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Sun, 05 January 2025

Fresh snowfall in Srinagar, mercury below zero

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21:02 Fresh snowfall in Srinagar, mercury below zero

Most parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, received a fresh spell of snowfall on Sunday as the Mercury stayed below the freezing point in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day.

Snowfall was witnessed in several areas of Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara districts in north Kashmir and some parts of Budgam and Ganderbal districts in central Kashmir in the morning, the officials said.

Srinagar city and some areas in south Kashmir received snow late in the evening, they said.

The summer capital stayed in the grip of an intense cold wave with a maximum temperature of just 1.5 degrees Celsius recorded on Sunday.

The mercury has stayed below two degrees Celsius for the past 48 hours as the maximum temperature on Saturday was 1.2 degrees Celsius.

The night temperature in the valley fell with Kokernag town in South Kashmir freezing at minus 8.1 degrees Celsius, the officials said on Sunday.

In Srinagar, the mercury settled at a low of minus 2.5 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degrees, the Met said.

Gulmarg, a tourist resort town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius, down from the previous night's minus 2.2 degrees.

Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius while Konibal in Pampore town recorded a low of minus 3.5 degrees.

Kupwara in north Kashmir registered minus 2.8 degrees Celsius while Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded minus 8.1 degrees Celsius and was the coldest recorded place in the valley.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' -- the harshest period of winter -- that began on December 21. During the 40 days of 'Chillai-Kalan', the chances of snowfall are the highest and the temperature drops considerably.

'Chillai-Kalan' ends on January 30. It is followed by a 20-day 'Chillai-Khurd (small cold)' and a 10-day 'Chillai-Bachha (baby cold)'. -- PTI

A married man allegedly raped a 19-year-old woman in Bhadohi multiple times, with her family alleging that when they went to lodge a complaint the police 'persuaded' them to marry her to the accused citing her pregnancy.

The accused, Sajid Ali (aged around 35 years) from Kotwali area, befriended the woman from the same locality and began visiting her house, Superintendent of Police (SP) Meenakshi Katyayan told PTI citing the FIR.

On March 10, 2024, Ali allegedly raped the woman when she was alone at her home and also filmed the assault, the officer said.

The SP said when the woman threatened to lodge a complaint, the accused used the video to blackmail her, threatening to post it online.

Out of fear, the woman remained silent and Ali continued to rape her due to which she became pregnant, the officer added.

Upon noticing physical changes, her parents confronted her after which she disclosed the incident, the SP said.

The woman and her parents went to lodge a complaint against the accused on September 20, 2024.

However, the police persuaded them to agree to a marriage between the woman and Ali, citing her pregnancy, the complaint read.

The woman alleged that the marriage was conducted without proper investigation and against her will, Katyayan said.

Later in October, the woman got to know that Ali was already married. He lived with his wife at some other place, according to the police.

On November 26, the woman gave birth to a stillborn child at a private hospital, the SP said.

The officer said that the woman, who was a victim of mental and physical abuse for several months, submitted a written complaint on January 3, seeking action against Ali.

Based on her complaint, a case was registered under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code.

The woman's statement has been recorded and a medical examination was conducted, the police said. -- PTI

The Delhi Police foiled a suicide attempt by a 15-year-old girl who allegedly jumped off a bridge into the Yamuna due to academic stress, an official said on Sunday.

According to the police, the incident occurred on Saturday.

Roop Nagar Police Station received a distress call from a woman about her daughter's disappearance, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia told PTI.

The girl's mother informed the police that her daughter had been home alone while the rest of the family was out.

After a conversation about her academic performance, the mother grew concerned that her daughter might take a drastic step and she asked her son to check on her.

Upon returning home, the son discovered that the girl had left behind a suicide note, Banthia said.

A police team, led by ACP Vinita Tyagi, initiated a search operation. The team examined CCTV footage and conducted local inquiries, focusing on the Signature Bridge and Wazirabad Old Bridge areas. Metro site guards were briefed and joined the search.

"During the search, the girl was spotted jumping into the Yamuna River. A guard and swimmer, Brijesh Kumar, leapt into the river and rescued her. She was safely pulled ashore and immediately counselled by the police team. Following due formalities, she was reunited with her relieved family," Banthia said. -- PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Kalkaji assembly constituency, Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday expressed regret over his controversial remarks about Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra amid Congress outrage.

Speaking to ANI, Bidhuri clarified that his comments were made in the context of remarks by Lalu Yadav and emphasised that the Congress party had remained silent when similar statements were made during his tenure as a minister.

"Such statements have been made before. I have said that in the context of what Lalu Yadav had said. Congress remained silent on that even when he (Lalu Yadav) was a minister in their govt. If anyone is hurt by my remark, I express regret over it and I take my words back," the BJP leader said.

This came following a video of Bhiduri shared by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on X, where he stated that they would make all the roads in Kalkaji like the 'cheeks of Priyanka Gandhi' if BJP comes to power.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate strongly criticised the BJP candidate, terming the remark as 'shameful', and accused the BJP of fostering an anti-women mindset.

Taking to X, Shrinate said that Bidhuri's statement against Congress Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, was not only shameful but also shows his 'disgusting' mentality towards women.

She further questioned the BJP's response to the incident, referring to Bidhuri's previous use of foul language against a fellow MP for which he did not face any punishment.

"BJP is extremely anti-women. Ramesh Bidhuri's statement regarding Priyanka Gandhi is not only shameful but also shows his disgusting mentality towards women. But what else can be expected from a man who used foul language against his fellow MP in the House and did not receive any punishment? This is the real face of the BJP," she said. -- ANI

A 'chadar' on behalf of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was offered at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah on Sunday during the ongoing 'Urs' of sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

Former vice president of Dargah Committee Munavvar Khan presented the chadar at the shrine on behalf of Singh. Khan also read out a message sent by Singh.

In his message, the defence minister said Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti gave the message of brotherhood and that people from all religions and sects attend the Urs with a sense of reverence.

On Saturday, a chadar on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was offered at the dargah by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

In November last year, a controversy erupted after a court in Ajmer admitted a petition claiming the dargah was built over a Shiva temple and issued notices to the Ajmer Dargah committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Archaeological Survey of India.

Hindu Sena president Vishnu Gupta, who filed the petition, had called on the prime minister not to send a 'chadar' this time.

'Urs' is held at the Ajmer Dargah to commemorate the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. -- PTI

Delhi LG V K Saxena

17:59 LG grants relaxation in jobs to 1984 riots victims

Lt Governor V K Saxena has approved relaxation in educational and age criteria to all 88 anti-Sikh riots victims who have applied for jobs under the Delhi government, Raj Niwas officials said on Sunday.

The applicants have been granted full relaxation in required educational qualification and extended upper age limit to 55 years for all the 88 applicants, they said.

The relaxation has been approved for their appointment as multi tasking staff in different government departments.

"Repeated representations had been made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, public representatives and groups of victims, who had met LG recently, in this regard," said a note from LG office.

A rehabilitation package, including provision of jobs was sanctioned by Union Home ministry on January 16, 2006, for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The Revenue department of Delhi government in a subsequent special drive got 72 applications out of which appointment was given to 22 applicants by obtaining age relaxation from the then LG.

In October, 2024, Saxena granted full relaxation in required educational qualification for left out 50 applicants out of total 72.

The revenue department was also directed to process the cases for granting employment to the children of the applicants who surpassed the age of employment, officials said.

The department held special camps last month and invited applications for employment to family members of 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims.

A total of 199 applications, were received, of which 89 candidates were found eligible, but all these were above the age limit and a few also missed out on the required educational qualification, they said. -- PTI

Bangladesh's interim government on Sunday cancelled a planned training programme for 50 judges and judicial officers in India, scrapping a previous notification.

"The notification has been cancelled," a law ministry spokesman said without elaborating.

The Daily Star newspaper, however, reported the cancellation came in compliance with a directive from Bangladesh's Supreme Court.

The cancellation order came a day after the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported that 50 lower judiciary judges would undergo a one-day training programme from February 10 at the National Judicial Academy and the State Judicial Academy in Madhya Pradesh.

The trainee judges selected under the programme were district and sessions judge or its equivalent officers, additional district and sessions judge, joint district judge, senior assistant judge and assistant judge.

The Indian government was supposed to bear all the expenses for the training programmes.

India and Bangladesh have witnessed strained ties since the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi on August 5 last year following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's 16-year regime.

There have been a series of attacks on Hindu community members and their places of worship after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power on August 8.

New Delhi has already raised concern with Dhaka, especially after a Hindu monk was arrested in a sedition case and put in jail after he was denied bail last month. -- PTI

An investigation was started after a drone was spotted over the revered Jagannath temple in Puri in the early hours of Sunday, police said.

The drone was spotted over the temple around 4:10 am and it kept hovering for nearly half an hour, raising security concerns as the area is a no-flying zone.

Different teams have been formed to investigate the incident, a police officer said.

Expressing concern, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said, "Flying a drone over the temple is illegal and not acceptable. Strong legal action would be taken against the person who breached the security."

"The Puri SP has formed teams and started an investigation into the incident. I hope that the person concerned will be identified and the drone will be seized," he added.

Harichandan said to ensure that such an incident does not happen in the future, the government is planning to deploy police personnel round the clock at the four watchtowers around the temple complex.

"It was suspected that some vlogger may have flown the drone above the temple. However, ill intention behind it cannot be ruled out," he said. -- PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the state government was probing the Beed sarpanch's murder case with determination, and those involved in the crime will not be spared.

Talking to reporters, Fadnavis said the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massjog village, should not be politicised.

Deshmukh was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9, apparently because he tried to thwart an attempt to extort money from an energy firm operating a windmill project.

Walmik Karad, an aide of Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Dhananjay Munde, has been arrested in the extortion case.

The police have so far arrested seven persons in connection with the murder.

"In the Beed case, the government and the police are acting with full strength and determination. The guilty will not be spared," the chief minister said.

He said Deshmukh was a popular sarpanch, but his death should not be politicised.

Fadnavis said, "Even if the accused are absconding, action is being taken. We are not sparing those who helped the accused. The probe agencies should be allowed to investigate the case properly."

The police on Saturday said they nabbed absconding accused Sudarshan Chandrabhan Ghule (26) and Sudhir Sangle (23) were picked up from Pune, and arrested Siddharth Sonawane, whose alleged role in the conspiracy came to light during the probe.

The police had earlier arrested Jairam Manik Change (21), Mahesh Sakharam Kedar (21), Prateek Ghule (24) and Vishnu Chate (45) in the murder case, while Krushna Andhale, another accused, is still at large. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi of wasting a decade fighting with the Centre and urged the people of the national capital to give the Bharatiya Janata Party an opportunity to turn it into a city of the future.

The prime minister also assured that no public welfare scheme would be discontinued if the BJP assumed power but the party's government would weed out the corruption in their implementation.

Addressing a rally in the Rohini area, Modi dubbed the AAP government a 'disaster' that had struck Delhi and asserted the BJP would usher in change.

"Only when this 'aapda (disaster)' is gotten rid of in Delhi, the double-engine of development will come in," Modi said.

The prime minister said the Centre had been developing highways in Delhi, expanding the Metro network, starting the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System, and running big hospitals.

"However, the moment you step out of a Metro station, you can see potholed roads, overflowing sewers. Some areas are such that even auto and cab drivers refuse to ply due to long traffic jams," he said.

"In the past 10 years, Delhi has witnessed a state government that is no less than an 'aapda (disaster)'! Delhiites have realised this. Only one voice is reverberating in Delhi -- 'Aapda nahi sahenge, badal kar rahenge (will not tolerate disaster, will bring change)," Modi said. -- PTI

An Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv chopper crashed in Gujarat's Porbandar on Sunday in which three personnel including the two pilots and one air crew member, officials said.

As per inputs, there were three personnel including two pilots in the chopper.

"All three have lost their lives in the incident," said ICG officials.

As per the Indian Coast Guard officials, the chopper crashed during a routine training sortie.

More details are awaited. -- ANI

Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor, who has been on a fast unto death to press the demand for cancellation of a BPSC exam, on Sunday sought the support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.

Talking to reporters in Patna on the fourth day of his 'Amran Anshan', Kishor also said he was ready to 'follow' these leaders and if they were averse to his presence, he was willing to 'withdraw'.

"I want to inform the people that this agitation is non-political one and not being carried under the banner of my party. Last night, the youngsters formed a 51-member forum called 'Yuva Satyagraha Samiti' (YSS) which will steer this movement of which Prashant Kishor is just a part. All are welcome to lend support be it Rahul Gandhi, who has 100 MPs and Tejashwi Yadav who has more than 70 MLAs," Kishor said.

He added, "These leaders are much bigger than us. They can get five lakh people to gather at the Gandhi Maidan this is the time to do so. The future of the youth is at stake. We are faced with a brutal regime which has ordered lathi charge 87 times in just three years."

"Out of 51 members of the newly formed YSS, 42 decided to continue this fight last night. All members of the YSS are part of different political organisations. But all of them have now come under one umbrella to unitedly fight for the cause of youth and students. The YSS is totally a non-political forum. I am here to support them only .and this 'amran anshan' will continue. Use of water cannons and lathi charge on protesting BPSC aspirants in Patna on December 29 by the state police, was murder of democracy," he said.

Often accused of being a B-team of the BJP, Kishor said, "I don't think any BJP leader will have the courage to speak against the very government of which party is a part, but if any of them comes forward guided by conscience, he will be welcome. The state's youth often say that in national elections, they vote for PM Narendra Modi and nobody else. But the youth of Bihar have got nothing in return since Modi took over."

Citing the example of the agitation in Delhi against the controversial farm laws, Kishor remarked, "The Modi government had to relent after several months. One day the Nitish Kumar government will also have to bow before the youth here."

The Jan Suraaj founder has been fast-unto-death since Thursday to press for the demand for cancellation of the integrated 70th combined (preliminary) competitive test conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on December 13. However, BPSC had ordered the retest for a select group of candidates who had appeared in the December 13 exam, which was embroiled over allegations of question paper leak. The retest was held on Saturday at 22 centres in Patna.

The re-exam took place at 22 centres in Patna. Out of a total of 12,012 candidates, around 8,111 aspirants had downloaded their admit cards. However, 5,943 students appeared for the retest on Saturday. The retest was held peacefully at all centres without report of any misconduct and malpractices, the BPSC said in a statement issued on Saturday. -- PTI

IMAGE: Jan Suraj party chief Prashant Kishor with his supporters continues his indefinite hunger strike demanding the cancellation of the BPSC 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) exam over the alleged paper leak, in Patna on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

An unidentified person allegedly stole valuable items, including idols and plates made of silver, from a temple built on the ground floor of a Bharatiya Janata Party leader's house in the Govind Nagar area in Mathura, police said on Sunday.

According to Devpal Singh Pundir, the SHO of Govind Nagar police station, the incident occurred on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

"Pradeep Goswami, the general secretary of the city unit of the BJP, was sleeping with his family in their room on the upper floor of their house in Chowk Bazar. Around dawn, a thief broke into the temple on the ground floor and stole silver idols of various gods and goddesses, including those of Lord Shiv, five silver cows, four Sriyantras, 11 plates and other items," the SHO said.

Goswami discovered the theft when he came downstairs to the temple and subsequently filed a complaint, based on which a case was registered, the SHO added.

CCTV footage was reviewed, showing the thief taking the items, he said, adding that the police are working to identify and locate him. -- PTI

Image used only for representation. Photo: ANI Photo

13:11 Over 100 flights delayed at Delhi airport

More than 100 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions.

An official said there have been no flight diversions or cancellations so far.

Low visibility conditions due to dense fog have been impacting flight operations for three days now.

'Low Visibility Procedures are still in progress at Delhi Airport. However, there has been no impact on flight operations.

'Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information,' DIAL said in a post on X at 8.45 am.

The official said more than 100 flights were delayed at the airport.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the national capital's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), which handles around 1,300 flight movements daily.

'Due to adverse weather conditions, flights to/from Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Lucknow are impacted,' IndiGo said in a post on X at 12.59 am.

While regretting the inconvenience caused to passengers, the airline also requested them to visit its website or app to explore alternate flight options. -- PTI

12:34 No unmarried couples: OYO changes rules

Travel booking major OYO has launched a new check-in policy for partner hotels, starting from Meerut, introducing guidelines effective this year whereby unmarried couples will no longer be welcome to check in.

Under the revised policy, all couples will be asked to present valid proof of relationship at the time of check-in, including for bookings made online.

OYO has empowered its partner hotels' discretion to decline couple bookings based on their judgment, aligning with local social sensibility, the company said.

OYO has given the directive to its partner hotels in Meerut to ensure this with immediate effect. Based on ground feedback, the company may expand this to more cities, people familiar with the policy change said.

'OYO has received feedback in the past from civil society groups especially in Meerut urging action to address this issue. Additionally, residents from few other cities have petitioned for disallowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels,' they said.

Pawas Sharma, Region Head, OYO North India, told PTI, "OYO is committed to upholding safe and responsible hospitality practices. While we respect individual freedoms and personal liberty, we also recognise our responsibility to listen to and work with the law enforcement and civil society groups in the micro markets we operate in. We will continue to review this policy and its impact periodically."

The initiative is a part of OYO's programme to transform outdated perception and project itself as a brand providing safe experience for families, students, business, religious and solo travellers, the company said.

Additionally, the programme aims to encourage longer stays and repeat bookings, enhancing customer trust and loyalty. -- Roopashree Nair/PTI

Indian-origin tech companies cornered a fifth of all H1B visas issued by the US with Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services leading the pack, an analysis of data from the US immigration department showed.

According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, in April-September 2024 period, out of the total 1.3 lakh H1B visas issued to different employers, about 24,766 visas were issued to Indian-origin companies.

Out of these, Infosys took the lead with 8,140 beneficiaries, followed by TCS (5,274), and HCL America (2,953). Infosys came second to only Amazon Com Services LLC, which topped with 9,265 visas.

Cognizant, which was founded in Chennai but now has headquarters in New Jersey, ranked third in the list with 6,321 visas.

The H1B visa programme allows US companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.

Indian companies have been significant beneficiaries of this programme, particularly in the technology sector.

Major Indian IT services firms such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Technologies have consistently ranked among the top employers for H1B visa holders.

Wipro was lower down this time with 1,634 visa grants. Tech Mahindra stood close by, having been issued 1,199 visas. While these companies continue to benefit from the programme, ongoing developments indicate a need for adaptation in response to regulatory changes and public sentiment.

The future of the H1B visa will likely depend on balancing the needs of the US businesses for skilled labour with broader immigration policy reforms. -- PTI

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy/File image

10:49 Russia lost a battalion in two days: Zelenskyy

Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that over the past two days, battles near the village of Makhnovka in Kursk region resulted in significant losses for the Russian army, which lost up to a battalion of infantry, including North Korean soldiers.

In a nightly address on Saturday, Zelenskyy stated that the Commander-in-Chief provided a detailed briefing on the ongoing actions at the front, highlighting the fierce battles along the entire front line, with the most intense fighting near Pokrovsk.

"Today, commander-in-chief Syrskyi gave me a detailed briefing on our actions at the front. Fierce battles continue along the entire front line, with the hottest spot being near Pokrovsk. The occupier continues to waste an insane number of its people in assaults. And I thank each and every one of our units, all our brigades defending Ukrainian positions and eliminating the occupier," Zelenskyy said, according to the Ukraine's President Office.

He added, "The commander-in-chief also reported on the situation in the Kursk region. Specifically, in battles today and yesterday near just one village -- Makhnovka in the Kursk region -- the Russian army lost up to a battalion of infantry, including North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers. And that's tangible." -- ANI

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10:37 Fog hits flight operations at Srinagar airport

Flight operations at the Srinagar International Airport were affected on Sunday due to poor visibility caused by fog, officials said.

Early morning visibility at the Srinagar airport was 50 metres, which has affected the air traffic.

All airlines have pushed their flights after 10 am, an Airports Authority of India official said.

Dense fog hit operations at the airport on Saturday as well, leading to flight delays and diversions. -- PTI

French Navy aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle arrived at Goa's Mormugao port trust jetty on January 4.

On arrival at Goa, the French Carrier Strike Group received a ceremonial welcome from the Indian Navy band.

The carrier strike group elements including the Rafale Marine fighter aircraft will hold an exercise with Indian Air Force fighter aircraft in the next few days while the warships will hold the 42nd edition of the bilateral Varuna exercise while returning from the Pacific Ocean after a series of exercises with allies including Indonesia there.

The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy noted that the purpose of the visit is to enhance interoperability, foster mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the navies of India and France.

"French Carrier Strike Group, which includes nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle along with its escort vessels, a frigate, a submarine and supply ships, is visiting #Goa from 03 - 09 Jan 25. The purpose of this visit is to enhance #interoperability, foster mutual understanding & strengthen ties between the two navies," Western Naval Command of Indian Navy posted on X. -- ANI

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09:56 Jharkhand suspends classes till grade 8 from Jan 7-13 due to cold wave

The Jharkhand government announced that schools will remain closed for students from kindergarten to class 8 from January 7 to 13 due to the cold wave in the state.

The school education and literacy department, in a notification issued on Saturday evening, announced that the suspension of classes for students till grade 8 will be for all categories of schools, including government, aided, minority and private, in view of prevailing cold wave conditions in the state.

Jharkhand continues to reel under cold wave conditions with the mercury falling below 6 degrees Celsius in some parts.

The department, in the notification, further said that classes for students of classes 9 to 12 would be held as usual.

Dry weather prevailed in the state during the last 24 hours with the lowest minimum temperature of 5.3 degrees Celsius recorded in Khunti, it said. -- PTI

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09:56 Bride decamps with cash, jewellery mid-wedding in UP's Gorakhpur

A bride in Gorakhpur in the Khajni area decamped mid-wedding with jewellery and cash leaving her 40-year-old groom high and dry.

The drama unfolded at the Shiv Temple in Bharohiya where Kamlesh Kumar was undergoing the rituals for his second marriage, having lost his first wife.

He had secured the relationship with the woman paying a mediator Rs 30,000 in commission.

Kamlesh, a farmer from Sitapur's Govindpur village, approached the media after the incident.

The police said no complaint has yet been filed in the matter.

According to the allegations, on Friday, the bride, accompanied by her mother, came to the temple, and so did Kamlesh, with his family. Kamlesh alleged he gave the woman sarees, beauty products, and jewellery, and was already bearing the wedding expenses. -- PTI

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09:23 Winter fog disrupts flight, train services in Delhi

A thick layer of fog blanketed Delhi on Sunday morning causing disruption in the flight and train services in the national capital.

The city also witnessed cold waves and temperature dip in the morning.

Several flights are delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, due to fog.

"While landings and take-offs continue at Delhi Airport, flights that are not CAT III compliant may get affected. Passengers are requested to contact the airline concerned for updated flight information. Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted," Delhi Airport said in an advisory posted on X.

According to the India meteorological department, Delhi recorded 10 degrees Celsius at 5.30 am on Sunday.

At this time yesterday, the city's temperature was 10.2 degrees Celsius.

Several trains are running late at New Delhi railway station due to fog.

Meanwhile, the air quality in the national capital continued in the 'very poor' category.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI was recorded at 377 in Delhi today at 6 am. -- PTI

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09:03 4 Maoists, cop killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh

Four Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, a senior police official said on Sunday.

A head constable of the District Reserve Guard was also killed in the face-off, he said.

The gunfight broke out on Saturday evening at a forest in south Abujhmaad along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation, the official said.

After the exchange of fire stopped late Saturday night, bodies of four Maoists and automatic weapons, including AK-47 rifle and self loading rifle, were recovered from the spot, he said.

DRG head constable Sannu Karam was also killed in the gunfight, the official said. -- PTI

A 15-year-old girl died after a tree branch fell on her on Saturday, the police said.

The girl has been identified as Tejaswini, they added.

The incident occurred within the VV Puram police station limits when the girl was returning home after attending school.

On her way, a tree branch fell on her, and she died, a senior police officer said.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway, the police said. -- PTI

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08:43 4 people killed, 32 injured in blast in southwestern Pakistan

Four people were killed and 32 injured when the banned separatist Balochistan Liberation Army outfit bombed a passenger bus in the restive Balochistan province of Pakistan on Saturday.

The blast in the New Bahman area of Turbat city took place when an improvised explosive device detonated near the bus from Karachi to Turbat.

A senior police official said 4 bodies and 32 injured have been moved to the nearest hospital.

Exact details of the blast are being investigated but a police official said high-ranking police officer SSP Zohaib Mohsin was in the bus along with his family and could have been the target, he said.

The senior police official and his family were part of a wedding party on the bus.

Sarfraz Bugti, the chief minister for Balochistan province, condemned the attack.

Those who target innocent people do not deserve to be called human beings, he said.

A separatist group called the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the blast but gave higher casualty figures.

It also said the IED targeted a military convoy. -- PTI

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08:29 ISKCON employee flees with temple money, receipt book in UP

An ISKCON temple employee tasked with collecting money donated by devotees has fled with lakhs of rupees along with a receipt book, officials said on Saturday.

"An FIR was filed by the temple's chief finance officer Vishwa Nam Das late on Friday night," superintendent of police (city) Arvind Kumar said.

He said Das had given an application to SSP Shailesh Kumar Pandey on December 27, informing about the alleged theft.

A primary investigation was conducted after which the FIR was lodged.

Temple PRO Ravi Lochan Das said Murlidhar Das' job was to collect the donated money and deposit it with the temple authorities time to time.

"After scrutiny, it will be known exactly how much money he has deposited in the temple," he said.

According to the FIR, Murlidhar Das, son of Nimai Chand Yadav, is a resident of Sriram Colony, Rauganj Vasa in MP's Indore.

The police said that along with the money, he also fled with a receipt book containing 32 sheets.

The PRO said earlier too a person named Saurav had fled with donation money as well as a receipt book.

He died before they could be recovered. -- PTI

Congress supporters under the banner of Pithampur Bachao Samiti, protest against the decision to dispose of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide factory at the treatment storage disposal facility in Pithampur, Bhopal/ANI Photo

08:26 Petition filed in NGT for carbide waste's safe disposal

A petition has been filed in the National Green Tribunal's Bhopal bench seeking an assurance from the Madhya Pradesh government that the disposal of Union Carbide waste won't harm people in nearby areas.

The petition has urged the green court to direct the state's chief secretary to declare on oath about the safety of people in Pithampur in Dhar district where the carbide waste has been transported for disposal.

The petition, filed by a Jabalpur-based social organisation, also seeks direction to the authorities in Dhar to submit on oath that the residents in the area won't be harmed due to the disposal of the carbide waste.

On Thursday, 337 tonnes of Union Carbide waste reached Pithampur from Bhopal for disposal following the MP high court order.

Furthermore, the petition seeks direction to MP government to publish in Hindi and English newspapers a particular report regarding the disposal of this waste to allay public concerns, said PG Najpandey of Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch and activist Sunil Bhargav.

The social organisation filed the petition in the NGT on Friday, Najpandey said. -- PTI

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