be held on Monday. -- PTI
12:43 Oppn members take oath as MLAs in Maharashtra assembly
Members of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi on Sunday took oath as MLAs in the newly constituted Maharashtra assembly.
The opposition members had boycotted the oath-taking ceremony on Saturday, the first day of the special three-day session of the assembly, alleging misuse of EVMs in the recently-held state polls.
Congress's Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar and Amit Deshmukh, NCP-SP leader Jitendra Awhad and Shiv Sena-UBT's Aaditya Thackeray were some of the prominent opposition MLAs who took oath as soon as the House reassembled for the day.
On Saturday, the opposition cited that it was also protesting against the curfew and arrests in Markadwadi village in the Malshiras assembly constituency in Solapur, where villagers sought a 'repoll' using ballot papers. -- PTI
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12:39 Search begins after suspicious movement in J-K's Kathua
A search operation was launched in the Hiranagar town area of Kathua district following suspicious movement of three persons on Sunday, officials said.
Speaking to reporters, senior superintendent of police Kathua Shobhit Saxena said that since Sunday night, a joint operation has been carried out to search the area in collaboration with the Army, Special Operations Group, Central Reserve Police Force and other agencies.
Aerial surveillance is also being done, SSP Kathua Shobhit Saxena added.
"There was some suspected movement. So, we responded within one hour. Since last night, together with Army, SOG, CRPF and others, we searched the entire area. Aerial surveillance is also being done. So, let's see what happens. We had reports about the presence of 3-4 people. We are corroborating this, people are being questioned. Search continues," SSP Kathua said. -- ANI
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12:08 Heroin worth Rs 1.4 cr seized in Guwahati, 3 arrested
Heroin worth nearly Rs 1.4 crore has been seized and three peddlers have been arrested from Guwahati, the police said on Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off, the Special Task Force conducted a raid in Balughat in Basistha police station area on Saturday evening and arrested a drug peddler, Assam police chief public relations officer Pranabjyoti Goswami said in a statement.
A total of 27 vials containing 36.05 gm of heroin, a mobile phone, a scooter and some cash were seized from his possession, he added.
"Upon being led by the arrested person, the police searched a rented house in Beltola Bazar, Garokuchi Path in Dispur police station area and nabbed two more drug peddlers," Goswami said.
From the duo, the police seized 102 vials containing heroin weighing 138 gm, and two mobile phones, he added.
Further investigation is underway, the CPRO said.
Another senior official said that the total value of the seized drugs will be around Rs 1.4 crore as per Narcotics Control Bureau standards. -- PTI
Rescue operations underway at the blast site in Hague, Netherlands/Reuters/ANI Photo
11:47 5 people killed after explosion in apartment building in Netherlands
At least five people were killed after an explosion in an apartment building in The Hague, the Netherlands on Saturday, CNN reported, citing authorities.
According to firefighters, the blast occurred at around 6:15 am (local time), causing the three-storey apartment building to partially collapse and set on fire.
They said five different apartments were impacted by the explosion.
The police urged witnesses who might have seen car moving from the spot at a very high speed shortly after the incident occurred.
The Hague mayor, Jan van Zanen, said that the search started as a rescue operation by Saturday afternoon.
However, it turned into a recovery mission, CNN reported.
He said it is not unknown how many people were still under the rubble, but "the reality is that the chances of survival for them are slim."
He said, "We are considering the worst-case scenario."
The Dutch Urban Search and Rescue service deployed a rescue group at the site of the incident on Saturday, which included four dog handlers and a structural engineer.
Firefighters said the fire was nearly out by 11:30 am (local time) and rescue dogs were carrying out search for possible victims.
The dogs could not search the building for long as there was a risk that it could fully collapse, CNN reported, citing Dutch public broadcaster NOS.
According to the report, people from some 40 homes have been evacuated. Speaking to the broadcaster, one man said that his initial thought after seeing the aftermath of the explosion was that it occurred due to a rocket attack.
The man said he heard a child calling for help from the rubble. -- ANI
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11:23 Bomb threat at 3 locations in Lucknow, turns out to be hoax
A person contacted the emergency helpline number to inform about the placement of bombs at three locations in Lucknow, the police said on Saturday.
According to the police, the information about bombs being placed at Hussainganj metro station, Charbagh station and Alambagh were found to be "false".
Manisha Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police, Central, said that the caller had informed about bomb placement at Hussainganj metro station, Charbagh station and Alambagh, which turned out to be a false.
The dog squad and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad were called at the location, she added.
"A caller had informed 112 that there is information about a bomb at Hussainganj Metro Station, Charbagh Station and Alambagh. On this information, the dog squad and bomb detection and disposal squad checked and the information was found to be false. The checking has been completed at all places. We got information about the Charbagh railway station and checked there as well," additional deputy commissioner of police, Central, Manisha Singh told reporters. -- ANI
11:02 Farmers to resume march towards Delhi at 12
A group of 101 farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi at 12 noon on Sunday from the Shambhu border point to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary has been made at the Shambhu border, which falls in Punjab.
Farmer leader Tejveer Singh on Sunday said the 'jatha' (group) of farmers will march towards the national capital.
Protesting farmers had on Friday suspended their march to the national capital for the day after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells fired by security personnel, who stopped them at the Punjab-Haryana border.
The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. They have also been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues.
Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday had said that they had not received any message from the Centre for talks to address their issues.
The Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a "safe distance" from the protest site for their safety as well as to ensure ease in maintaining law and order.
As part of a call given by the farmer unions Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers began its march to Delhi on Friday from their protest site at the Shambhu border to press for their demands.
The group was stopped by multi-layered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. Undeterred by prohibitory orders, the farmers attempted to force their way through the barricades but were stopped by security personnel who lobbed multiple tear gas shells to force them to go back to their protest site at Shambhu.
The Haryana Police had asked the farmers not to proceed further and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. -- PTI
10:40 Abduction attempt foiled in Imphal, militant nabbed
An abduction attempt was foiled by Manipur Police in Imphal's Thangal Bazaar area and two persons were rescued, a police statement said on Sunday.
Tensubam Bangkim, a militant belonging to the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Taibangnganba) outfit was nabbed from Imphal West district in connection with the incident on Saturday, it said.
A 9 mm pistol along with seven cartridges, and a four-wheeler were also seized from the militant, it said.
The police statement, however, did not provide any detail about the abduction attempt and how it was foiled.
Meanwhile, security forces conducted a search operation in L Jangnomphai area in Kangpokpi district on Saturday and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition, which includes a sniper rifle, three pistols, a .303 bolt action rifle, five hand grenades, five Stardyne 90 explosives, four electric detonators, cartridges, five anti-riot shells and a radio set, the statement said.
Also, four persons were arrested on Saturday for engaging in illegal poppy cultivation in Khamason range in Ukhrul district, it said.
Around 30 acres of poppy plantation was detected, the statement said, adding an air gun and two knives were seized from possession of the arrested persons. -- PTI
10:04 Bangladeshis, Rohingya among delivery agents: Giriraj Singh
Union minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday claimed Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya were working as delivery agents for food delivery companies and online shopping platforms and added that they should be identified.
Singh made these remarks in Hyderabad, where he attended the convocation of NIFT-Hyderabad.
"The services sector, whether it is Zomato, Swiggy or Flipkart, the delivery boys are Bangladeshis and Rohingya. Efforts should be made to identify them and hand them over to police," he told PTI Videos on the sidelines of the event.
The Union minister also threw his weight behind Yogi Adityanath over his comments drawing a parallel between Sambhal and Bangladesh, saying the Uttar Pradesh chief minister did not say anything wrong.
Adityanath had on Thursday said the actions of Mughal emperor Babur's commander in Ayodhya and Sambhal 500 years ago and the events happening in Bangladesh at present shared the same nature and intent.
"Look at the kind of acts our enemies in neighbouring countries are committing. Remember this, if anyone is under any illusion. Five hundred years ago, a general of Babur committed certain deeds in Ayodhya, similar acts in Sambhal, and what is happening today in Bangladesh -- the nature and DNA of all three are the same," he had said.
Responding to a question on Adityanath's remarks, Singh also took a swipe at All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi.
"India got divided in the form of Pakistan. Hindus got finished in Pakistan. The same thing is happening in Bangladesh today. Jinnah's DNA was there in Pakistan and Jinnah's DNA is in Bangladesh. Jinnah's DNA is also in Sambhal. Your Owaisi, Jinnah's gene entered him," Singh said. -- PTI
09:17 Syrian rebels enter Damascus, Prez Assad flees
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled the country for an unknown destination as the opposition forces in war-torn Syria entered the capital city of Damascus.
Syrian opposition on Sunday said they have begun entering the capital Damascus without any sign of army deployments.
The developments mark the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad's rule since Syria's civil war began in 2011.
"We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison," Syrian rebels said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.
Earlier on Saturday, thousands of residents fled the city of Homs, desperate amid the rebels' advance towards Damascus sparked panic.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Friday that thousands of Homs residents started fleeing overnight towards the western coast, where embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad still maintains control, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
08:47 2 policemen found dead with bullet injuries in J-K
Two police personnel were found dead with bullet injuries in Udhampur district early Sunday, officials said, suspecting fratricide as the reason behind the incident.
The bullet-riddled bodies of the cops were seen lying inside a police van outside Kali Mata temple in the district headquarters around 6.30 am, the officials said.
They said a police party rushed to the scene and shifted the bodies to the district hospital for postmortem.
Preliminary report suggested the two police personnel died after opening fire on each other, the official said. -- PTI
08:25 Filmmaker Subhash Ghai hospitalised in Mumbai
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has been admitted to the ICU of Lilavati Hospital in suburban Mumbai.
According to media reports, Ghai, known for movies like Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Pardes, and Taal, among others, was rushed to the hospital's ICU on Wednesday evening after he experienced respiratory issues, weakness, frequent dizziness, loss of memory, and difficulty speaking.
However, a statement issued by Ghai's representative said the filmmaker was admitted for a routine check-up.
"We would like to confirm that Subhash Ghai is absolutely fine. He has been admitted for a routine check-up and is doing well. Thank you all for your love and concern," a statement from Ghai's representative said.
Last month, the 79-year-old director launched his memoir titled Karma's Child" co-written by journalist and author Suveen Sinha. -- PTI
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