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Sat, 28 December 2024
Bail celebration lands father-son duo in jail again
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17:10 Bail celebration lands father-son duo in jail again
Loud celebrations and firing shortly after being released on bail landed a father-son duo in Bulandshahr in fresh trouble after they were arrested on charges of illegal arms smuggling, officials said on Saturday.
Police seized a large cache of illegal firearms and ammunition, along with a vehicle during their arrests, they said.
"The accused, Rizwan Ansari and his son Adnan from Shekh Sahiban Mohalla in the Khurja Nagar area, were arrested on Friday night. Both have been linked to multiple criminal cases previously, with Rizwan recently released on bail on December 26," Superintendent of Police (Rural), Rohit Mishra, said.
Police recovered five .315 bore pistols with 10 live cartridges, two 12-bore pistols with six cartridges, and two .32 bore pistols with six cartridges from the suspects' vehicle.
Mishra said, "Rizwan was previously incarcerated for arms smuggling. His return to Khurja was marked by fireworks, DJ music, and celebratory firing in the neighbourhood, prompting the police to register another case against him."
Acting on a tip-off from an informant, police teams from Khurja Nagar and Khurja Dehat intercepted Rizwan's vehicle on the highway.
"The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended after a brief chase. Searches revealed the cache of illegal arms and ammunition," the officer said.
Rizwan has six prior cases registered against him, five in Bulandshahr and one in Delhi, while his son Adnan faces two cases in Bulandshahr.
The SP said both suspects have been charged under relevant sections of the law and will be sent to jail following due legal procedures.
"The arrests highlight our zero-tolerance stance towards illegal activities and arms smuggling," Mishra said. -- PTI
17:05 Appreciate Manmohan Singh's support for Palestine, says diplomat
Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, the charge d'affaires of the Palestine embassy in India, on Saturday paid his last respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh and appreciated his support to Palestine.
Jazer said Singh played a key role in Palestine getting land for its embassy in Delhi.
"We have a history of relationships. He (Singh) met Yasser Arafat in 1991 when he was finance minister, he met (State of Palestine) President Mahmoud Abbas several times throughout his tenure," the diplomat told reporters outside the Congress headquarters where he paid tribute to the former prime minister on behalf of Palestine.
He also laid a wreath on behalf of the president of the State of Palestine.
"We had good relations with him (Singh). He met our president several times during his tenure. He also provided land for establishing the Palestinian embassy in Delhi, gave support to build the embassy, and also inaugurated it in 2012," Jazer said.
"We appreciate his support to Palestine, we are remembering his contributions. We stand with the Indian people to show our respect for the leader," he added.
Abbas visited New Delhi several times during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
In a speech before the UN General Assembly in September 2011, Singh had said that India supported 'the Palestinian people's struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital'. -- PTI
16:33 Stranded tourists find shelter in mosque amid heavy snowfall in Kashmir
In a heartwarming display of Kashmiri hospitality, locals in Gund, on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, opened the doors of a mosque to shelter a group of travellers stranded due to heavy snowfall.
A dozen tourists from Punjab found themselves caught in the snowfall on Friday while returning from the Sonamarg area, officials said.
Their vehicles became stuck in the snow and with no nearby hotels and local houses too small to accommodate the group, Gund residents opened the doors of the Jamia Masjid, allowing the tourists to stay there for the night, officials added.
"It was the best possible solution as the mosque has a hamaam, which stays warm throughout the night," said Bashir Ahmad, a local resident.
The Jamia Masjid at Gund is located less than 10 kilometers from the site of a terrorist attack in Gagangir, where six people -- five non-local labourers and a local doctor -- were killed in October this year.
A video of the tourists spending the night inside the mosque has since gone viral.
The tourists expressed their gratitude to the locals for their help.
"We were stuck in the snow, and you came to our rescue. We are extremely thankful to all of you," one of them said.
Another tourist added, "Everyone should visit Kashmir to experience its hospitality. Everyone here is kind and it is safe to visit. Please come to this paradise on earth."
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq praised the gesture and said it was heartening to see Kashmiris open their mosques and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall.
"This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and helping others in times of need," he said on X.
Elsewhere, heavy snowfall also left many tourists stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu highway and at tourist destinations like Doodhpathri.
However, not all the stranded tourists were complaining.
"The car ignition isn't working due to the cold, and we have to push it. But it's fine; we're enjoying it," said a tourist from Haryana as he waited for clearance at Qazigund to head home.
Police and civil administration have begun reaching out to stranded tourists, providing hot drinks and other necessities to keep them warm. -- PTI
IMAGE: Budgam covered in a blanket of snow as the area receives heavy snowfall. Photograph: ANI on X
15:57 LG orders probe against AAP's Mahila Samman scheme
Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has ordered an inquiry against private persons allegedly gathering personal details of women in the name of Mahila Samman Yojna, his office said on Saturday.
The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted to stop its scheme and is afraid of a defeat in the Assembly polls scheduled in February.
The LG also said that the chief secretary of the Delhi government may bring the matter to the knowledge of the Election Commission of India through the chief electoral office given that such canvassing is happening ahead of the election.
The inquiry was ordered based on a complaint by Congress leader and party's New Delhi Assembly seat candidate Sandeep Dikshit, who recently met Saxena at Raj Niwas.
In a letter addressed to the chief secretary and police commissioner, LG's principal secretary said, 'Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor has desired the Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non-government people.'
It said the police commissioner may direct the field officers to take action as per law against any person found breaching the privacy of citizens by collecting their personal details in the name of enrolling them for 'benefits'.
On Wednesday, Dikshit met Saxena and expressed his apprehensions about the Mahila Samman Yojna, under which the Delhi government has promised to give every woman in the city, aged above 18, Rs 1,000 per month.
The AAP said if it gets elected again, the government will raise the amount to Rs 2,100 per month.
Dikshit, according to the letter, alleged that the AAP workers were going door-to-door meeting women, and making them sign some forms.
'Dikshit has requested that because of the clarification submitted by the Women and Child Development Department, GNCTD, it is clear that this is a fraud being perpetrated by the AAP and has requested to institute a high-level inquiry into the matter,' the letter read.
The WCD Department earlier this week published a public notice in newspapers saying it would launch a digital portal for the collection of forms as and when the scheme is notified.
The department advised people not to fill out forms handed to them by unauthorised persons.
The AAP, in response, has alleged that the inquiry came not from the Delhi LG but from the 'office' of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Shah.
The ruling party in Delhi charged that the BJP did not respect the women and claimed that the Mahila Samman Yojna was getting the full support of the women of the city.
The party claimed that more than 22 lakh women were already registered for the scheme.
The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted to stop its scheme and is afraid of a defeat in the Assembly polls scheduled in February.
The LG also said that the chief secretary of the Delhi government may bring the matter to the knowledge of the Election Commission of India through the chief electoral office given that such canvassing is happening ahead of the election.
The inquiry was ordered based on a complaint by Congress leader and party's New Delhi Assembly seat candidate Sandeep Dikshit, who recently met Saxena at Raj Niwas.
In a letter addressed to the chief secretary and police commissioner, LG's principal secretary said, 'Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor has desired the Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted through Divisional Commissioner in the matter of collection of personal details and forms by non-government people.'
It said the police commissioner may direct the field officers to take action as per law against any person found breaching the privacy of citizens by collecting their personal details in the name of enrolling them for 'benefits'.
On Wednesday, Dikshit met Saxena and expressed his apprehensions about the Mahila Samman Yojna, under which the Delhi government has promised to give every woman in the city, aged above 18, Rs 1,000 per month.
The AAP said if it gets elected again, the government will raise the amount to Rs 2,100 per month.
Dikshit, according to the letter, alleged that the AAP workers were going door-to-door meeting women, and making them sign some forms.
'Dikshit has requested that because of the clarification submitted by the Women and Child Development Department, GNCTD, it is clear that this is a fraud being perpetrated by the AAP and has requested to institute a high-level inquiry into the matter,' the letter read.
The WCD Department earlier this week published a public notice in newspapers saying it would launch a digital portal for the collection of forms as and when the scheme is notified.
The department advised people not to fill out forms handed to them by unauthorised persons.
The AAP, in response, has alleged that the inquiry came not from the Delhi LG but from the 'office' of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Shah.
The ruling party in Delhi charged that the BJP did not respect the women and claimed that the Mahila Samman Yojna was getting the full support of the women of the city.
The party claimed that more than 22 lakh women were already registered for the scheme.
15:07 Mauritius to fly flags at half-mast to honour Dr Singh
Mauritius has announced that its national flag will fly at half-mast at all government offices and institutions till sunset on Saturday as a mark of respect to India's former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
In a note, Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam's office also urged the private sector to fly the flags at half-mast.
Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful travelled to Delhi and paid respects to the former prime minister.
"Following the passing away of Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of the Republic of India, the public is hereby informed that the Mauritius Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings until sunset today Saturday, the day of his funeral," the Mauritius prime minister's office said.
"An appeal is also made to the private sector for all flags to be flown at half-mast," it said in the note.
India's relations with several key countries, including Mauritius, saw significant upswing during Singh's prime ministership. -- PTI
14:26 Trump asks US Supreme Court to halt ban on TikTok
United States President-elect Donald Trump has filed a brief with the US Supreme Court urging the justices to block a law that mandates the popular social media platform TikTok to either sell its US operations or shut down by January 19, the New York Times reported.
The timing of the deadline--days before Trump's inauguration--has led to calls for a delay so that the incoming president can address the issue himself.
In his brief, President Trump refrains from taking a stance on the constitutional issue regarding the First Amendment, which will be argued by the court next month.
The First Amendment challenge centres around whether Congress violated free speech rights by effectively banning TikTok.
Instead, Trump's brief focuses on his ability to resolve the matter through political means once he assumes office.
"President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture," the brief stated.
"He seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office."
The brief further emphasised Trump's 'deal-making expertise', which it claims makes him uniquely qualified to negotiate a solution that would protect both national security and the interests of TikTok's 170 million US users.
Additionally, the brief highlights Trump's prominent role in social media, specifically his 14.7 million followers on TikTok, which underscores his recognition of the platform's importance for free expression, including political speech.
"President Trump is one of the most powerful, prolific and influential users of social media in history," it said.
"Consistent with his commanding presence in this area, President Trump currently has 14.7 million followers on TikTok with whom he actively communicates, allowing him to evaluate TikTok's importance as a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech."
TikTok's own brief takes issue with the law's application, arguing that the government's approach infringes upon the First Amendment by restricting speech without sufficient evidence.
In response, the Biden administration argues that the law is a necessary step to protect US national security. The administration contends that the Chinese government's control of TikTok poses significant risks, particularly in terms of data privacy and potential influence operations.
"The law addresses the serious threats to national security posed by the Chinese government's control of TikTok, a platform that harvests sensitive data about tens of millions of Americans and would be a potent tool for covert influence operations by a foreign adversary," the brief stated.
The administration's defence of the law has sparked a strong response from content creators and users of TikTok, who argue that it violates their First Amendment rights, as per the report by The New York Times.
In a brief filed on behalf of users, it was pointed out that while the US and China are engaged in a geopolitical rivalry, the law's sweeping actions against TikTok unjustly curtail Americans' rights to free expression.
"Nothing like the act here has ever been countenanced," the user brief stated.
"Its suppression of Americans' speech flies in the face of our history, tradition and precedent."
These competing briefs set the stage for the Supreme Court's consideration of TikTok's challenge to the law.
The court has scheduled a special session on January 10, in which it will hear arguments on both TikTok's case and a separate case filed by creators and users of the platform.
The outcome of these hearings will have significant implications for both national security and free speech.
The law at issue mandates that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, sell the app's US operations or face a ban due to concerns over Chinese influence.
The government contends that TikTok's ownership structure, which includes ByteDance's control from China, exposes the platform to undue influence from the Chinese government.
ByteDance is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with its headquarters in Beijing, making it subject to Chinese regulations.
The Supreme Court's decision, which will come before the January 19 deadline, will determine the future of TikTok in the United States and shape the broader discourse on the intersection of technology, national security, and First Amendment rights. -- ANI
13:14 Daughter lights funeral pyre, Dr Singh cremated
Former PM Manmohan Singh cremated with full state honours.
His daughter lit his funeral pyre at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi.
12:37 Bhutan King, Mauritius foreign minister pay last respects to Dr Singh
King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful paid tributes to former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Saturday.
Wangchuck laid a wreath on the mortal remains of Singh during his funeral at Nigam Bodh Ghat.
India's relations with several key countries, including Bhutan and Mauritius, saw significant upswing during Dr Singh's prime ministership.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers also paid their last respects to Dr Singh at Nigam Bodh Ghat. -- PTI
12:27 Last salute accorded to Dr Singh
Last salute accorded to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Congress leaders and others present at Nigam Bodh Ghat. -- ANI
12:21 Prez Murmu, Bhutan's King at Dr Singh's funeral
President Droupadi Murmu attends last rites of former PM Manmohan Singh at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat, lays wreath on his mortal remains.
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck also lays wreath on mortal remains of Dr Singh. -- PTI
12:12 VP, Modi, Shah attend Manmohan Singh's funeral
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reach Nigambodh Ghat for last rites of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh.
King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has also arrived in India for the funeral, reports PTI.
11:43 Dr Singh's body brought to Nigam Bodh Ghat
JUST IN: The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh have been brought to Nigam Bodh Ghat for his last rites.
BRS leader KT Rama Rao/File image
11:17 ED summons BRS leader KTR in money laundering case on Jan 7
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader KT Rama Rao and some others for questioning next month in a money laundering case linked to alleged payment irregularities during a Formula-E race held in Hyderabad in February 2023, official sources said on Saturday.
The federal agency filed an enforcement case information report (ECIR) or FIR last week in the case under various sections of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, taking cognisance of a Telangana Police Anti-corruption Bureau complaint.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president and son of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Rama Rao has been asked to depose for recording of his statement on January 7, the sources said.
Senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar and retired bureaucrat and former Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority chief engineer BLN Reddy have been summoned on January 2 and January 3, respectively, they added.
The probe against 48-year-old Rama Rao, popular as KTR, pertains to alleged payments of about Rs 55 crore, some of it in foreign currency without approvals, to conduct a Formula-E race in Hyderabad during the previous BRS regime in February 2023. -- PTI
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10:51 Maharashtra ATS arrests over dozen Bangladeshi nationals for illegal stay
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested 16 Bangladeshi nationals, including six women, for entering India illegally and staying without valid documents.
The arrests were made during a special drive initiated by the ATS, officials said.
"Accordingly, action was taken in the last 24 hours with the help of police in Navi Mumbai, Thane and Solapur. We arrested seven men and six women," an official said.
They have been booked in three cases under the Foreigners Act and other relevant laws.
"These Bangladeshi nationals had managed to get Indian documents like Aadhaar cards using forged documents," he said.
A joint squad of ATS and police arrested three Bangladeshi nationals from Jalna district on Friday night, an official said on Saturday.
The accused were working at crusher machines in Bhokardan taluka.
They were arrested from Anva and Kumbhari villages in a joint operation by ATS and the local police. -- PTI
10:41 Final journey of Manmohan Singh begins
The final journey of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began from the AICC headquarters on Saturday morning after Congress leaders paid homage to their departed leader.
The flower-bedecked vehicle carrying the mortal remains of Singh left the Congress headquarters in a procession amid chants of "Manmohan Singh Amar Rahe".
Singh's mortal remains were taken to the AICC headquarters from his residence on 3, Motilal Nehru Road a little before 9 am.
The mortal remains were kept inside the AICC headquarters for about an hour, with several top leaders of the Congress, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, paying their last respects, among others.
Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur and one of his daughters also laid a wreath on his body and paid their last respects.
Meanwhile, the funeral preparations were given final touches at the Nigambodh Ghat where the last rites of the former prime minister would be performed at 11.45 am with full state honours. -- PTI
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav/File image
10:36 SP, BSP caution against politics over Manmohan Singh's funeral, memorial
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati have urged the central government to avoid any political controversy over the funeral and memorial of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
The architect of India's economic reforms and a consensus builder in the rough world of politics, Singh died at AIIMS, Delhi, late on Thursday.
His last rites will take place with full state honours at the Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi at 11.45 am.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have Singh's funeral at a place where his memorial can be built.
In a post on X on Friday night, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said, "The tradition of honouring the country's former prime ministers must be upheld. There is no need for politics on this issue nor should there be any."
"Dr. Manmohan Singh's memorial should be constructed at Rajghat. The BJP should refrain from presenting an inappropriate example of its narrow-minded thinking. History will never forgive them for this negative approach," he said.
BSP president Mayawati said the wishes of Singh's family should be respected.
"The central government should ensure that the funeral and memorial of Dr Manmohan Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, are conducted at a location preferred by his family. No politics should be done on this matter and the government must honour the sentiments of Singh's family and the Sikh community." -- PTI
10:13 Cong leaders pay last respects to Manmohan Singh
The mortal remains of former prime minister Manmohan Singh were brought to the AICC headquarters on Saturday where top Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi paid their last respects to him.
Singh's mortal remains were brought to the Congress headquarters from his 3, Motilal Nehru residence in a flower-bedecked vehicle amid tight security.
The procession reached the AICC office a little before 9 am.
Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur, their three daughters and other relatives were also present.
Kaur also paid her last respects by laying a wreath.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and several ex-Union ministers were among those who paid tributes to the former PM.
Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu were also there.
Singh's mortal remains will be kept at the Congress headquarters for an hour before his final journey.
His last rites will be conducted at Nigambodh Ghat with full state honours. -- PTI
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10:07 Biden hails Manmohan Singh's pivotal role in strengthening US-India ties
Mourning the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, US President Joe Biden has called him a true statesman and credited his strategic vision and political courage for the unprecedented level of bilateral cooperation.
Singh, who was India's prime minister for 10 years from 2004 to 2014 died in New Delhi on Thursday night.
"The unprecedented level of cooperation between the United States and India today would not have been possible without the Prime Minister's strategic vision and political courage," Biden said in a statement as he and the First Lady, Jill Biden, joined the people of India in grieving the loss of the former prime minister.
"From forging the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement to helping launch the first Quad between Indo-Pacific partners, he charted path-breaking progress that will continue to strengthen our nations and the world for generations to come. He was a true statesman. A dedicated public servant. And above all, he was a kind and humble person," Biden said.
The outgoing US President said he had the chance to meet Prime Minister Singh as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2008 and as Vice President during his Official State Visit to the United States in 2009.
He also graciously hosted me in New Delhi in 2013.
"As we discussed then, the US-India relationship is among the most consequential in the world. And together, as partners and friends, our nations can unlock a future of dignity and unlimited potential for all of our people," Biden said. -- PTI
09:29 Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reach AICC headquarters
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived at the AICC headquarters.
The mortal remains of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh will be kept at the AICC headquarters for the party workers to pay their last respects.
09:22 Delhi traffic police issues traffic advisory ahead of Manmohan Singh's funeral
Delhi traffic police issued an advisory outlining restrictions and diversions on major routes in the capital ahead of the state funeral of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, scheduled at the Nigambodh Ghat at 11:45 am on Saturday.
Keeping in mind the number of foreign dignitaries, VIPs/VVIPs and general public likely to visit the cremation ground, traffic has been diverted from Raja Ram Kohli Marg, Rajghat Red Light, Signature Bridge and Yudhister Setu, the advisory said.
Traffic restrictions/diversions may be imposed on Ring Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Boulevard Road, SPM Marg, Lothian Road, Netaji Subhash Marg and their surrounding roads/stretches from 7 am till 3 pm, it said.
"People are advised to avoid these roads/stretches and the area from where the procession will be taken out. Avoid roadside parking as it causes hindrance to normal traffic flow. In case any unusual/unidentified object or person is noticed in suspicious circumstances, police should be informed," the advisory said.
Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms, passed away on Thursday night at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences due to age-related medical complications. He was 92. -- PTI
09:19 Mortal remains of Manmohan Singh arrive at AICC
The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived at the AICC headquarters in flower-bedecked vehicle.
More details soon. -- PTI
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09:06 Fire breaks out at JNU hostel, none hurt
A fire broke out at Jawaharlal Nehru University's Godavari Hostel on Friday, fire officials said.
There were no injuries reported in the blaze.
Videos shared by the JNU Students' Union showed flames and smoke billowing from an electrical panel board.
The Delhi Fire Services said a fire broke out in an air-conditioning unit.
"We received a call at 10.18 pm. It was a minor fire in electrical equipment. One fire tender was rushed to the site, and it took 15 minutes to douse the flames," a DFS official said.
There was no immediate response from the JNU administration. In a post on X, JNUSU president Dhananjay blamed the incident on "poor safety measures" at the hostels.
"The JNU administration and vice chancellor have pushed JNU students into the jaws of death. The fire in Godavari Hostel is proof of this," he said.
"The JNUSU has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety and renovation of hostels with the administration, but the response has always been that the government is not providing funds. This RSS-backed administration and government have driven JNU into a state of deterioration," the students' union president said.
Ignoring the voices of students will prove to be a costly mistake for the administration, he added. -- PTI
File image/Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
08:46 Train services suspended on Banihal-Baramulla section in J-K due to snowfall
Train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section were suspended on Saturday due to heavy snow accumulation on the track, railway officials said.
Efforts to clear the track are underway.
Due to heavy snow accumulation on the track and continuous snowfall, train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section will remain suspended up to 1 pm on Saturday, the officials said.
A WDM locomotive along with a snow cutter will be run on the track before the movement of trains resumes, they said. -- PTI
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08:39 Female tourist killed as boulder hits bus on J-K highway in Ramban
A female tourist was killed after a boulder rolled down a hilltop and struck a mini bus on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, officials said on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the landslide-prone Mehar area, where a rock hit the window of the mini bus, causing severe head injuries to the woman seated inside on Friday night, they said.
The injured woman was rushed to the district hospital in Ramban, where doctors declared her dead on arrival, they added.
The mini bus was en route to Ramban from Jammu at the time of the incident.
The police identified the deceased as Ruby Agarwal, a resident of Uttar Pradesh. -- PTI
08:18 2000 vehicles stuck in Anantnag after season's first snowfall
Around 2,000 vehicles were stuck at Qazigund town in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag following the valley's first snowfall of the season on Friday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.
CM Abdullah mentioned that he has spoken with the deputy commissioner of Anantnag about the current situation, adding that heavy vehicles are being allowed to move and efforts are on to clear the rest of the stranded vehicles."
In a post on X on Friday night, Omar Abdullah said, "Just spoke to DC Anantnag about the current situation of the road between Qazigund & the tunnel. The icy conditions have caused traffic to back up. The stranded vehicles, in both directions, are slowly moving & where necessary being assisted."
He added that DC was on the spot with his team.
"I've instructed him to ensure that vehicles with families & children must be given priority."
"If necessary arrangements for overnight shelter will be made. The DC is accompanied by an ambulance in case of any medical emergency," Omar Abdullah added. -- ANI
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01:21 Heavy snowfall likely in Uttarakhand today
The MeT department has predicted cold wave conditions and heavy snowfall at isolated places located above 2500 metres in the hill districts of Uttarakhand on Saturday.
A holiday has been declared in all government, non-government schools and anganwadi centres in the Chamoli district in view of the MeT department's warning.
Additional district information officer Ravindra Negi said that in view of the forecast of heavy snowfall and cold wave by the Meteorological Centre, Dehradun, district magistrate Sandeep Tiwari has declared a holiday in all government, non-government, private schools from class 1 to 12 and anganwadi centers in the Chamoli district on Saturday for the safety of students.
Overcast conditions prevailed in various districts of the hill state, including Dehradun, on Friday, intensifying the chill.
Isolated heavy snowfall and cold wave conditions have also been predicted for Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Tehri, pauri, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar districts. -- PTI
01:15 Female PhD student dies by suicide after humiliation in Hyderabad, 3 held
A 28-year-old PhD student, working as a project assistant at a central research institute in Hyderabad, allegedly died by suicide after being "harassed" by a family for repayment of money taken by her father by promising to get a job, the police said on Friday.
Two members of the family, which allegedly "humiliated" her were arrested along with the deceased woman's father, they added.
In a complaint filed at Nacharam Police Station on December 26, the victim's mother stated that her husband (the student's father) had taken Rs 15 lakh, promising to provide a job to a woman member of the family at the city-based research institute.
The accused family members claimed that the transaction had taken place in the presence of the deceased student. However, in the complaint, her mother said that she was unaware of it.
When the victim's father failed to arrange the promised job, four members of the family put pressure on him and the deceased.
They humiliated her and filed a cheating case against her and her father, the complainant said.
The four accused demanded Rs 35 lakh from the victim's family for withdrawing the case and threatened to ruin their lives, the mother added.
Feeling humiliated and depressed by the actions of the four accused, the student took her life by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her house on December 25.
Based on the complaint, a case under the provisions of abetment to suicide and the SC/ST Act was registered, and three persons were arrested, police said.
In a purported selfie video, which was aired by some TV channels, the deceased stated that it was true her father had taken the money, but she was unaware of it. -- PTI
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01:07 Over 14,000 police to keep vigil in Mumbai on New Year's Eve
More than 14,000 police personnel will be deployed across Mumbai to prevent any untoward incidents on New Year's Eve, officials said on Friday.
The police are expecting large gatherings at prominent and popular places, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Juhu beach and Bandstand in suburban Bandra on December 31.
People will also throng places like hotels, restaurants and other such commercial establishments to ring in the New Year. In view of this, police are gearing up to maintain law and order in the city, they said.
Accordingly, 12,048 police constables, 2,184 officers, 53 assistant commissioners of police, 29 deputy commissioners of police, and 8 additional commissioners of police-rank officers will be part of the security arrangements, he said.
Besides this, the State Reserve Police Force platoons, Quick Response Team, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, Riot Control Police platoon and Home Guards will also be deployed for the security, he said.
'Nakabandi' (police checkposts) will be in place on important roads, he said, adding that there will be a special drive against drunk driving in the city.
Strict action will be taken against those involved in eve-teasing, creating commotion, and selling illicit liquors and drugs, the official said, adding that a special drive will be conducted to crack down on drunk drivers on the night of December 31 and it will continue till the next morning. -- PTI
00:50 Govt to allocate space for Manmohan's memorial
The government will allocate space for a memorial of former prime minister Manmohan Singh and this has been communicated to his family and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Union home ministry said on Friday night.
In a late-night release titled Facts of the matter regarding memorial for Former Prime Minister Late Dr Manmohan Singh, the ministry said the government received a request to allocate space for a memorial for Singh from the Congress chief.
Immediately after the Cabinet meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Kharge and the family of Manmohan Singh that the government would allocate space for the memorial.
In the meanwhile, cremation and other formalities can happen because a Trust has to be formed and space has to be allocated to it, the home ministry said.
Singh, who headed the Congress-led UPA government and is credited with economic reforms, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.
He was India's prime minister for 10 years between 2004 and 2014. -- PTI
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