Govt mulls 3 bills for 'one nation, one election' plan

One of the proposed Constitution amendment bills, that deals with aligning the local bodies elections to that of the Lok Sabha and the assemblies, will require an endorsement from at least 50 per cent of the states. 

Moving ahead with its 'one nation, one election' plan, the government earlier this month accepted the recommendations of the high-level committee for holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies in a phased manner after a countrywide consensus-building exercise. 

The proposed first constitutional amendment bill would deal with making provisions for holding Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections together. 

Citing recommendations of the high-level committee, sources said the proposed bill would seek to amend Article 82A by adding sub-clause (1) relating to the 'appointed date'. 

It will also seek to insert sub-clause (2) to Article 82A relating to the end of terms of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies together. -- PTI

Targeting those who left his party, Pawar claimed not even a handful of them will win the state polls.

Elections to the 288-member state assembly are likely to be held in mid-November, the NCP-SP chief said addressing his party workers in Pune's Baramati town.

Winnability will be the only merit for the selection of candidates, the former Union minister said, adding that in a coalition, adjustments and flexible approach are a must.

The MVA comprises the NCP-SP, Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT.

"You can't contest all the seats and have to allow the other two partners to field candidates and you have to work for them as well. We have to get our own government at any cost," Pawar asserted. -- PTI

The workers were employed for the construction of a house in the Khuda-i-Abadan area of Panjgur town, the police said.

The victims belonged to Punjab province's Multan district and they were sleeping under the same roof after daylong labour at the time of the attack.

The attackers armed with automatic weapons entered the premises and opened indiscriminate fire.

Seven labourers were killed on the spot and another was injured in the firing, Inspector General Police Moazzam Jah Ansari told Dawn.

The victims were identified as Sajid, Shafiq, Fayyaz, Iftikhar, Salman, Khalid and Allah Wasia.

Nobody claimed responsibility but Panjgur SSP Fazil Shah Bokhari said that it is a terrorist attack and added that investigation was launched. -- PTI

He is now stable and doctors are attending to him, party leaders said. 

Kharge was paying tribute to a head constable who was killed in an ongoing operation with terrorists in Kathua. 

Two other police personnel have been injured in the incident and one terrorist has been killed. 

"He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues helped him into a chair," Congress general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir said. 

He added that the Congress president is stable. 

Kharge had flown to Jasrota to address a rally to garner support for his party candidates in the assembly polls. -- PTI

Following the raid, two police personnel were suspended while another cop was transferred for failing to take appropriate action against the illegal activity in their area, they said.

Based on credible information, assistant superintendent of police Anil Mhaske and his team raided the gambling den in Amgaon area on Thursday, which was apparently running for weeks, a Nagpur rural police official said.

The police arrested 12 persons involved in gambling activities. 

They also seized more than Rs 3.62 lakh in cash, three cars, five two-wheelers, several cellphones, and other items collectively valued at Rs 17.89 lakh, he said.

Following the raid, Superintendent of Police Dr Harssh Poddar launched an internal inquiry to ascertain the extent of police negligence.

The inquiry suggsted that inspector Prashant Kale, responsible for overseeing the area, had failed to take appropriate action, a senior police official said. -- PTI

The racket was unearthed by the State Special Operation Cell.

"In a major breakthrough against trans border narcotic network, SSOC Amritsar has busted a cross-border heroin smuggling racket and recovered 6 Kg Heroin, 67 live cartridges, 2 magazines, 6 mobile phones," director general of police, Gauarv Yadav in a post on X.

The DGP said a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

"FIR under NDPS Act has been registered and Investigation on-going to establish backward & forward linkages to apprehend the accused," the top police officer added. -- PTI

The body of the terrorist was recovered from the scene of the encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil this afternoon, the officials said. 

A massive search operation is underway in the village for the second day. 

Additional director general of police, Jammu zone, Anand Jain said the search operation was launched in the village on Saturday following information about the presence of three to four foreign terrorists. 

A policeman was killed and two officers injured Saturday evening when terrorists opened fire on a joint security search party in the village. -- PTI

His visit to Pune scheduled on September 26 was cancelled due to heavy rains in the city. 

Modi virtually inaugurated the Pune Metro section from District Court to Swargate, which also marks the completion of the Pune Metro Rail Project (Phase-1). 

The cost of the underground section between District Court to Swargate is around Rs 1,810 crore, as per officials. 

Modi also laid the foundation stone for Swargate-Katraj extension of the Pune Metro Phase-1 to be developed at the cost of around Rs 2,955 crore. 

This southern extension of 5.46 km is completely underground with three stations, namely Market Yard, Padmavati and Katraj, according to officials. 

Modi also inaugurated Bidkin Industrial Area, a transformative project covering an expansive 7,855 acres under the National Industrial Corridor Development Program, situated 20 km south of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. -- PTI

The two boats that were seized belonged to fishermen Thangachimadam Vyadaraj and Thangachimadam Selvam.  

According to the Rameswaram fishermen association, the apprehended fishermen were fishing in the Palk Bay area near Nedunthivu, having set out to sea with 309 boats. 

The fishermen had permission from the Rameswaram fisheries department the previous day to venture into the sea, the association stated.  

The fishermen were taken to Mannar port for questioning, they said.  

The association expressed alarm over the incident, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding cross-border fishing activities in the region.  

At least 19 fishermen previously arrested by the Sri Lankan navy were released earlier this month.  -- ANI

With the model code of conduct in place, the sect chief's application for parole was sent to the election department which has asked the jails department to specify the "emergent and compelling" reasons behind the request that justify the release of convicts on parole during polls, official sources said on Sunday. 

The Dera chief has sought to stay in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, during the parole period, if granted. 

In August this year, Singh was granted a 21-day furlough. 

At that time, Singh, who is lodged in Rohtak's Sunaria jail, during his temporary release period, had sought to stay at the Dera ashram in Barnawa in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat. 

Notably, in the past some of his paroles and furloughs have coincided with polls in Punjab and Haryana and neighbouring states. -- PTI

A policeman was killed and two officers injured Saturday evening when security forces moved to Kog-Mandli village in Billawar tehsil following information about the presence of a group of terrorists, they said.

The hiding terrorists had opened fire on the search parties, leading to a fierce gunfight for several hours.

The area is under tight security cordon and there was no fresh firing in the area, a police officer said, adding efforts are on to neutralise the terrorists.

The officials said both deputy superintendent of police (operations) and assistant sub-inspector, who were injured in the gunfight, are stable.

The encounter at Kog-Mandli in Billawar tehsil occurred amid heightened security arrangements in the district, which along with Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts is going to assembly polls in the third and final phase on October 1. -- PTI

The deceased have been identified as Hetalben Arjunbhai Thakor, Priyanshi Maheshbhai Thakor, Tanya Arjunbhai Thakor, Himanshu Kishanbhai Thakor, and Virendra Kishanbhai Thakor from Gandhinagar, and Chirag Bhai from Baradia. One unidentified passenger aboard the bus also died, the police said.  

According to the police, the incident occurred when the bus tried to save the cattle on the road but jumped the divider and hit two cars and a bike. 

The police said that the accident took place at around 7.45 pm on Saturday on the Dwarka-Khambaliya National Highway near the Dwarka district of Gujarat.  

The injured were rushed to a hospital in Khambhalia town and are currently treated there, they added.  

"A road accident has occurred in Dwarka in which a bus, two cars, and a bike were involved. As per the report, there are seven casualties and 14 have been injured. The injured individuals after the primary treatment have been referred to Khambhalia for further treatment," Dwarka SDM Amol Aamte said.  

The officials said that a team of the fire brigade and officials of the civil administration rescued the injured.  

"We received information of a severe accident on the Dwarka-Khambaliya National Highway at around 7.45 pm. Civil administration had reached the spot before our team. The team of the fire brigade and officials of the administration had rescued the injured. Around 7 people have died in the incident. The injured have been referred to the hospital for further treatment," ASI Ravikant (6 Baroda NDRF Team) said.  -- ANI

The incident took place on Friday, they said. 

The deceased has been identified as Nitin Edwin Michael, a senior analyst with the HCL Technologies, according to the police. 

At around 7 pm on Friday, the man was found unresponsive after he entered the washroom of the company's office in Mihan area, an official from Sonegaon police station said. 

His colleagues rushed him to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival, he said. 

The Sonegaon police sent the body for postmortem and registered a case of accidental death. 

Initial autopsy findings indicated the man died of cardiac arrest, the official said. -- PTI

There are about 100 geo-heritage sites, out of which 32 have been recognised as National Geological Monuments. 

Unlike archaeological sites, there is no legislation to protect geo-heritage sites. 

But the Geo Heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill, 2022, which aims to protect India's geological heritage, is under process, mines secretary VL Kantha Rao said. 

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Rao said that there are about 1,200 world heritage sites in the world, out of which 42 are in India and none of these are geological sites. 

"We need to work together," the secretary said and stressed on the recognition of at least two geoparks in coming years in India, Geological Survey of India said in a statement. 

India, Rao said, has excellent geo-heritage sites like Lonar crater in Maharashtra, Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Gandikota gorge in Andhra Pradesh. 

But these are known mostly as tourism sites and people are not aware of their geological importance. -- PTI

The move came after Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of "murdering" democracy" and claimed that the election was "illegal and unconstitutional". 

The BJP won the last vacant seat of the MCD's 18-member standing committee unopposed as the councillors of the ruling AAP abstained from voting. 

The saffron party recently moved the apex court seeking an urgent hearing on its plea to initiate contempt proceedings against Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi over the election to fill the vacancy in the MCD's standing committee. -- PTI

A car driver allegedly hit a motorcycle-borne constable after being admonished by him for rash driving in outer Delhi early on Sunday and dragged the policeman for about 10 metres, leading to his death, officials said.

The incident occurred around 2.15 am near Veena Enclave when 30-year-old Sandeep was going towards Railway Road from Nangloi Police station during duty hours dressed in civilian clothes, they said.

Upon noticing a car being driven recklessly, Sandeep told the driver not to do so, the Delhi Police said in a statement.

Suddenly, the vehicle increased its speed and hit the constable's motorcycle from behind and dragged him for about 10 metres before hitting another car, it said.

Sandeep was immediately taken to Sonia Hospital and later shifted to Balaji Hospital in Paschim Vihar where he was declared dead.

According to the statement, CCTV footage have shown that Sandeep took a left turn in the street and indicated the vehicle to slow down.

'On this, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit his motorcycle and dragged him along with his bike. The vehicle halted after hitting a parked car. Sandeep received head injuries that led to death,' read the statement.

Police said a case under Section 103 (murder) of BNS is registered and an investigation has been taken up.

'Two persons who are absconding. Sandeep is survived by his mother, wife and a five-year-old son. Delhi Police is saddened by the departure of a family member in such tragic circumstance,' the statement said.   -- PTI

Five security personnel were injured when a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites exploded in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, police said.

The incident occurred in Tarrem police station area when a team of security personnel was out on a demining exercise from Chinngelur CRPF camp in the area, a police official said.

During the demining exercise, carried out to trace IEDs and dispose them, security personnel spotted a wire connected to the pressure IED.

When they were searching the bomb connected to the wire, it exploded, causing splinter injuries to five personnel, he said.

After being provided preliminary treatment, the injured jawans were shifted to Bijapur district hospital, the official said, adding that their condition was out of danger.  -- PTI

After the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) summoned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and another official of BookMyShow regarding alleged black marketing of tickets for British rock band Coldplay's upcoming concert in Mumbai, BookMyShow has issued a statement, clarifying its stand and action taken to ensure fair ticketing.

'With 13 million (1.3 crore) fans eager to get tickets and logged in, emotions ran high on September 22nd on BookMyShow for Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India. At BookMyShow, we've worked hard to ensure every fan had a fair chance to secure tickets, capping it at 4 tickets per user across all shows, providing clear, step-by-step booking guides and maintaining transparent communication through all our official channels,' a BookMyShow spokesperson clarified.

The spokesperson also noted that due to unprecedented demand, a third Mumbai show was added: 'We implemented a queueing system to manage the overwhelming demand and addressed issues, causing a brief delay, but ensuring minimal disruption for genuine fans. Due to the unprecedented demand, a third Mumbai show was added shortly thereafter, which also received a fantastic response.'

BookMyShow addressed the unauthorised sale of tickets and mentioned, 'It came to our notice however that unauthorised platforms listed (and are continuing to list) tickets for Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India, both before and after the official sale. BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms including but not limited to Viagogo and Gigsberg or third-party individuals for the purpose of reselling Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India.'

Condemning the black marketing of tickets, the statement added, 'Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice. We have not only filed a complaint with the police authorities but are also proactively working with them to provide complete support in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required. To our consumers, we would like to reiterate that any tickets bought from unauthorised sources will be at their own risk and may likely be invalid or fake tickets.'

Earlier on Friday, Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) summoned Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of Big Tree Entertainment, the parent company of BookMyShow, along with the company's technical head, in connection with an investigation into the alleged black market sales of Coldplay concert tickets.

The summons came after Advocate Amit Vyas filed a complaint, accusing the ticketing platform of facilitating the black marketing of tickets for the highly anticipated Coldplay concert, scheduled to be held from January 19 to 21, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium.

According to Vyas, tickets that were originally priced at Rs 2,500 are being resold by third parties and influencers for as much as Rs 3 lakh.

He has alleged that BookMyShow deceived the public and Coldplay fans, and is seeking an FIR to be registered against the company on fraud charges.

The EOW has already recorded Vyas' statement and has identified several brokers involved in the alleged ticket scalping. 

Further investigations are underway, and more individuals are expected to be summoned in connection with the case.

The Coldplay concert, set to take place from January 19 to 21, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year.   -- ANI

The Bihar government has sounded an alert for flood in northern and central parts of the state following heavy discharge of water from Birpur barrage on Sunday, officials said.

A total of 6.61 lakh cusecs of water was released from Birpur barrage on Kosi river till 5 am, the highest in 56 years.

According to the latest bulletin by the state Water Resources department, the last time the maximum water discharged from this barrage was 7.88 lakh cusecs of water in 1968.

The development may aggravate the condition of over 16.28 lakh people in 13 districts, who were already affected by inundation following heavy rain. 

Similarly, 5.38 lakh cusecs of water was released from Valmikinagar barrage on Gandak till 7 pm on Saturday.

This is the highest water discharged from this barrage after 6.39 lakh cusecs released in 2003.

Traffic movement has been stopped near the Kosi barrage as a preventive measure.

"The teams of the Water Resources Department are monitoring the embankments on a 24/7 basisso prompt action can be taken as soon as any erosion or danger is detected. Three superintending engineers, 17 executive engineers, 25 assistant engineers and 45 junior engineers of the department are working on a 24/7 basis and they are always alert," the official said.

"The water level of rivers Gandak, Kosi, Bagmati, Burhi Gandak, Kamla Balan and Mahananda and Ganga-- has been rising across the state, following continuous rainfall over the past two-three days. Incessant rainfall in the catchment areas of Nepal has led to rivers touching or flowing above the danger level at several places in the bordering districts," the senior official said.

Authorities from Nepal released 5.40 lakh cusecs of water in Gandak barrage from their side till 7 pm on Saturday and 4.99 lakh cusecs of water in Kosi barrage, he added.

Following the heavy discharge of water from these two barrages, the excess river water entered low-lying areas of West and East Champaran, Gopalganj, Araria, Supaul, Katihar, Purnea and several other districts, officials said.

An alert has already been sounded for several districts of Bihar as the IMD predicted heavy rain and warned of flash flood risk in parts of the state. 

Districts such as West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Patna, Jehanabad, Madhubani and Bhojpur districts are likely to experience heavy rain.

"These districts are at risk of low to moderate flash floods," it said.

The state disaster management department asked the administration of the districts to remain on alert and take preventive measures in the wake of the forecast.

Around 13 districts situated along the Ganga, including Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Patna, Samastipur, Begusarai, Munger and Bhagalpur, are already experiencing a flood-like situation, and nearly 13.5 lakh people living in low-lying areas have been affected by rising water levels of rivers, following torrential rainfall, officials said.

A large number of people from the affected districts have been evacuated and brought to relief camps, they said.   -- PTI

Following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a precision strike by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Iran's Ayatollah regime and asserted that those who target Israel will face consequences and that no location in Iran or the Middle East is beyond Israel's reach.

Netanyahu said, "If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first. Yesterday, the State of Israel eliminated the arch-murderer Hassan Nasrallah. We have settled accounts with someone who was responsible for the murders of countless Israelis and many nationals of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French."

He called Nasrallah as 'main engine of Iran's axis of evil' and added, "Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, he was the terrorist. He was the axis of the axis, the main engine of Iran's axis of evil. He and his people were the architects of the plan to destroy Israel. He was not only operated by Iran, he also frequently operated Iran."

He further said, "All those who oppose the axis of evil, all those who are fighting under the violent dictatorship of Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iran itself and other places, they are all filled with hope today. I say to the citizens of those countries: Israel stands with you. And to the ayatollahs' regime I say: Those who strike us, we strike them. There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. Today, you already know that this is correct."

Netanyahu emphasised that the killing of Hassan Nasrallah was crucial in achieving the goal of returning Israeli hostages.

"The elimination of Nasrallah is a necessary condition in achieving the objectives we have set: Returning the residents of the north safely to their homes, and changing the balance of power in the region for years."

He added, "As long as Nasrallah was alive, he would have quickly rebuilt the capabilities we took from Hezbollah. His elimination advances the return of our residents to their homes in the north. It also advances the return of our hostages in the south."

He also expressed his gratitude to the defence forces of the country and said, "I would like to thank the IDF, the Air Force, IDF Intelligence, the Mossad and the ISA for the great achievements, and not just yesterday."

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to defending its citizens, ensuring the safe return of residents to their homes and securing the release of all hostages.

"We are determined to continue striking our enemies, to return our residents to their homes, and to return all of our hostages. We do not forget them even for a moment," he said.

Notably, a day before, IDF confirmed the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in the airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military in Beirut.

In a statement, the IDF said, "Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorise the world."

Nasrallah was targeted at Hezbollah's main headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold known as the Dahiyeh, on Friday. 

The headquarters is underground, beneath residential buildings in the Dahiyeh, according to the IDF.   -- ANI