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Leech therapy revived: Uttarakhand's Ayurvedic doctors use ancient cure for pain, circulation issues

DEHRADUN: The creature once notorious for clinging to human skin and sucking blood in the Himalayan foothillsleech, scientifically known as 'Hirudo medicinalis'is now being harnessed as a powerful tool for public health improvement. The traditional practice of Leech Therapy, or 'Hirudotherapy', has gained momentum at the Ayurvedic Hospital in Chamadakhan, Ranikhet, promising relief for various ailments. This 5,000-year-old ancient methodology, endorsed by Ayurvedic practitioners, is touted as entirely natural and safe. It is proving particularly effective in treating conditions such as dermatological issues, poor blood circulation, gangrene, eczema, and hair problems. The core principle involves drawing out contaminated blood from the body, which subsequently reduces inflammation and pain. Dr Mohammad Shahid, the District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer of Almora, spoke exclusively to The New Indian Express about the therapys mechanism. Leech therapy is also known as Hirudotherapy, Dr Shahid explained. The leech used in this process is considered a hematophagous organism. The biologically active compounds present in the leech's saliva and secretions are useful in treating various diseases. Dr Shahid emphasised the crucial distinction between different leeches. There are two types of leeches: poisonous and non-poisonous. Only non-poisonous leeches, found in pure water sources, are used in this therapy. Locally, they are known as 'Kapila' or 'Sawari'. The leeches, which typically survive for five to six months, cannot be sourced locally for hospital use. The leeches kept here for treatment in Uttarakhand's Ayurvedic hospitals are procured from Aligarh, Meerut, and Delhi, where specialised breeding farms exist, Dr Shahid noted, adding that one leech costs approximately 150 to 200 rupees. The procedure itself is swift and carefully managed. After obtaining the patients consent and conducting necessary tests, the leech is applied to the skin of patients suffering from skin diseases, hair problems, psoriasis, gangrene, or eczema, Dr Shahid elaborated. In about 15 to 20 minutes, it either drops off on its own after sucking the contaminated blood, or it is removed from the patients skin using turmeric powder. This method, known in traditional terms as 'Raktamokshana Chikitsa' (bloodletting therapy), is believed to do more than just purify the blood. Physicians state that by removing toxins, the therapy also strengthens the patient's immune system, leading to renewed energy and comfort. Dr Jitendra Kumar Papnoi, Medical Officer at Chamadakhan, Ranikhet, affirmed the renewed focus on this ancient treatment. Leech therapy is a natural, traditional, and effective medical system. Patients are finding relief from various ailments, and this treatment is also safe, he stated.

The New Indian Express 18 Oct 2025 9:32 pm

Hathras youths released after fake encounter probe; two police officers suspended

HATHRAS: Two youths arrested after an alleged fake encounter in Hathras, in connection with a robbery attempt earlier here, have been released from jail following shortcomings found during an inquiry, officials said on Saturday. Two officers, including an SHO, have been suspended for negligence in the case, police said, and a magisterial inquiry is being conducted by Sadar SDM Rajbahadur Singh and Circle Officer (City) Yogendra Krishna Narayan. Earlier, a robbery attempt was reported at a trader's house in the Mursan police station area on October 9, according to officials. Following the complaint, police claimed to have arrested two men after a rief encounter, during which one of them was shot in the leg. The two accused were identified as Omveer alias Sonu and Deva alias Suryadev Singh, both residents of Barakala village in Aligarh's Iglas area, police said. However, families of both the accused alleged that the encounter was staged and demanded a fair investigation and strict action against those responsible. The families later met the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police (SP) to press for their demand. Acting on preliminary findings, SP Chiranjeev Nath Sinha suspended the then SHO, Mamta Singh, and Anti-Theft Team in-charge Inspector Mukesh Kumar, handing over the investigation to the SDM and Circle Officer (CO), officials said. Police had earlier claimed that two country-made pistols, three cartridges, and a motorcycle were recovered from the arrested individuals. However, after a detailed probe, investigators found no substantial evidence against the two, police said. The final report in the case was submitted to the court, leading to their release from jail on Friday. The youths were released based on the shortcomings found during the inquiry, the CO City said. The SP confirmed that o concrete evidence was found against the youths in the cases filed by both the trader and the police, and on that basis, a final report was filed, and the accused were released.

The New Indian Express 18 Oct 2025 12:38 pm

YEIDA reclaims s 1.2k crore land in Aligarh crackdown

The Times of India 16 Oct 2025 12:36 am

Karwa Chauth shock: 12 brides drug families, flee with INR 30 lakh

In a shocking incident, twelve newlywed brides in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, disappeared overnight after celebrating Karwa Chauth. The brides allegedly drugged their families before fleeing with jewelry and cash worth over INR 30 lakh. Police suspect an organized marriage scam involving brokers who brought women from Bihar and Jharkhand.

The Times of India 13 Oct 2025 1:34 pm

Hindu Mahasabha leader Puja Shakun Pandey arrested for murder of Aligarh businessman

LUCKNOW: Puja Shakun Pandey, an office-bearer of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) and the main accused in the murder of a businessman in Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh on September 26, was arrested from Bharatpur in Rajasthan on Saturday. Abhishek Gupta, a 25-year-old two-wheeler showroom owner, was gunned down by two assailants in Aligarhs Roravar area while he was boarding a bus to Hathras. Puja Shakun Pandey and her husband, ABHM spokesperson Ashok Pandey, allegedly hired the two shooters Mohd Fazal and Asif to kill Gupta. A case against Puja and her husband was registered the same night at the Roravar police station. According to Aligarh Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, Puja was arrested from Bharatpur late Friday night. Abhisheks family claimed she had been sexually harassing him over a period of time and allegedly planned his murder after he broke all ties with her, said the SSP. However, police sources also indicated that a business deal gone sour between Puja and Abhishek might have led to the murder. Ashok Pandey and the two shooters are already in jail, according to police sources. Aligarh Superintendent of Police (City) Mrigank Shekhar Pathak said last week that Mohd Fazal had been arrested in connection with the case, and the main shooter, Asif, was apprehended on October 3 near the Delhi-Kanpur highway at Shah Kutubpur. Pathak added that Asif carried a reward of Rs 25,000 and was wanted in other criminal cases as well. Puja Shakun Pandey, also known as Annapurna Maa, who holds the religious title of Mahamandleshwar, had been absconding since the night of the murder and carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on her arrest. Puja had previously made headlines for publicly praising Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. Following her capture, she was brought to Aligarh for interrogation. Police sources revealed that both shooters had known Puja and her husband for 78 years and had undertaken welding work at their house about a month ago. During this time, the couple allegedly offered them money to eliminate Abhishek Gupta. Initially, the shooters demanded Rs 5 lakh, but the deal was finalized at Rs 3 lakh, of which Rs 1 lakh was already paid, SP Pathak said. The Pandeys had also provided the killers with Guptas photo prior to the murder. Call records cited by police show that Ashok Pandey contacted Fazal 27 times between August and September and spoke to his absconding wife 11 times during the same period. Abhishek Gupta was with his father when two bike-borne assailants shot him in Roravar. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries later that night. Guptas father named Puja Shakun Pandey and Ashok Pandey in his complaint, stating that relations between the couple and his son had been strained.

The New Indian Express 11 Oct 2025 6:52 pm

World University Rank 2026: IISc Bangalore rated best in country

NEW DELHI: Next to the United States, India has the highest number of educational institutions figuring in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. A total of 128 institutes from India have made it to the rankings, with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore rated the best in the country and categorised in the 201-250 rank band. For the tenth consecutive year, the University of Oxford was rated the best in the world, the rankings state. A total of 2,191 institutions across 115 countries were assessed for this 22nd edition of these rankings. In a statement, THE said, India now has the second highest number of ranked universities, behind only the US. The US has 171 institutions, making it the No. 1 country in the rankings, while Japan stands third with 115 institutions figuring here. The Indian institution which figures next to IISc Bangalore is Chennais Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, which was classified in the 351-400 band. Two universities are in the 401-500 band Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia University and Himachal Pradeshs Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences. The institutes falling in the 501-600 rank band are Banaras Hindu University, IIT Indore, Bhubaneswars KIIT University, Lovely Professional University, Kottayams Mahatma Gandhi University, and Dehraduns UPES. The rankings also listed these universities in the 601-800 rank band IIT Patna, IIIT Hyderabad, Amity University, Noida, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Central University of Punjab, Aligarh Muslim University, Graphic Era University in Dehradun, Chitkara University in Chandigarh, NIT Rourkela, Punjab University, University of Delhi and VIT University. The universities that have made it to the top ten ranks globally are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States (2); Princeton University, US, and University of Cambridge, UK (jointly ranked 3); Harvard University and Stanford University (5th rank jointly); California Institute of Technology, US (7); Imperial College London, UK (8); University of California, US (9); and Yale University, US (10). When compared among Asian countries alone for the top slots, China leads the rankings.

The New Indian Express 10 Oct 2025 9:02 am

Threads, Tastes and Memories: Bangladesh Envoys India Story

From Jamdani weaves to hilsa feasts, from student days in Aligarh to roadside golgappasBangladesh High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah shares his journey woven with culture, history, and heartfelt nostalgia The post Threads, Tastes and Memories: Bangladesh Envoys India Story appeared first on India Legal .

indialegallive 4 Oct 2025 12:32 pm

Religious Leader Pooja Pandey On The Run After Aligarh Businessman Murder; Cops Launch Hunt

Businessman Abhishek Gupta was shot dead over a monetary dispute on the night of September 23

News18 2 Oct 2025 11:41 pm

Assam: Govt okays widening of section of NH-715 to 4 lanes; to cost Rs 6.9K cr

The Cabinet approved a Rs 6,957 crore project to widen and improve the 86-km Kalibor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam, including 34.5 km of elevated sections through Kaziranga National Park. This initiative aims to eliminate human-animal conflict by abandoning the existing highway, allowing unhindered animal movement and boosting tourism while ensuring wildlife safety.

The Times of India 2 Oct 2025 3:27 am

Cabinets Nod for 57 New KVs, Flyover in Kaziranga

Another significant project approved is the widening of Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-715 in Assam at a total capital cost of Rs 6,957 crore

Deccan Chronicle 2 Oct 2025 12:48 am

SC seeks Delhi Police's response on bail plea of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in 2020 Delhi riots case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Delhi Police and sought its response, after hearing the bail plea of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima and Shifa Ur Rehman and others in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. A two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria -- while issuing the notice to Delhi police -- posted the matter for further hearing to October 7. During the brief hearing on Monday, Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for many accused persons, including Imam, said they are students and had been in jail for over five years. After hearing the submissions, the apex court said, 'We will hear the issue' and decided to hear the case on October 7, when the replies of the Delhi police will be filed in the SC. On September 6,the former JNU student, Imam, moved the SC afterthe Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea. He sought bail in the larger conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in relation to the 2020 North East Delhi riots case. Similarly, the former JNU studentUmar Khalid on September 10 had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's order rejecting his bail under theUnlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case related to the alleged criminal conspiracy in the February 2020 riots in the national capital. Delhi HC denies bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and 7 others after five years in jail without trial According to the prosecution, Delhi Police had bookedImamunder the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). On January 28, 2020,he was arrested by the Delhi Polices Crime Branchfrom Bihars Jehanabad in a sedition case for allegedly making inflammatory speeches at the Jamia Millia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University. The riots took place in February 2020, following clashes over the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As per the Delhi Police, the riots caused the death of 53 persons and injured hundreds. The prosecution alleged that the accused,Imam, had hatched a larger criminal conspiracy to cause multiple riots. The FIR in this case was registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the UAPA. Imamwas booked in multiple FIRs across several states, mostly under sedition and UAPA charges.Besides Delhi,Imamis facing FIRs in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Imamwas granted bail by the Delhi HC last year for the alleged speeches he gave at Jamia Milia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University. In the sedition cases registered in Aligarh and Guwahati, he was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in 2021 and the Gauhati HC in 2020, respectively. He was also booked in FIRs (First Information Report) in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Sharjeel Imam moves Supreme Court against bail denial in 2020 Delhi riots case The Delhi HC had on September 2 rejected the bail plea of nine persons, including Khalid andImam, in the case, saying conspiratorial violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens couldn't be allowed. The HC also rejected the bail plea of Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima and Shadab Ahmed. The social activist and former JNU student Khalidhas been in jail since his arrest by the Delhi Police on September 14, 2020, for his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots case. He was booked under the very stringent UAPA charge for his alleged larger conspiracy behind the Delhi Riots case. He denied the charges and claimed innocence in the case. Khalidhad earlier approached the top court challenging an October 2022 Delhi High Court verdict that had denied bail to him. Since then, he has been in jail and never been on bail, despite his best efforts and filing constant appeals across courts, pleading to be released on bail. He had initially, in the Delhi High Court, sought bail on grounds that he neither had any criminal role in the violence in the city's North-East area nor any conspiratorial connect with any other accused in the case. The Delhi police had opposed the bail plea ofKhalidin the HC. The police also arrestedImam, activist KhalidSaifi, JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, Jamia Coordination Committee members Safoora Zargar, former AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) Councillor, Tahir Hussain and several others under the stringent law in the case. According to the prosecution, the violence had erupted following protests against the CAA and NRC. The protests had left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. Khalidwas charge-sheeted in the case, along with other accused persons.

The New Indian Express 22 Sep 2025 3:48 pm

UP imam attacked after refusing to chant Jai Shri Ram; police deny communal angle

A local imam from Bulakghari village in the Lodha block of Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, was brutally assaulted on Saturday, September 20, with the attackers allegedly forcing him to chant Jai Shri Ram. According to local reports, Imam Mustakeem was targeted for having a beard and wearing a skull cap when he was on his Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 21 Sep 2025 9:10 pm

Farmer dumps rotten apple boxes on roads

SRINAGAR: A distraught fruit grower in Kashmir discarded over 2,000 boxes of apples from two truckloads after they rotted while stranded on Srinagar-Jammu highway due to prolonged closure. On September 4, Javed Ahmed dispatched two truckloads carrying 2,035 boxes of apples from Pulwama to Aligarh and Sahibabad in UP. Due to closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway after damage caused to the road by heavy rainshundreds of other fruit trucks were stranded on different parts of the highway. He decided to visit the point where his trucks were stranded and when he finally managed to reach the spot, his fears were confirmed. The apples had completely rotted, it is for the first time that the highway has remained shut for over a fortnight he said. Prices of fruits have already crashed, and every passing day is a blow to our livelihood, he added.

The New Indian Express 17 Sep 2025 7:28 am

Numaligarh Refinery Limited banks on two local bamboo species to manufacture ethanol

GUWAHATI: The Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam is focussing on two bamboo varieties that are rich in cellulose content to operate the countrys first bamboo-based bioethanol plant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Rs 5,000 crore plant in Assams Golaghat district. We are focussing on the endemic bamboo species, mainly Balco (Bambusa balcooa) and Tulda (Bambusa tulda). We are looking at higher cellulose content. We have found that among the local bamboo species, Balco and Tulda have maximum cellulose content when they are around three-and-a-half years old, NRL Managing Director Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan told the media after the PSUs 32nd annual general meeting (AGM) in Guwahati. About 60 lakh saplings have already been distributed among a large number of farmers. The NRL will buy the bamboo from them in high volumes, at Rs 65-70 per pole. We are confident that the farmers will have a good economy out of that. The open market price of a bamboo sapling is Rs 27. We have given those for free to the farmers. They can directly supply the bamboos to our plant or to local-level entrepreneurs who will be responsible for chipping, Phukan said. The NRL, in collaboration with the Assam government, is generating a lot of saplings through tissue culture. NRL Chairman Ranjit Rath said bamboos or bamboo chips would be sourced largely from farmers living within a 250-300 sq km radius of NRL and partly from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.We have a digital payment solution to protect the interests of the farmers and local-level employment. So, a lot of activities have already been done in this regard. The envisaged contribution back to the local economy will be around Rs 200 crore, Rath, also the Chairman & Managing Director of Oil India Limited, said. He added that there are certain bamboo species that grow one metre per day. Meanwhile, in his address at the AGM, Rath highlighted the NRLs robust performance during the 202425 financial year.The NRLs net worth reached the unprecedented height of Rs 16,260 crore as on 31st March 2025 a 25% increase over the previous year. Revenue from operations grew to Rs 25,147 crore from Rs 23,731 crore, reflecting healthy growth of 6% despite margin pressures, the NRL said in a statement.

The New Indian Express 16 Sep 2025 9:46 pm

PM Modi inaugurates Indias first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Assam

Golaghat facility billed as worlds first green bamboo bioethanol plant; 7,230-crore polypropylene project also initiated at Numaligarh Refinery

The Hindu 14 Sep 2025 6:47 pm

India Taking Steps To Reduce Crude Oil, Gas Imports; Focus On Exploration, Green Energy: Modi

Ethanol is a major alternative source of energy, and the newly inaugurated bioethanol refinery at Numaligarh will significantly benefit farmers and tribals, Modi said.

Bloomberg Quint 14 Sep 2025 4:53 pm

PM Launches Projects Worth Rs 12,230 Crore In Assam's Numaligarh

He also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 7,230-crore Petro Fluidised Catalytic Cracker Unit at the Numaligarh Refinery.

Bloomberg Quint 14 Sep 2025 4:05 pm

PM Modi inaugurates Rs 5,000 crore bamboo-based ethanol plant in Assam's Numaligarh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Rs 5,000-crore bamboo-based ethanol plant in Assam, a zero-waste facility expected to significantly boost the rural economy. The plant will source bamboo from northeastern states, benefiting over 50,000 people. Earlier, Modi laid foundation stones for health and infrastructure projects worth Rs 6,300 crore.

The Economic Times 14 Sep 2025 2:53 pm

PM Modi Inaugurates Rs 5,000 Crore Bamboo-Based Ethanol Plant In Assams Numaligarh

It will source 5 lakh tonnes of green bamboo from four northeastern states, benefitting over 50,000 people directly and indirectly, they said.

Bloomberg Quint 14 Sep 2025 2:42 pm

PM Modi lays foundation stones for health, infra projects worth Rs 6,300 crore in Assam's Darrang

MANGALDOI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stones for health and infrastructure projects worth Rs 6,300 crore at Mangaldoi in Assam's Darrang district. He launched the construction of Darrang Medical College and Hospital, along with a nursing college and a GNM school. The combined investment in these healthcare projects is worth Rs 570 crore, officials said. The PM also laid the foundation stones for the 2.9 km-long Narengi-Kuruwa bridge with an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore and the 118.5 km-long Guwahati Ring Road project, connecting Kamrup and Darrang districts in Assam and Ri Bhoi in Meghalaya. The cost for the Ring Road project was estimated at Rs 4,530 crore. The PM will, later in the day, inaugurate the newly constructed over Rs 5000-crore bamboo-based ethanol plant and the Rs 7,230-crore Petro Fluidised Catalytic Cracker Unit at the Numaligarh Refinery in Golaghat district. Modi had arrived in Assam on Saturday evening and attended Bharat Ratna awardee Bhupen Hazarika's birth centenary celebrations.

The New Indian Express 14 Sep 2025 12:18 pm

PM Modi to inaugurate 'PM Neem Corridor': 2.6-km stretch in Assam's Golaghat - Know all about it

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Assam, a 2.6-km 'PM Neem Corridor' has been created in Numaligarh, Golaghat district, featuring Neem saplings. During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate a bamboo-based ethanol plant and lay the foundation stone for a Petro Fluidised Catalytic Cracker Unit.

The Times of India 13 Sep 2025 7:54 pm

2020 Delhi riots case: SC to hear bail plea of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and others on September 12

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday the bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and two other accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. A two-judge bench of the top court, headed by Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria, will take up the matter. On September 6,the former JNU student, SharjeelImam, moved the SC, afterthe Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea. He sought bail in the larger conspiracy case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in relation to the 2020 North East Delhi riots case. Similarly, the former JNU studentUmar Khalid on September 10, Wednesday, approached the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court's order rejecting his bail under theUnlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case related to the alleged criminal conspiracy in the February 2020 riots in the national capital. According to the prosecution, Delhi Police had bookedImamunder the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). On January 28, 2020,he was arrested by the Delhi Polices Crime Branchfrom Bihars Jehanabad in a sedition case for allegedly making inflammatory speeches in the Jamia Millia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University. The riots took place in February 2020, following clashes over the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As per the Delhi Police, the riots caused the death of 53 persons and injured hundreds. The prosecution alleged that the accused,Imam, had hatched a larger criminal conspiracy to cause multiple riots. The FIR in the case was registered by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the UAPA. Imamwas booked in multiple FIRs across several states, mostly under sedition and UAPA charges. Imamis also facing FIRs in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Imamwas granted bail by the Delhi HC last year for the alleged speeches he gave at Jamia Milia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University. In the sedition cases registered in Aligarh and Guwahati, he was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in 2021 and the Gauhati High Court in 2020, respectively. He was also booked in FIRs (First Information Report) in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The Delhi HC had on September 2 rejected the bail plea of nine persons, including Khalid and Imam, in the case, saying conspiratorial violence under the garb of demonstrations or protests by citizens couldn't be allowed. The HC, which had rejected other accused's bail plea, included Mohd Saleem Khan, Shifa Ur Rehman, Athar Khan, Meeran Haider, Abdul Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima and Shadab Ahmed. The social activist and former JNU student Khalidhas been in jail since his arrest by the Delhi Police on September 14, 2020, for his alleged involvement in the Delhi riots case. He was booked under the very stringent UAPA charge, for his alleged larger conspiracy behind the Delhi Riots case. He denied the charges and claimed innocence in the case. Khalidhad earlier approached the top court challenging an October 2022 Delhi High Court verdict that had denied bail to him. Since then, he has been in jail and never been on bail, despite his best efforts and filing constant appeals across courts, pleading to be released on bail. He had initially, in the Delhi High Court, sought bail on grounds that he neither had any criminal role in the violence in the city's North-East area nor any conspiratorial connect with any other accused in the case. However, the Delhi police had opposed the bail plea ofKhalidin the HC. The police had also arrested Imam, activist KhalidSaifi, JNU students Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, Jamia Coordination Committee members Safoora Zargar, former AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) Councillor, Tahir Hussain and several others under the stringent law in the case. According to the prosecution, the violence had erupted following protests against the CAA and NRC. Khalidwas charge-sheeted in the case, along with other accused persons.

The New Indian Express 11 Sep 2025 9:59 pm

UP Dalit woman accuses 5, including ex-Army solider of harassment

A Dalit woman hailing from the Valmiki community in Aligarhs Kotwali area of Uttar Pradesh has accused five individuals, including a retired Army soldier, of assault, molestation and death threats. In her complaint, she stated that her family is constantly pressured to leave the village. According to the Dalit woman, her mother-in-law had purchased a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 9 Sep 2025 8:35 pm

AMUs Afrin Jabee Conquers English Channel

ALIGARH: Afrin Jabee, a B.P.Ed. student at Aligarh Muslim University, became the first AMU student to swim across the English Channel, completing the 34-km Dover-to-France solo swim in 13 hours 13 minutes on July 29, 2025. Vice Chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon felicitated Afrin, calling her a sports icon of AMU and praised her achievement, expressing [] The post AMUs Afrin Jabee Conquers English Channel first appeared on .

Islamic Voice 4 Sep 2025 6:38 pm

On Camera, UP Woman Jumps Off Roof. Her Husband Had Dared Her To

A woman has been hospitalised in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh after she jumped from the terrace of her two-storey home following an altercation with her husband

NDTV 4 Sep 2025 1:07 pm

UP School Principal Held For Sexual Misconduct With Minor Girl Student

The principal of a government junior high school in Aligarh district has been arrested following allegations of sexual misconduct made by a Class 7 student, police said on Tuesday.

NDTV 2 Sep 2025 11:19 pm

Tragic road accident in Aligarh: Pothole causes death of Class 8 girl; tractor runs over her

In a tragic incedent, a 13-year-old schoolgirl lost her life due to the poor condition of local roads.

Web Dunia 31 Aug 2025 6:17 pm

UP has allocated 12,500 acres of land for defence manufacturing nodes: CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh has allocated 12,500 acres for defence manufacturing within its defence industrial corridor, spanning six nodes including Aligarh and Kanpur, as stated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He highlighted the importance of strength alongside knowledge, referencing historical figures and events. The inauguration of Raphe mPhibr's defence equipment facility in Noida was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Economic Times 30 Aug 2025 5:39 pm

PM Modis Assam visit rescheduled to September 13-14

Narendra Modi's Assam visit is now scheduled for September 13-14. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the change. Modi will inaugurate a bio-refinery in Numaligarh. He will also lay foundation stones for infrastructure projects in Mangaldoi. These projects include the Guwahati ring road and a bridge over the Brahmaputra.

The Economic Times 27 Aug 2025 5:45 pm

Uttar Pradesh: Eight dead, 43 Injured As Truck Hits Tractor-Trolley Carrying Pilgrims In Bulandshahr

The accident took place around 2.10 am on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border near the Arnia bypass, when the canter truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind.

Bloomberg Quint 25 Aug 2025 9:50 am

8 dead, 43 injured as truck hits tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims in UP's Bulandshahr

In a tragic incident on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border in Uttar Pradesh, a truck collided with a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims, resulting in the death of eight people, including two children. The accident, which occurred early Monday morning, left 43 others injured, with several in critical condition.

The Economic Times 25 Aug 2025 7:48 am

UP: 8 Dead, 43 Injured as Truck Hits Tractor-Trolley

The accident took place around 2.10 am on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border near the Arnia bypass, when the canter truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind

Deccan Chronicle 25 Aug 2025 7:14 am

Eight dead, 43 injured as truck hits tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims in UP's Bulandshahr

BULANDSHAHR: Eight people were killed and 43 others injured when a truck rammed into a tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district in the early hours of Monday, police said. The accident took place around 2.10 am on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border near the Arnia bypass, when the canter truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind, causing it to overturn, Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Dinesh Kumar Singh said. The tractor-trolley was carrying 61 people who were travelling from the Rafatpur village in the Kasganj district to Jaharpeer in Rajasthan for a pilgrimage, Singh said. He said the victims were rushed to hospitals, including a private facility. Eight people died while 43 of them are undergoing treatment. Three of the injured are on ventilator support, Singh added.

The New Indian Express 25 Aug 2025 7:01 am

8 dead, 43 injured as truck hits tractor-trolley carrying pilgrims in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr

The accident took place around 2.10 a.m. on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border near the Arnia bypass, when the canter truck hit the tractor-trolley from behind, causing it to overturn, Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Dinesh Kumar Singh said

The Hindu 25 Aug 2025 7:01 am

Samajwadi Party didnt stand with Hindus in communal riots: Yogi Adityanath

Speaking at a public meeting in Aligarh to mark Kalyan Singhs death anniversary, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister used the Hindutva icons backward caste credentials to attack the PDA politics of the Opposition

The Hindu 22 Aug 2025 2:16 am

Hyderabad PhD scholar booked for pro-Palestine slogans during AMU fee hike protest

A PhD scholar at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad has been booked for allegedly raising pro-Palestinian slogans during an ongoing fee hike protest at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). An FIR has been registered against Talha Mannan and 8 to 10 unidentified students, after a complaint by Hindu Raksha Dal district president Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 20 Aug 2025 11:10 pm

Indian Railways To Introduce Airport-Style Baggage Regulations At Several Stations Check Details

The new rules could be introduced at NCR stations which include Prayagraj Junction, Chheoki, Subedarganj, Kanpur Central, Mirzapur, Aligarh Junction, Govindpuri, Lucknow Charbagh, Banaras and Etawah.

Bloomberg Quint 20 Aug 2025 9:13 pm

AMU fee hike protest ends, varsity says new understanding reached

Aligarh: The three-week-long student protest at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) ended early Monday when two student leaders, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike since August 14, broke their fast following a breakthrough on the fee hike issue. AMU proctor Mohamad Waseem Ali told PTI that the university had reached an understanding on a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 19 Aug 2025 8:56 pm

The AMU Fee Hike Agitation and a Misleading Narrative

The recent agitation against the exorbitant fee hike at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) reflects a deeper crisis in higher education policy that undermines the principle of affordable education in India, particularly for the underprivileged sections of society. However, this protest has also attracted criticisms regarding its nature and maneuverings. Some argue that it is fueled [] The post The AMU Fee Hike Agitation and a Misleading Narrative appeared first on BeyondHeadlines .

Beyond Headlines 18 Aug 2025 2:52 pm

SC judge K Vinod Chandran recuses himself from hearing plea related to AMU VC's appointment

Justice K Vinod Chandran recused himself from hearing a plea against Professor Naima Khatoon's appointment as Aligarh Muslim University VC. The Chief Justice acknowledged the recusal. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal questioned the selection process validity. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati defended the appointment. The Chief Justice noted the Vice-Chancellor ideally should not have voted.

The Economic Times 18 Aug 2025 1:08 pm

SC judge K Vinod Chandran recuses himself from hearing plea related to AMU VCs appointment

New Delhi, Aug 18: Supreme Court judge Justice K Vinod Chandrabn on Monday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the appointment of Professor Naima Khatoon as Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justices Chandran and NV Anjaria was hearing the appeal filed by Muzaffar Uruj Rabbani against an Allahabad High Court order upholding appointment of Khatoon, the first woman to hold the post in the institutions history. During the proceedings, [] The post SC judge K Vinod Chandran recuses himself from hearing plea related to AMU VCs appointment appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 18 Aug 2025 12:53 pm

Members from AMU proctorial team resign as fee hike protests escalate

Following the protestors call for the removal of the Aligarh Muslim Universitys Proctorial team, four members subsequently stepped down over reported mistreatment of protestors. The resigned professors are Prof Syed Ali Nawaz Zaidi, Prof Mohammed Asif, Dr Anwar Ahmad, and Dr Imran Ahmad Usmani. Among them were two deputy proctors and two assistant proctors. While Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 15 Aug 2025 8:37 pm

Protest for restoration of students union at AMU intensifies

Aligarh: The ongoing student protest at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) intensified on Thursday after a student leader started an indefinite hunger strike at the Babe Syed Gate. The protest at AMU entered its sixth day on Thursday, August 14, with students demanding the restoration of the students union and greater administrative transparency. Syed Hasan, a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 14 Aug 2025 10:37 pm

Fake paneer flooding Delhi-NCR markets: Police nab dairy scam mastermind; Know how this cottage cheese could wreck your health

Afsar Khan was apprehended in Noida for allegedly masterminding a large-scale operation that flooded Delhi-NCR with fake paneer. His Aligarh plant produced synthetic paneer using dangerous chemicals and sold it at low prices.

The Economic Times 13 Aug 2025 7:22 pm

Student protests continue at AMU for fifth day

Protesting AMU students burn effigy of Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor, Naima Khatoon

The Hindu 12 Aug 2025 2:54 pm

Asadudin Owaisi seeks rollback of fee hike at Aligarh Muslim University

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday, August 10 demanded that the fee hike at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) be rolled back. The Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP said that a 35-40 percent increase in fees is unbearable for students of the university. In a post on X, Owaisi said that he Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 11 Aug 2025 11:05 am

AMU students assaulted, dragged by cops during fee hike protest

The peaceful protest at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) over the fee hike issue turned violent when the police assaulted student protestors by dragging them and lathi charged them on Friday, August 8. The students have been demonstrating for six days by blocking the main entrance, Baab-e-Syed Gate, and have been demanding an immediate rollback Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 9 Aug 2025 6:10 pm

Rakshabandhan 2025: Before She Died, This Woman Did Something That Would Never Make Her Brother Miss Her On Rakhi

Three years ago, Anamta lost her right hand after being electrocuted in Aligarh. She later received Riyas hand after a Valsad family donated their late daughters organs

News18 9 Aug 2025 12:00 pm

Amit Shahs Aug 29 visit to kickstart BJPs political narrative for 2026 Assam polls: CM Sarma

GUWAHATI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will initiate a process of building a political narrative for the BJP for next year's Assam assembly elections when he visits the state on August 29, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi also scheduled to visit the state within 10 days of Shah's tour, the BJP's Assam unit is working to ensure the success of the two trips, he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will come on August 29 and inaugurate the newly constructed Raj Bhavan in Guwahati, Sarma told reporters after attending a preparatory meeting at the BJP's state headquarters here on Friday evening for the two high-profile visits. In the second engagement of the day, Shah will attend a convention of recently elected panchayat representatives of NDA, and later in the evening, he will be the chief guest at the birth centenary celebration of the state's first non-Congress CM, Golap Borbora, Sarma added. The chief minister maintained that Shah's visit is of significance as state elections are six to seven months away. The speech by Amit Shah ji to the panchayat representatives will be an important one ahead of the elections. The process of political narrative building will definitely start from that day, Sarma said. The BJP and its allies will seek to form the government for the third successive term in the state in next year's assembly polls. Sarma said PM Modi will commence his visit to the state on September 8 from Golaghat district, where he will dedicate to the nation the first bio-ethanol refinery in Numaligarh, set up at a cost of over Rs 4,000 crore. He will then travel to Mangaldai and lay the foundation stones for three projects - the Guwahati Ring Road, a bridge over the Brahmaputra river between Narengi and Kuruwa and the Mangaldai medical college and hospital. The prime minister will inaugurate the birth centenary celebration of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika at a programme in Guwahati later in the evening, Sarma added. Though all the programmes of the PM and Shah, except the panchayat representatives' meet, are government ones, the BJP is working to ensure the success of all the events, he said. All BJP MPs, MLAs, and district leaderships are meeting here to ensure that the visits are successful, Sarma said. State BJP president Dilip Saikia, in a post on X after the meeting, urged all party workers to ensure the success of the two visits. A preparatory meeting was held today at the State HQ ahead of the Panchayat Pratinidhi Sammelan to be graced by Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji on 29th August, he said. The chief minister reviewed arrangements for the convention and the upcoming visit of the prime minister, he said. We urged MPs, MLAs, and organising committees to work actively for the programme's grand success, Saikia added.

The New Indian Express 9 Aug 2025 11:25 am

AMU hikes fee by 36 pc, Students protest outside campus gate

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has arbitrarily increased the fees for undergraduate, postgraduate, and other academic programmes by 36 percent. In protest, students held a demonstration on Tuesday, August 5, by blocking the Baab-e-Syed gate, the main entrance to the campus. We are demanding our rights, not begging from anyone. Have some shame, administration! angry Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

The Siasat Daily 6 Aug 2025 5:53 pm

Satya Pal Malik: A chequered career of conviction, contradiction & controversy

NEW DELHI: Satya Pal Malik, a seasoned politician who traversed Indias political spectrum from the Lok Dal to Congress to the BJP, and later emerged as a fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed away on Tuesday at 1.12 PM at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. He was 79. He had been undergoing treatment for kidney and age-related ailments. Once a trusted aide of PM Modiholding gubernatorial posts in Bihar, J&K, Goa, Odisha, and MeghalayaMaliks final years were defined by his outspoken dissent. He criticised the government over the handling of the 2019 Pulwama attack, the farmers protest, and alleged corruption during his tenure as J&K Governor. Later, the CBI chargesheeted him in a bribery case linked to Rs 2,200 crore Kiru hydropower project in Kashmir. Maliks journey was as eventful as it was ideologically fluid. Born in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, into a Jat family, his political roots were in socialist movements. He began as a student leader and was elected MLA in 1974 on the Bharatiya Kranti Dal ticket led by Chaudhary Charan Singh. In 1980, he entered the Rajya Sabha as a Lok Dal member. By 1984, he had joined the Congress, which re-nominated him to the Rajya Sabha in 1986. He later aligned with Janata Dal and served as Lok Sabha MP from Aligarh. Despite his many political shifts, Malik remained a forceful voice on agrarian and regional issues, often taking on the powers that be. His political rise peaked when the Modi government appointed him as Bihar governor in 2017, later entrusting him with the politically sensitive state of Jammu & Kashmir in August 2018. His tenure in J&K was both historic and controversial. Malik was governor during the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Coincidentally, he died on the sixth anniversary of that move. He was also in office during the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. Later, Malik accused the Centre of suppressing facts about lapses leading to the attack, including the denial of aircraft for troop movement. He claimed he was told to stay silent. Maliks long career was marked by conviction, contradiction, and controversy.

The New Indian Express 6 Aug 2025 7:42 am

Former J&K Governor Satyapal Malik dies at 79 after prolonged illness

Satyapal Malik, the last governor of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, died on Tuesday at the age of 79, officials said. Malik passed away at around 1:10 pm at Delhis Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital following a prolonged illness, officials confirmed. Malik served as the 10th and final Governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 2018 to October 2019. It was during his tenure that the Union government revoked Article 370, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and splitting it into two union territories. Maliks political career spanned more than five decades across multiple parties and states. He was first elected as a legislator from Baghpat with the Bharatiya Kranti Dal, founded by former Prime Minister Charan Singh. He later served as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh between 1980 and 1989, and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Aligarh in 1989 on a Janata Dal ticket. Malik was appointed as the national vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2012 and reappointed in 2014. Malik held several gubernatorial posts in the final phase of his public life. He was appointed Governor of Bihar in 2017, briefly held additional charge of Odisha in 2018, and served as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, and finally Meghalaya, before demitting office in October 2022.

The New Indian Express 5 Aug 2025 2:09 pm

NRL inks pact with BSNL to deploy Indias first 5G captive non-public network

GUWAHATI, Aug 4: Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) has signed an agreement with state-owned BSNL to deploy Indias first 5G captive non-public network (CNPN) in its area. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said it was a proud moment for Assam. @BSNLCorporate & @NRL_MoPNG have signed an MoU to set up Indias 1st 5G Captive Non-Public Network in the refinery sector. A big leap for #DigitalAssam & #AtmanirbharBharat- ushering IoT, AR/VR, Big Data into our industrial future, he said in a post [] The post NRL inks pact with BSNL to deploy Indias first 5G captive non-public network appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 4 Aug 2025 12:09 pm

BSNL Inks Pact With Numaligarh Refinery for 5G Pvt. Network in Refinery Sector

BSNL has just started offering 4G services, but holds spectrum that can be used for 5G services

Deccan Chronicle 3 Aug 2025 7:25 pm

Aligarh Children's Cutest Application Reaches Saharanpur MP Imran Masood

Children in Aligarh wrote a heartfelt letter to Congress MP Imran Masood, urging him to clean their only playground, which had become unsafe due to garbage, weeds, and snakes.

NDTV 23 Jul 2025 8:11 pm

Security at AMU intensified following Union Education Ministry circular

ALIGARH(UP): (Jul 23) Security arrangements at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have been intensified after receiving a Union Education Ministry warning of a possible terrorist threat, a senior official said on Wednesday. We have stepped up checking procedures at entry points, AMU Proctor Mohammad Waseem Ali told PTI. He added that all possible security measures within the limitations of the available resources would be implemented shortly. The post Security at AMU intensified following Union Education Ministry circular appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 23 Jul 2025 12:22 pm

Cutest application: Congress MP Imran Masood receives letter from children to clean local playground; goes viral

Imran Masood, a Member of Parliament from Saharanpur, has received a heartfelt plea from children in Masoodabad Colony, Aligarh. The children's letter requests him to clean up a local playground, which they say is the only place they have to play. They express concerns about wild plants, garbage, overgrown bushes, and even snakes making the area unsafe.

The Times of India 23 Jul 2025 10:47 am

Too young to work, too poor to stop: Children of brick kiln migrants struggle for basic rights

ALIGARH: In the scorching May heat, 12-year-old Rajni cradles her infant sister while stirring watery dal simmering in a soot-blackened aluminium pot outside her hut in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh district. Just as the thin lentils begin to look ready, she pours more water into the pot in a bid to stretch the modest meal, which otherwise wouldn't be enough to feed her family of eight. When asked how it tastes, Rajni responds in a defensive tone: This is not bad. It's better than no food. Fruits, she adds, are a rare treat -- usually available only when a local farmer tosses away overripe leftovers. This year, I ate a lot of mangoes, she said with a grin, referring to tapkas, the ripe mangoes that fall from trees that she and her friends were allowed to collect. Rajni's family is one among thousands of seasonal migrants who travel each year to work in the sprawling brick kilns of western Uttar Pradesh. But while the kilns promise income, the real cost is borne by children like Rajni, who grow up without education, adequate food, or healthcare and are caught in a cycle of generational poverty and invisible labour. In 2021, data submitted by the government to Parliament suggested that there are 1.74 crore workers in registered brick kilns, while independent research has shown that 20 per cent of this workforce consists of child labourers. Therefore, it can be reasonably presumed that approximately 35 lakh children are working in brick kilns, with the number likely higher in illegal kilns, said Bhuwan Ribhu, a child rights activist who founded Just Rights for Children. Most of the families' movement, dictated by the kiln season, spans eight to nine months a year. With no permanent address and no local documentation, the children are often excluded from even the most basic rights. Ten-year-old Neeraj, for instance, spends his days hauling lumps of dried mud in a wooden pan. I can't go to school because my father says we have come here as one unit and all need to work. If I get a chance to go to school, I would study hard and become an officer, he said. Children who work with their families at a brick kiln, in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. His mother adds, Each one of us, including the children, has a role in this industry. Children are typically assigned so-called lighter tasks, such as fetching water, helping to mould bricks, or carrying half-baked clay, but the physical toll is visible in their frail, malnourished bodies. For every rupee a worker earns, nearly 25 paise goes to the agent and brick kiln owners are in direct touch with the agents, so we get just 75 per cent of the earnings, which comes to around Rs 400 per day for a family, explained Suresh, a brick kiln worker. Elaborating further, Ramesh Shrivastav, general secretary of the Mazdoor Adhikar Manch, said the system is designed to exploit the vulnerability of the migrant workers and their children and keep them indebted. For kiln owners, local labourers are a risk because they can protest against exploitation as they have their community here. This, however, is not the case with migrant workers, so kiln owners only hire them as they are vulnerable and less likely to resist exploitation. Moreover, as migrant workers' children don't attend school like the locals, the kiln owners get extra hands, he said. Among the 20-odd children PTI spoke to across kiln sites in Aligarh and Bulandshahr, none were currently enrolled in school. Only two had ever attended school, and that too briefly, as their parents began migrating seasonally. My sister and I studied till class 5 when our parents used to find work in our village. That was back in 2018, said Naresh, a 14-year-old boy. Despite the Right to Education Act mandating free and compulsory education for all children aged 6 to 14, migrant children remain excluded. The government has tried to bridge this gap through the Poshan Tracker, linking anganwadis to migrant families, but the implementation is patchy. A 3-year-old child at a brick kiln, in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. While most parents were unaware of the scheme, the prospect of sending their children away from the worksite was a deal-breaker. Who will fetch water or help us mould bricks if they go to school? We came here to earn, not to study. That will come later, maybe for their children, said Munni Devi, a mother of five. Meanwhile, local anganwadi workers say they often hesitate to enrol children without documents like Aadhar. While Aadhaar now allows for easier enrolment, many children still don't come because of the distance. Most anganwadis are located within villages, while many families live on the outskirts. There's also fear that showing up at an anganwadi might draw attention to the fact that the children aren't attending school, said an anganwadi worker in Bulandshahr, speaking on condition of anonymity. When PTI reached out to the brick kiln owners, they denied employing children, saying the kids only accompany their families. It is up to the parents to decide whether they want to send their children to school or keep them here. How can we interfere? a kiln owner said. Rights activists, however, termed it as an excuse for systemic exploitation. Children working alongside parents is normalised, but this is not helpful; it's hidden labour, and it violates their rights, said Nirmal Gorana, convenor of the National Campaign Committee for the Eradication of Bonded Labour. According to a local official, the seasonal nature of the work also makes oversight difficult, as the workers come in October and leave by June before the monsoon. So, keeping track of their movement and exploitation becomes tough, the district official told PTI .

The New Indian Express 20 Jul 2025 1:34 pm

11 cops suspended for extortion, assault of livestock trader in Kanpur

LUCKNOW: In a case of blatant corruption, 11 Police Response Vehicle (PRV) personnel, accused of attacking livestock trader Mohammad Uzair and extorting Rs 10,000 from him, were suspended in Kanpur. Those cops left their assigned spot to extort money from the trader and assaulted him. The incident took place on July 12. Following a formal complaint, authorities initiated an investigation and found the cops involved in the case. This led them to order the suspension of 11 personnel on Monday for allegedly assaulting and extorting money from the trader from Aligarh. The preliminary enquiry was conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) South and the probe established the culpability of the cops. The suspension was implemented based on the initial findings and now a comprehensive investigation is underway by the Assistant Commissioner of Police. As per the sources, on July 12, livestock trader Mohammad Uzair and driver Laxman were transporting animals from Sarsaul to Aligarh when they were reportedly attacked and robbed of Rs 10,000 by PRV personnel in the Chakeri area under Barra police station jurisdiction. As per the complainant, while crossing Barra Cut Flyover by Arjun Eye Hospital on the highway, personnel from Chakeri's PRV 7058 halted him from behind demanding payment for animal transportation. Subsequently, PRV units 6504 and 7055 from Hanumant Vihar police station arrived at the scene. The personnel from all three PRVs insisted on a payment of 500 rupees per cop for passage. Upon his refusal to comply, the personnel forcibly removed him from their vehicle, assaulted him, and departed after issuing threats. The victims then reported the incident to the police. Acting on a complaint given by the animal trader, DCP South Deependra Nath Chaudhary conducted the probe, and he confirmed that the investigation found the cops guilty. He said that such behaviour dented the police department's reputation. The subsequent investigation established that PRV 7058 from Chakeri police station, operated by Constable Atul Sachan, initially intercepted the animal trader's vehicle. The unit included Head Constable Rishirajan, Constables Hariom Singh and Rinki Rani. PRV 7055 from Hanumant Vihar had Head Constables Ajay Kumar Yadav and Anand Kumar, with Constable Umashankar Dixit. Additionally, PRV 6504 from the same station was driven by Head Constable Pradeep Kumar, accompanied by Amir Hasan, Constable Sonu Yadav, and Aradhana. All involved cops have been suspended.

The New Indian Express 15 Jul 2025 11:54 pm

Unidentified attackers stab female student inside college in UP's Aligarh; protest erupts

ALIGARH: Tension gripped a prominent women' degree college in Aligarh district on Monday after an undergraduate student was allegedly stabbed by unidentified attackers within the college premises. The incident triggered protests outside the college, prompting police intervention. The victim, an undergraduate student of Sri Tika Ram Kanya Mahavidyalaya, whose identity has not been disclosed by the police and college, sustained stab wounds and managed to call her family before collapsing. Her relatives rushed her to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment. According to hospital officials, she is currently out of danger but is unable to provide further details due to her condition. Pratima Shrivastava, a college official, said the girl was at the college's NCC complex when the administration was alerted about the incident. As news of the attack spread, a crowd gathered outside the college gate on Ramghat Road under Kuwarsi police station limits. Protesters blocked traffic, demanding action and the arrest of the culprits, who they claimed could be identified through CCTV footage from the campus. Senior police officials reached the spot and succeeded in pacifying the protesters, restoring normalcy later. Circle Officer Sarwam Singh told reporters that a case was registered against unidentified persons based on a complaint filed by the victim's family. CCTV footage is being thoroughly examined, and we expect a breakthrough soon, he said and added that security around the college has been stepped up in the wake of the incident.

The New Indian Express 15 Jul 2025 9:03 am

Kanwar Yatra 2025: Major traffic diversions in Delhi-NCR

Vehicles from Aligarh, Bulandshahr, and Sikandrabad via NH-91 must now use the EPE to reach Delhi. The post Kanwar Yatra 2025: Major traffic diversions in Delhi-NCR appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .

Fusion WeRIndia 11 Jul 2025 10:02 am

In Memory of Dr. Abid Raza Bedar (19332025)

A Torchbearer of Knowledge and Culture Dr. Abid Raza Bedar, a distinguished historian, scholar, and former Director of the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, passed away in Aligarh on March 28, 2025, at the age of 92. His demise on Jumma-tul-Wida a day considered blessed marked the end of an era in the world of [] The post In Memory of Dr. Abid Raza Bedar (19332025) first appeared on .

Islamic Voice 7 Jul 2025 8:17 pm

Man beats pregnant wife to death after argument over salty food in UP's Kasganj

ETAH: A man allegedly killed his five-month pregnant wife by beating her, which led to her falling from the roof of their house in the Kasganj district, officials said on Thursday. Brajbala (25) succumbed to her injuries after the assault, which allegedly stemmed from a domestic dispute over excess salt in the food she cooked on Wednesday evening, the police said. The incident occurred in Nagda Dhak village and escalated from a minor disagreement about the meal between Brajbala and her husband, Ramu. The dispute turned violent when Ramu allegedly attacked Brajbala, resulting in her falling from the roof and sustaining severe injuries. Family members rushed Brajbala to the district hospital, however, due to her critical condition, she was referred to the Aligarh Medical College, where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment on Thursday. Following Brajbala's death, her brother alleged that Ramu had an illicit affair with his sister-in-law, which Brajbala opposed. This alleged affair was a frequent cause of altercations between the couple. Ramu allegedly fled the scene after the incident, but was later apprehended by villagers from a house outside the village the same night and handed over to the police, Additional Superintendent of Police, Rajesh Bharti said. A case has been registered against Ramu, and investigations are underway, the ASP added. The police took Brajbala's body into custody for a post-mortem examination and initiated an investigation into the matter.

The New Indian Express 3 Jul 2025 6:50 pm

Over 2 mn annual burn injuries in India, 25k deaths, says study: Study

NEW DELHI: India faces a high burn burden with an estimated 2.1 million people suffering from injuries, 25,000 deaths, and 1.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) annually. What is worrying is that the burn survivors not only face increased societal stigma in the form of bullying, staring, teasing, mocking, degradation, and labelling, but also witness daily discrimination at Indian healthcare institutions and from healthcare providers (HCPs), a latest study has said. This lack of empathy - and sometimes physical abuse - from healthcare professionals leave them in emotional, physical, and psychological damage, particularly for patients with visible disfigurements or disability and those from underprivileged backgrounds, said the study, which is the first of its kind globally which aims explicitly to assess stigma faced by burn patients in hospitals and healthcare settings. Published in the Science Direct Burns journal, the study suggests that institutional neglect, under-resourced facilities, overburdened staff, and systemic failures in Indias healthcare facilities are some of the reasons for burn patients receiving discriminatory and low-quality care. The study was conducted by The George Institute for Global Health, India. Medical advancements have led to increased survival rates, but there is a need to focus on improving the long-term physical, psychological, and social impacts of burn injuries. The researchers, which included Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh; Department of Plastic Surgery, King Georges Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia, said patients also reported being blamed and criticized by healthcare providers, especially in the case of acid attack survivors. Such attitudes led to feelings of shame among the patients, complicating their psychological well-being, the study conducted in Uttar Pradesh burn facilities said. In fact, the study said even healthcare providers confessed to experiencing discomfort when treating burns, particularly if the patient had severe disfiguring burns or was new to the burn ward. Patients mentioned distressing experiences of physical abuse while getting treatment in the hospital, where they felt mistreated or subjected to rough handling by HCPs. This physical abuse not only exacerbated their physical pain but also deepened their feelings of vulnerability, the study said. Survivors also mentioned experiencing medical gaslighting, where their symptoms or concerns were dismissed or trivialised by HCPs, leading to feelings of distrust in the healthcare system. According to Pratishtha Singh, The George Institute for Global Health, said, Burn survivors, particularly women and poor people, receive blame and isolation and face neglect in hospitals. At the same time, overworked and under-supported healthcare staff struggle with burnout, which can lead to unintentional but harmful behaviour towards patients. Addressing patient experiences and system challenges is key to building compassionate and fair burn care. The study said dehumanising experience made burn survivors fearful of returning to the hospital, where they may encounter judgment or stigma, deterring them from seeking essential follow-up care. This negatively impacted recovery outcomes. Reluctance in follow-up visits and poor compliance with physiotherapy result in the development of contractures - a major complication among burn survivors. This further contributes to disfigurement and stigma, it added. Patients also shared that their socioeconomic status often overshadows their medical needs, resulting in dismissive and patronising attitudes from healthcare providers. Experiences of hospital staff in India suggest that burn survivors are often considered as untouchables- both from HCPs (healthcare providers) and other hospitalised non-burn patients, resulting in the provision of differential care. Such negative experiences in facilities may cause further social isolation, reduce quality of life, and increase mental health burden, it added. The study suggested an urgent need for reform within the health systems by developing policies and guidelines around discrimination-free healthcare, strengthening public-sector burn care, enhancing rehabilitation services, raising awareness of burns, and improving the social reintegration of survivors. The study said the HCPs also mentioned healthcare facilities' financial challenges, which often operate within constrained budgets. Limited funding for essential services, including burn care, was identified as another key issue, leading to a compromise in patient care quality. Participants emphasised that deficiencies in public health infrastructure, like poor sanitation and hygiene, pose significant barriers to effective burn care, it added. Due to this, HCPs often implemented rigorous infection control practices, such as maintaining distance from patients, isolating them, and wearing protective gear. However, HCPs also noted that while necessary for infection control, these measures may sometimes be perceived as stigmatising behaviour by patients, it added. Globally, there are about 180,000 deaths each year, with the most significant burden in low- and middle-income countries.

The New Indian Express 3 Jul 2025 8:19 am

Himanta Biswa Sarma inspects Numaligarh Bio-Refinery before PM Modi's visit

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inspected the Numaligarh Refinery. He reviewed the progress of the bamboo-based ethanol plant. This plant is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 8. The Chief Minister also assessed preparations for the Prime Minister's visit. Sarma inaugurated the Dhansiri Nagar Township for refinery staff.

The Economic Times 30 Jun 2025 9:11 pm

Three killed, six missing after cloudburst hits Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating cloudburst that struck the Baligarh area on the Barkot-Yamunotri road early Sunday, sweeping away at least 20 labourers from an under-construction hotel site, killing at least three of them. The rescue teams have so far managed to save 11 of the labourers, and the other six are still missing . The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) recovered one body from the debris, and the police retrieved two bodies at a distance of 18 kilometres. The natural calamity has not only caused significant human loss but also severely impacted critical infrastructure. A crucial 10-meter stretch of the Yamunotri Highway has been completely washed away, effectively cutting off connectivity to the site of pilgrimage here. In response to the escalating crisis, the state government has taken the unprecedented step of suspending the Char Dham Yatra for the next 24 hours. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the decision, adding, As a precautionary measure, I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Vikasnagar. The mountainous districts of Uttarakhand have been experiencing relentless, heavy rainfall since Saturday night, leading to an alarming rise in the water levels of major rivers. The Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, which pass through the Badrinath and Kedarnath regions, are now flowing above the danger mark. SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi stated, Police in both districts are appealing to people living on riverbanks to move to safer locations. SDRF units are continuously monitoring potential high-risk areas and have urged pilgrims and others to refrain from approaching the riverbanks. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken immediate cognisance of the incident, expressing concern via a tweet about the missing labourers. Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management, shed light on the arduous rescue efforts, explaining, Police and Army personnel from nearby areas have initiated rescue operations. State and national disaster response teams have been deployed. Currently, 15 personnel are actively engaged, with approximately 45 more on the way. Due to the challenging terrain, heavy machinery cannot reach the site, and teams are conducting rescues manually. The labourers are either trapped in debris, stuck on rocks, or have been swept away into the river. Efforts to locate them are ongoing, he said.

The New Indian Express 30 Jun 2025 7:50 am

BSP chief seeks UP CMs help for SC/ST students scholarships

LUCKNOW, June 29: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday to resolve the alleged scholarship issue faced by Dalit and tribal students studying in Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh University-affiliated colleges across various districts. The BSP chief, in a post on X, said, The scholarships of thousands of SC/ST students of dozens of colleges in various districts affiliated to Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh University, Aligarh, have not been settled on time [] The post BSP chief seeks UP CMs help for SC/ST students scholarships appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Daily Excelsior 29 Jun 2025 5:44 pm

Uttarakhand cloudburst: 89 workers missing at hotel construction site in Baligarh

Cloudburst in Baligarh: A cloudburst near BarkotYamunotri road in Uttarkashi has caused significant damage to a hotel construction site, leaving several workers missing as rescue operations are underway. Separately, heavy rainfall has blocked the BadrinathRishikesh highway, disrupting pilgrimage travel. Chief Minister Dhami has advised caution and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to the adverse weather forecast.

The Economic Times 29 Jun 2025 8:24 am

Telangana: 2 Arrested for Online Investment Scam

Superintendent of police Mahesh B. Gite identified the accused as Kapil Sharma (21) and Pankaj Kaushik (24), both residents of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

Deccan Chronicle 27 Jun 2025 3:23 am

Life term for rapist after girl, 8, testifies

In Aligarh, a Pocso court sentenced Shailesh Manjhi to life imprisonment for the 2020 rape and assault of an eight-year-old girl. Manjhi, who worked near the brick kiln where the girl's family lived, lured her with a false story before committing the crime.

The Times of India 22 Jun 2025 5:20 am

Shock in Rampur: Father of six marries his minor sons bride-to-be

In Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, a man named Shakeel married his son's intended bride after developing feelings for her. His wife, Shabana, suspected the affair and caught them together, leading the son to refuse the marriage. Similarly, in Aligarh, a woman named Anita eloped with her daughter's fianc, taking cash and jewelry, leaving her family shocked and betrayed.

The Economic Times 21 Jun 2025 4:48 pm