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Sun, 03 November 2024
Delhi air quality worsens, AQI worst in country at 382
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23:55 Two minors sexually assaulted by their neighbours in Bengal, 2 arrested
Two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by their neighbours in Hooghly and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal over the past 24 hours, the police said.
According to a police official, the perpetrators in both the cases have been arrested.
TMC MLA Manoranjan Byapari and senior minister Firhad Hakim have called for strong punishments against the offenders, emphasising that this is a social evil that must be addressed nationwide.
In North 24 Parganas' Mogra, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by her neighbour when she was home alone on Saturday night.
The accused has been arrested and charged under relevant sections of the BNS and POCSO laws, the police said.
In a similar incident at Gaighata, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly abducted by a neighbour on her way to tuition on Saturday.
She was taken to a nearby jungle and allegedly raped before being dropped near her home later that night, the police said and added that the medical examination of the girl is scheduled for Monday.
The father of the Gaighata victim has demanded death penalty for the accused after a fast-track trial.
In another incident on Friday, a girl was allegedly raped and murdered, following which enraged villagers lynched one of the accused in Alipurduar district, the police said.
In response to the Mogra incident and others like it, TMC legislator Byapari said, "Had I been present, I would have broken and twisted the hands and feet of the accused and then handed him over to police."
He advocated for severe punishment for those who commit crimes against women, adding, "If any action is taken against me for treating those involved in heinous crimes against women as they deserve, I am ready to face the consequences. I will not back down from my words." -- PTI
22:11 Two minors sexually assaulted by their neighbours in Bengal, 2 arrested
Two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by their neighbours in Hooghly and North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal over the past 24 hours, the police said.
According to a police official, the perpetrators in both the cases have been arrested.
TMC MLA Manoranjan Byapari and senior minister Firhad Hakim have called for strong punishments against the offenders, emphasising that this is a social evil that must be addressed nationwide.
In North 24 Parganas' Mogra, a 16-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by her neighbour when she was home alone on Saturday night.
The accused has been arrested and charged under relevant sections of the BNS and POCSO laws, the police said.
In a similar incident at Gaighata, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly abducted by a neighbour on her way to tuition on Saturday.
She was taken to a nearby jungle and allegedly raped before being dropped near her home later that night, the police said and added that the medical examination of the girl is scheduled for Monday.
The father of the Gaighata victim has demanded death penalty for the accused after a fast-track trial.
In another incident on Friday, a girl was allegedly raped and murdered, following which enraged villagers lynched one of the accused in Alipurduar district, the police said.
In response to the Mogra incident and others like it, TMC legislator Byapari said, "Had I been present, I would have broken and twisted the hands and feet of the accused and then handed him over to police."
He advocated for severe punishment for those who commit crimes against women, adding, "If any action is taken against me for treating those involved in heinous crimes against women as they deserve, I am ready to face the consequences. I will not back down from my words." -- PTI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
22:07 Committed to making Mumbai slum-free, says CM Shinde
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said the Mahayuti government aims to make Mumbai slum-free and its focus is on providing affordable housing to the poor.
Addressing a rally in Kurla for party candidate Mangesh Kudalkar, the CM said his government had struck a fine balance between welfare schemes and development projects.
"If we can work so much in two-and-half years, imagine how much we will work in five years," he told the impressive gathering while seeking a renewed mandate.
"We will give the poor affordable homes. Don't the poor have the right to a house in Mumbai? Can't the son of a poor farmer be CM? Or only those born with a silver spoon can become CM," he said in a veiled attack on Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray.
The Mahayuti government had distributed Rs 350 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and one lakh had benefitted due to this, he said, and asked the gathering to "teach a lesson to those who call your benefits 'revdis' (freebies)".
Attacking the opposition for running down the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' and even going to court to stall it, Shinde asked the gathering to "be careful of these evil brothers".
"The earlier CM did not keep a pen, while I keep two. We have allocated funds for students, youth, farmers, women's education, senior citizens. Government money belongs to the people and they have the first right on it. My government has expedited development works and also focussed on welfare scheme," Shinde said. -- PTI
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22:04 Delhi air quality worsens, AQI worst in country at 382
Delhi's air quality was on the brink of the 'severe' category on Sunday with an overall AQI reading of 382 the worst recorded in the country for the day.
Fifteen monitoring stations of the city recorded air quality levels in the 'severe' zone, having AQI readings over 400, data showed.
The city also recorded its lowest nighttime temperature so far, as thick smog and haze shrouded it in a dense cover during the morning and evening hours.
The minimum temperature recorded on Sunday was 16.5 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees above normal, according to the weather department.
The national capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index, recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 382, worsening from 316 the previous day.
The locations where air pollution levels reached the 'severe' zone are Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, NSIT Dwarka, Najafgarh, Nehru Nagar, Okhla Phase 2, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, Wazirpur and Vivek Vihar.
Despite the temporary relief provided by the winds, Delhi saw a spike in pollution levels following Diwali, with a noticeable jump recorded on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the country, several places recorded AQI levels in the 'very poor' category, though still better than the national capital.
Bahadurpura, in Telangana, recorded an AQI of 335, Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar 302, Noida 313 and Haryana's Sonipat 321. -- PTI
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22:01 Mango kernel incident: Two critical patients shifted to Cuttack hospital
Two critical patients of Odisha's Kandhamal district allegedly suffering from food poisoning after eating mango kernel were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital here after their conditions deteriorated, health officials said on Sunday.
They were admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and were shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack late on Saturday evening.
Both the patients are now undergoing treatment in the Medicine ICU of the hospital in Cuttack.
"Tuni Majhi (30) and Jeeta Majhi (30) were shifted here with severe symptoms like high fever, persistent vomiting and signs of liver infection, said medicine department head Prof Jayanta Panda.
Panda said a team of doctors drawn from the medicine and hepatology departments of the hospital are attending to them round-the-clock.
"Their conditions are critical but stable at the moment", he said.
"The patients are receiving the best possible care to manage their symptoms and stabilise their condition. Clinical tests have been conducted, and the medical team is awaiting the reports to further pinpoint the exact cause of the poisoning and to tailor the treatment accordingly," he said.
Doctors are of the view that consumption of mango kernels is not uncommon and not without risks.
However, incorrect preparation or the presence of naturally occurring toxins could lead to severe health issues, including the symptoms seen in these patients. -- PTI
21:43 UP Cong leader booked over objectionable video, party sacks him
The police in the Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh registered a case against district Congress president Yunus Chaudhary in connection with an objectionable video, which went viral on social media, a police official said on Sunday.
The case has been registered at the Baraut police station.
After the video became public, the Congress removed Chaudhary from the post.
SHO of Baraut police station Manoj Chahal on Sunday told PTI that based on the complaint of a 19-year-old woman's mother, a case has been registered against Yunus Chaudhary under sections 75(1) (sexual harassment) and 79 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman) of the BNS and the incident is being investigated.
The SHO said, "The viral video on social media is also being investigated. Action will be taken after the investigation."
Chaudhary is seen indulging in obscene acts with the woman in the purported video.
Meanwhile, UP Congress spokesman Abhimanyu Tyagi said that a letter has been issued by the party's state unit president Ajay Rai to remove Chaudhary from his post. -- PTI
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21:28 2 MP officials suspended over death of 10 elephants
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday suspended two senior officials of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve after a high-level team that probed the death of 10 elephants inside the park submitted its report.
Action has been taken against reserve director Gaurav Choudhary and in-charge assistant conservator of forest officer Fateh Singh Ninama for alleged lapses.
The high-level team has submitted its report. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve director has been suspended for switching off his phone, not returning to work after leave and other reasons.
ACF Fateh Singh Ninama has also been suspended, the CM said in Bhopal.
Both have been suspended for showing laxity in performing their duties, he added.
The CM on Friday night had called an emergency meeting and sent a team comprising MP forest junior minister Pradeep Ahirwar, additional chief secretary Ashok Baranwal and head of Forest Force Aseem Shrivastava to the reserve to probe the elephant deaths and submit a report.
The team returned to Bhopal on Sunday evening.
On October 29, four wild elephants were found dead in Sankhani and Bakeli under the Khalil range of the reserve in Umaria district, while four died on October 30 and two on October 31.
The elephants may have died after consuming some toxic substance, as per officials.
Several other teams are also probing the incidents. -- PTI
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20:39 Rs 12 cash and gold looted from cooperative credit society in Maha
Gold as well as Rs 12 lakh cash were looted from a cooperative credit society in Maharashtra's Jalna city on Sunday, a police official said.
The incident took place in Aditiya Urban Credit Cooperative Society in Old Monda area in Jalna in the early hours of the day, he said.
"The accused used a gas cutter to break in, gained access to the locker and looted Rs 12 lakh cash, while the valuation of the gold stolen is being ascertained," additional superintendent of police Ayush Nopany said.
"The CCTV footage of the facility and the vicinity is being checked. Two teams have been formed to arrest the accused. A case has been registered at Sadar Bazar police station," he said. -- PTI
20:06 Shah Rukh Khan says he has quit smoking
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who used to be a heavy smoker, has revealed that he has finally kicked the habit.
The actor shared the health update with his admirers who gathered to celebrate his 59th birthday on Saturday at an auditorium in Mumbai.
In a video from the event shared by his fan club on X, Shah Rukh can be heard saying: "There's a good thing I'm not smoking anymore, guys. I thought I won't feel so breathless after quitting smoking, but I still feel it (the side-effects). Inshallah, that will also get ok."
In 2012, the actor drew flak for smoking in public during an IPL match between his team Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, but escaped with a paltry fine of Rs 100 after he pleaded guilty before a court in Jaipur.
At a media event in 2017, Shah Rukh said he was planning to quit smoking and drinking for the sake of his children Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam.
At Saturday's fan event, Shah Rukh also promised fans to entertain them for at least next 10 years.
"I want to make special films for the next 10 years. I really want to entertain all of you happily," he said.
The actor will next be seen in King, directed by Sujoy Ghosh. The film will also star his daughter Suhana. -- PTI
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19:52 Terror associate held in Pulwama; arms seized
Security forces have arrested a terrorist associate linked with the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and seized arms and ammunition from him, the police said on Sunday.
They identified the man as Sajad Ahmed Dar, a resident of Pulwama's Tahab area.
A spokesperson said a joint team of police, the Army and the CRPF arrested Dar from Dangerpora, Pulwama, on November 2 in connection with a case registered under the Explosives Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
"Sajad Ahmed disclosed the location inside his shop where he had kept arms and ammunition. Accordingly, the joint team of the forces raided the said spot where they recovered and seized the hidden arms and ammunition, including a pistol, a magazine with 12 rounds and two live grenades," he added.
Earlier this week, a terrorist associate of Hizbul Mujahideen -- Danish Bashir Ahangar -- was arrested in the instant case. On his disclosure, further arrests and subsequent seizures were made, the spokesman said. -- PTI
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19:47 Body part of suspected landslide victim found in Wayanad
A body part, suspected to be that of a victim of the recent landslide tragedy in Wayanad, was recovered from in Wayanad on Sunday, district authorities said.
The body part was found stuck in a tree in Parappanpara area in the hill district in the morning, they said.
It was later brought to the Attamala region with the help of Fire Force, NDRF and forest personnel.
It would be shifted to the hospital for further procedures, a statement said.
Major landslides hit the Mundakkai and Chooralamala regions of Wayanad on July 30, almost decimating both areas and killing over 200 people and injuring many. -- PTI
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19:11 UP courtroom clash: Delhi lawyers to strike on November 4
A committee of Delhi bar associations has resolved to strike on Monday to protest against the alleged attack on lawyers in a courtroom in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad.
Lawyers and baton-wielding police personnel clashed in a courtroom in Ghaziabad on October 29 after the judge called in the force to remove a group of protesting advocates raising slogans against him over a disagreement.
Some of the lawyers claimed they suffered injuries as the police personnel used batons on them while police officials alleged that the agitating advocates set a local outpost on fire.
The committee said in a communication on Sunday, "A crucial and emergent meeting of the coordination committee of all bar associations of Delhi was held today (Sunday) and it was unanimously resolved and decided that the lawyers will abstain from work on November 4 in strong condemnation of the brutal attack on an innocent lawyer in Ghaziabad by the police on the direction of a district judge."
"This heinous act of violence against a member of the bar cannot be tolerated. We stand united in demanding justice and accountability," it added.
The communication -- signed by the committee's general secretary Atul Kumar Sharma -- urged all lawyers to abstain from work to show solidarity with their affected peers and protest against the "police brutality".
"Let us come together and raise our voices against this injustice," it said. --PTI
19:02 Maha polls: BJP rebel withdraws nomination from Udgir in support of NCP candidate
Bharatiya Janata Party rebel Vishwajit Gaikwad on Sunday said he decided to withdraw his nomination as an independent candidate from the Udgir assembly seat, where the Mahayuti has fielded NCP's Sanjay Bansode.
Speaking at a press conference, Gaikwad said he followed the directive of Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to withdraw his candidacy.
Latur MLA Sambhajirao Patil Nilangekar said Gaikwad is a dedicated party worker.
He has always respected the party's directives and stepped back. For re-establishing a Mahayuti government in the state, he has withdrawn his candidature.
Nilangekar said discussions are underway with other rebel leaders who have filed against official Mahayuti candidates, and they are expected to withdraw.
The poll battle would be directly between the Mahayuti and MVA in all six constituencies in the Latur district, he said.
NCP candidate and Minister Bansode acknowledged the work done by Gaikwad in Udgir.
He said the seat has been allocated to the NCP, and every seat holds strategic importance to ensure the ruling alliance's victory.
Vishwajit Gaikwad is the nephew of former BJP MP Sunil Gaikwad.
He had sought a Lok Sabha ticket from Latur, but the party renominated Sudhakar Shrangare, who lost to Congress' Shivaji Kalge in the 2024 general elections. -- PTI
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren/File image
18:40 UCC won't be allowed in Jharkhand: CM Soren
Shorty after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren hit back saying neither the UCC nor the National Register of Citizens would be allowed in the state.
Soren emphasised that Jharkhand would adhere only to the Chotanagpur Tenancy and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Acts to protect tribal culture, land, and rights.
"Neither the UCC nor the NRC will be implemented here. Jharkhand will rely solely on the Chotanagpur Tenancy and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Acts. These people (the BJP) are spewing venom and do not care about tribals, natives, Dalits, or backward communities," Soren said at a rally in Garhwa.
Soren's reaction followed Shah's remarks while releasing the BJP's manifesto, in which he said, "Our government will introduce the UCC in Jharkhand, but tribals will be kept out of its ambit. Hemant Soren and the JMM government are making false propaganda that the UCC will impact tribal rights, culture, and relevant legislation, which is totally baseless."
Shah asserted that although the UCC would be implemented, it would be ensured that tribal rights were not affected.
Soren also launched a scathing attack on Shah's remarks that the JMM-led coalition was fuelling Maoist threat, stating that the election being held in two phases was testimony that Maoists had been curbed, unlike in the past when elections were conducted in five phases. -- PTI
18:29 Mumbai importer duped of Rs 5 cr by online fraudsters
A businessman was cheated of Rs 5 crore by online fraudsters who promised him high return on investments, a Thane police official said on Sunday.
The Mumbai-based importer was approached by the accused, who claimed to be from a US firm, the official said.
"They asked him to invest in multiple currencies on a fraudulent online platform. Between April and October this year, he invested Rs 5 crore. He never got any of the promised returns, after which he approached Naupada police station on Friday," the official said.
The Economic Offences Wing of Thane police is probing the case and efforts are on to identify and nab the accused, he added. -- PTI
18:16 Actor Trisha Krishnan's name featured in New York Times crossword puzzle
Actor Trisha Krishnan was in for a surprise on Sunday when she found her name mentioned in the New York Times crossword as one of the answers in the puzzle.
On her Instagram Story, the actor shared a screenshot of a social media user's post which read 'Actress Krishnan of South Indian cinema' as a clue for the number 52 word across 'TRISHA'.
"I made it to New York today," she wrote.
According to NYT Crossword, Trisha's name featured as an answer for the Sunday crossword.
"K bye! Done showing off (sic)" the Ponniyin Selvan star wrote in another Instagram Story.
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu also gave a shout-out to Trisha on social media.
"NYT crossword @trishakrishnan QUEEN," Samantha wrote.
In her reply, Trisha said: "Awww Sam, you all heart my gal (sic)" Trisha will next be seen in a string of films, including Vidaamuyarchi, Thug Life, Vishwambhara, and Identity. -- PTI
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17:37 Car hits 2 Delhi traffic cops, drags them for 20 mtrs
In a hit-and-run case, two Delhi traffic police personnel were allegedly hit and dragged for about 20 metres by a car while on duty in southwest Delhi, a police officer said.
According to police, the incident occurred on Saturday evening at around 7.45 pm at the Ber Sarai traffic light near Vedant Deshika Marg.
"The injuries sustained by ASI Pramod and head constable Sailesh were reported to be minor. But the intention was to kill them. A case under attempt to murder and obstruction in discharge of official duty and charges for endangering the lives of public has been registered," said the officer.
"A PCR call was received at the Kishan Garh police station stating that an unknown vehicle had hit traffic officers on duty and fled the scene," said the officer.
He said that a team was immediately sent to the spot and it found that the injured personnel had been rushed to Safdarjung Hospital by a PCR van. The team reached the hospital and found assistant sub-inspector Pramod and head constable Sailesh Chouhan were in a conscious and stable condition, said the officer.
According to their statements, they were conducting routine challans for traffic violations.
Around 7.45 pm, a vehicle jumped the red light and when Sailesh signalled to stop, the driver initially complied but suddenly tried to flee, dragging both the personnel for approximately 20 metres before speeding away from the scene, said the officer.
The police said that they have identified the vehicle owner and he will be arrested soon. -- PTI
NC leader Abdul Rahim Rather/Courtesy Facebook
17:19 NC's Abdul Rahim Rather likely to become J-K assembly speaker
Veteran National Conference leader and seven-time MLA from Charar-e-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather is likely to become the first speaker of the legislative assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is scheduled to meet for a five-day session on Monday.
According to the provisional calendar for the session issued by the assembly secretariat, the House will elect the speaker in the first sitting on Monday.
Sources in the National Conference said the 80-year-old Rather is most likely to be the party's candidate for the post of speaker.
"We are comfortably placed as the treasury benches have the numbers. As of now, Rather sahib is all set to be the speaker of the legislative assembly," a senior NC leader said on the condition of anonymity.
Rather had earlier held the post of the speaker in the legislative assembly of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
He was also the leader of the opposition from 2002 to 2008 when the PDP-Congress coalition government ruled the state.
During a meeting of its legislature party held earlier on Sunday, the BJP nominated Narinder Singh Raina as its candidate for the post of deputy speaker. -- PTI
16:59 Teen shot dead in Delhi's Shahdara, 3 minors apprehended
A 19-year-old youth was shot dead in Delhi's Shahdara following an altercation over a minor dispute, the police said on Sunday.
Three juveniles have been apprehended in the case, they said.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the Kailash Nagar area.
"A PCR call reporting a shooting was received at the Gandhi Nagar police station. Teams were rushed to the spot immediately. The victim was identified as Sufian and had suffered serious injuries. He was rushed to Jag Pravesh Hospital where he was declared dead," a police officer said.
During the initial investigation, the police found that an argument broke out between Sufian and the accused over a cap.
Amidst this, Sufian reportedly slapped two of the accused, who later plotted his murder, the officer said.
The police apprehended three juveniles from different locations in Delhi and Ghaziabad.
They recovered a country-made pistol and a scooter from their possession, he said. -- PTI
Kannada film director Guruprasad/Courtesy X
16:39 Kannada film maker Guruprasad found hanging in Bengaluru flat
Kannada film director Guruprasad was found hanging in a residential complex in the outskirts of the city on Sunday, the police said.
The 52-year-old director is suspected to have died by suicide.
The incident occurred in Madanayakanahalli police station limits.
"Film maker Guruprasad was said to be upset about something, about his film or some other issue. We have heard that he was facing financial stress... five to six days back, neighbours had seen him coming to this house, after that he had apparently not stepped out. It appears that he hanged himself five to six days back and died," CK Baba, superintendent of police, Bengaluru Rural said.
Briefing reporters, he said, "... after seeing the body, we have registered the case and we will investigate the matter."
Guruprasad was known for his films -- Mata, Yeddelu Manjunatha among others.
According to police sources, the body was found in a decomposed state hanging from a ceiling fan in the flat, and neighbours alerted the police after foul smell emanated from the house. -- PTI
16:20 Asha Bhosle celebrates Bhai Dooj with Mumbai BJP chief
Legendary singer Asha Bhosle celebrated Bhai Dooj with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar on Sunday.
On the occasion of Bhai Dooj, Asha Bhosle performed the ritual.
During the celebration, Asha Bhosle applied tilak on the forehead of Ashish Shelar and he sought the blessings of the the singer by touching her feet.
Bhai Dooj is known by several names in other parts of India. In North India, it is known as Bhai Dooj, Bhau Bij, and Bhai Beej, and in Maharashtra, this day is celebrated as Bhai Tika.
This day is celebrated as Bhai Phonta in Bengal. In the southern regions of India, particularly in Karnataka and Telangana, Bhai Dooj is celebrated as Yama Dwitiya.
The mythology behind this celebration is that Goddess Yamuna fed her brother Yamraj at her own home on the day of Kartik Dwitiya.
Since then, this day has been recognised and celebrated as Yama Dwitiya. -- ANI
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15:52 Maoists attack 2 cops, flee with their weapons in Chhattisgarh's Sukma
Two Chhattisgarh police constables were injured when Maoists, dressed as civilians, attacked them with sharp weapons at a weekly market in the insurgency-hit Sukma district on Sunday morning, an official said.
The Maoists also took away the service rifles of the two personnel following the incident which took place when the police were deployed on security duty at the market in Jagargunda village, he said.
A small 'action team' of Maoists (typically comprising four-five cadres) suddenly attacked the two constables -- Kartam Deva and Sodhi Kanna -- with sharp edged weapons and then escaped after looting their Insas rifles, the police official said.
Other security personnel deployed there swung into action and launched a search for the attackers, he said.
Both the injured constables, posted at Jagargunda police station, were initially admitted to a local hospital.
They were later airlifted to Raipur and admitted to a private hospital in the state capital, the official said. -- PTI
BJP leader and J-K ex-minister Sunil Sharma/Courtesy X
15:26 Sunil Sharma elected as BJP legislature party leader in J-K
Former minister Sunil Sharma was elected as the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party legislature party on Sunday.
The MLA from Padder Nagseni in the Kishtwar district is all set to be the leader of opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
"Sunil Sharma has been elected as the BJP legislature party leader. He will be the leader of the opposition in the assembly," a BJP spokesman said after a meeting of the Legislature party in Srinagar.
The 47-year-old BJP leader was elected for a second term in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
Sharma won with a narrow margin from Padder Nagseni, a newly created constituency after the 2022 delimitation process in the Union Territory.
Sharma was a minister of state in the PDP-BJP coalition government from 2014 to 2018.
The spokesman said Narinder Singh will be the party's candidate for the post of deputy speaker.
Talking to reporters after the election, Sharma said he is grateful to the party's central and state leadership for giving him this responsibility. -- PTI
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15:16 5 people hurt in grenade attack in Srinagar
Five people were injured when terrorists threw a grenade in a crowded market in the heart of Srinagar on Sunday, officials said.
The attack, which took place near the heavily-guarded Tourist Reception Centre, comes a day after a top Pakistani commander of Lashkar-e-Tayiba was eliminated by security forces in the Khanyar locality of downtown Srinagar.
The police and paramilitary forces have been rushed to the spot to evacuate the injured and launch a search operation to track the terrorists, the officials said.
The explosion caused panic in the area and sent shoppers scrambling for cover. -- PTI
15:06 Comedian and bizman Ustav Dixit held for reckless driving
Ustav Dixit, 33, a businessman and stand-up comedian, was arrested on Sunday for alleged reckless driving when his Porsche collided with the KBR Park border wall.
According to a statement from the assistant commissioner of police, Banjara Hills Division, on November 1, a case was registered based on a complaint by patrolling police personnel.
The complaint said, that on November 1 at approximately 05:45 p.m, a red colour Porsche car collided with the boundary wall of KBR park, hitting a tree and causing severe damage to the wall, grills, and pavement.
Patrolling police officers arrived at the scene following a citizen's Dial 100 call.
On reaching the spot, the police saw that a red Porsche car had struck the sidewalk, the boundary wall and its grill.
The car's number plate was discovered to be missing.
Upon further investigation, a cracked number plate was discovered inside the vehicle.
The front wheels of the car were damaged and the car's driver had allegedly escaped.
The police successfully located and arrested the suspect after a thorough verification of the available evidence. Following standard legal procedures, he was transported to a medical facility for a comprehensive examination that included tests for both alcohol and drugs. -- ANI
14:17 Comedian and bizman Ustav Dixit held for reckless driving
Ustav Dixit, 33, a businessman and stand-up comedian, was arrested on Sunday for alleged reckless driving when his Porsche collided with the KBR Park border wall.
According to a statement from the assistant commissioner of police, Banjara Hills Division, on November 1, a case was registered based on a complaint by patrolling police personnel.
The complaint said, that on November 1 at approximately 05:45 p.m, a red colour Porsche car collided with the boundary wall of KBR park, hitting a tree and causing severe damage to the wall, grills, and pavement.
Patrolling police officers arrived at the scene following a citizen's Dial 100 call.
On reaching the spot, the police saw that a red Porsche car had struck the sidewalk, the boundary wall and its grill.
The car's number plate was discovered to be missing.
Upon further investigation, a cracked number plate was discovered inside the vehicle.
The front wheels of the car were damaged and the car's driver had allegedly escaped.
The police successfully located and arrested the suspect after a thorough verification of the available evidence. Following standard legal procedures, he was transported to a medical facility for a comprehensive examination that included tests for both alcohol and drugs. -- ANI
Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi/File image
13:42 Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi arrive in Kerala to kick off Wayanad poll campaign
Congress leader and party's candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reached Kerala's Wayanad on Sunday to kick off poll campaign ahead of Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.
Gandhis was accompanied by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and was welcomed by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Sudhakaran, Congress MP K Suresh and Congress MLA T Siddique among others upon their arrival.
Priyanka is scheduled to address a public rally in Mananthavady, Wayanad during her second phase campaigning in the district.
Rahul Gandhi will participate in the election campaign in support of his sister for the bypoll. Wayanad, a Congress bastion is going to see a contest between Congress's Priyanka Gandhi, BJP's Navya Haridas and the Left candidate Sathyan Mokeri in the upcoming bypolls.
Earlier, Priyanka Gandhi reiterated her commitment to resolve the problems of the people of Wayanad constituency if elected to power.
"My main promise is that I will work hard to serve the people of Wayanad. I will stand side by side with them through their problems and issues and I will fight for them. I will raise my voice on whichever platform I can, especially the Parliament if I am elected. I will do everything I can to help them resolve their issues and have a better life," said Priyanka Gandhi while speaking to ANI.
Wayanad's seat was vacated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he was also elected to Lok Sabha from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections held earlier this year. -- ANI
13:18 Delhi polls: Kejriwal to resume 'padyatra' from Rajouri Garden
The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday said party national convener Arvind Kejriwal will resume his 'padyatra' (foot march) from west Delhi's Rajouri Garden later in the day.
AAP leaders are undertaking foot marches in Delhi's different assembly segments in the run-up to the February 2025 assembly polls.
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said Kejriwal will resume his 'padyatra' from Rajouri Garden.
"Padyatras were halted due to festivals. Today Arvind Kejriwal is going to resume his padyatra from Rajouri Garden and the foot marches will continue throughout November and December," the Rajya Sabha MP said.
Singh accused the BJP of trying to stop these foot marches by "attacking" Kejriwal.
"The BJP has tried to stop Kejriwal from reaching out to people directly by attacking him during his padyatra. I challenge the BJP to compete with the work done by the AAP as it has governments in 22 states," he said.
He also alleged that the BJP put AAP leaders in jail to stop the development work being done by its government for the people of Delhi.
There was no immediate response from the BJP to the AAP's allegations. -- PTI
13:07 Portals of Kedarnath closed for winter
The portals of Kedarnath were closed on Sunday for the winters amid Vedic rituals, with over 18,000 pilgrims thronging the Himalayan temple to witness the closure ceremony.
An elaborate ceremony preceding the closure of the temple gates began at 4 am and the portals were closed at 8.30 am, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee media in-charge Harish Gaur said.
More than 18,000 pilgrims thronged the Himalayan temple to witness the closure ceremony, he said.
During the whole of the yatra season more than 16.5 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath to offer prayers, BKTC chairman Ajendra Ajay said.
Located at a height of more than 11,000 ft in the Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas situated in different parts of the country.
A popular pilgrimage destination visited by lakhs of pilgrims each year the temple doors are closed during winter when it remains covered in snow.
The idol of lord shiva was brought out of the temple in a palanquin before the closure of its gates to the Omkareshwar temple where he will be worshipped during winters, Gaur said. -- PTI
12:57 BJP to roll out UCC in J'hand, tribals excluded: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that the BJP will implement the Uniform Civil Code in Jharkhand if voted to power in the state, but would keep tribals out of its ambit.
Shah, while releasing the saffron party's manifesto 'Sankalp Patra' for the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand, announced that a Displacement Commission would be formed to ensure rehabilitation of people displaced by industries and mines in the state.
"Our government will introduce UCC in Jharkhand but tribals will be kept out of its ambit. The JMM government is making false propaganda that UCC will impact tribal rights and culture, which is totally baseless as they will be kept out of its ambit," Shah said in Ranchi.
"BJP, if voted to power in Jharkhand, will deliberate on the Sarna religious code issue, and take appropriate decisions. A Displacement Commission will be formed to ensure the rehabilitation of people displaced by industries and mines in Jharkhand," he said.
Shah said that the saffron party, if voted to power, will create 5 lakh employment opportunities, including 2.87 lakh government jobs, in Jharkhand.
He said CBI and SIT probes will be launched into "paper leaks" in Jharkhand and culprits will be punished.
The home minister said that BJP will bring in a law to take back land from infiltrators in Jharkhand and identify and deport the illegal immigrants. -- PTI
12:32 Woman killed by live-in partner in northeast Delhi
A 25-year-old woman was allegedly strangulated to death by her live-in partner in Nand Nagri area of northeast Delhi, the police said on Sunday.
According to the police, they received a call regarding the murder on Saturday at 11 pm.
"Postmortem report will clear the cause of death," the police said.
The woman was found hanging by her brother Golu, who also stays with her, he said. According to the police, the body was inspected in a mortuary where no external injury was found visible but small ligature marks were visible on her throat.
The woman's husband had died due to an ailment and since the last four months she was residing with one Anar Singh, who is an autorickshaw driver.
"Singh is suspected to have killed the woman. Her younger brother Golu, also used to reside with her. Golu saw her hanging in the bathroom and took her to the GTB Hospital with Anar Singh where she was declared brought dead," the police said. -- PTI
File image
12:20 Four injured in Howrah Mail coach blast in Punjab
Four people were injured in an explosion in a general coach of the Howrah Mail near Sirhind railway station in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district, Government Railway Police officials said on Sunday.
The explosion took place in a plastic bucket containing firecrackers around 10.30 pm on Saturday night when the train was headed to Howrah from Amritsar, they said.
Four passengers, including a woman, were injured in the incident.
They were taken to Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Hospital, said GRP deputy superintendent of police Jagmohan Singh.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the explosion took place in a plastic bucket, which contained some firecrackers, in the general compartment of the train, he said.
Samples will be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Further investigation into the incident is underway, Singh said. -- PTI
Police and FSL officials collect at the fireworks accident site in Kerala/ANI Photo
11:57 Kerala temple fire toll rises to 2 as one more person succumbs to burns
One more person, who was injured in the fire accident during a temple festival in this district on October 28, succumbed to his burns on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Ratheesh, a local who had been under treatment in a private hospital in neighbouring Kozhikode district, the district administration in Kasaragod said in a statement.
The 32-year-old man was on ventilator support, the statement said.
With this, the number of deaths in the temple fire accident rose to two.
According to the Kasaragod district administration, 154 people were injured in the accident and of them, 100 were admitted in various hospitals. -- PTI
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath/File image
11:53 Police arrest woman for threatening Adityanath
The Mumbai police arrested a 24-year-old woman for allegedly giving a death threat to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an official said on Sunday.
The woman, identified as Fatima Khan, who has done BSc in Information Technology, resided in Ulhasnagar area of neighbouring Thane district of Maharashtra with her family members.
Her father is into timber business, the official said.
The woman is well qualified but is mentally unstable, the police said.
The Mumbai traffic police's WhatsApp number on Saturday received a message from an unknown number threatening that if Adityanath did not resign from the CM's post within 10 days, then he would be killed like NCP leader Baba Siddique, the official said.
During the probe, the police found Khan had sent the message, he said. -- PTI
11:13 Adityanath will be killed like Baba Siddique: Threat caller to Mumbai cops
The Mumbai traffic police have received a message threatening to kill Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an official said on Sunday.
The city police's traffic control room received the message from an unknown number saying if Adityanath did not resign from the CM's post, then he will be killed like Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique, the official said.
The police are on alert as Adityanath is likely to come to Maharashtra for the state assembly election campaign and have launched a probe into the threat message, the official added. -- PTI
10:09 Gaza vaccination centre attacked, kids injured
The World Health Organisation (WHO) condemned the attack on the Sheikh Radwan primary health care centre in northern Gaza, where six people, including four children, were injured during a humanitarian pause.
The centre was targeted while parents were bringing their children for polio vaccinations.
Sharing a post on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO wrote, 'We have received an extremely concerning report that the Sheikh Radwan primary health care centre in northern #Gaza was struck today while parents were bringing their children to the life-saving #polio vaccination in an area where a humanitarian pause was agreed to allow vaccination to proceed. Six people, including four children, were injured.'
He further said that the recent attack during a humanitarian pause has 'jeopardised the sanctity of health protection' for kids, and may also deter parents from bringing their children in for crucial vaccination.
'A @WHO team was at the site just before. This attack, during humanitarian pause, jeopardises the sanctity of health protection for children and may deter parents from bringing their children for vaccination,' the post said.
He added, 'These vital humanitarian-area-specific pauses must be absolutely respected. Ceasefire!'
The third phase of the polio vaccination campaign began on Saturday in part of the northern Gaza Strip after being postponed from October 23 due to a lack of access and assured, comprehensive humanitarian pauses, intense bombardment, and mass evacuation orders.
In a joint issued on Friday, the WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) had said that these conditions made it impossible for families to safely bring their children for vaccination and to organise campaign activities. -- ANI
IMAGE: A protester holds a representation of a child victim during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, in London, on November 2, 2024. Photograph: Mina Kim/Reuters
09:04 Trump and Harris crisscross battleground states in last 50 hours
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her Republican rival former president Donald Trump are leaving nothing to chance in the last 50 hours before closing of the polls, making a passionate appeal to their countrymen to support and send them to the White House.
"We will win," Vice President Harris told thousands of her cheering supporters in Wisconsin urging them it's time to turn a page and bring in a new generation of leadership in America.
She was campaigning in Wisconsin and North Carolina on Saturday.
She plans to make closing arguments in Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania on Sunday and Monday.
Trump, 78, choose Virginia for campaigning on Saturday.
Addressing thousands of his supporters in Salem, the former president promised to bring in a new era of peace and prosperity in the country.
He continued to charge Harris of being a liberal Left radical.
Over the next two days, Trump has a hectic schedule in the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina. To win, a candidate needs 272 electoral college votes.
According to respectable 272towin.com, Harris is assured of 226 electoral votes and Trump of 219. While Harris needs 44 additional electoral college votes to reach the magic figure of 272, Trump requires 51. Both the candidates have multiple pathways to victory running through the seven battleground states of Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia.
Political pundits believe that Pennsylvania (with 19 electoral college votes) and Michigan (15 electoral college votes) are now the ground zero. Latest polls indicate that it's too close to call in both Michigan and Pennsylvania.
According to RealClearPolitics.Com, which tracks major opinion polls, Trump has a slender edge of 1.1 percentage points in the battleground states. Trump and Harris are addressing multiple big rallies in the battleground states, as are their running mates Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator J D Vance.
Both the campaigns have deployed thousands of volunteers in all the battleground states who are knocking on doors, and urging Americans to go out and votes.
Hundreds of Indian-Americans from either side have been campaigning in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia.
In the last 50 hours, the two campaigns have flooded the television networks and local radio stations with ads, spending millions of dollars on it.
Both Trump and Harris Campaigns have raised record amount of money to fund the last hours of their campaigns. -- PTI
08:41 Foreign secy to brief Parl panel on India-Canda ties
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to brief the Parliamentary panel on external affairs on Wednesday on the India-Canada ties, which have taken a hit after Canadian officials accused Indian government functionaries of ordering the murder pro-Khalistan terrorist Harjeet Singh Nijjar.
Misri is also likely to brief the parliamentary panel on the recent upswing in India's ties with China following the agreement to resume patrolling at friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
India's relationship with Canada has taken a hit after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked top Indian officials to the murder of Nijjar, a charge rubbished by New Delhi.
Canada's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison had alleged on Tuesday that Home Minister Amit Shah ordered a campaign of violence, intimidation and intelligence-gathering targeting Sikh separatists inside Canada, a charge dismissed as 'absurd and baseless' by India.
India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Canada giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
India had withdrawn its High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Verma after the security officials there named him as a 'person of interest' in the investigation in Niijar's murder case.
India had also expelled six Canadian diplomats, including acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler on October 14.
On October 25, Misri had briefed the Parliamentary panel on the Israel-Palestine conflict and asserted that India favoured a two-state solution to the issue.
India has supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine within secure and recognised borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.
The Parliamentary panel on External Affairs, chaired by former union minister Shashi Tharoor, is examining the demand for grants of the External Affairs Ministry. -- PTI
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